It's Monday again, that week goes so quickly.

Last week was mostly preserving.

I canned mince.

I canned carrots.

I canned potatoes.

I did get some cards started. 

We ate all our meals at home, tempting though it was a couple of times to go out to eat - even getting take-away felt too hard because there would still be dishes to clean up. In the end, I looked at the meal plan on the fridge, gave everyone a job to do and dinner (and the dishes) was done.

We ate silverbeet and cauliflower from the garden. I picked oranges from our trees. I picked rosemary and hung it to dry. 

Wayne dug out the compost heap and topped up two garden beds. Now we'll let them sit for a fortnight then they'll be ready to plant out.

I didn't get any sewing done. My hands weren't co-operating; I'm hoping this week I'll get my hour a day at the sewing machine. 

Good morning!

All our meals were cooked using pantry ingredients, no need for takeaway or eating out. On the spur of the moment, I used some bread rolls from the freezer to make parmesan garlic rolls to have with dinner one night and they were a hit. 

For lunchboxes I made a batch of choc chip biscuits and two loaves of raisin bread. They like buttered raisin bread as a snack and it's easy to make and cheaper than the  $3.79 a loaf from the supermarket (and I have no idea how much it would be from the bakery).

I boiled a dozen eggs to use for sandwiches and snacks. Even with the price rises, eggs are a budget friendly source of protein and a whole bunch of vitamins and an inexpensive, healthy snack.

Two of the garden beds were topped up with compost and forked over, ready for planting. These beds will be for tomatoes, capsicum, egg plant, lettuce and beetroot. 

I didn't get anything sewn last week. There is a nice pile waiting to be done, so this week I have blocked out half an hour every afternoon to just sew. Even if the roof is caving in, I'm going to get the sewing done!

I did get some stocking stuffer type little gifts made for the present box. The production line method worked really well, and a lot of little bits of card and paper were used up, along with some embellishments.

To get ahead I stamped a lot of sentiments and cut them out. I found this little container in my shed and it's perfect for keeping the sentiments safe and ready to use. Lots of little bits of card stock were used up from the scrap bin. 

​Scraps of DSP came in handy to make little post it note holders. I love these, I use post it notes in my handbag for jotting quick reminders that I can stick on whatever when I get home.

​And it suddenly occurred to me that we are half-way through August already and it's time to start working on the Christmas hampers! The treat boxes for the caramels and shortbreads have been started. There are a few more needed, so I'll go through the DSP this week and pull out some Christmas themed odds and ends and get more made. 

Good morning!

I may not have posted for a few weeks - internet is sketchy in remote rural Australia - we absolutely enjoyed our holiday and I have been busy since we arrived home.

Lots of knitting and crocheting done in the car, using yarn that was given to me, to make beanies. I am so happy with the way they've turned out and they are packaged up ready to drop off to my friend.

I also knitted dishcloths and I gave some away to our camping neighbours in colours to match their caravans! I had no idea when I packed the bag with yarns that the colours I chose would match; I didn't know we'd have such lovely neighbours either.

The tea cosies are for the present box. I love the multi coloured one, it was fun to work and see the pattern.

On my walks I've been collecting fallen fruit - mostly oranges, lemons, limes and mandarins, and juicing, making marmalade, dehydrating and pureeing for cakes. This is fruit that has fallen off trees onto the path and is left to rot. Well this Cheapskate doesn't like that, so I carry a grocery bag with me and pick it up. Waste not, want not and every little bit helps the grocery budget.

​​Beanies
Dishcloths
Tea Cosies
Fingerless gloves

​​MOO rice bubble marshmallow bars
Dehydrated celery
Canned mince
Prepped chicken for freezer
Mini fruit cakes
Pickled Rhubarb
Marmalade
Six Minute Lemon Butter

​​Silverbeet
Oranges
Rosemary
Rhubarb
Started seeds for more cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli
Made compost tea and fed the garden

Bowl cosies for the camper
Canning mats
Kitchen sets
Pot holders​