From My Home to Yours
3/13/26
~ yard and garden work and the elephant in the room ... ~
We did the first 'mow the yard' of 2026 last Saturday. That first mow of the year also includes de-wintering the yard ... you know ... picking up all the debris that collects on the yard during the winter months. We did that as well as removed an apple tree that had died along with removing a couple of small trees that were growing in places we didn't want them growing, like in the middle of our grape vines, etc!!
We purchased a 6 pack tray of cabbage plants (there were actually 7 plants in the tray) and I planted them in one of our raised beds. After planting them and watering them in, I covered each plant with these wire baskets. We battle rabbits and squirrels every year and we're gradually learning out to outsmart them ... this is how we protect our cabbage until they get big enough to not need the protection. Sidenote: We made the decision to buy these first plants and then start seeds of our own for a second planting. We did that this week too!
Along all four edges of the raised bed, I planted red onion plants and in and around all the baskets I scattered radish seeds. We call this intense planting. All 3 of these, cabbage, onions and radishes grow well together ... that's important!
We have a much smaller garden this year, but we are hoping to grow close to the amount we normally do with intense planting and succession planting! All of our gardening this year is in raised beds and containers ... where there is a will, there is a way!
Another intensively planted raised bed! On the outside edge are yellow onions. In the center are two rows of potatoes. The inner side where the arch is is not planted at the moment, but at the end of the month we will plant some type of pole bean that will utilize the arch. All three of these grow well together ... again that's important!
I also planted little marvel green peas in five 25 gallon size containers. I also caged them. The peas are a bush variety, but the cages will keep them off the soil and air flowing through them.
In two other containers, I planted a new variety of carrots that's supposed to tolerate heat better. I hope so and I hope they are tasty as well!
Look at this ... the first nettles harvest of the year! I air-dried these and added them to my pantry.
Look what I found wintering over in the garden! We enjoyed both separately in two different meals this week. They were both delicious!
... and now, let's talk about the elephant in the room!
The gas prices in our area have increased $.75 per gallon in a little over a week. The trickle down effect of this is going to be felt in lots of different ways and places. (This is not meant to be political and any comments making it so, will not be approved. I am not into politics, but I am into preparing as best I can for whatever comes our way.)
As a result ...
We are brainstorming and planning ...
We are tightening our financial belts ...
We are going back to basics ...
We are looking to the future and making appropriate decisions ...
We are sharpening our 'sales' shopping efforts ...
We are focusing on keeping our pantry well-stocked ...
and finally, we are willing to do the work that all of these things require.
Have fuel cost risen in your area? How are you dealing with the trickle down affect?
I continued reading book 5 in the Bregdan Chronicles, The Last Long Night by Ginny Dye. I also listened to The Gown by Jennifer Robison during my daily exercise routine. I'm enjoying listening to this book so much, I want to exercise longer so I can listen longer!!! That doesn't happen very often!! I have a love/hate relationship with exercising. I hate exercising, but love the benefits and the way my body feels as a result.
I completed the 7th block in my patriotic quilt this week. You can read about it HERE along with seeing what else I got up to in my little sewing nook! Ladies, the fifth lesson in our Bible study on Naomi has been posted. You can find it HERE! And now let's turn to our preparedness case study for last week ...
Preparedness Case Study for week #4 ...
In this scenario ...
the family consists of a husband and wife in their mid 40's with 2 children, 8 and 10 years old ...
both of the children have ongoing respiratory issues that are affected by their environment ...
the temp outside is fluctuating between 95 - 100 degrees daily ...
the HVAC unit has gone out ...
after calling the repair person, they were told that parts would have to be ordered ...
They were given a time frame of 5 days before parts would arrive and then another 2 days before the repairs could be made ...
With the unexpected HVAC repairs, this family doesn't have the funds to go stay in a hotel ...
In fact, staying with anyone has to be looked at closely due to their children's respiratory issues ...
money is an issue ...
What would you advise this family to do? How can they make it easier to tolerate the heat, keep their family fed and their children's respiratory issues controlled? What can we learn from this scenario to help us be better prepared?
Here's what you advised ...
Find places that
have air conditioning like the library, shopping mall, church, etc.
Stay in the
coolest part of the home using fans to circulate air.
Drink lots of cold
liquids.
Make sure the
children’s stock of inhalers are in good supply.
Take cool showers.
Put a sheet on the
couch or chairs to make them “feel” cooler to the skin.
Ask around to see
if anyone could loan them a window unit until the repair is completed, don’t
forget to ask the HVAC company as well.
They may have a loaner program.
Focus on keeping
one room cool for the children.
Put a tray of ice
in front of a fan and to blow cold at the kids, keep in mind though that it is
wet air.
Run the AC in an
automobile for a place to cool down.
Let children go
outside in the shade and play with toys, read books or play games. They might need
to wear masks to help with any possible pollen.
Try to keep children calm.
For future
preparedness:
Save for a small
window unit or portable a/c to go in one room.
Try to get children
slowly better acclimated to difficult temperatures.
~ ~ ~
We've looked at 4 preparedness case studies and I tried to include several different elements that could be applied to all of us.
We looked at families/individuals who ...
had a budget amount they could spend on emergency preparedness ...
had a newborn ...
had children with health issues ...
were senior citizens ...
had no budget to work with ...
were healthy and able ...
were middle aged ...
who were new parents ...
who sometimes acted on impulse and without thinking ...
In each of the scenario's we looked at we saw that health, age, mobility and finances played a huge factor in their abilities to weather an unexpected emergency. What I want all of us to take away from these preparedness case studies is that we need to look at our individual circumstances and prepare accordingly. I hope you'll do that and I hope that what we've done as a team/group will give all of us ideas on how to be better prepared for the next time we find ourselves in an unexpected and unplanned situation. I hope you've enjoyed these preparedness case studies and that they have made you think and maybe even prepare a little bit better!
That's it for this week, I hope you've found something in my ramblings that will help and or encourage you in the upcoming week.
Until the next time ...
~ quietly holding the home front ~
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
From This Heart of Mine
Mrs. Patsi on Instagram
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It looks like you are well ahead on growing food this year. It is still a bit early here. We woke up to a heavy frost this morning, so will have to bide our time.
ReplyDeleteFuel prices have certainly shot up here. My husband normally goes into town to do the shopping. We were out of something that we needed for a recipe the other day, so had a change of plan. No point driving into town for one thing. We do have a shop in our village and I think we will be using that more if we only want a couple of things. Yes, the stuff there is more expensive, but it is better to conserve fuel at the moment. We don't know how long this situation is going to go on for and who knows if an emergency situation might require a dash to the hospital?
Tracy, we are making the same kind of decisions about fuel usage. I think it's wise and prudent and we all need an extra dose of wisdom and prudence right now.
DeleteI love your intensive planting method. I am curious to see how that looks and produces once everything fills in. I have done something similar in our regular garden plot- I turned it into somewhat of a permaculture system with lots of mixed plantings. I have been able to incorporate several fruit trees which I plan to keep small through careful pruning. So far this has all done really well for me. In our “pasture garden” several seedlings have come up, which is very exciting, especially considering it was a last minute dash of a thing. Our rows out there are neither straight nor level (we are on a hill), but the grocery budget doesn’t care about aesthetics.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the titles of the books you are reading, I somehow read it as “The Long Lost Night Gown” lol. I am reading The Boxcar Children series out loud to the boys. We all love it. I set out a pretty tablecloth and light a candle and we have some sort of snack or treat while I read. It has become one of our favorite parts of the day.
Kelsey, I love your comment, 'our rows out there are neither straight nor level, but the grocery budget doesn't care about aesthetics.' So very true!
Delete'The Long Lost Night Gown'... LOL ... I think I've miscalled the title several things, but not that one ... yet!
How wonderful that you are reading to your boys and that you're making it a special time. I remember reading to my children when they were young. I read one book so many times that I can still remember 'lines in the book' and can quote them. Precious memories that I wouldn't take anything for ... enjoy this season of life.
Oh those squirrels! We had so many acorns last fall that they will be fat and sassy this year! I wish you well in the battle!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure we have gotten any gas for a few weeks and we use only about a tank a month but the big issue on price here will be in conjunction with the whole house generator. The 500 gallon propane tank will be going in soon and then we will have to fill it. It just kind of makes me sick to think of the cost of it now. It is hard to know which way to jump right now as far as preps and I have seen some who are just in a panic which is not warranted and will not help. I have to look to God for peace right now because we need a solid rock. First thing this morning I got some praise music going and it is bolstering our spirits.
Lana, I'm sure it will be a big expense, but I'm just as sure that when you need the whole house generator that you will be thankful you have it. Also, think of the people around you that you would be equipped to help.
DeleteGreat plan for fighting the panic that seems to be picking up momentum every where right now. I've done that myself! I stand by my motto, we'll work like everything depends on us and pray like everything depends on God. And when I'm feeling really overwhelmed ... I'll put on some praise music and get busy doing what I can where I'm at. None of what's going on now has caught God by surprise, we have to remember that and sometimes remind ourselves of that as well.
Dear Mrs Patsy, your garden looks so nice and you are already harvesting herbs. The gas, oil and electric prices are off the charts expensive. I live in Colorado and our power company raised rates last Nov 2025 going to a time of use peak/non peak system. Any electric used in the evening between five and nine pm costs almost 2.5 to 3 times as much. Also, electric used in the summer costs more than electric used during winter months. We are bracing because I just learned they are planning another 10% (yes, ten percent) increase some months from now to offset improvements to the infrastructure etc. . And now, with the war in iran affecting oil tankers getting through, I am reading that our power company may also have yet another increase due to pending shortages.There is no other company we can use.
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating to raise electricity at five to nine pm when families are trying to get dinner, do homework etc.
And our city raised water rates last year and another 4% increase is effective this year. I am praying for rain this summer.
We have the smallest snowpack this winter in the history of Colorado which means no snowmelt coming down from the mountains in the high country feeding the rivers and lakes and municipal water supplies.
There just was barely any snow to speak of and it's way too warm for March. Our neighboring communities are already developing water restrictions rules and we will most likely have them too. So I pray for rain.
I'm so glad to be of the generation that grew up simple and can be content with what we have and to live as simply as possible. I pray you get plenty of rain for your garden this summer.
Elaine
Elaine, our power company changed to the same thing ... a peak/non peak system.
DeleteI, too am part of that generation that grew up simple and content with what we had. As children, I and my siblings always had age appropriate responsibilities and we were expected to do our part to keep the family unit functioning. Work was part of our everyday lives and even though I didn't always like it, it taught me so many life lessons that have served me well as an adult.
I pray you get enough rain this summer to help you combat the increase in your water rates.
Elaine, here in south Texas most of the towns are under the severest of water restrictions. One major city (where my husband works) is projected to run out of water before 2030. The pastures in the country are bare dirt, not even dead grass. Temps are already into the 90s and the winds are strong, further drying everything and increasing major fire risks. There is definitely a lot going on. I am also thankful to belong to the Lord. He can give rain or provide supernaturally without it.
Delete... Also meant to say we are so grateful to belong to the Lord, and be under His care and guardianship and to have a covenant that includes provision and protection. However difficult these things around us continue to get, He has more than enough for His children. . That's why I am praying for the provision of rain rather than paying the increased and increased again water prices.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Elaine, AMEN! Well said! I will join you in your prayer for rain.
DeleteDear Patsy, Your garden is looking really good. I worked out the conversion of our gas prices compared to yours. Diesel for me car is $10.73 a gallon yesterday. And it's rising. All our distances are long, it is one hour to a shop... both ways. Some harvests are not happening... due to price or no fuel available. Our food supply is soon going to be severely impacted. Love Annabel.xxx
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, those kind of fuel prices would drastically change the way we live. We would have to stay home with a once a week church and then afterwards a grocery shopping outing as our only driving. Fuel prices continue to increase here with diesel rising more rapidly, but the prices are not as high as yours. It's diesel that the farmers will need to run their farm equipment so I'm sure the continued increase will cause some of the farmers in the area to have to make hard decisions. It's something to think about and plan for, for sure!
ReplyDelete