I did some more weeding in the garden this week and finished cleaning out the chicken coup.
I harvested carrots and radishes! The radishes are underneath the carrots. In a couple of weeks, I'll start harvesting the carrots for preserving purposes.
In the Kitchen: We had a cool day in the midst of our warm days this week, so I made a pot of chicken and dumplings. They were so good, and we had enough for leftovers later in the week.
Bible Study: I completed and posted lesson 23 in our ladies Bible study on Esther. It can be found HERE. Lesson 23 wraps up our study on Esther.
Me and My Herbs: I started a few jars of herbal oils. They need to sit in a cool place for about 4 weeks and then they'll be ready for use. I'm anxious for the plantain oil to be ready. I use it on bug bites, stings, etc. I also have mullein oil, chamomile oil and lavender oil in the works as well. I make herbal oils the slow way by filling a pint jar or smaller approximately half full of dried herbs and then filling the jar the rest of the way with olive oil. I make sure to give it a good stir and then top it off with olive oil again the day I make it and the day after. After about 4 weeks I strain it out and either bottle it for use or use it for whatever purpose I have in mind such as salves, soap making, etc.
I strained up some nettles tincture and it's now ready for use. When I think of nettles, I think of allergies. Research indicates that nettles is good for allergies and as an overall spring tonic. I put just a drop or two of the tincture in a smoothie if I don't have nettles powder.
In the Flower Garden: still waiting on that 'warm enough weather' to plant the seeds. It won't be much longer! I looked at the row in the garden that I have marked off this week ... I am patiently or maybe not so patiently waiting to get that row planted! I have a vision of beautiful flowers filling that whole row and of their beauty filling vases in my home and bringing a smile to my face every time I'm near the garden. We mustn't forget that they will also act as a draw for pollinators for the garden. If you asked me, that's 3 pretty important reasons to have a row of flowers in your garden!!! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Continuing Education/Skills: I watched this video on building/having a pantry in a basement and picked up some tips that we could possibly make work for us. We don't have a basement nor a freeze dryer nor are we ever likely too. However, that doesn't mean I can't learn from those who do. If nothing else, it's great inspiration!
I didn't work on my dairy making skills this week, it just wasn't the week to tackle anything more than caring for my hubby and keeping the home fires burning.
Waste Not!: I saved the glass bottles the olive oil was in that I used for making herbal oils mentioned above. They are dark green in color and will make excellent bottles for syrups, extracts and several other things we can make for ourselves. I'm in the soaking them with hot soapy water to get all the oil out and the labels off! This may take a while to get the labels off, but I'm determined. Do you have any idea how much these type bottles cost if you buy them empty!!!
This week’s frugal quote/discussion topic … Instead of allowing ourselves to get down about frugality, why not let frugality drive our creativity! What are your thoughts!
That’s it for this week, what has your week looked like?
until next time,
mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
Sharing 44 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building
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