No.921: Last Week at the Farmhouse // Making It Do

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Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
― Epicurus

I’ve been interested in economics for a long time.  I wrote a post last August entitled Hard Times Ahead? and my prediction may be coming true.  While layoffs have been occurring for years at this point, it’s currently hitting my area and people are scared and anxious.  May seemed as good a time as ever to focus on our financial goals (we have one last debt to pay off!) and get us better situated to handle whatever may come our way.

My goals for Make It Do May:

• no spending other than a few pre-planned purchases
• grocery shop only once, heavily using the pantry and only purchasing things like milk and produce when we run out
• increased creativity in the kitchen, reinventing leftovers and leaving nothing to waste
• declutter and list on resale sites as much as possible
• look into high-interest savings accounts
• research better rates for car insurance
• and if there’s time! a return to crafting projects

Like I’ve said before, my motto has always been “little by little” – every day, we do one small thing to get us closer to our objective.  The first full week of Make It Do May was a huge success (see below!) and I’m excited to come up with even more creative ways to save our money and live a more content and fulfilling life.  I’d love to hear what tips and tricks you have as well!

Hoping to document 52 weeks of good things!

Five Good Things…

1. RAIN. // It’s putting a damper on my sowing/transplanting plans, but after years of drought, I’ll never say a bad thing about it!
2. How much my daughter has learned in piano so far. // One month in and she’s doing great!  She has a great rapport with her teacher already.
3. A new ornament project. // I found this cute pattern and it’s free, perfect for Make It Do May!  I’m also using a scrap piece of fabric and my DMC floss, so very much a frugal accomplishment.
4. Habemus papam. // He has taken the name Leo XIV.  We pray for him as he begins the daunting task of leading the Catholic Church.
5. Filling up a ThredUp Clean Out bag. // Trying something new!  I have a lot of clothes that have been listed on reselling platforms for awhile and haven’t sold.  I’m giving them one last try through ThredUp.  There is a $14.99 service fee and the payout is significantly smaller than if I sold them myself, but some money is better than no money!  And bonus: it gets a lot of this stuff out of my house, so it’s also a decluttering win.

Frugal Accomplishments //

• used stationery I already owned (random envelopes, old cards) to send snail mail
• used an awkward-sized piece of wrapping paper to package a resale order
• listed a few things on Poshmark/ebay
• sold pork to friends
• air-dried a few loads of laundry on drying racks
• made chicken broth from backs in the freezer
• made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to use the last half of a can of pumpkin puree
• invested in another 50lb bag of flour
• finally finished one last shampoo that has languished in the shower after I found something better
• transformed honey that had crystallized into creamed honey (delicious!)
• used shredded paper as nesting box filler for the chickens (a tip I learned from the blog, The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm)
• sold a science workbook, two teacher’s manuals, a shirt, and a jacket and after fees, made $39.53!

Reading //

• The Most Dangerous Thing in Culture Right Now is Beauty from Ted Gioia at The Honest Broker // Thought provoking.
• Frugal Feasting in the Shire from Alyssa Falkentook at The Hobbit Homemaker // “There’s something deeply satisfying about a well-planned meal, especially when it’s inspired by the hearty, homey fare of the Shire! Hobbits are known for their love of food, but they’re also resourceful, making the most of what they have to create nourishing, comforting meals.”
• this quote from Saint Francis de Sales in Thy Will Be Done: Letters to Persons in the World:

Do not worry yourself; no, believe me, practice serving our Lord with a gentleness full of strength and zeal.  That is the true method of this service.  Wish not to do all, but only something, and without doubt you will do much. (p.153)

New Additions to The List // 

• The Family That Couldn’t Sleep: A Medical Mystery by D.T. Max
• Motherland by Sally Thomas
• Works of Mercy: A Novel by Sally Thomas
• The Blackbird and Other Stories by Sally Thomas

Watching/Listening //

• An Evening of Poetry and Fiction with Sally Thomas from The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts Center for the Restoration of Christian Culture // So good.
• Lectures 2-3 of Introduction to Sacramental Theology from The Pursuit of Wisdom at Ave Maria University

Loving //

• this “Something’s Killing Me” series // This medical mystery series was fascinating.
• this “Make It Do” free cross stitch pattern // From this website.  I may have to stitch this soon!
• this peanut butter chocolate chip granola bar recipe // Big hit with the kids.  I think I’ll some protein powder to the mix next time.

from the archives…

WEEK NINETEEN 2024 // We Are Meant to Be Naturalists