Pioneer Woman at Heart

The rain brought us more bell peppers, and Anaheim peppers.  I picked these in my pajamas. I wanted to use some for breakfast.  More rain is in the forecast, with heavy downfalls predicted.  Possibly rain for the next three days.  Tomato plants are starting to die off, but we still have some tomatoes.  It's iffy on how many tomatoes we'll still get or how long they will last thru this rainy weekend. Goldenrod was harvested, and more calendula.  What am I making?  Goldenrod tincture, drying goldenrod for tea, drying calendula for infusing in oil, and drying some for tea or for making eye compresses.  I also started a sage tincture.   One bloom from the new Pacific Beauty Calendula I planted.  The others have not yet bloomed.  I planted several types this year, not only for medicinal reasons, but to add beauty to the flower beds as well. Believe it or not, we finally made fresh salsa.  We just got three more jalapenos from o...

Adventures from the last few months, but today's date for countdown.   The store visit was not even planned.  It was a spur of the moment, driving by, kind of stop, and I did not know they had a room for Christmas items either.  I fell in love with the little wooden sign and the necklace.  Yes, I splurged on myself.    Yep.  I added a few more ornaments to our tree ornament collection, and they were picked out by my husband this time.  Cracker Barrel for the win for these. Now, on to a new recipe tried . . . Thelma Lou's Finger Sandwiches.  First recipe to try from this gifted cookbook.  Different for sure, but we liked them.  Simple ingredients, and most people will have them on hand.  I guess it all depends on the type of bread used, but next time I will add more garlic.  The recipe called for garlic "salt" and onion "salt" so I adapted by converting it to salt separate and the seasonings separate, but it reminded u...

  Instead of roasting the most recent picking of Anaheim peppers (and it was a rather large harvest), I decided to simply dice and freeze the same way I freeze bell peppers. I am not the only one who bought bell pepper plants from a reputable green house this season, and ended up with something completely different.  I have spoken to more people who ended up with banana peppers or other peppers instead of bell peppers.  I'm starting to wonder if these green houses get their seeds from the same sources.   Either way, I am taking advantage of these surprise Anaheim peppers.  I also cooked dinner for the first time in a several weeks (yep, Hubby did the grilling etc. or we ate sandwiches) of canning.  It felt great to get a good few days of a break, get the kitchen back in order, and take a breath.  Not to mention wash the laundry, sweep and mop floors, and pay bills. I made a crockpot pumpkin chili.  Sounds complicated or not very tasty, but it...

  The first eye roller (eye serum) I made, was using a recipe that had Frankincense oil in it.  The essential oil was too much for being under my eyes, but I have found another use for that roller (helps with reducing scar tissue).  Anyway, I found the recipe who knows where, but I have yet found another one to try.  The best part is, is that there is a local woman who makes them as well. I do not know if she uses organic ingredients, or if she adds a few drops of vitamin E oil or not, but I had all the ingredients to whip up one and try it. It has to "brew" for a few days before trying.  I already had the homemade rosehip oil, so I'm giving it a try for 30 days or so to see if it will work on reducing the puffiness under my eyes.  Weather today started out in the very nice 50's, but rain is back.  I need to pick more tomatoes, so this weekend will be very interesting. Homemade Eye Roller ~ Trial #2   ©  September 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer ...

  Canning season for sauces has been successful this year.  My house has smelled amazing, and we have restocked some barbeque sauce and taco sauce.  Yes, I am tired, but don't read that as a complaint.  We are very thankful for the harvest this year.  As of now, I have not canned any new recipes. Although, I had planned to can every day, I did take a day off in between.  I needed to harvest cucumbers, green beans, and such.  I have dedicated a small storage container for "canning" kitchen towels/hot pads now.  Those tomato stains can be frustrating to wash out completely, so I'm a bit more organized with that. I am thankful this year, as I had some help this year from my husband.  I typically can during the week when he is at work, but canned on the weekend.  He helped do the chopping, and I'm glad it happened.  He was totally shocked at how many ingredients went into some of the sauces.  For example, there is a lot of celery, ...

  When you are limited to processing every single thing you are blessed with from your garden, and your husband helps trim the green/wax beans.... Ha!  My way (above), and his way (below) of trimming the beans.  Sigh. Just had to share and give you all a good chuckle. When you are busy . . .   ©  September 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart