12 in 2015

See ya, 2014!

Another year has come and gone. Christmas brought much needed re-connection with family. In a few shorts months it will be spring again. Life will be brought back from the seemingly dormant earth. It's a time to leave behind was not meant for us and move into the beautiful possibilities that are available to us.

I don't do New Year's resolutions - it is too reminiscent of punishment or some sense of unworthiness to me. I liken the feeling to that I had in confession as a child - the focus on how "bad" we are does not inspire change, but rather sets us up for failure. 

This year I will be doing something different. I will be choosing 12 experiences I'd like to have. It's so easy for me to get caught up in the "shoulds" of life. As a single parent I tend to focus more on responsibility rather than fun. We get to create so much of our lives - and most of us have an abundant supply of choices even within certain restrictions (whether they be financial, physical or emotional). So this year, I will be making a list of things I'd like to add to my human experience.  Some are small and easily accomplished. Others will require slightly more effort.  All are intended to create memories, celebrate, connect or simply to enjoy.

My list of 12 "Things," in no particularly order, for 2015:

• Ride a horse.

• Visit the Olympus Day Spa, also known as naked town (no, no it's not).

• Follow an actual sewing pattern.

• Take my daughter to the Oregon Coast.

• Host a random White Elephant party.

• Host a charity curry night to raise funds for a yet named charity.

• Establish a neighborhood Food Program where spring and summer garden abundance is delivered to the food bank weekly.

• Read the Marilyn Monroe Biography I've had on my list for years. It's not higher learning, but her life is fascinating.  Most of the books I read tend to be learning oriented, so something just for pleasure needs to happen!

• Host a sushi night.

• Sign up for a pottery class.

• Sign up for a belly dance or tap class, or some other movement class sure to make me look a fool.

• Wild card! That's right, I'm open to suggestions!

Some of these may not seem like the most frugal activities, but frugality as I see it, is not about deprivation, but rather putting your money where it gives you the the most value.  Money is meant to provide necessities, yes, but quality and value with vary from person to person.  Focusing on experiences, rather than stuff is my goal.  It is so easy to put your mental energy towards "getting the best deal" and while that certainly CAN be a part of the frugal and simple life, it can also play into consumerism in a big way. 

Who's with me for the 12 in 2015? Please share in the comments some of your 12!

Garden Delights and Wise Words from John Updike

My only potatoes of the season, some zucchini, purple beans, and the last of the snap peas.

The garden is full of delights this time of year.  Some things, like lettuce and snap peas which burst onto the scene with reckless abandon, have drifted off into a slumber in the summer heat.

Still growing like mad are zucchini, cucumbers, purslane, kale, tomatoes, carrots and pumpkins.  I've probably got at least 30 pumpkins growing at the moment and I'm hoping there will be enough for the neighborhood and family kids to all get one for Halloween this year.

Just three pumpkin seeds in a little mound of dirt is all it took this year,  The bees have been busy pollinating the large blossoms. 

I had not anticipated the success of the pumpkin patch this year!

While I can't always count on her help in the garden (except for the harvesting part!) my daughter loves to make "fairy houses."  She will spend considerable time on making these homes pleasant for the fairies of her dreams.  Sometimes the fairies leave little gifts.

It might be hard to see, but this has everything a fairy might need!

So much growth and so much wonder takes place in the garden.  Lessons are learned in both patience and acceptance.  What becomes merely a memory of hard work, gives so much in the growth of plants.  That is, until it is time to work again.  The time in the garden rarely does feel like actual work to me for some reason.  Even sore muscles and sweat translate into joy.

Here is a poem I love from John Updike about hoeing in the garden. 

Hoeing

I sometimes fear the younger generation will be deprived 

of the pleasures of hoeing;

there is no knowing

how many souls have been formed by this simple exercise. 


The dry earth like a great scab breaks,

revealing moist-dark loam--

the pea-root's home,

a fertile wound perpetually healing.


How neatly the green weeds go under!

The blade chops the earth new.

Ignorant the wise boy who

has never performed this simple, stupid, and useful wonder.


~John Updike

Frugal Spotlight: Mother's Day Edition

Mom on Easter Sunday

In honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to share some wisdom from a frugal woman who came before me, my mom. Both my parents enjoyed life, but never overspent. They found joy in simple things like daily walks, and working in the yard, but we kids (five of us) kept them pretty busy in our younger years. My mom was active in community theater, loves her yoga and can often be found watching one of her six grandkids, or working in the yard (or, very likely sprouting some who knows what in the kitchen). 

Because they were wise with their money they were able to put their money where it mattered, and are able to enjoy a retirement with a fair amount of travelling, golfing, and whatever else it is that makes retired people happy (although they watch my daughter before and after school almost every day, so I don't know if that qualifies as total retirement). 

I asked my mom, Margy, her favorite frugal tips. Without further adieu...

Tip one:

Homemade Mayonnaise

1 coddled egg (To coddle an egg, simmer an egg in it's shell (in not quite boiling water) for 1-2 minutes.

1 tsp lemon juice

½ tsp of Dijon mustard

½ tsp salt

2/3 cup of olive oil

You can use a blender or small deep mixing bowl with an immersion mixer (the preffered method for me).  Slowly pour oil in while mixing with other ingredients.

This makes about 1 cup and can keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge and tastes so much better than store bought mayo. I like a little extra lemon for added tangy flavor.

Tip two:

Seed Containers

My mom is an avid gardener. She often starts seedlings in the house.  She saves various containers such as plastic clam shell containers to start the seeds in (just pokes holes in the bottom for drainage), or reuses one from the nursery.  She waters these gently by using a water bottle that has holes poked in it's lid.

My little brother and I, in early 1980s garb, "helping" Mom in the yard.
That plain old dirt patch is now a thriving flower bed.

Tip three: 

Better Butter

We grew up with something called "Better Butter" in my house.  It's a way to stretch pricey butter, and makes an easily spread for toast and the dinner table. 

Better Butter is one of the simplest things to make as it only has two ingredients: Butter and oil.

My mom uses olive oil, but in the past probably used vegetable oil. Mild flavored oils work best.

Simply take room temperature butter and add oil and blend until you get a yogurt like consistency.  It will firm up a bit in the fridge. It's much healthier than margarine and other spreads with the trans fats.

Because of my mom's example, the frugal life never seemed that hard or scary, it just seemed sensible.  Of course there were adjustments I had (and still do have to make) along the way, but having a great teacher sure does help. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mom and Dad at their shared 70th Birthday party.