Buying Beef in Bulk

Don't laugh. As I considered purchasing a 1/4 of a steer yesterday from Lazy B Farm I figured it was time to get serious about our refridgerator issues. When we purchased our house June 2011 it worked. Just fine. We then had the floors re-done, and while it rested on the front porch, it decided to give up the ghost. It now gives a less than noble effort at cooling the refrigeration side, while completely neglecting the freezing option. We purchase ice when we really need it, but it's really beginning to get old. Summer in Georgia without ice is less than pleasant. But it's time to get serious about beef, among other things, that I'd like to stock up on--buy in bulk. And quit making those pesky trips for 'just a few things', to our oh-so-convenient Publix. I acutally don't overspend because of the proximity/frequency, but because of the 'kid/distraction' factor.

So I must decide on a model, and just get behind it. I have toyed with the icemaker on the front, but really I'd really rather have an ice-maker separate. They are expensive, but I think in the long run, it will be worth it. I'd rather keep everyone out of the freezer. And keep that stuff COLD. But then to french door or single door. Eric & I both are not crazy about the drawer style freezer. We like old-school. But part of me really likes the idea. We both like stainless steel, and don't mind if it doesn't match everything for a while. Everything else is white, and really it doesn't make that much difference. Which leads me directly back to that everpresent budget. Cha-ching.

I read a great post from Clover Lane about how she budgets household expenditures. Actually how she keeps track of spending. I liked her method. I save receipts, but don't really have a good ledger system. Her's is simple and gets the job done. I particularly like the page on the left hand side that shows what's coming up that will create expenditures. Events like birthdays. August is one of those double whammy months for us. Likewise with the new house, there are some repair/update things that you just have to get done. I'm seeing a major chunk going towards a new fridge, but also shopping places like craigslist.com necessitates being on top of one's budget, and really knowing if it's a good idea right now. Craigslist doesn't have lay-away.

We are currently working on getting our design for the yard, and thus the garden in the works, for our new yard. It is less than we thought we'd wind up with, but I'm very thankful for the size and location of our home/yard. I love it, I'm so thankful. Grateful. I've never given up on the homesteading concepts. No matter where we wound up living. There's too much good thought to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So much so that I'm planning on attending the Ladies Homestead Retreat (with Lazy B Farm) in October. There's some smart ladies there, with lots of wisdom to share. I can't wait to see what comes of this weekend on my horizon. Should be quite a memorable event.

Photo is of kitchen during floor renovation. I've since taken down the wallpaper, and have painted, put up new light fixture, but there's still more paper and more painting. After pictures are coming!