Howdy Ho all!!! It is a glorious morning here in my area. Cool, sun is shining, little humidity, and the birds are singing! It kind of looks a little hazy, but that will burn off as it heats up. We got a nice steady rain yesterday morning - I swear it looks like the tomato plants grew a foot!!!
All are fed, and right now Bitsy is getting a treat - a window open and sitting in the fresh air!
I hope you are all well this morning.
As cleaning and sorting in the last week - I have been reminded (by myself) that we need to use what we have!!! Use it or lose it! The items we have in our freezers, refrigerators and pantries is MONEY. Yep, you spent good money to have those items - make sure you use it. The things you have grown and preserved took time and labor - you don't want to waste those either.
Try to come up with as many ways you can to use what you have. Make it a game. Get the family involved. This prevents throwing away good food and money. Once you start using what you have, just watch sales and clearance and restock as needed.
Make sure to learn to use those leftovers. It doesn't have to be the same thing day after day. It can be re-invented into a new dish or a casserole or soup. Eat them for lunch or breakfast. Just eat them! Don't stick them in the fridge to become the next great science project! LOL
Plan your menus around what you have. ALWAYS shop your home first before going to the store! It truly helps to reduce that grocery budget. Groceries are the one discretionary item in our budget. We can choose how to spend and what to spend on. That isn't always true with the remainder of our bills.
When you do shop - make a list! Along that note - always check clearance as well - you never know what you may find. That is when you add things not on that list. Check ads before going out and buy sale items only if at all possible.
Never shop hungry!
Right now, gardens are starting to thrive and within the month we should all be harvesting lots of goodies. Whether it is tomatoes, zucchini, beans, lettuce, herbs, onions, carrots, etc. USE it! Find new ways to use that item in your menu. Enjoy this time of the year - it ends all too soon.
If you don't grow - think about farm markets or roadside stands. Many folks set up 'honesty' stands - where you can get produce and leave the money for it in a slotted box. Lots of times homeowners or farmers do this around here.
Be smart, be thrifty and use what you have and get CREATIVE. Enjoy the wonders of the season to the fullest.
Have a lovely day - smile - and enjoy the little 'glimmers'.
I can just see Bits in his window, enjoying the fresh air. Better than him being outside, dealing with predators and bugs.
ReplyDeleteShop your house to save money and then get creative! That should be stitched on a pillow...ha! Haven't been to any of the farmers' markets this year. We generally have all we need here. The cucumbers are prolific. Twelve inches long is the average and that's a lot of cuke. We have been eating the yellow zucchini as they ripen. The Farmer planted some beans called 'yardlong'. They certainly grow just like the package said. Haven't prepared any yet but I think they might be good stir fried with some onion and a pepper from the garden. The "Jade" beans that we can have baby beans on the plants. The red raspberries finally have started ripening. I had some with goat yogurt for breakfast. Blackberries are not far behind. Still have some cabbages to harvest. The red cabbages didn't grow well so they will go into the compost.
You are so right about enjoying all these grow-ceries while we can. The season won't last as long as we might like.
Going out to work on the dreaded weeds...again. Enjoy your weekend!
Hmmm - may have to think about a pillow!! LOL
DeleteLovely that you are getting so much wonderful produce right at home. I haven't been to a market yet either, and there is one every Sat. right up the road. Those beans will be super. I now have zucchini coming out my ears - not complaining - just getting creative!
Enjoy your harvest - every bite. Stay cool today!
My garden is far behind y'all's, but we got 1.5 inches of rain last night in a thunderstorm so maybe there will be a growth spurt this weekend? :) Unfoirtunately the deer are watching the garden as well.
ReplyDeleteI tell myself, "Everybody has to eat" and "God feeds the beasts". So maybe my garden is doing God's work? Sigh....
MaryB
Mine is behind a lot of peoples - but I planted Memorial Day weekend. So kind of late. I hope everything starts growing and the deer stay out!
DeleteIt is true but it is exasperating when you work so hard on it.
I am covering my lettuce with dollar tree waste baskets. I had 3 of them from leaving a job and bought 2 more for 1.25. I hated buying them but it is easier and cheaper than fencing at this point. I also found 2 feezer baskets I am putting around some other GROWceries. This is a time to clear out extra and be creative with what God provides.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea. Using what you have. The freezer baskets were good to use too. When I was guarding baby plants I used what wire I had, mesh and whatever there was around. I also covered some plants the metal parts of hanging pots that weren't being used as little domes.
DeleteYes mam, let us all get creative with our gifts we are given & our bounties.
we had zucchini last night, and I picked three nice eggplant, gave some to neighbor.
ReplyDeleteNICE! I have stuff for neighbors this evening when they get home. Zucchini is plentiful at my house!
DeleteI've been harvesting chives for over a month, and my lettuces are still producing. In the heat we've had, they get wilty, but have crisped back up with cooler overnight temps. My tomatoes are starting to ripen -- the first Early Girl round tomato has blossom end rot, but the others still on the vine still look good. My plum tomatoes are starting, too, and look good. There are a couple of green and yellow banana peppers about ready, too. I planted a few onions and carrots, and could probably pull those, but am waiting until a time when I really need them. Love that I have the ability to grow and harvest some of my own fresh produce from my deck garden.
ReplyDelete^^^ Lori K
DeleteGood that you are still getting lettuce. By now mine has always gotten bitter, in years past. I have lots of blooms, not a lot of toms yet. Hope you get plenty.
DeleteIt is so neat to be able to walk out and just PICK! Love it. We are really blessed. You have come up with great ideas for using your deck. You do great.