Sometimes when I am tired and the weather is wet and cold or my knees are really playing up, I just wish we didn't have to skimp and save so we can just live.
But today I read this article of a family who are choosing not to use the supermarket and I suddenly felt a shot of encouragement.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/winter-coming-and-im-nervous-whanganui-family-prepares-cooler-months-ahead-without-supermarket.html
Outside the feijoas are falling thick and I feel a certainly responsibility to do something with them all and not have them go to waste. The vegetable garden is also looking a bit soggy and worse for wear after the rains and wind of Cyclone Cook.
In fact a lot of the vegetables have seen better days and I am picking around them to find good parts and produce to eat. There is still plenty and I have already got some greens in for the cooler winter months.
I did realise that for the last month the only produce I have bought at the shops have been bananas.
So today I decided to let myself off by giving away some of our surplus. I have clambered under the feijoas and filled 16 bags, picked 8 huge silver-beet leaves and have left them all at the gate to see what will happen.
We wrote a sign saying "free" with a smiley face - then added "produce" as Harry didn't want the pallet or the bucket going too! I pondered putting a donation box but the box may walk away!!!
We will wait and see if the items go for someone else to enjoy otherwise we might have to try something else.
So if you are passing Bear Street in Tirau - help yourself!.