Spice things up

 I'm working on keeping the monotonous, un-monotonous.  More so leaning on keeping the variety of these winter days interesting and not boring.  Although one who is constantly "busy" would find forced rest time a blessing.  Or not, ha ha!

I am doing well.  I'm not back to reading very much at all, but the "mind" games are a bit refreshing.  Spikes are back on my boots, although we are told Christmas will be in the 50's and rain here this year.  I'm getting a walk in to the mailbox once in a while.  If there is sunshine, it's a win-win.

I've been relying on the health benefits of herbal teas, and have been rotating them for restorative benefits.  Teas are always are soothing addition to the winter days.

I've discovered that we love a peppermint anything hot in the winter once in a while.  Sort of a treat in the day so to speak.  

Homemade peppermint mocha creamer for your coffee!  Yum!  Of course the heavy cream is not fat free, but we plan to try it with half and half (would use goat's milk if we had it, along with the cream that floats to the top).  It lasts for a week in the fridge and it is delicious.

Heat in a saucepan:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 Tbsp. Cocoa 

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

Whip or stir until all ingredients are combined.  Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. homemade vanilla extract and 1 tsp. peppermint extract.  Immersion blender works great for this.

We used all organic ingredients.  I attempted to make my own peppermint extract one year, but it did not have a strong flavor.  If you have tips on making it, please comment below. 

Stir, cool, and store the homemade creamer in the refrigerator up to a week.  

Garden seed catalogs are starting to roll in, and of course I'm taking a look-see.   We definitely will not be planting any squash next garden season, but that will free up space and eliminate those nasty squash bugs for a year.  

I ordered some library books via the inter-loan system.  The books are non-fiction, and will give me a bit of a change with learning something new.  Thankfully, my husband can pick them up for me.

All things "kitchen" are in disarray, but my husband (bless his heart) is doing as much as he can around here.  The refrigerator is going to need a full clean out after this month, ha ha!  

Crockpot Hearty 3 bean soup.  We've had this soup 3 times now, and there are never any leftovers. It is meatless, but it is very good.  I do have home grown garlic for it, so that makes a wonderful flavor.  I have grown turnips and kohlrabi, but we have not grown parsnips yet.  Sprinkling those home grown herbs on the soup, always makes me smile.

Side note:  Oregano oil has been handy for medicinal reasons, but limited to specific ways to use it.  I will be making an oregano tincture next year.

Although I have been taking it easy, and moving slowly to full recovery, I have a few things I will be able to do (with some assistance).  I have printed (yikes!) about 3 new recipes, but for summer garden season too.  

Handiwork is very slow going.  I'll try and get one last "Christmas" post in soon.

Spice things up  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homestead and Handiwork Happenings

We started December with some chilly weather - low -4 (windchill) 6°F/High 27°F.  The coldest weather for early December since 1976.  According to weather authorities.  We've been as low as -8°F this month.  Now we are melting away into the 50's by tomorrow with a lot of rain.  Crazy, crazy winter weather for sure.

Surgery went well.  Thank you all for your prayers, good vibes, positive mojo and good thoughts.  I am in recovery mode, which oddly feels very strange for someone who is on the go most days.  

One kiddo visited to help out, and stayed the night, and I really appreciated the help. She did some driving for us, cooked and even cleaned.  Very thankful for her help.

Not to worry.  I am listening to my doctor/nurses.  I'm not able to exercise like I typically do daily, but my brain is getting a super dose of "brain" activities.

On top of a new puzzle, and a 132 new word search book (my first), crochet also continues.  I have one crochet item to share soon, but waiting on Amazon to deliver the final item to finish it.   I am also revisiting my long lost interest in writing.  There may be a submitted entry (small, but a start) in the near future.  I think my husband is more excited about this venture being revisited, but I am too.

I had purchased glass jars with wooden spoons, for easy access for my evening tea, and I'm so glad I did.  You have no idea how much you "lift" in a day, until you are told to not lift certain things.

The yarn order I sent out a few weeks ago, for another last minute hand crocheted gift, is on back order.  Seems fitting right now, ha ha!

As for some good news, one of our girls has learned to bake bread, and baked bread for the very first time (yeast rise bread).  One has learned to cook one of the family holiday dishes, and I am beyond proud of them.  Kids today, do not cook, nor are they interested in getting back to the basics in the kitchen, and we are so thrilled they are learning.

My rosemary and chive plants are still alive, but the rosemary looks iffy.  I am doing my best to win this battle to keep it alive all winter.  Lemon balm continues to sprout, but it does much better outdoors in the summer.  I had to replant a few seeds.

Homestead and Handiwork Happenings  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart