My New Pantry

Hello lovelies,

So I've been shopping the sales and stocking up on basics.

This is my starter pantry:

It's getting there; I've been stocking it with items I use everyday, and also with those that store well long term.

I've noticed regular shortages at the various grocery stores I frequent. For instance today lettuce and lemons were sold out. Lemons, really? I just wanted one for a bread recipe, lol.

Anyway, are you stocking up? All indicators point to tough times ahead.

I'm just doing all I can should the fecal matter hit the oscillating device. 

Cheers!

It's Coming!

The pantry is finally finished! I can't wait to show it to you!

Pictures comin' at ya soon!

Here's a sneak peek!

Have a great night!

Sneak Peek at the New Pantry

 Hello sweet friends!

Hope you're all doing well. Life here is good and productive, so I thought I'd show you the progress on the new pantry.

Just the floor left to go. We're doing a vinyl plank flooring because it's waterproof which is perfect for basements.

What do you think of the door?  The hardware will knock your socks off!

Stay tuned!

The Anemones Are In Bloom

 You know it's Fall when . . .

I'm hoping for rain today.

The garden has a thirst this time of year that only mother nature can quench.

Keep in touch,

Food Storage, No Dig Gardening, And A Cow Named Rosie

Hi Everybody,

I've been busy with the garden, and grandchildren and well, life.

The girls

I have a few things on the go to tell you about, and the first is a food storage room (or pantry) that I'll be working on once the weather turns and I can no longer play in the garden.

It's a room in the basement that is pretty much empty now, and needs some TLC.  I'll be cleaning and painting and making it pretty. The shelves are definitely not-pretty so we'll see what I can do about that.

Future pantry

You are probably asking WHY?

All I can say is that I'm currently compelled to do so.

I've been feeling very 'nesty' lately.

I'm also working on a no dig flower bed that I will plant in the Spring. The cardboard kills the grass and will decompose over the winter months, the brick is just to hold the cardboard down in the wind; it will be removed when the triple mix (soil) is added.  It's less work than digging and better for the soil and my back.

No dig flowerbed

And finally, Rosie is now finished; I'm not completely happy with her eyes (she looks sleepy to me) but here she is:

Rosie

I'll be hanging her in the food storage room along with other paintings; my next project is a rooster.

Hope you're all doing well in these mad, mad times we're living in and that my shenanigans haven't bored you to tears.

Keep in touch,

FREEDOM

Good morning everyone,

I got up at 6 a.m. today (as is usual), took Ben out for a pee, and had my first cup of coffee.  As soon as it was light, I went out into the (chilly) morning and proceeded to 'play in the dirt'.

I moved plants that have not done well this season to sunnier/shadier homes, hoping that in the Spring, they will be happier and make me happier in return.

It's all about give and take in the garden; as it is in life.

I put in a tiny flagstone path, watered the transplants (with pee water) and enjoyed my second cup of coffee, outside this time, to enjoy the view and appreciate my hard work.

As I sipped, I thought about freedom; the freedom of movement in particular, and how lucky I am that my 62 year old body is able to serve me pain free.

I take nothing for granted.

And I'm forever thankful.

A Half Way Finished Blanket

Did you grow up with one of these draped across the back of your couch?

I did.

I wish I had a picture of it, but I can see it, folded neatly on my mother's very brown, very tailored sofa, in all its brown, beige and orange glory.

As you can see, my colour pallet is very different from my her's.

Anyway, I'm feeling very nostalgic lately, and so here it is ... a half way finished blanket; a nod to happier times.

An attempt to comfort myself.

I'm longing for a simpler time when we knew what was what, when we believed in our country and took our freedoms for granted.

Will we ever know that kind of innocence again?

STAYING SANE

Hello everybody,

How are you coping these days?

I've been baking to distract myself. Mostly bread and cinnamon rolls.

I've also been growing vegetables and spending lots of time outside; pruning, weeding and babying my flowers. It's such a treat to lose myself in the garden for a few hours.

I'm also painting and recently started crocheting a blanket.

How are you staying sane in these insane times?

I'd love to hear from you so please share.

The World Is A Different Place

Hello everybody,

Well, it's been a while hasn't it since my last post?

I think you'll agree that the world is a different place now only a few months later .  .  .

.  .  .  and so are we.

As I said in that long ago post back in January, the only thing I can think to do is be kind and patient with myself - and with others as well.

Again, I urge you to do the same.

And now, for a little humour:

Blessings,

January ... thank God it's almost over

Well, it's almost the end of January. Good riddance, I say!

My mood seems to have lifted a bit but I'm still not myself. I'm not who I was in December, that's for sure.

My Ben had to have some teeth pulled and that was pretty stressful as he's older and had to be put under; always a risk but with older pets even more so. But he's doing very well, the pain meds and antibiotics are helping I'm sure. He is one tough cookie and I am grateful and relieved.

Other than that, not much new here. The only thing I can think to do is be kind and patient with myself.

I urge you to do the same.

New Year Funk

Well folks, I think I'm near the end of this cold that's had a hold on me for way too long.

Not very exciting or blog worthy but, it is what it is.

I'm not sure the black elderberry did much, but it didn't hurt, I guess. They say it should be taken at the first signs of a cold and I was well into in by the time I gave it a shot.

Other than that not much going on here except that I find myself in a funk. I didn't make any new year resolutions, so that's not it. I've read that by mid January most resolutions are out the window, but not the case here as none were made, so none were broken.

I'm exercising, eating well and life is as per usual. But something's missing ... I'm feeling kind of flat.

How about you? What's going on in your life? Can you relate?

A New Year And A Nasty Cold

Well the new year so far has been been the pits.

Can't seem to shake this nasty cold that gets ten times worse when the sun goes down.

This morning though I started taking something that according to a reliable source, should help.

Black elderberry:

Hopefully I'll get some sleep tonight.

Have you tried it? Did it help you?

I'll let you know if it helps me.

Happy New Year!!!

Linking to: Thankful Thursday