I have not yet uploaded this to the email distribution list. That will be done the afternoon of March 22. Thank you!!

Here’s the new March 2025 Mendota Villager.

I posted the Mendota Villager earlier but realized that there was a formatting error. I am hoping that this has been corrected. Here’s the link, and remember — if you have things to add to the Villager, please message me at rivercliffcottage@gmail.com. If you’d rather have this delivered to. your email inbox, please send your email. Thank you.

Eva

This Link Takes You To the Mendota Villager PDF

Seriously. It is January 26 and it seems like we are at least on day 74. It has been the 5th coldest month on record in our Southwest Virginia/Tri-Cities region. I enjoy the cold, but I have not enjoyed the ice that has remained at the end of our driveway. It will be 44 today, and I’m hoping that it’ll melt.

Amy Larson took these pictures of the beautiful North Fork of the Holston. It’s not as frozen as I’ve seen it in the past, but it’s still fun to look at.

We are so fortunate to live with this type of beauty right under our feet. Here’s another..

Here’s another interesting tidbit from this week. Terri Collier McCroskey…my cousin shared this.

With all of the food issues (egg shortages, contaminated this or that, etc), we are all wishing our food was more local and the Barker Milling Company was still milling on the North Fork. In Mendota, we are fortunate because we can buy eggs, chicken and beef locally. Pretty sweet.

But, back to winter. It’s been cold. We are now being told we have a period of milder temps until around February 8. I don’t mind the warm temps or the cold. I enjoy winter. It’s the time to get things done on the inside and plan for spring. My mind has been very busy as this is the spring that we plan to list our house for sale. April is our date, and there’s quite a bit that has to occur before it happens. We think we have it priced right for 12 acres of riverfront property with a guest house. (We are not selling the shop or the land behind it. We will place our new house there.). It will all seem real when the well driller comes to place the new well. We have all the permitting done that is required, the well driller lined up and now we are just waiting on him to finish other jobs and move to us. That occurs in April with the current schedule. Presently, the shop shares a well with the main house. With the new well, the shop will receive its water from the new house.

We are also doing something a little different. While our new well pump will be powered by electricity, we will putting a device on it that provides the ability to manually pump water should a need to do so ever occur. This manual pump is for a true disaster or emergency where electricity would not be available for a long period of time.

It seems like this is sort of over-the-top thinking, but the natural disaster that occurred in Western North Carolina reminded us how vulnerable we are. Even though this was months ago, there are still areas that do not have access to water. There are many things we can do without but water is not one of them. A well that can pump with or without electricity makes me feel more secure.

Enough thinking about those things. What I do think about a lot and can do something about is making a new quilt top. This is a summer quilt I’m making out of fat quarters and scraps. It’s not my favorite quilt, but it’ll be nice to have a summer quilt rolled up in a basket to use outside at night or to place on the couch to protect from dirty dog paws.

Tippy does such good design work. If any of you want her services, she’s very affordable. One thing — you have to come here. She doesn’t ride in a car and does not make exceptions without powerful medications.

She is such a great help. I cannot say it enough. Because of her help, to keep things together, I decided to go ahead and put the six blocks I’ve completed together. The quilt only has 12 total blocks. By putting these together, I can keep up with things. Tippy, in spite of her help, loses things.

Here it is hanging on the ironing board after I gave the assembled six blocks a quick press. I”m liking this better. It’ll be great to lay over a chair and keep sweet little dirty paws from doing their work.

And I’m still cleaning out spaces and drawers. Every day another drawer. Today I cleaned out a section of the primary bathroom where I keep a few cosmetics. These are all things that have been hanging out in that cabinet for at least two years. They are. not empty but they are not being used. Boom. They are being discarded.

I like to keep the countertop clean. I don’t do well at this, but my goal is always to do so.

And…in addition to completing this space and many other drawers, etc. this week, I’ve had a success. I finally, finally after about 5 million tries, made sourdough bread. My sister helped me. I love her sourdough bread and she only quit making it because we all ate like pigs. (It does that.). She got her starter together and helped me. Here’s my dough. It’s in my mother’s gravy bowl. How many times have my sisters and I seen that bowl on the table? Hundreds at least. What good fortune that she was chosen to be our mother.

And here’s the resulting Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwich on sourdough toast!!

My No Spend January. I’ve done pretty well, and it’s a good thing as we had unexpected expenses. However, I am not bragging on our how I did as I bought quilt fabric. Too much of it. I’m guilty guilty guilty.

Hope you are finding joy in these cold, short winter days.

It’s been a few days since I sat down and evaluated how I’ve been doing on my No Spend January.

Honestly, the last 48 hours have not been stellar. I had a credit of $179 on a credit card that is seldom used — that is $179 that they owe me! So…I had to meet a friend at Heavenly Stitches in Kingsport, and I spent the entire $179–everything I purchased was 40% off so I’ve sort of excused myself. Then…this morning Mike went to take the trash off and he went by Hardees and got me a sausage biscuit and then by Pal’s got me a peach tea. So, basically, I’ve went off track. AWOL. Crazy.

I did get some pretty fabric though, and since it was all Christmas fabric it was on sale. I got Christmas fabric that could be used in a non-Christmas quilt I want to make for Mike. I’m collecting fabric that has kind of a “lodge” look to it when put together. Lots of checks, etc.

My friend Wendy was with me. We both liked this black fabric with snowflakes. I bought 12 yards of it as I’ll use for backing on future Christmas quilts. I like black on the back of a busy quilt.

But I’m back on to my No Spend, and the weather is cooperating with as I won’t be going off this snowy hill for a day or two. . It’s snowed this evening and we’re most likely snowed in for the next two days. I love these types of days. I don’t have to feel guilty for not wanting to go anywhere.

This desire to stay home and play with my own things goes way back. When I was a little girl, I’d walk up to Mom with a friend and we’d ask if I could go to their house and spend the night or play. I’d then step back where only Mother could see me and shake my head “no.” Can anyone else relate?

My projects for the past few days have been cleaning house and a continued focus on organizing “areas.” I’m on track with that. I’ve done my sewing machine box, my notions box, my quilt fabric stash, the coat closet and a makeup drawer.

And…of course, as jars empty, they need to be filled. This chicken stew used rotisserie chicken and was delicous. It’s pretty, too. Mike asked me to take my canned chicken off the shelves where people could see the jars. He said it looked like I’d canned baby butts or someone’s brain. LOL. I replaced those jars (now hidden where they won’t offend his sensitive eye) with this chicken stew. I took the rims off after taking this picture. This was when they were right out of the canner.

And I had a few navy beans that needed “used up.” They look pretty too.

Hope you are enjoying these wintery days where nature gives us a serendipitous holiday.

How are you doing with No Spend?

It’s Friday, January 3, and I made it to town to pick up all my groceries and did not order from a window!! However, I got to town and realized I had not eaten breakfast, so I was very, very hungry.

I thought…“who would know?” The answer is me. Ouch. I can’t lie to myself.

I went to Walmart, Sams Club and Aldi’s. When I went to Aldi’s I broke open the apple bag after checking out and there was no more perfect sight than this.

So I had an apple and it kept me from breaking the rule of eating out. It was a little difficult. I drove by Hardees and thought how yummy a gravy biscuit and Coke would be. I drove by Pal’s and thought about a jelly biscuit and a peach tea. I drove by McDonald’s and thought about a sausage patty and scrambled eggs. Those three all all my go-to breakfasts. The learning here is to eat before I head out because being hungry really lightens my resolve. But I did persevere and I feel good about that tonight.

I’m also realizing how quickly I’ve been going to Amazon to order things. I found a hole in one of my socks, and my very first thought was to order a few new socks from Amazon. But, really. I don’t need new socks. I have plenty of other socks.

Second, I have cabbage plants out and they are very healthy. Unfortunately, I doubt they’ll make it though this cold spell, but I want to try. First thought — I went to Amazon and started pricing frost row cover cloth. Again, I stopped and thought — “do I really need this?” The answer is no. I’ve got an old sheet and a plastic baby pool over the cabbage plants. That will work fine for the next two weeks.

I can do better. I don’t want to be wasteful.

Today was a bit of a wasted day. The only home organization project I did was to straighten a basket. Lame, I know but at least I did something.

I’m going to do my Bible devotion in a minute. Check that off the list.

And, for today, I’ve met the goals set during January No Spend. Check that off the list.

I don’t think I’ll be leaving the house until Tuesday with the bad weather. I’ll catch up on organization projects during those days.

Stay warm!! Don’t spend!

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.

As I finish out Day 1 of my No Spend January that’s detailed below, I’ll have to say not ordering on Amazon is the most challenging. Today, at least twice, I’ve considered breaking my own rule! On Day 1!! What a slacker. I didn’t, however. When we have extreme cold, we heat with wood using our wood boiler. We are currently bringing it “on line” right now and I realized Mike doesn’t have a good pair of work gloves, and he needs a new pair of gloves for this. I started to order a pair on Amazon. It would be oh so easy. However, he can go to Lowe’s or Rural King and get the gloves himself. If I get started breaking my own rules, I’ll continue. Besides, he can get exactly what he wants.

I have some goals for January — I’m going to walk on the trail 3 times per week, do a daily Bible devotion, and I’m going to systematically de-crapify my house. However, the one that I’ve thought most about is my No Spend January. It started today.

I did this once before but I would give myself about a C+ on my results. This year, I made rules that are more flexible. I’ve also got more buy in from Mike. Mike is not participating in the No Spend, but he cannot break the rules and buy me something that is on my list as a NO!

Here’s my list:      

Not Allowed:                                                                                                                                      

• Don’t buy anything from a window or convenience store (no fast food). There is one exception. After church on Sunday, I can get a Pal’s tea and hotdog. One per week.      
• No soft drinks or candy 
• No clothing or footwear purchases (admission here–I ordered a pair of boots yesterday. They were on sale and I’ll save them for Fall 2025. They are excluded because while they’ll arrive in January 2025, they were purchased and shipped in 2024.)
• No home decor purchases
• No Amazon purchases (extremely difficult)
• No quilt fabric purchases (very difficult)
• No skincare purchases (very difficult although I am pretty stocked up)
• No trips to the movies
• No Audible book purchases
• No streaming videos for additional cost or new subscriptions from what we currently have
• No home cleaning/home organization purchases
• No hair appointment in January

Allowed

• Normal groceries and pet food (but no Azure Standard, etc.)
• Medical for pets and Mike and me if needed
• RX’s if needed
• One meal out per week for the two of us in a sit-down restaurant
• Car wash as needed
• Any emergency supplies we may need for cold weather etc.

It’s important to note that Mike is not a participant. If you see him out buying from Pal’s or getting his haircut or stopping to get a snack, that’s on him. It’s my No Spend. I think he’ll support me and go along with most of it, but he’ll do what he wants to do. I have no control over this man, so why in the world would I think I could influence his spending?

In preparation, I went through my credit card statements and looked to see what subscriptions I have. I found two for streaming networks that I haven’t watched in months. I paused my Audible account and I may close it out as I can use the Washington County Library’s Libby ap. It’s paused until April. I found that there was a car wash subscription that I thought was closed out because I’d verbally told the carwash but the account failed to close — got a credit back on that one.

My January is about staying home, staying healthy, using what I have and enjoying it.

Since I have had a strong interest in food preservation for the past few years, I’ve watched many You Tube videos on home canning and freeze drying. Concurrent with those shows, Azure Standard came up frequently. Azure Standard offers natural and non-GMO groceries and other products in bulk. What is also unique is their delivery method. Customers may have orders delivered to their door, however, it’s very expensive. What is affordable and more common is the Azure drop experience.

You can opt to use their drop location which is manned and organized by an Azure coordinator. My Azure coordinator, Gloria, is located in Kingsport, but the drop location is convenient to all of the Tri-Cities by being in Blountville near the Tri-Cities Airport. It was actually in the parking lot of Second Harvest Food Bank (the former Sam’s Club building).

I was emailed a date by Azure of the drop but I was advised to stay in close contact with my coordinator and my email and text as the delivery time could change. It did change so this was useful information. I believe it was originally scheduled for a Friday and ended up being on Wednesday.

Mike went with me to the drop as I had no idea what to expect. At that time, I didn’t even know where 500 Jericho Road was — only later did I realize it was the old Sam’s Club location. We arrived at 4:30 pm with the drop at 5:00 pm. The lot only had about five cars and a tractor and trailer on it. No one was out of their vehicle, so realizing we were early, we went to a nearby restaurant (Wendy’s) to use the restroom.

When we came back about 15 minutes later, activity had picked up. A lot! There were about 75 people there. Here’s what to expect if you order from Azure and use a drop.

Our names were on 3 x 5 cards on the ground.

I found mine quickly.

Everyone was in a line — but they were not lined up to get their packages. They line up to help unload the truck. Otherwise, this would not work.

So. you get in a line, you get packages (if they are too heavy, they’ll give you smaller ones), and you go to the orderer’s name on the pavement and stack the packages there. Then, you get back in line and do it all over again until the truck is unloaded. It takes about 20-30 minutes. There was a lot of stuff on that tractor and trailer.

The coordinator said to bring a tarp if it rained. Now I know why. Rain would be a bit of a disaster.

My order was small. I ordered three bags of different types of organic pasta. I ordered elbow macaroni, penne pasta and spaghetti — ten pounds of each. Most of the orders were quite large.

Here’s some more…

Now, Mike is still puzzling over why we did this.

When we got home, I put some of the pasta in jars which I then removed the oxygen from. I put quite a few pounds in reusable Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. While they’ll keep for years, these will be used up during the next year.

So my cousin asked if it was worth it. In my case, it was a break even. I’d priced organic pasta and it was the same price or in some cases, a little less. There are many other items where the savings are quite dramatic. If I needed 25 pound bags of flour, I’d really save. For large families, Azure Standard appears to be very useful and very affordable. Interesting fact–I noticed that female names were on the pavement, but males were picking up the orders.

Other reasons people buy from Azure is because the company has a strong commitment to NON-GMO and organic foods. Also, if you are concerned about packaging waste and the environment, bulk ordering might make sense for you. For me, I like having a “grocery store” of sorts in my pantry so that if there’s an emergency and the grocery store doesn’t have a lot of stock, it doesn’t affect me adversely. My pasta is on the pantry shelf and will be used and replaced at some point.

I have an Azure catalog and I will order again from them again. It probably won’t be in the winter months because I can see where this could be problematic.

So that was my Azure Standard experience!