Pioneer Woman at Heart

There are some days I have the hankering for a coffee in the middle of the day.  I don't buy decaffeinated coffee.  Although , I noticed our grocer just started carrying a n organic decaffeinated coffee. I've known for a long time that chickweed root can be ground for a coffee flavored, healthy drink, but haven't grown it here (yet).  We've see a few around, but not enou gh to dig up.

Spring weeds are here now.  I wonderful time to gather, eat,  and store. I put some weed pesto in the freezer already.  I weeded about 95% of my herb garden, and all of the weeds, aside from the little bit of grass, were edible (or useful for natural remedies). I've had quite a few experiences with dandelion since I first made dandelion jelly.  Over the years, I have made dandelion bread (which we absolutely love), dried dandelion for tea purposes, blanched and froze dandelion for meals (we love dandelion pesto), dried the root for a coffee substitute and medicinal purposes, and now I am making poultices. Dandelion poultices, can be used to treat eczema, skin rashes, boils, and to reduce itchy skin (helps with itchy poison ivy).  I am putting these poultices together in the freezer, like I do with comfrey and plantain.  There is nothing more comforting than a cold poultice in the summer, for an itchy rash too. I am also putting cleave...

We are blessed with an abundance of dandelions this spring.  As I was looking out at the grass that needs mowed, I got a text from my older brother.

I'm posting early today.  Hubby brought home another 10 lb. box of blueberries and a box of peaches.  I'll be busy for sure. Here's an update on our journey to being self-sufficient.  Each year it gets better.   In the last 3 1/2 years we have really gained progress with self-sufficiency.  It does require some investments, but those pay off.  So far this year, with making our own soap with our goat's milk, have not had to buy any bars of soap (and have used it to make homemade laundry detergent also). We have not purchased dishwasher detergent either, and I am proud that we have reduced those chemicals and costs. We have not had to buy any onions or potatoes this year.  Last year we did.   We went all winter using green peppers we froze versus buying them from the store. When we are low on eggs, we do without.   We have cut down the cost of buying organic milk by having the goat's, and have drastically cut down the trips to...

It's so strange to see my spring flowers bloom so early this year.  Pretty soon I will have enough dandelions for dandelion coffee and dandelion jelly.

If my kids think I went nutso, by making the Dandelion Coffee, the Dandelion Jelly, and the Milkweed Flower Bud Quiche, they will really think I've fallen off my rocker now. I have been going through old cookbooks, and reducing my supply.  I found a recipe for Queen Anne's Lace Jelly.   Instead of cleaning my much needed bathroom, I walked around the property and plucked about 18-19 full heads of Queen Anne's Lace (not to be confused with Hemlock). I soaked them in water to remove unwanted "guests" and then rinsed them twice.

Breakfast - potatoes, red bell pepper, dandelion greens and eggs. N o cheese.  It's delicious flavor ed with onions and /or s hallot pow der. Sorry this post is so long.  I didn't mean to keep writing, but I think I'm trying to procrastinate my exer cise today, ha ha!

I picked up more dandelion greens on my trip to town delivering meals to Dad.  With my dehydrator due to arrive any day now, I plan to dehydrate some for Jesse.  The one dog remaining from the original pack of ours. He has tumors, and some were removed, but are growing back.  They are "fatty" tumors, but with that in mind, I'm drying dandelion, to sprinkle over his food ( 1 tsp. per every 20 lbs. of weight) .   His dog treats are made with kale, so he's getting more vitamins and nutrients that way as well.

I am thrilled to find out that my pasture of dandelions is worth something.  I'm digging up enough dandelion roots to roast coffee today.  I have enough for one pot, but need to head back out and dig enough to fill a 5 gallon bucket.  Thanks to MaryJane Butters and her recipe, I have found another way to save money.  The petals can be used for making wine too.  I'm hoping the kids will be as excited as I am and help me in the digging process.

Our daughter named the one on the left "Dallas."  Both Dallas and Jackson are enjoying the grass already.  Although this week has been cold, they love it here.  Dallas is v ery f riendly, but Ja c k son i s a bit tim id yet. I can tell already they know who "Mom" is as well.  As soon as Daughter walks near the barn (where they can see her approaching), they run inside to her.  Of course she is the food supplier, so they know.  So funny to see them so attached to her already.

Although posting late today (due to work load today), I'm joining Happy Homemaker Monday.  

Woke up to a chilly 48°F this morning.  Hubby and I have been getting up earlier and having coffee on the porch.  The sun rises just about the time he rolls out of the driveway for work.  It was beautiful this morning, but right after I took this photo it was cloud cover. Yesterday was my birthday.  I was home all day waiting for Hubby to get off work.  He had a dentist appt. after work too, so for me, it seemed like a looooooooong day.  I literally did not do any garden work.  It was too wet to weed too.  I did some crocheting on the porch, sat and talked with a few of the kids when they were home, and really just chilled all day.  When Hubby pulled in, he called me to the car, and surprised me with this Harley Davidson gift basket.

Over the weekend we got in a motorcycle ride.  We had to put all of our leather on, as it was chilly, but may be the last ride we get this year. I put together this patriotic set and it sold the same day.  The person who purchased it paid well more than asking, including shipping.  I was overwhelmed with her generosity.  I sent a separate thank you card (homemade), with a personal receipt and note and a granny square patriotic keyfob and chain.  I'm now working on another set as well as other stuff to restock.  I now have a list of restocking to do.  That was my last homemade card of that kind and granny keyfob's which are great to tuck in as an extra. We went to town to stock up other supplies, like chicken food.  We don't know what is going to happen, and if no shutdowns happen, at least we have more than enough for winter.  Don't forget to stock up on your oil for your oil lamps.  We now have large containers/totes to stock up ca...

I was surprised that this "coffee" did not turn out a bit darker. It almost looks like tea in this clear mug. It's not for everyone, but worth the trouble to dig, wash, chop, roast, and brew. I am sure that we will continue to dig dandelions for this purpose. The recipe is in MaryJane's Outpost book (written by MaryJane Butters). I now look at dandelions in a whole different way. It's not that ugly yard week anymore, but something useful. I may even make the jelly in her book too.

I'm up again before my husband gets home, but the worst part is that today he works a double.  Meaning he won't be home this morning, it'll be after he works another shift (1st).  It'll be a long day for sure. Woke up to 9°F and frozen water pipes in the kitchen area.  Thankfully, I was prepared and filled large jugs.  The rest of the house has water. Oh, and he is sick now too.  He works outside in this frigid weather, and working midnight runs you down.  He's getting medicinal teas, essential oils, Four Thieves and dandelions in his egg scramble. Forgot to post 5 of these yesterday. Ideas for revitalizing and energizing yourself (cont.): 36. Dress the way that feels right. 37. Practice good posture. 38. Utilize medical checkups. 39. Seek out good friends 40. Share yourself with significant I'll admit purging my crafting supplies has been hard.  I'm finding fun items that make me sit down to figure out if I can or want to make gifts with them (or...

  Do you ever notice how it's hard to be around people who are negative about "Monday" and the start of the week?   Monday gets a bad name all around.  I used to tackle so much around the house, but I have since then created a cleaning/housework schedule, and it's been working out fantastically.  Monday's are not bombarded with overwhelming to-do lists any longer. My husband had a recent conversation about how his co-workers complain on and on about "Monday" and how terrible it is.  Is it?   Every year I look forward to learn something new.  A new trail to walk, new herbal remedy to make, new handiwork to learn, or just about anything.  It's not only rewarding in most cases, but fun. My "firsts" this month: - dehydrating wild violets, and leaves -dehydrating dandelion flowers  -read a new author, picked up another at the library (yet to read - gulp!) -reading a new devotional -learned the words to a song, and inadvertently learned w...

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Enjoy! Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning. . . ~ organic toast with organic peanut butter, coffee (I got a late start, and a sluggish one)

We were so thankful to see the rain arrive.  The garden and flower beds were so dry, not to mention the herb garden (I now call the "weed" garden).  The beets and carrots are very small right now.  I hope we have a good fall season to fatten them up. We had a family breakfast Sunday morning. On our way there we had a major storm, taking out our power for 3 hours.  It was 86°F but a heat index of 97.   We came home and Hubby worked on one daughter's car (in the heat no less.  I was watching out the window and saw him running.  Wasps had made a nest in her side mirror and one stung him.  Funny thing is, is that I had just picked plantain, and had fresh to grind up and put a poultice on his bite.  Anyway, car is finally fixed and delivered.  One more "to-do" checked off the list. Hubby has been pretty good on his to-do list lately.  He even installed a new dead bolt on one door, and has more to go.  His priority ...