Back to Basics

(I had a great post all written up, then Blogger lost it, grrrr, so here we go again)

It's been a while (I know, I know, I think I said that before, at least I'm consistent), but I have been very busy! I Promise :)

In the Garden

Not much planting and harvesting to report.

The big news is that I've almost finished weeding out the vegie patch. Finally! It was infested with Couch and Buffalo grass. Unfortunately these nifty weeds push out runners which can re-grow from the tiny bits of runners that may snap off when you pull them up. I definitely didn't want to resort to chemicals, so I pulled and sifted through the dirt and I think I'm nearly there. I have tried the no-dig method, and although it was piled high, and it did work, I just don't have the money to buy the hay, manure ect, and besides, the dirt that is now there is rich and yummy.

There is one identified plant that I have left. I'm not sure what it is..

Any suggestions. I thought maybe Geranium, but it doesn't have that Geranium smell.

Stuntman helping to put the lattice on. Stuntman has been very intrigued by all the goings ons in the garden patch.

Planning for the Future

My husband hasn't been paid for 4 weeks now, this happens from time to time and it is just the nature of his work (building industry) and the downside of running a small business. So menu planning has had to centre around what is in the freezer/pantry. We are fortunate that both of these were well stocked.....they are looking quite bare now.

I've made up a shopping list for when we do get paid (please be this week, please be this week) and it's a massive one. On the upside, the pantry is nice and tidy and I had the opportunity to give our storage containers a clean. And the menu plan is looking good :)

Working for the Future

The hen house is done! And I'm proud to say it is almost all made from scrap/scavenged stuff. We needed to buy hinges and a latch for the gate and I went to the salvage yard ($2 each) for the nesting boxes (large plastic containers that my husband has trimmed down).

Next week Polly and Esther the Isa Browns will be joining our family!

A few weeks ago I ordered clothing labels and sizing tags....I'm getting things into place to sell some of my sewing. I don't have the time to do this on a large scale, but my first goal is to make a few items and advertise among my friends on Facebook and also on Etsy. My long term goal is to produce enough stock to have a stall at a fair next year. I have no illusions that this could bring in good money, it won't, but I'm hoping that I can produce/sell enough that my hobby pays for itself.

Building Community

Helping to organise a family games night at my church. Asked one of the ladies at church if I can come along to the bi-monthly craft evening at her place.

I've got my Girl Guides doing a "term of service". We are looking at Beyond Blue (youth mental health), Naragebup (local environment centre) and Breast Cancer Foundation. I've organised a guest speaker to talk on mental health and over the term we will look at the three organisations, do activities and raise awareness.

I went along to my local LETS group meeting.

Learn a new Skill

I managed to get hold of the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" and what a great book!

So easy and simple and the results are wonderful. Nice crusty bread with a soft crumb (inside).

It's also been a great activity to do with my daughter. Here she is, showing off her first loaf!

I've also been playing around with making my own yoghurt. Very yummy.

Big thanks to Belinda for hosting this meme. :) Belinda is a wonderful inspiration.

Back to Basics

My son is sick with tonsillitis, so this will be a short post this week.

Garden

I've worked at clearing away weeds in the garden bed as well as tidying up the front yard. For weeds in the pavement I have been using boiling water and salt. It works really well.

I haven't done any planting this week. Harvesting more basil, the last of my tomatoes and bay leaves.

Around the Home

The drain pipe became clogged with gunk, so my husband had to clean and flush that out. It's down the side of the house, an area that we have so far ignored. I've suggested he decks that area, it is long but narrow and in almost complete shade all day long. He thinks that is a good idea, so he'll start collecting the wood for that soon.

I'm continuing on the slow cooker fest, this is a marvelous recipe, really good for using as a base for a meal.

I've also discovered you can freeze celery, and I have been chopping and freezing that for cooking stews.

I have discovered hexagon quilting and how addictive it is. I was inspired by this post about managing your scraps. I hoard my scraps, which is all well and good, but doesn't achieve anything if they are sitting in a box. So I've started making hexagons for a future quilt. I've found that hexagon making is a perfect activity when you have a sick child curled up on your lap ;).

Hope you are all having a lovely week, and thankyou to Belinda for hosting the Back to Basics Challenge.

Back to Basics

This week was a bit of a quiet week.

Sowing seed or Planting -

Harvesting

Basil

Sowing

Trying to sprout Sweet Potato so I can plant as cuttings. So far nothing is happening.

Adding hay to the garden beds to improve the soil. Moved the worm farm to its winter position.

Planning for The Future

Menu Planning, using the slow cooker a bit more now the weather is a lot cooler.

I need to focus on getting the electricity bill down, electricity prices are going up enormously.

Working for the Future

Bulk rubbish gone. Cleaned out a bag of toys from the girls room.

Made Cadel some pj pants, he now needs pj tops.

Building Community

Babysitting.

Participated in ANZAC parade with my Girl Guides.

Learn a new Skill

None this week

Thankyou to Belinda who hosts the Back to Basics Challenge.

Back to Basics

It's been a while. I sort of lost my way a little, which is a shame, because this challenge is a wonderful one and brings so many benefits. This challenge is a bit like a stone that is thrown into a lake, the ripples can keep going, wider and wider, in that it benefits me, my family, my environment, 'the' environment and my community.

So here we go!

Sowing seed or Planting -

Harvesting

Baby Rocket Leaves

Sowing

Waltham Broccoli

Creamgold Onions

Mesclun Provencal (Lettuce mix)

Playing around with Sweet Potato Tubers. Heard on the radio you should try and sprout them in a jar first. Is this true?

My vegie patch has been seriously neglected and is now chock full of weeds. *sigh* So my goal over the next week is to spend 15min everyday weeding. From little things, big things grow. Right?

Planning for The Future

Menu Planning, I need to start stockpiling again

Working for the Future

It's 'bulk rubbish' time in my community, that is, you put all your unwanted bulky items on the front verge and the council sends along a truck to pick it all up. So we have done a bit a clear out of broken stuff (not suprisingly, mostly plastic) from out of the shed and behind the shed.

I've gone around and done a bit of a de-clutter of the inside of the house, 3 garbage bags of outgrown clothes and unwanted toys have now gone to the op shop. I've got a small pile of 'good' stuff that I will be listing on eBay, I might get a few extra dollars :)

Cadel needs some winter clothes, mostly p.j's and long pants. So I've been through my stash and this week I'm hoping to sew up some things for him. All four of the kids need a basic, but nice, suitable for winter, church outfit (doubles up for special going out clothes too). I've got plenty of fabric, I just need to make the time to sew some things up.

Building Community

Volunteered to bring in a fruit platter for welcome back morning tea at Zoe's school.

Volunteered at church to help out with making bags for a church project.

Babysitting duties for friends and neighbours (doubles up as a school holiday sanity saver).

Learn a new Skill

Tried a new sewing pattern. Looks great!

Thankyou to Belinda who hosts the Back to Basics Challenge.

Back to Basics Update

Well I'm back! I have been really sick with a nasty bout of Mastitis, but after a course of anti-biotics I think I'm on the mend. However I've come to the traumatic (well for me anyway) decision to wean my baby off breast and switch to bottle. I've had several blocked milk ducts this time around and this time a full blown infection resulted. I've exclusively fed my baby for 6 1/2 months now, so an introduction to solids is now due, but I don't think it will harm him to have a bottle for a little while.
So anyway on to my update!

Not much has been done due to illness, in fact, in some areas we seem to have gone backwards :(

In the Garden
Sowing
Nothing new planted.
Harvesting
The very last tomatoes have been picked.
This week I feel a little discouraged as it seems I don't harvest nearly as a much as I sow. Not even close. If it's not the slugs/snails it's the slaters. If it's not the unrelenting heat then it's a bout of frost. Or I forget to put the bore on, or one of the kids leaves the gate open and the dog tramples through. Know what I mean?
But it is all a learning experience and I have had some success (tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes). So I guess I'm learning what really works and what doesn't.

Planning for the Future
Prior to getting sick I set up several direct deposits with my bank to make fortnightly contribution to my utilities, land/water rates and some other regular bills. The idea is that when bills come in they are either paid or almost paid, resulting in better family finances. This is the good news. The bad news is that while I was sick, nothing else got done and my husband did the shopping. (Can you hear my kids whoop with joy over this?). In other words lots of junkfood, heaps of junkfood was bought. The kids were happy. And whats more, much of the 'frozen dinners' and stores I have been saving up, have been used up. Oh well, I guess thats what it's there for.
So this week, it's get back on top of the budget week.

Working for the Future
I ended up enrolling in that Business course at Tafe. It's 6 months full time (I'll be part-time), and will build up and recognise my computing skills. I started last Thursday.

Building Community
Myself and another girl guide leader are helping our guide unit organise a massive garage sale to raise funds for the Victorian bushfire survivors.
I have also rung to make an appointment to give blood.

New Skill
none to report.

Back to Basics Update

In The Garden
Sown: None to report
Transplanted: More sunflowers, Giant pumpkin, tomatoes
Harvesting: Potatoes, various herbs
Applied a soil wetting agent to back lawn. It's looking very sad, and not surprising with the heat wave Perth has been going through. General weeding.

Planning for the Future
I borrowed a copy of 'Peak Oil Survival' by Arie McBay, and I have been reading through that to see what self-sustaining changes we can make around our home. I'm entertaining the idea of enrolling part-time into a course at TAFE. It's only 3 hours per week, and it is in Business Administration, which would really help me not just to have my skills certified, but in helping me do my husbands bookwork better. Enrolment is next week.....

Working for the Future
Tidying up around the house continues. Cleaning out the pantry, using up old/forgotten food. Still sewing away. Making clothes for winter and also handmade gifts, so they are on hand when I need them. Made some games (Bingo based), for the kids to help them in language areas that they aren't so good at.

Building Community
Gathered up some clothes that my daughter doesn't need to donate to a family in need.

Back to Basics Update

Another slow week. Swimming lessons is now over, so I'm hoping to get a bit more done this week.
In the Garden
The seeds I've sown from my last post have germinated (mostly) and coming along well. The sunflowers will need to be transplanted this week though to a sunny spot. They are in jiffy pots so that should be easy done.
Harvesting: More zucchini, tomatoes and potatoes.

Planning for the Future
We (my husband and I) have been discussing future plans for our house. We live in a 4 x 2 home which, size wise is fine for us at the moment. But it concerns me that when the kids get to their teens they will be living on top of each other, in particular my daughters. They share and their room size is not big enough for single beds (they sleep in bunks). I want all my children to stay at home as long as they need to, and I don't want them to feel they have to move out because they need privacy or space to study etc. I had to move out of my home when I was 16 and support myself and it was so hard sometimes. So we've decided on a long term goal/plan. Our goal is to re-visit this issue in 5 years time. By then we will have no debts (apart from the house) and should have a sizeable savings account. Then we look at renovating and extending upwards. My husband is a roof carpenter, his dad is an electrician and two good friends of ours are plasterers, so the cost of this project could potentially be greatly minimised. And my husband has done many of these sorts of projects so he knows a great deal about doing ourselves.

Working for the Future
My husband has been given a whole heap of pavers, so we can pave a section in our backyard that is to shady for grass and not ideal for garden beds. We have also been cleaning out broken junk that can't be re-purposed, as it is almost bulk rubbish time in my area.

Building Community
Continued to clean out old children's clothes. Borrowed out the crib :( (My baby is growng up so fast). Acquired some more age appropriate toys for my baby in return. Set some dates to babysit so a friend doesn't have to pay for daycare, and so my kids can have a play.

Learn a New Skill
Learnt how to gather properly! I was very pleased with myself!

Back to Basics Update

In the Garden
Sowing
My Diggers Club seeds arrived, so I've got sunflowers (Giant and a variety called Teddybear), pumpkin, capsicum, cherry tomato and corn.
Planting
Eggplant seedlings, marjoram
Harvesting
Tomato, zucchini, carrots
Maintenance
Seaweed extract over all the pots and garden beds, snail hunting, trying to keep on top of the couch grass invading the garden beds.

Planning for the Future
Making a list of friends and relatives birthdays and I'm trying to create a timeline with handmade gift suggestions so I can be prepared when birthdays come around. I have been through my fabric stash and I've mentally compiled a list of ideas for clothes and gifts. Just need to get it all on paper now....
Ordered some fabric from crafty mammas for clothes for the kids including school uniform colours. My kids like to layer there clothes and I can't seem to get long sleeve tops in the right green. So a special buy came up and I've ordered some stretch knit for long sleeve tops.

Working for the Future
Making my mother-in-laws birthday present. Making a bunch of easy but oh so pretty twirly skirts for my girls. Freezing excess tomato's (whole), for use in casseroles/slow cooker meals. I want to have a go at sun dried tomatoes but this week has been super busy with swimming lessons, I haven't had a chance yet. Maybe next week...

Building Community
Discussed with a friend about the possibility in doing a co-op type arrangement with grocery and meat shopping and buying monthly for maximum benefits. We both agreed we can't do it this month (need to save up the money for a biiggggg shop!), but could possibly start in February. In the mean time we are going to look into bulk buying butchers and FAL (they supply IGA in WA).
Doing some cleaning out of kids clothes ready to donate to charities/people having babies.

Back to Basics Update

The Back to Basics update is a little on the slim side due to Christmas :)

Garden News

Nothing new planted this week. My husband rigged up some shade for the second veggie patch. As I grow different plants I'm learning what works, what needs to be tweaked and what doesn't work at all. I've found that in veggie patch 1, which is in full sun, grows wonderful tomatoes, zucchini's and corn. Lettuce, potatoes, watermelon and pumpkin do ok here too. But cucumber just die. So the idea is to shelter the 2nd veggie patch from the harsh day/afternoon sun, and see what works in there. I'll keep you updated ;)

Planning for the Future

The budget is being drawn up. And next pay is when we start. I'm reverting to a 'cash' only budget in that I will be using envelopes to put money aside and using cash for purchases. I will be removing the key cards and leaving them at home. Fortunately we have no credit cards, so they are a non-issue.

I've got one shade sail up! My husband went to the hardware store and did it himself. We just need a few more, but it is a start.

Working for the Future

I've signed up to complete two modules as part of my leadership training (I'm a girl guide leader). This, I hope will all count when I eventually re-enter the work force and also make me a better guide leader.

Building Community
Via http://www.kiva.org/ I've made my first loan. Maria is from Peru and will be using her loan to finance her clothing business. It feels wonderful to be part of a team of 25 people working together to help people less fortunate to get a leg up. One Maria pays her loan back, I'm going to re-invest the money with someone else.

Back to Basics Update

Sowing Seed or Planting
Sowing: Beans, tomato, rockmelon, pumpkin, lettuce, capsicum
Planting: Strawberry
Transplanting: Luffah and Rosella
Harvesting: Tomatoes, zucchini
General Garden News: Finished mulching. Liquid fertilised (Seaweed based stuff) and applied wetting agent to all pots and garden beds. Weeded and removed some snails.....need to use snail bait but I feel so bad killing them....
Planning for the Future
Ordered some more seeds. Collecting lettuce and parsley seeds. I have stuck to a spendings diary all week. It looks scary! However it is the week before Christmas (not really a good excuse) and I did pay the mortgage and service the car so the amount spent looks worse than it is. I did buy a NO JUNK MAIL sticker which I think is a wise investment. I have felt so overwhelmed with Xmas spend spend spend pressure that I needed to do something pro-active. I can't really reduce the pressure from friends and family, but I can eliminate the junk mail/advertising pressure. And as an added bonus it will reduce paper waste, and the junk mail lady still gets paid regardless. Sweet.
I have also set aside time between Dec 26th and Jan 1st to really attack the household budget. I'm continuing the spending diary, but I haven't made any deliberate changes. However, I have started questioning the worth of my purchases, if I really need it and could I do without? I find budgeting very challenging as my husband's income is up and down all over the place (he's self-employed). Any tips?
Working for the Future
Nothing t o report
Building Community
I have been making an effort to connect with the great blogs I read via the comments.
The biggie for this week though was I DISCONNECTED THE FOXTEL, without discussing with my husband I might add too. Now the reason I put this piece of news here is because this one act has really connected us with our community and with each other. We have done more stuff together as a family this week than we have done in the past 6 months. We have gone for walks, attended Christmas Carols, visited friends, worked together in the garden, laughed, went to the movies (never have we done this as a family) and generally spent time together. The kids are also getting along better and are amusing themselves with normal kid activities like cubby house building and crafty pursuits.
New Skill
Nothing to report

Basics Update

Planting
Didn't do any planting this week. But did mulch. Also found that all the seeds in the second vegie patch were baked due to lack of mulch and full sun position. Hence the mulching. Also hubby started on a little pond in one of the garden beds. We are attempting to encourage frogs to our garden. :)
Plannng for the Future
Hmm spending diary is hard...in that I keep forgetting. But I have been trying to reduce spending. In the short term I'm resisting the urge to buy more toys the kids don't need for Christmas. This is hard to to do, especially when I'm feeling bombarded by junk mail, tv ads, pressure from family/friends to buy more and more Christmas gifts. Mid-term, we are getting the money together to put shade sails along the back of the house. This will help reduce temperature in the house (I hope) as this part of the house gets the full afternoon sun.
Building Community
Put my name on the church roster. Also got the pattern for the St John teddies. My goal is to make 4 before school goes back next year.

Let's Get Back to Basics

I have been terribly naughty when it comes to spending and conserving. I admire Rhonda and Eilleen and many others so much. They make thriftyness and frugalism a lifestyle rather than a hobby and although I aspire to be like them, I have, in recent times fallen off the wagon a bit.
So when I saw Belinda's get back to basics challenge I thought 'yep I'm in'. But then it never even made it to the blog. So here we go! Better late than never :)

Sowing Seed or Planting
Planted two rows of corn. Also planted a citrus tree. Need to investigate making up some sort of bug spray as the capsicums got attacked, there is no capsicums now.
Planning for The Future
Doing a spending diary to record where all the money is going. Meal planning has changed in that I'm trying to include more meals tha can be 'recycled' into meals the following night or making two meals in one night so dinner is sorted in one go rather than spread over two days.
Working for the Future
Continuing handmade gifts for christmas.
Building Community
Last week of Girl Guides next week! Meeting with the other leader soon to discuss ideas for next year, including teaching them life skills and including more service.
Learning a New Skill
I'm attempting to make more dishcloths, but this time with patterns in them to make pictures.