Ann Leach

.... packing (waste-free) lunches. Waste-free lunches is an idea we picked up from the kindy (preschool) our daughter attended over in Australia. The day ran from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm which, obviously, includes lunch time. But contrary to most preschools here in the US, there was no hot lunch served. The children were expected to bring a packed lunch from home. And it was to contain no throw-away waste. No plastic wrap. No paper napkins. No pre-packaged chips. Or cookies. Or string cheese. Or throw-away yogurt containers. Or juice boxes.  A long way from most packed lunches here in the US. And we adapted. I browsed the thrift stores to pick up a few plastic containers with lids; as well as a lunch box and a stainless steel water bottle, which she still has. Once we adopted the mindset, it wasn't hard at all. And our lunches are still packed this way now.  Fresh foods are packed in washable containers. Forks and spoons from the drawer are included (usually). An...

Planning the Garden The Baker Creek Seed catalog came in the mail!!! And yes, I've been page-turning, dreaming about all the seeds I'd like to order and putting out a garden again. Kenn and I went for a walk and talked about where we'd like to put the garden. We've had it behind the barn, which was good for water access, but not so good for weeding. Out of sight, out of mind and all that. This year, we're going to put it out kind of in the space between the house and the chicken coop. It will require a long hose for watering, but unless we're up to installing a new water line (which we're not), almost anywhere will require a water hose. I'm dreaming of tomatoes, green beans, lettuces, and so many other fresh veggies. Maybe we'll even get out some fruit trees. In a perfect world, we'd get a couple of bee hives and plant a special bee garden. Oh! And a butterfly garden. It's so easy and fun to dream. It's so easy to get in...

In another post, I mentioned joining a book discussion group, which has to be one of the best decisions I've made in a while. I am having so much fun meeting the other members and talking about books. It's adding a whole layer to reading that I haven't ever had before. And I'm inspired to kick off another discussion group (or two). One on sustainable living, much like the one I started back in Australia. And another on parenting. Although I'm not sure I really want to take on two at the same time. I have asked the adult program coordinator at the library about these topics and am still waiting to hear back. But both of these topics are passions for me and to meet with like-minded folks, share ideas, and talk about books on the topics would be wonderful! For the sustainable living, of course it would be driven by the members, focusing on topics the group is asking about and suggesting. But that's not to say I don't have ideas and books o...

Browsing the thrift stores regularly - this way I can keep an eye on stock, keep my finger on the pulse of prices, and occasionally pick up great deals like over 25 pounds of fabrics for just $25. Yards and yards and yards of calicoes, solids, knits, and pre-quilted fabrics to build up my stash. So far I've made nightgowns for Daughter, curtains, hot/cold rice bags, and gift bags. The stash has barely felt the loss. Meal planning  - (by the month), and then using the same plan for the next month, with only minimal changes. Knowing what is going to be on the menu in the upcoming weeks allows me to stock up when the basics are marked down. And I'm rarely caught off without the ingredients I need, but even on those days, I always have ingredients to make something. Dining out is a rare event for us, and it is an event, not just a slack-off. Putting out a garden - soon the holidays will be over and it will be time to plan next spring's garden... vegetables for the table, v...

We live in a world of SO MUCH stuff. It's overwhelming just how much stuff there is in our world, at least in the US part of the world. Yesterday, I had a couple of hours to kill, and because my husband and I have decided we would prefer to furnish our home with antiques, I decided to take a walk through the local antiques mall. The antiques mall is in an old building downtown that used to be a JCPenney, so if you're familiar with the JCPenney stores of the 1970s and before, you'll know what I mean when I say it's big, really big, as in 3 floors of stalls of antiques. And the antiques range as far as they can from crochet-edged hankies to pyrex bowls to cast iron hand pumps to hoosier cupboards. Truly, if you're looking for a specific item, and you're willing to spend the time, you'll find it in this store. So much stuff.  Most of it just sits there, collecting dust. Like wall-hanging thread holder which I first spotted the first time I w...

Crochet Dishcloths, Rice Bags Sewn, Socks Repaired (not darned - I don't do darning) Creating things makes me feel better. I mean really, a lot better. So I've dusted off the crochet hooks and the sewing machine, and I've gotten busy. It's not a lot, not really. But it's a start. Some variegated green crochet dishcloths And some variegated bright pink crochet dishcloths And some rice bags, using up some leftover frog fabric - ribbit ribbit. I'll tell you that I've always used these warmed, but learned recently that they can also be stored in the freezer for when an ice pack is needed. I love multi-use, don't you? On the marker board in the dining/sewing room, I've been making notes of other projects I'd like to make in the near future. Ready? Set. Sew!!

Sometimes when people say they're spending a day at home, it sounds like they've received a prison sentence.  For me, I quite enjoy it.  It's relaxing.  I get to work on various projects.  Dare I say it?  It's a perfect day for me.  Today's day included doing creative activities like - Emptying a powdered milk tin can and making plans to reuse it as a yarn tin.  I can keep the ball I am currently working from in it so I'm neither chasing it across the floor as it rolls away nor untangling it from the other balls I've set aside for the project.  Win! Baking up some homemade granola - oatmeal, nuts, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Yum! Sewing a couple of pillowcases a client has ordered. The more I am getting back into a sewing groove, the more and more I am enjoying it!  Fun! Dusting off an old and tasty recipe that I had forgotten I have - Rotel Chicken Spaghetti.  Yum! Baking bread - I used the last pi...

A small voice calls out of the darkness... "Mom." I come rushing up out of my own darkness, formulate an answer, and call back.. "Yes." The small voice sends out a plea... "I can't find my blanket." I send reassurance... "I'm coming." I tell myself - don't go back to sleep - and then fumble with the covers as I sit up on the side of the bed and reach for my glasses. Not that they will help much in the pitch black of the house at this pre-dawn hour, but I put them on anyway. Walk gently around the bed being careful not to bump into it and wake the sleeping husband. And then count the steps before reaching the brick step.  There it is.  Two steps up and across to the bedroom door. No way around it.  The light has to be turned on. "Close your eyes." I say to the small person, owner of the small voice. *click* No worries. She's still asleep. All the blankets are on the floor. I arrange all the blankets back over her.  Tuck...

Rise and Shine Made breakfast and packed a lunch for husband Dropped husband at work and laundry at the laundromat.  Made a deposit at the bank, then picked up the laundry.  Went to the Y for a swim while daughter played in the children's room. Home for lunch, some down time involving Gilmore Girls and crochet. A quiet afternoon of napping, reading, and playing Clue.  Chatted with a client about a new project. Picked up husband.  Made supper.  Read story to daughter and tucked her into bed.  And now some end of the day down time- crochet and Numb3rs. It's 8:10pm.  I could go to bed now. Completed cotton dish cloths and a nylon scrubbie Today's meals: Breakfast:  toast with pb and a glass of milk Lunch: tuna salad and crackers, glass of milk Supper:  potato soup, tossed salad Snack:  apple & pb Day 1 of swimming:  8 laps in 20 minutes

It's the beginning of the month and so the perfect time for refocusing myself to a meal planning.  Are you a meal planner?  Do you tend to make the same comfort foods?  Or do you enjoy new foods for every meal? I like the simplicity of making the same foods over and over again.  I know it sounds boring, but it works for me.  And I do change up the seasonings and add in new recipes so I think it's a good mix. As a homemaker, I think meal planning (and preparing) is my biggest challenge.  Off-the-cuff cooking rarely works for me, so a plan is a must.  But sitting down and writing out a plan is just-so-hard!  (I know.  Poor me, right?) So, here we go for November: Breakfast cocoa & toast & fruit fruit & yogurt (homemade) & granola (homemade) BLT & egg & cheese (stole this one from Bob Evans) cold cereal or granola & milk & fruit Light meal egg salad sandwich tuna salad sandwich leftovers ham & cheese sandwic...

It's nice to have a project at hand when I have a few minutes to sit and relax.  For me, it's crochet, at least right now.  Here are some of the projects I've completed recently. Dishcloths Infinity scarf Trivet Doll's blanket Market bag I love my crochet hobby and cash business.  It's relaxing and enjoyable to me. Thanks! Today, I am thankful for my supportive and understanding husband. 

"How do you reheat foods?"  "I'd die without my microwave." I hear this regularly when I share that we don't have a microwave in our home.  And it's not by accident.  We intentionally sold it about 5 years ago.  Why?  Two reasons: First, I figured we were really only using it 1 or 2 times each day; and second, it took up too much counter space. But selling it happened in steps.  Once I had decided it was time for the microwave to go, I had to get K on board.  He would use it to reheat his coffee from the pot he had brewed first thing in the morning.  That had to be addressed.  We bought a keurig with the reusable capsule. Well, he still wasn't convinced so I said ok.  How about if we just try it for a month? Let's just move the microwave out of the kitchen for a month and see how it goes. Well, that was all it took.  It was moved out and never came back in. But how do I reheat foods?  It used to be with either ...

This morning was a great morning for hitting the thrift shops.  It's getting colder and we have a need for winter coats, and Isabelle has earned some money to spend.  What better place for her to get a great value for her nickels than the thrift store, right?!  :) But first we went out to the Allen County Farm to join a nature hike put on by the parks department.  We grabbed hats and layered sweaters over t-shirts, but it was brrrrrr  chilly until we got warmed up.  Definitely need to look for winter coats. But you know how it is at the thrift stores, you have to go in with an open mind because you just don't know what you're going to find..... A red winter coat for me!  This is a water resistant coat that will be great in the cold and snow.  And it's red!  $3.99 And honestly, how could I pass up this beauty.  A hip-length black leather coat with black on black trim around the collar, across the shoulders, and on the cuffs and po...

You know...  all those UnFinished Objects.  The ones we are so inspired to make so we start them, and then run out of steam before they're completed. But we can't throw them away, certain at another time we'll be inspired to pick up the pieces and finish. And I promised myself that when we got back to the US, I would have no more UFOs.  None.  Nada.  Either finish it, tear it apart to make into something else, or hand it off to somebody else to finish.  And it's a good plan, but what I didn't expect to find when I unpacked the boxes left here in storage was the UFOs that I packed away.  :( An infinity scarf -- now in my defense, I actually didn't start this one until after we came back.  It was the yarn itself which I found packed in a box...  full of yarn.  Happily, I am making good time and progress on this particular project and expect to have it done in the next few days. Oh boy...  this is the beginnings ...

Has anyone else noticed this?  I see it regularly in the facebook budgeting group in; as well as in society in general.  Men and women standing off against each other on seemingly small issues.  These are men and women who are on the same team -- spouses, partners in life. "I want to cut cable, but my husband won't give it up.  He HAS to have his sports." "I wrote out a perfect budget, but my wife won't stick to it.  She keeps buying coffees." I guess this is really standing out to me because I've been submerged in a different culture while reading "Farmer Boy", the story of one year of Almanzo Wilder's boyhood. There was less individualism and more a sense of we're a team.  We're all in this together.  It took the whole family working together to convert the autumn bounty into provisions for winter. I think part of the reason Pa and Ma had such a strong bond and were together in their decision-making has part to do with t...

Money, the taboo topic.   We're taught, by our parents and the culture we live in, to not talk about money.  Don't talk about how much you make.  Don't talk about how much you spend.  Don't talk about the ins and outs of credit cards.  Don't talk about how much financing really costs. And if you're in a financial mess, don't talk about that either. So we're each alone in dealing with our finances.  Oh sure, you an ask your folks.  And get the lecture.  Or you can pay for a consultation with a financial advisor, and their sales pitch (usually).  But where can you just sit and talk about the basics? What if you just want to know you're not the only one who is bearing the consequences of a bad choice?  What if you just want to share ideas and hear other people's thoughts on what is working and not working? I propose that it starts here.  My sustainable living passion isn't just about the planet, environment, and being fruga...

Part of being a stay at home mom and making sustainable living choices is keeping expenses down, but the other part is to increase the income, too.  And working from home allows me to develop multiple small income avenues rather than just going after the one big avenue of income. With that in mind, I've been brainstorming, trying to come up with a project for the cold winter months.  I've kicked around various crochet ideas, but was truly inspired when I came across the idea of making custom pillowcases. Here are some photos of the one I whipped up this morning specifically so I could take photos to promote this new business venture. Isn't that a lovely pillowcase?  I can't wait to share with you all the pillowcases I have planned! Come spring, I'll add chickens, well eggs, as another avenue.  And of course the garden will go in which will reduce our food spending in a big way. What small avenues of income are you working on? ...

Yesterday's frugal win -- Husband showed me where the sole on his brand new dress shoes for work was already coming off. I suggested he take the shoes to the local shoe store that does repairs. Frugal win, right?  Not so much because we'd still be out the cost of the repair on a less than 3 weeks old pair of expensive shoes. So later when I realized I had no yeast to make bread and we were at the point where bread had to be either made or bought, and the store where I wanted to buy the bulk yeast is on the north side of town, I suggested we take the shoes back to the store of purchase which is also on the north side of town.  Frugal win!!  They happily replaced the shoes on the spot.  Didn't even have to wait for them to be ordered in. Here's the bread... What's your frugal win today?

Actually, I'm not sure how much resting is going to happen today, but I have been working on some relaxing projects and also rejuvenating my spirit.  These are small projects on my homemaking list -- those little things we do to make a house into a home for our families. After catching up the dishes this morning, I jumped right into one of my favorite projects -- baking bread, and turned out these 2 beauties. Look at that crumb.  Don't you just want to spread a big glob of butter on a slice and eat it with a glass milk??  Maybe it's just me, but that's exactly what I did! Watermelon for afternoon tea is cubed and ready for eating. We found a recipe for a banana smoothie to make and drink for breakfast this morning.  Daughter was too happy to help with the honey! While looking for the curtains, I found the tablecloth I made in Australia and brought back.  It was so easy to just lay it on the table, but it makes such a di...

Oh, finally.  We're back on our property (Fountainhead) in the US, mostly unpacked, and settling back into our routines.  Husband has gotten a job already and I am getting our home set up, slowly but surely. In the unpacking, I came across my collection of "The Tightwad Gazette" books and have started reading them again.  For those who aren't familiar with them, Amy Dacyczyn published "The Tightwad Gazette" newsletters during the 1990s, which later became three published books and then finally one complete edition.   The third book of the series starts out with an article titled:  Drowning in Rising Expectations; which is spot-on even 20 years later, and I'd like to share it with you here: The idea that baby-boom generation has fewer opportunities and most struggle harder than previous generations is believed by millions of Americans.  Specifically, they believe that it's almost impossible to afford kids on a middle class income anymore...