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The hot pepper seeds have arrived, and are now started in seed trays. I am still waiting on my carrot seeds (back ordered for some reason). I have limited space to start seeds, hence why I have asked for a greenhouse in the future, but these two are new to the garden. The Datil are similar to a habanero, but more of a "sweet" taste, according to my research. Seeds for Datil were sent free too.
Replacement part has been ordered for our stove. I will update on that once we see if that was the issue. My husband almost burned down the stove Sunday at breakfast. He forgot and used the burner. I have removed the knob, so neither of us use that burner until the part arrives.
The weather . . .
Warmer that usual, and possibly in the lower 60's mid-week (crazy).
As I look outside my window . . .
It's still pitch dark.
Right now I am . . .
Sipping coffee, deciding on what to bake for breakfast today.
Thinking and pondering . . .
Trying to find a way to sell off my crochet/knit, craft inventory. I have more than I thought. I have 16 sets of crocheted pot holder sets alone. I am just trying to make more room upstairs.
On my bedside table . . .
I cleaned it off! Just my clock, photos, water and throat lozenges (yeah, still dealing with that).
On my TV . . .
The Secret: Dare to Dream
Listening to . . .
80's
On the lunch plate . . .
-have no idea yet
On the dinner plate . . .
Four beans and sausage (crock pot meal)
On the menu . . .
On my reading pile . . .
Nothing this week.
On the To-Do List. . .
What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating. . .
Shopping frustrations - errand days. We finally got some wood returned to Menards, picked up trim to finish the final bit in the living room, bought a new light bulb socket for the stairway (kids ripped the pull chain completely off years ago), restocked some things we were out of, picked up new outlet covers and what not.
We also made another donation drop. Woohoo to that.
I went looking for 1/4inch ribbon at Wal-mart for $.47/roll vs. $1.99/roll at our local Meijer. I have looked at two stores now for this.
However, they were completely out of white, baby blue, pink, and almost all other colors I need. I will have to check other locations. I guess I have all year to look for it. My total focus this year is the house/outdoor projects.
I ruined my slippers in the washing machine, and had trouble finding a new pair (affordable) in my size. I'm sure Kohl's had some nice ones, but I'm not paying $30 and up for slippers. Our grocery store had some really nice ones, but again, out of my big foot size. I found a gray pair at Wal-Mart that will do for now.
Speaking of lack of supply, we had to go to 3 stores to find organic tahini (in fact tahini at all), two stores to find organic canned mushrooms, and two stores to find organic yellow onions.
The weather here is fantastic! We are in the upper 50's and the chickens are loving it. We are getting eggs again thankfully.
Many years ago, I bought a bottle from either Pampered Chef or Tupperware, that allowed me to spray oil into pans etc. However, it clogged up, and never worked even after cleaning. It was many years ago. I also believe with that container, you added only oil (vs. a mix of oil and water).
I decided to look into making spray oil myself. I have been buying organic spray, as it's just the two of us. I have noticed though, the spray cans hold very little, run out quickly and are costly. They also create trash.
I purchased amber glass spray bottle online, and made my own. 1 part a good quality olive oil (or oil of your choice) to 5 parts water. So simple, saves us money. Also, no added ingredients. Just shake it up and spray. Oh, the bottles I bought have a sprayer with a "mist" option (bought on Amazon).
Do you have a tip to save money in the kitchen? I will be giving an update on using this homemade spray oil, after using it for a few weeks.
Crocheting has been temporarily paused, due to a catastrophic event with my mug of hot tea. Sigh. I had to take out the color of yarn I was adding, fasten off, and literally wash the blanket. I also had to change clothes, and wash my slippers. Oye, by husband got a hoot out of that as he walked in from work.
However, he also burned the grilled sandwiches on the stove. Not his fault either. We not have a problem with one burner on our stove (over heating). The burner is fully hot red with the knob on 2. Not what we needed right now.
If we can't a new panel that controls the knob to the burner, we'll be looking (gulp) for a new stove. It's the burner I can with as well. It is not the burner itself, but the controls sent from the knob, that is connected to that specific burner. Just another "fix-it" to the list (or replace).
Update on using propane heat in the main part of the downstairs vs. electric baseboard (or wood stove back up). We turned the new heat source on back on Dec. 23rd, but had no heat in there for that entire month, using camper heaters to work in there (installing flooring and painting).
The last electric bill was high due to using the heaters (will invest in a specific portable heater for future winter projects). Anyway, the electric bill arrived yesterday, and this time it was $156.00 lower than the previous month. We are considering adding a smaller propane heater now in the other lower half of the house. By doing this, it turns off all electric heat downstairs, and will save us even more money. It is a drier heat (I run cool mist humidifiers), but I have to say, I do NOT miss hauling wood all winter long.
We have the highest electric in the county. We are unable to switch that source due to location. I think spring would be a great time to snag a good price on a smaller wall heater as well. It's on the list now.
I put this job off all summer long. I make home canned reduced sugar grape jelly, using organic non-sweetened concord grape juice.
I don't need a lot, and it's nice to have on hand. Another winter job checked off the list.
I started to clean the wood flooring upstairs. It will take some time. I have to clean then move stuff and clean, and move it back etc. I won't be up there every day either. I also have to scrub the floor first, then clean with a odor remover spray due to pet urine (sigh).
There is a plan in place.
Question for those with chickens. We are going to be building a new coop, but prefer not to hook electric up to it. Can anyone suggest solar operated heat lamps? Are there ones better than others?
I'm also seeking suggestions for a battery operated coffee brewer (single or pot). I think we could use one. We've had way too many power outages here.
In the midst of moving everything from room to room, in order to get floors repaired, my cut barn siding boards were unburied.
I cleaned them up with vinegar water, and let them dry for a few days. I had the brainy idea to paint words on them for a craft show addition. These boards have been floating around the house for several years (like about 5 years now), so it was on the "get'r done' list.
The power went out around 8am yesterday, and it never came back on until after noon. I was lucky I had just brewed some coffee.
There was an accident with poles down, wires hanging, and then a substation shut down for a while.
Luckily, my portable charger was charged, and I could not only charge my phone, but my neck lamp too.
