August 11, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
Some of you who read this blog know that I occasionally go on these, 10euro a week grocery challenges. Now, keep in mind that there are some months when I need to stock up and spend my full grocery allowance per month which is $400 USD a month or at today’s exchange rate in Europe 307€. I have often been asked the question, “how can you eat so well on so little money each week?”
July 21, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 2 Comments
This year, I’ve decided that I will weigh all of the tomatoes that are growing in my little garden. So far, early in the tomato picking season, I have picked:
598 grams or 1lb. 3oz. It’s a start!
July 26th, 2010: New TOTAL
2 kilos 898 grams or 6 lbs 3 oz. Making gazpacho today!
July 31st, 2010: New TOTAL (so far)
5 kilos 598 grams or 12lbs. 3 oz.
August 3rd, 2010: New TOTAL (so far)
9 kilos 253 grams or 20lbs. 3oz
August 7th 2010: New Total
16kilos 624 grams or 36lbs 12.5 oz
I’ve planted 4 varieties this year:
Roma
Muchamiel
3 cantos
cherry
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Muchamiel variety, starting to ripen
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My plants are almost as tall as I am.
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one of my peppers
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More tomatoes
July 6, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 2 Comments
Last week I got a really good price on apples so I bought 20 kilos or 44 lbs. I made apple pie filling which will be used both for pie and turnovers, apple sauce, both chunky & smooth and some with and without spices. I canned 49 jars in all and it should last us the year.
The price I paid was 0,65 euro cents per kilo or 83¢ USA cents per kilo or 37¢ per lb. I do keep a price book to register all the best prices, so I generally know when to stock up.
Here is the photo of my work:

Canned Apples
June 29, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 6 Comments
Like I don’t have enough to do! Well, the garden and canning and now sausage making are the activities I do to:
- save money
- eat better
- learn new skills
- add to my pantry
- relax
- get out of the office
- be a better homemaker
Here are some photos:
June 28, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
Man! I have tons of tomatoes on my 24 tomato plants! It looks like this year will be fantastic for canning tomatoes and for making gazpacho.
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Lots of tomatoes
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Plum tomatoes
here is the status on the other plants:
zucchini- we have eaten about 6 of them so far.
onions- wonderful! and I keep replanting them as I use them.
cucumber- one so far that will end up in my salad tonight.
peppers- lots of them forming and thankfully a good many jalapenos.
lettuce- I have mostly eaten it all and I should have re-planted more often. I planted some about 2 weeks ago and I try to plant new seeds every couple of days.
June 4, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 7 Comments
I’m very encouraged by my little efforts with my garden. Again, I only have a small patch of land in the back yard, but I’m determined
June 2, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
I had a wonderful time seeing both Ron & Bobbie and their 8 children and also Rebekah & Dave and their new little guy, Caleb.
Here are some photos of the trip: Double click for a larger view of the photo. Also, please leave your comments!
May 18, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
Here are some photos of my little patch of garden in our backyard. We are eating plenty of Swiss Chard, fava beans, lettuce, onions and celery. This is what I do to relax and with it comes the extra benefit of saving some money on groceries.

Fava beans
- Swiss Chard
