Daily Bread

If you enjoy making bread and are looking for new recipes or want to start making bread be sure to stop by my other blog. This week I will be featuring a new bread recipe everyday. I just added day two, Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread

Self-Employed: Not For the Faint at Heart

I am sorry I have avoided this blog and my other one. We have just had so much going on here at home I have not had the time or energy to put together much.

My husband like myself is self-employed and with the economy lately that has had more downs than ups. In November he went six weeks without work and then for the last four he has not had any work. We have gone round and round about what to do and tried to have faith that God was in control, and He is, but it still has been tough!

We finally made the decision he would look for regular work with a company and at the same time if any jobs came up he would do those. I know the idea of giving up his company was not easy for my husband and I am thankful he is willing to do so. He has had some interviews, all promising to let him know something in the coming weeks. He does have a job that will take 4-6 weeks starting Monday and we hope that by the time it ends someone will call him about full time work.

I can tell you that over the last 6 years that we have both been self-employed off and on I have learned somethings that I think can make a big difference for any self-employed person. In no particular order here are my top tips:

1. Have a good support group. When things get hard this will make all the difference. For me it is God, my family and friends.
2. Save money during the times of plenty and do not touch it.
3. Check out Dave Ramsey! Paying our house off a little over a year ago has made a HUGE difference for us along with his other principles.
4. Live within your means; I honestly believe you should live far below them but within them at the very least.
5. If you use a credit card pay it off every month. You never know what the next month may bring. I think a debit card is best but I know that is not always practical.
6. Keep good records
7. Keep your personal and business money separate
8. Keep up with your taxes, Keep up with your taxes, keep up with your taxes!
9. Network and get your name out there.
10. Do not let your business take over your life, you need to make time for your family and for yourself
11. Believe in yourself and do not give up
12. Know when to walk away. I know this may seem like it contradicts number 11 but there does come a time when you know you have to do something else. It may not be for financial reasons but you need to know how to recognize it and even have somethings already written down as signs for you.



I have written a little more about what is going on from a more emotional view point on my other blog if you are interested.

Valentine's Day Gift

If you are looking for a cute Valentines day gift check out the find I posted about on my other blog. It is a darling bracelet!

Looking for a card? Etsy again has you covered. Susan a dear sweet lady I know in real life has a card shop with beautiful cards and other paper crafting items plus she does custom work!


If you have never been to Etsy you are missing some very cool and unique gifts!

Homemade Spray Starch

Do you have any idea what spray starch is made of? Well I did not until a week or so ago. It is made from water and cornstarch; basically that is it. I have been out for a few months and just cannot seem to remember to buy it or when I do the cost is crazy and I do not have a coupon on me. Another reason I hate buying it is the aerosol cans always clog up on me. Alas…. what's a girl to do; make her own of course. Which is precisely what I did last week and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the results it is giving me!

Homemade Spray Starch Recipe

Ingredients
1-3 tbsp. corn starch
2 cups of cold water
Plastic spray bottle


1. Pour 1 cup of water into a sauce pan and turn on medium heat

2. Add 1 tbsp. cornstarch to the other cup of water. Stir well and add to the sauce pan. Heat until dissolved but do not allow it to boil!

3. Once it cools completely pour it into a plastic spray bottle. One that sprays with a fine mist works best for this.

4. Shake well before each use. Spray onto clothes and iron. Add more corn starch-up to 3 tablespoons-for a harder starched effect.

New Blog, New Challenge

Well.... I was going to wait until the first of the year to tell you about my other blog but I signed up for a pantry challenge and wanted to keep track of it on my other blog. So head on over there and check it out.

It is new and has very little up but I am excited about all that I have planned for it and the changes that will be happening here on this one!