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~

Friday, July 30, 2021

Organizing and more purging

Sprinkles arrived early yesterday morning, followed by thunder and lightning.  I decided to pull out all of my totes of items I sell at craft shows, take an inventory, write down what needs re-stocked, and price everything that wasn't.  I need to package the remaining items, and print labels for them, but now I need to replace my printer first.  

In the process I was looking for salt and pepper shakers a Tupperware dealer gifted me (mini one's) at show we did.  I did not find them.  They were for the camper and as of yet I have not found them.  Hm.

Either way, I filled yet another large box for donation.  I now need a storage container for all the camper bedding I am keeping to use for rag rugs.

In the process of looking for the salt and pepper shakers, I have found more areas to purge and re-organize.  


I also found this unfinished set of pot holders.  I didn't find the crocheted rug I was looking for.  Something in my foggy brain thinks I finished it and gave it to Daughter E for her hope chest last year.  I found an unfinished lapghan too.


Thursday, July 29, 2021

Blogger ~ Blooms ~ Garden ~ Road Construction

I don't know if it's my internet or blogger, but I'm unable to read anyone's blog.  Hopefully blogger will fix it soon.




More blooms from our glady's.  Oh, by the way, we were sitting on the front porch late evening and two hummingbirds were enjoying my tall purple phlox for the longest time ever.  It was fun to watch them.

Rain is in the forecast today, but as of waking up we have zero.  I sure hope it does rain.  My garden actually needs it.  the mosquitoes are horrible this year, but we do need the rain.


Road construction has started out in front of our homestead.  They literally just did this in 2012, and it really doesn't need done (there are worse routes that need re-surfaced).  I'm not looking forward to it, and the dogs will bark and bark.  Sigh.

We had plans to go to another "big city" and then those plans changed and then we ended up not doing either.  The heat was horrible, and after Hubby worked in it all day, he just wanted to get home and into the AC.  Thank goodness for egg salad.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Heat Returns ~ Day 2 of Battle with the Rabbits

The heat returned and watering everything resumed.  The rabbits are horrible this year and have eaten the tops off most of my beets (so mad about this).  I've dumped cayenne pepper on it to deter them, but it may be too late.  Next year I'll have to fence it in.  We've never had this problem in 12-13 years.

My mother's neighbor told her a trick - sprinkle cayenne in the garden.  I did this with the grow bags, sweet potatoes and other problem areas and so far it's working!!  So happy to see growth vs. chewed down tops.

The green peppers are on thankfully.  So are the green beans.  I'm still waiting on more zucchini and yellow squash, but the tomatoes look great.

One zucchini, last year's jalapenos, and last year's green peppers went into making a breakfast scramble for breakfast.  We are on the very last bag of frozen green peppers - just in time for this year's harvest.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Cleaning ~ Garden Day

Monday was a catch up all day.  Kitchen needed cleaned up, garden needed weeded etc.


My hot peppers are loaded and I'm already putting some in the freezer.  The rest of the garden is slow going for some reason.

One family member may be raising meat birds for extended family.  We will definitely be in on that, however they want to process them all themselves (we are talking 100-150).  Not sure if it'll happen, but we'll see.


Monday, July 26, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a busy weekend, but sheesh, these birthday parties are taking over all our free time.  We have a lot of nieces and nephews that have lots of kids, and again, had a birthday party to attend.  I however, love that we can see family this year.

Sunday the weather was awful.  Humidity was over the top. 


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

The weather . . .

88°F/64°, sunny


How I am feeling this morning . . .

Not ready to take on the week, ha ha!  


On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover French toast, coffee


Looking around the house . . .

I have a lot of extra camping stuff I need to either donate or put away.


On my reading pile . . .

Nothing this week, nor last week.


On the TV . . .

Virgin River


On the menu . . .

Honestly, I have no idea.  I'll need to take a look in the freezer and pantry and come up with some ideas.


From the camera . . .

I finally got around to try an Aperol Spritzer.  Not bad, but not cheap either.  It was a welcoming cold refresher on a hot weekend.

I am thankful for. . .

A bit cooler weather today.  Sunday was miserable.


I am hoping to . . .

Get to town for a few items I forgot over the weekend.


Prayer list . . .

No personal requests, but prayers for our country

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Pop Up Camper ~ Garden

My first day of the camper purge was pretty successful.  Rain was in the forecast, but very little.

The table in the camper folds down, and is a bed for 2.  Under one side of the table bench is a storage area. It's the biggest storage other than the outside front storage bin.  

I tackled that area first. I kept extra pillows in there, because we often forgot to pack pillows for camping trips.  Lots of stuff went into a box for goodwill.  Some sheets were washed a saved for those spring frost blasts we get late in May (when we have to cover plants).  I also saved sheets for rag rugs, gave some enamel plates to one of my brothers.


Games and doodle books went to Daughter E for her new apartment, along with a pizza pan (have no idea why that was in the camper), some cups/mugs, drawer storage tray, antique counter top mug holder, and other items.

Some items went in the trash, like a pot holder that was beyond it's lifetime.  I had 10 pot holders in that camper, ha ha!  Many that were in good shape went to Goodwill.  

A few things needed washed down, and a few screws for the door top needed replaced, but all in all, the camper is in good condition considering it's a 1999 camper.


I brought these mug covers in to wash.  I had a color for each person.  They are made to fit a specific mug, and we don't use them anymore, so I'm torn on what to do with them. I may see if they fit any of my mugs in the house.  If not, they may (gulp) get donated.



Of course with so much going out, I added a few new items - collapsible strainers for the camper.

I finally harvested our first zucchini of the season.  My yellow is way behind.  I have made notes in my garden journal to not only change resources for seeds, but to start the yellow plants indoors next spring.  I've had trouble with them the last few years.  Of course we've had weather issues, but for some reason the seeds from High Mowing (for yellow straight neck) have taken longer to harvest and less to harvest.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Camper Cleaning Day!

 


Today is camper clean up day.  Outside and inside.   There is a lot to sort from the inside, but super excited to get it done.  We've attempted to do this for the last 3 days, but my husband has spent every night working on the mower.  I finally convinced him to set the camper up before he work on the mower, so I can work on the camper while he works on the mower.

It's time to purge the camper.  We have bedding for 7 people and we don't need it anymore.  I'm sure there are kids games and odd stuff that will need to go to a new home.


Out with the old and in with the new.  I've had that tan strainer since pre-kids.  Seriously.  It's cracked, stained and time to replace.  My husband is gonna faint when he finds out.  I kept telling him it was my most used strainer. The new red one is bigger, which I do like.


Sunrise from a few days ago.





Thursday, July 22, 2021

Busy Day

Yesterday I had more laundry than anticipated, so the clothesline was working over time.

Hot peppers are doing great again this year, but darn it all, the rabbits are killing my greens and beets.  I'm so frustrated this year. Oh, the cayenne must only be working to deter the snakes, not the rabbits.  I put two more flood lights out there now, but need about 3 more.  I chased off 3 deer the other morning too.


The first year to see wild grapes growing.


My mad hatters are getting big and plants are loaded.



The ladies are happy with their nicely cleaned up coop.  Yes, they need a new ramp, but it's not high on the list since we plan to build a new one for them.  By evening they had kicked half their straw out the door.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Mower ~ Trip to the "Big City" ~ Coconut Waffles ~ Baked Walleye

The day our mower guy came out to mow, he hit something and bent the mower blade.   New blades were purchased, but half the mowing was done.  It was a battle to repair, but hopefully it'll be completed tonight.  My husband had a heck of a time getting the old blade off.

I made it in to the "Big City" for some errands.  I needed more twine to tie up the tomatoes and other items.  I also needed some items to work on the pop-up camper.

Daughter K had the day off, and when she is off all day and home, it typically involves an adult beverage.  Ha ha!  We were just refilling out wine rack at home.  She put another bottle in the cart after I took that photo.  We wanted to try a new cocktail, but one ingredient has been hard to locate so far.


Arriving back home, I scrambled to get things done before dinner.  First, I made a batch of coconut (no sugar) flour waffles.  My husband had a to-go breakfast this morning.  In between each waffle, I multi-tasked unloading the dishwasher and loading the washing machine.  

I had a front porch visitor just before dinner was started.

Dinner was baked walleye and steamed broccoli.  We have a lot of walleye in the freezer thanks to friends of ours.  So good!  The Parmesan cheese made the fish delicious.  Normally, my husband would insist on deep frying, but this was a healthier alternative.

We him-hawed on putting the pop-up camper up, so I could clean it today, but we both lost our mojo later into the evening.  The plan is to do that this evening.

The weather is in the mid 70's today, and so comfortable.  However, it looks like rain could move in (not in the forecast).  My plan is to muck the coop and tie up more tomatoes, but we'll see what the weather has planned.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

. . .from the handiwork journal

 (since the last handiwork post)

. . . finished the XL purple pot holder.  It was made to match some hot pads I recently made.  Although, I used the solid color to edge it.


. . .spray painted two more mini clip boards for future gift giving.  I decorate them, add a pad of paper.  Instructions are on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.



. . . spraying a clear coat on Daughter E's latest craft project.  I wanted her to buy the ladybug, but she insisted on this one.  It's a garden stone.

. . . crocheted a set of pot holders

. . .crocheted a matching XL hot pad

. . .progress on a knitted dishcloth.


Monday, July 19, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

My husband had to work all weekend, but we managed to get to the gathering regarding the loss of one daughter's boyfriend a year ago.  Oh my, we love those families/friends.  It was a good turn out, including classmates of his and daughter E's.  So many good laughs and good times and even tears, but so thankful we all got together.

Something I learned (although some of you may already know this). . .

I have never cooked with flank steak before (believe it or not).  I bought some last week and sliced it and grilled it for philly's sandwiches.  What did I learn?  Well, I was watching America's Test Kitchen (love that show) and watched them prepare a recipe using flank steak.

What did I learn?  I learned it has little fat and you must pound it before cooking, to tenderize it.  I literally did not know this until I watched the show.  

I will be buying flank steak again and giving it a try the right way. Ha ha!  It always makes me excited to cook when I learn something new.



I made a double batch of homemade taco seasoning.



I made a comfrey salve.


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


The weather outside is  . . .

86°F/66°F, sunny

Heating up and we are finally drying out!  


How I am feeling . . .

Rested.  Ready to take on the week.  


On the breakfast plate . . .

Coconut flour waffles, bacon, coffee


Looking around the house . . .

I have some boxes I need to take upstairs for Daughter E, for her big move coming up, but the kitchen is almost pristine.  I spent quite a bit of time cleaning yesterday while my husband worked (really stinks because weather was great on Sunday for outdoor work, bike ride, cards on the porch).


On my reading pile . . .

Nothing last week.


On  my TV . . .

Finally finished the entire season of Heartland.  Ending wasn't exciting either.


On the menu . . .

-Baked walleye, steamed broccoli
-Meatballs with homemade teriyaki sauce, asparagus
-something on the grill 
-have no idea
-leftovers


From the camera. . . 



The rain brought us some new blooms, and one glady finally bloomed.

I am thankful for . . .
A few dry days to allow the garden to recover, and give me time to do more weeding (not to mention get the grass mowed). I had more handiwork time over the weekend, which was a nice change (everything outside this weekend was soaked and road still flooded).

I am hoping to . . .
Get to the "Big City" to get errands done this week.  Maybe.  Nothing I need is an emergency, but needed.  The list is growing.


On my prayer list . . .
No personal requests, this country could always use prayer though.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Rainy Cleaning Indoor Day

I dug in my heals and got to cleaning Friday morning, but boy oh' boy did I keep getting side tracked.

I left dishes to soak, went to toss bedding in the washer, started to pick up the bedroom (camping clothes etc) and forgot about the dishes. 

Put biker boots in the closet and saw the bag of netting I needed to cut.  You get the picture, ha ha!

I got back to dishes and something caught my eye (or thoughts) I need to get my salve made.

Well, that didn't happen.

We woke up to rain again, and the road is starting to flood.  We had lots of rain yesterday and no time for it to dry up.

I've managed to write out some shopping lists for the first dry day we have.  I need twine to tie up tomatoes (again), and some items to do a complete cleaning on the pop up camper (more on that later).

Today is the day Daughter E's boyfriend and best friend were killed in a car accident one year ago.  The family is hosting a backyard get together, so both families can be with one another.  I sure hope the rain stops by then, but it's iffy.

I'll leave you with a photo of Daughter E's cat Tiger.  She plans to take him when she moves.  I on other hand have begged her not too.  He's old and would be better off in the home he knows.  We'll see what she decides.


Friday, July 16, 2021

Rosemary ~ More radishes ~ This and That ~ Something I Learned

 



A bit of rosemary made it's way to the dehydrator.

I picked more radishes.  Enough to make dip again, but this time I used garlic powder (garlic scape season is pretty much done).

Although hot and humid, and a complete soaking muddy mess, I managed to free the bean plants from their blood sucking weeds.  What a job on such a hot day, but I beat the rain in the process thankfully.

We are now under a flash flood alert with rain all day today and tomorrow.

Daughter E is leaving the salon she is working for, and moving up to a salon that does hair color/highlights etc.  Risky move (requires booth rent), as she is also getting her apartment next month.  We hope she does very well.  


Something I learned - one of the large flea markets located in Amish country in Ohio are closing their doors the end of October 2021.  Holmes County flea market sold their building.  Sad to hear, as it was one of the main reasons to visit the area.  The Walnut Creek Flea market however has stated they are expanding.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Rain ~ Garden

 




How most days have been lately.  Rain.








It's been nice not having to water, and all is doing great other than the rabbits eating my sweet potato tops off.  The weeds are out of control.  We need some dry days so I can get in it and weed.  Oddly, it looks like it could rain this morning, and when I checked the forecast it said high of 89 degrees and sun all day.  Hm.  I guess I will find out soon enough this morning.  It's been very humid here too.

We are once again having problems with our internet.  We had to call and have them "ping" our address (again).  Now my husband wants to look into Dish.  The only other option out here in the country, but we'll see how the rest of the week is.






Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Rain ~ Pest Control and other chit chat

The weather was not wrong this week.  We are getting rain off and on, but so much on that the weeds will be an issue.  

I ordered a very large container of cayenne pepper.  I can't keep up with the rabbits and the snakes are out of control.  I'll be giving it a try to deter both from the garden.  The snakes keep other pests out, but they also keep me out of the garden ha ha!


It paid to open every envelope that I had in my old small lock box.  I have now purged that mess of paperwork.  I found an autograph I got as a young child, while in FL at an old motel visiting my Aunt.  It's from Norm Crosby.  Mom saved it and gave it too me years ago and I have uncovered it again.  Not sure what I will do with it ha ha!  Anyway, glad I got that old mess of paperwork gone.

We went and looked at a hard sided camper last night.  It doesn't have a slide out, but has a shower, toilet and hot water.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

New Recipe Tried ~ Campfire Beer Cheese ~ Question and Tidbits

Campfire Beer Cheese

2 - 8 oz. blocks of organic (or homemade) cream cheese
3 cups organic shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup beer (I used Wicked Easy, what I had on hand)
1/2 cup buffalo sauce (or homemade)
1/4 cup organic ranch dressing
1/4 cup organic blue cheese crumbles

Melt all ingredients over a campfire in a cast iron skillet.  Top with chopped homegrown chives and serve with veggies, organic tortilla chips or homemade soft pretzels.

Note:  I made this in my crockpot to give it a taste test before making it during a camping trip and it worked great.  It only took a few hours.  Leftovers reheated nicely too.


What is your favorite way(s) to use pickled carrots?


I'm wondering if those last few cold spells killed my red raspberry blossoms - zero berries.  However, the blackberries are doing great.  Squash blossoms are on!




Monday, July 12, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

We got our first camping trip in this year.  We haven't camped since 2019.



Although we decided (and a good decision) to pack up early before the rain hit, we had a wonderful time.

I'm definitely going to be working on new campfire recipes for future trips.  We needed a dose of nature.

Yesterday, my husband and I took Mom lunch and had a nice time catching up.  



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


The weather . . .

Rain.  Lots of rain. Not sure why the photo is so blurry, but you can see the rain in the forecast anyway.


How I am feeling . . .
Sad to not be on our weekend vacation, but ready to tackle the housework I guess.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Blueberry pancakes, sausage and coffee.


Looking around the house . . .
It's a mess.  I have camping stuff to put away, tidy the kitchen, sweep and mop it, do some dishes, empty dishwasher, do laundry, purge a small lock box, purge a filing cabinet, get Daughter K to clean her stuff off one table, purge one box of binders, 


On my reading pile . . .
Nothing this week.  I loved being able to get my dose with nature and play cards.  My husband said it's the most time he's spent outside (aside from garden/yard work).


On my TV . . .
Heartland


 On the menu . . .
-pumpkin/sage macaroni, veggie
-grilled philly's
-baked walleye, steamed broccoli
-grilled BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, asparagus and baked beans
-leftovers


From the camera . . .
English muffin pizzas (camping trip), using home canned pizza sauce.  Yum!


I am thankful for . . .
Getting the chance to go camping, for a day with visiting Mom, for the rain (giving the garden a good soak and me getting the time to get caught up inside), my front porch and so much more.

I am hoping to . . .
Well, for starters, we hope to have time to go check out a few more campgrounds in the next few weeks.  I'm hoping for a few dry days to pop up the camper, and give it a good cleaning.

On my prayer list . . .
No special requests, but we are still having concerns with Daughter E (she is moving out next month).