What Are You Gathering This Season?
I think of November as my gathering season. The wind blows, sports slow, and I am kept busy planning for winter.
Here are a few things we've been gathering at my house:
- Pine cones, magnolia leaves and seed pods for free, natural decoration
- Bulk red pepper, chile, and cumin for a shaker of make-your-own-chili-seasoning
- Snow boots, to be worn twice, then handed down
- Tiny handknit mittens and Christmas sweaters from the thrift store
- Outgrown coats for the outreach center
- Our neighbor's fallen apples (with his blessing!)
- Fallen leaves to chop for compost
- Cluttery items to trade at the used book store
- Scraps for a paper maiche project
Gathering goes hand-in-hand with making and reusing. So what are you gathering this season, Frugal Hackers?
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8 Responses to “What Are You Gathering This Season?”
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
i’m so glad i’m able to read you here…we miss you…
boots to be worn twice I WISH..we’ve been wearing them for a month..and will through march…sigh…
here its mitts and tuques..(canadian here.winter hats) as many as i can get cheap as they tend to get eaten at school…they dont come back..
I tend to buy all the same so if one gets lost..i have hope of matching.
i collect boxes at this time of year..for xmas gifts…also start going through my gift stash and assigning them.
collect new cookie recipes i intend to try..(and then don’t cause i use the good old faithful ones..)
normally i start going nuts for xmas way before now..this year seems way more subdued..more introspective….we’ll see how that plays out…
i hope you post about the luncheon you do for your hubbie’s work, i always get good ideas from tthose posts..
take care of you and yours..and happy holidays
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
I secon Celina’s comment – I’m so glad you’re still sharing here!
I’m collecting supplies for our “sickroom” – whomever’s room that may be. Medicines, of course, but also rice-filled heating pads, hot teas and honey, listerene for gargling, special books, videos and quiet toys to keep sick littles occupied.
I’m also collecting holiday children’s books. I’d like to have a selection for every holiday so I’m getting started by looking for thanksgiving and Christmas books – they’re lovely to decorate with, too.
We will be so busy this year with Luke’s dedication (baptism? we’re changing churches so I’m not sure what we’re doing exactly) brunch, so I’m looking foward to keeping every thing else very simple!
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Here is a good one! Tomorrow is trash day in my neighborhood, I am going on the prowl for all the “uncarved” pumpkins. Then, I am coming home gutting them and dehydrating the seeds ….yum If If I really feel good I might even can some pumpkin.
Savings Queen
Melissa
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
the jack o’lanterns to cook for pumpkin puree and to bake pumpkin seeds
the soft apples from the boxes to make apple butter and applesauce
Christmas cards-from rummage sales, thrift shops and my in laws give us those they receive in charitable solicitations. Used Christmas cards to make into Christmas postcards.
Scraps to make potholders for adult gifts.
Scraps to make ornaments for all nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Ideas for my children’s Christmas gifts.
I like to be finished with all gifts before Advent starts–then we can focus on the spiritual riches of the season.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hello Meredith. So good to see you writing again.I too miss your blog so very much. I am re-reading some of the old posts. Still learning.
This time of year I am gathering too. Pine cones to go into the batter bowl (wood) I scored at the Salvation Army Thrift store on Saturday. (paid $3.00)
The items for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
My Christmas shopping is done. I have brought everything for grandkids. The rest of the family are getting $25.00 gift cards I have collected all year from using my debit card as a ‘credit’ instead of debit. (our bank offers this) I needed 5 cards and I have earned 8. So now I have some for birthdays too.
I am also purging Christmas ‘glitter’ etc. After more than 35 years of marriage there is a lot of Christmas stuff in this house. I have a whole closet that is filled to the brim.
In Texas we do not need boots (other than our western boots) and gloves are a waste of time. The kids keep their hands in the pockets most of the time when a jacket is even needed here.
Blessings to you and yours. Roxie
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
Acorns! Have you seen the new Pottery Barn catalogue?
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
I am collecting free food where ever I can locate it. I have picked apples, pears, crabapples, elderberries, blackberries, blueberries this year.
I picked up a bag of chestnuts to string for the Christmas tree. They really look good on the tree. I have sold some of the strings in the past at craft fairs. I use a drill and thread string through them. It is laborous but mindless work.
We are collecting firewood, lumber from construction sites and pallets to burn in the woodstove. We are dedicated to heating with the woodstove this winter to save on the electric bill.
The library has a free magazine exchange so I am collecting them to read this winter when I don’t feel like going out to the library.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Yes, autumn has such a feeling of squirreling away for the long winter ahead.
What I’m collecting?
Professionally framed items, some with good mats and non-glare glass, from the local post-auction curbside FREE pile. The art is expendable, but frames are very good quality, and if not, paintable.
kitchen measuring cups, spoons, etc, for my girls’ group cooking kits to be used over the long winter.
snow gear…a constant hunt
pine cones to string
warm days…there won’t be many more.
deb meyers
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