Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Cleaning and Organizing ~ Books ~ Wild Violets ~ Homemade Rosehip Infused Oil
Monday, April 1, 2024
Happy Homemaker Monday ~ First Day of April
I hope you all had a nice Easter weekend. We had some excitement going on here so to speak. First the power went out for several hours, along with an internet outage. They could not locate the cause, or at the point of powering back on, did not disclose why they both went out of service. It was a good spectrum of an area to lose both services.
Secondly, we had to cancel our weekend plans. My husband was on the forced overtime list at work. He worked the entire Easter weekend. Hence the unfinished home repairs.
Thirdly, two very suspicious looking people landed on our front porch. No vehicle, no cell phone (according to them), and their story was that they were "left by the side of the road" and wanted to use my cell phone or call for a ride etc. They also said they were from another state, and not from around here. I was not about to do that, so I shut and locked the door, and called the Sheriff. Mind you, we live in the country, so we have prepared for such situations.
I in the meantime, had prepared a new breakfast, and it involved green beans.
My husband told me that it's because I prepared a "weird" breakfast, that "weird" stuff happened. I have promised not to put green beans in our breakfast, ha ha!
I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
It's pouring down rain, we are to have rain for a few more days. Mostly 40-50 degree days. Possible snow mid-week. Possibly a sunny 70 degree Sunday. Weather is all over the map again.
Right now I am . . .
Filling a diffuser with water and lemon essential oil. The air in the house is super dry this winter. I also got out our smaller humidifier.
Thinking and pondering . . .
To garden at all this year, or not to garden. We are still on the fence with giving the soil a rest this year.
To blog or not to blog. I love to write it, but lately I feel it's monotonous and time consuming. Most of my posts, after so many years of writing, have almost zero comments, so hence monotonous (and boring?).
Blogger continues to have issues, and the photo loader is once again not working.
The flower beds definitely need some upkeep work done.
I have lost my mojo to do interior house painting. I'm a bit burned out from that job. It's getting a rest for now.
I wrote down 3 things to do in the gardens on good weather days. One has been crossed off the list now.
How I am feeling . . .
Tired, but ready to tackle the week ahead. Due to an extra trip to town, I got a head start on my "to-do" list for the week.
On the breakfast plate . . .
Well, it's not green beans (ha ha!). I have no idea just yet.
Breakfast enchiladas went into the oven. I used a spinach tortilla. Kroger has the ones we like with lots of veggies and non-gmo, when I don't want to make them myself.
On the menu . . .
-soup beans, homemade cornbread, maybe a salad too
-not sure on the rest of the week just yet.
On the reading pile . . .
I am not sure when I purchased this book, but it's off the shelf and I am very much enjoying it.The back of the book. . .
On the TV . . .
It's been difficult to find anything worth watching.
Looking around the house . . .
Windows look great! I am a firm believer of a homemade window cleaner recipe I found online (link). It did a fantastic job. It's rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, arrowroot powder, and distilled water.
On the to-do list . . .
-start sorting more yarn, scraps from donations
I need to put together our newest (second) mole-chasing windmill. It's the perfect time to get the grounding rod in the ground (while the rain has softened the soil).
For the week:
(still on the list)
-wash upstairs windows
From the camera . . .
What I am crocheting . . .
Devotionals, Bible Verses, Prayers . . .
I do not have any prayer requests this week.
Happy Homemaker Monday ~ First Day of April © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Monday, March 25, 2024
Happy Homemaker Monday
We are greatly anticipating outdoor spring activities and garden prep. Not to mention the finishing of the new coop. I already have a plan in place for moving the chickens.
We have friends that just sold their house, bought an RV and are living/traveling in the RV now. I'll admit, it sounds interesting, and could imagine a life with a lot less taxes.
I'm on the hunt for Arnica cream/lotion. Sigh. Just trying to avoid buying all the ingredients to make it. If you know of a resource, be sure to comment. By the way, I have tried to grow arnica here a few times, and with no success for some reason.
We had unexpected guests all weekend, so I feel like we did not get much done around here. We did manage to pick up a few bales of straw (at a high price), from a farm store for now. We are having trouble locating a larger amount from a local farmer, for the chickens. We've sent a few messages, so we are waiting for responses.
We also managed to pick up the light we needed for the hallway ceiling. The online inventory stated they had 5 in stock, but when we arrived that was not the case. We will still need one more light fixture.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Somehow I missed last week, but nothing much was news-worthy. I apologize for the length of this post today. I hope you have a hot cup of java or tea to get you to the end.
The weather . . .
Our most recent breakfast, and our favorite. I could literally eat this every morning! My husband said, that when he was reheating his at work, everyone asked what he was eating (it smelled that good!). I'll make a post to share how I made this. It a bit of work, but it lasts for a few days too. Not sure what we'll have this week yet.
New to the bookshelf. Gulp. Yes, I said "new" to the shelf, but I have a large box filling up with finished books to donate soon.
The two unfinished projects that were taken apart - thin dishcloth (these never sold at the craft shows anyway), and a flip flip key fob. The keyfobs were to be sold at a store on the island, where my camper ornaments were sold, but that store closed last year.
Friday, March 8, 2024
Local Eats ~ Book Goals ~ Sweet Energy Treat
The sun finally made an appearance! Boy it was nice. I got out of the house and got a few smallish errands done. The library was first, but I also made a visit to the local orchard. The only thing we needed was local honey, but I picked up some locally made apple cider and some red delicious apples that were on sale. I'm thinking apple oatmeal breakfast bake, pork chops and apples, and more.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Happy Homemaker Monday
Do any of you own one of those box style choppers, that also work as a mandolin? I have a hand chopper and food processer, but I'm thinking the box chopper would be easier to use, and wash and store. It could utilize it in the camper as well.
I'm just thinking ahead for garden season, when we bring in tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and the like. I need to replace my mandolin this year, so I'm curious about this type of chopper/mandolin.
I have been getting outside for fresh air as often as I can. I think this is mentally and physically important. Whether it is to pick up trash thrown in the yard from people driving by, to muck the coop, pick up or clean up the porch/patio, or ...
...to simply put on a jacket and sip a hot beverage and sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
We still have a bit of snow on the ground, but we are to get up into the 50's again this week.
Right now I am . . .
Drinking coffee, and writing this post.
Thinking and pondering . . .
What project to do next. We need to paint the master bathroom, and we also need to install a window in another room, with drywall repair work and a new electrical outlet. We may be hiring someone for the window/drywall job. Depends on if we are close to a finish on the hallway before the end of the month.
How I am feeling . . .
Terrific. I did buy an elbow brace for my aching elbow (from slipping on ice while stepping out of the truck).
We make ourselves goals, we give ourselves rewards, and my husband said he hasn't felt this good in maybe 30 years.
Last weeks pamper me moment? Painted my nails at the end of a very nasty weather day. Dressed up and went out for breakfast one day.
On the breakfast plate . . .
A new recipe!! Breakfast Lasagna! It's a layer of scrambled eggs, a different type of sausage gravy, applegate low sodium/no sugar ham, and cheeses. I'll post my review on this later this week (to keep this post short, ha ha!).
On the lunch plate . . .
Leftovers.
On the dinner plate . . .
Not sure just yet. It could be leftovers again.
On the menu. . .
Breakfast: Einkorn Pumpkin Pancakes, maybe bacon to go with them? Blueberries.
-Mexican Lasagna, Crockpot creamed Corn (using frozen off the cob corn)
-Meatball casserole (using homemade frozen meatballs, that are made with oats vs. bread crumbs, home canned sauce, and some cheeses, Green Beans (also from the garden freezer goodies)
-Spaghetti squash pesto chicken, veggie side (maybe roasted rutabaga)
-Leftovers
On my reading pile . . .
I needed a break from reading the Leslie Meier series. I am about half way into this book, and I am very much enjoying it.On my TV . . .
Anything that looks good.
Looking around the house . . .
I'll have an update on the hallway progress this week. It's coming along nicely.
One box of donations was packed and delivered. We donated to a Habitat Restore, as the items were used light fixtures, switch plates and the like.
I have another box started for donations, but it's not full enough to deliver.
To-do list . . .
-clean the washing mashing filter
My washing machine filter is not exactly easy to clean. This is what it looks like after I remove the full bottom panel under the front loading door (some of you have a cute little access door). You can see the filter is behind wires, and is back inside, making it much more difficult to get a bucket under it to catch the water that comes out. I will be looking to see where the filter is when we ever do need to buy a new washing machine. Did you know that you should clean your washing machine filter 4 times a year? I don't clean ours that often. There is just the two of us, and no pets, so the filter stays pretty clean.
-prepare a few days of breakfast
-dust
From the camera . . .
What I am crocheting . . .
I posted an update on handiwork yesterday. You can see the post HERE.
I also started another lap afghan, but these will dwindle as the weather warms up. I will switch to projects for me/us when the cold weather leaves.
Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .
Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
Happy Homemaker Monday © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Bits and Pieces
I've been busy in the kitchen, more than other work lately. Pumpkin Oat Breakfast bake. I love this too! Not only does it use up that delicious frozen pumpkin puree from the garden, but it's a one bowl mix recipe. I'll be making some more egg/sausage and cheese cups to go with it.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
This and That