Tuesday Tidbits

I had to get back to the kitchen yesterday first.  I had dishes to deal with, books all over one table, and of course the meals for the day.

Dinner was beef stew (another change in the menu) in the crock pot.

Breakfast was a sweet potato and kale frittata.  I started that later, so I could get the stew in the crocky.  I used the last of our home grown sweet potatoes.

My husband started researching new flooring last night.  I'm praying we find enough of one type at a good price for the hallway.

I am not prepared for Valentine's day, as far as selling handiwork this year.  I just realized how close it is, and I have sold all the heart bookmarks, almost all the heart cup coasters, heart dishcloths etc.  I may have some embellished paperclips, but that is about it.  I'm not going to rush into making anything either.  If I get anything made, I will post it.  I didn't realize how much work I'd be doing just to prep the hallway to be ready for a facelift.  

My extreme clean pick was a dresser drawer.  I dumped it out, purged and re-organized it.

Update:  I just realized I posted this on a Wednesday, so think of it as yesterday's tidbits ha ha ha!

Raised Beds and other tidbits (okay mostly deep cleaning updates)

Question for those who grow medicinal herbs in raised beds - can I grow comfrey and mullein in the same bed?  Or should they be in their own raised bed?

Another question?  Is there a difference in planting white or black horehound?  Which is better to plant for medicinal purposes?

I've been busy beautifying the homestead, and so grateful I am out of my depressing "funk" I was in.  I can't believe I didn't do any of this work last year when I was "stuck" at home.  Anyway, I think my husband is happy, other than spending the money (ha ha!) on new flooring and possibly more paint. I'm looking forward to shopping for the flooring.

I haven't had much handiwork time, but I hope to get a handiwork post go up soon.  Last nights dinner was changed to chicken breast and home canned mustard pepper sauce, over red quinoa (what I had), and a side of garden green beans.  I needed something easy, as it took the entire day up until 1pm to go through and remove all the books on the other bookshelf.  Oh my.  I had spiritual growth/prayer journals, several that were new empty journals (note to self: do not buy more), and even found my review for work when I went to Argentina.  I asked one daughter if I should just throw it out, read it and throw it out or what.  She couldn't decide either.  I hate to come across things like this. 

I had a stack of magazines that needed to be read through and then off they go too.  I have so many folders from my freelance writing days (haven't done much in years).  I need to pull each file and go through them now.  

I still have 2 full boxes of binders I need to go through.  One I already decided was completely going in trash - stuff that was outdated and binder falling apart.  I filled two boxes of books to donate.  Felt great to get done.  

I also have this oversized book.  Why oh why I bought it when it's that big and difficult to put on a shelf.  

While putting my Bibles in a box, I told my daughter that was home, I have a Bible in Spanish!  I was about to put it in the donation box, but flipped to the very end and it was signed by Mom as a Christmas present way back in the day when my sister and I at the time, were going to Spain and Africa with a class trip.  I'm on the fence, but I won't use it.  I think it will have to go.  

Speaking of Mom, she is deep cleaning too, but I told her I will only take her boxes if she doesn't send anything back in them ha ha ha!

Good news!  The chickens are using the new nesting box, but Thelma insists on laying in the feeder.