A Good Week

Hello, friends.  Last week, while canning black beans, I decided to finish cracking the pecans we had left, while sitting with the canner.  Another day, I vacuum sealed the jar of pecans.  A jar of honey had crystallized.  I put it in a bowl of water, on the woodstove, and after a bit, it remelted.  We're in that in between seasonal place with meals.  I was running out of ideas, so pulled jars of home canned green beans, and carrots, and baked several potatoes.  The green bean dish used our onion and garlic, and the carrots used our parsley and garlic powder.  The deer have again begun munching on our asparagus.  I sprayed stalks with I Must Garden, which seemed to help last year.  I missed a day after a rain, and they munched some more.  Sigh.  J & I put up the trellises for the peas, and while doing that, noticed a few blooms.  Yea, we were a little late getting to that garden chore.

I meant to mention last week that my sister and BIL gave me three shepherds hooks and a pot of hostas.  They belonged to his Mom, who is now in a care facility.  With warmer nights, we let the fire in the woodstove go out for several nights.  The first cutting of nettles were harvested, and jars of glycerite started.  I cut open my toothpaste tube, getting several days more use out of it.  For a dinner, I harvested kale and pulled spaghetti squash from the freezer, and made this dish, which has become one of my favorite ways to use spaghetti squash.  I harvested asparagus, rosemary, and foraged cat brier tips for myself and the pups.  I went through Swagbucks for a purchase, for 6% cash back, and used a 10% promo code towards the total.  Books were requested from the library.

After seeing several people online talk about rising gas prices in their area, I noticed it had come down 4 cents here, to $3.15, so went ahead and filled up, though I still had over a half tank of gas.  A tank of gas generally lasts me from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on what life is like.  By Sunday, the price had risen .10, still less than the reports I'd heard elsewhere.  J lost a hearing aid twice recently.  Thankfully, he found the one he lost while on the backhoe, and I found the one that came off in his shop.  Neither looked good at first...  a patch of muddy ground, sticks and such, and a shop full of all sorts of stuff, so we were delighted to find it each time.  I needed to deliver soap to a B&B.  Before my diet became so restrictive, I used to eat at their cafe each time I made a delivery.  I recently realized there were a couple of sides I could eat, so ordered to support them, but they insisted they wanted to cover it, in appreciation.  I probably won't do that again, if I can't support them, as I try to stay fat-free in the mornings, and this wasn't.  Ah well, I did enjoy my potatoes and fruit.  I didn't see anything I wanted in their little free library, but dropped off several books while there.  

While in town to deliver soap, I checked two thrift stores.  I bought nothing at the first, but found two canisters for my shop at the second, along with a little summer linen dress from J Jill for $3.09.  Groceries were bought, but there were no good sales to report.  My two workdays fell through, as the potter ended up too sick to give her talk in another part of the state, so ended up staying home.  There's always plenty to do here, and I was able to deliver the soap before the weekend, so it's all good.  We received some nice rain.  I finished going through my photos, cards and such, and got rid of a good amount.  I went through, and picked out the most meaningful of the cards, etc., and let go of the rest.  I kept the front of several pretty cards, to possibly decorate with.  

All the seedlings in the garden and containers were fed with the weed tea I made recently.  I filled a six gallon bucket with weeds, to start another batch of weed tea.  The first of the lemon balm was harvested, and a jar of glycerite started.  There was a frugal fail last week.  After running by the bank, I stopped at Dollar General.  No one was at a register, so everyone was doing self check-out.  After I got home, I realized I'd been scammed, and bought a lb. of butter for someone.  I'd heard that people will scan something then leave, but I've done self checkout so rarely, it hadn't become a habit to check, before I leave the store.  I'll try to remember, going forward.  It's sad to see crime in our tiny town, though I expect no one is immune these days.  A friend planted all the seedlings she had room for, and very kindly offered the remainder to me.  There are many tomatoes, of all sorts of interesting varieties, sweet peppers, and a few pickling cucumbers.  I brought some bars of soap for her, as a small token of thanks.  It's been a good week.  I hope the coming week will bring good things for you too.  

Bathroom Progress In The Skoolie

The major accomplishment in the skoolie recently has been work on the bathroom.  Joseph got the marble shower floor in place, along with pieces for the threshold and inner upright portion of the threshold.  He put the cultured marble walls up, and another piece on the outer upright of the threshold.  The drain, shower fixtures and rod were installed.  Though we bought a curved shower rod to hopefully give us a little more room in the tiny space, it's such a short span, it may have been pointless.  

He finished trimming out the bathroom, and created a closet door for the narrow space next to the shower, putting up two shelves in the closet.  He's also been sanding spots on the bus roof, in preparation for painting the top.  We're painting it white, both to reflect heat, and also to reflect more light to our bifacial solar panels.  We haven't made any decisions yet as to the color of the bus itself.  That's the latest.  I expect to be able to put another post up next week.

Purple

Hello, friends.  I'm shop sitting for one of the local potteries, several days last week and this week.  Because of that, I didn't make any notes for this post, so I'll see what I can remember.  One day, I canned up garbanzo beans.  I'd really like more on the shelves, as I use them so many ways, so I'll need to pick up more dried beans, for future canning.  In between customers, which were few, I was able to wrap soap, read, and work on other projects.  These concentrated bits of time are always welcome.  I've already got a couple of projects planned for this week's workdays.

The weather has turned fairly cold and windy again.  There were frost warnings a couple of nights, but it looks like we slid by without any damage.  Every day, I shuttle the tomato and pepper seedlings outside and back in.  They're growing stronger in the sun and breezes.  The first batch of hummingbird food was made, and feeders hung.  On Wednesday, I spotted the first one(s) at the feeder.  I've been away during the day since then, but haven't seen any yet today (Sunday), so they may have been the scouts, or I haven't looked at the right time.  Before a rain forecast, I hoed the peas, and mulched more than half of them.  When J got in, we planted our potatoes (finally), and finished mulching the peas.  A few of the potatoes we planted in grow bags last year, which didn't do anything, have sprouted again, I believe six at last count.  We're hoping for a better potato year.

All the wintersown arugula and mache were transplanted into the garden. I found three volunteer parsley, and added them to the bed, though they're not looking especially happy.  Hopefully, they'll recover.  All the wintersown radishes were planted in spots where peas were missing, and the parsley seedlings were transplanted into individual cells.  Three sunflowers were transplanted in various places.  They don't love to be moved, but sometimes do OK.  Asparagus, oregano, and greens for the critters were harvested.  Here's hoping the eclipse is just that, a purely astronomical event.  Stay safe out there.   

Late March

Hello, friends.  If you celebrate, I hope you had a lovely Easter holiday.  Last week, I did two loads of laundry, and dried them on the line.  Golden paste was made for the pups.  I brought a pot of small sweet potatoes to a boil on the stove, then finished cooking them on the woodstove.  These were used in the pups meals, and a few in the chicken's mash.  A library book was picked up while in town, which alas, turned out to be one I'd read before.  Thank goodness for unread Kindle books.  Asparagus was harvested, along with greens for the chickens and pups.  

The freezer was filling up with veggie scraps, so five gallon bags were simmered on the woodstove, and broth canned the next day.  Soap oils were melted on the woodstove.  My sister and I spent a day together.  In the town we were in, the co-op I belong to had 20% off your purchase for members in March, and I received that, along with using a $5 off coupon I had for completing a survey.  I donated a rug hooking fabric cutter and a bag of needlepoint scroll frames to a wonderful thrift store, which focuses on art supplies, but has all sorts of vintage goodness as well.  Those were things I decluttered.  My sister wanted to go to the Goodwill bins.  While there, I picked up a colorful boho bag, tank top, twinkly lights, two sturdy wood hangers, and two like new washcloths for $3.79.  

Yasa bag from the bins

For Easter, Joseph cooked a pork shoulder from a nearby farm in the crockpot.  I treated myself to a couple of artichokes, made an asparagus soup, and pear lettuce salad with toasted pecans.  It was such a lovely day, we even got in a "pond sit", before our dinner.  I went through Swagbucks for a cash purchase,  receiving 5% cash back.  The first batch of hummingbird food of the season was made, and  two feeders were hung.  Wishing you a peaceful week.

Redbuds & Berries

Hello, friends.  Last week, two books of stamps that had been misplaced for probably two years were found, in between cards in my card drawer.  I'm so glad they were forever stamps.  I mended a sweater, pair of pants, a skirt, and a shirt.  An Ebay purchase was made through Swagbucks, for cash back.  The hens are producing lots of eggs.  Some were steamed for J.  I steam them now, instead of boiling, as they're usually easier to peel.  I harvested asparagus, chickweed and wild violets.  More dried lentils were canned.  We paid the additional amount that the property tax went up on our rental house into escrow, so more of our payment will go towards the principal, and we can pay it off a bit sooner.  Some of the tomato and pepper seedlings are sprouting.  Eggs were shared with a friend, and the remaining cat food and kitty treats were given to a neighbor friend.

A favorite cotton nightgown was so threadbare, it began ripping and had to be "retired".  I salvaged the buttons and started working on the lace.  What remains will go in the rag bag.  Soapmaking oils were melted on the woodstove, saving propane.  At the grocery store, brussels sprouts, dogfood and potatoes were on sale.  The potatoes were at a price I haven't seen in a long time, at $1.60 off per 3#, and between us, we bought 15#.  The dogfood was $6 off, which is my usual stock up price. Brussels sprouts were $1 off per pound, and I got two.  Their season is winding down, at least in our home.  Then we'll be on to more spring foods. While in town, I quickly popped into two thrift shops, looking for canisters to turn into compost crocks, but no luck, so nothing was purchased.

J bought two varieties of blackberry and blueberry seedlings, which came last week.  We got them in the ground the evening they arrived.  While I was canning lentils, he planted seedlings he bought of cabbage, broccoli and lettuce, just before rain.  I wonder if anyone has insight into this?  I tried a new recipe for maple glazed roasted carrots last week.  Following the recipe, the carrots were hard rocks after the end of the roasting time.  I've noticed with every recipe I've tried for roasted vegetables, other than potatoes, this is always the case.  With brussels sprouts, cauliflower and carrots, I must steam them before roasting; otherwise they're inedible.  Is it me?  My oven?   I have a pretty new oven which will cook via convection or air fry, but I just use plain old "bake' because that's what I know.  Do you experience this with roasted veggies too?  Always hope to keep learning.  Wishing you a lovely week!

Gathering

 

Most of what we've been working on the past week is gathering needed items for the skoolie.  This pic is my favorite from the week, an antique secretary desk I found on Facebook Marketplace, which fits perfectly in the kitchen, next to the refrigerator.  We wanted something open at the bottom, as spots to put a dog bed are hard to come by, so this accomplishes that.  We plan to put our Berkey water filter on the top shelf, which will be secured in some manner.  The front piece which pulls down will allow another prep surface when needed, and is just the right size to not block the walkway when down.  There is very little counter space, so more prep space will be most welcome.  The cubbies and drawers will be useful too.

Though not a great pic, I found faceted glass knobs for the majority of the cabinets.  I love the thought of them throwing rainbows around the bus.  I'm thinking of a sea glass knob(s) for the bathroom.  We're still figuring out what we need in there.

Joseph found an antique Sears & Roebuck medicine cabinet for our bathroom.  Again, not the best photos.  He refinished the wood, which is a lovely walnut, and I found vintage glass shades on ebay, as the original shades were plastic and cracked.  He placed it in the bathroom, and connected power to it.  He also worked on wiring for the unit that does GPS, backup camera, music, etc., so that's done now.  All these small steps will eventually get us there! 

Happy Spring!

 

Hello, friends.  I hope you've gotten a reprieve from winter, in your little corner of the world, and are seeing signs of Spring days, which is arriving on Tuesday.  Our asparagus has started poking up, and the first few spears have been harvested.  J cleaned out the woodstove, and I was able to supplement all the remaining fruit trees with wood ash.  After finishing, I applied worm castings to a number of fruit trees, and our oldest three blueberries.  We're thankful to have gotten some rain, and were able to switch back to rainwater for our home.  The soap I made for our personal use finished curing, and I've shared some bars with friends.

Our garlic is coming along nicely.  J intends to fertilize it this week.  My canning project last week was our lima beans.  I'd like to get enough on the shelf to last us until weather cools again in the Fall.  I believe I accomplished that with the lima beans.  I plan for there to be a few more rounds of different beans, and at least one of broth canned, before the weather starts heating up.  The peas are coming along too.  Though there are quite a few spots with no plants, I'm still hoping there will be plenty to can some this year.  I wanted to give a shout out to the folks at Hisea.  Their customer service is fantastic, and they stand behind their lifetime guarantee.  Joseph gave me a pair of their boots for Christmas '22, and they're the most comfortable and warm muck boots I've ever had.  I've worn the heck out of them, and the fabric upper recently began separating from the rubber lower in three spots, creating small holes.  They quickly responded, and sent out a replacement pair amazingly quickly.  I first contacted them Tuesday, and had my new boots Saturday.  I highly recommend them, if you need waterproof boots or work shoes.  

The photo at the top of the post shows one of the salads I made for dinner.  Instead of following one of the MM recipes that meal, I just made a salad with what I felt like, which included wild violets and chickweed.  I'll finish up the cleanse this Friday, and am greatly looking forward to potatoes!  Though I've lost a few pounds, I'm disappointed to not see much difference in my hands.  I've been reading and researching some things on both eczema and general health, and will likely be tweaking some things.  I received $2.75 in digital rewards for agreeing to a longer ship time on Amazon.  I experimented with bringing the water lettuce in over the winter, and the plants have survived, but they were on their last legs, so I put them back outside, in the bird fountain.  If it continues to look like it may frost Monday, I'll bring them back in for the night, then set them back out, and hope for the best.  More seeds were planted, and the radishes and tomatoes have begun sprouting.  Wishing you a Happy Spring!