Townhouse Homestead Tuesday

Well it has finally arrived. Warm weather in the northeast. We had one of the most wonderful weekends and I made good use of it. On Saturday my younger daughter and I went to the Rochester Public Market. I filled a large bag of fresh vegetables that of course was too much for two people, but I had my motive to start a shelf of dehydrated vegetables for my pantry. I've done a bit in the past few months, but the deals at the market were incredible. 

It started with mushrooms. I got three quarts of vegetables for $5, any variety of my choice. I chose two quarts (over flowing quarts) of mushrooms and one fresh green beans. The green beans we are eating with meals and as snacks, but the two quarts of mushrooms filled the dehydrator and condensed down to fill a one quart canning jar. They are all vacuum sealed and on the pantry shelf.

Next were sweet red peppers. They were two for $1 and very large so I got four and dehydrated them. Not quite a full pint, but there will be time to do more and they are now on the shelf. 

I got a five pound bag of carrots for $2 and four pounds of them are in the dehydrator as I am writing this post. It will yield one quart of dry carrots for the pantry shelf. I purchased a four ounce container of basil pesto for $1, zucchini squash and  yellow squash. I'm working these into my meal plan which is not going very well, but I am trying. 

I'm drying my orange peels because I have discovered that they are useful in everything from cleaners, to soups, to candy and even as a match because orange oil is flammable. It has become a matter of use everything to it's fullest before you dispose of it around here. Some people think I'm taking it to far, but if I can't compost I will make use of what I can. 

Chicken leg quarters are on sale for the next two weeks for $.59 a pound so we gathered up what we could afford and immediately put some in the oven to have available for quick meals and another few went into a pot to boil. In the refrigerator now are two large Pyrex measuring cups with my broth that I will be caning tomorrow along with barbecue pulled chicken. Eight leg quarters were put in the freezer. We aren't doing all that we can, but we are working on it. It's proving to be so economical but the work is constant and you have to be willing. That's what's happening with the kitchen and I hope soon to get ready to plant my herbs. Thank you for stopping by to read my post and I hope you all have a great week.

Clover continued.

These thrifted items are a continuation of last weeks finds. I spent most of the week laundering the linens, ironing, washing things to look pretty, taking pictures and editing them. Needless to say when you look at all the items you'll know I truly was busy. I found the four mushroom canisters that needed a bath but once they were clean they looked nice. Two are from 1978 and two are from 1983, all made in Japan for Sears, Roebuck and Co. The orange and yellow velour towel is for our vintage bathroom which we've decorated with all orange and yellow daisy print thrifted items. The baseball fabric is truly vintage and the bright floral fabric is a king size sheet and has two matching pillow cases.

I found a very new red Wilson leather handbag, more vintage fabrics, sheets, a wooden figure that I believe may be monkey wood, a vintage mother goose receiving blanket and a few good story books.

To continue I found a vintage 1975 corning ware glass cutting board in almost pristine condition, a clean house wooden wall plaque, a couple more Pyrex bowls, floral drapes, more sheets (my daughter is always raiding my orange fabric), a yellow print sheet and Santa Clause pillow panels. Is this the end? No

 

 

This is the last group. To start there is a vintage linen table cloth that is in wonderful condition, a handful of type box size miniature made in Japan porcelain animals, a made in Japan Napco Ware baby planter, a tea bag holder that I know belongs in a set, but I got it for my cup of tea and only needed the one anyway and last but not least a vintage Ice O Matic hand crank ice crusher. Now this ice crusher may not be great to many of us, but it works on two of the settings. The red plastic cup is cracked and leaks, but usable. I may never list it on my stores, but the idea of showing this to my grandchildren when they just walk to the fridge for ice was a lot of fun. I've got some research to do on this. So far I haven't found anything similar quickly so a more in depth search may be happening soon. 

I've managed to get many items listed this week so stop by my stores, butterflyplace.etsy.com and butterflyplace.storenvy.com and take a peek. I can honestly say that I am growing and having so much fun.

 



 

Getting back to nature.

It's Sunday morning early and I'm working as usual. I'm taking a break to do some blogging. I decided this week to take some pictures of the wonderful nature around my yard. It's been so rainy and miserable that yard work has had to wait. I put in more daffodil bulbs this past fall that have already come and gone and I was given some Iris to put in and they are just starting to flower. I will get pictures of them as soon as they do. They are small and young yet and I hope to get to watch them mature. With all the wet weather the mushrooms have been plentiful and the grass has gotten high around them. The birds have been playful and I can't tell you how much fruit will be on the trees this summer. It's going to burst with excitement. I have to stop every now and again during any of my days to enjoy the natural life. It feels such a part of me and I never seem to get enough. I'd like my lawn to be perfect, but it will never be and I've settled just to keep up with what grows. It's all part of the great scheme of things. So here's to nature. Without it we can't exist. I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy it.