letters from the wilderness
As I pulled my grocery budget numbers together for the first week, I was reminded that it looks like we overspent for the first week and we'll overspend for the 2nd week. However, when the numbers are broken down, it's more complicated. Reminder: I start my budget on Friday, the day after we receive our... Continue Reading →
In my February grocery budget post, I mentioned creating a price book to track prices. Given the rising cost of eggs due to the bird flu and the rising cost of other grocery items as various tariffs kick in, we are going to see prices rise. Prices have already been rising at the grocery store... Continue Reading →
Today, we worked on our compost piles, moving them along for the warmer weather. A few years ago, we set up a 3 bin system with cinder blocks in the back of the property. I think the total cost was about $300 to $400. As an aside, my husband will fix the left bin that... Continue Reading →
In my February grocery budget post, I mentioned doing a March grocery challenge. I am also doing an electricity challenge. In our area of Virginia, our electricity is supplied by Appalachian Power. In our home, all our appliances, heat pump, hot water, lighting, and air conditioning are powered by electricity. Only the stove is powered... Continue Reading →
In May 2024, I challenged myself to reduce our grocery bill. At the time it was about $1,300. At the end of January 2025, I had brought it down to $1,007. Unfortunately, for February, we were back up at $1,320.91. Granted this includes Valentine's Day shopping, dessert for my birthday, pizza from Domino's for my... Continue Reading →
Thanks to warmer temperatures this week, I've been preparing the outdoor beds for spring. Though a week behind, I planted many snap peas and a few sweet peas. I need to pick up more sweet pea seeds this weekend. Anyhoo, I'm still getting accustomed to planting snap peas in mid-February instead of mid-March like I... Continue Reading →
I love, love solar lights. Given Virginia's electricity cost, I am all about finding ways to use solar. I bought this type of light in December for our Christmas lighting. It's worked fairly well illuminating the front of the house, though I may need to move them once the leaves appear on the trees. For... Continue Reading →
This week I’m adding more alfalfa pellets to our flower beds. This brand (40 lb. bag) has been on sale at Tractor Supply for $17.99. So far, I've purchased 8 bags though I could use an additional 8. Why Alfalfa Pellets? I first heard about it through the Virginia Gardening Facebook group. One of the... Continue Reading →
Since we moved the greenhouses upstairs to our breakfast room to avoid the field mouse inhabiting our basement, I've been busy starting more seeds. I'm using a combination of Burpee seed starting trays, trays from last year that held Jiffy seed starting packs, and recycled plant containers. Vegetables and Herbs Started Creeping Thyme Tomato Cabbage... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I made cookies and started a batch of no knead bread for my family. Given the cost of butter and eggs right now, I wanted to try 2 substitutes for fat in the cookies. I substituted bacon grease for shortening in the soft molasses cookie recipe on the left. When I tasted the raw... Continue Reading →
2 dogs and a house 