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~

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Flower Cup Coaster ~ More Gardening

I'm using leftover scrap yarn from crocheting seat cushions, to make these cup coasters in my very few spare minutes of time (which is about a few nights a week now, ha ha).

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Random Gardening Tidbits, and Rain Barrels


The weather went from a chilly morning to 60°F by dinner time yesterday.  The days are slowly starting to heat up nicely.  

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Goat ~ Hubby Funny


No one claimed the Nigerian buck. He does have some handsome colors.

He was to small to jump a fence, and too little to tie-out.  He was most likely in a fenced area.  He was not starving to death, so he didn't travel far by foot.  His hooves have been taken care of.  He was in good shape too.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Busy Begins ~ First Asparagus


 

 I found this growing near my clothesline.

Hubby and I spent almost the entire day in the garden yesterday.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Rainy, Cold Day Advantage ~ Goat on the Loose



One rainy day, two rainy days, three rainy days, done!  The seat cushions are all done. For one table anyway.  A few need the ties attached, but we can now enjoy them.

I've also been retouching the paint on my kitchen cupboards.  They are getting a good cleaning, and guess what else?  

Saturday, April 25, 2015

....that word again ~ Random Tidbits

Unfinished.

Maybe it's two words - unfinished projects.


I've gotten too many irons in the fire lately, and need to stop myself and regroup.  And I'm only talking about the fun stuff, not the daily to-do list.

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Egg Eating Chicken


A few weeks back, I noticed our egg production down, and wondered what was up.

While I was in the barn awaiting Misty's birth (goat), a few chickens got back into the barn into the coop.  I heard some loud squawks and looked over.  Lo' and behold, the no-name black araucana was chasing a barred rock around.  Then I saw her bully two barred rocks from the roosts, and put her head into the roost.  

I was certain I had my very first case of an egg eating chicken.  I put her in the emergency (just a small spare one for sick/injured chickens) coop for over a week.  I noticed egg shells in her coop on some days and others not one egg.  While in the other coop, I would get 11 or more eggs.  

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Breakfast ~ DInner


Since Hubby made me his famous breakfast omelets (this time he put both bacon and sausage in them), I had to come up with an awesome dinner.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Windy Weather and other Tidbits


I managed to get all the dirty laundry on the line, however, I did have to chase a few pieces that flew off in the high winds.  Life would be boring if I did not attempt such tasks.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Garden Beauty

We left the camping spring blooms behind, and came home to some very pretty colors in the flower bed.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

On the Fly ~ Playing Hookie

The weather was absolutely heavenly on Friday.  Too bad for me I had to spend most of the mid-morning getting my teeth beautified.  Sadly, I had to sit in the chair for almost 40 minutes, after the cleaning, to see the dentist.  After they adjusted the bite on two crowns from last year, and a free oral cancer screening, they finally released me.  I had high plans for a day of outdoor work, but that flew by quickly.

By the way, I kept getting told how great I brush my teeth.  At one point the hygienist asked if I could come in and show folks how to brush.  I give the credit to herbal teas, which help keep the mouth, and gums healthy (teas that have natural anti-bacterial properties, like thyme tea).

As soon as I arrived home, I had goats to tend, then dogs and then laundry.  Hubby finished the mowing (parts that our buck does not chew down).

Friday, April 17, 2015

Thursday Handiwork


Thursday was a day for handiwork for me.  Hubby took the day off to rest and recover from his sniffles, and I encouraged it.  He's using the tea tree oil bath soaks, and everything else we have here.


I finished another placemat, and got some quiet porch time.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thankful....

My oldest brother and his wife gifted me with this box of books.  Every night

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Spring Weeds Anyone?

I'm starting to feel my muscles burn, after two days of kneeling to pull grass from the herb garden and rose bed.   That pile of grass all came form the oregano area of the herb garden.  For the last seven years, I never had this many weeds in it. Yesterday it was a bit too chilly to have porch time, so I worked inside later.  The ground is still too wet to walk in any garden, and we are to get more rain this week (and next week).  I'll have to shuffle the "to-do" list again.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Dandelion Vinegar and other tidbits


The weather warmed up nicely, and after getting our last kid (doeling) disbudded, I headed to the flower beds.  It was a perfect time to pull all the grass weeds I left there last fall (gulp).

Monday, April 13, 2015

Beautification. . .


Hubby made breakfast for the two of us yesterday, and we took it to the front porch.  It was therapeutic to sip hot coffee, and eat breakfast outside early in the morning.


We did barn chores together, including rounding up two goats on the loose.  Hubby had to stop and fix the gate, so they can't escape again.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Wild Bird and Tidbits


Our excitement yesterday, was a bird that fell down the chimney.  We got it out, but not without some screaming and a broom (that would be me).  It ended with our 18-year old taking it out with gloves on.  


It flew to the front yard, and immediately went searching for food.   It was some sort of black bird this time.  The last time it was a baby robin.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Tea Infusion Update




It's been over eight weeks now, since I have been drinking the "high calcium" tea mixture.   First, let me begin by telling you all why I tried the tea.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Opening the Windows ~ Gratitude


The first thing I did yesterday, was open a few windows.  It was so nice to get some fresh air in the house and clear out the germs.  It was nice to hear nature as well, and kind of relaxing - birds, the pitter patter of rain, Sparta crowing.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Still sick, but plowing through....

Hubby bought this new sign for me.  It's totally me.  It's totally him too.  To start my day requires a heavy dose of organic coffee.  

The ironic part, is that we ran out of coffee yesterday.  The last thing I wanted to do was run out to the store.  I truly missed Hubby's help yesterday.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Herb Garden Happenings ~ Tidbits


The rain came and went on Monday, so we worked accordingly.  I did not, and do not, feel good anyway.

Rain flowed in again Tuesday, but I was able to check in on the herb garden(s).  Today, we were to get bad storms early this morning, but we got fog (and a school delay) instead.  I was happy with it, as I go to sleep in.   Here is what is currently happening (including medicinal herbs) in the herb garden:

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Fun Day ~ Tidbits

The younger two were begging to do another "fun" thing while they were on spring break, so Hubby agreed to take them to the zoo.  The aquarium was shut down for a large remodel job, and it just re-opened last week.  

Monday, April 6, 2015

A Year of Hemingway ~ Tidbits



I finally finished The Sun Also Rises, and now I'm onto the next one.   I think the most enjoyable part of this one, was reading his descriptions of the bullfighting.  I, as a youngin' got to see a real life bullfight in Madrid.   I have a photo album with photos somewhere around this place.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Spring Break


Hubby and I typically take the kids to a hotel for a good night of swimming during winter.  We however, we had other things happen to delay that.  

Friday, April 3, 2015

Crocheted Placemats and Chair Cushions ~ Vultures and Tidbits

I think these placemats will look nice when I finish them all.  It will work until I have a day to antique shop for some long tablecloths (in spring colors).  I made them as large as our largest dinner plates.  The width is good, but I could crochet less rows and still make them fit nicely.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Prosperous Day


I started washing all the afghans, and bed covers.   A few tablecloths too.


The weather was good enough to get the two wooden chairs, and the backside of the cupboard piece, primed yesterday.  My plan is to put one coat of paint on everything.  I have the table post and legs to prime later too.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

April Already?!

Heavy winter coats are finally going into storage.
 
Yesterday was absolutely wonderful outside. I filled my clothesline.