Frugal Friday Week #14
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I always feel like I post many how-to’s and not many “real lifes”. Although I do try and incorporate that into my newer posts, I’ve often thought that it might be even more helpful for my readership to get a better glimpse inside of what our simple/homestead/from scratch/frugal life really looks like.
Frugal Friday Week 14
So I’ve started a new series called Frugal Friday and need your help. My idea for this series is to share some of the projects/recipes/things we worked on this week and, in general, just what life looks like.
I need your help because I’ve tried something similar before, and I gave up after a while. I got bored, felt like no one was reading it or cared, and I moved on to other projects. So what I need you to do each week is to share what your week looked like in the comments section. I think it could keep us ALL accountable and may serve as an encouragement to others!
So let’s dive right into this week!
Meals We Ate
As I mentioned last time, this summer, my meal plans will be more of an overview because they aren’t as much meals as pieced-together things that we eat from the garden!
This past week we worked on eating up very random things from the freezer and fridge since we don’t have much from the garden yet. I did several “Big Plates” which is just a big plate filled with various foods. I even made one for breakfast using random frozen bagels, hashbrowns, and fruit. The kids love those! We also made several sandwiches and ate most of our meals outside on the deck.
Shopping I Did
No shopping this week since I didn’t go to town; however, I did start getting in my tree orders back from December of last year! I ordered 18 fruit trees for our new orchard area (apple, pear, crabapple) and about 120 other trees and shrubs from the Conservation District, which we are picking up today (roses, currants, shade trees, and a few more that I can’t remember).
Outside Projects We Worked On
I planted some of the onions and the leeks outside this week. Still, more to go, but I need more garden beds made. Working on the new garden is our weekend project, so we have extra help and a rented post-hole digger/large skid loader on its way today to get things worked on.
We did some small garden projects like tilling older beds, weeding around some of the berry plants, asparagus, and rhubarb, and filling up existing raised beds with more compost and soil. We are at the point in the spring where I’ll be planting something or working on garden beds every day. It’s a big project but the payoff will be worth it!
Not a project but we had some outside fun this week as well! Our motto in the summer is that we work hard and then we play hard. We took Tuesday afternoon off from working since it was a beautiful 70 degree day (first of the season!) and went offroading.
We also started work again back at our dig site near one of the old homesteads on our land. We did that quite a bit last year until the ground froze. The kids and I dig until we find several things and then we come back to the house and do research on the items we found. This week we found a casserole dish, an enamel saucepan, mother-of-pearl buttons, a shoe shine bottle, several medicinal bottles, a large washtub, and more metal pieces than I can count. If you haven’t seen my videos on the homesteads I can post them. They have been abandoned since the 1930s.
Inside Projects We Worked On
I forgot to mention last week that I planted the rest of the plant starts: cucumbers, melons, and squash. Now it’s time to start planting everything outside!
I kept working on my cleaning out this week. I’ve already cleaned out about 15 boxes of stuff for our rummage sale! It’s amazing that even though we don’t have a lot, I can still always find a LOT to clean out.
We had our last day of school this week as well, thankfully! I know many homeschoolers go through the summer (which we are doing math all summer) but we do other things instead like offroading, camping, adventuring, hiking, gardening, and canning.
Blog Posts I Wrote
Canning posts take me a while, so I didn’t get much else worked on this week! I’ll have more for you next week.
- Canning Mushrooms – Finally getting up this tutorial. Canning mushrooms is easy!
- Homemade Cloth Pads – Updated this popular sewing post!
- Cloth Pads Extended Pattern – Not a blog post but a brand new pattern in my shop with extended sizes of the cloth pads that I sew!
Looking Ahead to Next Week
This weekend will be big for working on the new garden area and making the new no-till beds. Once they are in, this next week will have more planting for things like corn, beets, carrots, etc.
I’m hoping to get some meal prep done this weekend as well during the times when it’s raining and I have to be inside.
So tell me….what did life look like for you this week? What did you do, make, or plan to do?
Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to the 100-acre farm and ministry on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.
We only have a two acre property in Michigan, so I’m not anywhere near the scale your homestead is at with your 100 acres. Although, I would love to have that much land with a partial forest pn it. Sounds like a dream. We did add two pear trees this spring – planted two apple and a crabapple tree last year. We also got 26 trees from the conservation district and four flowering pear that we planted throughout our yard. My seedlings just started a couple weeks ago as we have to wait until after Memorial Day to plant outside due to frost danger. Between the rain, the wind, and, yes, the occasional snow, our spring has been off to a rough start with weather going from 70 to 30 to 50 and back to 30 degrees. We are positively itching for some consistent warm weather. Our yard feels like a soaked carpet right now due to the clay content in the soil preventing adequate drainage. We may build some dry wells in the worst areas this summer, but we need to wait for the ground to dry as clay gets impossibly heavy the wetter it gets. I’m digging out a flower garden on the East side of one of my garages that will be filled with daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, and irises. Perennials so I don’t have to keep planting every year – I like not having to do more than weed and water year after year. Other than that, we are planning a camping trip to the UP, a trip home to Minnesota for a family reunion, and waiting for a bit warmer temperatures to take our boat and kayaks out on the water. Hopefully this weekend the weather starts improving as we want to start redecorating our camper, building another garden box for my garden, building a bucket garden for my tomatoes, and painting my coop and shed. We will continue to work on things inside and outside our house while still trying to camp, fish, and swim (with a nice fruity drink in hand) this summer. We have only been in Michigan a couple years, but we are working hard to lay down some roots.
I also live in Michigan and feel your pain. Two weeks ago we actually hit 90 for three days in a row, then sunk back down into the 30’s and snow showers. It sure makes it tough to get motivated.
Looks great! I remember our homeschooling days and adventuring together. We also tried to be simple living too. Gardening never entered our days much though. I enjoy hearing about your new gardening developments, as I am gardening now. So are my son and daughter in law. I also enjoy hearing about new sewing patterns, as I am moving rapidly into that too.
While busy, I love this time of year. It’s a time of new growth, signaling we made it through another winter. I’ve been busy planting my raised beds, making new ones and filling with dirt and harvesting the first asparagus.
Your energy amazes me! What a great week! Love your garden kitty!!
Thank you for the post and all of the sharing you do.
We are also getting some stuff planted. A little late, but Northern California has not cooperated. Record rainfall, storms, freezing weather, and last week it hit 91 degrees! Tough to know when to plant. Each and every year we tell ourselves this will be the year we build a greenhouse, but…
Hopefully we will have a long enough summer for everything to produce.
We are also in the middle of a long overdue construction project on our home. Woodpeckers and dry rot have made much of the structure unsound.
Homesteading aint for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.
These Frugal Friday posts are one if my favorites. They motivate me to get something done, even though right now it’s hard between the fluctuating temps, snow and rain. So far we’ve only been able to remove the mulch from the raised beds and get beets, radish and turnips planted. Rhubarb stalks are about 5 inches long, but no asparagus yet. So, right now I’m living vicariously through your garden 😀
Hi Merissa:
It has been a very warm and dry week here. Wildfire season has already started since there has been no moisture since the end of March. I got my planting started. Tomato starts are out as are the celery and the marigolds and petunias that I managed to grow from seed collected last fall. I am in the process of preparing the two back veggie plots but I will need to water thoroughly before planting as the ground is incredibly dry. I will be planting the rest of my veggies over the weekend and next week. If anyone knows how to magically send rain from those places that have had an overabundance, feel free to send it to western Alberta.
Hello! I am sorry I have been MIA the last 2 months. My mom passed away in March. Was very much unexpected. My daughter and children are going thru a family crisis. So I have been traveling, crying, traveling, crying quiet a bit. I am still working on cleaning out my freezer so it is simple meals we are making for my husband and I. We have get togethers with friends often, so I am offering freezer foods and veggies to help clean out my freezer! My husband and I have been stressed and sad, so we are taking this time to reflect on our lives and family. Summer is here now (south Louisiana) and we are enjoying the comfortable days before the summer HEAT is upon us. I didn’t get to start a garden this summer because of our tragedies, but I do have garlic waiting to be pulled, and several tubs of potatoes. Hoping to get just a little of this. I am slowing working on my potted plants, repotting them and giving them some tlc. Always enjoy your blog!!!!
I’m so sorry to hear that Debbie <3
I love these posts. I actually love hearing about your week. I have a very small yard but have wanted a homestead for years and years, so I am living vicariously through you! I’m very excited about all your new fruit trees and other trees and shrubs! That’s a big deal!
As for me, I do have a tiny garden that I’ve been weeding and definitely need to start some greens. I did buy some grow bags this year to try to expand the garden onto the back patio. I’m hoping to have more success growing root vegetables in those than in my garden where the soil is apparently too compacted or rocky.
Thank you for your post. It gets me excited and motivated!
We only have a modest garden but hubby has been very busy to prepare the planting. In our region, we can only sow and plant mid-May. My dream of 15 years finally came true: 4 chicken moved into our brandnee coop this week. I am very happy.
Hi Marisa, I love hearing about your adventures on your Homestead. I have an excellent YouTube video and I am recommending for you to watch it’s called back to Eden gardening by Paul Gautschi And details how he does his gardens. My husband and I were blown away by how easy it is. I hope you will watch it and reap the benefits of his method.
Busy week for me in Bemuda. Worked outside in between showers and unsettled weather this week.
My container vegetables are doing great, with little cherry tomatoes on my vine, and harvesting
Kale, lettuce and chive as needed. I bought one seedling of each as it is just me, and have already
Had my monies worth. My daughter has had great luck with snow peas, and is harvesting already.
Inside, I have some rosemary sprigs rooting, to pot and share, and have been going through my
Husbands things, as he is in nursing home. Have given things away, repurposed some, rest is
Going to charity shop. I had an ornate wrought iron gate taken down on a proprty we own.
It is door height with a rounded top and was put up by my husband around 1965. I have gifted
It to my daughter who has just bought an old Bermuda home. It is my house warming gift to
Her, and she is so excited to have it. Thrifting this week scored me a new pair of shoes for $4,
And a pair of black summer pants, and a top for $2 each. My splurge was a lavender plant for
$5 which i will take slips from once it grows a bit, and pot them for gifts down the line.
Down time is spent stitching on several projects I have going. A very satisfying week !
I am enjoying frugal living!!! Regards, Sue
Is the lavender plant calming? Does it have a mild or strong scent?
What kind of stitching do you do? I enjoyed cross stitch. But now, I just assemble, pin, and tie quilts for disaster relief. Another member sews. I help with other phases. It is cool here in Wisconsin USA. Happy Frugal Adventures! Chris
Merissa I got several things done before my trip to Minnesota with my two daughter to visit my granddaughter first off before I left I canned carrots from my garden and also some Chicken Marsala got 7 quarts for my pantry Weeded my garden again the dollar weeds are taking over !!!
My chicks are growing and soon will be outside in the bigger pen. I also have 4 guienas setting so anyday I’ll be getting more of these guys Did some sewing and baking last night we had squash and stuffed cabbage all from our garden My trip to Minn was so great got several thrift items as well as some wonderful teas and I went into the Watkins museum and got some vanilla so I have been busy, here in the south it’s hot and have been very windy Keep up the good work!!
What do you do w/ your rhubarb? Do you freeze it? (I need some gluten free recipes–THANKS))
I have a bunch of rhubarb recipes here: Easy Rhubarb Recipes for Spring
I love collecting old bottles! I have many that were found on my husbands family farm.
I really appreciate your emails and blog! I’ve learned a lot and am encouraged to be more frugal and self-sufficient.
I really enjoy reading your posts, Melissa, and I think you are doing an amazing job. We are on a very small section now, so are just thinking of what we can grow in tiny spaces and maybe a planter box. I am thinking just salad greens and herbs mainly. We do have 4 expalliered fruit trees here from the previous owner, one of which is a dwarf Peasgood Nonsuch heritage apple. A lovely apple for both cooking and eating. We are in Autumn here in NZ, so not much producing now. However, I have spring bulbs popping up all through the garden, which is exciting.
I’m laughing as I look at the picture of your “garden cat.” I have a tuxedo cat as well (Nemo — named not for the fish, but for the captain of the submarine Nautilus in Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). This penchant for stretching out all over their people must be a tuxedo thing because that’s just what he does, too!
Your Prairie Pasque flowers are so amazing. I’ve never seen anything quite like them! And I would love it if you could post some video of what you all are finding on your digs. I guess I’m what would be referred to as an “old soul” — I love history and old things. I’m currently reading some diaries of women who moved westward in the wagon trains during the 1850’s and 1860’s. I wonder if they saw some of those beautiful flowers ❤️
I’ll try listing a few frugal things we did this week….
Meals: I cooked all of our meals at home except one. I took my grandson to swim practice & bought chickfila after for us & my son. My husband was working that evening.
Earlier this week we had a park day so I packed a picnic to share with friends.
We also enjoyed some free eggs & Mandarin oranges that were given to us.
Outside projects: not many. I did prune some vines that are growing on a dogwood tree in our woods. We’re building a new house there this year & the tree will be close to my new front porch so I want to save it.
Inside projects: I’m working through my craft room, trying to get rid of stuff. Otherwise I don’t have any projects going on.
Ha…not too exciting. Here is what I did do…..
I babysat my grandson 4 days this week. We: had some art days, read a lot of books, played outside, ate a lot of meals & snacks together, played with the dog, played with friends, told knock knock jokes, played board games & cards, watched some tv….just general preschool stuff.
I finished up our houseplans with our architect & picked them up!
I did a lot of research on flooring, bathroom fixtures, lightbulbs, doors & windows.
I wrote some letters & got them in the mail.
I’m not growing a garden this year. Between babysitting, building & we’ll be away from home quite a bit this summer….& my neighbor has started feeding the deer so they’re sleeping in my garden these days….I’ve decided to let it go. When we finish our traveling in June I may plant some things for the summer & fall.
I used leftover beef roast from our Hereford heifer for a beef barley soup with snap peas and green beans from our garden (freezer), carrots, onions and celery.
My husband bought 10 lbs russet potatoes for $2.49 so I made a cold potato salad.
I made dandelion water for my coffee. It reduces sugar cravings.
I love white clover tea to reduce hot flashes but it is too early for white clover.
Ramps (little garlic onions) are growing in the woods.
I have been cutting old t-shirts into rags, and spring cleaning in my kitchen and master bathroom. My son is a great helper. My husband doesn’t help since he makes and piles wood now. Plus, he grocery shops, gardens, and made the maple syrup for gifts. We also can and freeze many items in summer and fall.
Look forward to reading all the posts. Thank you!
We had rain/snow Monday and Tuesday this week and thankfully it hit 70 degrees today. I have been hardening off my seedlings so I can plant them hopefully next week. My kids and I made 2 more raised beds this week and need to get them filled. I did get my planters filled with flowers for the front porch and back deck, I am so excited to see the beautiful flowers! I spent some time in the kitchen this evening to get food prepped for the weekend, I’ve been trying to do that so I don’t have to cook on the weekend, it’s been so nice! We’ve been doing lots of yard work in the afternoons and evenings. We have about 70 trees to get planted this weekend also.
Hello, I love your Frugal Friday posts. I always enjoy reading them and the comments that follow. This is my first time commenting 🙂 I am not planting until this coming week…our spring weather was extremely wet and chilly and over the years I have found it is just best to wait until around Mother’s Day to plant here on the Oregon Coast. The kids and I are planning some hikes through the pasture/wooded areas on our land this coming week as it looks like a pretty nice weather wise. I always (well almost always) cook from scratch and really appreciate your recipes. It is hard sometimes as it necessitates a bit of planning but with your, and other blogs, help I feel like I am finally hitting my groove in the kitchen lol Have a great week. May everyone’s weather be warm but not toooo warm with lots of fun and happy learning this week
Hi Merissa – Love your post this week! We live in SW MN and we got our garden tilled today and hope to start planting tomorrow! We have a couple spears of asparagus that are up too. We do need rain here. Looking forward to your canned mushroom recipe! Wondering if you have ever considered getting a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer (or another brand)? Thanks!
Denise
Hi Denise, I actually bought a Harvest Right freeze dryer last year and ended up selling it. I didn’t feel like I could use it enough to justify the cost and it was so loud. We had to keep it in the house because we don’t have a garage or basement and I had to keep it going all the time to try and make it worth it so the noise was constant. I’m hoping that eventually the prices will go down to make them more reasonable.
I”d love to see those homestead videos…
A neighboring community had their Herb Day this weekend so my oldest daughter and I went and bought more than I intended! I always do. I have two new raised garden beds and yesterday was sunny so I got almost everything planted. A couple of things will go in pots that I need to buy soil for so a trip to get that (and other things) is planned for today. I’m still trying t find places for my pots this year since we tore off our deck last weekend in preparation for installing a paver patio this summer. Both my husband and I work in a public school (not teachers so no summer off) and life will get more relaxed once kids are out of school. Meanwhile, finding little bits of time each day to add outdoor chores is getting easier.
Merissa, I love your frugal blog. This week I made your chocolate syrup and my husband says it is better than Hersheys. We got our very first yellow squash out of the garden this week, So excited about that and it looks like the boxes will have a bumper crop if the weather continues to cooperate. Hope the nice weather will help your garden too.
Hi Merissa,
I love reading your Frugal Friday posts! I would love to see more of what you and the kids dug up. How fun to be an archaeologist! I would also be interested in seeing the homestead videos.
I live in zone 7B. We have had a wet cold start to the summer. We just planted 6, 64 ft. rows of green beans, 1 row (half and half) of zucchini and yellow squash, 4 rows of purple hull peas, 2 rows of kandy corn. All of that was direct sow seeds. The plants are next. 5 eggplant, 18 tomatoes, 18 peppers of various types, and i couldn’t resist some herbs. We have a brand new herb garden so I have Italian and Greek Oregano, rosemary, 2 types of lavender, sage, thyme, chives, catmint, dill, and chamomile. I think that’s all. Oh yea, a separate pot of sweet basil and purple basil. No real rain now, of course so we are watering. No okra yet and room left for the cucumbers and cantilope. I want to grow Chinese luffa and long green beans, also a Chinese fav. easy peasy!
Hi Merissa. This week I made a trip to my favorite garden shop. It is only open May-July, so it is a bit of a treat to pick up some things from them. I picked up another peach tree (we plant 1-2 each year due to the price unless I can find them on clearance near the end of the season so we can afford to add more than that). Also got a some lettuce, spinach, peppers, and a bunch of flowers. I start most of those from seed too, but picking up a few that can go directly into the ground or planters that have a jump start when we can use them and that gives us a longer season. The lettuce and spinach are in containers on the porch so they are protected from bunnies and deer. Did a little cleaning in the barn, but that and the deep cleans in the house are coming up the next few weeks. I am in school and we have a three week break starting on Monday.