Don't Pass up a Bow!

Hello Thrifties!

I hope everyone is staying dry this morning. It's been a while since I last posted. Life has a way of getting in the way of things you plan to do. But here's a post that may give you some ideas.

Bows. We put them on presents and we tie our shoes with them. We use them to help us accentuate bouquets and other decorations. Today I want to show you how bows can change things up. Maybe even add a little whimsy.

The first picture is a wreath with a bow I bought from the Goodwill "dump". They were separate but I thought maybe they would work together. The second picture has a candy corn bow I got at a yard sale yesterday for $1.00. So really either bow would work well for this fall wreath. 

This morning as I looked in the storage closet I saw that old washboard. My in-laws were downsizing and I swooped in on that oldie. It seemed like maybe that orange bow would spruce it up and I could add it to the fall porch stuff. Sure enough there was already a little hole at the top of it that I was able to run the wire through to attach it. The fall porch decorations are finished...I think! LOL!

Sometimes you have to be brave and take a chance stepping out of the box. Really who says it's not a good idea? Who is going to be enjoying it? We are and as we look at that old washboard we will think of all the people who did their laundry on it. Good Grief! May I never complain about having to put clothes in a washing machine again!! LOL!

The take away from this post is... don't pass up a good bow. You just never know where or when you will be able to use it. Y'all stay thrifty and enjoy your day!

Bargains for Celebrating America

 Good morning to everyone!

As Mr. Rogers says it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood. While we have just finished celebrating the 4th of July there is still some time left to grab a bargain to use for Labor Day and all the other America holidays next year. 

Thrifty Honey found a pallet at his work they were throwing out that someone had painted like an American flag. Of course he knew this Thirty Sissy would want it. The best bargain yet... free. So we put it up in the back yard by our one tree so we can be reminded how blessed we are to live in the wonderful country. 

Yesterday I hustled over to Hobby Lobby to search through their sale shelves for America holiday items. Oh, yes 75% off. I was dancing in the aisle. I spent $21.95 and got $81.87 total of cute things to decorate with. Yay!!!

Oh, you maybe thinking I don't want to get any 4th of July things because it's over. But hopefully the 4th of July will never be over in American and it will be celebrated every year. So why not take minute and be on ready for next year plus we still have Labor day to celebrate this year. We can use them for Memorial day next year too. So this sale was really a three fold blessing. 

I don't know how much will be left by the time this blogpost goes out but hurry on over to Hobby Lobby and get some cute things for your table and counters. You all have a wonderful day and rest of the week. Remember to stay 'Thrifty" while you shop!!

Do You Need Some Cord Control?

 Hey there Thrifty Folks!

I hope you are enjoying this spring weather because you know the hot summer days will be here before you know it. Spring is a time of celebration. Everything is blooming and showing off all there colors. Plus the rain is making it all grow really fast. But onto today's topic...Cord Control.

How many times do the cords get in the way when you are trying to store the appliance they are connected to? How many cords are too long and stay waded up on the counter? Well, somebody had a marvelous idea to handle cords that are out of control. 3M Command has solved the cord issue. These are the same people who invented the hooks you can stick anywhere and then remove when you don't need them any more. 

I saw these little jewels on an Instagram video. I was so impressed with the possibility of having all the cords on the kitchen counter contained I asked Thrifty Honey to order them a.s.a.p. We don't have a lot of counter space so every little bit matters. He ordered them from Amazon and they came in a package of 6 for $9.99. I know it's not my most thrifty purchase but given the relief from the cord mess it was a real bargain. 

Well, I hope you all enjoy this beautiful day and your weekend. Stay "Thrifty" and have some fun too. 

A Room of Your Own

 Hello fellow Thrifties!

While I was sitting in my little room this morning I was thinking about how important it is for girls (regardless of our age) to have a room of their own. It doesn't matter if you don't sew, cross-stitch, quilt or do other crafty stuff. We need a place to call our own. I know we have the house and we have designed, decorated and made it wonderful. 

But there's just something about having a little a space that's yours. We know the men have the garage or the bonus room. But what about us? Do we have place to go, light a good candle, grab a book and read? It can simply be a favorite chair in the corner of the bedroom with a basket full of our favorite books or magazines. It could be a space in the spare bedroom where our special stuff is all together. Or it could be a whole room, painted your favorite color with all your pictures and quotes on a bulletin board. 

The whole point is as women we give, go and do for everybody up and down the road but what about us? Are we taking care of ourself? Are we able to go to a special place and have a cup of afternoon coffee and unwind? 

While I am blessed with an entire room right now for three years we had people living with us and I had to move all my "room" stuff into the corner of our bedroom and into the closet. Oh my word! Talk about cramped! But nevertheless less it all worked out and I was still able to have a coffee, read a magazine or sew to my hearts' content. So don't let space be the excuse for not having your little nest. You would be surprised how may women have turned a closet into a space for themselves. Room is room when we decide that's where we are going to nestled down. 

This can be a thrifty thing or you can go all out and break the bank for your room. It doesn't matter just do it. Do it for your mental, physical and emotional health. You will be so glad you did! 

Have a wonderful rest of the week. Remember to keep your "Thrifty" on!!

Quick, Easy Brunch, Lunch or Supper

 

Happy Sunday to you!

How many times have we exhausted all our thinking power to figure out something quick and easy to eat? Sometimes it's real simple but we forget about the things we have available. Most of us have a carton of eggs, some shredded cheese, biscuits and a packet of gravy. 

When I'm in a hurry or too tired to make a great big meal this is my go to. I scramble some eggs, add some shredded cheese as they are cooking, throw some ready made biscuits in the oven, make some gravy from a packet and we are ready to enjoy a really good hot meal with little effort. 

Most of the time I have all these things right there in the pantry, freezer or fridge. So even if I need to go the the grocery I can still pull off a decent meal. Since the gravy I make from scratch could be used as concrete I stick with the Pioneer Country gravy mix. It's super quick and always turns out good. I also like Mary B's frozen biscuits. You can cut up some fruit and make this little quick meal a feast. 

I hope this menu will help you when you are in a jam for a easy meal. Y'all have a great week and enjoy this beautiful day!

"Fancy Nancy" Calendar Frame

Good Morning Thrifty Folks!

I hope you all are safe and warm with plenty of food during this snow season. While I have seen lots of photos with people sledding and making snowmen we are watching from afar. But since this has been going on for too many days my mind is ready to create something. LOL. 

While I was sitting at my computer I looked up to the calendar on the wall and I thought... gee that could use some improvement. Most of us will either get a free calendar at the beginning of the year or we may buy a cheap one. 

As I looked around the room I spied a gold picture frame. Immediately I wondered if I could cut that free bank calendar and make it fit into that picture frame. Well, it worked after a few cuts with the scissors. 

I removed the front and back of the calendar. Then I took the cardboard back from the frame and used it to draw around the calendar. I cut it and and placed it inside the frame. Yeah... the new "fancy nancy" calendar frame. You are probably thinking I will have to take that frame down and change out the month. But don't we have to take the calendar down to fold it over to the next month anyway?? 

But for the entire month we will have a cute calendar to look at instead of just a plain one!! The best thing for this Thrifty Sissy is the cost....zero and about 10 minutes of my day!! 

Ya'll stay warm and safe. But most of all stay "Thrifty." By the way thanks to Wilson Bank and Trust for the calendar!!!

Hints for Dry Sheets

 Good Morning Thrifties!!

I hope this finds you all well, up and at 'em this morning. Since I have been diagnosed with Covid I have had too much time on my hands so I have been on the iPad looking at first one thing and then the other. 

While snooping around on Pinterest I found this list of the things dry sheets can be used for besides just making you laundry smell good. I was amazed at all the uses somebody found for them. While I haven't used them in a while after reading this list I have decided to get some and try these hints out. When I did use them I simply threw them in the trash after the load of clothes was finished. But now there are multiple uses for even the old ones. This is definitely a "thrifty" idea!!

You may already know a lot of them but maybe there will be a few you haven't heard of on this list. Y'all have a great week and stay "Thrifty."

"Put Back" Bucket

 Good January Monday Morning to you all...

Here we are moving quickly through the first month of the year. Most of the store, blogs and Instagram posts are touting organization for this first month. We know how things have accumulated or been replaced by new gifts or purchases during December. 

So now we have to go through the old things and get ourself set up for the rest of the year. But things have a way of getting scattered and misplaced as the days go by. Things that we brought from the bedroom into the living room never made it back to their place. Things we needed from the garage ended up in the kitchen. We forgot to put them back where we got them. 

Oh dear! This forgetting to put things back where they belong after a while can take on a life of its own. Besides that we have a hard time finding what we need when we need it. Then those misplaced things start to pile up and get in the way of our normal life. 

So here's a suggestion. Most of us have a laundry basket or some sort of large tote we can use to gather up all those things and take them back to their home. Think about it. Quick as a wink you could grab your "take back" basket and make a stroll through your home corralling those misplaced things. What a good idea. 

Now you don't have to do it everyday but once a week you could take back things that have wandered away and recoup spaces that were lost. This is really a thrifty idea... No money spend and only a little time and you take back missing items and space. 

I hope you all have a really good week and practice being "thrifty" too. 

Thank You Power

 Good morning to all!

I hope you all are warm and well this chilly morning. With all the chaos and drama happening around us from first one thing and then another I felt like we needed a word of encouragement. I read this book by Deborah Norville several years ago but when I went to the library the other day they had it on the rack out front for sale. This book is so worth the $.50 I paid for it. 

This woman is an excellent writer and the topic of being grateful is one we surely need during this day and time. She has stories about how being thankful has made so many people's lives better. Not just tolerable but better. This is not just a power of positive thinking kind of book. It's following the word of God when He tells us to give thanks in everything. 

Now we know being thankful when things are yucky is hard but she reveals how being thankful lessens the yuckiness. I don't know if they still sell this online or not but I do have the book and if anyone would like to borrow it you are welcome to it. 

The truth be told even when things are yucky if we look long enough we can always find something to be thankful for. You all have a great Tuesday and a wonderful week. Remember to stay "thrifty" and be thankful too...

Antiprocrastination

Hello Friends,

We are on our way into the new year. So did you make some resolutions? Did you pick up the same ole' ones? Lose weight, spend more time with family and friends, clean out the garage or attic, get organized? If you are like me I have made and broken more new years resolutions than I can count. Although there have been a few I have stuck with.

Let's talk about one of the things that derail our resolutions. Procrastination... it's a thief and a killer of a lot of the good intentions we set out to do. But there is a solution to this monster. It's to change your mindset about the things you want to accomplish. When we think we can git 'er done we most likely will. But when we think we can't .... well it just sits there and stares us in the face every time we turn around. 

If we will attack those things we put off one at a time it will go much better. Instead of getting overwhelmed by too many things we sort them out and decide which one is the most important today. 

Here's another tip. Pick a certain day of the week and call it anti-procrastination day. My day is Wednesday. I have a little ongoing list on my calendar for all those things that I have put off for too long. On Wednesday I pick one of them and just go on ahead and do it. Really I have found out that some of the things I have put off, thinking they will take too long to do them have only taken ten or fifteen minutes and they are done. Wow!  

Think about this: If you regularly do one thing a week at the end of the year you will have done a total of fifty two things... That's fabulous! That's over the top!!! Here's another wonderful thing about this anti-procrastination day. There will be no more things hanging over your head that need to be done. Plus it feels really good when you finally do those things you have been putting off. 

Now this anti- procrastination suggestion is truly a "thrifty" thing. There is no telling all the benefits that will come out of finally getting things done!! Have a great week and remember to stay... "Thrifty."

Transition From Christmas

 Hello fellow Thrifties!

Well, it looks like we all made it through Christmas. Now to begin to process of taking Christmas down and getting things back to our regular stuff. So much of what we have as our normal decorations go into the closet or under the bed so all our special Christmas things can have front and center. 

But it seems so empty without all the colorful pretties sitting around. Now what do we do so we don't feel like our house is empty. The transition ... that's what we are looking for. You see Valentine's day is the next major holiday and it's a month and a half away. What to do??

We must take a cue from the season. It's still winter so why not do a little winter decorating to ease us along. We really don't need any more let downs as it concerns 2020. We have to help ourselves to whatever is available for the winter season. Nothing too drab or sad. Here's what I did. If you have followed my posts you know the kitchen table is the main focus area since it connects the kitchen and the living room. We see if every time we come in the backdoor and wander around the living room. 

This is the best place for us to make the transition. I've really gotten out of my comfort zone with this table scape. I found one of the oldest "pieces" of a quilt we have and used it for a tablecloth. Think about it. It's winter... so... the quilt. There is nothing like a cozy quilt to wrap up in on a cold day. Next I used the square wicker placemats and topped them with some leopard plates and bowls. I used the silverware burlap holders that really belong to Thanksgiving but who says we can't be thankful in the winter. I propped them up with a wicker ball and added a little string of snowballs. (Really a Christmas tree decoration but it doesn't matter) I even used the red swirly Christmas glasses, stuffed them with a gold napkin with a icy branch. Still bringing winter into the set up. 

I also added some of those icy branches to the three tier stand. Plus I still brought in some of the red berries and gold accents as well. Actually it's a mix match kind of thing just to tide us over until I can throw up some valentines. LOL... Hearts and Kisses....

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and now... now... on to 2021. I pray it will be good for all of us. Remember to keep your "thrifty" eyes open for some goodies with all the after Christmas sales!!

Thrifty Honey "Frame"

Good Morning to all of you!

It's a great day to be alive and well on planet earth. There are so many things to be thankful for during this glorious season we are in. All the way from Thanksgiving to Christmas we are to give to others, be grateful and love everyone no matter who they are. One of the the many things I am grateful for is my husband who is very creative and a real "Thrifty Honey" too. 

A month or so ago I bought this sign at one of the local shops. When Thrifty Honey looked at it immediately he said that really needs a frame. I said well they had one with a frame but I thought this one was a better choice. So needless to say the sign got an upgrade. 

Thrifty Honey went out to his stash in the garage and came out with some maple bull nose edges for stairs they had thrown away at his work. He has a good eye for nice things and figures at some point he can use them for a project rather than have to buy them... I love this "Thrifty" man!!! 

So after a few days he comes in with his latest creation. I think you will have to agree it looks wonderful. That maple wood really makes the sign pop. 

Many thanks to Thrifty Honey for taking the time to make a good thing even better. Y'all remember to stay "thrifty" and have a blessed weekend! 

Christmas on Brookstone Circle

Hello Christmas Friends!

Let me be the first one to wish you a Merry Christmas! Oh, I know it's early but if you want to get ahead of the rush you have to start early! I just finished decorating on Tuesday afternoon with a little fluffing on Wednesday. I always enjoy walking through the house and looking at every little decoration. This year I really don't have a specific theme. I simply love to decorate and Christmas is my favorite season to pull out all the stops. 

I'll start with the entry way. Even though I don't have a lot of new things to use it's always fun to move them around and make them seem new. I made this wreath with the reindeer on it last year. I thought why not let Rudolph be the first thing you see when you come in. Here's a good tip if any item you have it not tall enough for the area where you are using it stack some books under it to make the height right.  I wanted those books under the lamp on the entry table to be a little more festive so I wrapped them in a red table napkin. LOL. Who says you can't make do when you have too?

Now to the dining room. I took some wide ribbon I had and wound it around the chandelier and added a few big candy canes to give it a Christmas look. Of course we always use a tablecloth but I had a lot of Christmas quilts so I added one over the top of the cloth to give it some zing! Somewhere along the line I got tangled up with nutcrackers. So I added those to the table as well as some big multicolored balls. The plates are just cheapos and stuffing the napkins into the tall glasses adds a lot of flair. The buffet then got the famous red Christmas truck with the tree on top as well as a Santa teapot in a two tiered stand.

In the kitchen there is a small tree with odd and end decorations plus the ole' Christmas pig and a peace sign. I always add some fun things to the top of the refrigerator to spread the cheer around. The 12 days of Christmas in Tennessee  plate is a favorite of mine. When you add a few books and a little greenery to the mix it really starts to look special. The kitchen table... where all the food and fun takes place also got a little quilt and some black/white check paper plates to match the ribbon on the light over the table. Everything doesn't have to be matchie matchie but it does tie things together. 

Our living room coffee table has another little quilt on it to accent the centerpiece. I guess the theme for this year must be Christmas quilts... LOL. They seem to be everywhere. There is even one under the tree. One thing I bought this year is the pink car with all the packages on top of it. It's really a cookie jar but who says you have to just use it for one thing. The mantle has a few more nutcrackers and some tall gold candle holders. Oh, I almost forgot the Christmas camper I found in a clearance shelf at World Market long after Christmas had come and gone last year.  Then the main event... the tree!! Every year I get so excited as the old and new ornaments begin to fill up the tree and bring sweet memories back. 

Since this year hasn't been like any other year we have experienced before I simply let whatever brought a smile to my face come out of the storage boxes. I know I've said it before but if things make you smile and you like them that's really all that matters. 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Brookstone Circle and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Remember to stay "Thrifty" and enjoy yourself every single day!! 

Good Smells for the Car

 Good fall afternoon to you all!

We all want not only our house but our car to smell good too. I've bought those smelly things from Yankee Candle to hang on the car rearview mirror and other similar smelly things too. But we all know they don't seem to last very long and they are pricey. 

I saw this sachet at Kirklands a month or more ago and it smelled so good I thought why not put this in the back seat of the car floorboard and see what happens. Well, it worked really well and it's been more than a month. They cost $2.49. Wow! Plus you can get a myriad of scents. 

So if you are looking for a "thrifty" smell here it is. I hope you are enjoying the last of these pleasant days and remember to stay" Thrifty." 

Bargains Galore

 Hey Thrifty Folks!

I hope everyone is enjoying a little bit of fall. It's wonderful to see the trees turning and the weather cooling down some. Since it has been nice outside the last week or so I ventured out to a new bargain place. You all may have already been there but I didn't know anything about it. 

It's called Consumer Depot. It's over close to 100 Oaks. I went because someone told me they had books six for $.99 or 25 cents each. Oh my! I really enjoy books but they are way too expensive for me. 

So when I got there I spotted 3 books I had wanted to read and when I turned around there were six or seven big boxes of Christmas decorations. Good Grief! Now these were from Target. I couldn't believe it. There were items from the Joanna Gaines Magnolia Hearth and Hand collection. There were decorations from Sugar Paper. The Sugar Paper line sells out very quickly. I found a couple of things I had wanted but they were sold out.....So Excited!!

The first time I went I never even made it over to any of the other parts of the store. But they did have some furniture and electronics. I asked the guy who checked me out when they got new stuff. He said everyday. 

Well, needless to say I won't be going everyday but I will be checking it out when I go to the Goodwill Dump since it's just a few miles from there. Most of the things were pennies on the dollar. So if you are in that part of town check this place out. 

Y'all have a blessed week and keep yourself "Thrifty!"

 

Coming Home for Fall

Happy Fall Y'all!

It's about time don't you think? The last few days have been so wonderful and cool. Wow! It made me want to get out a sweater but I didn't. LOL But I did continue decorating our home for fall. 

There are so many rooms we pass through everyday and we really want to celebrate the season in each one of them. The first picture is the kitchen table where all the food, fun and family happens. Of course the gold tablecloth and the orange runner set the stage followed by the mums in the UT pitcher. Add some leaves around the plates and you've got fall. The next two pictures display the main player of the season.. pumpkins. 

A nice pumpkin quilt with a little camper pillow makes it real cozy in the living room. More pumpkins and leaves are on display in the next few pictures. What would a front porch or a back porch be without some cute fall things. How about those hanging pumpkins? Our ferns were pretty much toast so I threw them out and put a pumpkin in each one of the hanging baskets on the front and back porch. 

Well, it's pretty clear we are all decked out and ready to enjoy the cooler weather, the fire pit, roasted hot dogs and s'mores. May you enjoy this special time of year and celebrate it with all things fall. Y'all keep your "pumpkin" self "Thrifty" and have a good weekend!!!