Make it, Give it Sell it! Bartering
About 2 years ago several us women got together with our 'nitch' that we make or sell. We met at a friend's home; each of us set up a table, and gave a little 'sales pitch' about what we had to offer. Some folks had services, some had products, and some had nice items they were willing to part with.
Anyway, after everyone did their spill we had a fun and profitable time going to each other and bartering. I think I did really well. :o) One of the things I make is crocheted name doilies. It cost me maybe ONE DOLLAR to make, and 6-7 hours crocheting in the evenings while we read or watch a movie, I do not consider it work because it is so relaxing… anyway…I bartered a name for a like-new surround system!!! I almost felt guilty but the lady did not want it anymore and she wanted a name. lol… OK!!! That same night I bartered 2 names for a bunch of homemade baked goods (whole wheat at that!), from a family of incredible cooks and shampoo, moose, some other hair stuff from a lady whose husband owns a beauty supply business. There were some other things I traded that night, I can't remember now…I was very please and was even able to 'pick up' a few Christmas gifts!
This is one way to make it, give it or sell it!
I'd love to hear some of your ideas.
Make It, Give It or Sell it!
Whether it be items to make as gifts or items to sell there are all sorts of things that can be made right from home, thus making money and saving money.
Today begins a new series called Make It, Give It, or Sell It! With the holiday season knocking at our door there may some things you or your children can make, not only to give as gifts but maybe to generate some cash.
These are something we've made and given, we even sold them several times at fall/winter festivals.
These are nice gifts for anyone.You can put it in a basket with a couple mugs and a loaf of pumpkin bread…yummm.
Make your own 'designer' label on your computer. Then cover/stick on the label with wide packing tape. Add a fabric strip or raffia around the lid. The key to selling these are to give samples! All you need is a pump thermos and the small plastic cups sold at Wal Mart or Sams. Just offer a 2-3 swallows. ;o) We sell these for $5 a pint.
Spiced Tea Mix
1 (18 ounce) jar orange breakfast beverage crystals
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies
1/3 cup instant tea mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Combine all ingredients; store in an airtight container.
To serve, stir 1 1/2 tablespoons of mix into 1 cup hot water, stirring until candies dissolve. Yield: 5 cups (Makes about 1 1/2 quart, dry)
Keep the spiced tea mix on the kitchen counter in a decorative jar accented with a holiday ribbon. When company drops by, put the kettle on to boil, and set a tray with tea cups, lacy napkins, and cookies.
For more in a jar reciepes you can hop on over to my homemaking blog and read Gifts in a Jar.
To Avoid Criticism
Investing in Our Future
In God's sovereignty He has chosen not to give us a house full of children, although I am VERY THANKFUL for the ones He has given me. But now that they are about all grown up I miss having little ones.
Because God is so gracious to us, He has placed us in a wonderful church and given us the greatest circle of friends, most of whom have LOTS of little ones.
In a home where there are many children ranging from tots to teens the home is the perfect place to learn all about relationships. The pre-teens and teen learn all about parenting (in a sibling kind of way), especially if they are homeschooled. By the time those tots become teens, the older children will probably be married and having children of their own. It's a natural learning process. But when there are no little ones to care for, to serve, to teach, to discpline and to love on there can be a void in a person's learning about relationships, about family life, about how to care for little ones.
We want our children to be ready for marriage and children, so we are open and honest with them. We seek out ways to put them on that 'training ground'.
Today was one of those days. To get my 'fix' of some wee ones, and to give the girls some training, we spent some time with our friends that have TWO 2 year olds (one adopted, can you tell which one? lol…), a 3 year old and a 5 (6?) year old and we did a little craft. Oh yeah…this family also has a 13 year old and a 15 year old, who spent their time studing their economics lesson, while the rest of us played. ;o)
We made little Thankful Tom's.
I actually had several more pictures…BUT do you have idea how hard it is to take a picture of 4 kids that keep moving…all the other pictures are blurry! lol…
For those of you that have older daughters, are you looking for oprtunites to give them LIFE skills? Today was not only fun for us, but it was investing in my grandchildren I will have one day. Lord willing. My daughter's will be ready for family life. Right now they can laugh at their future (Proverbs 31) because they will be prepared, well much as they can be. ;o)
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Frugal Friday- Woot!
I love Woot!
I love Woot!
I love Woot!
I love Woot!
Woot.com offers a one day sale on an item, usually an electronic item. I love the fact that they have a forum where 'geeks' discuss whether or not it is a good item or a good price.
So check it out!
For more Frugal tips check out Crystal's site!
What Can We Learn from the Amish?
Last night we watched a neat documentary about the Amish people, The Amish: A People of Preservation. No they are not perfect and yes, they are legalistic in many ways. Say what you will about them, but we can learn a lot from them about teaching our children and enjoying our families, not to mention how they take care of others in their community.
FREE gift wrapping until the end of the year!
How to Make Italian Meatballs
Mix thoroughly with your hands.
Make golf ball size meatballs.
Add meatballs to hot sauce. Keep on low heat.
Cover pot.
How to Make Breadcrumbs
These were made with some whole wheat bread that actually came out too 'heavy', so instead of throwing it away I tore it up into smaller pieces and put it in my Vita Mix (the BEST blender).
Bag up in a freezer bag and keep in the freezer until you need them for meatballs, meatloaf or stuffing. You can add your seasoning if you'd like, that way it will be all ready!
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Happy Birthday Olivia!
Friday we celebrated Olivia's 18th birthday…am I really THAT old?
We enjoyed a girl's night out eating Chinese and then a trip to the thrift store.
Our circle of friends just LOVE the thrift store! :o)
Here is Emma and her friend Laura…can you guess who the comedian in our family is?
She keeps us laughing all the time!
Of course you'll find Olivia and Ana (one of her dearest friends) in the BOOKS!
And YES, I do carry a camera with me everywhere I go…sometimes I have 2 cameras in my purse! ;o)
Until I figure out how to successfully add a slideshow to a post on here you'll have to go on over to my homemaking blog to see slideshows. I posted one of Olivia. SEE IT HERE!
If you are struggling with homeschooling, HANG IN THERE! It is SO WORTH IT!
God is good…all the time!
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Domestic Class- Bread Making
Sure it is easier to go to the store and buy a couple loaves of bread, but there is something about the smell of bread baking in your home. There is something so rewarding in making it yourself and knowing that you are providing good nutrition for your family.
Yes, bread machines work pretty good, but it is also good to know HOW to do it by hand. If nothing else it will make you appreciate the kneading process in the bread machine!!! :o)
Yesterday was our Bread Making class taught by Tiffany Lee (front-right) and her wonderful sisters, Emily and Abby.OH MY! I wish you could have smelled that kitchen! It was rainy and chilly outside but with the warmth of the ovens and the rich aroma of whole wheat breads baking…mmm….it sure could put you in the Christmas spirit in no time!
We made whole wheat bread and calzones (sp?). Each family brought salads to eat with our calzones…it was wonderful! You can hop on over to my homemaking blog to see the slide show…hope you're not hungry. ;o)
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Domestic Class- Live Greenery Arrangements
It was perfect timing for our Live Greenery Class yesterday as the holiday season is just around the corner. With these arrangements you can decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
This is probably one of the most festive yet, EASY and economical projects to do! I am hoping by next week to have a tutorial up on how to make your own.
You can go over to my homemaking blog and see the slide show for this class.
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Frugal Friday- Buying Nuts
When buying nuts it is cheaper to buy them in the produce section at Wal Mart than it is back in the baking isle.
For more Frugal Friday Tips hop on over here.
The Bloggy Giveaway Winner is…
Rachel of We Shall Mount Up with Wings.
Now let me tell you why I choose her, well actually her daughter Kendra.
First of all it is NOT their hardships that caused me to choose them, because we ALL have hardships. What I was looking for was someone that would be productive and use it to bless others. I looked at Kendra's pictures that were linked to and I see that she is EAGER to learn and already giving to others. Email me your address Rachel.
I wish I could choose everyone…really I do!
BUT if you did comment on this giveaway I am offering our DVDs at 40%. So just email me so I can verify that you did comment and I'll send you the discount link. This offer will run through Sunday night only.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
Video Clip
Ceaser?
I have had this quote hanging in our kitchen for several years now:
"Those people who will not be governed by God
will be ruled by tyrants."
William Penn
27 Days of Thanksgiving - Freedom
Obviously today I am VERY thankful that we have the freedom to vote.
We have the freedom to pursue happiness. Note, it does not say we have the right TO happiness, but the right to pursue it!
From the Dictionary:
PURSUE
- Function: verb (if it's a verb then you know it is something you must DO)
- 1: to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat
- 2: to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish
27 Days of Thanksgiving
Day 3:
Today I am thankful that we live in the south and that the weather was nice enough to get outside and do yard work! Our yard has been so neglected for the past month because we have been so busy, but this afternoon all of us put our work clothes on, grabbed a mower, a blower, a weed eater, and a rake and got 'er done! Well, mostly done.
It has been a stressful here with some situations beyond our control and there is nothing like putting in some hard physical work to alleviate tension! I love to push the lawn mower, it helps me block out distractions and I can just THINK and ask God lots of questions! ;o)
So today, I am thankful for yardwork and equipment to do it with! Oh! and that I had three other people working with me!!!
Our Interview for Simple Times
We are excited to share our interview for Simple Times with all of you. This is a section in a statewide magazine here in Alabama. We are very humbled by Mrs. Geno's article about us. She also did the article that our girls were in last month HERE.
Here is part of the article by Suzy Lowery Geno who is a freelance writer from Blount County, be sure to hop on over and read the whole thing:
Your child or teenager likely can solve intricate math problems, converse to some point in at least two languages and is such a whiz at the computer that you go to him or her when YOU have problems.
But do they know how to change a tire on their car? Change the car’s oil? Bake bread from scratch? Sew a quilt to keep warm? Unstop a plumbing drain or install a faucet? Use herbs to make a plain meal special—and often times more healthy? Use a saw and hammer to repair your porch steps or build helpful items like bird houses? Or even grow and preserve at least part of their food for a healthier lifestyle? That’s where the Brodock family comes in.
Kathy Brodock explained, "One of our primary goals as parents is to equip our children with the practical skills and tools to one day be productive, well-rounded adults."
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AND SEE THE PICTURES HERE!
Thank you Mrs. Geno!
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27 Days of Thanksgiving
