The sun finally made an appearance! Boy it was nice. I got out of the house and got a few smallish errands done. The library was first, but I also made a visit to the local orchard. The only thing we needed was local honey, but I picked up some locally made apple cider and some red delicious apples that were on sale. I'm thinking apple oatmeal breakfast bake, pork chops and apples, and more.
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, March 8, 2024
Local Eats ~ Book Goals ~ Sweet Energy Treat
Monday, February 19, 2024
Happy Homemaker Monday
Do any of you own one of those box style choppers, that also work as a mandolin? I have a hand chopper and food processer, but I'm thinking the box chopper would be easier to use, and wash and store. It could utilize it in the camper as well.
I'm just thinking ahead for garden season, when we bring in tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and the like. I need to replace my mandolin this year, so I'm curious about this type of chopper/mandolin.
I have been getting outside for fresh air as often as I can. I think this is mentally and physically important. Whether it is to pick up trash thrown in the yard from people driving by, to muck the coop, pick up or clean up the porch/patio, or ...
...to simply put on a jacket and sip a hot beverage and sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
We still have a bit of snow on the ground, but we are to get up into the 50's again this week.
Right now I am . . .
Drinking coffee, and writing this post.
Thinking and pondering . . .
What project to do next. We need to paint the master bathroom, and we also need to install a window in another room, with drywall repair work and a new electrical outlet. We may be hiring someone for the window/drywall job. Depends on if we are close to a finish on the hallway before the end of the month.
How I am feeling . . .
Terrific. I did buy an elbow brace for my aching elbow (from slipping on ice while stepping out of the truck).
We make ourselves goals, we give ourselves rewards, and my husband said he hasn't felt this good in maybe 30 years.
Last weeks pamper me moment? Painted my nails at the end of a very nasty weather day. Dressed up and went out for breakfast one day.
On the breakfast plate . . .
A new recipe!! Breakfast Lasagna! It's a layer of scrambled eggs, a different type of sausage gravy, applegate low sodium/no sugar ham, and cheeses. I'll post my review on this later this week (to keep this post short, ha ha!).
On the lunch plate . . .
Leftovers.
On the dinner plate . . .
Not sure just yet. It could be leftovers again.
On the menu. . .
Breakfast: Einkorn Pumpkin Pancakes, maybe bacon to go with them? Blueberries.
-Mexican Lasagna, Crockpot creamed Corn (using frozen off the cob corn)
-Meatball casserole (using homemade frozen meatballs, that are made with oats vs. bread crumbs, home canned sauce, and some cheeses, Green Beans (also from the garden freezer goodies)
-Spaghetti squash pesto chicken, veggie side (maybe roasted rutabaga)
-Leftovers
On my reading pile . . .
I needed a break from reading the Leslie Meier series. I am about half way into this book, and I am very much enjoying it.On my TV . . .
Anything that looks good.
Looking around the house . . .
I'll have an update on the hallway progress this week. It's coming along nicely.
One box of donations was packed and delivered. We donated to a Habitat Restore, as the items were used light fixtures, switch plates and the like.
I have another box started for donations, but it's not full enough to deliver.
To-do list . . .
-clean the washing mashing filter
My washing machine filter is not exactly easy to clean. This is what it looks like after I remove the full bottom panel under the front loading door (some of you have a cute little access door). You can see the filter is behind wires, and is back inside, making it much more difficult to get a bucket under it to catch the water that comes out. I will be looking to see where the filter is when we ever do need to buy a new washing machine. Did you know that you should clean your washing machine filter 4 times a year? I don't clean ours that often. There is just the two of us, and no pets, so the filter stays pretty clean.
-prepare a few days of breakfast
-dust
From the camera . . .
What I am crocheting . . .
I posted an update on handiwork yesterday. You can see the post HERE.
I also started another lap afghan, but these will dwindle as the weather warms up. I will switch to projects for me/us when the cold weather leaves.
Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .
Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
Happy Homemaker Monday © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Bits and Pieces
I've been busy in the kitchen, more than other work lately. Pumpkin Oat Breakfast bake. I love this too! Not only does it use up that delicious frozen pumpkin puree from the garden, but it's a one bowl mix recipe. I'll be making some more egg/sausage and cheese cups to go with it.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
This and That
Monday, February 12, 2024
Happy Homemaker Monday
A sunrise from last week. We've been blessed with some beautiful sunrises lately. We actually grilled out on Sunday. It was slightly chilly, but the sun was out.
Do you remember my post on the Butterscotch Sugar cookies (from a Joanne Fluke book)? I froze some of them, to see if they froze well, and they do! Just sharing in case you like to have something in the freezer for unexpected guests, or need to quickly take a treat to someone.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather. . .
Highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's for the week.
Right now I am . . .
Making a pot of coffee.
Thinking and pondering . . .
Butter beans. Do you use butter beans? I do. I have to order them online, as our stores here do not carry them. Weird right? I see that Meijer sells them (via looking online), but they add sugar to their canned beans for some reason. Do you have access to butter beans (organic, non-gmo)? I currently by Eden Butter beans (USA grown, only contains Kombu seaweed for better digestion).
Just when I am thinking of purging some writing books, a "freelancing" article comes up in my reading list today. Hm.
So many blogs I follow/followed have ended or are coming to an end lately. I go to where my reading page is and there is mostly blogs on crochet or writing anymore.
How I am feeling . . .
Coffee made, music on, and ready to tackle the day.
On the breakfast plate . . .
-Breakfast: Egg/Sausage/Cheese breakfast sandwiches, coffee
On the lunch plate . . .
Maybe chicken salad/boiled egg, grapes.
On the dinner plate . . .
Chicken quesadillas possibly.
On the menu . . .
-Southern Beefy Skillet (Eating Well Recipe, formally from Diabetic Living), but the recipe does not list the tomato sauce in the ingredients, so read the entire recipe and instructions first.
-Pork loin, roasted green beans, and wild rice blend, made with organic stock and pre-blanched kale. Home canned BBQ sauce to pour over the pork over rice blend.
-Mexican Lasagna, Crockpot Creamed Corn (using frozen off the cob corn)
Beverage: a gallon of homemade iced green tea infused with dehydrated spearmint from the garden. Did you know spearmint is good for helping memory? I just learned this.
When the current Mediterranean Orzo salad is gone, I plan to make another salad.
On my reading pile . . .
Thanks to two 65°F days (and mostly sunny) that lured me to the porch to actually sit and read, I finished this book.
On the TV this week . . .
Movies: The Ice Road
Looking around the house. . .
What I purged - 16 books, 1 pair of 1.50 readers, 1 cast iron griddle, and gave away the last of my nail polish Christmas tree ornaments to a friend who does nails for a living (she loved them).
The house is pretty tidy, as we had guests over the weekend.
I'm very slowly purging items from the office, which may end up not an office. That is topic for "thinking and pondering" I guess.
I finished giving my quilt rack a fresh coat of paint, and it's back up on a wall. I am looking for a new quilt now. The current one does not match (it's a knock off, cheap version quilt)
The to-do list . . .
For the week (moved from last week, as I did not get it done)
-clean kitchen window, window blinds, wash curtains
-the hallway project is still on-going
From the camera . . .
I finished this lap afghan. It is packaged up to donate to the senior center. I started another. I keep getting notified (by friends) that there is a need for shawls for a group in our state called Shawls of Support for organ/tissue/eye donors. One specific wanted purple ones. I have yet to check my yarn stash, but the senior center was thrilled to get what I have already donated, I really would like to finish a few more lap afghans for them, before winter is over. Then again, they may be able to use them in the summer if they have the AC on too. Anyway, there are two great ways to help others with my yarn stash.
Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .
Friday, February 9, 2024
Reading Books
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished
Although only for one night, we were able to travel a few hours away, to visit a 4.8 million Christmas light display, stay at a Historic hotel (which we loved), and visit some local shops, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It rained on us, but we were still happy to travel and celebrate.
I don't know how, but I managed to finally finish this book. I started reading it early in the spring. The garden/other projects keep me busy, with little time to read.
I finished this one as well. I know, a bit shocker. I think this makes book 5 for this year. I typically read a lot more.I read most of Leslie Meier Mystery books years ago, but our library did not have some of the series. I do enjoy them, but would like to venture into other books I have at home.
If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch, try Netflix movie Holiday in the Vineyards. We very much enjoyed it.
We tried a new deviled egg recipe, and we really like it. The recipe says to put the extra filling on crackers, and it would be delicious on a cracker. We loaded it all on the eggs. It is a recipe from The Southern Lady Cooks, and the pimentos make it colorful for a Christmas side dish.
I used my homemade garlic powder for the recipe, and just the small amount adds a good amount of flavor. They are not low in calories, but I'm glad we tried them.
This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Friday, November 10, 2023
Chit Chat on the Porch ~ Library Loot
I thought we were going to have a very dreary, dark day yesterday, but the sun came out, and I got some fresh air. It was a bit cooler and breezy, but we are to warm back up thankfully. Getting outside this time of year is good for the soul.
Later, I went into my office for something, and found that I buried my crochet hooks in there.
I quickly got those back in their proper home, but I realized that I have more "stuff" in there to put away. By "stuff" I mean stuff shoved in there from ripping up the entire flooring in the living. I unpacked two more boxes I found from the bedroom project. I am also filling another box for donations.
Just pack up an entire room in a hurry, and then unpack it all. You'd be surprised on what you really need or use vs. what you have.
I found a cookbook I didn't even know I had. I may try a few, but it is old and falling apart.
I have used my "hidden" screwdriver several times already, and have installed a new curtain rod for my hallway (so it matches the one on the door).
I have used up all of the pumpkin, that we did not freeze, but I borrowed some books from the library for new ideas.
I have yet to talk with anyone who makes fire cider. It's been years since we made it, so I guess I'm on my own for finding a "good" tasting recipe.
The Christmas book was brought home on a whim. Not sure I'll have the time to read it, or if it will restore my holiday mojo. I guess we'll find out.