IDC- the beginning

As I posted yesterday, I'm participating in the Independence Days Challenge. The trick is to keep track, on a weekly basis, how I'm/we're doing in certain specific categories to help reach self sufficiency- or at least preparedness for an emergency.  The challenge officially kicked off Feb 1 but here is the first week.  I'll be keeping track Saturday- Friday and posting every Friday- or at least trying to.  So, this report has a bit of pre-challenge January in it.
Plant something- Amazingly YES!!  I planted some lettuce seed in an old window box.  It's currently sitting on the pantry shelf near the (usually) sunny South door.  On nice days, I'll move it out onto the deck.  We'll see how it goes. If all else fails, I can put it under the grow lights on the seed starting racks.  I'll probably be starting some parsley soon but that's for another week.
Harvest something- only eggs this week.  But we've gathered 34 eggs this week.
Preserve something- I dried some orange zest for future use.  That's about it.
Waste not- recycled and composted, as usual.  Anything chicken-friendly goes into the chicken bowl rather than into the compost.  I even cut some clippings of the oat 'cat grass' and gave it to the chickens since it was getting a bit out of control. At least with the cat grass Spaz has been leaving my lemon grass alone!
Want not- Hmm, not much in this category this week.  We really haven't made any purchases.  Oh, wait, can I count my new drip hoses?  They arrived this week and will be hooked up to the water barrels this coming summer for the garden.  That is definitely a 'planning for the future' kind of thing.
Eat the food- Let's see, we ate several quiches out of the freezer that I made ahead when we had surplus eggs.  We're getting down to the bottom of our beef and will probably need to contact our Amish Farmer for more.  And, I made a shocking discovery!  I do believe that this year, for the first time EVER we will run out of tomatoes!  I did inventory today.  Tomato Sauce: 7 quart jars, 2 pint and a half jars;  Diced Tomatoes:  12 pints, 1 pint and a half.  Even with rationing one jar of sauce a week, we'll run out in March.  The diced tomatoes will last a little longer but not much.  Ack!  I'm going to have to re-think my garden plan for a few more tomato plants. I really need another 40+ quart canning year.  Hopefully those soaker hoses will come in handy if it turns out to be a dry summer again.
Build Community Food systems- started selling eggs at work.  I sold three dozen this week and have an order for another next week who wants to become a regular customer.  I just hope the girls keep it up.
Skill up- not much here.  Have been doing some reading and research on medicinal herbs since I am determined to finally build my herb spiral this spring and want to figure out what else to plant.  I may have to order seeds for some of the more uncommon things I want (gasp- and I thought I was done!!) I also need to move some herbs from in front of the porch to somewhere more sunny this spring.

Now, we're waiting to see what Mother Nature has in store for us this weekend. There is a winter storm headed this way but we're so close to the rain/snow line that no one seems to know what will happen.  Probably icky slush.  Blah.  But, we're warm in the house.  I've got French bread ready to go into the oven and will be making some spaghetti in a bit. Mmm....  Oh, that reminds me.  I need to bring up some herb butter from the freezer for the bread.  More "eating the food".