Pioneer Woman at Heart

Once again, I have been lucky to find antique dish towels at low prices.   The one below is now being used in the kitchen, along with 7 flour sack towels I have embroidered. I have one more barn series to embroider, and then it’s off to finish a few pillows.   Speaking of pillows, I found 2 nice ones at a thrift store for $.20 each.   One will be the head for our female scarecrow, and the other will be made into an apron or possibly something else. During our recent disconnect to reconnect weekend, we stopped at a thrift store on the way home.   I had more fun in that store than in a downtown Amish store.   I found tons of fabric scraps sold at very low prices, embroidery threads, embroidery hoops, yarn, and even Amish handmade aprons ($1.00).   I was able to buy a pair of bib overalls half prices ($1.75), a red and white gingham shirt ($1.00) and a hat for our scarecrow also. Today, however, it’s not raining.   We have to take advantage ...

This is what the new orange tulips looked like before the storms arrived.  They are new to the flower bed, and that is why you see them in bloom before tulips bloom here.  They will have a short life this spring, but next spring they will be back for the spring season.

I woke up at 4:00am to the sounds of tornado winds.  After taking inventory on outside barn cats, checking the barn doors, and porch furniture, the power went out.   In my mind ,I quickly took notes on things we need to be better prepared for disaster, and for self-sufficient living. 1.     Generator 2.     Wash tub 3.     Well with hand pump (so water will be available when the electric cannot run the pump). I am very prepared at drying clothes without a dryer or electric, but I do not have a back up plan for washing clothing.  The well and hand pump would provide water for us, and the farm animals, and would not require electricity.  The wash tub would come in handy year round, and the generator would be a way to keep the food in the refrigerator/freezers cold/frozen. I think the kids will realize that taking showers promptly, and not waiting until the last minute has its benefits.  Luckily, only one was to...

 Where I spent most of my weekend relaxing. The bridge and uphill climb to the cabin.  When my husband booked this retreat for us, he had no idea that we had to climb a hill to get there.  It wasn't fun with my bum foot, but once I got up there I went straight to the rocking chair on the porch, or the one inside with a foot rest.  It was extremely peaceful and secluded.  Although I would love to share all 88 scenery photos I took, I can share this one.  A fat squirrel stealing sunflower seeds from the bird feeder outside the cabin window.  It appears he has visited here more than once. Ha ha ha!

These tulips are new to my flower beds this spring.  I love flowers and the peaceful feelings they give.

I did a dumb thing.   I went and hurt myself, stretching a tendon on my foot, the wrong way.   The doctor is telling me it takes 6-8 weeks to heal it.   I am told to give my foot a rest and no working out except swimming (not happening anyway) and the exercise bike at the gym. I’m already struggling with kids and providing help, but my son has surprised me.   He mailed a package for me this morning, and stopped at the library.   He brought back a stack of books and it’s been very welcoming. Here is a list of what I have to read: “The Have-More” Plan by Ed and Carolyn Robison (1973) The Good Life, Helen and Scott Nearing’s Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living Basic Techniques of Photography, The Ansel Adams Guide Book 1 Where Women Create, by Jo Packham A Dozen 12-Hour Doiles by Judy Teague-Treece The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading by Nicole Faires A is for Apron, by Nathalie Mornu The Big Book of Dishcloths, Pot Holders and Scrubbies, Annies Attic Have Yo...

The weather has been colder, raining, and more rain.   It’s typical weather for here.   Last year, we had so much rain, we lost half of our carrots and beets in the garden.    To supplement our food supply, we are raising meat chickens for the first time.   It will be interesting, and most likely a permanent change in our lifestyle.   After reading about what companies do to chickens, what the feed them, what they inject in them, we decided it was time to raise our own. Nothing tastes better than a homemade meal, made from organic, and other safe ingredients.  This was made using part water and part free range/organic chicken broth (much lower in sodium than typical store broth/stock), Amish made noodles, organic onions, carrots, celery, hormone/anti-biotic free chicken, thyme from my own herb garden and salt and pepper.  The only ingredient I questioned, was the bay leaf I put in also.   After making meal like this, I add note...

This week, my master bedroom is on the flylady’s schedule to clean.   I spent as much time in there as I could, but with 2 sick children, it slowed down by noon. My bedroom is where my mother’s old sewing machine is, and there are unfinished projects screaming at me to finish them.   I did succeed in finishing this pillow. The front of the pillow was sent to me by a friend, who surprised me with a package of fun mail.   The pillow insert was given to me by my sister-in-law, and the backing material was in my craft supplies.   It’s funny how this project all came together.   The backing fabric has been in my supplies since 1998, when I sewed my first pair of kitchen curtains.