In no particular order:

• Gardening isn’t necessarily work, but can certainly be heaven
• It won’t be long until its cherry season here, and I’ll certainly be making Cherry Cornmeal Upside Down Cake
• Preserving is an art that is close to my heart, and I love reading about how others incorporate it into their busy lives
• Next time you start seeds, try making newspaper pots with old steel cans instead of buying a little, overpriced tool
• I should be harvesting some rhubarb soon, and we have a ton of  birthdays in June so shouldn’t the birthday cake be Rhubarb Cornmeal Cupcakes with Cardamom Frosting?

Plant something - Not much happening here in the way of planting.  All inspections have come back good, so it looks like we’ll be moving in a few weeks! 

1. Harvest something - Dandelions and chives that’s it so far, but mint and rhubarb soon.
3. Preserve something - I canned chicken and beef stock from bones I’d been saving in the freezer (I’m keeping a tally on the pantry building page). 
5. Prep something - I’ve been saving newspaper and finding burlap sacks at the coffee roaster to snuff out grass and plan new gardens at our new place.

Cook something New - Nothing new this week, just lots of old standards and using up things we have on hand so as not to have too much excess when it comes time to move.

Manage your reserves - I started a 2008 pantry building tally to keep track of what I have on hand, and I always label and date jars when I’m done canning.

Work on local food systems - I shared some worm compost water with a neighbor, for their strawberry patch.  That’s about it, I’m not doing well on this Independence Days Challenge.

Reduced Waste - Saving the newspapers for mulch means no recycling necessary.

Learned a Skill - Does learning the intricacies of real estate and mortgage processing/procedures count?

PS: It does look like all is good for us on this house deal, as long as the appraisal comes in like we’re expecting.  Posts may be a little light and because of the move I don’t know that I’m going to do as well as I’d planned on this independence days challenge.

Originally posted on March 29, 2007 on Simple Katie.  Since this post I have begun teaching vermicomposting classes at the local community college and have another one scheduled for June 24th.

I’ve become the local worm lady. It’s been an interesting ride these last few weeks. A neighbor’s niece is taking an organic gardening class at our local community college. This niece wanted to learn more about vermicomposting. Said neighbor introduced her to me, she also works at the health food store so I knew her a bit anyway.

Neighbor and niece came by a few weeks ago with her Rubbermaid tub worm bin, to chat and see my worm bin set up. It was a fun few hours, chatting about organic gardening and worm bins. I shared what I’ve learned through trial and error and what didn’t work for me even though all the “expert” articles may recommend it. I gave her a few handfuls of worms from my bin to start out with as well.

Last night there was a knock at the door and the gal was back worm bin in hand. She was worried that the worms were dying and that she was doing something wrong. All appeared well to me, just that the small amount of worms she had weren’t quite up to handling all she had put in. Her newspaper also seemed a bit too wet to me, making it heavy for the worms to navigate but it’ll dry. The worms reproduce rather quickly but it takes a while for them to get big enough to handle waste quickly. Once a worm bin gets really active, lots of babies and dying worms the process is so smooth, really effortless. I explained that some worm death is to be expected and that they just get composted with the food scraps. Turns out someone bought her some worms that will be arriving this week in the mail, and then the bin will start keeping up with her food waste.

She’s shared my number with the folks in her class and to be honest I’m more then happy to help and get other gardeners started on the vermicomposting path. It also gave me an idea to see about teaching a continuing education class on vermicomposting. It could just be a one day 2 hour deal with demonstrations on setting up worm bins and tips. I’ve emailed the college and will begin filling out the paperwork to see if the class could fit into their schedule.

Another amazing thing about this is the network of folks I’m meeting because of the worms. Over the years the worms have taught me many things - everything has a purpose even lowly worms, natural processes are continually amazing, nature needs little if any help from humans, and now friends come from unexpected places.

100 Things # 14) I Don’t Like Pickles

I’ve never really acquired a taste for pickles or anything pickled for that matter.  I try to like them, I want to like them, but I just don’t. 

I enjoy the art of pickling very much and am grateful that many folks like to receive gifts of my homemade pickles, pickled beets, and pickled carrots.  I always sample one bite, but for the most part, I can’t eat them.  

Originally posted on Simple Katie on November 22, 2006.

Yesterday, I went with my good friend to visit a local herbalist/reflexologist. I’ve been to this healer once before though it’s been several years ago when I was having some problems with bone spurs on my feet. She’s a great woman who instantly makes you feel loved when you enter her home. She takes good care of the folks who come to visit her and yesterday was no exception when she talked with my friend regarding her health issue.

We were there about an hour total and during that hour, laughed alot. That in and of itself, lifted my friend’s spirits, perhaps more so then the pratical advice. My friend has another appointment in a few weeks for a full treatement involving reflexology. Having been through this treatment, I know my friend is in for a wonderfully healing and loving experience. Though I already know this to be true, it was driven home for me again yesterday: love and laughter have much to do with healing perhaps more so then the herbs and treatments themselves. (Disclaimer: I’m not saying that medicines, herbs, and other medical procedures aren’t necessary - just that they should be complimented with love and laughter.)

At one point during the conversation - we discussed how the three of us ladies were not “normal” at least not in the mainstream sense of the word and how comfortable we were with that. The herbalist made this statement, “I don’t dabble in normal.” It was an off-hand comment but I thought it was a great philosophy. The more I thought about it the more I realized, the people I’m closest too, the blogs I read and enjoy the most, etc. all don’t dabble in normalcy - instead they live life as it seems most natural to them without apology. I wish that was celebrated more on the news then what celebrity couples sex tape was recently released, or who married who as a publicity stunt. Ok, that may not ever become a reality but it’s a nice dream to have.

In honor of the approaching Thanksgiving Holiday, I’m thankful for all the bloggers who don’t dabble in normal and who in turn give me the inspiration, practical knowledge, and courage to live the simple life I do.

I’ve been cleaning out our freezer, hopeful for an impending move.  I found a small ball of potica dough left over from the holiday baking extravaganza,that at the time I was sure I would use up quickly.  Well, I finally pulled it out last night to thaw.  When I pulled it out last night, I planned to make some traditional potica filling and cook it up.  This morning, I just didn’t feel like messing with the traditional walnut filling, so I rolled it out and figured I’d try cinnamon rolls with it.  I did put some nuts on the bottom of the pie plate, so it’s almost like potica, almost but not really at all, ha!  They turned out quite delightful and were yummy with a cup of coffee.  The ball of dough I had made less about 5 very small rolls, I’m not sure why I saved such a small piece to begin with, except that I just have a very hard time throwing food away.

Yesterday, I cooked up all the chicken bones I had been saving as well and will be canning that stock up later today.  If time permits, I’m going to work on some beef stock from the bones in the freezer as well today.

I decided to participate in the Independence Days Challenge hosted by Casaubon’s Book.  I’m a week behind, but here’s what I did this week:

1. Plant something - Considering we had snow, yes snow this morning and our hopefully impending move, I haven’t done much planting.  I did transplant some seedlings into bigger pots to keep until we hopefully move.

2. Harvest something.  I picked dandelions & chives this week.

3. Preserve something.  I made dandelion jelly.

4. Prep something. I mended a pair of Jeff’s pants and have been preparing to move, include moving some of my plants.  I also have 2 quilts pinned and ready for quilting.

5. Cook something new. Nothing new this week…

6. Manage your reserves.  Nothing really new this week, there are some chicken & beef bones in the freezer that I hope to can this weekend.

7. Work on local food systems.  I gave some of my raspberry canes away to help someone else start their own patch.

This week’s favorites in no particular order:

• I joined the harvest keeper challenge, and look forward to seeing everyone’s results
• The Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Post just touched me in its simplicity and joy, I bet it’ll touch you too
• Gardeners are such hopeful people
• Sewn Fabric Beads, for all those decorative home touches
• Voluntary Simplicity is a handmade life not a bought one as so well put in Rhonda at Down to Earth

We finally heard from the seller’s bank today, we have their approval.  Now we move to the inspection process and hope we find no surprises.  Thanks to everyone who has been sending well wishes and saying prayers!

Frugality Tip #3: Cook from Scratch

One of the biggest expenses for most households beyond housing is food.  With food prices on the rise by leaps and bounds, it would seem this is an important area to learn some frugal tips. One of most frugal skills a person can learn is to cook from scratch.  I know plenty of people who see this as very time consuming, however; with some planning and knowledge, scratch cooking can be just as fast as a lot of boxed meals.  A well stocked pantry is priceless.  Keep your pantry stocked with food that you and your family enjoy.  Here’s a quick look at what Jeff and I keep stocked:

• Pasta varieties
• Dried Beans in all our favorite varieties
• Canned and frozen fruit & veggies (home canned & store bought)
• Various sauces (spaghetti, enchilada, salsa, etc.), soup stocks
• Dried herbs & spices
• Grains (oats, millet, rice, wheat berries, etc.)
• Vinegars
• Oils (olive, sesame, etc.)
• Canned and frozen meat & fish (home canned & store bought)

That’s a very brief summary.  We buy things in bulk and find ways to keep it all safely stored.  We buy things like grains and beans in 25 pound sacks.  Let me tell you the savings there is huge.  For example, the last time I bought organic black beans at my local health food store the price was 89 cents a pound.  5 pounds of dried beans translates into roughly 17 pint jars ($4.45) of cooked black beans - a 1 pint can of organic black beans at the grocery store is $1.75 on sale (17 cans = $29.75).  That’s roughly a savings of $25.30!  I like to can my beans, so that when I get home from work I can just pop the top and reheat for a quick meal.  Before, I started canning them, however; I would soak overnight and cook them in the crockpot while I was work. 

Buy meat in large quanities whenever you can afford it.  Its generally cheaper, but not always and of course there’s the whole storage issue, do what works for you.  I buy large quanities from local farmers, this is still a little more expensive than the super cheap cuts at the grocery store, however; it fits more closely with my values.  I do understand, however; that sometimes price has to be the deciding factor, depending on the person’s financial situation. 

Cooking from scratch does not have to mean super gourmet fancy meals like those you see on the Food Network.  We eat very simple meals: bean burritos, roasted chicken with veggies, soups, salads, etc.  I enjoy cooking when I have time, but I promise you I don’t spend more than 30 minutes making dinner after work, most of the time its quicker than that.  I make and stick to a meal plan every week and that has been the biggest life saver in several ways: it saves time, saves money (no quick trips to just pick something up), and its much healthier because the food is generally more nutritious.

Learn to make a couple of basic soups and vary them based on what you have stocked in your pantry.  We eat a lot of soups to keep us warm in the Montana winters, and I rarely follow a recipe.  Soups are the most basic food: throw some veggies, maybe some meat, maybe a grain or pasta, some herbs/spices, and some broth/vegetable juice in a pot, cook, serve, eat.  If you a have a crock pot, throw it all in before leaving for the day and when you get home, dinner is quickly served.  Add some homemade bread and my dear you have a 5 star meal in my opinion.

Learn to eat with the seasons.  Chances are that asparagus and watermelon in January is outrageously expensive and not very good, but those same items in season are not only cheaper but much tastier.  I understand the urge for some green in the middle of a long winter, choose wisely.  Its about choice and personal values, not deprivation. 

Stock up when you see a good sale (if you can afford to pay for it in cash not credit).  If you like to eat tuna and its regularly 75 cents a can and you see it on sale for 45 cents a can, stock up.  Keep a price book, so you know without a doubt when you see a good deal.  I use the SplashShopper program on my palm pilot for my price book, but before I went high-tech I used a small spiral bound notebook.  A great free price book template can be found at Organized Home. 

Grow it yourself.  A garden is a great way to save some money on your grocery bill.  It doesn’t have to be huge, anything you grow yourself will be a price savings whether its a pot of herbs on your apartment balcony or an entire acre.  Chances are it’ll taste better, too. 

Preserve it yourself.  Learn to can, dehydrate, freeze, ferment, etc. your own homegrown food or food you’ve bought in bulk.  It’ll probably taste better and won’t be full of chemicals and preservatives.  I know these are big skills for folks to learn; take a class, find a friend to teach you, advertise for a mentor on freecycle, once you learn, I promise you’ll be glad you did.  (If you can’t find someone locally, email me - mtkatiecakes@yahoo.com I’ll help, but its nice to have some one actually walk you through the process the first time you can).

Find support.  Last year, we found a great deal on organic grass-fed beef, the catch: we had to buy an entire cow.  That’s a ton of beef, we can’t store it and it would take forever for us to eat that much.  We found 3 other couples willing to go in on the cow with us.  Again, advertise on craigs-list and freecycle, I’m willing to bet you’ll find someone if you don’t already know a friend or two willing to split large quantities of items at a discount.

Having all these things you bought in bulk, grew yourself, etc. will only enable you to cook from scratch in a way that doesn’t feel like a ton of work and will prevent multiple trips to the grocery store in the same week or even day.

I’m sure I’ve missed some big tips, here, please feel free to add your own in the comments section.  In the end, please remember that frugality like anything else is very individual, find what works for you and stick with it.