Well, I was delighted when I checked my post office box today (we don't get street mail out here). In it were two catalogs, one for wood burning stoves, the other for greenhouses.

Now, don't get me wrong. The wood burning stove catalog will get its fair perusal, when the weather starts to turn and we need to get off of this expensive albatross known as the gas company. But for now, my thoughts and energy are on the greenhouse.

I can well see how the temptation to overspend can quickly overtake someone. For less than $5,000, I could have a 320 square foot veritable Eden, although I would need to acquire one of the vacant lots across the street for the space not to interfere with our other plans for the homestead. But, the words "simplify, simplify", keep running through my mind, and so I am turning to the leanto 8 x 16 greenhouse we have planned.

Now, I COULD get the whole setup, no muss, no fuss, for about $2,000. But I think I'll stick with my original intent and build my own frame and buy only the panels, the louvres, and the heaters from the supply company, putting a total cost of about $600 (doing it for less is feasible and may be the option we choose, but if the money's available, we want something that will be around for a few years). My thought is to put our income from the little greenhouse back into our home enterprise, then buy the $5,000 model as soon as that budget allows. Between the tomatoes I intend to sell vine fresh in January and the seedlings I'm hoping to sell off next spring, as well as chicken income, I think that would only be a few years away, barring disaster.

I'm DEFINITELY in my element here!