Common Sense Home Good News Letter 11/12/23
“Up, down, up, down. The temperature swings continued as they headed into November. It wasn’t always pleasant, but it was better than cold and deeper cold. The nippy days made you appreciate when the sun popped out just a bit more, and provided extra motivation to get outside work done while the weather was cooperative.”
My eldest son (August V) said he had a case of shed building fatigue today. I feel for him, as we have a number of big projects in the works that are definitely more like marathons than sprints.
I hired some extra help to track down technical issues on the website. With over 10 years of writing and modifications, there’s a lot of things that need some TLC. I don’t have an unlimited budget, so I’m working right along with them to help with what I can. I also tried a few new recipes this week, but none passed the “super yummy” test, so it’s back to the “test kitchen” to try again. I’m prepping a list of the great deals our affiliate partners have running this month, and I should have that ready either on Wednesday or next weekend.
August (my husband) is preparing for his current job to end at the end of the year, and there are a ton of things that need to be coordinated and passed on to other departments before he leaves. I can tell it’s stressful for him, even though he tackles it head on, like he manages most difficult situations. Every spare moment he’s not busy with his regular job, he’s helping our sons with the outbuilding.
I should have grabbed some photos today, but I was busy working inside. The guys have the big roof pieces on and are working on trim and soffits and such. They’ve started on siding, too, and worked inside on insulation when it was raining. All the doors and windows are in now, except the big overhead door.
I saw an article today that noted that cocoa, sugar, and coffee inventories are low, which will undoubtedly be reflected in holiday goods. Food prices in general give me sticker shock every time we visit the grocery store. (We have some ideas for stretching your food budget here.
If you have tips you use to save money during the holidays and winter season (including frugal recipes), go ahead and reply to this email to share them. We may be able to use them in upcoming articles to help out others in the CSH community.
All our best to you and yours,
Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)
This week’s featured articles…
Revised and updated, The Ultimate Guide to Practical Winter Clothing. Leave a comment on the article to share your favorite clothing items, brands you recommend, and tips that work well in your climate.
Nearly everyone likes gelatin, especially when they have a sore throat or not much appetite. You can turn finger jello into an immune booster with herbal teas or tinctures. Get the recipe here.
These oven roasted sweet potatoes can be prepped ahead, making them a nice addition to the Thanksgiving menu. Roasting helps to bring out their natural sweetness.
Popular on Instagram: produce that lasts and our fluffy headed rooster and his ladies.