This year, perhaps more than ever before... we have learned the importance of clearing out, using things as much as you can (and in new ways)... and of salvaging and fixing things up.
To this end, I thought I might do a series of posts on clearing out and organizing, and living a simpler life.
Years ago (back when I was in high school and college age and saving money for tuition), I was self employed as a housekeeper/ organizer/ cook/ errand girl. It was fun, and taught me tons of skills that I use to this day.
And so for today, I thought I would talk a bit about food.
I am sure most of you probably know all this... but sometimes it doesn't hurt to be reminded.
This year we had a garden. I have had a garden everywhere we have lived, and grown produce in all sorts of climates. Your garden can be your life saver. Now, perhaps more than ever before.... food is expensive, and money doesn't stretch as far is you would like it to. This year, we put in a few raised beds; and got an amazing amount of return for pennies in seeds. We asked around, and were gifted a huge clump of rhubarb (and if you ask, there is probably someone who wants to thin their patch). We also got some saplings of blueberry bushes and a current bush... and hope that in a few years we will reap the benefits of those. Lots of communities have a "seed bank" where you can trade in your seeds for seeds of things you want to plant. If not, ask folks at your local growers market if they would be willing to sell seeds or small plants in the spring. Of course, if you have a local garden center you can get them there as well, and there are lots of organic suppliers online (like Baker Creek).
One of our crops this year was a bed of herbs, and if you remember a few weeks back, I showed a photo of our herbs drying on a line we rigged up in the kitchen. Growing and drying your own herbs is an excellent way to save some money, as many of them can be pricey.
Another one of our plantings this year was some Turban Squash. We actually grew these from seeds we saved from a single squash we bought last year from a local farmer. Our small planting actually produced about 11 turban squash for this winter's eating. They store well (in a cool, dry place)... or you can cook them, cut them, puree them... (so many choices) and freeze the food for use later.
Like this post? I hope to do more.
See you all tomorrow.