The week went swimmingly well. I occupied my time quilting and crocheting and working in the gardens. I pruned trees, raked leaves, and managed the compost all with manual tools. It was a satisfying week all in all. How's that for a brief summary?
In other news:
The big news is that I've been hired part-time at the public library...a book lover's dream. It was actually my first job as a teenager and now I've come full circle back to it. I'm also very pleased that it is within biking distance and a relatively safe course for riding. I will try that out after I get a feel for the job and schedule and such.
Showing posts with label pioneer week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pioneer week. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Pioneer Week #2: Day 3, Tuesday
Yesterday was a lovely day. I cleaned house first, did some laundry which I trotted out to the line...it was a perfect day, sunny and warm. When the chores were done I settled into a chair in the sun to quilt. No noise in the house at all, no music, no TV, nothing but silence.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Pioneer Week #2: Day 2 (Monday)
1. Homemade meals: 100%
2. Energy: I used my iPod, computer, TV (we had severe weather in the area; tornado/flood/hail/etc.)
3. H2O: It rained and rained and rained....beautiful. The rain barrels are full and the garden won't need water for several days! I also didn't do anything strenuous and I smelled okay so, I didn't shower yesterday. WOO HOO!
4. Transportation: I ran several errands...mostly I drove instead of riding my bike because there was an 80% chance of rain and I didn't want to get wet when I was going to apply for a job.
5. Entertainment: I listened to my iPod while I did all my sewing yesterday by hand. I sewed a pillow and a bolster shut along one seam. I tacked a baby quilt, then I started the hand quilting on another baby quilt. I watched TV (see above weather info) while I quilted.
6. Buy Nothing: I bought some fabric, but it is for the making of a gift. I'm making the rules for Buy Nothing and buying supplies to make a handmade gift is okay.
2. Energy: I used my iPod, computer, TV (we had severe weather in the area; tornado/flood/hail/etc.)
3. H2O: It rained and rained and rained....beautiful. The rain barrels are full and the garden won't need water for several days! I also didn't do anything strenuous and I smelled okay so, I didn't shower yesterday. WOO HOO!
4. Transportation: I ran several errands...mostly I drove instead of riding my bike because there was an 80% chance of rain and I didn't want to get wet when I was going to apply for a job.
5. Entertainment: I listened to my iPod while I did all my sewing yesterday by hand. I sewed a pillow and a bolster shut along one seam. I tacked a baby quilt, then I started the hand quilting on another baby quilt. I watched TV (see above weather info) while I quilted.
6. Buy Nothing: I bought some fabric, but it is for the making of a gift. I'm making the rules for Buy Nothing and buying supplies to make a handmade gift is okay.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Pioneer Week #2
I decided to start my own Pioneer Week this week as I wasn't satisfied with my last Pioneer Week. I started yesterday, here's the Sunday summary:
1. Homemade meals: 100%; however, I am not going to waste any food that is in the fridge or pantry, thus, I did cook some faux chik'en strips at dinner. During the course of the day, I had onions, bell peppers, and pomegranites that I grew myself. I also had bread that my mom baked and shared with me.
2. Energy: heat is still off...woo hoo! No TV yesterday at all; however, I listened to my I-pod most of the day and I used the sewing machine (I know that isn't very Pioneer-ish, but I was working on gifts and didn't think I could sew that many by hand in an afternoon...
3. H2O: watered the garden from the rain barrels which are almost empty..there is a chance of rain today...80%, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
4. Transportation: I rode with my mom, but didn't drive myself.
5. Entertainment: I sewed for part of the day. I visited with my neighbor. I read some of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I listened to music. I did not turn on the idiot-box.
6.Buy Nothing: Oops! Well, I bought two CDs, that is I paid for the download from iTunes. Yes, I spent money; however, they are chanting/kirtan which I will use when I teach yoga. I also have totally embraced this "owning" the music, but not actually being able to lay hands on the CD. I love this, I have the music, but I don't have to add another CD to the already overflowing boxes. (I hate clutter). I also spent money on registering for a yoga workshop....I don't think that really counts. Hhmm, I guess since I'm making my own rules here "Buy Nothing" can be whatever I want....Is my goal in Buying Nothing to stop accumulating "stuff" or is it to save money or is it a combo of the two? I think it is a combo, plus yoga related purchases are for business AND pleasure. Arrggh, I might be cheating a bit.
1. Homemade meals: 100%; however, I am not going to waste any food that is in the fridge or pantry, thus, I did cook some faux chik'en strips at dinner. During the course of the day, I had onions, bell peppers, and pomegranites that I grew myself. I also had bread that my mom baked and shared with me.
2. Energy: heat is still off...woo hoo! No TV yesterday at all; however, I listened to my I-pod most of the day and I used the sewing machine (I know that isn't very Pioneer-ish, but I was working on gifts and didn't think I could sew that many by hand in an afternoon...
3. H2O: watered the garden from the rain barrels which are almost empty..there is a chance of rain today...80%, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
4. Transportation: I rode with my mom, but didn't drive myself.
5. Entertainment: I sewed for part of the day. I visited with my neighbor. I read some of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I listened to music. I did not turn on the idiot-box.
6.Buy Nothing: Oops! Well, I bought two CDs, that is I paid for the download from iTunes. Yes, I spent money; however, they are chanting/kirtan which I will use when I teach yoga. I also have totally embraced this "owning" the music, but not actually being able to lay hands on the CD. I love this, I have the music, but I don't have to add another CD to the already overflowing boxes. (I hate clutter). I also spent money on registering for a yoga workshop....I don't think that really counts. Hhmm, I guess since I'm making my own rules here "Buy Nothing" can be whatever I want....Is my goal in Buying Nothing to stop accumulating "stuff" or is it to save money or is it a combo of the two? I think it is a combo, plus yoga related purchases are for business AND pleasure. Arrggh, I might be cheating a bit.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Pioneer Week Update
I suspect I will have to have my own Pioneer Week next week. I've done a little, but not enough, not what I wanted to do. Here's the run-down with explanations.
1. Homemade meals...100%, it is the only way I cook. I tried some no-knead bread, that is decidedly puck-like (as in hockey puck), but it is okay toasted. Other than the bread I haven't tried anything new.
2. Energy consumption: We still don't have the heat on....the temps are all over the place here, some nights as low as the 30s (but above freezing) and days as warm as 80. Some mornings are a little chilly in the house, but as soon as we open the blinds and let the sun in it warms up. We just got an electric bill and it was our 2nd to lowest month of consumption. The total bill was $63.80. Not bad, huh?
3. Water use: I've been showering longer and longer...just really dirty and tired and achy. I need to work on the length of my showers for sure. As for the fall garden, we have watered exclusively with the rain water we captured in barrels. The barrels are almost empty and our chances of rain are slim...hopefully, it will rain just enough to fill the barrels again.
4. Transportation: Sadly in this area I suck, this week. Lots of extra trips to Mom's to work on the chicken coop and now, while she is out of town, to take care of the chicks and the donkey and the dog and the cat. Of course farm chores require that I drive the big truck (though I was able to fill it up for less than $30 today....go figure).
5. Entertainment: We haven't gone out, but because I'm still grieving for Birdy I've spent a lot of time watching TV and of course I watched all kind of presidential election "stuff"...too much.
6. Buy Nothing: haven't bought a thing. Since I work from home teaching yoga and "make" very little money I made the vow to buy nothing a long time ago. Now, I only buy things for myself if they are going to keep me alive...Need versus Want.
I'm set to do this again next week....maybe it will be my theme for the winter.
1. Homemade meals...100%, it is the only way I cook. I tried some no-knead bread, that is decidedly puck-like (as in hockey puck), but it is okay toasted. Other than the bread I haven't tried anything new.
2. Energy consumption: We still don't have the heat on....the temps are all over the place here, some nights as low as the 30s (but above freezing) and days as warm as 80. Some mornings are a little chilly in the house, but as soon as we open the blinds and let the sun in it warms up. We just got an electric bill and it was our 2nd to lowest month of consumption. The total bill was $63.80. Not bad, huh?
3. Water use: I've been showering longer and longer...just really dirty and tired and achy. I need to work on the length of my showers for sure. As for the fall garden, we have watered exclusively with the rain water we captured in barrels. The barrels are almost empty and our chances of rain are slim...hopefully, it will rain just enough to fill the barrels again.
4. Transportation: Sadly in this area I suck, this week. Lots of extra trips to Mom's to work on the chicken coop and now, while she is out of town, to take care of the chicks and the donkey and the dog and the cat. Of course farm chores require that I drive the big truck (though I was able to fill it up for less than $30 today....go figure).
5. Entertainment: We haven't gone out, but because I'm still grieving for Birdy I've spent a lot of time watching TV and of course I watched all kind of presidential election "stuff"...too much.
6. Buy Nothing: haven't bought a thing. Since I work from home teaching yoga and "make" very little money I made the vow to buy nothing a long time ago. Now, I only buy things for myself if they are going to keep me alive...Need versus Want.
I'm set to do this again next week....maybe it will be my theme for the winter.
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