One Hundred Dollars a Month - Page 1653 of 2143 - I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.

Children and Their Most Prized Possession – Toys

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By Mavis Butterfield on March 22, 2013 · 7 Comments

If you asked your child what their most prized possession was, what do you think they would say?

My friend Mama JJ is currently in Guatemala with her family serving a mission through her church. JJ, her husband {Mr. Handsome} and her 4 children will be gone for 9 months.

And while doing good deeds and learning about other cultures is really cool, when you are nine years old, and away from home, and the only possessions you have are clothes and books, you kind of miss your toys. A lot.

At the heart of it, every child needs a toy. Any kind of toy will do.

And so when Judy from Australia sent me a link to a photo essay about children from around the world with their most prized possessions, it made me think of my friend JJ’s daughter.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE these kinds of stories!

Here are a few more interesting photo essays I spotted on photographer Gabriele Galimberti‘s site.

Local Celebrities
Delicatessen with love

~Mavis

You can read more about JJ and follow her journey on her blog Mamas Minutia.

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Raising Backyard Chickens – Mean Girls Club

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By Mavis Butterfield on March 22, 2013 · 19 Comments

{Lucy the Puggle Dog checking in on her chicks}

I’m sure you’ve noticed I haven’t been posting too much about our latest round of baby chicks.

That’s because we thought one of them was going to die.

2 weeks ago we brought home 3 blue cochin baby chicks. Blueberry, Blue Bell, and Omelet. A few days after we brought the chicks home, our dear sweet Matilda died as a result of being egg bound for four days.

As the baby chicks grew and started to feather out a bit, we noticed one of them {Blueberry} was about half the size of the other two chicks.

She was a runt.

And they picked on her.

On more than one occasion either the Handsome Husband, The Girl or I found poor little Blueberry on her side, struggling to stand up. Then on Tuesday, as I was leaving to go run errands, I noticed not only was she on her side, she was near lifeless and her beak was open as if she was gasping for her last breath. There was nothing I could do for her.

So I picked her up, and placed her in a small box and propped her up about 18 inches from the heating lamp. I thought, well, at least this way she can die warm, and in peace without the other chicks finishing her off by pecking her to death.

I thought she was a goner for sure, and was trying to decide if I should bury her before The Girl got home to spare her after what had happened to Matilda.

And then I left to go run errands.

Long story short, I came back about an hour later and Blueberry was up and walking around her box cheeping like a mad woman and trying to figure out how to get out.

I’m not sure if she was playing possum or what, but she is one tough little bird.

Since I’ve never really had to deal with baby chicks picking on one another to this extreme before, I was hoping some of YOU might have some advise. I know chickens are very social creatures, and I would hate to separate them and cause anxiety among them.

What do you think I should do?

~Mavis

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Mavis Goes to the Goodwill and Finds the Best Dress Ever!

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By Mavis Butterfield on March 21, 2013 · 38 Comments

It was a dream come true I tell you.

This afternoon I walked in to our local Goodwill store and made a b-line for the shoe rack like I always do {looking for garden boots of course} and there it was.

The most gorgeous dress in the world.

Holy crap that is awesome came out of my mouth so loud, the lady who was looking at a $19.99 coffee table {also an awesome deal} looked up with “your’e a total psycho” eyes before I could shut my mouth.

Oh, and I also scored another cool pair of garden boots too!

I love thrift stores!!!

~Mavis

P.S. What is the best thing you’ve found at a thrift store lately?

Frustrated with the prices at thrift stores lately? Well you’re not the only one… Check out the post Am I The Only One Who Thinks Thrift Store Prices Are Getting Ridiculous? The comments are eye opening.

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How to Grow Broccoli {Start to Finish}

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By Mavis Butterfield on March 21, 2013 · 14 Comments

This year we planted 3 varieties of broccoli:

Broccoli is a cool season vegetable and it is super hardy. I like to plant broccoli in both the early spring and again in the fall.

Where to Plant Broccoli: Plant in full sun {though it will germinate in temperatures as low as 40 degrees. It can be planted in raised beds, containers or garden beds.

Planting Seeds: Plant seeds 1/8″ deep. Thin to 1 every 18″ {or one per pot} when seedlings are about 2″ tall.

Growing Tips: Plant in fertile soil and water regularly–avoid getting developing heads wet, though. You can fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting for bigger yields.

How to Harvest: Harvest when main head gets to be about 3″ in diameter, that will encourage side shoots to grow.

Little Known Fact: The average American eats 4 lbs of broccoli per year. No freakin’ way!

Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.

Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!

~Mavis

Here are a few of my Favorite Broccoli recipes

Baked Potato Casserole with Sausage

Broccoli, Bacon, Cheddar Quiche

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.