Greeting from 7 E’s Homestead! Today, I want to share some of the simple pleasures you can enjoy with a smidge of effort and just a couple of bucks. I shared previously about an illness that knocked me off my feet. Gardening and basic homesteading came almost to a stand-still as I slowly recovered.
One day, I had the strength to weed an area right next to my back stoop. I decided to throw out some flower seeds that I had picked up from the displays at Buchheit. I lightly hoed, and threw a handful of seeds, and tamped them down. That was it. It didn’t take me ten minutes, and I had flowers all summer! What a joy to walk outside and see the glorious blooms that self-weeded since I had over-seeded the plot. It encouraged me that while this year’s harvest might be light, there would be another season next year.
Here are a few more ideas that take just a little time and money but make a significant impact.
Just a few bucks are enough to enjoy the songbirds in need of our help (as their numbers are diminishing due to a host of reasons). Only a small investment of a feeder or birdhouse will improve their survival rates. Buchheit even carries feeder for finches and chickadees.
Another “few bucks” idea is to use an old piece of tin and a sharp new tin-snips. Make up a basic star pattern, trace the pattern on the tin, cut it using
tin snips, and file the edges. You can upcycle the star from scrap! How clever! You can also hot-glue an inverted empty water bottle onto the back to use as an excellent topper for the Country Christmas tree. Alternatively, you could punch holes in the top and hang it with twine, raffia, or wire for a classic rural decoration to use year-round.
One of my favorite ideas is flowers in the dead of winter. Now is the time to stock up on some paperwhite narcissus. Buchheit carries good spring bulbs; many of which can be forced during the winter. Buy them now to make a great simple hostess or Christmas gift. A festive dish filled with dormant bulbs and instructions will be a unique gift for fewer than five dollars’ worth of materials.
Simple pleasures are often the best. It’s amazing what you can do with just a little effort. Try a “few bucks” idea for Christmas!
Be Creative! Be blessed! Anne May
