Chore Chart
A couple of weeks ago, Bekah from Finding Little Moments, and I were discussing chore charts while we knitted together via the internet (isn't the internet the darndest thing?). We were kind of discussing it because I feel so overwhelmed with getting all the things done and I need a to-do list to keep me in check. I tend to get single focused on one thing and dive down the rabbit hole. And then, all of a sudden, it's dinner time or time for bed or what-have-you. And then I realized I haven't cleaned up or put things up. I'm sure you get the point and understand. Anyway, Bekah and I were discussing this and she was telling me about how she keeps her chores in balance (I hope she does a blog post on this! I'll let you know if she does). So I decided to come up with a chore chart, so-to-speak. I printed off this calendar and then came up with daily chores that needed to be done and then weekly chores and then monthly chores. And then I taped it to the side of the fridge just so it would be a reminder. Our daily chores include: clean the kitchen, sweep the kitchen, and scoop the litter box. Our weekly chores are as follows:
Monday: mowing day
Tuesday: vacuum, dust, sweep, mop
Wednesday: Laundry, change the sheets, put up laundry
Thursday: bathrooms (y'all there are 4 bathrooms in this house! They don't all get used but the 2 that get used on the regular get a regular cleaning)
Friday: paperwork
Monthly chores includes:
Cleaning all the bathrooms including the 2 that don't get used on a regular basis
Washing all the blankets, pillows, etc.
I'm trying to take the weekends off from major chores. The regular chores, like straightening up, cleaning the kitchen, sweeping, etc. etc. will still get done but I don't want to spend my weekends deep cleaning. I have time to do that during the week. Also, with my markets starting up for the year, Fridays are probably not going to be paperwork day. I put that on the list to make sure I was filing, updating check books, spreadsheets, etc. You know, the things that I really don't want to do! So far I've done so-so with the paperwork, but everything else is getting done!
How's that garden you ask?
In other news, the garden is looking great! I was so worried about the green beans. They just weren't growing. I think I probably mentioned that before. But I realized the hay wagon is slightly tilted and the water is all running over to (and sitting there) where the beans are. So I left the garden alone over the last few days (we had a ton of rain recently) and I let it all dry out and get some good, warm sun. And that seems to have worked. I spent this morning in the garden weed whacking, planting some more peas, just sprucing it up some more; thinking about the possibilities and the future. And I'm happy to report that the garden seems to be happy. There should be tomatoes, potatoes, squashes, peas, radishes, herbs (lots and lots of herbs), brussel sprouts, and broccoli. I tried to plant only the things that we eat the most of. Of course we eat a lot of potatoes so there's no way we'd ever plant enough and I've never grown potatoes before. It'll be fun to see how it goes. I have enough wood left over to build two more beds. I think I know where I want one to go and we'll plant it full of garlic this fall. I've never done a fall/winter garden either so that will be lots of fun too. Oh. And I totally want to build this little garden shed up in my garden space. How cute is that?
In other news....
See that truck up above? That means that faster internet is coming. At some point. So we live in an area that the phone company, TV, and internet are all owned by a small family business. And for reasons unknown to me, they won't sell to a larger, nationwide company. That would mean more businesses could come into our area. And small businesses wouldn't struggle with the internet and getting business done (ahem..speaking from experience). And people could effectively and efficiently work from home. But nope. They won't sell out. And they didn't have the resources to put in faster internet cables or whatever and however that works. But they got a grant a couple of years ago and were all like 'oh, we expect to have everyone on fiber by the end of 20XX (whatever year it was. 2019?). And they ran all the lines. They were up and down our road putting up lines. They 'flipped the switch' over on the NY side and they have faster internet..even the areas that are more remote than us. But we're still waiting. And then last week the trucks are back. I'm glad to see them but I'm wondering what they're doing? Didn't they just run lines last year or the year before? Can you tell this is a frustration for me? I'm sure it's frustrating for a lot of people. The digital divides exist. Sometimes it exists because the companies that control the access won't do anything to bridge that gap. Just sayin'.
Moving on. I found another elderflower tree on the property. Did I mention that already? I swear it's all running together lately, hence the reason I need a to-do list! Anyway, I also found some black raspberries. I don't know how I overlooked them these past couple of years. I also picked a ton of wildflowers for using to infuse oil with. Then the oil will be made into salves and soaps.
I know you've been waiting for a market update!
Speaking of salves and soaps! The first market of the season is under my belt. It went really well. I have two markets coming up this week and I just changed up my setup, once again. I bought a pink gingham vinyl tablecloth but I decided I didn't like it for the market table. It works perfect for when I'm doing a video and cooking and getting everything messy, but I just don't feel like it suits my market aesthetic. So. I'm changing it up a bit. I have a big piece of ticking fabric that I'll use as the tablecloth and I'm designing a homemade, home crafted sign. I just need to figure out a chalkboard or some such that I can write on and tell a little about myself. Anyway, the market was good. I got some good feedback on what people are looking for. I'm adding a special edition soap, bug spray, and air freshener (hopefully by Friday's market). I also got some good feedback from someone on how to market my items better. The one thing I don't think I do well is marketing chicken librarian. And pulling everything together cohesively. So I'm looking for new ideas and ways to do all that. But I'll tell you what. Those lip balms? I can't keep them in stock! And I did really well last week selling $3 lip balms! I'll take it!
The other thing I'm realizing is that not everything will sell at each market. I'm slowly figuring out my audience at each market. So there are some things I'm not taking back to the Friday market. This will give me room for the things that I think people are interested in. And then when I'm at special events and special markets I can take all the things. I guess it's a learning process. But I also kind of feel like I've had my head buried in the sand. I don't think it's necessarily from the COVID shutdowns either. I really think it's just me not wrapping my head around all of this...this owning a business. Starting a business from scratch. So that will be my focus for the next little bit...finding my cohesiveness, marketing chicken librarian, and just getting things done. I know I've mentioned it before, but y'all I just haven't been able to figure it out.
Fourth of July and the day after
Moving on. Yesterday I made easy goat cheese on facebook live. I'll get that video posted here along with the recipe and other tidbits. But then I took the rest of the day off. Well, let me backup. Friday night we had lobster for dinner! Yes! Lobster. I kind of feel like that we can't go to the beach then the beach must come to us! But the lobsters were a treat from someone else. It was so good. I haven't had whole lobster since last year (I definitely had lobster rolls in the Cape back in February, but not whole lobsters). Funnily enough, I didn't know we were having lobster for dinner but I intuitively wore my lobster flip flops to dinner that night! And then after the facebook live session yesterday I needed to run to the farm where I get my milk and pick up some more goats milk. So I made the day of it, well, the afternoon anyway. I went to the farm, stopped at an antique store, went for ice cream, ice cream wasn't open yet, so drove to a little general store to get lunch, then drove the local creamery, they were closed, but they were kind enough to sell us cheese anyway, back to the ice cream store, and then home. It was fun and I saw some parts of the country that I haven't seen in a very long time! The little general store where we stopped for lunch had the cutest 'wear your masks' sign! And those adorable flower pot holders, locally made!
And then today! Today I was in the garden (see above) and then I had an impromptu canning 101 lesson. I always like to see people picking up new things, learning the homesteading ways...even if they aren't embracing the homesteading life all the way. Every little thing people do is fine with me. I also have the craft along still going on Tuesday nights and we're gearing up for our book discussion, not this coming week but the week after. So you still have time to get the book and read and then discuss along with me!
And now, it's almost dinner time. The chickens have been out most of the day. I've been sitting outside writing this, watching them, laughing at them. There's still a lot left to be done today before I can go to bed. So it's time to sign off and I hope I remembered to tell you everything. Newsletter is coming out this week. Sign up for it if you haven't already. And then let me know how you're doing! How was your weekend? Did you do anything special for the fourth?
'til next time
-k
xoxo