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 20, 2016

Homestead Happenings ~ Garden Season Begins ~ Surprise Mail

Spring is finally here, so the new door mat is now out.  I have another on for the camper too.

This is our first year to have so many blossoms on the peach tree.  I am hopeful this year.  The snow did not cause any harm.


Rain barrels are going back in placeTwo are out, two to go.

Shell and sugar peas are planted.   I have 20 pounds of Red La Soda potatoes, so I started planting those too.  They were the only red seed potato I could find in stores that were non-gmo (shipping is high to order them).  The rains arrive today or tomorrow.  Hubby helped me plant the last 50 when he arrived home from work.  Even though he had gone in to work at 3am (a call out), he was eager to get them planted.

If we can locate any white non-gmo seed potatoes in stores, we'll add another 50 or so plants.  

I have been drinking hot ginger tea (from fresh ginger) to alleviate sore muscles.  

Ginger recipes here:  Hot Ginger Tea, Ginger-ale


New recipe: 

Beet and Barley Risotto (Feta cheese on top)It's in the root cellar book I posted about.  This takes longer to cook, but healthy.  Every kid but one ate it.  Of course the one kiddo who claims to be a vegetarian is the one who won't eat beets.  Or sweet potatoes, or many other vegetables.    

I never got my croutons made on Monday, so I saved it for these rainy days we are getting soon.  And many other things on my to-do list.

I was so tired my first day in the garden, I had pajamas on at 5:30pm.  Literally.  I plopped on the bed while Hubby took a motorcycle ride, and realized I had more work to do with the chickens.  When he arrived back, he gladly took care of my chickens (whew! thought I would have to go out in my jammies). 

I have pinto beans to plant this year too, so I must make some sort of weather proof marker.  Hubby never knows what I plant when he's at work, so this will eliminate another bean picking mishap.  

One last bit of happy news!  I got surprise mail.
 Thank you, thank you, thank youThis totally made my day!  I'm going to go through patterns on the next rainyWhat a great way to end my day!


  

8 comments:

Mama Pea said...

You're going to have one whomping good garden this year, I just know it! You're so far ahead (planting already!) of what I can do up here that it makes me chomp at the bit even more than I already am.

Yep, the first real day in the garden always wipes me out, too. But at the same time it's such a good tired knowing the progress that has been made. Another month (!) and I'll feel that, too!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I sure hope it's a good year. We may even get pears this year too. Zero last year. I can't wait to restock the pantry.

Lisa said...

I love placing sliced ginger in a glass of ice water. How about sharing your hot ginger tea recipe? Sounds great! I too am so excited about planting my garden! It's such a wonderful time of year!

Dave♥Anna said...

Weather proof markers, that gives me an idea, thank you! I usually use plastic knives that I write on with a permanent marker. But this made me think .. . . we have a copy store in the town I just moved from that has a laminate process that lasts in the weather for years. You have him copy your item with his ink, then laminate it, and I have seen his stuff last out in the weather on businesses for a couple of decades and going. I have had his stuff last me as much as 5 years outdoors (little signs). I think this would be great for garden markers, too!

Those beets look so yummy! I love beats just about any way you can fix them.

I hadn't thought us using fresh ginger tea for sore muscles. We use it a lot for congestion and fever. I will definitely have to try it. I add sprigs of mint in with mine for fever aches, and honeysuckle leaves for antibiotic factor, so I bet adding in the peppermint would also further help with the sore muscles. Tastes great too.

Having the same problem here on trying to find non GMO potatoes of any kind. Frustrating.
I really enjoyed this post and got a lot out of it, Thanks!
(Anna commenting)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Anna, thank you for that tip. I used permanent marker on plastic ware and the writing wore off over summer. I also tried painting on metal lids, but that wore off too.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Lisa, I have simply been making my tea by the glass, but I do have a recipe for making more than a glass. I'll add the link to the post. Also, for one glass, I peel and grate about a teaspoon of fresh ginger and steep it in an infuser. Once it's done I place it on top of my mug and it drains out the bottom, leaving the ginger inside. My Uncle sent it to me. I think he bought it from Adagio teas. Any infuser would work though. I don't add any honey. I just sip and enjoy.

RB said...

The garden sounds wonderful. Other than herbs, I don't think we'll have much of one this year. Bro Tom works in produce at the grocery store and has been bringing overstock and shop weary home which I've been prepping and freezing or dehydrating for future use, so we have more than we really need.
Prayers everyone has a great safe weekend.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks RB, I hope to get some onions planted this weekend. Maybe. It's still wet from the recent rain.