Frugal Momma Loves Fall

What is Frugal Momma?

Well, I am a frugal momma and I know many other moms who are as well. As moms with only 1 child or 5 children we are women who live life frugally without being boring. I have now been married almost 4 years and I have an 8 month old son. I do not consider myself boring or cheap. Not at all! 

I have been blessed by the Lord with a wonderful husband and son. We have been blessed with a family, jobs, a house, a car and many talents. I strongly believe that we are to be good stewards of the many things that we have been blessed with. We are not to squander our earnings or lose sight of the important things in life (namely the things above) by living in the world. I often think of the passage in Philippians:

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   

I am often a worrier, someone concerned with the outcome of almost everything, and yet, I am usually at these times not thinking about Christ and the honorable things and promises and gifts. I am working on this constantly. My everyday life should reflect more of this passage. Now, before you start thinking... 'uhm, what does frugal momma have to do with any of this?' - I must say, I am a mostly stay-at-home mom. I take care of my son all day, teach violin lessons, sing in the church choir and keep the house. This is how I pave the way for my family to honor Christ. I do these things through Christ Jesus as a wife and mother. This does not mean that I must twiddle my thumbs and make sure that every piece of fabric is ironed and every surface dust free. No, I will give glory to God with my talents, I will think and dwell on the things that are pure and true and honorable - - - and I want to do this with you! I want to share ways of being frugal, loving your family, loving your friends and doing so with a cheerful heart. 

So, today I want to tell you about my alternative to buying and lighting those amazing fall scented candles. I have made some friends here in Nashville that cannot be around chemical scents. Perfumes, candles, cologne... you name it. So, I don't want them to never be able to come to my house (because I love smell-good things - especially in the fall) - so, I looked around. And on Pinterest I found Simmer-Pots. 

Amazing. 

No chemicals, just lovely Fall-Goodness simmering away in a pot. (Cheaper than candles, smell better than candles and usually I'm eating this stuff anyways - so now, I am just not wasting anything!)

I used the oranges, lemons and apples - eat them and then save the peels.

I then punched some cloves into the orange peels, filled a sauce pan with some water, boiled it with all my ingredients for a few minutes then turned it on simmer. I have orange peels, lemon peels, apple peels, cloves and a stick of cinnamon in this pot.

About every 45 minutes I would add a little bit more water. I live in a 3 bedroom 2 story duplex, and this little pot filled the whole house with lovely fall smells.

One of my favorite verses hanging out in the kitchen.

This is how I keep the house smelling wonderful. 

What do you use? I am wanting to try to lavender and eucalyptus soon in a simmer-pot but I have such a thing for fall smells. 

Let's follow the Lord together and build each other up! I want to hear your ideas and encourage you as a mom, engaged lady or single friend. Let me encourage you in the ways that I can as Julie to help you see Christ more clearly. Drop me an email or a facebook and let me know what I can do for you.

In Christ,

Frugal Momma 

Today's Coffee: Harvest Dark Roast

Tomorrow, Wilson will be 8 months old. It's insane how fast babies grow up. I remember the first few weeks thinking "he's not getting bigger, he's not ever going to stop crying, he's not ever going to learn how to play with all these toys" - boy was I wrong. And now, I kind of miss those early days when he would sleep for hours and I would just hold him and kiss him. Now, he's big and squirmy and while he wants to be held he usually wants me to hold him so he can reach for something he's not supposed to have. Like cellphones. Or laptops. 8 months. I'm just stunned. I've already been thinking about his first Christmas (he'll be 10 months) and his first birthday party. I mean, c'mon momma, where did the time go? 

This past weekend we were blessed to have Thomas' parents visit us. Not only were they so kind to bring a yummy apple pie, pumpkin bread and a casserole but they also brought us their rocking chair. I love it already. I loved it the first night when Wilson only got up twice and instead of bringing him to our room to feed him, I could just feed him in his room. I loved it last night when I had to get up 3 times with him. How did I go so long without a rocking chair? Wilson doesn't get to see his grandparents as much as we would like (distance is really hard!) but after the initial few hours he warmed right up again and was giving his impish smiles! 

That's a good looking family right there! I would also like to add that this was the first and only try to get a good picture. We rock!

Thomas' birthday was a huge success! We found great pumpkins, Thomas and I got to go out to dinner and Wilson loved helping Daddy open gifts!

He mainly wanted the bag, but he was kind enough to look at all the goodies with Daddy!

Wilson loved this pumpkin! (Check out that dimple!)

We are also so excited to tell you that Faith will be living with us next semester! We had so much fun with her visit that we just want her to stay forever with us! :) But honestly, she has the opportunity to take some of her classes online and live in a different place next semester - so, why not Nashville, right? Also, with our teaching schedules it will be nice to have a babysitter (whom Wilson just adores!). We are thinking that it is going to be a great time next semester! 

Thomas has an organ recital on the calendar now! Please mark yours on January 8, 2012. He will be performing a recital at 3:00 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church here in Nashville, TN on Fisk Opus 134. He will be performing works by Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Durufle. After the recital you will have the opportunity to tour the organ - which if I can say so, is a definite 'must' - there are 4 floors that you can climb into. It's really cool! Thomas also has his website up and running! Thomas Russell - Organist Be sure to check it out - he's available for recitals, weddings and things of that sort. So, come out to Nashville and hear Thomas perform on a beautiful instrument Soli Deo Gloria. Also, please be praying that he would always offer his talents up to the true King! 

At the pumpkin patch

Also, be on the lookout here for a new installment for my blog - The Frugal Momma. 

I've been thinking and prayerfully considering posting some of my ideas, thoughts and actions concerning how to be a frugal momma for the glory of God and being a good steward of all that God has entrusted us. I hope to share some wisdom, ask others for wisdom and hope that we can all grow in Christ through what He shows us. 

In Christ,

Julie