Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

The day started off with plenty of sunshine, and while the temperature has risen, the sky has clouded over. According to the forecast we are supposed to get some rain. That would be nice to wash away the grime of winter. 

Harvey decided that he would check the kiwi vine to see how much had perhaps died off in our very cold winter this year. We did cover the roots, but it would have been impossible to cover the vines. Surprisingly enough the vines seem to still be alive, which is just awesome. Perhaps in another year or two we will have some small kiwi fruit to process. These do not grow much larger than a large grape, but if we get enough I could perhaps make jam with the fruit.

Today was the beginning of my spring cleaning. Needless to say, I am no longer a "spring chicken" myself so only managed to get about 3/4 of the kitchen done. Tomorrow I will clean off the top of the fridge, and scrub down the cupboards. I hope to be able to finish those tasks and then add the bathroom done as well. Slowly but surely the rooms will be nice and clean. Drapery will need to wait for warmer weather so as to hang them outside. 

After reading some news today (really I shouldn't do so as it just upsets me) I saw that the EU is bowing down, of course the Orange menace has now stated the tariffs against them will stay until they promise to purchase $350 billion of energy from the U.S. Really they should all know that he can not be trusted to keep his word. I guess it will be just Canada standing up to a tyrant. It probably means more tariffs against us and more losses on our investments. Retirement could be problematic now, time to pull up my frugal panties and tighten the frugal belt. 

I have found a few more containers to plant in this year and am trying to find a few more. I talked to Harvey about planting lettuce in a container, instead of the garden, thus freeing up a bit of room for another vegetable. I think I might even try to plant some carrots in a container as well. Once again we will corral the cucumbers so they do not take over the garden, pole beans will be planted as usual, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, some rutabaga, potatoes, maybe some pie pumpkins as well. I think I will do a squash plant or two this year as well. 

Herbs will be planted in containers, and flowers that can be made into salves will also be planted. 

More twigs and small branches will be collected to be used in the fire pit. Harvey might see me dragging home larger branches from my walks. 

Foraging berries and plants will be taking place, and I am hoping that my cherry trees produce lots of berries this year for jam, drying, and making pie filling. 

We are planting some Haskap (Honeyberry plants) this year and I am looking forward to making jam in a couple of years. I would love to plant some raspberries across the back of the fence, but the people behind us seem to love getting extremely close to my back fence. There is a bit of an area out front that we could perhaps use. 

I will be adding a few cans or bags of dried beans, rice, pasta to my shopping as well. 

Making more of my own cleaning supplies once the ones I have run out. There are a few I will continue to purchase, but this year and for the following at least 3 years making cleaning solutions will take place. 

I have some more frugal ideas but I need to figure out if they are able to be accomplished. Really don't want to bite off more than I can do in reality.

I am sorry for those who are getting close to retirement age and have seen their savings wiped out. Many are now wondering if they will be able to retire at all. My suggestions might help them see a way forward. I would also tell them to get rid of as much debt as they possibly can. Keep track of all you spend, I mean every cent and decide where you can make cuts. Learn to mend, sew and knit if possible. Watch for sales or as some say loss leaders. If you are lucky and have great coupons use them if possible. Buy what you use, don't purchase items just to try. Work on shopping at home, before heading out and purchasing something. Make your own mixes, cook from scratch, and find the little ways to save pennies, because those pennies become dollars.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal  

Another week of thrift and frugal happenings here on the Phillips homestead. 

I really need to stay away from the news, it is just so dang depressing. Now the President of the EU is tell the citizens to prepare for a disaster by stocking supplies, and being ready for higher prices. Life is spinning out of control.

However, frugalista's should be able to weather whatever happens, even if it means doing without things.

First I will let you all know we finally have a price for fixing our oven/range. I think we may just go with purchasing a new one with old fashion coil burners. I have been taking the water bath canner outside in order to use it, our smooth top stove will not keep a steady heat for that purpose. The price for fixing it is about $600.00 as it is the mother board that went, a new coil stove is only about $300.00 more and we would have a stove that actually is more of the type we need. Not very frugal, but we have the money to pay for it. We will see what Harvey thinks tomorrow as he has been known to change his mind.

Now on to frugal and thrifty happenings here on the homestead.

1.  The butt of my celery is starting to grow baby celery stalks. It will be awhile before they can be used, but should save us a little bit on groceries.

2.  Bought various dried beans and peas on sale today. I am hoping to make even more meatless meals and these will certainly come in handy for that.

3.  Fixed a seam on a shirt of Harvey's. Darned two pairs of socks.

4.  Found enough lining fabric for the jacket/coat I want to sew in my stash.

5.  Used all leftovers from meals for lunches except for a tiny amount of gravy that had dried up.

6.  Hung clothes on the lines downstairs.

7.  Once again on the sunny days heated the house with solar heat. 

8.  Combined errands today before the chance of freezing rain. Shopping was done a couple of days earlier than I wanted, but a couple of days later than when I did it two weeks ago.

9.  Using mint salve on my sore hips, and getting up and walking around the house a bit more. Also changing from sitting to standing more often.

10.  Used saved water to water the plants.

Off to get supper started, still working on using items up in the fridge freezer. Then a visit to each of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.