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~

Showing posts with label Cleaning and Organizing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleaning and Organizing. Show all posts

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Kitchen ~ Pattern Binder Purge

 


Friday was an extremely foggy day.  I was a bit worried about my husband's drive to work. By 11am, the fog had lifted.


My husband and I were not happy with the glue-down flooring that was installed in the kitchen, after half of the floor was torn out for joist replacements and new subfloor over a year ago.  it was coming up, spreading apart and dirt was sticking in the cracks.

A wrench in my winter hallway repairs, but the flooring was on sale, and the installers were free, so my husband made arrangements.

On Wednesday, we emptied the entire kitchen, other than the refrigerator.  The flooring/installers were to arrive at 10-11am Thursday to install (same flooring as hallway).  Around noon, I am notified that they are not going to make it.  Friday they arrived, but had to come back on Saturday to finish up.  Hence my delay on posting.



During my waiting process, I had collected all of the pattern binders (but one), purged them all, tossed out what was junk, and gave away a pile of unwanted patterns.   Whew!  Project binder purge is DONE!  Checked off the to-do list! 

In the process of re-flooring the kitchen, we removed the only base board electrical heater and a new electrical outlet was installed.  We do not need the heater, and it was malfunctioning anyway (a hazard if left installed). 

New floor trim was installed where the heater was, and I had to paint a bit, but it all looks great.

I would say 90% of the hallway, and kitchen floor trim was re-installed. I painted the kitchen trim, so that saved us money, but we needed trim for the hallway.

Also, the computer chair, at our kitchen desk area had to be replaced.  I was not prepared for that expense.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Sunshine ~ This and That

 We had the most gorgeous 60°F day Wednesday.  It was also one of my most busiest days of the week for me as well. 

Sheesh.  There were lots of dishes, more laundry, cleaning, cooking and so on.  I also started on the stairway clean up project.  It may take a month to finish, as I am fitting it in my cleaning schedule, as I have time for it.

I finished dusting and cleaning all of the kitchen blinds and windows, and the valances were washed and put out on the line.

It was so nice to open windows and let the fresh air flow for a day.  So intoxicating for the soul.  Winter can seem so long sometimes, and this day was welcomed by all.


To focus on what's in the freezer and pantry. . .





I made a batch of Einkorn pumpkin pancakes for us for breakfast, and more egg cups, as I had one more cup of cooked sage sausage to use.  I used thawed frozen pumpkin puree from last year's garden, for the pancakes.  Einkorn flour pancakes are the best.  These pumpkin ones are more of a scoop and spread type batter.  It is much thicker, but so good.


Today the rain moves in, but the temperature is still nice.  For now anyway.  



We have been enjoying some organic snack bell peppers lately.  Especially when I have a very busy day, and lunch is eaten standing up (ha ha!).  We add a slight layer of cream cheese topped with homemade everything bagel seasoning.  Some days we add a few slices of turkey pepperoni or other meat.

I have also been making us a healthy peanut butter fruit dip, to have alongside our daily fruit - apple slices, banana slices, blueberries, and grapes.  It's very good, and so easy to make.  To be honest, most days, I just mix some peanut butter in some yogurt without measuring.  It's good either way.

One of my daughter's gave me the idea for this dip, vs. using plain peanut butter on fruit.



1 cup of organic Greek plain yogurt
1/4 cup organic peanut butter, creamy*
1 Tbsp. honey

Mix and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.  Our dip does not last that long.  I pack it in little containers for my husband's lunch too.  You could leave out the honey too.  Especially if you do not have access to wildflower honey or other honey that is not from bee hives left in or around sprayed crop fields.

*We buy the organic peanut butter that requires you to stir it.  If you buy the "no stir" kind you will see that they add bad oils to it, so read your labels.

By the way, the bell pepper snack and fresh fruit with homemade peanut butter dip are both great take-a-long food ideas for gatherings.  Especially if you want to make sure you have something there for you to eat that is healthy.

Stay tuned for an update on the hallway repairs/renovation project.

Sunshine ~ This and That  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Monday, February 5, 2024

Happy Homemaker Monday

The lack of sunshine was dragging us down, but we finally got a full day of it Sunday.  We didn't have time to go get the hallway flooring over the weekend, but that is okay.  If you have done repairs and renovations, you know it's best to start at the top and work down, and get all of the painting done before the flooring goes in.  We are not done painting.


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



The weather . . .
We are excited to hear we may reach the high 50's, and possibly 60° later this week.  Perfect weather to paint the door to the garage and possibly side door (interior side of the doors).  They forcasted "freezing fog" for this morning.  I have never heard of that.

Right now I am . . .
Making a 2nd pot of coffee and finishing this post.

Thinking and pondering . . .
I'm thinking about purging another bookshelf, that contains mostly books on grammar, writing, and writing skills.  I had a moment in my life, where I wrote freelance articles, and it was fun.  I have not had the ambition, motivation, nor energy to continue that path, so the books may be purged.


How I am feeling . . .
My fingernails are down to the quick from washing walls and window trim.  I am constantly applying hand cream too.  Otherwise, pretty happy with our repairs and hallway progress.  My elbow is sore from constant work (the one I fell on the ice).

My hair is much softer from using the homemade hair detangler.  It is said it will repair damaged ends, so I hope to have a good update in a month or so.

On the breakfast plate . . .
French toast made with Ezekiel bread, blueberry sausages and scrambled eggs.

On the menu . . .
I have absolutely no idea, ha ha!  I will be working on that later this morning.

On my reading pile . . .
I'm still reading this book, although with all of the painting going on here, I have had zero time to read it.


On the TV this week . . .
YouTube videos on fixing dog scratches on a fiberglass door.  I have just learned about dog scratch protection panels that you can simply stick on your doors to prevent them from causing damage.  I wish I knew about these before the dogs here (over the years) damaged the door.

Movies on Netflix

Looking around the house . . .
Excited to purge more.  I donated all of my display stands (took 3 boxes) to a local thrift store (not a chain thrift).  I'm going to start purging books in my "office" in between repairs/renovations.

I also got rid of a large box of large plastic Easter eggs.  I bought them for an "adult" egg hunt, but year after year, the rain and mud prevented it.  

The new smoke alarm was installed in the hallway, ceiling paint touched up in a few areas, walls were spackled and sanded, and hallway windows primed and painted one coat.  It will take a second coat before we paint the walls.  The wood trim was just so dark in color.  Both drywall patched areas were re-installed and mudded in (and drying).

On the to-do list . . .
-clean veggie/fruit drawers in fridge
-dust living room, Master bath/bedroom
-wash bedding
-sweep and mop Master bath/bedroom

For the week, deep cleaning:
-wash kitchen blinds and windows, wash valances


From the camera . . .
To save money on paint tape, we are using this tool to prime and paint around the window trim edges. It takes longer, but paint tape is not cheap either.  Photo is the beginning of priming the window trim.

Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .




Monday, January 8, 2024

Happy Homemaker Monday

 On the home winter project list, we have decided to completely remove the hallway paneling.   When the carpet was removed a large wooden storage box was moved to the hallway (to get it out of the way of work).  I am now going through it, and hopefully passing it on to other family members.  The box itself will be donated if no one can find a use for it.  I have contacted our historical society in the past, and they were not taking any donations.   There are some old family items in this storage box, and I can no longer store them.  

After cleaning my Dad's place and Mom's after they passed, I have a different look on what I keep and do not keep.


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

I will link up when she posts.  I'm running behind today.


The weather . . . 

High 30's, low 40's, some weather moving in around towards the weekend, with rain/snow.


Right now I am . . .

Brewing a late pot of coffee, and posting this.


Thinking and pondering . . .

Looking through my seeds and working on a seed order if necessary.


How I am feeling . . .

I'm not liking the lack of sunshine right now.  I do believe it plays a part in how a person feels.  Did I mention the tea recipe I will be trying?  I posted a link for it.  It is said to help with seasonal stress.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Egg/sausage scramble, Coffee.


On the lunch plate . . .

Have no idea yet.


On the dinner plate . . .

Perch, and a vegetable


On the menu. . .

No idea yet.  However, I do look in the freezer/fridge and pantry before writing it up.  I will work on that later.


On my reading pile . . .

I have not had any time to read over the last week.  I'm okay with that, as I am making progress on the winter project list.


On the TV this week . . .

Fool me Once (series on netflix)


Looking around the house . . .

If you haven't read my recent post on our winter project list, I am working on painting interior doors and door trim.


The to-do list . . .

-muck coop
-catch up on any laundry
-dust
-make some calls, the truck just got new rotors, but now it needs new tires
-water plants
-sweep/mop floors
-purge a storage box we no longer have room for


From the camera . . .

We were lucky to have a few beautiful sunrises and sunsets, but with the rain and snow moving in, the skies have been cloudy the last few days.


Devotional, quote, prayers . . .




Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Getting more organized!

 One of the recent boxes to go through contained our DVD's.  We don't have a lot, but enough that it needed organized somewhere.  I was previously on a bookshelf in the closet. 


(carry handles)


Now they are in a zipper, dust free, viewable carry case that is stored up on a shelf in the closet.  They are out of sight, organized in one place, I don't have to dust anything but the carry case, and we can see the movie titles easily.  I had to order this online.  I could not find it in stores.


I bought these strong magnets at Menard's with the intention to put them on the grill, but I found a good use for them.  

I have metal shelving in my kitchen for jugs of water, vinegar etc.  I had been using S hooks, but they kept falling off.  These magnets hold my strainers wonderfully.  I am guessing you could find them in the summer grilling supply section in most stores.  These magnets are stronger than the hook magnets intended for refrigerators.


I bought this for the smaller bathroom.  Great for small places, and holds both cotton balls and Q-tips in the center.  Sorry if this one is a repeat.  I could not remember if I shared this one or not.  I tried to collect items to make this myself (gluing the smaller one inside the canister), but it ended up less expensive to buy it as is.






I also purchased a package of smaller zipper storage bags.  I did not like the ones sold at the dollar stores, so these were found online.  They are also the perfect size for my crocheted baby blankets.  Anyway, the initial purpose is to store bedding and pillow cases for our bed and eventually for the spare bed upstairs.

We are also moving the ironing board and iron, along with the holder we have mounted on the wall, to the bedroom closet.  It makes more sense.  There is an outlet easy to get to, we can store it on the wall, and easily take it down to iron any clothing, right in the closet.  Sometimes, just moving something makes the job go much smoother.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Transition Days ~ Chickens ~ Seedlings

 The first few days of start up hours, for my husband's work can be crazy.  It's a time of feeling whack-a-doodle, as far as routine goes.  He's either working 2nd or 3rd or who knows what shift, and it throws me off completely.

It takes us a good few days to try and get flow to our daily routine, mornings, evenings, all of it.  I took the day off from purging and organizing and moving stuff, but it has been overwhelming for me.  I love to create crafty items, but it's sort of at the point, where I don't need to create so many items anymore.  I have to come to a point of deciding what to get rid of what to keep, in that area.

I used to make homemade gifts, that required bottles, or jars or whatnot.  Not anymore.  The kids are all grown, and do not put up Christmas trees, so I'm not making ornaments like I used to.  By the way, the "starbucks" ornaments in the making, made their way to the trash. I took off what could be useable, and tossed the rest.  The kids did not want one for their homes/apt.

I used an old bookshelf to store craft items in my closet, so that is the focus, but now I'm trying to decide if I want to paint the bookshelf and put it in the upstairs bedroom.  It is a solid wood bookshelf, so I will think a bit longer on that decision.


His schedule also throws off my meal plans.  I managed to clean a large amount of fresh spinach, blanch and freeze it.  I may be using some to make a breakfast frittata.  I do sort the spinach, because the last few times, I have found weeds, and sometimes grass it in.  I also lift it out of the soak water, and rinse again, before blanching it.

Our weather was a bit warmer yesterday, but we are still drying out from the recent downpour of rain.  We are back to cooler weather again.  

The chickens are back to regular egg laying, but their coop door is falling apart.  We'll need to start thinking about the new coop now.  For now, we will have to rig it, so the door shuts properly.

My saved hot banana pepper seeds have not sprouted as of today.  I saved them from pepper plants we purchased, and planted, so I'm not sure what's going on .  I may need to purchase Hungarian wax pepper plants and try saving those seeds this year (or buy seeds from my regular sources).  Also, the Cherry Bomb pepper seeds I purchased from someone on Etsy (I should learn my lesson after twice), did not sprout.  Only one did.  I can live without the cherry bomb, but I do use quite a bit of the hot banana peppers for a few canning recipes.

Speaking of canning.  I can confess, the first year I started growing a garden, I went nut-so with canning.  Boy, can you dive right into all those interesting recipes and end up with way too many condiments the first few years.  I have been very careful now, on only canning some "interesting" and delicious condiments for gift giving.  I decided not to can corn relish the last few years, after realizing we did not use it as much as we thought we would.

I have been discussing canning and the garden with my husband lately, and I may can some jalapenos to compare with freezing this year.  I'm not talking more cowboy candy, but just canning them.


Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Weather

 

The morning sky was so beautiful the other morning.  Today it's raining.  The cooler weather returns.


The battle of the leaves ha ha!  As soon as I blow them off, they are right back on the porches.

My rainy day projects are back on track today.  The pantry is still under construction, but I will be so happy when I am done.  It just got out of hand with a kids grocery shopping as well.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Monday's are Tough

 

Mondays I typically try and do the entire house, so I can enjoy it the rest of the week.   Didn't happen.  I started out making egg/sausage/cheese and chickpea tortilla quesadillas for breakfast (next time will add jalapenos), cooked up ground beef for sloppy joes and had a mountain of dishes after that. Dinner was crock pot sloppy joes on Ezekiel bread and sweet potato fries (baked).

Laundry got started, but our mower guy arrived, so I couldn't put it on the clothesline.  I started on floors, but had to do other stuff too.  Just hard to keep up with.  I haven't even checked the garden yet.

I got another corner area of the upstairs carpet shampooed, but when Daughter E moved out she left trash and belongings.  Good luck getting her to come and clean it up, so guess who is doing it?  Yep.  Me and my husband.  I am gonna have one big party when the last one moves out.  These kids, and I didn't raise them that way, are so selfish and lazy right now.  

Anyway, it was stinkin' hot yesterday.  I'm glad I don't have a lot in the garden to deal with right now, but I may be canning this week.  

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Tuesday Tidbits

Rest in peace Sparta.  You will forever be missed.  Sad day on the homestead. He broke a leg years ago, and last summer had trouble getting up and down the ramp, so we even had plans to build a longer one with more ease for him.  I also found him cuddled up under the heat lamp (which is over the water), and often found him there during cold, cold days.  I'm sure gonna miss him.

School ended up closing yesterday.  Roads were pretty slick.  Today they are delayed, but may cancel again.  We have freezing rain (again).






I spent most of the day in the kitchen.  I decided on a ham/swiss chard egg scramble for the next few days.  That left me with two eggs to spare.  I also baked the birthday cake, and cooked millet for another recipe.  Then dinner prep started.  I was tired by 1pm, after being up at 4:30am.





I taught Youngest Daughter how to decorate a cake, and she looked like she really enjoyed it.  She did her own design too.


We may be starting the garage clean up a bit early.  All vehicles now need repairs and we'll need the garage to do it.  Lovely.

Hubby's workplace promised bonuses this spring, but last week reneged on the promise.  Hubby is pretty upset, as we had plans to put it to use.  Pretty low of them to do this, considering he was out fixing things at -40 some degrees a week ago.

Next time I cook meatballs for dinner, we are going to try topping them with homemade condensed mushroom soup.  I was out of it yesterday, so it's on the to-do list now.

Shipping prices have gone up.  My cost to shift crafted items will also go up a bit.  Just FYI.


Tip:  I purchased these plastic shallow baskets 2 for $1.00.  I put them under the sinks to hold items, so next time I clean, it will be much easier taking it out and putting it back.


Thursday, February 7, 2019

Rosemary Gladstar's Famous Face Cream ~ Tidbits

I've had this recipe on my "to-do" list for many months now.  First I had to infuse the oil.  The recipe is in this book, and so is the recipe for the Four Thieves Vinegar.  I have more recipes yet to try this year, so stay tuned for more updates as I get around to making them.



Winter has been harsh this year, and dry skin is an issue.  I even resorted to putting my calendula lotion on my face, it's been that harsh of a winter.


Step one - let the first ingredients cool and turn into a creamy mixture.


Step 2: Add next ingredients with a blender.  I have a hand blender I use specifically for lotions/creams. Recipe states it lasts up to a year, but I know it will be gone quickly.  It can be used for face or body.

I will continue to make my calendula cream too.  It's great for super dry winter skin like hands and feet.





I had a rather less hectic day in the kitchen, with only needing to make banana bread, and dinner prep.  Hubby requested I put chocolate chips in the banana bread this time.  Hemp seeds went in, in place of flax seeds this time.



It was time to drain my Four Thieves Vinegar too.  Only two more months of "flu" season, but I now make this to have on hand year round.


 During the stage of cooling in step 1 of the lotion, I decided to pull out a drawer and organize it (again).  We are moving from plastic to glass, but I haven't cleaned this out since our last daughter moved out.    As I went through the drawer, I went through the cupboard next to it to find containers to match with lids.  


I found no containers.  Hmpf.  The nice part of all of this cleaning?  I can find what I need and can now buy more glass containers with BPA free lids.  I have one more drawer to organize.  

The cabbage dinner didn't last long enough for a night of leftovers.   Hubby and Daughter loved it so much, they took the rest to work and school for lunch.  That meant I had to make dinner.  

Breakfast for dinner it was.  Fish is on the menu next.  I really miss eating a nice fresh radish or tomato or.....

I asked Hubby if he could build me a "she" shed.  I have determined I need one to crochet and knit away from eyes in the house.  Youngest caught me crocheting another sunflower keyfob and asked for one.  Every time she sees something new or cute, sigh....

Monday, March 19, 2018

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Monday and I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  You know, many years ago, when I attempted to do the cleaning routine from a book author, I revised my own routine.  I can't remember the book, but I signed up for the daily emails and it was very overwhelming.  I got tons and tons of emails on what to clean and organize.  I deleted the program she offered and simply made up my own routine.  

Monday became my "attack it with gusto" day so my week would start out fresh and clean.  So far I've managed most of the my list on Monday.  

Also, here is a cleaning tip:  if I'm taking off for a weekend getaway (which doesn't happen often enough), I clean the bathroom the day before we leave, and finish up laundry.  I I also make sure the kitchen is cleaned up, dishes washed sink empty etc.  When I return, I don't feel like I have jumped back into reality too fast, or add more stress from a chaotic home.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Snow Storm/Drifting ~ It's a "Grab a Cup of Java" kind of post

Warning:  This may be the most boring post you'll ever read.

There are two rooms that drive me nuts (and I mean NUTS!), and for 3 years I have attempted to clean them out, purge, organize etc.  Hubby jokes to me all the time, saying "what is it this time, going on 3 years?"  

A stay-at-home Mom should have the house superbly spic and span, right?  I mean that's what we are home for, to keep things in order, run the kids from here to there (which we are still doing)....the CEO of the house and family.  Ha, yeah.  It's a battle for me, considering I do all things self sufficient.  Those things take time, and I am a busy, busy gal, but the rooms cause me mental chaos when I have to enter them.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Put up a Tree and Cleaning Starts

The garden is too wet, and now frozen.  I think if I even get the last tomato stakes out, I'll be happy. 

I woke up to a chilly 21°F this morning.

Yesterday, after a few chores, I went to drag out Christmas tree #4.  The day ended up with an all day date with this:

First, I noticed the study chair was needing a good cleaning (on my way to open cubbie to get the tree), so I thought I'd get two things done - the chair, then my dresser top, to where the ceramic tree would go.

I flipped the chair upside down and saw spider webs (Yikes!) so off I went to find the vacuum cleaner.  I ended up cleaning the entire desk, cubbie door, chair and my dresser top.  I then proceeded to pull drawers out and wipe them down and the inside of the dresser, which led me to more cleaning, and on and on it went.

However, Christmas tree #4 was put in place.  Whew!  I had to text Hubby that I needed another pair of rubber gloves.  I need them for today's continued wood work cleaning.

While all that was going on, I almost forgot I had bread rising.


Yikes.  Not the best load, but a loaf. The photo makes it look good, but it's lopsided, ha ha!  I really need to find a good whole wheat bread recipe. 

Another yikes - almost forgot to take the dogs out.  "Grad" daughter is home most mornings and she had an 8 hour work day.

Dusting was done, carpets swept, my dresser cleaned off.  Another spider trap is in place.  

Do you ever have to spend a day putting away the "didn't put it aways?"  You know, those items you just put down and tell yourself you'll put it away another time?  I have been diligent in keeping those areas clean, so it only took a few minutes to clean that up. 

If I had a plan for yesterday, it would have failed for sure, but I got much of my deep cleaning done.  I have more to clean.  Much more.  I'm making a list for the girls now. 

Friday, October 27, 2017

Friday Finish and One Liners

I got a little bit of time each day to catch up on handiwork. The rain helped me out, although I should have been shampooing carpets or something else, ha ha!


I was thinking "from stash to cash" for this project, but I'm not so sure about it now.  Maybe just the coasters.


I finished this coaster and cozy set for myself.  I was feeling the fall weather, with the dreary cold and wet weather we were getting early in the week.

My "Grad" Daughter eye-spied it, and exclaimed, "I want one of those!"  

She may get one.  In her stocking or for Christmas.  Maybe.  The only problem with the matching cozy, is that the granny square fits larger mugs only.  I didn't follow the pattern either.   Instead of two squares, I used one and then made the strap and added buttons.  I wanted an area to drink my coffee without getting yarn in my mouth.  I also used scrap, 100% cotton I had in my stash.



I used buttons from my craft stash too.  Hard to believe I only paid $.25 for them.  Glad I have a stash of them too.

I started to pull more scraps of my cotton yarn to make more coasters to sell at the market and possibly online as well.  I just wish I could make the cozy to match each one.  Sets sell pretty well, but the cozy needs custom made to the mug a person owns.

Not to worry, I make other items using the granny square, so other sets can still be created by buyers.



 I said goodbye to two more older magazines.


 Cracked more walnuts, and saved more walnut shells for fire starters.







Current library loot.






Started a jar of pickled garlic cloves. 

 I finally washed the gloves, hats and a few scarves.

More rain is on the way.