Making All Things New

"Behold, I make all things new."

~Revelations, 21:5

      
~~~~~~~

Sending good thoughts of blessings, joy and Love to all good and kindred souls.
x0x

Loss and Change

"The real things haven't changed.

It is still best to be honest and truthful;

To make the most of what we have;

To be happy with simple pleasures;

And have courage when things go wrong."

--Laura Ingalls Wilder

~~~

Well my kind friends...a sad event has happened.  

My beloved father passed away a few weeks ago after a brief unexpected illness.

The world has lost a good man who led a good life.

Yet his legacy of love lives on in his children and grandchildren. 

Prayers and good thoughts are always welcome 

Especially now.

Sending love and appreciation to all good souls.

Spring: Art of Frugality (one)

Spring: Art of Frugality

I mended two small holes in an expensive pair of black cotton leggings that Zoey (our kitty) had accidentally torn when trying to climb onto my lap. I did this by using a long, fine embroidery needle and one strand of black cotton embroidery thread. The trick to making these look somewhat smooth was to put them on inside-out and then carefully mend the holes while wearing them. As a result, the repairs are hardly visible, barring very close scrutiny, and now they are perfect to wear around the house and running errands.  I was so pleased with the results that I took two other favorite leggings of mine, with much larger tears, and did the same thing! The mends are more noticeable on these but perfect for working in the garden, or messy projects around the house, or even as pajama bottoms!

~~~

While in the mend and rescue mode, I transformed an old and much worn at the knees pair of yoga pants into bike shorts by simply cutting off the legs.  I now have a cute pair of shorts to wear under a tunic or dress.  Because of the type of fabric, no hemming was necessary. These will be comfy to wear in the warmer weather.

~~~

Mike and I stopped by a yard sale and the ladies there gave us, free, a wireless printer that currently sells for $700 on Amazon!  Mike noticed it and asked about it, as it wasn't marked for sale?  We suggested that they might get some good money for it but they were not interested...they had already bought and set up a new one.  As well, they didn't trust this one as it made a lot of noise when printing. In fact, they didn't even want to sell it, they were just going to discard it because they didn't want to sell a defective product.  I told them that our daughter has a similar model printer and it makes all kinds of noise (and even sometimes shakes, haha) when printing so that may be normal. They still insisted that we take it for free if we wanted it.  We gratefully accepted and took it home.  It was a gamble, still, as we needed to buy $65 worth of ink to even test it. Our logic was that if we couldn't get it working we could give the ink to Rosie as her printer uses the same cartridges.  Well...two hours later it was working like a champ and easily synced with all our computers and devices!!! This was such a blessing as Rosie is getting married in two months and will be taking her printer with her!

~~~

Our favorite rose bush was looking sparse and hadn't yet bloomed so I used my kitchen scissors to cut up two banana peels very finely...then buried them in a shallow hole (3-4 inches) about 12-18 inches away from the bottom of the rose bush.  Because Id cut the pieces so finely they started breaking down right away and within less than a week we saw the bush revive with new green and then our first rose buds of spring  (late for where we live). The potassium and other minerals are evidently beloved by rose bushes!

~~~

I have long saved the hard rinds from Parmesan cheese in the freezer to add extra flavor.  When making a minestrone soup (based on left over Swiss steak gravy) I popped one of the Parmesan rinds into it and it actually added that much needed pop it was missing.

How are you practicing the art of frugality this week?

The Art of Frugality This Week

~  This week wasn't as frugal as it could have been.  Mike went out of town for work for several days. I drove up and stayed with him for a couple of nights. We enjoyed a frugal sort-of mini vacation...going out for dinner with a nice group of friends in the evenings and visiting afterward was very relaxing and interesting.  I brought food from home for me to eat for my own breakfast and lunches while he was at work and then we ate dinners out as a treat. 

~  Once we arrived home from our out of town trip we went into frugal mode again, eating from the freezer and pantry and making homemade juices by using up the slightly wilting greens and not so crisp cucumbers that had been left in the refrigerator. 

~  Went through my vitamins cupboard to inventory and organize what was on hand. The goal is to use up the oldest vitamins first before they expire.  I found several surprises in the back of the cupboard (purchased during BOGO sales, tucked away and, embarrassingly, forgotten). These will save us having to restock this month on some items that were getting low.

~  Along the same lines as above...I'm also in the process of going through all our skin and hair care products with a similar goal in mind. I found two new bottles of shampoo under the sink (more forgotten BOGOs).  I am taking a hard look at my poor system of keeping inventory of our pantries and thus brainstorming new ways to do this better!

~  Created a new frittata recipe by crumbling a small bit of feta into two beaten eggs, added a shake or two of finely ground Parmesan, cut fresh parsley (that was beginning wilt) a bit of black pepper, garlic and onion powder, and baked it in a very small cast iron skillet.  It came out lovely and, along with a salad, actually provided two nice meals for me when Mike was gone! It was born of my trying to eat up the last bits and bobs that were in the fridge. 


How did you practice the art of frugality this week?

The Art of Frugality

"Thrift is the really romantic thing; economy is more romantic than extravagance...thrift is poetic because it is creative; waste is unpoetic because it is waste...if a man could undertake to make use of all the things in his dustbin, he would be a broader genius than Shakespeare." 

~ G. K. Chesterton

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Being a long-time reader and admirer of blogs such as Blue House Journal , Coffee Tea Books and Me and The Prudent Homemaker ... I am inspired to contribute my own frugal-accountability-list to their ongoing, knowledge-rich and generous offerings.  Many, many times I've been inspired and encouraged by the posts and comments found in their (and others) consistent offerings.  After partaking in silence for far too long, it's now time for me to give back a bit and contribute my small voice to this idea choir.

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This is how I practiced the art of frugality this week.

~ We stopped by our favorite farm stand down at my dad's house and bought a flat of strawberries for $6:00.  Marked half-price, they were considered seconds due to being a bit misshapen ... what I refer to as "charmingly imperfect" ... haha!  I froze about one third of the flat and then we mostly enjoyed them plain ... we also added them to smoothies ... and made our own version of strawberry shortcake (using cubed pound cake from the freezer in lieu of shortcake). We also found huge bunches of kale and parsley for $2 and .50 respectively for juicing and some misshapen (but yummy) Roma tomatoes at 4 for $1 each to dice up in our daily salads.

~ Transformed a few orphaned hot dog buns into garlic breadsticks by trimming off the rounded tops and edges using a serrated knife...buttering...and adding garlic salt and a sprinkle of dried basil.  After popping them into the toaster oven they were a perfect, crunchy aside for Mike's favorite pasta meal.

~ Canceled our Netflix account as we never really watch much from it.  I thought we might as we cut the satellite cord about a year ago...saving at least one hundred dollars per month. We use Apple TV,  Roku or our computers to watch any shows we miss or for Mike's sports. I thought we would have an adjustment period but I can sincerely tell you I have not regretted it once. I tend to listen to podcasts as I putter around the house...or watch old mysteries and the like should I be in the mood to sit and watch something specific.

~ Sliced and dehydrated oranges from my dad's trees. They had been in the produce bin of the refrigerator for a while and needed to be processed. I use these in several ways...ground up in the food processor they add vitamin C to a smoothie...they are also pretty when used to decorate cupcakes and cakes...and of course they offer a rustic look to garlands and other homespun decorations for various holidays.

~ After stumbling upon a charming juice bar (tucked inside a pretty little flower shop) down the road, I became inspired to pull out our neglected juicer. I've been making our own juices of parsley, kale, cucumber, lemon, ginger and apples. We stocked up on organic lemons, apples, cucumbers and ginger for very reasonable prices when doing a much needed Costco run.  I haven't done the math yet but...at nearly $7 for a similar (16 ounce) juice at the juice bar...I know we are definitely coming out ahead! My hopes are that ... by reviving my juicing habit ... I will still be fitting into the dress I fell in love with (and bought) for Rosie's wedding this summer, haha!


How did you practice the art of frugality this week?

Intangible Vision

~~~~~~~

Appreciation mode has set in on this rare rainy day.

For?

Gifts and blessings hidden in plain sight.
Prayers made ... prayers answered.

Optimism.

Above all...

Love.
Both given and received.

Pray.

The Awakening

Even as an intermittent blogger I haven't published much these past few years.  I could write my long list of reasons but it's sufficient to say that I had been left quite inner focused and with a lack of worthy things to contribute. 

During that time I have continued to be very uplifted and inspired by all of your lovely blogs and sites and wish to extend my gratitude for their continued existence. 

While I'm not sure in which direction this new awakening will lead, or how often I will publish, I must confide that, in an unexplainable way, I feel that I'm being led to once again add my humble voice to the chorus of helpful and enlightening wisdoms. 

 "Tiny drops of water make a mighty ocean, tiny grains of sand a beach."

I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised that Frugal Luxuries has returned from Hibernation.

Re~Create Your World: The Power of Focus

“You can actually recreate your world with 
The Word of the Creator in your mouth.”       

 --Mark Twain,  The Prince and the Pauper

The classic saying "energy goes to focus" is never truer than when creating a master list of tasks that will direct your thoughts and (consequently) energy in such a way that you bring about the changes you are trying to create. 

This year I aspire to create a better balanced life and accomplish more of my long term goals.  Here are a few ways I plan to do this:
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Hand write a daily List.
List: A focusing device that translates thoughts, ideas and inspirations ideas into action.
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Use my morning quiet time in a more focused way: 

Use the Word to quietly, positively contribute to the healing and strengthening of the weak areas of my life...our country...our world.

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Write. Share. Learn

Set up the craft/guest room desk as a specific area for writing and posting online. Organize my vast library for easier reference...thus minimizing my screen time.

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Polish my green(ish) thumb.

Plant a new herb garden in our new planters...buy a potted dwarf lemon tree...start seeds I saved from last years' heirloom tomatoes.

Zen Memories...Fresh Future

Zen Memories

When I was a young child we lived in Japan for several years.  My three brothers and I were often supervised by a Japanese woman we called Mica San.  On one occasion when we visited her home I  wondered at a vacant shelf in her kitchen.  She kindly explained to me that empty space is important in a home so that our spirits may find comfort and have room to grow and breathe.

I was mystified by this philosophy.  Later, my mother explained that empty space makes people feel as if they are in control of their lives, as well as providing a symbol that one is not owned by possessions.  As an adult I've come to better understand these concepts...restraint can add tremendous comfort and simplicity to our daily lives and homes.

Source

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Decluttering to simplify





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Sending you all continued good thoughts and love.

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Frugal Feasts : Classic Turkey Soup

"He  that  is  faithful  in  that  which  is  least 

is  faithful  also  in  much."

~The Book of Luke



How to make classic Turkey~Noodle Soup from what's left of

the Thanksgiving Feast.

Click HERE for Recipe!

Culling Sustenence For Less

This post has been reprinted from the

Frugal Luxuries Food blog circa 2009.

Interesting and unusual ways to gather sustenance

George Bernard Shaw pointed out

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food” 

and I heartily agree!  As a confirmed Foodie, 

I find a type of romance in raw ingredients.

Like Michaelangelo saw his masterpiece David

inside a block of marble,

I see berries and envision jams, juices, cobblers and pies.  

Nutty whole wheat flour, water, yeast and 

a bit of sugar meld to become crusty loaves of homemade bread, 

the mints, verbena and lemon geraniums 

from my tiny garden are ice-chilled glasses of tea 

to refresh us on a hot summer’s day.

~~~~~~

Here are a few classic strategies for keeping faithful

to your food budget!

1. Eat by design: Establish a food budget 

and then design a weekly, bi weekly or monthly menu. 

Don’t assume you have to buy everything you need. 

Shop your pantry, refrigerator and freezer 

as you compose your menu and 

plan your meals around what 

you already have in the kitchen. 

Remember to include leftovers 

when planning your menu. 

In fact, PLAN some of your leftovers

for use in future meals.

For example: 

Homemade chicken tacos and 

chicken soup are made from 

Sunday’s roasted chicken; 

while homemade tostadas and 

white bean hummus are created from 

the leftovers of a large pot of 

Navy Bean soup you prepared 

for your card party on Friday.

2. Create a shopping strategy: 

Start by keeping 

your debit card, 

credit card, and/or 

check book at home. 

Bring along only 

the cash amount 

you have allotted 

for food provisions, 

as well as a pen and 

paper or calculator 

To keep a running tab. 

Round off to the highest 

amount to simplify.

I find this simple 

strategy invaluable 

in curbing impulse spending.

3. Eat by the seasons: 

Take advantage of 

the opportunities 

to transform the local harvest 

of each season into delicious foods. 

Taking a cue from the past, 

I prepare seasonal foods 

while they arein abundance—

in order to conserve 

time and money, as well as to 

store away delicious treats 

for future enjoyment.

For a list of what foods are 

in seasons when check this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_food

4. Buy foods grown locally: Not only is it often less expensive and environmentally friendly(i.e., very little shipping and/or storing required) it is often more nutritious due to the fact you are getting it from the farm to your table in less time. As well, it’s a pleasure to rediscover the bounty available to us from local farmer’s markets and farms.

Knowing what foods are in season in your area, and the people who grow and or craft it personally,transforms the food from mere sustenance into a community building/bonding even that offersintangible as well as tangible rewards for all concerned.

On top of that, you are keeping your money within your own community.

You can find individually owned local bakeries, coffee shops, breweries, ethnic food stores and vegetable markets by consulting the phone book, community center, or local message boards—actual message boards or online sources such as Craig’s list. To find farmer’s markets and farms near you check out 

Local Harvest http://www.localharvest.org/ 

5. Consider joining a CSA: What is a CSA? According to Local Harvest (http://www.localharvest.org/csa/) 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 

has become a popular way for consumers 

to buy local, seasonal food 

directly from a farmer.

Here are the basics:

A farmer offers a certain 

number of "shares" to the public. 

Typically the share consists of 

a box of vegetables, but other 

farm products may be included. 

Interested consumers purchase a share 

(aka a "membership" or a "subscription") 

and in return receive a box 

(bag, basket) of seasonal produce 

each week throughout 

the farming season.

This arrangement creates 

several rewards for both 

the farmer and the consumer. 

Advantages for farmers:

* Get to spend time marketing 

their food early in the year, 

before their 16 hour days in the field begins

* Receive payment early in the season, 

which helps with the farm's cash flow

* Have an opportunity to get to know 

the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers:

* Eat ultra-fresh food, 

with all the flavor 

and vitamin benefits

* Get exposed to new vegetables 

and new ways of cooking

* Usually get to visit the farm 

at least once a season

* Develop a relationship with 

the farmer who grows 

their food and learn more, 

about how food is grown.

Developing that personal relationship 

with local farmers can go 

one step further with a harvest box 

from a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. In this case, 

farmers will sell you a share 

in their produce for 

the growing season 

at a flat rate, and you’ll get 

a box each week with 

whatever is freshest 

on their farm. 

CSA’s have grown 

in popularity in recent years, 

and many farms 

have long waiting lists.

Some people go in on 

harvest boxes together 

to save money, 

and for those who can afford 

the investment up front, 

it ensures that you’ll be able to 

eat your veggies all year long. 

Some farms even have an 

installment payment plan or 

plans for low-income folks 

who are interested.

It may be too late 

to join up this year, 

but it’s never too late to 

get to know your local farmers, 

and when sign up time rolls 

around in the spring, 

you’ll be on a first-name basis 

with them.

6. Carnivores can buy beef by 

the side or quarter: 

Growing up in a frugal family of six 

(four children two adults) 

my parents made a habit of 

buying beef by the side, 

not only to save money 

but to ensure a high quality 

meat source. According to 

BonAppetite.com 

An increasing number of 

foodie carnivores are ordering 

grass-fed beef straight 

from the ranchers. 

Here's why: 

The practice directly 

supports local farmers 

with a vested interest in 

taking care of the environment. 

Unlike grain and corn feed, 

grass requires no fossil fuel 

for transport. The regrowth 

of grazed grass removes 

carbon monoxide from the air. 

* Uniformity of product — 

Commercial ground beef 

is often produced using meat 

from dozens of animals. 

When you buy a side, 

the ground beef is produced 

from a single animal, 

which minimizes the risk 

of contamination.

* Support of local business — I like the fact that buying beef from a local rancher allows me to support him, and to support the meat packer that processes the animal.

* Constant costing — Because you’re buying your meat all at once, it’s easy to budget your costs for an extended period.

* Fewer trips to the grocery store — Plus you no longer have to plan your meals around what’s on sale.

* Meat is packed for freezing — If you buy large quantities at the grocery store, you need to repack the meat to freeze it. When purchase a side of beef, this is done for you.

* Excellent pricing — Buying a side of beef can save you money over regular grocery store prices. However, it is possible to save more at the grocery store by watching for sales.

The advantages of buying beef at the supermarket are:

* Less storage space required — 

When you buy your meat 

in small quantities, 

as you need it, you 

don’t need a spare freezer.

* You can obtain the 

best possible pricing — 

If you stock up on 

your favorite cuts during sales, 

you can obtain the 

best possible pricing.

* Smaller investment — 

Purchasing even a quarter of beef 

costs about $400-$700 

depending upon the 

quality of beef you buy.  

We've looked into 

grass fed beef, bought in 

quarters as opposed to halves, 

cost approximately $450-$500. 

* Less work — 

To buy meat at your grocery store, 

you simply select it 

from the refrigerator case. 

To buy a side of beef, 

you need to find a source, 

perhaps find other beef-lovers 

to split the cost, 

transport the meat, 

and find storage space.

7. Reinstate Home Cooked Meals: 

If you don't already know how, 

teach yourself to cook. 

Experiment with one 

new recipe a week, or a month. 

In a world that touts 

as desirable that which is 

quick, easy, or new, 

there is pleasure in 

discovering the forgotten art of simple cookery. By sharing 

simple meals prepared at home, 

we transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

8. Make your own groceries: 

Home Food Canning: 

Home Food Canning 

holds an appeal similar to 

that of baking. It's relatively 

easy and often very inexpensive. 

As well, it can become 

an enjoyable, productive 

and money saving experience 

shared by family and friends. 

If you have yet to fill a jar 

with something fresh 

from the earth and 

enjoyed it at a later date. 

Click on the link below 

to see a video on 

just how simple 

home canning can be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeSQmYK8uE4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2F  It will de-mystify this mundane miracle and put you on the path to your own canned goodness.

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LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS

Swap Neighborhood Fruit! 

Another often overlooked 

but clever way to 

whittle down a food budget 

and eat locally is to 

swap Neighborhood Fruit! 

There is a website devoted to 

putting neighbors with 

overabundant fruits together 

with those who could use it. 

Neighborhood Fruit (http://www.neighborhoodfruit.com/home) is an organization designed 

to help you find backyard 

fruit and share your bounty 

with your neighbors. 

They believe that cities 

resplendent with edibles 

are better places to live, 

and sharing with neighbors 

is a great way to get there. 

Through their mediated online platform, 

you can find fruit in 

any quantity you want. 

We hope you let others know about it.

Purchase food in its 

simplest form. Steer away from 

prepackaged convenience foods. 

Keep in mind that 

any time you buy a 

food that has been diced, 

mixed, cut peeled, washed, 

chopped, spiced, spliced, or 

pureed by someone else, 

and you will be paying an 

average of 100 percent more for it.

Compare different forms 

of food—fresh, frozen, 

canned and dried. 

The serving cost of a 

canned of condensed soup, 

for example, will be about 

one-third the cost of the 

water added variety. 

Fresh apples in season 

are almost always 

less expensive than canned apples.

Grow Something Edible: 

The rewards of 

growing your own food 

are almost endless, but include: 

less time spent driving to the store, 

fresh ingredients 

on hand at all times, 

an understanding of the seasons, 

which can help you eat 

better tasting food (see #2 below), 

and carbon sequestration 

in its most delicious form, food.

No matter what your living situation, 

it is possible for you 

to grow some food at a very low cost. 

Even if you have a 

tiny room or an apartment 

you can grow sprouts and or simple herbs.

Feeling more ambitious? 

Consider Community 

Gardening for yourself, 

or split a plot with 

neighbors and friends. 

It’s a great way to 

raise some edibles while socializing.

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Cozy Comforts and Frugal Luxuries

"There is nothing like staying home for real comfort" 

~Jane Austen

Many people confuse luxury with opulence.  To understand luxury we must look at the true sense of the word.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines luxury as "something conducive to pleasure and comfort" so...to indulge in true luxury you need only to focus on what brings you pleasure and comfort.   

Does luxury have to mean diamonds and servants...or can it be a plump down comforter on a cold night...or a bowl of wild blueberries picked at the peak of that fruits' brief season?

Thoreau wisely stated, "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor."  At this time of year cold winds are blowing. The prospect of venturing away from home and hearth is less than appealing, yet, it is the ideal season to cultivate cozy comforts and frugal luxuries. 

During cool weather I like to create strategic comfort by arranging furniture (comfy chairs, specifically) away from drafty windows to create cozy corners.  These spaces are ideal for nestling into with a good book...a cup of tea...and a luxurious (definitely not frugal) cashmere throw like this ...it's very similar to one I inherited from my great aunt Evelyn several years ago.  I don't need to tell you that this is definitely an investment piece.  That being said, perhaps I should point out again, it will last a lifetime...or two.  

Note: If the budget doesn't allow for a new cashmere blanket/throw you might put "cashmere throw" on your tag sale, thrift shopping list.  

source

Another cozy comfort we appreciate even more in winter is the soft glow of basic candlelight to warm a dark day or brighten an ordinary evening.  For weekends and more special occasions we enjoy a well crafted candle with soothing scents such as the delicious smelling Fireside candle from Parachute Home  (these make a perfect addition to the gift pantry).

If you've never experienced the wonder of wearing woolly socks during the winter then you are in for a treat.  In fact, every time the weather turns cool I invoke their magical properties. Wool is an excellent insulator and keeps your feet warm and toasty and retains its insulating properties even while wet.  Wool can absorb sufficient amounts of moisture (a third of its weight) before it feels wet and it dries much faster than cotton or synthetics. Finally, wool fibers are naturally anti~bacterial and thus odor resistant.  So yes... truly kind of magical and... such a cozy comfort during the cold season.  

While there are many individual definitions of comfort and luxury I'll never be convinced that these simple pleasures do not truly define the words.

Sending love and good thoughts as always.

Successful Living...Simplified

My Life Goals...

"To laugh often and much; 

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; 

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; 

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; 

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; 

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. 

This is to have succeeded."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stocking the Gift Pantry with Uncommon Goods

Recently we were invited by Uncommon Goods to stock our holiday Gift Pantry with three items from their inspiring, eclectic catalog. In the interest of full disclosure, this is my very first sponsored post (although we've been approached numerous times since the 2008 creation of this blog) . Why now?  Why Uncommon Goods? Because as a longtime customer,  I am an admirer-er of the fact that they make it their mission to provide a platform for artists and designers.  It also is impressive to me that most (not all) of their items are made right here in the USA.
 At the core of the company is a great respect for the integrity of the creative individual, this is evident in the uniqueness of their retail offerings!  It's always a delight to browse through their catalogs and I must confess that confining my choices to just three Gift Pantry items proved surprisingly difficult ... the offerings are varied and inspiring! However, after perusing their online catalog for far too long, I finally allowed the three choices to be dictated by my own Christmas gift list and thus have every intention of sharing our Uncommon Goods with family and friends.

~~~~~~

First Choice:
The 60 Hour Candle $30
(NOTE: refills are available ... of the coiled candle only... for $18)

This sturdy and unique candle is about the circumference of a salad plate.  It's a generously sized candle with an ingenious design.  It pairs a sturdy copper holder with a 100% beeswax candle coil that's fed in small increments through the candle clip--simply advance more candle as it burns. A three-inch section burns for approximately an hour, while the smart design

ensures a better use of wax than traditional shapes. The copper-finish plate and clip bring a warm touch to your home. Refills are also available for $18...so you might want to let your gift recipient know these are available!  This charming candle has been sitting on our kitchen island for a week and everyone who comes in comments positively on its unique look! 





It's been very, very, very hard to resist the temptation to light it up!  Luckily for him, but not so much for myself, it's been earmarked as a holiday gift for a family friend.

Here is a picture of what it looked like after we took of it out of the box 

and threaded the candle through the clip-like holder on top.

Here's a closer look at the clip-like holder.

~~~~~~

 Second Choice:  DIY Lip Balm Kit  ($40)

 DIY kits can actually be a good, and often economical, way to dabble in a new skill to see if it's something you like before investing a lot of time and money in the necessary supplies.

I realize that, at first glance, DIY kits don't appear to be the most frugal of investments.  Especially to frugalites such as myself.  I've always been the sort of person who says "I can make that...or put that together...myself" and usually I can (and often do)  for less money.   That is ... if I have the time and inclination to gather all the diverse components to complete the kit ... and the packaging as well.  While this philosophy can work in saving a little cash...especially for genres that contain easy to obtain (and reasonably priced when buying in small quantities) such as the  "Office (supply) Kits",  "Cupcake Kits" and "Craft Baskets" the time invested is sometimes extensive.  That being said, I've also wasted money ambitiously buying individual ingredients and packaging materials to create my kit. Truth be told,  they often add up to much more than anticipated.

According to the Uncommon Goods website, Karen Lee and Mary Kearns' DIY kits allow you to become familiar with a new skill while pampering yourself with all-natural emollients...the best part is that supporting this kit  provides valuable job-skills services for women in the Washington DC area. Assembling these lovely kits provides ladies living in transitional housing with the opportunity to build their resumes, develop basic job skills, and participate in a structured social skills program. This is how I like to spend my money. 

Each kit includes everything you'll need to make your very own moisturizing lip balm from Fair Trade cocoa butter and organic spearmint essential oil, for a delectable and refreshing fusion of chocolate and mint. Inside the recycled box, crafters will find a vibrant, soy-ink-dyed recipe card and valuable information about the contents of their lip balm to be, including cocoa butter, sunflower oil, beeswax, and organic essential oils. Every kit makes five tins of mint-cocoa balm, making it an ideal endeavor for a rainy day or a fun task to take on with a group of good friends. Made and assembled by hand in Washington D.C. Each is composed of biodegradable materials and makes five, one ounce tins of lip balm.

Check out the gift lab of the DIY Lip Balm Kit on the Uncommon Goods' blog! 

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When we opened it up...here is what we were delighted to find!

As I am not set up for this particular type of kit or craft, 

it would take me quite a bit of time and not a small amount of money 

to source and gather all the materials for a kit like this.

(As well, packaging everything always takes me longer than I anticipated.)

Especially considering they include five types of essential oils to flavor your balm!

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Lovely how-to/recipe cards for future use ... printed on heavy card stock and very wipe-able!

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Third Choice: Recycle a Bottle Plant Nanny Set: 
$19.95 (for a set of four made from terracotta).
These are NOT just for when you go off on vacation and need someone to water your plants; they're also IDEAL for Forgetful~Frugalite Gardeners like myself with an environmental conscience. 

 The Uncommon Goods catalog tells us that each ceramic stake is specially designed to release just the right amount of water into the soil via recycled wine or plastic bottles, making your gardening endeavors a little bit easier as greener. Create a reservoir with the inverted bottle of your choice, attach it using the drip-free adapter, and the terracotta stakes will quench your plants' thirst on your behalf. As your plants absorb moisture from the soil, the stakes will automatically release water directly into the soil, rather than on the surface, ensuring that root systems receive an adequate drink.

NOTE: Sets sold separately... you will need to order one set of four plastic or one set of four terracotta Plant Nannies... no mixing and matching.

See the Plant Nanny in action by checking out the gift lab video on the Uncommon Goods blog.

Here's what it looks like in a planter.

Okay, I LOVE these.  Last summer I tried to order a plastic version of these self-water-rs from Amazon but they were sold out and I've been unable to find them reasonably priced ever since ... that is until now!

I can't tell you how excited I was to find them offered at Uncommon Goods in plastic as well as terra cotta!  Obviously, the plastic versions cost a few dollars less than the natural terracotta Plant Nanny but I will eventually get both...the natural (terracotta) will be used for edible plants such as container gardened herbs, fruit trees and the like.  The plastic will, obviously, be used more for the non edible planters such as my favorite ivy, ferns and potted roses.  In the meantime ... I have full intentions of including this set in a small gift basket, along with a freshly potted miniature rosemary tree and a nice bottle of organic Merlot!    

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Here's a picture I snapped with the ceramic Plant Nanny next to an average-size wine bottle. 

 

 The website tells us that a water filled wine bottle will water plant for approximately 7-10 days depending on the plant and environmental conditions.
Typical 12oz plastic bottles, when filled, will water plant for 5-10 days depending on the plant and environmental conditions. Larger plastic soda bottles (2 Liter), when filled, will water plants for between 14-21 days depending on the plant and environmental conditions.

P.S.  If you sign up for their email list they'll send you info on "secret sales"!