Rose Cottage - Blog

Top Ten Winter Activities

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:39:41 GMT

After ten years in the south, I am enjoying a Pennsylvania winter. This got me thinking about activities that bring joy in the winter months. I wanted to share these ideas with friends who stop in at our new shop, so I created displays around winter activities. Today, I want to share with you my Top Ten Winter Activities that you can do for some enjoyable family togetherness.

#1 Drawing

With a simple sketch pad and pencil, you can practice your skill of drawing. Why not hang a bird feeder and try to capture winter birds on paper? Drawing or painting is a skill that can be developed at any age. It is the practice of really looking at an object or a scene.

#2 Winter Walks

Speaking of birds, you can bundle up and go outdoors for a winter walk. You can take along a Nature Journal to draw the bird or plant that captures your attention or just let God's beautiful world soothe the soul.

#3 Enrichment Study

Go beyond a skill and learn from the great masters in the fine arts. Enjoy a family together hour with an Enrichment Study. This will give your family a feast of ideas:

Scripture memory
Art
Music
Poetry
Habits
Handicrafts
Family literature

#4 Historical Handicrafts

Historical handicrafts give children and adults the benefit of a skill that uses their hands. We offer Handicraft Kits with very affordable pricing: Crochet, Cross Stitch, Knitting, Spool Knitting, Quilting.

#5 Cooking

Winter is a great time to grab an apron and oven mit, and get cooking! It is easy to make Blueberry Jam Filled Hand Pies. We use Wild Maine Blueberry Jam by Stonewall Kitchen - it's in our shop - but you can use any brand!

#6 Devotions

Find a cozy little corner and spend time in the word of God. In the evening, why not have a family together time, and enjoy Christian Study - as you see how the Bible stories fit into the big picture of world history.

#7 Puzzles and Games

Winter is the perfect time to sit out a puzzle on a desk or table that is exclusively for this purpose. Classic games like checkers, chess, mancala, and solitaire can be enjoyed by the whole family.

#8 Pampering

Take a hot bubble bath, set your hair in rollers, paint your nails, and put on lotion. Taking a little time to pamper, for an hour or so each week, will bring the rose back in your cheeks. Don't forget to light the candle.

#9 Winter Sports

Take advantage of the season and go skiing, sledding, or ice skating with the family.

#10 Reading

Choose a classic (see our lists here) and read a good book - either by fireside or by bedside!

Thanks for letting us share, and be sure to see the details of our Heart of Winter Sale!

Victorian White Christmas {Part 1}

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 19:52:11 GMT

The Victorian White Christmas is a cozy mix of Rose Fabrics, Pink Rosettes, Snow Frosted Greens, Painted White Accents, and Galvanized Steel. It's easy to achieve, and here is my Top Ten suggestions for easily creating your own Victorian White Christmas!

#1 Rose Table Linens

It may surprise you, but I started decorating for the Victorian White Christmas by choosing table linens. Fabrics are a great way to begin a theme.

I chose the Cottage Rose Collection - Tablecloth and Napkins. I love these soft fabrics! It brings in the Victorian "pink" to the first focal point - the dining table. Plus, it isn't the typical Christmas fabric. This will last until spring.

#2 Snow Frosted Greens

Next, I added snow frosted greens to a favorite pitcher. You can choose an elegant one (stoneware or cut glass), but opted for rustic galvanized steel to offset the greens.

Tip! Take a small snip of the greens and place them (with ribbon) around each napkin.

#3 Pink Tapered Candles

My next suggestion is to add these Pink Tapered Candles to the tabletop. They are designed to match the table lines! My shop table is small, so I didn't, but candlelight and music make an event more special!

#4 Snow Frosted Wreath

The front door was my next focal point. To continue my theme, I chose a Snow Frosted Wreath. You can choose to add a pink rosette floral accent or not. This leads me to the next pick!

#5 Pink Rosettes

I am in love with the dusty pink rosettes! I added these to wreathes and the Christmas tree! To your Wreath, you could also add:

Dusty Pink Silk Ribbons
Candle
Bird

Baby Step 2: Pay-Off All Debt

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 13:22:34 GMT

I am working on Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps, and along the way, I will share our progess and frugal finds! In January, we were able to complete Baby Step 1: $1,000 Emergency Fund.

Now we are approaching Baby Step 2: Pay-Off All Debt! Here is how to:

Set-up a debt snow ball.
Do a 1 year debt snow ball.
Do a 1 month debt snow ball.

Any insights are welcomed. I do have a few frugal finds to share too!

Frugal Finds

Before I get started, I want to share a few frugal finds that might help your budget!

Set-up a Will for Free!
Life Insurance for $8 per week through Nevin's work plan.
Health Insurance for $250 per month with a health sharing plan.
No car payment (We paid $1,000 cash.)

Here is a free budget guide with links and helps! Now onward . . .

How to Change

In Latin, Mea Culpa, means "through my fault." Debt is something, we must, like the Roman soldier, pound our chest and say, "Mea Culpa." By wrong choices, my husband and I have debt.
Here are our Top 3 Mistakes:

Credit Cards (We didn't use them, until we "needed" furniture for our new home. Solution? No Credit Cards! Also, eliminate all other monthly payments such as car.)
No Health Insurance* While our self-employed budget could not afford traditional health insurance, we needed a Health Sharing Plan that protects against medical emergencies. Our big problem was that most do not cover pre-existing conditions. We are incredibly grateful to Houston Methodist Foundation who covered a huge portion of the second heart surgery. We are now covered under a healthshare ministry, because Nevin is no longer considered to have a pre-existing condition.
Income Decrease. This one was out of our control. While we were tackling too many monthly debt payments, major health surgeries (+months with NO income), and a new baby, our income source fluctuated. Self-employed expenses went up, while income went down.

This was the situation we were in that lead to our Financial Freedom 101 changes!

How to Set-Up a Debt Snowball

Use this free debt-snowball calculator at Crown.

Enter in each debt payment (from least owed to most owed).
Enter in the extra amount you can pay each month.
Print the payment plan.

It will tell you how long it will take to pay-off the debt. Want to pay-off faster? Try this ...

How to Do a 1 Year Debt Snowball

Before you start, try to eliminate any monthly payments that you can now! Cancel monthly subscriptions to all things! Try to have no car payment.

Here's how to do a 1 year debt snowball (with sample):

Add up all debts owed and write total ($12,000)
Divide the total by 12 months ($1,000 per month)
Make montly payments to pay-off in 1 year. ($0 debt in 1 year)

What if I owe $24,000 or more?

Pay-off debt in 2 or more years

What if I want to pay-off even faster? Try the 1 month debt snowball.

How to Do a 1 Month Debt Snowball

The 1 month debt snowball is NOT for everyone, but it does work. We did it before (not for debt reasons) and we're doing it again. Selling the home! Here's what to ask:

Did my home value . . .

increase to cover all or most of the debt? Yes
increase to supply a down payment for next home? Yes
increase to cover closing & moving costs? Yes

We answered yes to all of these, so it is to our benefit to do a 1 month debt snowball.

Here are a few more things we considered:

Does the next home have lower taxes (and hoa fees)? Yes
Does the next home have a lower mortgage? Yes
Can I manage a 10 - 20 year mortgage? Yes
Does the next home have a nice neighborhood? Yes
Is it priced close to the appraised amount? (Researching)

Take Action

Eliminate all monthly payments (if possible)!
Set up your debt snowball plan!
Want to go faster? Try a 1 year or 1 month debt snowball.

*A lot of greed has entered into the health care industry. Prices are so inflated that many people can not afford health care or health insurance. As we shopped around, we found that an echocardiogram could range from $200 to $800. Conroe Regional Medical Center turned us away from a very important heart procedure when we wouldn't pay them $8,000 upfront. We found out that Medicare pays about $400 for that same procecure. After confronted, they said we could pay $800. When we asked for itemized bills, we found that one hospital was charging $100 per tylenol pill! Take Action! Talk to your representatives! We need a federal law that limits how far over the national average a medical facility can charge.

Teaching Biography (Homeschool 101)

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:07:04 GMT

Today, I am picking up with my Homeschool 101 Series, and I want to talk about teaching biography.

I've been thinking a lot about my philosophy of education lately. One thing is true, any curriculum can come to life, by adding biography.

First, the Big Picture

It is natural to add biography to the humanities. Whatever curriculum you are using, when you read about Ben Franklin, you can grab his autobiography and enjoy. How much better to hear directly from the man! You can plan your biographies or you can let your curiosity lead you as you encounter people along the history path.

Our family together, humanities course is called Christian Study.
Around the timeline, we group together these subjects:

Bible
History
Geography
Biography

Next, we schedule it into the big picture.

9:00 - Family Together Christian Study (Bible, History, Geography, Biography)
10:00 - Family Together Enrichment Study (Art, Music, Literature+)
11:00 - Individual Study (Math, Science, Language Arts+)

or you can mix the schedule around like this:

9:00 - Family Together Christian Study
10:00 - Individual Study
11:00 - Family Together Enrichment Study ( 3:00 with Tea)

What are the keys to success?

We have together time (Christian Study & Enrichment Study)
We have guided or independent time (Individual Study)
We have a peaceful morning schedule with short & varied lessons

You can take a look at our peaceful morning schedule here. It gives us time for indoor, outdoor, homekeeping, mom time, and more.

When to Schedule Biography

We plan for about one biography each month. A child can easily read one chapter in the biography each day. Here's what the weekly schedule looks like:

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Bible	Bible	World History	US History
Biography	Biography	Biography	Geography

So, on Days 1-3, after the family together lesson, children can read a chapter in their grade-level biography and can easily complete one biograpy per month.

What Biographies to Schedule

There are two considerations when picking biographies:

Is the reading level age-appropriate?
Is the biography related to the history time period?

Old Fashioned Education has a great list of free online biographies per time period. You can find the free reading schedules here.

How to Teach Biography

Teaching Biography is very simple. Just do these three steps:

Read: Read together or assign a chapter in the biography.
Talk: Ask for a short oral or written narration of the chapter. (I have found that I didn't have to ask for a narration. This came naturally. Most people enjoy sharing stories that are interesting.)
Write: Have child record the person in their Timeline or Book of Centuries. Optionally, you could have the child write a short story at the end of each book.

A biography lesson is simply: read-talk-write. I, personally, like to let the "talk" portion of biography come naturally, as the child desires to share (and they do).

Food for Thought

"I think every child deserves to be introduced to the worthy people," I told my children as we were driving to our favorite low-fat, ice cream shop, Chiller Bee.
"Mom, that sounds corny," my adult daughter challenged me. "Deserves?"
"Think about it," I said, "If Ben Franklin booked a stadium in Houston because he had a message for America today, wouldn't you want to be there?"

I do believe children deserve more than a snippet from a textbook. Children deserve to hear directly from the wise people of old. That's what it's like to give children biographies. We, as teachers or parents, allow the child to hear directly from the lives of great people. They take from their lives the golden nuggets of truth! But, let's remember, to not hold up people too highly, but the Bible, above all else.

On a personal note, my favorite biography (auto) is Ben Franklin's with Henry Ford as a close second. Do you have a personal favorite?

Helpful Resources

We have a few resources to help you with teaching biography.

Want to Plan Yourself? Build Your Own Schedule
Want a Ready-Made Plan? Old Fashioned Education
Want a Biography Booklist? Gateway to the Classics

Motherhood Matters

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 14:34:18 GMT

What should I make for breakfast? I seem to be in a breakfast rut, lately, with toast and eggs. Suddenly, I knew how to break the rut - baking. I will make blueberry muffins. When I get tired of homemaking, I simply put more effort in, and then I get more out. My daughters' words of delight upon seeing the muffins was the payback.

Motherhood has unmeasureable worth. Our culture does not recognize it, but a recent observation demonstrated it. I overheard a neighbor talking to a teen boy who didn't have a father. It seemed the boy was headed in the wrong direction. After the talk, the boy drove off with another boy squeeling wheels in anger. We might not always remember how much motherhood matters, but when parents are absent, we see the dire results.

Joy in Work

A mother that cares through her homekeeping routines - making beds, setting tables, serving tea - is setting a pattern for her children. An old saying says - "A parent is the child's first copybook." Karen Andreola shared that quote in her book, Mother Culture. Routines don't have to be mundane! Bring the "special" back into homekeeping by:

baking something special together
turning on classical music
adding a pleasant scent to the home
redecorate or really clean one room
serve tea & read a classic together
enjoy the children's hour

Joy in Play

Moms need time to play, too. A few minutes of free time, especially in the afternoon, is important. Take breaks when you are tired. Sit your feet up and sip a non-sweet tea (I suggest this beverage because right now in the south, it is very hot.)

Remember, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." - Wise Saying
"I always have been a busy person, doing my own housework, helping the Man-of-the-Place ... but I love to work and oh, I do just love to play." - Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Here are some ideas for 15-minute Mom breaks morning, afternoon, and evening.

Enjoy a little time for beauty in the morning.
Enjoy a little time to read in the afternoon (see my Mom Time Book Study for ideas), you will feed your mind living ideas.
Enjoy a little time for prayer and devotions morning or evening (included in Christian Study).

Now, I must go as my daughters and I are going for a morning walk.
Is it work or play?
I'm not sure, but it will bring joy!

Best Health Sharing Plans in 2021

Thu, 20 May 2021 05:40:26 GMT

For the Financial Freedom Workshop, we are going to take a look at reducing health insurance cost in your budget. One way you could reduce costs, is with a Christian Health Sharing Plan. This is when Christians pay toward one another's medical bills. In our comparison, we will look at:

Monthly Payment
Deductibles
Total Annual Cost

The big question about health care is, "What monthly payment can my budget afford?"

My comparison includes:

Christian Healthcare Ministries (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
Samaritan Ministries (Basic)

because they had the most affordable monthly payment. We did not include Medi-share because their montly payment was higher, but quotes can vary based on your age.

Program Comparison

Christian Healthcare Ministries (Bronze)	Christian Healthcare Ministries (Silver)	Christian Healthcare Ministries (Gold)	Samaritan Ministries (Basic)
78/mo	118/mo	172/mo	140/mo
1 person (any age)	1 person (any age)	1 person (any age)	1 person (age 45)

$926/yr	$1,415/yr	$2,064/yr	$1,680/yr
$5,000 IUA	$2,500 IUA	$500 IUA	$1,500 IUA
Total: $1,926	Total: $2,415	Total: $3,064	Total: $2,680
Learn More	Learn More	Leran More	Learn More

Step 1: Compare Monthly Payment

To compare programs, first write down the monthly payment. You can list them from smallest to greatest. Next, do a little math. Take the monthly payment x 12 months, and you have your annual payment (with no medical incidents). So, this number must fit into the insurance line of your budget. As you can see on our comparison chart, Christian Healthcare Ministries Bronze has the lowest monthly payment at $78.

Step 2: Compare Deductibles

Next, compare each program's deductibles. This is your out-of-pocket cost if you have a medical incident which is called the Initial Unsharable Amount (IUA) per incident. In other words, if you have a medical need, you can not submit the bills, unless it is over the IUA amount. If is is over the IUA, that means the entire bill will be covered (up to their max), but if is is not over the IUA, you pay for the bill.

Christian Healthcare Ministries' Gold Level has the lowest IUA at $500 and Samaritan Ministries has the next lowest IUA per incident at $1,500.

What do all these IUA's really mean for your budget? You will also pay for everyday healthcare costs (primary doctor, annual exam, sick visits, dental, vision, etc.) as they normally do not go over $500, $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000.

Tip! Start an automatic savings of $100 or $200 per month to cover your everyday healthcare. This should be included in your healthcare budget line.

Step 3: Compare Total Annual Cost

Add the annual payment to the everyday healthcare savings (such as $1,000 per year) and you have a pretty good estimate of your total annual cost.

Christian Healthcare Ministries Bronze - $1,926 per year (Shareable after $5,000)
Christian Healthcare Ministries Silver - $2,415 per year (Shareable after $2,500)
Samaritan Ministries Basic - $2,680 per year (Shareable after $1,500)

Step 4: Make the Choice

Here is an example of how someone might walk through making the choice:

How much is in my healthcare budget? $400 per month
How much will I save, personally, for everyday healthcare? $100 per month
How much will husband's health share be? $172 per month ($500 IUA) CHM Gold
How much will wife's health share be? $78 per month ($5,000 IUA) CHM Bronze
What is our combined total monthly pay-out? $350 per month
Is this within my healthcare budget? Yes

Questions to Consider*

Do my spouse and I have any expensive medical needs? Consider CHM Gold or SM for low IUA.
Could I get pregnant in the next year? Consider CHM Gold which covers after the first month.
Do I have pre-existing conditions? Carefully read guidelines of all programs for coverage facts.
Do I have $5,000 in emergency savings? Consider CHM Bronze for low monthly payment espeically if you are in very good health and can cover an emergency $5,000 or less.

*Please note that this is not financial advice, but just some questions to consider.

Free or Reduced Insurance

If your household is low-income, you could qualify for Medicaid. Also, right now you could qualify for insurance subsidy from the govenment (especially if you don't have any) and get health insurance for free or reduced.

What Health Sharing Is!

A Health Sharing program covers expensive medical incidents over a certain amount such as $500, $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000. Any medical incident that is below the IUA, is not shareable. So, health sharing programs can help with expensive medical needs and catastrophic medical needs. They are a non-profit organization, not insurance.

What Health Sharing Is Not!

Health sharing is not an everyday health care help. Anything under $500 (or higher IUA depending on the program) will come out of your health care budget in addition to the monthly payment. That's why it's important to set-up an automatic savings account for everyday health care needs such as:

annual wellness checks
sick visits
urgent care sick visits
prescriptions
vision
dental

Everyday Health Care Insurance Idea

Above, I recommended saving your own money for everyday healthcare. Why? Because the money you don't use is still yours. You haven't paid it out to a company. Money that isn't used in one year, will grow. Here is an example of what could happen in your everyday healthcare savings account:

Year 1 - $500 remains
Year 2 - $1,000 remains
Year 3 - $1,500 remains
Year 10 - $5,000 remains
Year 20 - $10,000 remains
Year 50 - $25,000 remains

If you prefer to have everyday health care covered instead of saving your own money, you might consider looking at Side Car Health. Here's the quote I recieved:

$135 monthly payment (age 45)
$0 deductible*
Pays up to $5,000 per year

Sidecar Health Pro's

Low monthly payment (with this quote)
Helps cover cost of everyday healthcare**
Makes is easier to know affordable healthcare rates
Could cover everyday healthcare if you are healthy or have a limited budget
Encourages you to shop around for the best rate

Sidecar Health Con's

No catastrophic (with this quote)
$0 deductilbe doesn't mean you won't pay toward your bill
You pay a portion of each item on medical bills that is over the national average*
The monthly payment goes to the company, not your savings account
You don't always have time to shop around for the best rate
Maternity is not included

Read their program carefully, as they work differently then insurance and health sharing plans.
*For example, if you go to the doctor and he charges you $800 for an echocardiogram, but the national average is $200, you will need to pay $600 (even though you have a $0 deductible).
**not sure if vision and dental are included

Get Moving

Choosing your healthcare plan is not that complicated with these 3 simple steps.

Calculate the monthly payment for healthcare your budget will allow.
Decide how much you will save monthly for everyday healthcare.
After comparing (monthly payment, deductible, and total cost), choose the right plan for your health situation and budget.

> Financial Freedom Workshop <

How to Lose 10, 20, or 30 Pounds in 10 Weeks!

Wed, 19 May 2021 19:49:06 GMT

In Charm School, we give you a personalized Beauty Step plan that shows you how to lose 10, 20, or 30 pounds in 10-weeks! It's your choice:

10 pound loss (1 lb. per week)
20 pound loss (2 lbs. per week)
30 pound loss (3 lbs. per week)

For those of you who don't need to lose weight, we give you a healthy eating guide, but let's take a look at what the general plan would be for your goal.

The 10 lb. weight loss goal (1 lb. per week) includes:

Beauty Diet - 1,200 calories daily tracked + vitamin + 6 glasses of water
Beauty Exercises - 15 min. beauty walk + 5 min. beauty toning = 20 min. daily
Beauty Lesson Daily

The 20 lb. weight loss goal (2 lbs. per week) includes:

Beauty Diet - 1,100 calories daily tracked + vitamin + 6 glasses of water
Beauty Exercises - 15 min. beauty walk + 10 min. beauty toning = 25 min. daily
Beauty Lesson Daily

The 30 lb. weight loss goal (3 lbs. per week) includes:

Beauty Diet - 1,000 calories daily tracked + vitamin + 6 glasses of water
Beauty Exercises - 15 min. beauty walk + 15 min. beauty toning = 30 min. daily
Beauty Lesson Daily

3 Keys to Success!

Track! Use the included My Beauty Steps Tracker to see your progress. Knowing where you are and where you are going, is very important to success.
Eat right! the right foods to stay full and get optimal health. Think high protein, low-fat, fruits, and veggies. *incuded in your personalized plan at Charm School.
Touch base! Send resutls to your instructor and stay encouraged with friends.

Decorating the Front Porch | 5 Minute Series

Sat, 15 May 2021 05:38:59 GMT

> Free Printable <

Decorating the Front Porch doesn't have to take long - just 5 minutes.
Before you begin ...

DO clear the space.
DO clean the space.
DO have the decor handy (suggestions below).

DON'T forget to print Welcome Home Chalkboard Sign before starting. It's apart of my new Chalkboard Sign Printables, but this one is a free gift.

Okay, let's get moving.

#1 Hang the seasonal wreath.

First, hang the seasonal wreath on a clean door. Mine is from Kirkland's. Also, while you're at the door, don't forget to shake and replace the door mat.
DO ...

Hang wreath
Shake an replace doormat

#2 Place the crock of plants by the door.

Next, place a pre-planted crock of plants (or a self-designed crock) by the door. Make sure bloom colors coordinate with your wreath and other decor. This season, I chose a hybiscus tree.
DO ...

Place a planter
Water weekly

#3 Add a lantern or outdoor lighting of choice.

Next, add the lantern or some other outdoor lighting that adds a bit of soft light in the evenings.
DO ...

Add lantern or accent outdoor lighting

#4 Tuck in a surprise "such as a rabbit".

Next, tuck in a surprise. I chose a white rabbit statuary purchased from Kirkland's a few years ago, but you can choose an little surprise that is sure to delight. The key with feature pieces is to limit the number to one or two at the most to stay in good taste.
DO ...

Add 1 or 2 surprise features

#5 Finish with a personal touch in words!

Finally, finish with a personal message that is sure to make all who enter feel welcome. Use my favorite chalkboard sign or choose your own favorite chalkboard sign here.
DO ...

Add a personal welcome message in word art

My lantern and rabbit are at the walk (just before the door), so the welcome decor sort of greets you as you come.
Now you know how to decorate the front porch in 5 minutes!

Vintage Wardrobe Sewing Challenge: The Basic Suit Jacket {Part I}

Fri, 14 May 2021 04:42:21 GMT

The Vintage Wardrobe Sewing Challenge is underway and I am finding that just 1 item per month is doable for me. You are welcome to jump in anytime or just follow along for color coordinated wardrobe ideas.

Today, I'm excited to present Part I - The Basic Suit Jacket. Let's talk about:

A Little "Snag"
Patterns & Plans
The Basic Jacket
The Proper Fit
What's Next

I hope you'll get some tips that really help!

A Little "Snag"

I must begin by telling you about a little snag in this project! The jacket had been sewn (but not finished). We were in the midst of having our home on the market. I can't tell you how many times I said, "Hurry girls, the showing is in 1 hour." In the midst of these hurried clean-ups, my jacket pattern went missing. Now what was I to do? Without the pattern, I couldn't sew the lining.

As I played with the fabric, I decided that this lovely linen fabric could still be worn, as it hung quite nicely, without a lining. So, that was my little snag, but we overcame it.

Patterns & Plans

The pattern I selected is a 1950's Vintage Simplicity Pattern #4621. I bought it on Etsy. Some key features are:

Simple to make
Bolero
3/4 length kimono sleeves

For fabric, I chose a Light Gray Linen (with white fleck) for the Basic Suit. Why? It's a color that can be worn for most seasons. I plan to bring contrast in color with shirts ...

crisp white
dark red (with white polka dot)
undecided third color ?

Tip! 1950 and 1960 simplicity suit patterns are very sharp!

The Basic Jacket

So, here's what the jacket looks like. It is a bolero (falls at the waist) and it has 3/4 length kimono sleeves.

These features give it a nice shape and help it lay well:

bust darts
sleeve darts
rounded neck
linen fabric

The Proper Fit of the Basic Jacket

The 1950 Charm Schools taught that a suit or dress should emphasize the hour glass figure! What was that?

Bust - 36 inches
Waist - 26 inches
Hips - 36 inches

Or variations of that depending on bone size. Clothes are to be worn fitted but not tight. The jacket that is "all wrong" reminds me of the modern jacket.

What's Next?

I should be sewing the Basic Suit Skirt next, according to the schedule on the challenge, but I've decided that this month, I'm going the sew Shirt #1 in crisp white.

Don't forget some basic rules!

Neutral for your suit
Contrast light with dark
Contrast bright with suttle
Keep patterns small if under 5'6"

I have to add, that although the Basic Jacket isn't perfect, it's still pretty good, and I'm looking forward to wearing it with the complete color coordinated wardrobe.

I hope this helps you get a few ideas on your own endeavors!

P.S. You can join the Vintage Wardrobe Sewing Challenge here.

Sewing Kit Resources

How to File Self-Employed Taxes - Fast! (Budget Tip)

Thu, 13 May 2021 23:28:07 GMT

I'm sharing a quick Budget Tip today. I've been filing my own taxes for our self-employed business for years using Turbo Tax, and I highly recommend their online system. Why?

Affordable! Get 20% Off and Earn $25
Easy! It walks you through the process step-by-step with simple questions.
Fast! It guides you to get all the tax breaks with helps along the way.

Plus, if you have a EZ File, it's free!

Learn More

Skinny Chicken Taco Soup {Recipe Card}

Tue, 11 May 2021 11:05:40 GMT

Recipe Card Printable

This Skinny Chicken Taco Soup Recipe is a great quick & easy crockpot recipe! It features:

Crockpot
Low sugar & sodium* (star)
Low fat (heart)
8 Servings @ 362 calories
MyPoints Plus - 9

See Nutrition Facts below and use it with my $35 Meal Plan + Grocery List #2.

*for low sodium make homemade taco seasoning, omit salt, rinse beans

Skinny Meatloaf Bake {Recipe Card}

Tue, 11 May 2021 10:56:17 GMT

Recipe Card Printable

This Skinny Chickpeas Pasta Dish Recipe is an all-in-one, quick & easy classic weeknight recipe! It features:

Roaster (one dish)
Low sugar & sodium (star)
Low fat (heart)
6 Servings @ 347 calories
MyPoints Plus - 8

See Nutrition Facts below and use it with my $35 Meal Plan + Grocery List #2.

Skinny Chickpeas Pasta Dish {Recipe Card}

Tue, 11 May 2021 10:40:43 GMT

Recipe Card Printable

This Skinny Chickpeas Pasta Dish Recipe is the perfect quick & easy weeknight recipe for pasta lovers! It features:

Skillet
Low sugar & sodium (star)
Low fat (heart)
8 Servings @ 336 calories
MyPoints Plus - 8

See Nutrition Facts below and use it with my $35 Meal Plan + Grocery List #2.

Skinny Shrimp Stir Fry {Recipe Card}

Tue, 11 May 2021 10:12:44 GMT

Recipe Card Printable

This Skinny Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe is a quick & easy weeknight recipe! It features:

Skillet
Low sugar (star)
Low fat (heart)
6 Servings @ 471 calories
MyPoints Plus - 11

See Nutrition Facts below or see how to use it in my $35 Meal Plan + Grocery List - Week 2!

New! Scripture Word Art Printable

Tue, 11 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT

New in the Shop

Do you like word art? I'm in love with adding scripture to my home. It's a great way to memorize God's word and be encouraged! You can use a:

frame - hang on a wall
clothes pin - clip to twine
magnet - on the fridge
tape - on the chalkboard

or even have it printed on canvas! When I looked through my Scripture Cards, I was encouraged by Hebrews 11: 1: -"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Here's how to use it.

How to Use It

Word Art can be added to almost any room of the home.

It can be hung above a shelf.
It can be hung under florals.
It can be paired with another print such as Bouquet I.
It can be set in front of a mirror to add a layer.
It can be set on a foyer table as a welcome message.

I hope you and your family will be encouraged to keep the faith!

$35 Meal Plan + Grocery List {Week 2}

Mon, 10 May 2021 16:45:03 GMT

Weeknight dinners are planned! What's included in $35 Meal Plan & Grocery List?

4 Dinner Recipes (1 Crockpot)
Grocery List
Diabetic Friendly (star)
Heart Healthy (heart)
500 calories or less
Nutrition Facts
MyPoints Plus
$35 budget goal for these 4 meals

Serve your family quick & easy weeknight dinners in 3 steps:

Step 1: Meal Plan + Recipe Cards
Step 2: Grocery List
Step 3: Finish Up

Step 1: Meal Plan + Recipe Cards

Click on the Recipe Cards to cook quick & easy weeknight dinners, access nutrition facts and get Recipe Card printable. You can easily track your Beauty Diet* as the Calories and MyPoints Plus are done for you! Add salad, fresh fruit, and 1 cup skim milk (or no-sugar pudding mix) for a balanced dinner. *for those who are enrolled in our Charm School.

Day 1

+ salad, fresh fruit, skim milk

Day 2

+ salad, fresh fruit, skim milk

Day 3

+ salad, fresh fruit, skim milk

Day 4

+ salad, fresh fruit, skim milk

Grocery List

Use the list below to order groceries or take your phone to the store. I spent $33.02. *indicates organic

Fresh Produce

1/2 cup onion, diced ($2.19/3 lb.)
4 small potatoes (on hand)
1 lb. baby carrots* ($1.35)
1 tbsp. fresh thyme (free from my garden)
1 box spring mix* - for salads ($4.09/16 oz.)

Total: $7.63

Meats & Fish

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast** ($4.79/lb.)
1 lb. lean ground beef* ($5.35/lb.) or 2 lb. lean ground turkey ($5.35/2 lb.+)
1 lb. peeled, cooked shrimp ($6.05/12 oz.)

Total: $16.19

Dairy & Fridge

1-16 oz. mild salsa* ($2.09) or mild fresh salsa - not organic ($2.45)
1 egg* (on hand)
4 cups almond milk* (x number of family members) ($2.75/half gallon)

Total: $4.84

Packaged

2-15 oz. cans black beans* ($.99/15. oz)
1 cup oatmeal (on hand)
1 cup marinara sauce* (on hand)
1 cup rice (on hand)
1-20 oz. can pineapple tidbits ($.99/20 oz.)
1 lb. whole wheat pasta* (on hand)
1-14 oz. can chick peas* (on hand)
1-14 oz. can crushed tomatoes* (on hand)

Total: $2.97

Frozen

1-12 oz. bag frozen corn* ($1.39/10 oz.)

Total: $1.39

Have on Hand

1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own)
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock* (or make your own)

**Never Any! Brand

Step 3: Finish Up

See How to Meal Plan in 3 Simple Steps to finish your weekly meal plan and ensure it has the proper daily nutrition for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Write down plans in your Meal Planner.
Track calories on MyfitnessPal for free or Track MyPoints Plus.

I hope my weeknight meals save you money and time!

Watercolor Floral Bouquet I Printable

Wed, 05 May 2021 05:19:42 GMT

I have a new printable in the shop. It's called Watercolor Floral Bouquet I. How do you use floral prints? Here's a few ideas! You can:

frame - alone or pair with word art
canvas - alone or pair with word art
clothes pin - hang with set of 3
magnet - add to chalkboard

Daily House Cleaning Routine in 3 Simple Steps!

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:48:03 GMT

Today, I'm sharing how to complete our Daily House Cleaning Routine in 3 Simple Steps (it takes just 1 hour).

Step 1: Daily Tasks
Step 2: Weekly Task
Step 3: Monthly Task

Grab the free printable, then post the Homekeeping Calendar with checklist to your fridge and check-off each morning.

Here's what you'll do . . .

> FREE PRINTABLE <

Step 1: Daily Tasks

The best daily routine includes daily tasks or things that need done daily. The secret to always having a company-ready home is doing the daily tasks - and it doesn't take that long! Here's what they are.

Make the Bed (5 min.)
Clean Counters* (5 min.)
Clean Floors (10 min.)
Tidy & Trash (10 min.)

Why it works: large surfaces are kept clean & clutter is put away

Step 2: Weekly Tasks

The best daily routine includes weekly task or tasks that need done once per week. The secret to being proactive (i.e. never missing a bill or never running out of clean underwear) is doing the weekly tasks. Here they are. You can assign days to each task. Do them efficiently* in 30-60 minutes.

Monday Meal Plan (30 min.)
Tuesday Desk Work (30 min.)
Wednesday Wave Clean (30-60 min.)
Thursday Laundry (30+ min.)
Friday Catch All

Why It Works: It includes, not just cleaning, but all aspects of home management.

Step 3: Monthly Task

The best daily routine includes a monthly task or a task that needs done once per month. Each month, we choose one space to detail clean, organize, and decorate (or refresh as needed). Simply spend a few minutes a day on that one room. It will add up to big results by month's end. Plus, you won't need to spring clean.

one room per month (a few minutes daily)

Why It Works: The large task of spring cleaning is put into little daily bites for in-depth cleaning and order.

Action Steps!

Choose your homekeeping hour (see our schedule).
Enlist family members to help with tasks!
Easily fit in homeschool (see build your own schedule).

I hope the homekeeping calendar helps!

$35 Meal Plan + Grocery List {Week 1}

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:59:11 GMT

Weeknight dinners are planned! What's included in $35 Meal Plan & Grocery List?

4 Dinner Recipes (1 Crockpot)
Grocery List
Diabetic Friendly (star)
Heart Healthy (heart)
500 calories or less
My Points Plus
Nutrition Facts
$35 budget goal for these 4 meals

Serve your family quick & easy weeknight dinners in 3 steps:

Step 1: Meal Plan + Free Printable
Step 2: Grocery List
Step 3: Finish Up

You will need:

Meal Plan #1 Recipe Cards (Free Printable or In the Shop)

Step 1: Meal Plan

Weeknight dinners are planned! Just click the pics (below) to access each Recipe Card Online so you can track your beauty diet* as the Calories and MyPoints Plus are done for you! Add salad kit, fresh fruit, and 1 cup skim milk (or no-sugar pudding mix) for a balanced dinner.
*Beauty diet is for those who are enrolled in our Charm School.

Ready to cook dinner? Pull-out your vintage Recipe Card or use the online version.

Day 1

+ SALAD KIT, FRESH FRUIT, SKIM MILK

Day 2

+ SALAD KIT, FRESH FRUIT, SKIM MILK

Day 3

+ SALAD KIT, FRESH FRUIT, SKIM MILK

Day 4

+ SALAD KIT, FRESH FRUIT, SKIM MILK

Step 2: The Grocery List

Use the list below to order groceries or take your phone to the store. *indicates organic

Fresh Produce

1 yellow onion*
1 red onion*
1/4 cup fresh cilantro*
1 lemon*
4 salad kits (beauty diet can substitue vinegar for dressing)
4 fresh fruits of choice (X number of family members)

Meats & Fish

2 lbs. top round roast
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast*
1 lb. wildcaught cod fillets

Dairy & Fridge

4 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese*
1 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese*
1 pizza crust* (or save $ and make your own)
4 cups skim milk (X number of family members)
No-sugar instant pudding mix, optional

Have on Hand

1/4 cup flour*
1/2 cup barbecue sauce*
1/4 cup bread crumbs* (or substitute oatmeal*)
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. olive oil

Step 3: Finish up Meal Planning Successfully!

See How to Meal Plan in 3 Simple Steps to finish your weekly meal plan and ensure it has the proper daily nutrition for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Write down plans in your Meal Planner.
Track calories on MyfitnessPal for free or Track MyPoints Plus.

I hope my weeknight meals save you money and time!

Skinny Lemon & Garlic Cod {Recipe Card}

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 04:00:09 GMT

Recipe Card Printable

This Skinny Lemon & Garlic Cod Recipe is the perfect quick & easy weeknight recipe for cod lovers! It features:

Oven or Grill
Low sugar & sodium (star)
Low fat (heart)
4 Servings @ 162 calories
MyPoints Plus - 4

See Nutrition Facts below.