Gardening, Taxes, and Deals!

 

I planted these seed rolls with flowers yesterday and cleaned out the small greenhouse to put them in.  It's an experiment this year ...I'll let you know how they go.

We had our taxes done at the local senior citizens place with AARP.  We have done this for a few years and love it.   It's free and they are very knowledgeable.  I'm glad that's all filed away and over with.  

I bought 7 packages of Dearborn beef franks 16oz hot dogs for $4.34 each and froze them for summer grilling from Flashfood.  When we have the grandkids over hot dogs go fast!    I also bought 5 -1 lb packages of ground beef for $4.50 each.  

While we were at Meijer's I picked up a large scarf for someone for Christmas on clearance for $2.00.  Husband also picked up a winter vest for $3.00.   No telling how much this stuff will cost come this next winter.  

The wind was quite strong this past week and blew down a big tree  down the block, on to the corner of a house.   Doesn't look too bad but of course that's never good.  

I was so glad for the quiet again when the wind stopped.  I believe it also blew in allergens because all three of us have been battling sinus issues since it came. 

Taking a lead from Annabel from The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm  I decided to let the parents give the candy for Easter and I bought them things they needed.  The pretty girl needed wanted new pjs, crocs, and she also wanted socks like me (they are very soft).  The tall boy will get shoes and maybe some money for his games.  I will still give them some candy but not too much.  

Pretty girl stayed overnight with us (she wakes up pretty) ...She wanted pancakes with fruit.  I happened to be out early and bought the pancakes at McDonald's.  She never knew, she just thought I could make perfect pancakes.  

One day I'll show you tall boy...oh my he has grown.  He is coming over to clean the coop for me this weekend.  I'll also have him help me move the compost bins out of the flood plain and up by the garage.  It will help a lot when we clean the coop and put other compost in there.  Right now it's very hard to walk back there.  Not sure why I never did this before.

How's your week been?

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It's Mud Season, Seed Starting, and Make-Ahead Breakfasts,

Our backyard looks like a small lake, it's definitely mud season.  Walking through this is like sinking in quicksand. You try to step as quickly as you can but if you stop....  One morning I got my boot stuck.... I pulled so hard my foot came out then landed in the mud.  What a mess.  I can laugh now.

I wish the lattice walkway we put down to get me to the chicken run extended further.  I know we have more but we can't get to it...

More rain today!  I think about the people who have had tornadoes and this is small stuff. 

I've planted more onion seeds, strawberry seeds, and cabbage to get started in the house.   I bought this repotting mat on Amazon...saves a lot of mess on the table.

Out in the greenhouse I've planted the greenstalks with lettuce, radishes, and green onions.  I noticed the lettuce is coming up already.

While I was out there I started these seed snails.  I have been seeing these on youtube and thought I would try.  I think I will plant flowers in them.

I'm not motivated in the mornings to make breakfast.  I found that if I make some ahead like waffles, boiled eggs, and overnight oats it helps.  Husband is more happy with a fried bologna or a ham sandwich.  

I bought this dash waffle maker at a sale. This last year, I've also found a dash pancake maker, cupcake maker, bundt pan maker, sandwich maker, and donut one, all at sales.  I tend to use the waffle one the most.

How's your week been?

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog.

Strawberry Jam, Cross stich, and Well problems!

 

I was able to buy strawberries this last week for .99 a quart at Meijers.   

I always get excited when I see this sale because this is how I make my supply of strawberry jam for the year.  I noticed when I cleaned the canning shelf that there wasn't a jar of strawberry jam left so it came just in time!

Drama came right in the middle of this strawberry deal.  The well quit.  No problem the strawberries were staying cool on the porch, just waiting to be used.  Now, I would like to say we were well prepared with water but we still had to borrow some from our nice neighbor.  There are still good people in this world.  You should get to know them and talk to them.

Husband looked and saw the problem part and sprayed some wd 40  on it (I think he might have hit it too-ha ha) and it started working again.  Then the well man came and he replaced the part.  We have water again....then I made the jam.     See everything is good.   Parts and labor were $160.  Not bad for a part replacement on a well.  I would tell you the name of the part but really I have no idea and it's 6 in the morning ...husband is sleeping.  

I did start my onions about a week ago and I'm finally seeing shoots.  I haven't started anything else.  It's really too early here I will start more seed maybe at the end of March.

Before all this happened I was lazily doing my cross-stitch baby blanket.   I know no one that is having a baby right now so I can get it done without pressure.  This will go in my gift closet.

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

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When the Grandkids Lunches Came by the Bus -Pandemic Memories 2026

 

I was cleaning the shelves full of  canning jars (I have two and half shelves full of vegetable garden blessings and a lot empty jars) when I came across a jar of Peach Jam.  Yep, a dusty jar of wonderful Peach Jam from 2020! Somehow this one jar escaped my previous cleanings.  Like how does that happen?   I really don't know but the memories came flooding back ...What a year to remember and one I'm sure we would all like to try to forget.  

I put it back after cleaning and started to remember what it was like then, just six years ago.  I was supervising homeschool for our two grandchildren and we were getting their lunches delivered.  It took me awhile to remember how we got them but then I remembered putting on my mask and walking out to meet the school bus that delivered school lunches every day or so.  Now the kids don't go to my district but I called them up and they said no problem you can still get school lunches delivered for them.  It was amazing how that all came to pass and what a blessing that was.

The kids wouldn't eat the little plastic cups of fruit so I made peach and mixed berry jam.   They had the jam with toast and peanut butter sandwiches and loved the flavor.  They had no idea where it came from.  It kind of cracked me up at the time.  It was good.

Don't worry we are not going to eat that jam in that last jar from 2020...it's getting dumped in the trash but the memories will remain.

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

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The Mini Ice Age, Book and Bread Sale, and Spring Cleaning!

 

So, one morning after feeding the chickens I started to come back into the house and noticed the handle on the screen door was frozen.  I went inside and grabbed my phone so I could show you guys what terrible cold we are dealing with (like most of the country).  As I came out, the door shut real good, and I couldn't break the ice off the handle.  I was stuck outside in my housecoat.  I had to walk around the house to the back door and my daughter let me in.  I really must start dressing properly before going to feed the chickens.

I bought three books at the library book sale this past week and the cookbook at Habitat for Humanity.  I paid a $1.00 each.  I'm loving the cookbook.  I wish I was at the library book sale the first day but I felt the roads were too bad.  I'm thankful for what I found but it would have been a better selection.

 

We went to the Aunt Millie's Bakery store yesterday and happened upon a buy 1/get 1 free sale on the low carb bread that we love.  So we stocked up on that plus we bought hamburger/hotdog buns, bagels, and cinnamon swirl bread for a good price.  

They were closing for a week to do some repairs and yesterday was their last day.  Someone put their car in drive instead of reverse and ran into part of the store.  I'm not sure why or how that happened but how scary.  Thank God no one was hurt.  That's my interesting news this week.

Really not much going on except I'm still Spring Cleaning.  I finished organizing the pantry and a closet.   This week I hope to get to another closet and wash down the kitchen cabinets.   I love to Spring Clean/organize right now because as soon as the mini ice age is over I'm going to be in my garden.  This weather mess will all be forgotten.

What's it like where you are?

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

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I Know What I Said but....

                                             

I know what I said, I don't feel like Spring Cleaning but I did.  First, I moved back the stove and cleaned under there, then I cleaned weird things like the teapot and the toaster till they sparkled, and I even cleaned the fridge.  Of course life happened but now I'm back to work on the pantry.

Smokie one early morning, sad that he can't go outside (his tail was in the oatmeal I had cooling for the chickens).

The weather has been cold and snowy (-11 actual temperature this morning) but we are promised a warm up next week.   I'm sad to hear about the people without power and I hope everything gets fixed soon.  I can't imagine and I don't want to imagine.

I'm growing sweet potato vines.  Only one has rooted the other three nothing yet.  I look at them multiple times a day but it doesn't help. Maybe soon. 

How is everything in your neck of the woods?

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

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BRR....

I know so many of us in the United States are freezing right now and I hope and pray everyone is staying warm.  Right now in our part of Michigan it's 1 degrees with a wind chill of -11.  It will get worse they say. Record breaking cold.... Brr.

Some of the ways that we prepared last night for the cold were:  we dripped water in our bathtub last night to prevent frozen pipes. Prevention is key.

The puff is there so we won't hear it drip.   Also there is a small electric heater running in there as well.

We also kept the cabinet under the kitchen sink and dishwasher door open.  

What do you do when there is nothing to do but stare at the snow?  You crochet and sew or do other crafts (like reading).    I started crocheting these hats for charity using this tutorial on youtube.

I bought the snap button puffs she showed here.

I guess you could also start Spring Cleaning but I'm not in the mood right now...

If your in the path of this storm ...try to stay warm.  Some of my suggestions are have plenty of blankets, wear long johns (layer up), flannel nightgowns, keep your head warm with hats, wear gloves, and go to a warming shelter if you need to.

After what I seen on t.v. about the stores, good luck if you need milk and bread.  

**Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden! As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog.