Barter ~ This and That

I finally met Hubby's cousin "C" and she bartered with me - tomatoes for me and strawberry margarita jam for her.  She is a hoot too.  We are planning a meet and greet meal soon to meet more family members.  First up?  Tomato sauce.  If I have more after that, tomato soup or crushed tomatoes maybe.  I guess I'll find out when I weigh them.

I also bartered with our 20 year-old daughter.  She came out yesterday to help me do more cleaning and picking up, and she got strawberry margarita jam and lunch. 

Organic grilled cheese sandwiches and organic tomato soup with a dab of organic butter.  I miss my home canned tomato soup. 

We got the living room back in order, some carpets vacuumed, master bath completely cleaned but the shower and tub (it's an overly big bathroom) and wood work still needs wiped down, finished the laundry, picked up stuff in the bedroom (oh my, craft stuff everywhere, which was still everywhere because we ran out of time), and swept and mopped the master bath.  So happy to have her help too.  Romeo loves her visits too.

We got rain, so laundry was put on drying racks yesterday.  It was much cooler too.

I ordered our traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.  I waited too late last year, and paid the price.  I got them at great prices and the colors and styles I wanted.  So glad I remembered.

I had to make a run to the store for vinegar to make another container of homemade lysol wipes, so I stopped at the dollar store and picked up these kitchen towels.  I got a few other fall designs too.  Just $1/ea.

I'm on the hunt for book sales now.  I want to buy 25 books for the grand kids for a countdown.  We'll see if I make it happen.  I have over a month to do that.

Tuesday was my Monday

Tuesday hit me like a overwhelming Monday, especially after an emotional weekend.  Everywhere I look, there is a mess to clean up, organize, wipe down, dust, sweep, mop....

My clothesline was in full swing yesterday (leaving no room for bedding, so that's going on the line today), as well as my dishwasher.  

Tree trimming is on the list now.  Oh how low those branches are right now.

After a few pots of coffee I dove into cleaning the kitchen first, while my washing machine went full swing.  It was one of those days where every job gave me another one.  Like putting dinner in the crock-pot to find out that my bottle of organic chili pepper was low and needed refilled.  

I got my smaller dehydrator cleaned and put away, foaming hand soap refilled, previous laundry day folded and put away, plants watered, and organized one dresser drawer.                                                                  
It'll probably continue that way all week, but in the end it'll be lookin' purty darn good in the house.  That's the plan anyway.

Shopping list is getting long.  I need to make a new canning journal, and need to update it.

The car is down now.  I have no vehicle, but it's not like a don't have work to do.  

Menu for the week
-crock pot fiesta chicken and black beans
-tuna sandwiches, beets (might make the sandwiches grilled)
-chili
-leftovers
-breakfast for dinner (undecided yet)

The week is already halfway gone.  I better get busy.