It Has Been Awhile

I know.

I have been busy. And I have been distracted.

I am trying to grow a garden. Fresh veggies are so good for us...besides, I will get some fresh air and exercise - not a bad thing.

I have toyed with the idea of a garden for several years, but never seemed to get around to it. The recently rising food prices provided the motivation I needed. I have read about food riots in over 35 countries and I have seen the price of bread rise 50% in one week at my local grocery store! Now does seem the time to try my hand at gardening!

Perhaps, if my garden does well enough, I will get to remember how to can my own vegetables...

I have also been buying a bit of extra groceries every week. Not a lot, but some dried and canned foods. You know, the kinds of foods that store well.

I expect things to get better, but I fear they will get worse first. If I am wrong, we will still eat the food I have grown and put away, so nothing will be wasted.

In keeping with the theme of rising prices, I am also focusing on simple foods.

One of my favorites (and very, very simple) is oatmeal. Now, the convenience versions of oatmeal that come in those little packets are all very nice, but they cost more than buying rolled oats and adding your own flourishes.

Oats really are easy to cook and take only a few minutes. I like mine with raisins and cinnamon. Just cook oats according to package, adding a handful or more of raisins and a dash or three of cinnamon. I then like to serve it with butter and brown sugar as shown above.

Every penny saved is a penny you can use for something else. The pennies add up.

Oh yeah, in my garden, I have planted some corn, spinach, lettuce, and green beans. It is a start and I plan on more. We are lucky down here in Texas to have a long growing season...