I recently heard that taking the time to be thankful, even if it’s just one time a week, can increase your happiness.  I was once in a rhythm where thankful thoughts were written down each Thursday, and I am at a point now where I would like that consistency back (and more happiness can’t hurt).

I am thankful for my morning routine of getting a cup of tea (especially during the season change when there’s a chill in the air), catching up with my online family, and nursing my daughter at our pace.  I can’t imagine trying to get  myself and her together in the mornings if I had to work.

I am thankful for my husband for providing for us – working late hours so he can squeeze in time with us throughout the day.

I am thankful for being blessed with two large bags of fall/winter clothes for Val, finding a small table and chairs to buy from a friend, and getting great deals on jeans and sweatshirts at Goodwill.

I am thankful that I have things to share with others too that we have outgrown, don’t need anymore, or can lend out for a little while.

What are you thankful for today?

{The Very Clean Fridge}

It makes me really content when everything is clean, but it makes me feel even better when the fridge is stocked and the cupboards are overflowing.

How do you grocery shop?  Buy what looks good, buy weekly, stock up monthly?

This past week we spent cleaning out the cupboards and the fridge – purging of all of the old food that we wouldn’t be of any use to us.  Then we scrubbed down the fridge and got it ready for our big monthly stock up of groceries.  We were so ready to welcome in a new month.

Breakfasts will consist of: hot/cold cereal, toast, smoothies, fresh veggie juice, and our usual big Sunday breakfast

Monday~ L: Hot dogs and corn  D: Burgers and fries

Tuesday~ L: Tuna salad  D: Chili in the crockpot

Wednesday~ L: Leftovers  D: Spaghetti and salad

Thursday~ L: Leftovers  D: Cabbage rolls

Friday~ L: Leftovers  D:  Pizza

Saturday~ L: Veggie wraps  D: Nachos

Sunday~ L: Leftovers/wraps  D: Enchiladas

For more meal planning, visit The Organizing Junkie.

This book is the simple way of learning economics – through a story with humor and ILLUSTRATIONS.  You heard me right, this adult book as illustrations.  How fun is that?

If you’re even a tad bit interested, this book even has a trailer.   Check it out!

How do you keep up with our economy?  Do you care about it?

Lucky for me, my mom is a little more knowledgeable about the subject than I am.  She has talked me through tips for freezing zucchini, making my own spaghetti sauce to freeze (even when it has been 85* and I don’t have A/C), and trying something new with me – making ketchup!

We used this ketchup recipe, which is actually really simple if you read the instructions carefully before starting.  We did everything the LONG way, but next time we’ll know better.

{Our finished product}

How are you preparing for winter?

{On the farm*}

As many of you know, I dream of a home with some land in the quiet of the countryside.  A big space for a garden, chickens, a place for the dogs to run free, a place for Val to play in nature, a little cabin… I dream… I dream big of a homestead.

Last week, we visited a friend of mine who lives south of us by a few hours.  She’s doing it!  She’s homesteading!  And she’s rockin’ it!  We got the grand tour which included watching her milk the goats, pick eggs, see chicks hatching, meet her new ram, see her bees busy working, eat tomatoes right off of the plant, and we learned so much in those few hours.

She’s making yogurt, cheese, honey, storing produce and meat for the winter, and she’s doing it.  There is hope out there for me – I can do it too.  I am inspired!

What’s inspiring you today?

*Somehow I managed to only get a few pictures and they were both blurry.  This is of Val loving the stash of tomatoes that were sitting in the sun getting ripe.

Breakfasts ~ Hot/cold cereal, toast, smoothies, veggie juices, eggs with bacon/hashbrowns/cheese

Monday ~ L:  Leftovers  D:  Tuna salad and hot dogs

Tuesday~ L:  Salad and boiled eggs  D: Chili

Wednesday~ L: Out  D: Spaghetti

Thursday~ L: Veggie wraps  D: BBQ chicken on the grill, corn on the cob

Friday~ L: Leftovers  D: Pizza

Saturday~ L: Leftovers/veggie wraps  D: Cabbage rolls

Sunday~ L: Leftovers  D: Hard shelled tacos

For more meal ideas, visit The Org Junkie and read through other’s menus.

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

We’ve gathered a few things from our garden – some greens, tomatoes, and feta from a friend’s goat.  Yummy lunch!  Imagine the set up we had if we had more space.

And we’ve downsized some – the Beetle is officially sold.  We are a one car family and have one less bill!

What’s going on in your neck of the woods?

{Photo Credit}

I have been making my own, raw almond milk because I don’t like that there are sweeteners in the store bought kind.  The only thing I had to buy for extra “equipment” was a milk bag (mine is actually a produce bag that has fine enough holes to use as a milk bag).  You could also just use a cheesecloth, I bet.

I soak 1 cup of almonds in water for 12-24 hours.  When I want to make the milk, I rinse the almonds and put half in the blender with 3 cups of water.  Blend.  Place the milk bag into a pitcher and pour the blended almonds and milk through the bag.  Then you can strain it into the pitcher just like you are “milking” the bag.  I repeat the process once more and I have homemade, and raw almond milk for drinking, using in lattes, or pouring over my cereal.

Enjoy!