Thrifting, Independence Days, Happy Birthday to Me!

Anya Stole My Warm Chair

 

Thrifting-
I don't have as much time for this as usual, work's busy. We got a great deal today-2 boxes with 2 pond kits, with a floating water Lily with a water spray that shoots up. $12.00 at the Habitat store. It will look cute in our pond! Found some more jeans and cute greenery for the kitchen at the dollar store. Got a great deal on some work clogs at Clogoutlet. about 1/2 price. If you work on your feet all day like I do, your aging feet appreciate good shoes. My last pair (3 years or so ago) are still going, but getting low on tread. I found a nice black suede pair of Sanitas. Happy feet!

Girls Enjoying A Nice Break Between The Rain Storms

Independence Days-
1. Plant Something-
Nothing til spring. 

2. Harvest Something-
Orange rinds, dried them for baking coming up.  

3. Preserve/Store Something- 
Froze some turkey stock for soup later. Made some more refrigerator pickles. 

4. Manage Reserves- Get A Good Deal/Barter/Stock Up/Prep- 
Got a free turkey from Dave's boss, using pantry a LOT! This part really does work! Bought extra veggies on sale, like celery before turkey day. 

5. Eat the Food- Try New Foods/Recipes- 
I can say I've really saved a LOT of money this Thanksgiving with having a well-stocked working pantry. I bought things early for the snack spread I do, since we actually have a Thanksgiving "dinner". I had bought things like crackers, sausages, drinks, olives, etc. over the summer. I paid off having those more gourmet-type foods on hand bought on sale! I love it! Still finishing off the collard greens, turkey and working on the freezer foods. Just made a "Lowlands Boil" (spicy southern seafood stew) with my frozen seafood mix and fresh veggies. Chickens really loved the roasted , free pumpkins we got.

6. Build Community Food Systems- 
Still selling eggs. Thinking about bartering off my IPod 8g, but not sure if I want to get rid of it. Got free pumpkins at a local market on turkey day.

7. Recycle/Re-Use- 
Compost, lots of leaves! Lots of kitchen veggies going to the hens. 

8. Skill Up-
With a sick hen on my hands I learned how to do a simple antibiotic water mix pretty easily. I feel much more prepared now on how to handle these kinds of things quickly. No eggs for a while though. Learning the in and out of Win7 with the new computer. Outlook has more bells and whistles as well.

9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something-
Me- Got a MRI for a sore, puffy knee. Some arthritis, nothing torn. Will work with exercising and more weight loss. I found some homeopathic stuff too for arthritis and the swelling, cheap! Just waiting for the MRI bill, and thankful I have good insurance!

A simple cookie tin and tree branch, I want one!

Winterizing The Home Decor-

I always wait at least a week or so after turkey day to put away the fall stuff around the house. I then put up what I call my "generic winter" stuff. I don't like to jump from Thanksgiving to Christmas in one full swoop, I like to relax after a bit. I think I've gotten burned out too, with all the American commercialism around Christmas. I like some of the European traditions better, keeping it much more low-key and natural. I want to go to Scandinavia some day and see their version of Jul (Yule), it looks pretty awesome! I love the natural colors and materials-

What a great entry or hallway

How simple and elegant

Not "trolls" but Tomten!

This weekend I'm put away the Fall and bringing out the winter stuff. Ironically it was 55 yesterday, not exactly winter weather! We are finally getting some much-needed rain, with hope for snow in the mountains. The ski areas really suffer with these later winter starts. I'll put some pics of of my own winter goodies next time.


                                                         

 Happy Birthday to Me!
Going out tonight for an early birthday celebration, the actual day is Monday. Monday's are from hell at my job, too much on my schedule :(  Going to my favorite sushi place with the kids and Dave, then out for Cheesecake! My new computer, vacuum, etc. are all I need. Pretty easy to buy for eh?