Early February & Frugal Accomplishments

Hello, friends.  If you've been having to deal with frigid temperatures, I hope you've been able to stay safe and warm and cozy.  Last week, I redeemed a coupon for a free can of dog food.  I made potato leek soup, using our potatoes and broth.  My new boots were sealed, and I've enjoyed hiking in them.  I worked many hours on taxes last week, and think/hope the end is in sight.  The main day I worked on taxes, I put a pot of apple cider on the wood stove, with a cinnamon stick and some cloves.  I sipped on this throughout the cold day.  A simple treat, but it helped to keep me motivated.  Scratch paper was used for notes and lists.  I made yogurt and thousand island dressing.  Our canned crowder peas and sweet potatoes were used for dinner one night.  Ziploc bags were washed for reuse, and egg shells saved in a pan to dry for compost.

Two loads of laundry were hung on the line.  I made carrot pineapple salad, and individually froze the remainder of the crushed pineapple, enough for 3 more salads.  Homemade yogurt was used in the salad.  I pruned several fruit trees and bushes.  I'm wanting to move more towards permaculture principles, and did what is called chop and drop, cutting up and piling the trimmings beneath each tree to break down.  We have a partial large bale of spoiled hay, and I intend to cover the trimmings with this.   I've enjoyed watching youtube videos on permaculture, and joined a permaculture fb group.  I'm writing ideas down to try as I learn them.  Even with gardening organically here for many years, there always seem to be challenges.  I know that permaculture can't fix the problem of squirrels or other critters getting our fruit, for example, but if there was more of a bounty of fruit, maybe there would be enough for everyone.  That's my hope.

hawk on windmill

Potato salad was made using our potatoes and parsley.  The hens continue to lay well, and I was able to share a dozen eggs.  I gathered chickweed, and gave them kitchen scraps.  We harvested collards, which were substituted for kale in J's allergy soup.  I made a purchase at Harbor Freight, used a 20% off coupon, and got a free tarp.  With J & I not able to have milk at present, I froze 2 quarts for the future, and used the rest for making yogurt.  I uncovered the cold frame with lettuce, chard, and celery, as there are no freezing temps in the forecast.  Though it looks like we're having a warming trend, I will keep an eye on it, and cover it back up as needed.  I had a couple of ebay sales, and worked on a number of new items to list.  Dinner was eaten by candlelight all but one night.  When I looked out the kitchen window one day, I saw a large bird on top of a non-functioning windmill by the garden.  I went out on the porch, and still didn't know what it was when I snapped a pic.  Shortly after, it took off in my direction, and I saw it was a hawk.  We often see them in February, when they're migrating.  Wishing you a good week.