My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

Foxgloves I'm really keen to get started but I have to wait for DH to clear a flat surface as he has them all taken up with projects. A lot of the projects benefit the house though so I'm not complaining.

The weather was cold here but not windy so I managed to get in the garden this morning. I didn't do anything major just weeding and general tidying up.

I did a bit more baking - a coconut cake and a coffee & walnut cake that will keep DH and me going for a while.

AnimalTribe

I've done lots of hard labour today - heavy digging, moving sacks of soil, and rocks (for a rockery). DH did a lot of gardening work too. We felt we deserved a treat so ordered a take away, had a glass of wine and watched a film. There wasn't much sun or wind so the battery bank hasn't been topped up today. There should be enough charge left to last the night, but unless it's very sunny or windy tomorrow the generator is bound to kick in.

AnimalTribe

It was very windy today, so no outside jobs got done. Just as well really as DH and I were still tired from yesterday. 

I thought the generator would switch on this morning with there being nothing topping up the batteries yesterday, and the batteries were very low first thing this morning. I had hoped that the wind turbine would top things up, but the wind was coming from the wrong direction. Fortunately, the wind shifted about 11am to the right direction and the batteries are now fully charged, as well as the portable power packs. Living off-grid comes with unique challenges.

I've spent the day making things for my Etsy shop so I still managed a productive and enjoyable day.

Four_Seasons

That sounds like a productive day, afraid I am being a bit lazy with mine as sales seem to have dried up just lately probably not helped by all the increased bills popping through letter boxes, just need to find my get up and go and get thinking ahead. I live rural/farm on the coast and it always seems to be windy and cooler than elsewhere at least it dries the washing.

rachmac3

I have to track wind direction too, but just to keep things safe. I live in a bit of a wind tunnel. The roof was blown off my woodstore again this week. 
Sounds like quite a productive and well rounded few days. 

AnimalTribe

Four_Seasons it sounds like your living situation is very similar to mine; except I live on a windswept moor rather than the coast. My Etsy isn't doing anything at the moment either, but I'm making things now for Christmas. I know it's early but I want to have things ready to list by the end of August.

Rachmac3 I hope your woodstore is easily repaired, winds can be vicious, and unfortunately there's little that can be done about a wind tunnel. We do suffer wind damage now and again, but obviously it benefits the turbine, so I can't really complain too much.

DH and I went out to the village today to do a bit of shopping and have lunch. We popped into the charity shop as I needed a birthday card (they sell them for 50p) so a good deal. I promised myself I wasn't going to buy anything else as I'm trying to declutter. Unfortunately, DH started looking at the books for sale and I spotted one that looked interesting, so it's found its way onto my already packed bookshelves.

It was sunny and windy today so everything is topped up.

rachmac3

I'm pretty sure books don't count 

weenancyinAmerica

Books definitely don't count. After all, some of them are just passing through - once read they head on to greener climes. Or not - mine like to stick around forever. Thomas Jefferson started the Library of Congress in the US with 7000 or so books. If he could have that many to give away (or maybe he sold them, not sure), we should be able to have that many - right?

AnimalTribe

Rachmac3 & WeenancyinAmerica That's what I tell DH . Although if I keep going It won't be long before I catch up with Jefferson. I do pass on some books that I've read and won't read again, but if I enjoy a book it stays.

It was very windy here today so there was plenty of electricty generated. I did manage to pop out and plant a sweet potato. I've no idea if it will grow, but I thought I'd give it a try.

I finished off another cross-stitch so that's another to add to the pile to be made into cards.

AnimalTribe

Weird weather today, ferocious wind with torrential rain, followed by ferocious wind and bright sunshine, on a loop all day. I had a cosy indoor day but DH took the dogs out and got soaked every time.

I’ve just done some crafting, surfed online and read a book. The laziest and loveliest of days.

Plenty of energy generated too with all the wind.