The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who have written about appetizing recipes, food preparation, gardening, canning and preserving, aspects of nutrition, homesteading and life’s choices, hopes and lessons.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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We return to Emerson’s Acre to find our hero, Goatman Dave, in the midst of yet another project. He claims this specific article, titled “Tribute,” is not one of his greatest. I disagree. It is dynamic, heartfelt, honest, funny and every soul in America and beyond will relate to his experience and laugh (not at him, but with him) at the dilemma of being human and taming our natural environment. This article was thoroughly enjoyable and made it clear that the author should indeed, as he playfully suggests, “bask in the glow of masculine accomplishment.” Perseverance is as valuable as raw labor, if not more.

“See, there’s something macho about running a tiller, especially one of this vintage. Running a tiller like this is equal to wrestling with a grizzly bear, or better yet, plowing with a bull, using the bull’s horns as the plow, while they’re still attached to the bull… No, my biggest fear was that I’d have to go, knock on my neighbor’s door and explain why they wouldn’t be watching Extreme Home Makeover, ESPN or anything else that Sunday afternoon…” [Read Full Article]

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It is difficult to select specific articles from Frugally Sustainable, for this Blog contains a wealth of information about every single aspect of living a frugal and practical lifestyle. It is very pleasing to the eye, which is not an easy feat considering the volume of resources available here. If you are interested in frugal living, I am sure you have come across other resources that are so busy that no matter how much you want an answer, it feels like everything is being thrown at you and you probably hit the back button before you ever read a first paragraph. This is never the case with Frugally Sustainable.

Another aspect of this Blog that I appreciate especially is that the author clearly takes the time to select content and topics that address readers’ questions and interests very directly. Her format is professional, playful and truly informative. Consider, for example, an entry from this week titled, “Dear Andrea: About all of these herbal remedies…where should I start without feeling like I am breaking the bank?“

“Lorrie’s not alone in her concerns,” begins the author, “In fact many of you have written to me with similar questions – that’s why upon reading her question, I had the sense that addressing it publicly could benefit a large majority of people… Here are a few recommendations and thoughts for getting started without breaking the bank… Bottom line, don’t lose the simplicity that you seek!…” [Read Full Article]

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Gotta have something new! I came across Mad Mad Me thanks to a Facebook post that caught my attention because of its playful colors. Then I landed on a website and Blog where these personable fellaws caught my eye and there is more, but I will let you explore that for yourself.

Wise Guys

Meanwhile, I invite you to read “Madly Frugal or a Personal Tale of Frugality.” Hum! We seem to be having a theme going here today. I assure you this is not intentional, but it must be for a reason so let us read on.

The moment I read the first few lines of this story I knew I must include it in today’s review. Then I read further and was speechless for a moment. Pet lovers (such as yours truly) may find it a bit difficult to relate to this story at first. I chose to post it because it represents honesty and reality. I stood back for a moment and remembered that it takes courage to trust nature. Folks who raise farm animals know this. Those of us who live with only a few pets find out eventually. Read on.

“My mom says I can ‘pinch a penny ’til it squeals,’ and I think she’s right. In reality, I’m probably considered by most to be a cheap person. I almost always buy things on sale, I’ll go without rather than paying full price… That being said, I thought it was time to create my own post to share with you the most frugal, the most money saving moment of my life! Can most folks even claim that they have a “moment” documented in their history as being the most frugal? Here’s the tale… [Read Full Article]

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March is Nutrition Month and  It’s Veggie Appreciation Month: Getting Your Kids to Eat their Vegetables at In Fine Balance.

I read interesting statistics, earlier this month, regarding the importance of eating together as a family because the table is where children learn social and language skills as well as proper nutrition. Good nourishment and good values go hand in hand, and good nourishment feeds the body and the mind. Thinking back on meals I ate with family while growing up, I easily realize how much I took away from meals shared with family. Conversation comes to mind. I hear myself voicing opinions I know I heard at the table. Thus, I think it goes without saying that later we might also mimic the actions we see at the table.

“Since we follow a mostly vegetarian diet in our house,” explains the author, “You might think I have an advantage when it comes to getting my kids to eat their veggies. I’m sure other vegetarian families would agree with me when I say, I don’t believe our eating preferences have much to do with the amount of vegetables we eat.  When you remove meat from your diet – vegetables do not automatically fill the void…. I’m just a mom and like anyone else, I wish my kids begged me for salads and roasted veggies. Well, okay, sometimes they do. But this doesn’t happen  all the time, I would say hardly ever is more like it… When it comes to getting my kids to appreciate vegetables, my approach is a bit different… My approach is to start with ‘veggie respect’, not veggie eating…” [Read Full Article]

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.