Isn't it a struggle sometimes trying to live a frugal, simple life? Sometimes so much is going on that it takes time away from the first port of call in this journey: ORGANISATION!
Often so many wonderful things come our way - take the example of all those lovely fresh apricots we were given. We picked two huge boxes of fruit! We've eaten at least 1/2 a box fresh and shared out many with friends, some have been preserved in brandy, but it's been hot and I have not, despite best intentions, finished the job. Today we found some are beginning to get overripe already, only good for stewing. So, here's my confession ... I'm lazy!! Yes, I can make excuses about it being REALLY HOT here lately and not wanting to keep the bottling going to create more heat in the house, but is that really an excuse? Shouldn't I be looking long term and doing the work efficiently today to make life a little easier in the less productive months? Well, all I can say is MUST! finish this job asap.
Other blogs of inspiration have also been prompting me to think more long-term. Bel posted a great article in the Frugal Co-Op site about stockpiling. I'm thinking this is a really good idea. Have you noticed, in your local supermarket, how prices have been hiking up again? We have an ALDI shop just a 15min walk away, and most of my 'basics' went through a price hike, but I was very happy to discover that some things actually also went back down in price a little bit recently. Good incentive, hey? BUT - storage is a problem in our house. I don't have a basement or a linen cupboard. I do have a spare bedroom, come computer room, sewing room, library ... and if I can rearrange all the shelves from the built in robe, I may have room to do some stockpiling there.
Next question is HOW? Well, in response to Bell's blog entry was a link to detailed instructions, including videos, in Simply Living Smart. You can view it here.
Rhonda Jean's Down to Earth blog also has information in part 1 and part 2 of Stockpiling Basics 101.
Well, it's certainly something to think about. As per my usual method of reasoning, I'll list my pros and cons, plus any more ideas of the HOW we could implement this in our family/household. However, the most pressing issue I've to deal with right now are those apricots!! (I wonder what apricot sorbet or icecream would be like?)
UPDATING at 2:35pm - to say we have now finished the apricot preserving. YAY!!
The children and I sat at the table, cleaning, cutting, packing the fruit into jars, and it's all now in the Fowler's Vacola perserving urn. The children got to do a whole jar each, only I don't know if I'll be able to tell them apart once they're cooked. We also couldn't help but munch away at them too, so we probably ate another jar's worth between us. :) But , at least it's all done and I'm not worrying about it all going to waste.
No comments:
Post a Comment