Wednesday

Spirit of Thanksgiving Past: ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S DECLARATION

A DECLARATION OF THE FIRST OFFICIAL THANKSGIVING

"I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

---ABRAHAM LINCOLN

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WISHING FOR...
AN ABUNDANT.... PLEASANT... PEACEFUL...THANKSGIVING... TO ALL !

Tuesday

Whole Hearted Mother Conference

...Just a short little note to let everyone know that Brenda, over at Coffee Tea and Books, is urging Bloggers to spread the word regarding the...Whole Hearted Mother Conferences 2009 in NC, CA, and TX. For more information please visit Brenda's blog http://coffeeteabooksandme.blogspot.com !
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Like all of you, we will be pretty busy this week, so may not get all the posts up as quickly as we'd like...so thank you for your patience and have a lovely Thanksgiving. More soon!

Warmly,
Tracey



Monday

Another Goodie From Generous DaisyMum7...Down Under on Daisy Mountain!

Good Morning Dear Souls.

DaisyMum7, from Daisy Mountain http://daisymountain.blogspot.com has generously tagged me to write 6 things I am happy about (and then nominate 3 others to do the same)...

1. I am very grateful to be healthy. I've seen first hand, from growing up with a mother who suffered terribly from Multiple Sclerosis, how precious is the gift of good health. It is something I work very hard to appreciate and not take for granted.

2. I am grateful for my kind and good husband. You know that old saying..."A true friend is someone who knows all about you...and likes you anyway." ? That's us.

3. I am grateful for our three children...my two oldest are kind, hardworking, goodhearted young adults in their early twenties...and our youngest is sixteen and a joy to have around...with her kind, patient and wise ways.

4. I am grateful for my father. He has set the watermark for all of us when caring for my mom (at home) as she suffered for over forty years (my entire life) from Multiple Sclerosis. I'm sure he's not even aware of how his example of loyalty, patience, and care has positively affected his children and grandchildren...and everyone who ever met him and my mom. In fact, I'm sure his great (and great, great) grandchildren will be told stories about his devotion and character. Most people forget that our behavior creates a ripple affect...through generations. His grandmother (my great grandmother) came from Sweden. As far back as I can remember he told stories about how she cared for my great grandfather (her husband) for years, after he became incapacitated by a stroke. That was his example....and it rippled through the generations to him, as he cared for my mom in a similar manner. Through that care, he's passes a similar example to his own children and grandchildren. What a beautiful gift.

5. I'm grateful that we are blessed with our lovely little "Grace Cottage", more than enough to eat, warm clothes and a comfortable, peaceful home to return to each day.

6. I am grateful for the ability to be grateful...i.e., the ability to recognize and appreciate the little luxuries, gifts and miracles that pop up in our lives throughout each day...and for the knowledge that what we focus on grows (thus, I try to focus on what's lovely, right and good).

Now...I pass this tag on to...

Brenda, at Coffee Tea Books and Me
Manuela, at The Pleasures of Home
Clarice, at Storybook Woods

Thank you again, DaisyMum7, for the tag and for the opportunity to reflect on my blessings...there are many more which I have not mentioned...I am grateful for the lovely, lovely souls I've found in this ethereal blogging community.
Blessings and best thoughts to you all.
Warmly,
Tracey

Thursday

Harvest (Candy) Corn from Pumpkins & Other Edible Delights...


Harvest (Candy) Corn from Pumpkins & Other Edible Delights!
Not so in the natural world...but in the world of Frugal Luxuries anything is possible!!


Wednesday

THE ART OF FRUGALITY

The following is an excerpt from Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride, Published by Bantam Books, NY; 1997
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The Ancient Art of...
"Let each man exercise the art."
--Aristophanes

"It is an ancient art. It's practice has been recorded as far back as the time of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (about 399 B.C.). Its nurture, or neglect, has influenced the rise and fall of nations and civilizations. Abandoning it has been the ruin of fortunes. Embracing it amplifies wealth and can dispel the state of poverty.
What is this mysterious, seemingly elusive art of which I speak? Frugality. A humble word, it is derived from two ancient Latin words, frugalix and frux, both meaning..."success". You may also call it by other names, such as prudence, sparingness and thrift. Whatever your choice may be, it always means the unwillingness to squander goods or spend money unnecessarily. It is the careful use of materials or resources.
The quality of being frugal is one so powerful as to change lives and affect history. Each of us possesses the ability to exercise it. Frugality allows you to govern your destiny and produce in your life a lovely, fertile garden of material and intangible wealth. Without it, you may be tossed upon the waves of circumstance, at the mercy of your unorganized whims..."

Hello dear souls...just a quick note to let you know that, for some unknown reason, none of my blogs are allowing the upload of pictures/images (video upload works, but I haven't any good ones to share yet :). I've some fun pictures to share, but these will have to wait until the problem is resolved. Sadly, I cannot find a way to contact Google Blogger for help (I've already jumped through all the help hoops and sites etc...to no avail). Thanks so much for your patience until this problem is resolved. Until then...it's words...words...words...or...I may go over to Squidoo and re-post these things on my Frugal Luxuries lens there...along with pictures. I'll try to put in the link later this week (or today, if time permits).
Warmly,
Tracey
P.S. Should any of you have any tips on how to resolve this dilemma, I would be very grateful for your input! It seemed to happen immediately after I deleted two pictures that I had posted in the wrong order. Thanks in advance.

Monday

THE ART OF APPRECIATION (tm)


THE ART OF APPRECIATING PEOPLE

"As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own."
---Margaret Meade

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The secret to any successful relationship is not only to value a person but to consistently let them know you value them. Human nature has a hunger to be appreciated. Feed that hunger by offering sincere appreciation whenever the opportunity arises. Take a moment to ponder just how valuable the people in your life are to you. Treat them with the dignity they deserve and show them they are valued....
....Remember to tell others that you appreciate them. If someone has helped you in any way (the person at the market, your husband, wife, child) thank them and tell them specifically "I appreciate your help." Appreciation is food for the soul.
People are the most wondrous creations....each individual is unique and has a right to be treated as such. Everyone enjoys being greeted by name and given special treatment of some kind, however small the gesture.
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Taken from Frugal Luxuries, by Tracey McBride, Bantam Books, 1997.



Friday

Award from Daisy Mountain...For Living a "Charmingly Imperfect Life" (okay... I made that part up)!

Hello Good Souls! Today I was the proud recipient of my first blog award! It was presented to me by the funny, charming, and very real DaisyMum7 who always offers an inspiring and entertaining blog. Please feel free to drop by and say hello at http://daisymountain.blogspot.com ...she is such fun to read!

Now for the sad subject matter...it was given to those of us who confessed to mess. DaisyMum7 brought up a great point...basically that life is messy and there are lots of interruptions to keep us from untangling the knots that tend to happen whenever people actually live in their surroundings. I make myself feel better by labeling them "Charming (I use the word loosely) Imperfections"! My nomination and subsequent win (along with several others) was for confessing a ramshackle patio.

To go with this award there was a very pretty little widget showing Marie Antoinette. Because I am still discovering my new MacBook, I haven't yet learned how to bring it over to our blog! So, when you go over to visit Daisy Mountain be sure to enjoy it on DaisyMum7 's blog ---be sure to do as Anne (of Green Gables) would.... and just imagine that it is on this page.

As well, being new at blogging, I'm not exactly certain how this works, but I think I'm supposed to pass this award along to seven of you lovely readers who wish to confess their own mess. That being said, please feel free to pick up the confess to mess award for yourself and for a friend--consider it a gift from Frugal Luxuries. :)

Later today (if time permits) I will try to post a list of creative Christmas / holiday strategies for those of us living within our means (i.e. no credit cards & limited budget). Feel free to drop by our holiday blog, http://frugalluxuriesseasons.blogspot.com, if you think these might be helpful to you or someone you know.

Warmly,
Tracey

Wednesday

FRUGAL FEASTS (tm) : HOW TO COOK AND EAT YOUR THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS

Once Thanksgiving has ended...
Cook and Enjoy the Natural Decorations You've Used on Your Mantle.
You'll find detailed directions and more photos at...

Tuesday

Nature's Bounty



On our holidays/seasons blog (http://frugalluxuriesseasons.blogspot.com/)
We have more photos of how to use what you have to create
eco-friendly, budget friendly, double-duty holiday decor!
In these photos I've used my favorite Acorn squash; oranges from my Dad's house;
and a variety of seed pods gathered from the garden!
Place them in wooden or ceramic bowls for table centerpieces
(Caution: The candle in the bowl is for LOOKS ONLY!
Obviously, DON'T light the candle or you'll have a bonfire!!)
Took all of ten -- fifteen minutes to gather and arrange...
No Money (except when I bought the squash for $1.19 each at the farm stand).
I'll eat them once the holiday is over (cut in half & baked with a little butter & sea salt)...
and replace the autumn-y colors/things with Christmas ornaments and fresh
evergreens from the garden (such as Rosemary, Eucalyptus, & Pine).
The twinkle lights & candles remain (I'll replace the tiny oranges with cranberries or??).
This saves time, money and is very very green!
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Sunday

WORKS of WONDER and QUIET GRACES


"A miracle is a wonder, a beam of supernatural power injected into history...
An opening in the wall that separates this world and another."
--Time, December 30, 1990
DON'T FORGET TO LOOK...
Our lives are filled with wonders, beginning with the miracle of birth. Children seem to begin life accepting this comfort. As they grow from infancy into childhood you can see their natural awareness and acceptance of the miracles around them. Each moment seems to be a discovery, a wonder, a joy.
Sadly, as people grow older, they become involved with the tasks of living--so much so that they lose sight of the miracles that are sent to them, as well as the Author of those miracles. Oftentimes they are discouraged during life's more challenging moments. Still, it is in these darkest of times that they should seek out and draw forth the wonders working within their own lives. Consequently, they may discover that they are able to reach beyond themselves and positively touch the lives of others as well.
In looking back at the many quiet wonders in my own life, I see that a great many of them were linked to a larger one--one that went virtually unrecognized by me at the time. The value of small actions and decisions is immense. for those are often but segments of a larger whole. How may times have you ignored an instinct? How many times have you thought, "Wonders never happen in my life, so why waste the effort and time to even try to see them?" How many times have you been blind to the smaller graces that can lead to larger ones?
Take a moment, right now, to think back on the quiet graces and works of wonder that have happened in your life. Think of recent ones; consider childhood memories. Perhaps it was something you shrugged off as coincidence or, because you couldn't explain it, you tucked it into the recesses of your memory. It could have been the time you lost a large amount of money in a public place and it was returned to you. Maybe a friend loaned you a book that only an hour earlier you had strongly wanted to read--and reading that book dramatically influenced your life for the better. Sometimes miracles are as mundane as stumbling across a coveted set of serving bowls and platters that match your now obsolete china pattern at a yard sale--the weekend before your big party. Think back on small events that developed into a chain of events, which led to the discovery of a new best friend, a positive role model, a marriage partner, or to the positive realization of your life's work.
You may reclaim your gift of wonder and the frugal luxuries philosophy will help to show you how. To begin, you need only develop an awareness of the quiet graces that surround you. They are waiting for you to notice them, dormant, as seeds are dormant, expecting to be planted and watered so that they may sprout and bear fruit. To neglect them may cause you to miss so many of the blessings in store for you in life. Wonders and graces are not ancient, far away occurrences, they are here, now today--just as they have always been.

The original "FRUGAL LUXURIES" ~ Based on the books by Tracey McBride ~ Established 1993

A warm Thank You to all kind souls and kindred spirits who generously take the time to leave a comment...your encouragement, trust and support are deeply appreciated...please know that we read each and every message and will respond as time allows.

~~~

Frugal Luxuries
is a registered trademark.


~~~


"FRUGAL LUXURIES: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul" was written by Tracey McBride and published by Bantam Books, NY, in 1997. It was the first of its genre to synergize the elements of simplicity, frugality and gracious living.

After more than a decade, FRUGAL LUXURIES has never been out of print and is now more relevant than ever.

"It's our hope that a new generation, faced with a teetering economy, will also find this information helpful and enlightening."



Sending Good Thought to Our Special Band of Kind and Kindred Souls!

Frugal Luxuries Book I

Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons Book II

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