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~

Monday, October 7, 2013

Family Fun Weekend


Hubby had the entire weekend off.  Yay!  However, the rain kept us from going camping.  Our 11 year-old was very energetic, and in between bouts of rain, had fun with backyard archery. She worked her dad hard with a game of basketball too.  Sunday we took the family bowling.  We were geared up for some old fashioned family fun.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Alias ~ Life on the Homestead

This is Alias's favorite spot to sleep and relax.  You can find him here most of the day and night.

He's less anxious now, and starting to get the commands for "potty" walks.  He's developing a way to signal us when he needs to go out too.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Homemade Mexican Taco Seasoning Mix

I've been busy in my kitchen these past few days.  The rainy days here, have simply motivated me to bake, mix, and shake it up a little. 

I am finally at a point in our self-sufficiency stride, where all of my homemade goods (and home grown) are coming together in all of my recipes.

Homemade Mexican Taco Mix is made using home grown oregano, onions, and garlic.  I can then use the seasoning mix for all sorts of recipes, such as my salsa dip (using home canned salsa too).

Friday, October 4, 2013

Dream It ~ Embrace It ~ Do It

While sipping hot coffee, in my island coffee mug, I sat and looked through the photos we took from our weekend getaway.  Oh, I miss the gorgeous sunrises, the relaxing sounds of the waves, and the unique place(s) we sat and enjoying time with each other (and nature).  

I'm wondering if I can squeeze another camping trip in this fall.  Hubby is back to working every day with major over time, so we hardly see each other already.  We are having what I call a "voice mail" week.  I leave him a voice mail, he leaves me one.  Sometimes we actually get to talk to each other.  On the phone that is.  Okay, I'm getting a bit off track with this post, but let me get to the point.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Mollie Dorsey Sanford ~ Random Updates

I used our library's free interloan program to borrow this book from another library.  It's wonderful!  If you liked Letters from a Woman Homesteader, then you most likely will enjoy this book.

It is not full of letters, but journal entries from Mollie Dorsey Sanford, from 1857-1866, while she and her family moved from Indiana to Nebraska and Colorado Territories.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Baked Egg Puffs ~ Using Baby Food


A blog follower told me about a recipe where baby food was used for the pureed squash, in a recipe.  So, curious for more recipes, I borrowed the book from the local library - Deceptively Delicious, by Jessica Seinfeld.

If you freeze your squash, pumpkin, beets, carrots, cauliflower, or any other vegetable, you may like this cookbook.  Almost every recipe includes some type of pureed vegetable (or fruit) in it.  Not specifically baby food, just pureed.

However, I did take up the challenge to try out a recipe using baby food - pureed squash.  I needed the jars anyway, so why not? 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Fall has Arrived



The leaves on our maple trees have started to turn a beautiful orange.  This coming weekend would be a opportune time to go hiking, collect leaves, and enjoy nature (in our area).  I'm betting the canoes will be out (for the last time) at the state park too.  Laundry dried on the line, this time of year, smells so good.