Monday, November 9, 2015

A Week in Autumn and Frugal Accomplishments


In the past week, I cut a bouquet of zinnias and asters, & another later in the week of asters, zinnias, salvia & roses.  I'm delighted to still have blooming flowers in November.  Made colcannon with our potatoes.  Gave the pups chopped chard, tomatoes, cabbage and homemade kefir with their dinner.  Walked with the pups for exercise.  Combined errands when I ran into town.  I had opened a gallon of apple juice for the hayride.  We didn't use it all, so I froze it in an ice cube tray. That way, I can defrost some when I need it, and it won't go bad before I can use it up.  It will be handy when I make granola (3 of my ice cubes= 1/4 cup).


We've been getting a good amount of rain.  I planted the Turks Cap I got at the beach, and a couple of mums I bought as decoration for the hayride.  I made scrambled eggs with our garlic and tomatoes for breakfast, and crowder peas I had canned for dinner.  Made tapioca with our eggs.  Harvested greens that had been munched on for the chickens.  Made kefir and yogurt.  Made a purchase through ebates, which will go towards cash back.  Used a 20% off coupon code on the purchase of a ceiling fan.


I usually do pretty well in using up our leftovers, but had some that didn't get eaten quick enough this week, so the pups got them a few nights with their dinner.  Used mostly recycled shipping materials to ship several online sales.  Paid for shipping labels online, and had our postal carrier pick them up, to save me trips to the P.O.  Baked three of our smallest squash, 2 butternut and a Hopi Gray, for soup.  Saved the skins in the vegi broth bag.  Made an apple pie.


I accompanied J to the unveiling of their mobile biodiesel trailer for the city of Raleigh, and received freebies of bottled water, and a key chain & T-shirt that say "Stay Calm & Drink Water".  I think that's a good plan.  The tea camellia is abuzz with many varieties of pollinators, including honeybees.  I took down the hummingbird feeders, cleaned them up, and stored them for next season.  I borrowed books from the library, and have been reading Little Heathens, a depression era memoir.  I'd love to hear what you've been up to.

4 comments:

Ruth said...

Have you made tea from your tea camellia, Laurie?

Laurie said...

I have not, Ruth. It's apparently quite a process to make black tea, fermenting and such. It's on my want to do list :o)

Michèle Hastings said...

Freezing the juice in ice cube trays, what a great idea! I have been guilty of wasting juice in the past. I don't know why I never thought to freeze it. I am thinking a couple of "juice cubes" dropped in sparkling water would be delicious.

Laurie said...

That does sound good, Michele. I've put some in smoothies, but not sparkling water.