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, September 30, 2016

Homemade Fruit Picker

You-Tube has it's advantages.  Hubby and I watched a few videos, went out to the barn and got a broken hoe.....

 ...cut out the bottom of a plastic bottle, and stapled the bottle to the handle.  Wa-la.  Not real fancy, but functional and free.  It works too.  Homemade fruit picker is now off the "to buy-it" list.

I woke up early and told Hubby, "I can't can a thing today - no onions."  Which he quickly said at the crack of pre-sun-up, "I can run to the store real quick and get some for you." Ha ha ha!  Oh that burst of energy he has now.  And no, we are still not canning, and no quick trip to the storeWe'll get them later, maybe from the farmstand, but not before 6am, ha ha!


Thursday, September 29, 2016

Stay-cation

Hubby and I had a good laugh at the end of yesterday.  As we were driving home, I said, "I feel like I'm playing hookie from my tomatoes."  I really was, and it felt so good.

We went to the movies to get out of the house, watching "The Magnificent Seven."  Don't worry,

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The Recovery

While Hubby took a nap, I took a little walk out to the tomatoes and fall green beans to check on them.  And the remaining cauliflower (which looks great due to some recent rain).

I ended up coming in for a basket, and picked 21# of tomatoes.  That brings the grand tally to 365.39# this season.  

However, in all that picking, the wind was wicked, and I lost one of my favorite earrings that I don't wear that often (it was a special occasion to wear them for Hubby's ride home).  It was a wake up call to me.  I think I lost it in the tomatoes somewhere.

I should not have gone to the garden.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Coming Home....

I'm bringing my husband home today folks.  He had the best care at the best hospital, and a high-five to Yawni, his nursing assistant who had us laughing a good amount of the time. Good laughter, good conversation, and lots of laughs.  Although I think Hubby talked her ear off with all my self-sufficient ways, and weed remedies, ha ha!  

He got to talking about comfrey and I could not stop the man. He is definitely feeling much better and I can't wait to sit on the porch and love on him today.  

Thank you for all your good thoughts, well wishes and prayers.  We will be celebrating life.  Tomatoes can wait.  Or they can be part of dinner.

The temperatures here really dropped, so the tomatoes may have rotted overnight anyway.  I better get this posted so I can get the laundry on the line before sun-up.  I have to get that love of my life back home where I can spoil him again.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Getting through......

The tomatoes will remain on the table today.  I had all sorts of plans to get them into the freezer, make ketchup again, and so forth, but I have no energy and can't sleep on top of that.

Hubby is still hospitalized. 

Sunday, September 25, 2016

....from the handiwork journal and other random tidbits.

One good thing happened due to our camping dilemma on Friday - I finished the baby blanket.  (We had planned to deliver it today, but......)



While Hubby and his nephew went to fetch the stranded camper, I retreated to the front porch to crochet and relieve my headache.

I also got 1 boot cuff finished, and another started.

Then I sulked again, as the air cooled off and I was imagining myself sitting around a campfire....

I got over it.  

Saturday Hubby

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Camping Trip Malfunction

Although we picked the hottest, most humid weekend to camp, we went.  Even though the air conditioning wasn't working in the truck, and it was to be 90°F.

It was our first time to go camping at this beautiful, scenic campground.  Waterfalls, long hikes, horse riding - the works.


Meals were super simple this time, and hiking shoes were donned.  Two took off work, one taking the entire weekend off, and two were taken out of school for a day.

We packed up coolers, bicycles, chairs, and tables.

Two hours or so into our 3 hour drive, and we stopped at a gas station.  A guy starts waving at us.  Hubby says, "now what?"

Hubby gets out and then shakes his head.