"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

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.

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Winter Lingering. . .

 

I just wanted to make a quick post to say I'm still here, and our winter is lingering, with teasers days in between.  I took this photo on a nicer day.

I'm working on the writing project, with the deadline at the end of the month.  I forgot how much time was involved with such a project, so time is zipping by much too quickly in that sense.

We've discovered two new-to-us health stores, and it's refreshing to know we can obtain some items I either cannot make or just don't have time to make (or make in large amounts for our use).

A big thank you to Anne in the Kitchen (Cooking and All that Jazz), for sharing her list of spring "aims" that motivated us with a list of our own (already checking things off).  It's kept us focusing on new adventures, all-things-positive, and uplifting lifetime events.

As "empty nesters" it's been a transition from kids around all the time to absolutely no kids.  The hardest part of the transition is to let them grow up, build their own lives, and not need you.  I tend to compare how often I visited my own Mom an Dad, to how often our kids visit us.  We have moved on from this transition, and are focusing on our blessings (and what we are thankful for).  

I've declared cell phones (and social media) completely annoying.  I never realized how annoying the beeps are, until I sat down to write for a few hours.  I miss the landline only days, where people actually called you to really talk.  Texting is convenient, but boy is it annoying (learning to turn it off more often).  I think it really hit me, when a friend told me she spent 2 hours on fb within one group, and then invited me to the same page (nope, not happening). Time is one thing you can't get back.  I also feel that the convenience of cell phones (texting, social media) has caused families to disassociate. It's easier to go online and see what people are doing instead of actually talking to them.

Okay, moving on . . .

Life is good.  Garden plans are moving forward.   Organizing the home continues.  Adventures continue, as well as physical fitness.  I didn't realize how much around here got so disorganized during the time of surgery, and surgery recovery, (I only had one day of help from one person) so it's been invigorating to get the homestead back in order, clean, and spic n' span restored.  I'm definitely not done yet either.  Catching up with restoring the home, has brought some purging to my attention in the midst of it all.  

With that last part said (about help), I'm more inclined to pay attention to those who need help, could use help, need a pick-me-up, or someone to talk to.  In other words, the lack of action of others, has motivated me to be the "action" and help others more often. 

I'll work on getting another post up soon.  I started my morning with a 200 blueberry pick up, and before my coffee (ha ha!).  The container fell out of the fridge and blueberries went flying across the kitchen floor.  Sigh.  Off to enjoy some coffee....by the way, my husband thought it was very funny.

Winter Lingering . . .   ©  March 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart



Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Lima Bean Hummus ~ Cooking for Two

 

Lima Bean Hummus (my recipe)

1 can of lima beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves of garlic, minced (we used home grown)*
1/3 cup tahini (dry roasted seeds, but any tahini will work)
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. real lemon juice (from a fresh lemon)
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix everything in a food processor until smooth.  Adjust salt and garlic if needed.  If you do not grow your own garlic, you may need to add more to adjust flavor. Our homegrown garlic is loaded with flavor.