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~

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Septic Tank Update ~ Still without hot water

Well, as I sit here, we are still without hot water.  However we can use and flush toilets and can now turn the well, the water pump, and the water softener on.  In the process of digging and looking for the septic tank (which by the way is going to be marked and mapped out for sure!), the propane line was cut.  After 3 days, we now have to call the gas company.  They used piping that is specifically made for propane only, and is not available in stores, so our hired help cannot repair it.  A call has been made to them, and I sure hope it's covered under what we pay to lease the tank and order propane.  I'm told that we pay extra for incidents like ours.

The pioneer that I am, found a way to wash up anyway.  I washed my hair in the kitchen sink with cold water, and then heated water for us to wash up with.  It's nice to be able to use our toilets, but sure wish we could have an old-fashioned outhouse as a back up too.   The kids would not have any problem using one either.  After taking them camping, where only port-a-potty toilets (no showers) were provided, they are now more eager to have any type of toilet to use.  It sure makes you count your blessings too.

The kids heated up water to hand wash the dishes yesterday as well.  However, I need more hot water to scrub and disinfect our shower floors and tub.  I'm going to need a lot more than one pot of water.

We will investing in a campfire tripod soon.  That way, we can heat water or cook outside if we get into predicaments with this old farm house again.

Journal Writing

I started another writing journal.  This time it's a "camping" journal, to record each camping trip. Of course, I will have to design a home decorated cover for it.  I've even saved our reservation paper that is placed on our post for our site.  One of my daughter's, who is 8 years-old, started journaling on our camping trips also.  She wanted to write after she watched me write.  We carried our journals in our hiking backpack so the kids could record and identify plants.  It's true that you influence your kids just by what they see you doing.

My 18 year-old son, who still has not been able to get hired for his first job ever, started freelance writing recently.  He's more up-to-date on current events, video games, movies and topics such as that, and he is earning money already.  He's had journalism classes, and photo journalism type courses, at his career center school.  He's not new at writing or journalism and it has been a positive influence on him while applying for job positions.  I don't recommend this for kids who have zero experience at writing.  However, if one is interested I suggest joining a free writing group or taking any classes on writing before doing this.  There's more to it than just typing out a story or article.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Camping and Hiking ~ What a way to rejuvenate!

I chose the same camping area for our labor day weekend camping trip.  The plan was to go alone, or with just a few kids, but my husband felt it would "not be safe."  In all honestly, I think he was a bit taken back and maybe jealous, and just wanted to go too. Ha ha ha!


There were more hiking trails that we wanted, or should I say, I wanted to hike.  The scenery was beautiful.  Even though we were a bit too close to private homes, you never knew it on the hikes.  Just gorgeous weather too.

I attempted to help the younger two learn to whistle with a piece of grass, but not one of us could do it.  I think my brother can do it, so we'll see if he can teach us.  The girls however, can whistle quite good in an acorn shell now.  They have even used a pop bottle top to whistle.  They learned a lot on this trip.

I'm not sure if we will camp again before winter, because the nights are getting much cooler here.  A guess if we dressed a bit warmer at night we might be able to.

Once again we cooked all of our meals over the campfire.  We cooked a few different foods like corn on the cob.  I would not have known to soak the corn without reading one of MaryJane Butters books.  The corn turned out delicious.  We also made mini apple pies, and egg, cheese, sausage whole wheat muffin sandwiches over the campfire. We also made pizzas on our campfire using our camper griddle pans.  We can cook just about anything on them.


I also invested in these metal plates and cups, and even utensils.  They fit nicely into our prepared camping tote.  Now we are camping a bit more "green" by eliminating all of our paper/styrofoam plates, cups and plastic eating utensils.  I taught the girls how to wash the dishes by heating water over the fire.

The only problem was coming home.  We came home to find out the septic was backing up.  At around 10:00pm last night, a group of men digging up the yard finally found the septic tank lid.  We are making a map, marking that little booger with something, so we can find it again.  That was a long day!  Today they will come and empty it for us.  It's been 2 days and 1 night without toilets, and I can hear all of the kids (and my husband) say to me "you always wanted to live like a pioneer!"  Ha ha ha ha!  In 10 years we will be laughing and joking about this.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Long skirts and chicken poo

Are you wondering what these two items have in common?  Well, when wearing long skirts and walking to and fro from house to barn etc., always keep one hand free.  Why?  So you can hike up your skirt to avoid dragging it in chicken poo (ugh!).  Just part of prairie girl life.

Live Simply

I made a quick trip to the store yesterday for must needed toilet paper.  While I was there I saw some very nice wall decor items.  Each picture was $9.99 each.  The one that caught my eye the most, was a wall sign that said "Live Simply."

Those 2 words are just how I am and how I live.  Seeing that sign made wonder if I could make a sign myself.  Maybe with old barn wood and embroidery?  Now that I have finished my first embroidery sampler, I may add this to my winter crafting list.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

New Muffin Recipe ~ Carrots from the garden

Even though today holds much more activity than I'd like, I am still baking an after school snack for the kids.  It is also a lunch packing for some, including my husband.  I'm baking Morning Glory Muffins I, using carrots from the garden, whole wheat flour from a local stone mill (preservative free), organic apple, apple butter from a local orchard (until I learn to make it myself), and of course our farm fresh eggs!  I can't wait to taste them.  They are packed with nutrition, so I hope the family likes them too.  These might be something to take along on camping trips and trail hikes. 

I'm also using the last of our garden carrots to may a "skinny" scalloped potato recipe from the Clean Eating Magazine.  I'd be using garden potatoes for this, but we have depleted our supply for this year.  We are definitely adding more to the garden next year.

I'm back with an update on the muffin recipe.  I could just go to allrecipes and rate it also, but wanted to share with my followers.  These are perfect for breakfast, and a great way to start the day writing!

To cut back on expenses and paper waste, I use muffin pans sprayed with organic olive oil non-stick stray.  They are delicious!  If you don't mind grating carrots and chopping apples, these are very good and good for you.

The chickens are happy too!  They are nibbling on peelings from baking these.

Cats have invaded my writing space

Yesterday, I was just about to sit in my chair to write, when I noticed a butterscotch feline cleaning himself.  It was as if he was saying "this is my chair."  So, instead of writing at that moment, I chose to walk on the treadmill.  Just before I sat up from putting my walking shoes on, there was an oreo cookie colored feline sprawled out on the treadmill!  I had to laugh.  They are such loving cats, and have such funny behavior.  If they aren't chasing either others tails, they are hanging around for some lovin'.  They didn't stop taking over my space at all either.  After walking and showering, there was an oreo colored feline sprawled on my computer chair.  Last night, while crocheting a blanket for my youngest, her butterscotch colored cat, jumped on the bed and sprawled out over the blanket.  I think he knows who is getting the blanket - ha ha ha!