It's the attention to the little things that makes me smile

the after -- those light spots on the right upper side are light reflections

The day that I spray painted the styrofoam trough planter pieces brown, I also did a couple of heat vent covers that were looking a little shabby. It took hardly any additional time to add the vents to the spray painting area and very little of the paint.

the before, badly paint splattered

These vent covers are original to the house, so almost 50 years old. They had paint splatters, rusted edges, and were a battleship gray metal. The two rooms where these were have medium-dark wood floors. The gray metal really stood out as not quite right.

The vents took 2 coats of paint and now look sooooo much better.

It's the little things that are often so easy to fix, yet they complete the mood of a room. In this case, the mood was "polished." 

In addition to making the space look better, I find by paying attention to the details, I achieved 3 additional goals. I find I have more satisfaction with what we have been given. I created a more inviting space for welcoming family and guests. And third, by taking care of our property, I've maintained or enhanced its value as an investment. 

So glad I did this.

When you don't have frugal friends or family in your real life community

russet apples are ready for harvest

I feel like I'm stranded on a deserted island with my little family sometimes. 

The Seattle area used to be a west coast oasis for fairly frugal folk. Many of my in-person friends' parents kept gardens, spent well below their means, drove one car, wore simple but enduring clothing styles for decades, etc. But in my own circle today, it's hard to find any of my contemporaries who continue in their parents' frugal lifestyles. In my extended family, neither of my siblings are frugal. They're both financially successful, so they can afford the luxuries in their lives. I think it's genuinely difficult for them to relate to my daily life. My stepmom was fairly careful with finances in her latter years, however. She grew up on a small farm in Iowa. When she first came into our family, I grilled her regularly on ways her mother stretched their small income.

come and sit with me for a bit

The internet has been a wonderful gathering place for people of various like-mindedness. Case in point, we're just a handful of friends, here, and we are scattered not only across this continent, but from other regions of the world. Could it be that truly frugal friends and family are few and far between for many of us here?

the begonias are still going strong

Do you have moments in each day where you just want to share your latest frugal accomplishment with a friend, neighbor, or sibling? Or a question when you need help/inspiration/encouragemnt DIY-ing or fixing something yourself? 

but the hydrangeas are about done for the year

Have you wondered where the cheapest local place would be to buy an X,Y or Z? Do you long to share your bounty of very imperfect-looking garden produce, but are certain most of your friends would shy away from a fruit or vegetable that didn't look as pristine as those found in the market?

the last of the blackberry foraging 
I'll freeze these for a winter smoothie or treat

I keep many of the details of my and my family's life from my siblings. They just wouldn't relate and would most likely suggest remedies that aren't feasible for us. I also fear they would turn up their noses at my homemaking routines. Many of my in-person friends don't get the frugal aspect of me either.

So, I turn to and share with you. You, friends, are always welcome into this little corner of my life.

Do you ever feel like a frugal loner in your real life community of family or friends?