A difficult decision.

Nine months ago we took on the challenge of living without a refridgerator. For most of this time we have survived quite well. We progressed from iceblocks in a cool box to an insulated cupboard on an outside wall, regular swapping of iceblocks ensured that for the most our food was chilled and all was well. But, over the summer, things haven't kept so well. Food has spoiled quickly and I've had to throw it away.
At the start of September I decided to reintroduce a fridge to our household. It is smaller than our original fridge, and secondhand from freecycle. When we need to replace it we will buy an A rated one.
Living without the fridge, we kept very little in it and food spoiled. Now I can keep leftovers to eat the next day without freezing them , chill fresh produce when needed and make homemade yoghurt that won't go off before we've finished it!!!!!

It was a difficult decision but I think, for us, at this point in time, the right one.

We're Married!!!

A wonderful day

Drowning under a sea of rose petals...

Oh dear, 3 weeks without posting! To be fair thing are a bit crazy around here with Wedding preparations!!!

My dehydrator has come into it's own quickly drying rose petals from the garden into homemade confetti. The bunting is coming along nicely and I'm steadily working my way through a list of cakes to bake for the big day (thank goodness for freezers!)

Kind friends have sent their contributions

Bags from Nita and Handfasting ribbon from Jacky

Oh well, better get back to the bunting!!!!

My Freedom Garden Update

Our very first Nastutium Flower!!!

We've not grown these before but they are dead easy, the leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible!

The rain over the past week has really done the garden good, let me take you on a tour of some of the highlights....

Our first year growing tomatoes, they are up to 2ft high now but I'm surprised how early they are flowering. I've even learnt how to nip out the side shoots!!!

I threw down a handful of rocket seed in the soil at the bottom of the squarefoot planter and its growing great guns!!!

Redcurrants are bountiful this year! Compared to last years harvest of 5 yes count them 5 berries!!!!

No the photo isn't upside down this baby pear is reaching for the sky. Once again only a handful have set. Maybe I will hand pollenate them next year. Does anyone else have any tips for growing pears?

The beetroot leaves are coming on - I've already pinched some for a salad! Apparently taking the odd outone shouldn't affect the beetroot underneath as lon as its limited to 4/5 in total. I need to start some new seedling off soon so we have a second lot to harvest later.

Little Miss Jones' spinach has doubled in size in the past week.

The new strawberryies are growing nicely! These should make a nice compliment to the alpine strawberries I planted last year.

Little Jonesy has been planting up sunflower seeds.

Of course I've had a bit of help from my gardener in training, Little Miss Jones!!

Welcome!!!!

My Family by Little Jonesey

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Welcome friends, old and new!!

Maybe you've come via my other blog or you've stumbled across us by chance, let me introduce ourselves (starting from the left of our picture)

Little Jonesey: Our Five year old son:- cheeky, outdoorsy, practical and hands-on. He got his first proper toolkit at christmas and loves to help daddy on projects. Favourite thing '

Little Miss Jones:- Arty, musical, a girly tomboy, loves helping mummy cooking or gardening and daddy in the workshop. Favourite thing 'getting muddy with daddy'

Mrs Jones to be:- Me!! I'm a homemaker, I spend my days cooking, baking, and learning new skills. I love growing my vegetables, being in the kitchen, learning new stuff via the 'net and the great oudoors

Old Man Jones :- The newest addition to our family! When daddy comes to visit he loves to be in the workshop or garage, creating new projects. Favourite thing 'exploring woods and climbing trees'

Together we make up the Jones Family. This blog is our journal of the changes we are making to live the simple life, the skills we are learning and our journey towards self sufficiency.