Hey, it’s still March and we get a lot of really nasty weather during March — wind and snow. But we’re very grateful for every day that it’s nice and one day closer to real spring. One thing I’ve noticed is that our willows are starting to show red and green on their stems, a sign that sap is starting to flow. I know further south; folks are tapping maple trees. Yea! Every day that is not nasty is a huge blessing for those of us so sick of “real” winter!
When I went to town today to mail seeds from the post office, I was shocked to see the gas prices have already jumped thirty cents a gallon overnight. Oh oh, I figured it was coming, but not like a freight train on flat land! The new war in Iran is going to raise not only gas and diesel prices but everything else, as it’s transported, usually hundreds of miles, to the stores. Get set folks! I’m so glad we bought our bulk farm fuel last month, when it was cheaper than today or tomorrow.
Like the gas prices, I was shocked when we stopped at Walmart for tape (for our catalogs). I was scoping out prices and holy cow, everything has also jumped in price, from beef jerky at the checkout to vegetables in the produce section. We left with just tape and a pack of pens. Nothing else. And, you know what? It felt really good! I feel like folks who are on the self-reliant path are gentle protesters. No, we don’t march in the streets. But when enough people say “that’s too much. I won’t pay that!” it is bound to affect prices as sales are lower, as are profits.
Our new pepper seedlings are growing like mad. I’ll be transplanting them in about two weeks. Luckily, I bought my ProMix last year, before the tariffs went into effect. We stopped at Menard’s to get Drew some insulation for the house and I checked out the seed-starting soil. They have Sunshine #4, which I’ve had good luck with, but in bales only. That’s fine for us, but smaller growers would have to split a bale with friends. No ProMix.
I got my petunias and pansies planted in little plastic containers I sometimes get pretzels in for a snack. Of course I save the containers! No, I’m not a hoarder. It was a plan from the get-go.
Let me remind those of you who missed prior posts, we are transferring the seed business in August, but we are not retiring, as quitting writing, homesteading, etc. I’ve even had people ask if we’re moving to town. That’s a definite NO! I’ll still be writing and homesteading full time as well as gardening big time. We’re just giving the seed business work up as we are having a hard time handling it well.
At 80 this year, and knees that hurt like h-e-double hockey sticks, I’m ready to slow down just a bit. Definitely not quitting! There’s a Jess Hazzard inside me that won’t let me. (If you don’t know what I mean, you haven’t read my Western novels, have you?) Ha ha! — Jackie
I’ve been waiting YEARS for more Jess Hazzard books!
I have a good pantry to the point where I mostly buy replacement items when they are on sale. However, lately I’ve been buying them as soon as they are on my list sale or not because I know the price today is lower than it will be tomorrow.
I pray people will develop common sense when shopping. Why pay $10 for a package of chicken breast when you can buy a whole chicken weighting 3 times more for the same price? I get many meals from one whole chicken then make broth from bones/skin for many more meals.
Fareway (Midwest supermarket chain) has roasted whole chickens for $5 (usually $8.99) on Wednesdays. A friend and I each purchased one. I have had four meals from it, still have two or three meals left plus made 3 quarts of broth for future meals. My friend ate the chicken then tossed the carcass. Made me want to cry at the waste.
I’m trying to teach her the importance of stocking up with mixed success. We do not have a local grocery store, so I shop once a month. She is still running to town (50 miles round trip) several times a week. In 2025 I drove a total of 962 miles. Even when I have errands in the small community where I live, I wait until I have several and do them in one trip.
My small peppers look about like yours. My large peppers still are not up so I’m wondering if they won’t be coming up at all. I’ll be starting tomatoes the week of the 15th.
I can’t wait for a new Jess Hazzard Book!!! I have read them all so far. It will be wonderful visit his world again.
I’m so grateful I still have a robust larderful, in case of dire need. I am facing a disappointment, though, my husband does not like to eat of it. He likes fresh food. Regards from far north California.
We have five days of 80’s coming! Unusual but it happens as my 20 year collection of daily weather data for this area shows. This weekend the 2nd set of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower get planted, first carrots sown and potatoes planted so we’ve been busy getting beds forked and prepped.
We shop the meat sales to keep the big freezer stocked. Gas here went from $2.49 to $3.09 in a hurry but I’d rather not have the threat of Iran having a nuclear bomb. They are the one country that would use it without thinking twice and we’re on their list of targets. We shop the meat sales to keep the big freezer stocked and use all the stuff we’ve canned to ride out the increase bumps. It really helps to be debt free!
BTW, what’s with chicken thighs? I’ve seen less and less of them in the groceries lately and the ones that are there cost more. I’m wondering if the TV chefs are partly to blame as they’ve been using them a LOT more lately. Every new “trend” they start results in higher prices for that item!
Chris, I concur with you on everything you wrote! God Bless, from far north California.
Just finished a cold spell here in Copper Basin Alaska. We had three nights of -35F then last night we got up to -13 and a high of +6 today. We awe supposed to thee sone -20s next week.
Looking forward to a new book!
I’m mentally working on it every night.
I really hope you find the time to write another Jess Hazard novel. I have them all and really enjoy the stories. Getting ready to start peppers and use any nice day to work in the garden. Will miss you having the seed business but look forward to your writings. You always motivate me to do more.
I’m hoping Jess and I can get together for the next story soon. They’re fun for me to write!
Hi Jackie! Kyle stopped over yesterday to buy seeds – so glad you’re close enough for us to pick up. And you’re always so fun to chat with. Will someone else be carrying on the seed business after August? Or is it closed for good, gone fishin’? :)
Another couple is taking over the business. Might be a bit of a drive for you but they’ll still have seeds. Jackie and Will will help contribute seed here and there if I remember what I read.
Oh, yes, I did know who Jess Hazzard was…love those books! Today’s project is start peppers. Then I hope to get outside and work in the orchard. Wanted to go to Estes Park on Sat. but looks like snow. Nothing like our Colorado weather…70 one day and snow the next.
Colorado weather is like ours. We had -22 one night and 40’s above the next day. Who knows what’s next? But I’m happy to see some warm weather for awhile, anyway.
I noted gas at 2:49 then the next day 2:79/gallon. Then I heard the news. Another special operation. It won’t make anything less expensive. I wish there were peaceful ways to settle problems. I know that will not happen but I do hope. I too age in place and have told the family they’d have to drag me out of the country. Plant a garden, can and preserve your harvest, have a few chickens and see what happens. Individually we control very little but one must do what we are able to do. Half my peppers came up (now 12 days post planting). I will plant some more. We watched 2 grandsons – ages 1 and 3 yesterday. It was exhausting but fun. We couldn’t get anything else done-so we just enjoyed their antics. It was far better than listening to the news.
There hasn’t been peace in the Middle East since Bible days so I’m not thinking it’ll happen any time while I”m around. Those littles are so much fun, but I totally get the exhaustion too. I keep saying I wish they’d give me a blood transfusion from them so I could run around like that all day!!
Having well stocked shelves is a blessing. I only by food right now if it is on sale at a price that **I** feel is reasonable. A couple months ago I was in at Brookshires. They had chicken breasts in the discount bin…….. 3 breasts per package…….. at about 35 cents PER PACKAGE!!!! The next day most all of that meat was on the shelf safely processed in canning jars! The little bit that was not canned ended up being dinner…….. Prices are way high. I fully understand it…… They pay the truck owners a fuel surcharge to compensate the higher prices (that takes a week or two to come about). I understand needing to cover expenses. HOWEVER……. Most of the time when fuel goes back down (and thus fuel surcharges) the shelf price of our groceries do not go down. Sneak-flation. And Walmart is just as guilty as others. I see that they are putting in EV charging stations (eliminating some handicap spots) in the “prime” parking area. Give us a break. Here in N. Central TX only 1% OR LESS of the vehicles are EV, yet they are taking out a whole row of parking spots???????? Yea, tell me who’s making all the $$ with the inflated food prices.
Wow, you really scored on the chicken breasts!! I’d have been canning like mad too. Everything seems to go very high, then come down a tiny bit, making it seem a good deal. Not in my book!
I like that term, sneak-flation! So apt.
Hi, Tami, I heard that Abbott is a graduate of the WEF, a young globalist. The UN’s wishes are usually carried out by young globalists when they are governors; one of them is the governor mandated installation of EV charging. The governor mandates so many per business, or store. I’m in California, and our governor is a young globalist ruining our state, but this is his last year. He mandated our EV stupidity. You see them everywhere now, at several thousand each.
Our Menards in Central Mo has pro mix. We bought 8 bales.
Wow! That’s great. I checked our local store and not a bit, even smaller bags. Luckily I”m all set.
I just planted brussel sprouts and lettuce (seed). Peppers planted last week, along with sweet potatoes. Some of the plants will go to the Interfaith Garden here. They 1900 pounds of produce last summer for the food bank. We are happy to help.
The temperature swings here in Central MO are crazy. 70’s this coming weekend. Then back to the 40’s and 50’s next week, with rain and snow showers.
We need the rain so I am not complaining.
One of my rhubarb plants poked up. I was not expecting it so early because I wanted to add more soil to the bed. (which I did). I am sure it will come back.
Our elm and maple trees have some small buds now. The oaks are slow, of course. They are always wise.
The birds are really getting some nice color…cardinals, purple finches and red winged black birds. And I have had one coon at my feeders. I used ratchet straps to hold them closed. So far, so good. He has not been inclined to chew the straps as yet.
Prices are WAY too high. So many people are struggling.
Yes, some folks are struggling, especially those elderly, on a fixed income. Such a decision; rent or food. Prescriptions or dinner. I’m so glad we live in a paid-for house, on paid-for land, with wood heat and plenty of home-grown, home-canned food in the pantry and big gardens to re-supply.
We don’t have any pretty birds. Just several species of woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue jays and chickadees. I’m hoping for grosbeaks pretty soon.
Unfortunately far north California where I live had spring all of January. I was shocked to see our oaks bud and then leaf-out quickly. Oaks are usually so slow and last to do so. Don’t know what this weather is coming to.
For the past year, better half and I have seen prices jump as well as limited selection. If a store doesn’t have what we want, we walk. Your Sunshine #4 is a prime example.
The most potent weapon a consumer (read all of us) has is his/her checkbook (and the myriad of other payments options this old girl won’t use). And those who can live below their means AND aren’t limited to shopping on a given day of the week are able to take advantage of mark down sales. Better half regularly score deals, some times screaming deals on meat (talking Angus when it comes to beef).
A bit concerned about climate change – better half saw hostas peeking up under leaves when he was doing some clean-up. Meaning I need to check the garlic. It is supposed to hit almost 70 next week – far too warm too early. Might have to gather up some leaves to cover it if they are “poking up” too early. Night time temps will quickly hit below freezing. Our kids would be hugely concerned if we all of a sudden decided to move to town.
Mine, too. They’d quickly call in a psychologist team. We’re having high fifties today. But I know that won’t last. No garlic or rhubarb poking up; it’s still under a lot of snow.
I just mainly shop the killer sales. We have our own meat so I seldom buy any, except sale ham and turkey after the holidays, to can up. The new pullets are starting to lay so we’re tickled to death.
Our fuel prices are pretty high. We were in San Fran a week ago and saw prices over $5 for unleaded. We finally found a station with it just under that. Were glad to get home north 3 hours where prices are just under $4 a gallon unleaded. Our last major refinery, Valero, is closing down in April. Prices will go sky-high then. Why do we stay here?
Oh crap, I see I made a typo. In case you’re thinking I’m as dumb as a post, it’s Iran, not Iraq. Thanks, Selena, for pointing that out!!! That’s what happens when you’re in a hurry. Bah!!
Not dumb given the political situation in the world. Who knows what where we will be 🙏