Brown Thumbs?

Well, we took the plunge, put on the boots and started the garten.  Yes, it also looks like a Bier Garten.  Can you blame me?

This project kind of just 'grew' (get it?) from a raised bed, as seen on the left (below), Right (above).  Got so excited and discovered a source of throw away lumber and acquired a number of 2x4 boxes.  Stacked them together, secured them, and filled them up with rock, compost and soil and we now have several raised bed gartens.

This is on the southwest side of the house and gets good sun the majority of the day.

So, in September we planted tomatoes, bib lettuce, romaine lettuce, canteloupe (listeria free mind you), corn, onions, carrots, green/yellow/orange/red bell peppers, yellow squash, pole beans, watermelon, broccoli and cauliflower.  Potatoes are next, just need to get them from the feedstore.

Total of 60 sq feet of garden.

Due to drainage issues, built a deck along with it so our feet don't stand in the water after a heavy, heavy rain.  Again, recycled pallet material, even reused the nails!

 Started the corn, tomatoes and Romaine lettuce from seed!

Even had some help with the decking.

So all in all, we should be able to get our ROI this season alone, thanks to the 'recycled' boxes and deck work.  More important, it is a place to relax, reflect and feel proud about the work we did and think back on some fond memories of my grandmother's tomato garden and how sweet they were.

This is our first real garden since we have been here, we had some good success in Ohio, but not on this scale.  Thanks to Megan and Michael to really be an inspiration to get motivated and see it through.  Now only if these brown thumbs can turn green!  (sounds like a Elton John song)

On the plate for this week:  Hanging a truss system for the Blackberry plants.  These are the "Natchez" variety of Blackberries.  They were in the 50% off rack at Lowes, I think I've nursed them back from their distressed state and they seem stable where I want to plant them.  My research says, although they are from Arkansas, they will grow successfully in Zone 9.  Can't wait to see if we are lucky to get some fruit.

Next up...blueberry bushes around the pool cage.

Status Check, or how healthy is healthy?

Greetings!  The Frugalmeister was just reading some of the old posts and thought it be best to check in and give an update on some of the projects we have going on the homestead.

1. Summertime is here, as with any school employee, paychecks stop coming for a couple of months.  Time to live out of the freezer and pantry.  We've been doing it successfully and have even gotten a bit creative with our dishes as not everyone is eating the same thing as the person next to them!
2. Looking around the house for projects on the cheap....well Fraulein Frugal is back in college, furnished in no doubt by the free section of Craigslist.  Wonderful tool and timeless energy sorting through other people's crap to get the special item...but hey.  A Broyhill Entertainment center and sleeper/loveseat combo to furnish the newly created relaxation lounge!
3. Homemade Liqueur is a creative process.  Raspberries were on the cheap, picked up some vodka from the mil and now have a distillery in the bathroom.  Raspberry, Cherry, Orange and Kahlua.  Pomegranate will be next when they come in season.  Another batch of wine will be brewing shortly as well.

4. Victory Garden....finally decided to start it, should be ready for plants when the weather cools off in September.  I'll post pictures/video of the project for others to share.  In the meantime, check out Meine Schwester's garden.

Just some of the items we are working. 

For those that are counting, ebay and Amazon flips, are close to $400 net!

Chat with you soon!

What will 2011 bring?

Happy New Year and best wishes for a better 2011 than 2010!

This is the year we are striving to make a lot of progress towards the simpler life.  A thought that has come to our minds regarding excess spending $$ can be to go simpler.....the basic task of picking.  Yes, you've seen the shows on TV with the Storage Wars, American Pickers and the like, but do some research....you will not always find the golden watch in the old suitcase stored away...you need to work for it.

I've added a couple of websites I found during my research that start to explain the art of picking.  Garage Sales, Thrift Stores, Auctions and Craigslist.  What I've learned, is to simply know your items, buy it at a price that you flip a profit on.

Just to see how 'easy' it could be to get started in this craze, I looked up our Craigslist and found a easy 'Free' item for some Ikea Wardrobe Frames...they retail at $100 each and there were four of them still in the box....missed the item by a few hours, but it was there.  The options were simple...use them at home (future Hoarders), relist them on Craigslist for a few $$ or even better, return them for store credit at Ikea.

I've updated my Paypal account as well as our Ebay account and will start the Thrift Store circuit.  There are a number of them I pass on my daily commute.

We'll see if we can make some $$ on this deal as we start to save for Christmas of 2011. As this builds, we'll let you know how we do!