Smoked Bacon? Oh my! ~ Shopping and Hiking

 We have discovered bulk, smoked bacon.  It is a drive for us, but the packages are packed with 150 slices of smoked bacon.  We do not own a smoker, so this was a nice discovery.  Did you know that smoked bacon loses it's fat when smoked?  It greatly reduces the amount of time to cook it as well.  On a side note, it is even more cost saving to cure, smoke and slice your own bacon with pork, if you have a smoker (so many instructions online for this).

It costs a lot less to buy the bacon this way (bulk), and saves us so much money.  We will be stocking up on this, from now on.  We don't use bacon in every meal, but the savings are wonderful.  

We are finding more and more ways to locate supplies at lower prices, organic herbs and other items when we do take the drive for supplies. 

We are now incorporating the shopping trips with an outdoor hike/walk.  It's something new for us, but we are loving this new idea.  We are expanding our outdoor adventures, getting physical exercise, and enjoying nature.

I'm tickled to also find glass bottles for homemade tinctures, lotions, sprays and whatnot.  No more Mountain Rose Herbs, with their high prices, lack of supplies, and outrageous shipping costs.

Oh by the way, I had a conversation with a lady about Mountain Rose Herbs, and my frustrations.  She said they were recently purchased by someone else.  I don't have the information on that, but it all makes sense.

Having spent my entire life devoted to raising our kids, it is finally nice to get out of the house and enjoy ourselves again.  Are you discovering nature this year?  I'm actually writing a shopping list for long distance supplies, and logging what areas to hike/walk in those areas.  It's truly an inspiration, and something to look forward to, besides just shopping.  Finding cost saving, and/or needed supplies, are just a bonus on these wellness travel trips.

Smoked Bacon?  Oh my! ~ Shopping and Hiking © Mar 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

The rain has brought on the garden.  More rain is coming, and the bell peppers look great.

My husband and I took a short weekend getaway to a nearby Amish country.  We checked out their new flea market, but wasn't impressed.  We did however, bring home some items for the newly repaired/remodeling bathroom.  It's now all put together and looking nice.

We stayed one night in a historic hotel we stayed at years ago.  I was so disappointed with the new owners.  They completely took the "nostalgic" away from the hotel.  The parlor was completely remodeled into a quilt room.  It was one of the reasons I loved that hotel.  No more.  Our room we stayed at years ago, now has no refrigerator nor microwave. We brought food with us, and could not keep it cold, nor heat it up, and the other rooms also had no refrigerator.  I was blown away at this....

Literally in front of the toilet. See the toilet paper?  We checked out and got coffee at the flea market.  The bed was comfortable, but the whole "nostalgic" part is the reason we liked to stay there.  The new owners just destroyed the original, "real" historic part of the hotel.

We came home, and unloaded, and searched every bag we brought home.  My husband lost our keys.  Not kidding.  Somewhere walking into or out of the hotel, while reaching into his pocket, lost our keys.  No one turned them in either.  Thank goodness I had the spare truck keys, and luckily, I had the only spare house key in my purse.  We never found the lost keys, and like I said, no one turned them in, and thankfully the truck was still there when we checked out.  You just can't trust anyone anymore.....anyway, as of this morning, still no keys.   

We were on the porch thinking the hotel would call, but we just got a visit from a butterfly.

We invited 3 people to dinner, but not one came over.  We grilled chicken with apple bourbon BBQ sauce, corn and camper potatoes.  It was truly humid, but we did get rain during our grill out dinner.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . . 

Hot, humid and rain.  It's been awfully humid and hot, up in the 100's and I think we will finally get a break this week.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's cloudy, and we may get more rain this morning.

Right now I am . . .

Drinking coffee to get my bearings straight this morning.

Thinking and pondering . . .

While on our weekend getaway, I talked to someone who just removed wallpaper from their house.  I will be looking into renting a steamer to remove the wallpaper from the upstairs room.

I only have trash to remove up there as well, and then we start on that room, but now we are discussing building the new coop next.

We have friends/family in the demolition derby tonight, but the heat and humidity will keep us home.  Not to mention it will rain again tonight.

I've been asked to make up and donate a basket for a silent auction for our family members raising money for an adoption.  I have not decided on my theme for it yet.  I have the basket, but have nothing in it just yet.

How I am feeling . . .

Exhausted, ha ha!  I think the heat and humidity just did us in last night.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea just yet.

What I am wearing . . .

Sweatpants and a tank top.  

On the reading pile . . .

More of Mom's recipes.

On my TV this week . . . 

Whatever looks interesting

On the menu . . .

-leftovers for starters since no one joined us for dinner

-have no idea yet

Looking around the house . . .

Well, my kitchen floor is still piled with donations.  The people that were coming to take it never showed up.  It may be going in the barn after the rain quits.

The to-do list . . .

-can hot pepper mustard sauce

-laundry

-plan meals

-unpack suit case

-make a new recipe

-plant another honeysuckle the birds gifted us

-check garden

-plan a camping trip

-freeze green/wax beans

From the camera . . .

The new small item I am making for the holiday craft show.  Daughter E has been wearing a few for her recent Hippie Fest, and suggested I give her business cards.  I do have them, but they need updated.

Devotional/Prayers . . .

Our small town pets.  Someone found their cat cut "perfectly" cut in half and now we are worried someone is out killing people's pets.  What a cruel world we live in right now.

Happy Homemaker Monday

It was about time we were blessed with an entire weekend rest, relax, and rejuvenate. 

My camper ornaments have been delivered and are for sale in a store on our favorite island.  I'm creating another new items she is interested in.  I'm praying I have time to work on them, and get the painting done, garden kept up, and so forth.

We are not the only ones dealing with a busy schedule.  Our friends on the island could not meet up with us due to a very busy work schedule.  We did stop and visit with another friend we have other there though.

My new smaller tiller finally arrived so garden work, while my husband is back to long hours, is much easier on me.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

85°F/66°F, scattered thunderstorms, windy

As I look outside my window . . . 

It's still dark out.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee, trying to wake up.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Too early for that, ha ha!

How I am feeling . . .

Sad.  Sad we have to be back on the mainland with my husband back to long days, but I do have a lot to keep me busy, and the younger two girls come and go with visits.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Egg/sausage/cheese muffin, organic coffee

On my reading pile . . .

Picked up a new book.  I am pretty sure it will be a fast read, so I'm putting this first before I finish my current book.

On my TV this week . . .

Whatever looks good.

On the menu . . .

-chicken teriyaki, homemade teriyaki sauce

-Rueben's, but most likely will be next week

-grilled brats, side veggie

Looking around the house . . .

I have to make a trip upstairs and try and juggle working up there as well.  I need to (still have not) make room for the treadmill.  Next flooring project is the living room/kitchen bathroom.

On the to-do list . . .

-water and till in garden

-paint another drawer

-tidy up kitchen where I can

-water flower pots

-laundry

-vacuum

-dust

-water house plants

-check emails (getting so bad at this)

-start working on the back patio

From the camera . . .

Devotional/Prayers . . .

No special requests right now.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 I hope your Easter was a nice day with friends and family, or just a nice weekend.   I was whisked away last minute, by my husband.  We went to our favorite Amish area almost 3 hours away.  I wasn't really looking for anything while we perused the antique stores, but I found a chicken cookie jar for $8.00!  What a find.  I have that wrapped up safe until the half bath and living room work is done.  I will share a photo when it's out of it's packaging.

I'm glad we did.  We were recharged, and arriving home on Easter Sunday, we got right back to work and hooked the kitchen heater back up, cleaned more floor glue (urgh) off the floor, moved the hutch, kitchen table and most of the chairs back into the kitchen.

My husband pre-ordered a take out meal (smart thinking), and we went to pick that up.  Daughter E was the only kiddo that could come over and we met her new boyfriend (very nice kid, has a nice truck and works and went to the same school with her).

While chatting out in the driveway, I mentioned the truck bed cover that has been sitting there for 2 years.  I talked my husband into giving it to daughter's boyfriend.  Wha-la!  One more thing out of the house we are not using.

They left, and we went into the "big city" to pick up supplies to change the oil in the truck, see if the feed store was open (was closed), and to pick up supplies at Home Depot.

It will be a real treat to cook in my own kitchen again, but we are considering sanding down and staining our table, and painting parts of it, and the chairs white.  We actually got information for a guy in the Amish area that does it, but I'm sure the cost will be high going that route.  We were very impressed with his work however.

Today I am back to joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I guess now you could call me a Homemaker.

The Weather . . .

Snow!  Can you believe that?  1 inch or less, and then they are predicting 82°F next Sunday.  Crazy!

As I look out my window . . .

Spring flowers are blooming, birds are singing despite snow in the forecast.

Right now I am . . .

Getting ready to make a breakfast casserole.

Thinking and pondering . . .

I have a few boxes to donate yet, but thankful that Daughter E took those two orange/brown afghans.  I have much to do, but it's a bit too chilly yet to do any painting, so I haven't gotten a plan for the day/week yet.  We will start tearing out living room carpet this week (after I figure a way to get the treadmill moved upstairs).

-I need to get to town to get paint swatches for the living room 

-considering painting the kitchen hutch as well as the table

-considering adding valances to living room windows after the floor issues are repaired and re-floored

-emptying the pie safe to downsize/purge and selling the pie safe

How I am feeling . . .

Rejuvenated from a weekend away from our "hot mess."  I'm also happy that Daughter K will be here again to load up more of her stuff.  She still has boxes in my living room.  We are happy to also have someone willing to help gut the bathroom, but he will be having a hernia surgery later this week, so it may be me doing it, or delayed (or finding other help).

On the breakfast plate . . .

I need to make a casserole.

On my reading pile . . .

I actually got some of this read on the drive to our weekend getaway.

On my TV this week . . .

CSI

On the menu . . .

-leftovers

-roast, and veggies

-lasagna stuffed chicken (new recipe to try)

On the to do list . . .

-purge cookbooks

-laundry

-purge cake decorating books/supplies

-clean out pie safe

-clean TV armoire and put it up for sale

-purge tablecloths

Looking around the house . . .

It's still a hot mess, but the kitchen is looking much better, as we put it back together.

From the camera . . .

Had to take a photo of this and chuckle!  My husband said we need to do this at our house ha ha!  Feed the chickens via a vending machine for a quarter!.  Cute set up for the chickens at a handmade leather goods store.

After so many trips to Amish country, we finally toured the Victorian home in one town.

Prayers . . .

Us - to find someone reasonable to do the most difficult joist/sub floor/under layment work for the living room.  It's still in the works.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 We got away for another adventure over the weekend.  A fall foliage trip.  

The colors were absolutely gorgeous.  The weather not so good, but we still had a good time.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

51°/34°F

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Tired.  I didn't sleep well, with a lot on my mind, despite our weekend away.  I came home to a dirty kitchen, and it's time to do a family meeting with Daughter K about her housekeeping (lack of is a better word).

On my mind . . .

See above.  I've been up since 3am.  

On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no clue.  Egg production is down, so there is that.

Right now I am . . .

Doing dishes, getting dinner in the crock pot and getting my head together to make a to-do list.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing.

On today's to-do list . . .

-make a plan for the rest of the week, as I have to get it together today first.

On my TV . . .

How to get away with murder - Netflix

On the menu . . .

Working on it.  

From the camera . . .

See weekend trip photos above.

Looking around the house . . .

It's a mess, but mostly due to a lazy daughter.

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .

A homemade cake recipe I want to try.

To relax this week I will . . . 

Crochet

Prayer list . . .

All the families that also recently lost loved ones.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a superb weekend on the island.  Our last sanity saver trip over this year.  Maybe. If they have an opening, I'm taking it.  We were literally off grid.  There is no service where we stay, and we like it that way.

On the way home we stopped at a large produce stand and brought home some green and wax beans.  I will be stopping there every year we head to the island from now on.  They have a large variety of everything.

Came home to find out one of my chickens died.  

We literally unpacked the truck, threw everything on the bed and kitchen counters, ran out to pick a tomato, and headed to the "Big City" to check on Mom.  We took her some chocolates a woman makes on the island, one tomato (only one turning red that was a beefsteak type), and some popcorn she loves.

Mom looks much better, but has a long way to go to recovery.  She still cannot drive herself anywhere, so between our Daughter K, her neighbor, my younger brother and I, we are trying to do our best, but we all have jobs/work/kids/garden to put up etc.  It's been rough, so hence the trip to the island.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I'll link up if my brain remembers to.

The weather . . .

Hot and humid.  No rain in sight.

Right now I am . . .

Dragging my feet trying to get the day started

Thinking . . .

I wanna go back to the island. There is too much going on here, and too much needing done.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing.

On my TV . . .

Bloodline

On the menu . . .

Have no idea.  Just got back from a weekend vacation.

On my to-do list . . .

Everything.

-put away dishes (life with a lazy young adult kid)

-run dishwasher

-pick garden

-water all gardens

-laundry

-clean entire kitchen

-label and put away canned items

-unpack from the trip

-vacuum

-sweep and mop

-clean out fridge (may be a week long job)

-clean green beans and blanch and freeze

-water house plants

-clean bedroom(yikes!)

-water porch plants

-dehydrate some herbs

-the. list. is. endless....

In the craft basket . . .

Winter hats.  I'll post a picture later when it's light out. Maybe even tomorrow if my brain remembers.

Looking forward to this week . . .

A clean house???

Looking around the house . . .

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!  Ugh.

From the camera . . .

A photo while driving the golf cart on the north side of the island.

Prayer list . . .

Mom.  Right now there are no other special requests.

This and That

I went to book a camping trip, and wow!  They are booked solid for the next two months (one of our favorite ones).  Already.  I will have to book late summer now, but still going camping.  We did not get to go camping at all last year. Needless to say our first camping trip is now booked.  I'm tempted to book a fall one right now too, as everyone is getting out this year.

On another note.  A very disturbing note.  The Gov. of MI is demanding a pipeline shut down that runs from Canada thru MI.  If this happens my husband will be out of a job.  I'm so frustrated with how this country is operating right now.  It will put thousands more out of jobs. Not to mention threaten the economy once again.  We've had enough.

On a good note, the weather is finally warming up and the frost warnings are coming to an end.  Tilling the garden begins, and I will finally (finally) get planting started.  It feels like it's been a long wait this spring.  I will start hardening my plants this weekend.

I have started weeding out the flower beds, and I am hoping to be done by Sunday.  I have a lot to weed, and thought "do I have too many flower beds?" as I was weeding.  Well, I'm keeping them all the same, but boy it seems like a lot to me.  Flowers are slim pickin's too. 

The wild black raspberry plants are already getting their blossoms.

I have lots of things on my hooks right now. I am still working on the cardigan (husband was right with that project).  I plan on getting some pictures soon.  I finished Daughter T's hot pads, but forgot to get a photo before I gifted them to her.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 We had another fantastic weekend (birthdays/Mother's Day) getaway.  Why not.  We are doing much more travel this year.  We went to Amish country.  We really didn't have anything in mind, other than re-stock some organic/non-gmo items, pick up some cheeses, and maybe dine at the brewery.  You'd think they would have a big yarn store in that area, but they do not. They do have a fabric outlet.  Anyway, it was our first trip in 2 years.

The menu was changed at one of the restaurants we love to go to, and they took our favorite meal off of it.  

We came home to 37°F, snow and thunder.  What a messy day, but Mother's Day overall was nice.  We delivered flowers, 6 bottles of wine, chocolate, and a travel tote bag to my Mom's.

Came home to gifts and flowers from the girls.

Good thing I checked the rhubarb before we left.  I had to cut those blooms off.  I will however, need to cover it again for the next few days, as we dip into the low 30's (ugh).

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I will link up when she posts this morning.

The weather outside is . . .

58°F/37°F, cold

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Rejuvenated.  Ready to take on the day, but will try and relax.

On the breakfast plate .  .  .

I have no idea yet.  I need to bake something for the next few days.

On my reading pile . . .

I bought this book at the flea market over the weekend.  I met the author too.  It's her life story growing up and leaving Vietnam.  I'll let you know if it's good or not.

On my TV . . .

Whatever we find on Netflix

On the menu this week . . .

-baked mac' n cheese, green beans

-walleye (locally caught and gifted to us)

-have no idea. . . .will check the freezer/pantry later today

From the camera  . . .

Something new in Berlin.  We got this for dinner one night and took it to the hotel.  A local guy was in line just to buy their BBQ sauces.  

Traffic is always crazy in Berlin.  They don't have a light here, and so often they have an officer there to stop traffic and let people in and out.

Looking around the house . . .

One daughter actually cleaned up the living room while we were gone, but she did not do the dishes (no surprise there).

To relax this week, I will . . . 

Read or crochet

Something I want to share . . .

Our hotel actually had a breakfast this time.  It was not a brown bag breakfast, but biscuits and gravy, waffles, boiled eggs, etc.  The only thing they didn't bring back yet, was the scrambled eggs and bacon/sausage.

Devotional, Inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse . . .

Happy Homemaker Monday

My husband and I took off yet for another adventure and did a one night road trip.  

We visited some falls and dined on local food.  We actually found a tavern that has been open for 50 years, known for their large burgers.  We ate a slider, because the sliders were the size of a regular burger and their regular burgers were the size of a dinner plate.  We also found an old 57 diner that was still in business and had a delicious breakfast.  I was surprised to see so many drive-in's along the way and still in business.  

Our hotel was attached to a mall.  The mall was pretty much out of business other than the movie theater and there was a walkway (hallway) from the hotel to the mall.  

Our morning sunrise this morning.

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I'll link up when my blog gets it's head together.  I can't read my blog lists right now.

The weather outside is . . .

67°F/54°F, mix of sun and clouds, Tue/Wed high of 83°

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Depressed to be back home again, but glad the weather will be good starting tomorrow.  It will get me outside to weed flower beds.  Looking forward to some good ol' sunshine.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Breakfast scramble.  While on our weekend getaway, we came across the most different bar/store. In the front was a full bar, and in the back a meat counter with many delicious meats for sale.  We came home with some Andouille sausage.  Homemade flour tortillas.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing this week.  I want to get hot pads crocheted for the girls that are moving into an apartment.

On the TV . . .

Sweet Home Carolina

On the menu this week . . .

-sloppy joes, sweet potato fried
-baked chicken, crock pot sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn or asparagus

-breakfast scramble, homemade flour tortillas

-strawberry crisp

-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

I have old dishes to sort between two kids.  We just found out Daughter T is getting a divorce and already has an apt. and needs dishes.  I bought us a new set after several years, so the kids get the old ones.

To relax this week I will . . .

Most likely crochet.

Something I want to share . . .

Nothing today.

Devotional, inspirational, prayer list, Bible verse . . .