The Frugal Farm Living life deliberately

January seems to be the time of year that everyone has organization on the brain. We've packed away the Christmas boxes and with no major holidays on the horizon, we focus on bettering ourselves, our homes, and our families.

I mentioned a while back that I am finally getting control over the chaos that has been my life since the summer of 2007 when we tore the back room of our house down and began the biggest DIY project imaginable.  read more »

No need to spend a ton of money on baby shower gifts! Something handmade is almost always more appreciated and needn't take a lot of time.

I spent some time at the sewing machine this morning whipping up a couple gifts for a couple of new babies being born in my circle of friends over the next month. The instructions for the ruffles come to you courtesy of Char and her award-winning tutorial. I've "known" Char for years and years online (like since we had 1 kid each or something and met on a parenting forum) and she makes some really cute stuff.  read more »

I kid you not, he is literally contemplating climbing up on to the piano keys to play with the decorations on top of the piano. He has been removed multiple times over the holidays. (and I do realize this picture is blurry. how else could I snap it in time to grab him off the piano bench?)

We had a great Christmas. The boxes are packed and ready to be stored on the shelves once again and the house feels bigger with all the decorations down. It will feel even bigger when I send the masses back to school and work.  read more »

I finally got a lot of pictures uploaded off the camera! Some are on flickr. Take a look if you're interested.

In the meantime, I am stalking the UPS truck that is carrying the washing machine pump. The clothes are sorted and ready to go. Who would have thought someone could be so anxious to do laundry?

I am choosing to focus on life's small victories. It makes for a happier mom.

So, instead of focusing on the fact that the pump on the washing machine died, I am happy that I can replace it myself for the cost of the part. And that I get three days off from doing any laundry. And that it waited until my last load yesterday to die.

I go through each day with this focus in mind, thinking, "What is the victory here?"

It's a victory when I go to bed with a clean kitchen (yesterday I cleaned off the corner of the counter that has been cluttered all summer long--why did I keep those broken things anyway?).  read more »