Well when we moved into our place the one thing that made me almost not buy it was because there was no wood stove. We had this propane fire in the living room that I hated. Not only that the tank was right out the picture window. Yeah that goes with an old house. If the tank blows up the house will be gone. Just great. So we went through the first winter as cold as it was last year and paid for oil. It was my first winter with oil and I will say it puts of a nice heat. However not the nicest on the check book. So here we are again looking for a good way to heat this place. There is nothing better than sitting my a hot fire on a cold day. I love to cuddle up with a book and watch the snow come down. I have looked at all kinds of fires and hopefully we will have one next week. I hope. It always takes us forever to work out what we want. I want something that if the power goes out we can heat the house and cook a dinner on top. Maybe warm some bread. I would love one to cook in but not at this time.
I hope you are all warm this winter and it is not costing you an arm or leg.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Eggs
Loving my little girls as it is so cold outside and they are laying eggs every day. Not all of them but one egg is one egg I don't have to buy. I think this spring I'm going to add to my flock. I would love to get blue and lavendar colored eggs. The kids love going up and finding the eggs and I love seeing there little faces as they find an egg. I was reading the other day it takes about 20 days for eggs to get to the distribution center and then several more days to get to the store. I'm thinking they are not very fresh. My eggs well lets say I got them in the morning and cooked them at night. Yummy....................
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Great Day at the Farm
Well it is Thanksgiving today in America and I had a wonderful day with my family. I always have lots to be thankful for and this year I got a great surprize from my chickens. If you remember I got chicks back in May and have been feeding and looking after them for the last six months. My chickens are so funny and have brought many laughs. They are not very smart but are fun. Well I didn't really just get them for us to watch, I got them for eggs. It can take anywhere from 4 to six months for eggs to start, so for the last couple of weeks, I have been looking for eggs and talking to them about getting busy or they will end up on the dinner table. Well yesterday it seem like Christmas. I got my first two eggs. And today I got another two. I think a couple of chickens saved themselves from the table. Now if the rest would follow their lead.
For those of you that are thinking chickens are alot of work and a mess. They are lots of fun and very rewarding. I now don't have to worry about going to the store for eggs and there is so much you can make with them.
So this Thanksgiving I have lots to be thanks for. Here is just one of my little hens. They have grown since I took this picture.
For those of you that are thinking chickens are alot of work and a mess. They are lots of fun and very rewarding. I now don't have to worry about going to the store for eggs and there is so much you can make with them.
So this Thanksgiving I have lots to be thanks for. Here is just one of my little hens. They have grown since I took this picture.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Cleaning Products
Living a simpler life can save you money. With people out of work and others looking to saving money. One way is looking at all your cleaning products. Most cleaning products are full of toxics and chemicals. I have watched people spray their counters with 409 and then make dinner. Really?? We are so worried about what is on the counter that we don't think twice about putting chemicals on it and then on our food. Crazy. I clean my house with simple ingredients. Vinegar, baking soda, cornflour and water. My house looks as clean as the chemical cleaned houses and I feel better knowing I'm not using those cleaners. I have not worked the numbers, but I'm sure I have saved 100's of dollars over the years. Next time clean your bathtub with baking soda, it really works.
You can find lots of ways of green cleaning online. Let me know if you need help.
You can find lots of ways of green cleaning online. Let me know if you need help.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Fall is in the air
Wow I got up this morning to a chilly 42. Time to get working on the fireplace as I don't want to spend all my money on oil for this old farmhouse. It is also time to get the last of the veggies out of the garden and put away for the cold months ahead. I have loved spending time in my garden this year and plan to make it twice the size next year. I have also decided to have raised beds, so I have lots to do over the winter months.
My pears are almost ready for picking but my lovely dog seems to think they are hers for eating. I hope she leaves some for me. My Mum put pears up every year for us and we would eat them over winter with warm custard and cream. I also think I may make some pear butter as I have never done that before.
For years I wents away from a garden when I lived in the city. Now I wished I had always had pots growing veggies on the porch. You can grow them anywhere and I'm here to help you get started.
Time to get the sewing machine out and make some Christmas projects. I will post pic so you can see how easy it is to make some things.
My pears are almost ready for picking but my lovely dog seems to think they are hers for eating. I hope she leaves some for me. My Mum put pears up every year for us and we would eat them over winter with warm custard and cream. I also think I may make some pear butter as I have never done that before.
For years I wents away from a garden when I lived in the city. Now I wished I had always had pots growing veggies on the porch. You can grow them anywhere and I'm here to help you get started.
Time to get the sewing machine out and make some Christmas projects. I will post pic so you can see how easy it is to make some things.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Less is More
So my thoughts for today are less is more. With everyone trying to save money and living within their budget. I have gone back to my roots once again. When growing up my Mother mostly brought cotton and wool. Both last longer for sure. My kids have only slept in cotton PJ's, as their skin can breathe. If you wonder why your kids sweat so much at night, look to see what they are wearing. Just a thought.
Thinking this way I have moved in my kitchen area. Why buy all this stuff that only does one thing, or processed food that only makes up one way. Why not buy less and make more. Putting a well cooked dinner on the table and seeing how everyone loves it, makes you feel better than pulling something out of the freezer and throwing it in the oven. We all buy nice clothes to make our kids look great on the outside, but what about the inside. What about their health and well being. Have you read the labels on some of your food that you eat. There is so much in food that we don't need, do you know what everything is on that label. Follow me on my journey to eating better, less is more.
I know when we are working full time jobs and kids are playing sports it is hard to get good food on the table in 30 minutes, but it can be done. I know so many don't make their own mashed potatoes. They use the ones from the box. See below to making your own mashed potatoes.
Buy potatoes (one bag can also let you make roast potatoes, fries, homefries, the list goes on)
Peel about 5 potatoes and boil potatoes until you can push a knife or fork through it easy
Drain water. Be careful you are dealing with boiled water.
Add about 3 tablespoons of butter. ( I use real butter)
1/4 cup of milk and beat.
It takes you about 20 minutes from start to finish and most is cooking time. Once you have the potatoes on the stove top you can be making the rest of your meal.
Just make one change a week. I know lots of people know how to make mashed potatoes, but some don't and this is for you.
Happy cooking, think less is more.
Thinking this way I have moved in my kitchen area. Why buy all this stuff that only does one thing, or processed food that only makes up one way. Why not buy less and make more. Putting a well cooked dinner on the table and seeing how everyone loves it, makes you feel better than pulling something out of the freezer and throwing it in the oven. We all buy nice clothes to make our kids look great on the outside, but what about the inside. What about their health and well being. Have you read the labels on some of your food that you eat. There is so much in food that we don't need, do you know what everything is on that label. Follow me on my journey to eating better, less is more.
I know when we are working full time jobs and kids are playing sports it is hard to get good food on the table in 30 minutes, but it can be done. I know so many don't make their own mashed potatoes. They use the ones from the box. See below to making your own mashed potatoes.
Buy potatoes (one bag can also let you make roast potatoes, fries, homefries, the list goes on)
Peel about 5 potatoes and boil potatoes until you can push a knife or fork through it easy
Drain water. Be careful you are dealing with boiled water.
Add about 3 tablespoons of butter. ( I use real butter)
1/4 cup of milk and beat.
It takes you about 20 minutes from start to finish and most is cooking time. Once you have the potatoes on the stove top you can be making the rest of your meal.
Just make one change a week. I know lots of people know how to make mashed potatoes, but some don't and this is for you.
Happy cooking, think less is more.
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