"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Saturday 18 December 2021

Re-usable jam tins

The mousebirds have decimated the fruit on my trees this year, so this week I had to pop into the supermarket to buy a tin of jam.

Looking at all the jars and tis of jam, I spied this...

Tin with ring pull, and re-sealable, re-usable lid


A tin of Rhodes jam with a re-usable lid.

Wonderful!

Yes, the lid is plastic, but it is really well fitting and will allow for the tin to be re-used for a myriad of times - until the lid deteriorates. 

Button, screws, beans, seeds...  And if one had to pierce that lid with tiny holes, the it could even be used for sprouting seeds.

Well done, Rhodes.  You thought outside the box.



Sunday 5 December 2021

Christmas tree alternatives

I know everyone will slowly be gearing themselves up for the Christmas Season.

For many years when we were first married and our children were young, we had a traditional live Christmas Tree - complete with real candles and lametta (German tinsel). The number of long, boring years that the poor tree stayed in the same pot - I used to feel sorry for it. When it finally caught the conifer fungus bug and died, I looked for alternative options. 

The first two pics are from Christmas 2016 - looks simple, huh?  Trust me it isn't. Getting those balls to hang in a straight line horizontally wasn't easy - and seriously tried my patience.  

The second two pics are from 2018 - my beloved late husband, Ronnie, made me a Christmas village scene from an old pallet which was then simply decorated with lights and strategically placed candles. It was absolutely stunning. The little nativity scene at the bottom is from when my children were small and was purchased as plain wood items - which I then painted.  

Apart from an Advent Kranz I can't decorate for Christmas anymore. It just isn't the same.  Plus, the grandkids don't come for Christmas - it is just too far to travel, their animals (cat and multiple dogs) are left alone whilst they are away, and the roads are hyper dangerous at that time of year.


But, I do love to see Christmas decorations. Has anyone recycled anything into Christmas decor?