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~

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

It's been a long week....

...and it's only Tuesday.

Hubby and I made it to the gym at 5am this morning.  Slowly, but surely, we'll have a regular routine in place.  I myself, had been up since 2am.  

The usual stuff needs done, and I'm still trying to get some foods stocked up and processed etc.  It's a fight this week.


I canned 8 more pints of applesauce.  

My swiss chard is not looking too good.  I plan on visiting it today and getting the last of it in the freezer.

My dryer vent cleaning kit arrived, so that job just stepped up on the "to-do" list.  It must be done.  Hubby is way too busy to build me a tool, so I just went and ordered it.

I started a brew that will sit for 3 weeks, then it will be strained and bottled.  It's top secret, or a few family members will know what I'm gifting for Christmas.  Sadly, there is no possible way (so far that I can imagine), I'll have time to do any handiwork this year (to gift).  I embroidered towels last year, but this year it may simply be the brewed or canned.  

I yanked the last 60-some dead tomato plants.  I need to retrieve the tomato stakes later tonight (need the truck) and get them stored yet.  The cauliflower gets yanked today - snow comes Sunday.  We may have a record high of 70 on Friday.  Ha, tank tops on Friday, flannels on Sunday. Who knows, snow may mean we'll just see a few flakes too.

All of my potted flowers have been collected.  I plan to dump that dirt today.   

Bread needed baked, and that did not get done.  It's been graciously moved into today's list.  Or tomorrow's.

As for Mr. Fox?  Well, we think the dogs ran him off for good yesterday.  Not sure.  I got to thinking, and remembered we had squirrels living in the old big barn.  We last caught Mr. Fox there, and think he was looking for dinner.  If he's eaten the rabbits we had too, he may have moved on. And if so, he's really done us a favor.  The real test will be when I let the hens out again.  

I'm considering re-homing my araucanas.  I have not gotten eggs from them for 5 months now, and I really don't think they'll taste too good if I have them butchered.  I don't want to waste money on organic feed zero eggs.

I have no clue what dinner will be tonight, so I best get to checking the freezer and pantry first.

 



 

8 comments:

Mama Pea said...

We're expecting snow this weekend, too. But as you say, if it does materialize, it'll probably not be more than some scattered flakes that will quickly melt.

We've always butchered old hens (and roosters!) that were up to a few years old. When stewed, long and slow, the meat has been tender and flavorful. And the wonderful broth can't be beat. But I understand you might not have time to do that before winter sets in and having them butchered would be an added expense.

Hope the rest of your week improves a whole big bunch!

Susan said...

I swear your weeks have twice as many days as mine. Or so it seems, from the sheer amount of work you do. Thanks for the reminder about applesauce. I have a half-bushel of apples in the fridge that need attention.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I think I have three hens that really need to go. I heard a butchery opened up closer to us. I may have to inquire. Thanks for the info on the taste too.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, this week is crazy for sure.

RB said...

You're right. This HAS been a long week, and it IS only Tuesday. I got so confused (I work Sundays and Wednesdays), that when I got up Monday morning, I thought it was Thursday. Can you imagine my disappointment to discover there were still 6 days left to go in the week. LOL
I think the colder weather is making me want to cuddle under the blankets and not come out. And, of course, the dark coming an hour early is wanting me to go to bed early too.
Maybe that's what I'll do. Postpone things for today and head to bed early.
See you all tomorrow.
God bless.
RB
<><
zzzzzzzzzzzz

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, I was in pajamas at 5:26pm last night, ha ha!

RB said...

In the winter, I'm in what some call "silkies" (silk feeling insulated leggings) with flannel big shirts all day long. They're warm, decent coverage if someone comes to the door unannounced (how dare they-lol), and if you're not going anywhere, they're entirely appropriate for at home wear IMO.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, sounds nice and cozy.