Today was another successful day of not ordering from Amazon or Etsy or Belk or wherever. I did order pet food through Chewy but that’s allowed. Here’s what I’m doing if you just arrived.

Today was easier than yesterday without a Coke, too. The sugar withdrawal is real.

A few people I know are doing the same thing — or something similar. If that’s you, please comment and let us know how you’re doing.

One friend is doing a Pantry Challenge of sorts where she eats from her freezer and canned goods. She’s further along than me. I wish I could do that but my pantry is not that well stocked. Yet. Next year, maybe. However, what is shocking is the number of empty jars that leave my dishwasher every few days. I wonder if I’ll have enough canned stuff to last the winter?

I like having shelf stable food on hand, but I don’t want to have food that we don’t use or eat or even like. I have been guilty of that in prior years. In 2023, I learned to can chicken and found a spaghetti sauce recipe Mike and I really like. They were my success stories that year. In 2024, it’s been baked beans (which I need to can again soon), vegetable soup, cucumber relish and beef stew. Having these–as well as jellies tomatoes, etc.– on my pantry shelves gives me a sense of security and accomplishment.

Here’s the baked beans. They turned out nice. I took the rings off after the picture.

Here’s the vegetable soup. It’s pretty, too. Listen to her brag on her canned goods. LOL.

And the most recent. Having a meal in a jar is so convenient. This beef stew is a win.

My green beans this year were a failure as apparently, I put too much salt in them. Imagine that — I wasn’t paying attention. My canned tomatoes were good but they are always good. It’s hard to mess up canned tomatoes.

So as day 2 winds down, I feel pretty good about things. In addition to just general tidying, I cleaned one area good (the refrigerator). I’m getting ready to do my Bible devotional before I go to sleep and I didn’t spend any money on crap.

We are getting ready for the cold weather that is supposed to arrive and stay for the upcoming two weeks. We transitioned to wood heat today for the apartment/airbnb and the house. We have a woodboiler, and we only use it when it’s really cold. If everything works properly, we will stay warm, have hot water that’s free, and we won’t be worrying about our electric bill. It’s just work–no one likes going outside at night and putting wood in when it’s 10 degrees. But it’s worth it. (It’s easier for me to say that than Mike as it’s ultimately him that does the work — although I help.)

Most city people think it’s an outhouse. I kid you not.

The woodboiler requires that we have separate thermostats from the heat pump so today I replaced all of the batteries. Then, I changed out all of the vent filters. As we plan for the cold, we have plenty of propane for the inevitable power outage. I placed a large grocery order for pickup tomorrow so that unless we want to, we won’t have to go anywhere next week. I’ve got games, puzzles and enough house projects to keep Mike and me busy all next week.

I think we’re just about set.

I used to be embarrassed about my need to be plan and be prepared. And then there was Covid. And I had 100 rolls of toilet paper and everyone wanted to be my friend. I stand redeemed.