the daydream fund challenge thread

stitching_witch

It must be harvest time as it's really quiet on this thread! I'm just as guilty though.

I'm finding that working full time is tiring and DD has just turned into a single mum as her partner has left, meaning I'm covering much of the childcare issues. DGD is only two and a half, and we get up to loads of mischief together but sometimes I wish I had the time at home getting on with things. I sometimes fel resentful that DH is at home full time, but he still feels that he isn't fit enough for work.

The chickens are laying well and I'm selling free-range, organic eggs to friends so they are currently "cost-neutral" and still leaving enough eggs for our own use too.

The allotment has been productive and we harvested 47 lb of potatoes today along with 2 courgettes, 4 cucumbers, 2 lb of raspberries and 5 lbs of onions and shallots. There's plenty more where that came from. I'm not sure what can go in the empty beds though. I need to find out because last year we left it all empty over the winter and that's such a waste.

Nothing has been added to my fund recently, but on the other hand nothing has been spent either.

rhiwfield

Stitching Witch, sounds like a bit of a rough patch atm, keep the dream though, we all need something to look forward to.

Jayne, it probably wont pay many of the bills but it does give us a sense of direction and purpose and it means that we can be creative. We're trying lots of different things and learning new skills, its really satisfying when it comes good (occasionally!)

Just recovered from a tremendous sneezing fit after getting the dried lavender flowers from the stems cut 3 weeks back. Lavender fever, who'd have thunk it? :rotfl:

They'll be sewn up in floral sachets later this week, keep some, sell some.

Guess everyone's garden seems to be in full flow, we're barely keeping up but the food budget is mostly getting used to buy DW a stock of wool. Made a mock up stall yesterday to display goods for sale, looked ok and gives hope we might be on the right lines.

Just waiting for Daisy, the maran, to lay her egg for the day before I cut the grass paths. They panic when the lawnmower gets near the coop and I dont want to be fishing scarambled egg out of the nest boxes

Davesnave

Must admire your resourcefulness, Rhiwfield and I also remember about being too busy with the day job, Stitching Witch! Still, needs must, and all that. Sometimes unusual or difficult situations create opportunities which wouldn't have turned up otherwise.

There's no doubt things are currently very tight for many people. I heard this morning about a local market gardener who's just lost his plot, though it isn't clear whether he had to sell it or if a landlord sold over his head.

We've soldiered-on with various long term jobs over the past week and also taken time out for other things, like the North Devon Show. There's plenty of toms, peppers and aubergines now, and all the onions and garlic are harvested, so some of the apples won't be far behind. The trees have reacted in varying ways to our radical pruning, but all are showing the benefit. The hazelnuts look brilliant this year too.

As a result of doing the local show ten days ago, we had a visit from an ex-local nursery owner, now retired. He has a 55' polytunnel and hundreds of plant pots which he wants shot of, so we'll be looking at those later this week.

Meanwhile, I have updated the photo stream on Photobucket:




Hen pictures at last.... or did I do them before?... Not sure. I'm having a senior moment folks!

JayneC

Hi again,

Love your pics Dave. Must try and get some uploaded too.

Went to my 'other' garden tonight to do more clearing. We're making progress. DD2 had great fun with the loppers and decimated a rambling rose and a hydranga!! She also chopped down a fair bit of bamboo, some around 10-12ft tall!!! so have to think of good uses for bamboo, any ideas? Was hoping to make yarn but doesn't appear to be a DIY job... Lots of trellis and obelisks??

We got caught in a downpour so had to call it a day. Probably won't get back until weekend now. Ah well...

Got some books from the book club at work (I seem to be developing a book addiction!) One was about growing your own and also cooking and preserving it, so will make good use of that. Got another cookbook (Hairy Bikers) and a knitting book, so may be rivalling you rhiwfield on the craft front! It seems to have some quite funky designs including bags and stuff like that, so it's knitted bags and chutney all round for Christmas gifts I reckon

Lotus-eater

JayneC wrote: »

so have to think of good uses for bamboo, any ideas?

About a million things in the veg garden! Chop them down to as long as you can, about 8 foot is good. Shorter ones should be kept as well.

Then keep somewhere dry till next season. You can use them for bean poles, poles to support pea netting. Tomato supports, loads of supports and structures you need to make!

Davesnave

JayneC wrote: »

Hi again,

Love your pics Dave. Must try and get some uploaded too.

We got caught in a downpour ...

Yes, please. Your new plot is a bit hard to imagine.

Ha! ha! So did we. Months without much rain, then a threat of rain from the Met Office, which came to nowt all day, so we go for a quick walk to the wildlife bit at the other end of the land.......

The return was quicker!:rotfl:

Lotus-eater

stitching_witch wrote: »

It must be harvest time as it's really quiet on this thread! I'm just as guilty though.

I'm a full time Dad atm, especially as DD is off school atm. With tiny lickle DS to look after as well, I'm rushed off my feet

And harvesting is indeed in full swing, I'm busy busy busy, everything is ready at the same time and we're all busy picking, eating and freezing everything it feels like.
There is such a choice to eat every night, it's almost an embarrassment of riches, I'm just starting to get a bit behind with everything.
As well as that, I'm in full wood fuel production mode, getting ready for this and next winter, bit disappointed that the oak I've had drying for ages still isn't dry enough to burn, but the willow I've only had outside for a year is perfectly dry.
Then the chainsaw decided to be a bit temperamental, meaning I've spent as much time fixing it the last two days, as cutting wood.

We shall be making tomato sauces for freezing soon, as long as blight still holds away, nothing yet, it's been great!

choille

I've posted this in other threads but thought I'd try you guys as I'm trying to raise some cash & you are all pretty good & knowledgeable.
I have a couple of registration numbers on old motor bikes that I no longer use. The numbers are pretty cool so I thought about selling them. I googled it & there are so many companies doing this it seems a minefield.
I have been offered a few hundred pounds which at first I thought was pretty good but when I looked at similar numbers they were being advertised for a lot more than twice what I have been offered - Does anyone have any advice? Or does anyone have a company that they could recommend?

In between my blackcurrant bushes are all fading & looking like they are about to die. They are starting to go a pale green & look a bit mouldy at the top. They look terrible. They didn't have hardly any fruit on them this year.

It is so midgy today again I have been chased indoors. It is annoying. Hope a breeze picks up as it is stifling in the caravan.

Thanks in advance.

Lotus-eater

choille wrote: »

I have a couple of registration numbers on old motor bikes that I no longer use. The numbers are pretty cool so I thought about selling them.

A few friends of mine would happily string you up from the nearest lamppost :rotfl:

Unless you are talking post 1950's bikes, then they wouldn't care and their eyes would glaze over

choille

A few friends of mine would happily string you up from the nearest lamppost :rotfl:

Why?

They are late seventies early eighties - I think....