A Journal of My Days: 6/9/2023

My week got started off on a happy note when I received this gift in the mail from Annabel over at The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.  Aren't these cards just lovely!  I love practical and pretty gifts, and these cards are both!  Thank you again, Annabel!

Let's see what the rest of my week looked like ...

Those cool to moderate days we were enjoying turned into hot and humid days overnight it seemed.  This meant that we had to change over into our summer 'outdoor' working routine.  This looked like us getting up and out early in the mornings to get our gardening and other chores done, then heading inside for the hottest part of the day.

THEN ... about Tuesday, the smoke from the wildfires in Canada hit our area and by Thursday, being an asthmatic, I was in need of medical intervention.  Everything came to a screeching halt as I can't go outside until this is over, and hubby has his hands full taking care of the animals and me.  We were on a roll though, take a peek at what we were able to get done before the smoke arrived ....

In the garden:  we harvested squash, more potatoes, broccoli and some of our storage onions (most of these storage onions are baseball size or close to it, we are very pleased.). 

I divided and repotted some aloe plants I was given earlier in the year after losing all of what I had.  Yes, despite our best efforts, we sometimes have to start over!

I also dug up some rosemary starts and started a couple of small pots for enjoying inside once they're established and growing.  One more thing I did ... I started some basil stems for sprouting with the goal of being able to replant them in the near future.

In the kitchen:  

I used strawberries from our freezer to make strawberry bread.  It was quite delicious!   We ate the 'end pieces' and shared the rest with a family at church.

I also made banana bread!

In the pantry:  my plans were to start preserving potatoes and squash, but it didn't happen! 

In my sewing nook: My plan was to finish my apron, but that didn't happen!

I also planned to finish the binding on the Santa Hat Christmas cuddle quilt I mentioned in last week's post, but that didn't happen either.  

Fitness:  last weekend and the first part of the week went off without a hitch.  I was able to maintain my fitness goals with little problem.  When I got sick, I switched to giving my body some extra TLC and what it needs to heal.  For the person who is serious about maintaining their fitness, he/she must have a plan for when sickness or injuries happen.  That's the mode I'm in right now.

I read this quote and it really resonated with me, not only for fitness purposes but for life in general .... "Ask yourself what you want, then start changing your lifestyle to reflect it." ~ author unknown.

Bargain Hunting:  hubby had to go bargain shopping without me this week and found ground round beef, regular $5.69/lb, on sale for $2.99/lb.  He did good!

Bible Study: I wrote a quote in my Bible while taking notes during a sermon based on Matthew 26:39, And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying.  "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."  The quote from the minister was, "Jesus resolved in His heart to do the will of God regardless of what He was feeling."  The takeaway was, do I resolve in my heart to do the will of God regardless of my feelings?  Jesus clearly didn't want to go through the agony of the cross if there was another way.  It was a thought-provoking sermon.

Reading:  I started reading the Little House on the Prairie series through Libby.  I've never read them all in chronological order, I hope to do that this summer.  I started with the first book, Little House in the Big Woods, this week.

Around the House:  I was in a mood to 'fluff' up my home, using what I have on hand, before I got sick ... I was really enjoying it!

I spray painted this wire basket that I also mentioned in last week's post.  I'm very pleased with the way it turned out!

I hung it on the side of our refrigerator that just happens to be right beside my sewing nook.  I'm using it to hold my fabric scissors and such.  HERE are the magnetic hooks that I used to attach it to the side of the refrigerator.  These are heavy duty hooks!  (I have several pairs of scissors because I needed them when I taught a recent sewing class for tween girls.  I wrote 'fabric' on each pair and explained to the girls why it was important to do so ... to remind whoever picks them up that these scissors are for fabric cutting ONLY! They got a kick out of it and joke and laugh about it to this day!)  The three yardsticks hanging beside the basket were among the stuff we salvaged from our shell of a house when we were emptying if of the junk inside, once we got it moved onto our property.  I use them for lots of 'sewing' related projects as well as other things too!

That's it for this week, how has your week gone? 

Until next time,

patsi @ A Working Pantry

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Sharing 43 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building 

My second blog:  From This Heart of Mine, where I share my love for God and His Word through my personal Bibe study.  Physical preparedness is important, but not near as important as spiritual preparedness.  Join me over at From This Heart of Mine and study God's Word with me.

Items I use in keeping my pantry well-stocked:

Dehydrator

Dehydrator Teflon Sheets

Dehydrator Cookbook

Food Saver Vacuum Sealer

Herb/Coffee Bean Grinder

Manual Food Chopper

Pressure Canner

Canning Supplies

Food Scale

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