A Little Winter Sowing & Frugal Accomplishments

Hello, friends.  Last week, I made a potato leek soup.  Our leeks are still pretty small, so it took about 10 to have enough.  I had a frugal fail... forgetting to use my 10% coupon at Tractor Supply when buying animal food, which would have been $5 and change :o(.  I picked up mailbox ribbon for 50% off at Hobby Lobby and a St. Patrick's decoration for 30% off.  Homemade soap was used for laundry and in the bathroom.  Two loads of laundry were hung on the line.  Warm up water was used in the wood stove humidifier and for watering plants.  I made a pie with our cushaw squash, and used our eggs and homemade vanilla.  Between cold and rain, walks with the pups have been less, but most days, at least one walk was taken.  I'm joining in with Brandy at The Prudent Homemaker.

I shared cuttings of persimmon and elderberry with a friend, and starts of leeks and walking onions, and was gifted two springform pans, two spatulas, a Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan, and a book to read.  After visiting and having lunch here, we went to an antique/pottery shop and consignment shop nearby.  I attempted to buy a small whisk at the antique store for $1, but the owner refused to let me pay, saying it was the least she could do for bringing someone to her shop.  At the consignment store, I found a gift a friend recently mentioned she needed.  It was a very good price, and then I found it was 25% off at checkout.  That was nice.  I've worked on our latest jigsaw puzzle several times, and enjoyed my free Pandora stations while working around the house.

I made cabbage and noodles with the last of our stored cabbages, and deviled eggs to help use up some of the bounty.  A batch of suet was made for the birds, with dehydrated elderberry leavings and seeds saved from bags of seeded bread.  The soles of my wool slippers were reglued.  One of my ebay listings actually sold for a decent price.  Yippee!  I finally planted a round of wintersown seeds.  I used all the potting soil we had, and planted phacelia, wild mignonette-weld, hollyhocks gifted by a friend, red carthamus, and Hopi amaranth.  I had the thought to try putting the kale and lettuce seedlings under a set of halogen lights under the cabinets.  At first, they seemed to be doing better, but one by one the kale seedlings are toppling over.  I think I may try direct seeding them both in the garden soon.

I used most of the potatoes we cut eyes from for planting in a potato soup, which also used our parsley.  I made a salad with homemade dressing using berry syrup I canned.  While J holds down the homestead, I'm taking a road trip with a dear friend to see these ladies.  This is another favorite.  We always have the best of adventures, and I suppose because we've been friends so long (since 9th grade!), it's always a very laid back time.  Seeing I wouldn't use all the vegis before leaving town, I blanched and froze 3 bags of broccoli for future meals.  A couple of artichokes were steamed and enjoyed.  Wishing you joy and things that make your heart happy!