Pioneer Woman at Heart

As I sit here and reflect on this year, I think about all the experiences I had, as well as my family.  I fed my family weeds.   I learned to stock up more of my garden and invested in a dehydrator.  Took one weekend getaway with hubby and no kids.  Took some kids camping.  Glamped the camper for the first time. Completed many craft/handiwork projects.   Built things with the family.    Took a Hearthside cooking class with my oldest daughter.   Learn to shoot a gun.  Bought dairy goats. Bought more goats. Watched my daughter buy her horse. Added more layers to our chicken coop. Raised our own meat chickens. Got snowed in and had fun in the snow. Sent one daughter to see Washington, D.C. for the her first time. Added new flowers to my flower beds. Built my first scarecrow. Baked homemade bread. Watched many sunrises. Watched many sunsets. Watched the moon. Made the garden larger this ye...

The next time you mix up a big salad, consider this homemade dressing recipe:

A while back, I purchased a bag of truffle molds at goodwill, for about $2.00.  I can't remember if I got them half off that day. I cut photos from magazines and used printed photos to create a few ornaments already.  I did not just outline the photo with glitter, but went a bit further out with it.  I simply used glitter from Hobby Lobby. These were fun to make, and have helped me clear out my closed of unfinished projects. Merry Christmas!

We'll spend today cleaning house.  My 9 year-old daughter has a birthday party tomorrow.  I can still remember when she was born.  I begged the hospital to let me bring her home Christmas Eve.  They dig too.  It was the best Christmas present that year. Yesterday I found out that the other side of our family (husband's) is having a Christmas party on Friday night also (hmpf!).  I didn't know about it prior to making arrangements for our little one's first every birthday sleepover party. I ran out of my fun checkered lids for gifting, but canned another 8 - 1/2 pints of Cinnamon-Cider Jelly.  I have yet to can some for my own family.  Maybe after the holidays pass, I can relax and make some for ourselves.  I need to place tags and toppers on these jars and they will be ready to give on Friday night (husband's family party).  I sure hope I canned enough.  

I finally finished the baby bonnet and booties for the expected baby next month.  I used two free patterns from the Internet - Granny Square Baby Bonnet and a bootie pattern on Bernat yarn site (you have to register to print it).

If you follow my blog, you know I am a journal junkie.  Now is the time for me to drag out my craft journal. Years ago, I bought this "Crafty Gals" organizer/journal at a Christian bookstore.  Gosh, that must have been over 5-6 years ago.

Sunday was a strange day for sure.  Since we had the family reunion on Saturday, all of our work was pushed to Sunday.  I don't like to "work" on Sunday at all.  I try my best to honor the Sabbath. Exod. 34:21 "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest." We ran out of homemade laundry detergent also.  So, in the process of washing dishes for 2 hours, and running the dishwasher 2 times, I was at the stove melting my zote soap down in a large pot.  I now have a full 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent. After that, my son and I cleaned the chicken coops.  Due to some bad weather days, they have stayed inside.  However, today they will be outside. This week we have a birthday to celebrate, just a few days before Christmas.  My youngest daughter turns 10.    Yesterday, three kids needed something to bake and take to school.  For some reason, the Span...

I'll spare you the photos of my messy kitchen, but the end result of a very, very messy kitchen was: Thanks to a farmgirl barter (or two), I had fun gift giving lids for my jelly this Christmas.  This year I made my candy apple jelly using apple cider vs. apple juice.  The kids love it!  I need to make a second batch after the kitchen is all cleaned up too. Now that I have given Mom her blanket, I can post a photo of it.  I also gifted my brother a thin line (blue line) scarf (which I forgot to take a photo of).   I was given a pattern from a very good friend to crochet my brother's thin line scarf.  I used royal blue and black for police colors and if you would like to know the significance of the "thin line" or "blue line" meaning click on "The Thin Blue Line (emblem)." Today is Sunday, but Monday brings more baking needs:  one daughter needs a birthday treat to take in tomorrow, one needs to bake something for Spanish class, and a...

Santa's Helper mailed my 9 year-old daughter a present: The golden cat looks like her own cat.  She is in love with this apron.  (Tiger, her cat) My 19 year-old son baked his famous M&M cookies for our family reunion, which is Saturday.  My 15 year-old daughter is helping bake almost all the rest of the goodies.   She has made a batch of buckeyes (left), a batch of chocolate covered oreos (right), chocolate covered pretzels, a batch of noodle ting-a-lings and has plans to help make more goodies after school. I admit, I am stressing a bit.  I may not get everything made this year. I should have made my jelly a month ago.  Sheesh, what was I thinking? I may break out my Christmas albums (the old-fashioned records) and play some non-stop, commercial free music to relax. 

I spent the other day mixing up several jars of Cinnamon Honey Butter.  They will be gifted for Christmas.

from the homesteading journal. . . The goat shed is finally up and ready for winter. It's been painted with primer, but we will now have to wait to paint it after winter.  He's so happy with his new house. from the handiwork journal . . . I finished one square baby blanket for the baby due next month (extended family member).  I missed the baby shower when I was sick.  (rose pink) I also finished one baby bib.  I just have to sew on the button.    from the family journal . . .   . . .some kids are in big trouble this morning.  I am crunching something underneath my feet in the kitchen.  I can remember when it used to be legos underneath my bare feet when they were very little kids. Boy those hurt! from the gratitude journal . . . Today I am thankful for: ~propane in our tank ~a beautiful sunrise that I was able to view.  In a few minutes after I took the photo, the sky literally turned gray. ~the extra drying r...