It's January 1st and I love the new year because for some reason it's the opportunity to start over, make changes or try new things. Actually, every day - every new morning that same truth applies. The Bible says that God gives fresh grace every morning - "His mercies are new every morning." I love that.
I've got a few new adventures for the new year - this is one, and so far it's taken me to this, and a foodie one is my other one. Gosh, who knows what else might come my way!
Last year, Michael and I started our spring garden and we've done fairly well with our winter garden (except for the freeze last week that took out half our food - bummer! A well learned lesson to cover with frost cloth when the weather man reports that it's going to be 38 degrees!).
We also invested in some new pets. . . six hens a laying! Would you believe they LOVE attention and being held? Tis true, but I think they're a bit shy of one little granddaughter who LOVES to spend time in the 'chicken booth' - her name for the chicken coop.
So, what's my new foodie adventure? Food storage. With the state of our economy and prices of everything going up, I've been thinking that "food storage" would be a good way that I could actually be a better P31 woman with frugalness and food.
What I've Done So Far on My Food Storage Journey
It's more involved than I thought, but I'm excited to learn and grow as I go. I'll post my progress along the way.
Over the past month, I've been researching tons of random web sites on how to do the food storage thing. (Sorry, I should have saved all those sites!)
I added a "Food Storage" folder to my lap top to put all my finds in and then I printed off many of my finds - especially those that had cool little charts.
Next, I recycled a 3-ring binder (found in my garage), inserted a lot of plastic sheets, organized my 'how to' finds into categories (still in process) and then added my printed charts and how to stuff inside the plastic sheets. I'm using those plastic sheets because I'm thinking I'll be referring to these pages many times.
Today, I'm headed out to our freezer (a 7.2) to begin making my inventory list. I've dated some of my freezer food and need to add dates on the rest of the food. I want to organize the food in the freezer with older dates up on top.
Next, I hope to evaluate space in the garage for the canned goods and boxed food I've been purchasing. Then I'll work on planning my menus around what's in the freezer/shelves according to what needs to be used first.
This whole new food storage journey is FORCING me to menu plan. That means my organization, planning and margins will be having new levels of attention. I'm excited about this new discipline for 2009. I sense it'll be a year of pacing, productivity and purpose.
What's changing for you this year?
3 comments:
Hi Lylah!!
Just wanted to stop by and say hi! :)
What is changing for me this year??
hmmmm... FREEDOM is my word for this year... but in more practical ways, I would say a job for Bobby, wisdom for the future, direction in every way... that would narrow it down for me!
Love your blog! I added you to my google reader! Hugs.. Amy
Hi, Lylah, it's nice to meet you! Look forward to getting to know you on Twitter & I really like your blog too. Looks like we have some frugal things in common, I too look for lots of ways to save money. I'm gonna add you to my Bloglines too.
I've got a lot of changes coming my way this year as well.
Gardening with heirlooms is one of my priorities, as well as food storage..hopefully with mostly my food!
I made a goal list on my blog the other day, if you want to see all of them. 2009 is going to be a fantastic year.
Thank you so much for your help, insightful info, and links to other sites (through twitter!)
Phoebe
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