Motivational Monday

“We stand at the crossroads, each minute, each hour,
each day, making choices. We choose the thoughts we
allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves
to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to
perform. Each choice is made in the context of whatever
value system we’ve selected to govern our lives. In
selecting that value system, we are, in a very real way,
making the most important choice we will ever make."

Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790

Southern Gardening Update

Yes, I know that today is Friday, and we usually share food storage recipes on Friday... I'm a day late on this post but I wanted to share how our garden is going here in Florida.  It's quite a bit different from Abs' northern garden that she shared last week!

I'm really glad that my husband thought to plant the big vine plants on the edges... that way they can just hang over the side and not encroach upon the other plants.  Good thinking!  We have watermelon and cantaloupe there on the bottom corner.


We've already harvested some lettuce for salads and sandwiches... we ended up keeping all 4 of our lettuce plants in the two squares we planted them in.  I originally thought I'd have to move some, but they haven't gotten too large or close together so I think they'll stay put.  In the picture it looks like they are all over each other but in fact they are separated quite nicely.  And I have to say, I've been pretty impressed with how quickly they recover from harvesting.  I ripped leaves off almost an entire plant about 4 days ago, and it looks full again already.  I am really glad we planted that lettuce!

And, you can't see them very well in the back corner but I'm a little unhappy with how a couple of the tomatoes are doing... I don't know if we planted them too early or what, but they just aren't growing nearly as well or as quickly as the other plants.  I will give them a bit more time, but I am tempted to buy some starters if they don't start to perk up.  Tomatoes are my favorite garden vegetable so I am really counting on them to do well!


How are your gardens going?

Food Storage Tuesday

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your emergency car kit, your three-month supply, and your longer term storage.  If you are new to our blog, don't worry!  You won't be left behind.  Just start up where we are and follow along.  You will eventually have everything completed.  Once the car kit is complete, we'll be putting together 72-hour kits again (week by week).  Once those are done, we'll gather the car kits again.  So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!  


This week for your emergency car kit, add a package of wet wipes and a roll of toilet paper.  Wet wipes can always come in handy, even if you don't have children.  For easier (and smaller) t.p. storage, take the cardboard out of the center of the roll so that you can store it a bit flatter to save space.  Just put it all in a plastic bag to keep it clean.


How's your three-month supply going?  There are so many reasons why a three-month supply of food is important.  There are personal reason - job loss, sickness, unexpected emergencies.  There are also larger-scale reasons.  In an uncertain world, we just don't know life is going to bring us.  For example, natural disasters seem to happen regularly, in many parts of the world.  We just don't know when something is going to hit us, and it's best to be prepared.  Wouldn't it be comforting to know that you could survive in your home for 3 months, without ever having to leave if you didn't need to?  I find it comforting (well, it would be comforting, if my 3-month supply was done!  It's always a work in progress).


This month for our longer-term storage, we are gathering rice.