My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

DH got the all clear at the dentist which is what he expected, and he also got the usual scale and polish. He went to several places in the city trying to source door panels without any luck, but they are available on eBay so I’ll just buy them from there.

There’s plenty of wind today so the generator hasn’t been on. It’s freezing too, so dog walking was not a pleasant experience. They are worth the occasional discomfort though.

I’ve re-filled the bird feeders and there have been lots of visitors today. Unfortunately, one of them was Mr Ratty so DH is exploring ways of stopping him getting to the feeders.

AnimalTribe

There's not much been happening today. I’ve been sorting out some financial stuff and started to fix a chip on the edge of a cute mug.

To fix a chip I make sure it’s clean and dry than overfill the chip with Superfine White Milliput, having first wet my fingers as the Milliput is sticky. When the Milliput is thoroughly dry it shrinks, hence the overfilling. I then sand it without damaging any of the rest of the ceramic. When it’s smooth, I paint on a golden rim. That way I’ll have a cute plant pot holder. I’ll put a photo up when it’s finished. I’ve also used Milliput to fix chips on the edges of plates. It’s dishwasher safe, is safe to eat off and lasts for years (it looks unglazed though). I’ve also used it to fix ornaments. It’s very useful stuff.

It's been very windy and the wind's blowing from the right direction for the turbine so the battery bank is full.

AnimalTribe

It's been windy today so another full day of free energy.

I've made my usual catch up phone calls and done some beadwork. DH sold a couple of items on eBay and fixed the cord on a small lamp. He also cut some broken metal off a torque necklace for me.

My first seedlings have started to appear - broadbeans. It's so exciting seeing the first ones and I hope the others do as well.

The Milliput hasn't dried yet. It usually takes a few days to cure.

AnimalTribe

Windy again so I took the opportunity to wash a couple of the dog beds. It was cold outside but they were almost dry when I brought them in to finish off inside. DH built a laundry rack that hangs from the ceiling in the utility room. It’s about 7feet by 4 feet and it’s very useful in winter.

I’ve cut out some felt to make some more circus elephants for a nursery garland but I’ve put them to one side until the mood strikes to sew.

AnimalTribe

There was enough spare electricity generated by the turbine to do a laundry load this morning, but it had to be dried inside.

DH and I went out to the village for lunch and to do a quick shop, just bread and milk. I stayed in the car and read my book while DH went into the charity shop. I’m getting better at resisting temptation. I do love looking in charity shops as some of them have really great, interesting things, but I’m trying to clear the house. DH came out of the shop with . . . nothing. That is a first.

I have bought a couple of things online, a DVD boxed set for £13.50 that I’ve had my eye on for a while but until now it’s been £35. At one time I would have bought it for £35 but waiting definitely paid off. I’ve also bought some jewellery cleaner as I still have some things to clean.

ellenvan

Well done resisting the charity shop.

The aspect that you never know what you will find, means I am always buying bits and bobs from them. You can't leave something while you think about the purchase or then it will be gone.

I am slowly decluttering though.

AnimalTribe

Ellenvan thanks. Charity shops are really my biggest spending temptation as there are so many unique things to be found in them. My decluttering is going slowly too, but as long as I get there in the end I don't mind how long it takes me.

The solid door panels have arrived so when the weather improves DH will replace the current cat door panels.

The wind must have been stronger than I thought last night as a heavy, wooden garden bench was blown into the fence. Unfortunately, the fence was damaged which allowed a couple of sheep to sneak in. DH has placed some wood loosely over the gap until the weather improves enough to fix this too.

The first artichoke seedling has appeared so I hope the conditions here allow me to put them outside when the weather is warmer. I suppose I could try to put a plant in the greenhouse at the same time I put the tomatoes in there.

AnimalTribe

DH managed to replace one of the door panels this morning before it started raining. It has continued to rain all day.

On Tuesday I contacted an eBay seller to let them know that a package still hadn’t arrived and they gave me a refund. Of course, it turns up today. I’ve contacted them again to ask them how they want re-payment. It wasn’t the sellers fault it was the courier, but it’s so frustrating.

I’ve taken the cover off the broad beans as the seedlings are now fairly large. I think I might have to sow some more cucumber seeds though, as I’ve seen some fungus in the pot. Swings and roundabouts.

Tonight DH and I are just going to watch a DVD, so a relaxing evening.

AnimalTribe

The weather was beautiful today. A slight wind at just the right angle for the turbine, but warmer and sunnier than it’s been for ages. It was too nice to stay indoors so I went for a couple of walks. DH managed to replace the last door panel.

It’s been one of the best years for snowdrops, the garden is covered in them. The rhubarb is starting to show and my courgette seedlings are starting to appear. I saw the first bee today which is always a welcome sight. I can’t wait to get outside properly and start on the garden.

AnimalTribe

It’s been another lovely day today so I’ve been out for a couple of walks. I’ve become really unfit over the winter months so I’m trying to get fit again, and I’m taking the opportunity to do some dog training along the way. One of the dogs is reactive to cars and bicycles – I think it’s because they are fairly infrequent here. I’m also trying to cut down on the sweet stuff so I’ll see how that goes.

The cup that I fixed the other day is now ready. The chip on the cup was mainly on the inside with just a tiny nick in the rim. If I hadn’t painted the cup and just left the bare Milliput it could be used for drinking (it would also have been dishwasher safe), but I have so many mugs it was better to use it as a plant pot holder. Here are the photos.