It now looks like both Katia and Lee will miss us, which works for me! We are still ready, if a bit shorter on cat food. I'll get more end of this week.
1. Gardening:
**Pulled up the tomatoes (all done, except the Sungold. VERY happy with that variety!) & bell peppers (all done). Pulled carrots, which really could have used more time in the ground but they had to be pulled per our schedule. The pink-eye peas are attempting to grow but the deer have other ideas.
**On the balcony, I bought some impatiens and planted them so there is something pretty to look at. They'll last till first frost, then I'll plant pansies and start planning for spring. The sweet potatoes are still growing well and the herbs are thinking about forgiving me after this summer's neglect. They are not happy.
2. Waste not (preparations):
**Scanning family photos and some documents onto the portable hard drive. In case of hurricane evacuation, we can grab the hard drive and the control journal and be able to reconstruct a lot of things. We'll still loose a lot, but at least we won't loose as much.
**We're working on re-assembling the Singer 66 I have - we had to break down the table; now we are working on replacing the destroyed parts and re-assembling it.
**Bikes have been assessed; we need fenders and possibly chain guards for winter (rainy season) riding. Also need to see about ponchos or other ways to keep the legs dry.
3. Want not (manage your stores):Canned 18 pints of venison stew, using our carrots & onions. This gets the venison out of the freezer, where it laid in wait to fall on you as you opened the door. Also it used about half the carrots we harvested.
4. Build community: giving a friend the info for a farmer that offers beef in bulk that's grass-finished.
5. Eat the food: Yes. I've stayed on budget for food except what I spent on fast food; better planning on my end will take care of that. Hurricane season, and that last close call, are giving me incentive to eat out of the freezer. Tomorrow, venison roast in the crock pot =) Leftover will revisit as a potpie. I miss fall & winter's foods; can someone get the weather to cooperate?
6. Crafting: Spinning my Icelandic fleece, and today I'm washing the fleece I bought last month. I'm still working on the Dragon stocking when I get larger chunks of time.
Showing posts with label "Independence Day Challenge". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Independence Day Challenge". Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Independance Day - 30 August 2011
Hurricane Irene went past us on Saturday. We didn't even lose power. Why would it? We were prepared =) Which is just as well, since Katia might visit next week.
Many of my neighbors seem to think that electricity, either from the grid or from their generator, is a requirement. Our plan of attack is to live without electric, and so we use oil lamps instead of flashlights, solar-heated camp showers, and a camp stove for cooking. Also, we have the setup items for a sawdust toilet, which saves some water. You could also use the water from washing dishes or laundry to flush.
I'm modifying my version of this checklist again - I do so little gardening that I'm changing it to one item rather than 3. So far, the nice shady patio seems to do best growing leaves & sweet potatoes.
1. Gardening: Cleaned up the balcony, removed dead plants, starting thinking about what to plant over the winter.
2. Waste not (preparations): Bought more lamp oil, more Coleman fuel, and another oil lamp. The new lamp leaks so I will be exchanging it, but otherwise we're quite happy with it. We are staying prepared for hurricanes for the rest of the season.
3. Want not (manage your stores): Water: We have 9 days of water, and I may get more. The store-bought water is kept until about 6 months before its expiration and then we drink it and buy fresh. So far, this is all fresh. I'd like to make up some camping-type foods, as well, that I can have ready if we do lose power for a few days.
4. Build community: Nothing. I hibernated, as a rest from (comparatively) large amounts of seeing the very large extended family.
5. Eat the food: Yes. I can't remember what I've cooked most times, but we are eating out of the pantry!
6. Crafting: I re-started a cross-stitch project - a dragon stocking. Can we hope it's done this year?
Many of my neighbors seem to think that electricity, either from the grid or from their generator, is a requirement. Our plan of attack is to live without electric, and so we use oil lamps instead of flashlights, solar-heated camp showers, and a camp stove for cooking. Also, we have the setup items for a sawdust toilet, which saves some water. You could also use the water from washing dishes or laundry to flush.
~~~
I'm modifying my version of this checklist again - I do so little gardening that I'm changing it to one item rather than 3. So far, the nice shady patio seems to do best growing leaves & sweet potatoes.
1. Gardening: Cleaned up the balcony, removed dead plants, starting thinking about what to plant over the winter.
2. Waste not (preparations): Bought more lamp oil, more Coleman fuel, and another oil lamp. The new lamp leaks so I will be exchanging it, but otherwise we're quite happy with it. We are staying prepared for hurricanes for the rest of the season.
3. Want not (manage your stores): Water: We have 9 days of water, and I may get more. The store-bought water is kept until about 6 months before its expiration and then we drink it and buy fresh. So far, this is all fresh. I'd like to make up some camping-type foods, as well, that I can have ready if we do lose power for a few days.
4. Build community: Nothing. I hibernated, as a rest from (comparatively) large amounts of seeing the very large extended family.
5. Eat the food: Yes. I can't remember what I've cooked most times, but we are eating out of the pantry!
6. Crafting: I re-started a cross-stitch project - a dragon stocking. Can we hope it's done this year?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Independance Day Challenge 13 August 2011
I haven't been posting as regularly for a small host of reasons. I've made two trips to New England this summer, the car died and hasn't yet been replaced, and I feel like I've gone full-tilt for two months now. Today is a rest day, so I'm puttering about doing various things in between bouts of computer games. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
1. Plant something: Nothing. Lack of access to garden: 10 miles = 1 hour by bus.
2. Harvest something: A bit of tomatoes and bell peppers. The tomatoes are nearly done, same with the cucumbers. We won't grow cantaloupe again unless it's in the backyard - we've grown it, just to remove all the overripe ones! We just couldn't harvest them in a timely manner. The pink-eye peas are doing very well with the neglect they're getting, though.
3. Preserved something: I can't remember when we made things, but we made sweet relish, and I'm aiming for more pickles and to dry sweet bells and tomato paste today.
4. Waste not (preparations): Getting in better shape by riding my bike. Also, up north I found a food mill with 3 sieve-pieces for $18 and an older enamel tea kettle, that I brought home.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Does catching up on cleaning count?
6. Build community: nothing.
7. Eat the food: Enjoying venison given to us by a friend.
8. Crafting: Almost done spinning singles with the SeaGlass fiber I bought in New Hampshire last year, and getting closer to done with spinning singles with the Icelandic as well. I am attempting to work on my lace gloves but the are a challenge! Also, I'm crocheting seat pads for our kitchen chairs. It's a brainless project, which is nice.
1. Plant something: Nothing. Lack of access to garden: 10 miles = 1 hour by bus.
2. Harvest something: A bit of tomatoes and bell peppers. The tomatoes are nearly done, same with the cucumbers. We won't grow cantaloupe again unless it's in the backyard - we've grown it, just to remove all the overripe ones! We just couldn't harvest them in a timely manner. The pink-eye peas are doing very well with the neglect they're getting, though.
3. Preserved something: I can't remember when we made things, but we made sweet relish, and I'm aiming for more pickles and to dry sweet bells and tomato paste today.
4. Waste not (preparations): Getting in better shape by riding my bike. Also, up north I found a food mill with 3 sieve-pieces for $18 and an older enamel tea kettle, that I brought home.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Does catching up on cleaning count?
6. Build community: nothing.
7. Eat the food: Enjoying venison given to us by a friend.
8. Crafting: Almost done spinning singles with the SeaGlass fiber I bought in New Hampshire last year, and getting closer to done with spinning singles with the Icelandic as well. I am attempting to work on my lace gloves but the are a challenge! Also, I'm crocheting seat pads for our kitchen chairs. It's a brainless project, which is nice.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Independance Day Challenge 1 August 2011
Our garden doesn't look like much right now, with half of it ripped out and the rest looking tired! We need to see about getting some fall plants started soon.
1. Plant something: pink-eye peas. Prepped a few more areas for the next round, as well.
2. Harvest something: cantaloupe, cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, last of the green beans, chard, first of the carrots.
3. Preserved something: Canned up some tomatoes - 4 pints diced, 2 pints of 'tomato drippings' to use in winter broths.
4. Waste not (preparations): Not sure if this falls here, but for a while our main mode of transportation will be bicycles & the bus. Interesting to get groceries this way =)
5. Want not (manage your stores): Better organization (an ongoing challenge!)
6. Build community: I talked to someone about canning food while at the grocery store - she seems more willing to try it now, said it doesn't sound as hard as she thought. Yay!
7. Eat the food: Homemade lo mein with fresh veggies from the garden (peppers, chard, green beans, carrots). Snacking on cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and cabbage stored in the fridge since harvest (still good as new)
8. Crafting: Working on the Twin-Leaf gloves; had to restart them in a yarn better suited to the pattern.
1. Plant something: pink-eye peas. Prepped a few more areas for the next round, as well.
2. Harvest something: cantaloupe, cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, last of the green beans, chard, first of the carrots.
3. Preserved something: Canned up some tomatoes - 4 pints diced, 2 pints of 'tomato drippings' to use in winter broths.
4. Waste not (preparations): Not sure if this falls here, but for a while our main mode of transportation will be bicycles & the bus. Interesting to get groceries this way =)
5. Want not (manage your stores): Better organization (an ongoing challenge!)
6. Build community: I talked to someone about canning food while at the grocery store - she seems more willing to try it now, said it doesn't sound as hard as she thought. Yay!
7. Eat the food: Homemade lo mein with fresh veggies from the garden (peppers, chard, green beans, carrots). Snacking on cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and cabbage stored in the fridge since harvest (still good as new)
8. Crafting: Working on the Twin-Leaf gloves; had to restart them in a yarn better suited to the pattern.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Catching up
I'm back! Sorry about the long break; I knew I'd be gone a few days over the holiday to visit family but wasn't expecting to get swamped when I got back.
1. Plant something: Nothing recently.
2. Harvest something: Zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, green beans, cucumbers, Tangerine tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, beets, turnips & swiss chard.
3. Preserved something: Dried green beans, sweet bell peppers, zucchini and squash chips. Canned 24 pints yellow squash. More is waiting to be done, we just need time! We did get 4 more trays of pint jars because we were out.
4. Waste not (preparations): nothing.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Looking for bare spots so we know what we should put up for winter.
6. Build community: Talking with others at the community garden.
7. Eat the food: Yellow squash. Endless snackings of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. Green beans.
8. Crafting: The 'Cold Shoulders' shawl is pretty much done; I just need to add the button to close it with. I've re-started my Twin Leaf fingerless gloves in a different yarn that is better suited to the pattern.
1. Plant something: Nothing recently.
2. Harvest something: Zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, green beans, cucumbers, Tangerine tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, beets, turnips & swiss chard.
3. Preserved something: Dried green beans, sweet bell peppers, zucchini and squash chips. Canned 24 pints yellow squash. More is waiting to be done, we just need time! We did get 4 more trays of pint jars because we were out.
4. Waste not (preparations): nothing.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Looking for bare spots so we know what we should put up for winter.
6. Build community: Talking with others at the community garden.
7. Eat the food: Yellow squash. Endless snackings of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. Green beans.
8. Crafting: The 'Cold Shoulders' shawl is pretty much done; I just need to add the button to close it with. I've re-started my Twin Leaf fingerless gloves in a different yarn that is better suited to the pattern.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Independance Days - 19 June 2011
1. Plant something: Put stalks of spearmint in a pot to root & start me a new plant - just have to keep it watered! The empty places in the garden are tilled and will be planted later in the week.
2. Harvest something: Zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, cucumbers, Tangerine tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, cabbage, baby turnips & greens.
3. Preserved something: nothing left to preserve yet; we're eating it all!
4. Waste not (preparations): nothing.
5. Want not (manage your stores): nothing.
6. Build community: Spent a day at farmer-friends, giving her a day off and learning from her. I know how to cure the onions, and how to tell if the cabbage is ready to harvest or not.
7. Eat the food: Turnip greens, yellow squash. Eating a lot of melons right now but they're all from the store right. Sliced cucumbers are a favorite snack & we've gotten the first ones from the garden!
8. Crafting: I finished the Gir hat, and started a 'Cold Shoulders' shawl. I also made lace-fabric fingerless gloves to go with daughter's formal gown, and lace-fabric 'sheers' for her window. No, she's not 'girly,' but black-and-red curtains always look nice =)
2. Harvest something: Zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, cucumbers, Tangerine tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, cabbage, baby turnips & greens.
3. Preserved something: nothing left to preserve yet; we're eating it all!
4. Waste not (preparations): nothing.
5. Want not (manage your stores): nothing.
6. Build community: Spent a day at farmer-friends, giving her a day off and learning from her. I know how to cure the onions, and how to tell if the cabbage is ready to harvest or not.
7. Eat the food: Turnip greens, yellow squash. Eating a lot of melons right now but they're all from the store right. Sliced cucumbers are a favorite snack & we've gotten the first ones from the garden!
8. Crafting: I finished the Gir hat, and started a 'Cold Shoulders' shawl. I also made lace-fabric fingerless gloves to go with daughter's formal gown, and lace-fabric 'sheers' for her window. No, she's not 'girly,' but black-and-red curtains always look nice =)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Independance Day - 5 June 2010
Just a quick update today - we've got a day full of thunderstorms and much-needed rain. Nice soaking rain in there with the downpours, which is good. We did get more wood mulch for the garden, plus the trellises we need. They'd be put in today, but it was raining at dawn, so we'll do that as soon as the weather lets us!
1. Plant something: Nothing this week.
2. Harvest something: Endive. Note to self: deal with freshly harvested food THAT NIGHT. Do not allow to rot on kitchen counter.
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Better organization of house. I cleaned all the things on Saturday - enough that I had sore muscles afterwards!
6. Build community: nothing.
7. Eat the food: yes =) Nothing special, no new foods/recipes.
8. Crafting: Lots of sewing, working on Grr hat. I'm on my last two started-and-stalled sewing projects!
1. Plant something: Nothing this week.
2. Harvest something: Endive. Note to self: deal with freshly harvested food THAT NIGHT. Do not allow to rot on kitchen counter.
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Better organization of house. I cleaned all the things on Saturday - enough that I had sore muscles afterwards!
6. Build community: nothing.
7. Eat the food: yes =) Nothing special, no new foods/recipes.
8. Crafting: Lots of sewing, working on Grr hat. I'm on my last two started-and-stalled sewing projects!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Indepedance Days - 22 May 2011
The garden is well-started. We need to put up the trellising for the squashes & cucumbers, and when the plants are tall enough we'll get another bale of straw for mulch. It comes with wheat seeds, but the weeds (wheat seedlings) will at least be easier to pull from damp ground, and since we're still hauling our water up there it's worth it to shade the soil and keep the moisture longer. We're still under moderate drought here, according to the US Drought Monitor.
I've also been focusing on the house. I've felt for awhile that it was getting out of control - drifts of stuff piling up in corners or around furniture. It's aggravating for me when it does this, so I've been going through, straightening up and putting things away. Almost nothing ever gets put back exactly where it came from, so when I dust (by moving the items and wiping down the shelf) it's amazing how much less goes back on the shelf and how much neater things are. And I've made some good progress on piles that had to be dealt with rather than put away. Very satisfying to accomplish this.
1. Plant something: I don't think we planted anything this week, actually. I need to check the garden and see what we have left for room to plant more.
2. Harvest something: The turnip thinnings.
3. Preserved something: Just the strawberries, so far.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Organizing the pantry and just the house in general.
6. Build community: Finding & buying from the local lady with the strawberries.
7. Eat the food: Turnip greens. Ponsett -yes, everyone else spells in pancit, and you can use really really thin rice noodles from the Asian section of the store. Yummy & very easy.
8. Crafting: Sewing - I've done half the sewing pile I had, and finished all the pillowcases. Lots of this stuff has essentially been sewing seams where needed.
I've also been focusing on the house. I've felt for awhile that it was getting out of control - drifts of stuff piling up in corners or around furniture. It's aggravating for me when it does this, so I've been going through, straightening up and putting things away. Almost nothing ever gets put back exactly where it came from, so when I dust (by moving the items and wiping down the shelf) it's amazing how much less goes back on the shelf and how much neater things are. And I've made some good progress on piles that had to be dealt with rather than put away. Very satisfying to accomplish this.
1. Plant something: I don't think we planted anything this week, actually. I need to check the garden and see what we have left for room to plant more.
2. Harvest something: The turnip thinnings.
3. Preserved something: Just the strawberries, so far.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Organizing the pantry and just the house in general.
6. Build community: Finding & buying from the local lady with the strawberries.
7. Eat the food: Turnip greens. Ponsett -yes, everyone else spells in pancit, and you can use really really thin rice noodles from the Asian section of the store. Yummy & very easy.
8. Crafting: Sewing - I've done half the sewing pile I had, and finished all the pillowcases. Lots of this stuff has essentially been sewing seams where needed.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Independance Days - 15 May 2011
We've been going to the garden about every other night, keeping it weeded and watered. So far all the seeds are coming up fine!
1. Plant something: Cantaloupe, green beans.
2. Harvest something: Herbs from the patio. Strawberries at the pick-your-own farm.
3. Preserved something: Dried the herbs, made strawberry jam.
4. Waste not (preparations): Not really much in this area right now.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Getting together what we'll need to put up the garden's bounty.
6. Build community: Being friendly at the community garden. I'm delighted to see the diversity there!
7. Eat the food: Strawberry shortcake!
8. Crafting: Working on the Grr hat, and on my lacy fingerless gloves.
1. Plant something: Cantaloupe, green beans.
2. Harvest something: Herbs from the patio. Strawberries at the pick-your-own farm.
3. Preserved something: Dried the herbs, made strawberry jam.
4. Waste not (preparations): Not really much in this area right now.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Getting together what we'll need to put up the garden's bounty.
6. Build community: Being friendly at the community garden. I'm delighted to see the diversity there!
7. Eat the food: Strawberry shortcake!
8. Crafting: Working on the Grr hat, and on my lacy fingerless gloves.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Independance Day 2 May 2011
The community garden seems to be getting a great response - They started with 20 plots; now there are 78 plots tilled and most of them have something going on. We've got about half of ours in the ground. More seed to plant still, and I want to get a bale or two of straw to mulch with.
1. Plant something: Lots of things! Still more going in, and I need to get seeds and straw for mulch.
2. Harvest something: nothing yet.
3. Preserved something: nothing yet.
4. Waste not (preparations): Making sure we finish eating the leftovers.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Re-made my custom shopping list and used that this month. I'm less likely to forget stuff we need.
6. Build community: Meeting the other folk at the community garden.
7. Eat the food: Yes. LOL still can't remember what we've eaten, other than trying a recipe for lo mien last night. It came out pretty good!
8. Crafting: Finished the commission blanket. Next up is my fingerless gloves.
1. Plant something: Lots of things! Still more going in, and I need to get seeds and straw for mulch.
2. Harvest something: nothing yet.
3. Preserved something: nothing yet.
4. Waste not (preparations): Making sure we finish eating the leftovers.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Re-made my custom shopping list and used that this month. I'm less likely to forget stuff we need.
6. Build community: Meeting the other folk at the community garden.
7. Eat the food: Yes. LOL still can't remember what we've eaten, other than trying a recipe for lo mien last night. It came out pretty good!
8. Crafting: Finished the commission blanket. Next up is my fingerless gloves.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Indepedance Day - 17 April 2011
We get a sunny garden this year! We have a plot at the new community garden, and will be growing food there to put up for the winter.
1. Plant something: Nothing this week. There are, however, trays of plants on the patio that need planting.
2. Harvest something: Nothing.
3. Preserved something: Diced bread for stuffing.
4. Waste not (preparations): Planning the sunny garden and what we should put up for next winter. Writing down ideas for the fall garden, because we will keep the garden plot until Nov. 30.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Re-organized the second pantry so I can find the food =)
6. Build community: My farmer friend helped my plan my sunny garden. I'm helping her when she needs me, too.
7. Eat the food: Is it bad I can't remember what I'm cooking lately? But I am cooking, from scratch and from the pantry.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket.
1. Plant something: Nothing this week. There are, however, trays of plants on the patio that need planting.
2. Harvest something: Nothing.
3. Preserved something: Diced bread for stuffing.
4. Waste not (preparations): Planning the sunny garden and what we should put up for next winter. Writing down ideas for the fall garden, because we will keep the garden plot until Nov. 30.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Re-organized the second pantry so I can find the food =)
6. Build community: My farmer friend helped my plan my sunny garden. I'm helping her when she needs me, too.
7. Eat the food: Is it bad I can't remember what I'm cooking lately? But I am cooking, from scratch and from the pantry.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Independance Day - 10 April 2011
After I get home from work and take care of the evening routine, I really only have time to work on one project if I still want to relax before going to bed at a decent hour. Makes sense, seems obvious.... but it wasn't.
1. Plant something: nothing this week. I did buy seedling plants of chives, cilantro, basil, and a patio cherry tomato which will get planted sometime this week.
2. Harvest something: a turkey egg at a friend's farm, brought in and put in the incubator. She's trying to get a breeding flock of Bourbon Red turkeys started from the pairs she has now.
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Nothing this week.
6. Build community: Spent the day helping my friend with her farm yesterday, soaking up information.
7. Eat the food: Usual cooking at home daily (all the meals).
8. Crafting: A bit of spinning and crochet.
1. Plant something: nothing this week. I did buy seedling plants of chives, cilantro, basil, and a patio cherry tomato which will get planted sometime this week.
2. Harvest something: a turkey egg at a friend's farm, brought in and put in the incubator. She's trying to get a breeding flock of Bourbon Red turkeys started from the pairs she has now.
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week.
4. Waste not (preparations): Nothing this week.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Nothing this week.
6. Build community: Spent the day helping my friend with her farm yesterday, soaking up information.
7. Eat the food: Usual cooking at home daily (all the meals).
8. Crafting: A bit of spinning and crochet.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Independance Days - 3 April 2011
1. Plant something: The last of the beets are finally in the ground.
2. Harvest something: nothing, but the Swiss chard looks delicious...
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week. We've been eating out of the freezer rather than filling it.
4. Waste not (preparations): Improved management of finances, working on decluttering again.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Noting what we're eating and what we're not to help me plan what to put up over the summer. I see piles of tomatoes in my future...
6. Build community: Telling folks that our city finally has a community garden. Yes, I have an application in and am waiting to hear back from them.
7. Eat the food: tacos, endless sweet tea, yellow rice served with chickpeas.
8. Crafting: A bit of spinning, a bit of work on the commission blanket.
2. Harvest something: nothing, but the Swiss chard looks delicious...
3. Preserved something: Nothing this week. We've been eating out of the freezer rather than filling it.
4. Waste not (preparations): Improved management of finances, working on decluttering again.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Noting what we're eating and what we're not to help me plan what to put up over the summer. I see piles of tomatoes in my future...
6. Build community: Telling folks that our city finally has a community garden. Yes, I have an application in and am waiting to hear back from them.
7. Eat the food: tacos, endless sweet tea, yellow rice served with chickpeas.
8. Crafting: A bit of spinning, a bit of work on the commission blanket.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Independace Days 27 March 2011
Earlier this week, it was trying to hit 70'f.
Today, it's trying to snow.
sigh
1. Plant something: Beets.
2. Harvest something: Nothing.
3. Preserved something: Freezing of leftovers, for later.
4. Waste not (preparations): Getting together a list of what we need to go camping. Also looking for seeds for the patio - greens in our summer heat can be a challenge.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Trimming the magazine cache, and reading. I have too many read-me book piles. Again.
6. Build community: nothing yet.
7. Eat the food: Tried homemade Stovetop-copycat stuffing; almost worked and will re-attempt shortly. Winter Bean soup. Tonight, brussels sprouts and sausage. Easy to cook, delicious, not cheap - probably $8 for the pan, and the two of us finish it - maybe 4 servings? We consider it a treat; it's perfect for this weather.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket, my fingerless gloves, and spinning.
Today, it's trying to snow.
sigh
1. Plant something: Beets.
2. Harvest something: Nothing.
3. Preserved something: Freezing of leftovers, for later.
4. Waste not (preparations): Getting together a list of what we need to go camping. Also looking for seeds for the patio - greens in our summer heat can be a challenge.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Trimming the magazine cache, and reading. I have too many read-me book piles. Again.
6. Build community: nothing yet.
7. Eat the food: Tried homemade Stovetop-copycat stuffing; almost worked and will re-attempt shortly. Winter Bean soup. Tonight, brussels sprouts and sausage. Easy to cook, delicious, not cheap - probably $8 for the pan, and the two of us finish it - maybe 4 servings? We consider it a treat; it's perfect for this weather.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket, my fingerless gloves, and spinning.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Independance Day - 20 March 2011
1. Plant something: Something should be planted this afternoon. We hung the planters and re-arranged the balcony a bit. I've got a sweet potato in water to grow slips - I really only need two or three, so too small of an amount to order. They'll be great though; sweet potato vines spilling out over the pots and around things. Lots of kitty hiding places, too.
2. Harvest something: nothing, but at least the planters are ready!
3. Preserved something: Soaked way too m any chickpeas, put about half in the freezer for later. Some went to a night's dinner, the rest will go into chickpea & carrot salad (new recipe!).
4. Waste not (preparations): All preparations right now are focused on "budget" and "use monthly meal plan." Why does no one ever mention that if you make a list of about 25-30 meals, and just choose off the list the night before, it works just as well as a more structured meal plan? You know, the kind that doesn't work in this house?
5. Want not (manage your stores): Switched the house over to "Summer." Changed out sheets, blankets, and clothes. Donated half a dozen tops I won't wear any more and gave myself a wonderful excuse to knit up some sweaters for myself for next winter =) Also, I'm happy to note that the new storage unit configuration is working well - I can still find and easily get to the things I need, without exhuming the entire unit. Much better!
6. Build community: ah the quiet....
7. Eat the food: Cooking was a bit better this week. I forgot to do my monthly meal planner and it has completely messed me up this month.
8. Crafting: The first part of the commission blanket is finished. While I wait for the rest of the yarn to come in, I'm working on my fingerless gloves and I've picked up yarn for another pair of projects, as well. Also, I'm making a point of spinning for a least a few minutes every night.
2. Harvest something: nothing, but at least the planters are ready!
3. Preserved something: Soaked way too m any chickpeas, put about half in the freezer for later. Some went to a night's dinner, the rest will go into chickpea & carrot salad (new recipe!).
4. Waste not (preparations): All preparations right now are focused on "budget" and "use monthly meal plan." Why does no one ever mention that if you make a list of about 25-30 meals, and just choose off the list the night before, it works just as well as a more structured meal plan? You know, the kind that doesn't work in this house?
5. Want not (manage your stores): Switched the house over to "Summer." Changed out sheets, blankets, and clothes. Donated half a dozen tops I won't wear any more and gave myself a wonderful excuse to knit up some sweaters for myself for next winter =) Also, I'm happy to note that the new storage unit configuration is working well - I can still find and easily get to the things I need, without exhuming the entire unit. Much better!
6. Build community: ah the quiet....
7. Eat the food: Cooking was a bit better this week. I forgot to do my monthly meal planner and it has completely messed me up this month.
8. Crafting: The first part of the commission blanket is finished. While I wait for the rest of the yarn to come in, I'm working on my fingerless gloves and I've picked up yarn for another pair of projects, as well. Also, I'm making a point of spinning for a least a few minutes every night.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Independance Day Challenge 6 March 2011
I'm in a bit of a hibernating mood. Not wanting lots of outside contact or to do much; hot chocolate, a book, and a rainy afternoon sound wonderful.
1. Plant something: Nothing. Wanted to put up planters, so of course it's pouring rain out. (Sunday)
2. Harvest something/ 3. Preserved something: too early still...
4. Waste not (preparations): Paid off one credit card in full.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Realized we ran out of veggies, and bought mostly seasonal fresh veggies (squashes, root veggies) and not so much of the commercially canned stuff.
6. Build community: Nothing.
7. Eat the food: Would you believe I can't remember what I've cooked this week? The only thing I remember is that a supply of diced root veggies can be added to soup, and the rest of it roasted - half hour's work, two or three night's dinners. Cool.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket, and on writing my recipes down so they can go in the binder. Next up is the finance's cross-stitch stocking that I'm making. I think I'm about half-done with it, but it won't get finished if I never pick it up to work on it...
1. Plant something: Nothing. Wanted to put up planters, so of course it's pouring rain out. (Sunday)
2. Harvest something/ 3. Preserved something: too early still...
4. Waste not (preparations): Paid off one credit card in full.
5. Want not (manage your stores): Realized we ran out of veggies, and bought mostly seasonal fresh veggies (squashes, root veggies) and not so much of the commercially canned stuff.
6. Build community: Nothing.
7. Eat the food: Would you believe I can't remember what I've cooked this week? The only thing I remember is that a supply of diced root veggies can be added to soup, and the rest of it roasted - half hour's work, two or three night's dinners. Cool.
8. Crafting: Working on the commission blanket, and on writing my recipes down so they can go in the binder. Next up is the finance's cross-stitch stocking that I'm making. I think I'm about half-done with it, but it won't get finished if I never pick it up to work on it...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Independence Day Challenge 28 Feb 2011
1. Plant something: Nothing. Still need to hang the new planters. I'll direct-sow then. This weekend?
2. Harvest something & 3. Preserved something: nothing =)
4. Waste not (preparations): Prepped dried pinto beans (now cooked & in freezer) so that they're ready the next time we want refried beans.
5. Want not (manage your stores): We did fairly well with not eating out much, and not making many just-one-thing trips to the grocer. The monthly 'options list' version of a menu works for us. Yay!
6. Build community: Checked on a new local meat source (beef/pork). Getting local chevon (goat meat) again would be nice, too. Heck, having a goat would be nice (milk!), but I don't think they'd stay on the balcony...
7. Eat the food: Cooking from scratch, finding recipes that use what we have. Winter Bean Soup was very good; I used a pinch of anise seed for the fennel. I've really got to learn to put up more veggies; dried greens and tomato slices do not a meal make....
8. Crafting: More spinning =)
2. Harvest something & 3. Preserved something: nothing =)
4. Waste not (preparations): Prepped dried pinto beans (now cooked & in freezer) so that they're ready the next time we want refried beans.
5. Want not (manage your stores): We did fairly well with not eating out much, and not making many just-one-thing trips to the grocer. The monthly 'options list' version of a menu works for us. Yay!
6. Build community: Checked on a new local meat source (beef/pork). Getting local chevon (goat meat) again would be nice, too. Heck, having a goat would be nice (milk!), but I don't think they'd stay on the balcony...
7. Eat the food: Cooking from scratch, finding recipes that use what we have. Winter Bean Soup was very good; I used a pinch of anise seed for the fennel. I've really got to learn to put up more veggies; dried greens and tomato slices do not a meal make....
8. Crafting: More spinning =)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Independance Day 20 February 2011
In the garden: I've decided not to order any garden seeds this year. I have local organic sweet potatoes and want to learn how to grow slips from them, because I know they will do well on the patio. We have seeds for greens and some root veggies. I want to get the manger planters hung and use those for lettuce, radish, chard, and beets as soon as I can direct-seed. The two biggest pots will get the sweet potatoes; the others we'll try the collards and/or broccoli. And we already have all the seeds for this, so no need to order more.
Preserved something: Nothing, other than usual freezing of leftovers.
Waste not (preparations): I'm staying up with the finances (keeping up the budget, not spending money we don't have). Not the usual, but all I've really done this week.
Want not (manage your stores): We've been maintaining (mostly) the written inventory for the second pantry. We've finished the home-canned diced tomatoes already - I was expecting to run out early, since I knew we didn't get enough put up. Also, we finished putting up the items that came back from off-site storage. I've neatened up my fiber storage and cleaned off the sewing machine.
Build community: I have been home all week; was very sick the first few days but fine by Friday. I didn't want to get anyone sick!
Eat the food: Peanut butter cookies. Chili, tacos, dirty rice. Nice normal foods, but we've managed to not buy anything except milk, cereal, and cup-o-soup since the big shopping trip at the first of the month. Yay! Success!
Crafting: Still working on the commission blanket. In better news, DFH bought me a new spindle for Valentines Day. The box came with two spindles and a bit of roving which I've already spun up. Yay! The spindle is great =)
Preserved something: Nothing, other than usual freezing of leftovers.
Waste not (preparations): I'm staying up with the finances (keeping up the budget, not spending money we don't have). Not the usual, but all I've really done this week.
Want not (manage your stores): We've been maintaining (mostly) the written inventory for the second pantry. We've finished the home-canned diced tomatoes already - I was expecting to run out early, since I knew we didn't get enough put up. Also, we finished putting up the items that came back from off-site storage. I've neatened up my fiber storage and cleaned off the sewing machine.
Build community: I have been home all week; was very sick the first few days but fine by Friday. I didn't want to get anyone sick!
Eat the food: Peanut butter cookies. Chili, tacos, dirty rice. Nice normal foods, but we've managed to not buy anything except milk, cereal, and cup-o-soup since the big shopping trip at the first of the month. Yay! Success!
Crafting: Still working on the commission blanket. In better news, DFH bought me a new spindle for Valentines Day. The box came with two spindles and a bit of roving which I've already spun up. Yay! The spindle is great =)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Independance Day Challenge - 8 February 2010
It's been a quiet week. We're still putting away the last of the items that were in storage. They are in cardboard boxes, and I won't put those in a unit that's had water damage 3 times in a year or so. I bought them my 'standard' plastic bins. As much as I try to avoid plastic, for this I haven't been able to.
Plant something/Harvest something: Nothing. I'm watching to see what freezes and what survives on the patio, does that count?
Preserved something: The freezer is filling - homemade broths, mostly. This is the time of year when I get over-stocked on broths that we spend all summer nibbling away at. It tends to run out in late summer.
Waste not (preparations): During tonight's power outage (all 2 hours or so) I taught DFH and DD how to use the oil lamp, and realized that I ought to have more non-electric light sources 'to hand' instead of 'in the top of the closet.' I'm also going to keep an eye out for a silver or silverplate platter to hang on the wall behind the 'candle shelf' to reflect more light into our main living area.
Want not (manage your stores): Mostly keeping up with the inventory system we set up. Working on better organization in all areas - the attached storage has standardized, clear bins with clip-on lids now, and a basic description ("Home Decor," "Yule Decor," "Blankets," etc.) is taped inside of it (on the narrow end) so that we can read it from outside the bin without having to move them. The desk area has been straightened and has better storage. I'm working on getting the recipe cards onto paper sheets, and into the recipe binder I was given for Yule.
Build community: nothing, still focused on home.
Eat the food: Learning to cook beans and rice more. Both to be frugal, and to play with food - I mean, to learn new recipes! Yea, that's it. Learn new recipes.
Crafting: I made mesh bags with tulle I found at the thrift ages ago, and used the bags to wash the alpaca fleece I bought last December at a farmer's market. One is drying, the other is still soaking out dirt. They liked their dust baths, yup! Also still working on that commission blanket.
Plant something/Harvest something: Nothing. I'm watching to see what freezes and what survives on the patio, does that count?
Preserved something: The freezer is filling - homemade broths, mostly. This is the time of year when I get over-stocked on broths that we spend all summer nibbling away at. It tends to run out in late summer.
Waste not (preparations): During tonight's power outage (all 2 hours or so) I taught DFH and DD how to use the oil lamp, and realized that I ought to have more non-electric light sources 'to hand' instead of 'in the top of the closet.' I'm also going to keep an eye out for a silver or silverplate platter to hang on the wall behind the 'candle shelf' to reflect more light into our main living area.
Want not (manage your stores): Mostly keeping up with the inventory system we set up. Working on better organization in all areas - the attached storage has standardized, clear bins with clip-on lids now, and a basic description ("Home Decor," "Yule Decor," "Blankets," etc.) is taped inside of it (on the narrow end) so that we can read it from outside the bin without having to move them. The desk area has been straightened and has better storage. I'm working on getting the recipe cards onto paper sheets, and into the recipe binder I was given for Yule.
Build community: nothing, still focused on home.
Eat the food: Learning to cook beans and rice more. Both to be frugal, and to play with food - I mean, to learn new recipes! Yea, that's it. Learn new recipes.
Crafting: I made mesh bags with tulle I found at the thrift ages ago, and used the bags to wash the alpaca fleece I bought last December at a farmer's market. One is drying, the other is still soaking out dirt. They liked their dust baths, yup! Also still working on that commission blanket.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Independance Day - 1 February 2011
The weekend was busy, and I didn't have time to look at the blog. We're out of the rented storage unit but still have to properly put everything where it belongs, rather than chucking it in a convenient corner.
Plant something/Harvest something: Nothing yet. Planting can start in March; right now I need to plan.
Preserved something: Freezing leftovers before they can go bad. I'm going to have a couple nights where this means dinner just needs thawed =)
Waste not (preparations): Preparations right now are all financial - balancing the budget and the checkbook, reducing debt as fast as we can.
Want not (manage your stores): Maintaining the inventory for the second pantry.
Build community: Spreading the word about a new local CSA.
Eat the food: Eating out of the pantry and finding new beans & rice meals to try. The menu planning experiment continues! Last month, it was successful 3 weeks out of 4.
Crafting: Still working on the commission blanket.
Plant something/Harvest something: Nothing yet. Planting can start in March; right now I need to plan.
Preserved something: Freezing leftovers before they can go bad. I'm going to have a couple nights where this means dinner just needs thawed =)
Waste not (preparations): Preparations right now are all financial - balancing the budget and the checkbook, reducing debt as fast as we can.
Want not (manage your stores): Maintaining the inventory for the second pantry.
Build community: Spreading the word about a new local CSA.
Eat the food: Eating out of the pantry and finding new beans & rice meals to try. The menu planning experiment continues! Last month, it was successful 3 weeks out of 4.
Crafting: Still working on the commission blanket.
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