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~

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the homesteading journal. . .



I made another batch of homemade dishwasher detergent. This has saved us money and kept the chemicals off of our dishes.


Although many of the kids are not willing to try my homemade deodorant, I can say it holds up to a full workout at the gym, followed by an afternoon of wood splitting.

The snow has melted and the rains have arrived again. The yard looks like it flooded already, so the laundry is being dried inside. . .


{scrap fabric drying on my indoor clothesline}



from the baking/cooking journal. . .


I used to cook from my pantry to keep foods from expiring, but so often I am cooking from my freezer.  With the increased amount of garden and fruit frozen versus canned, I searched for recipes that can use up my shredded zucchini, and blueberries.  




I baked two loaves of zucchini/blueberry bread, and realized that I could also utilize any applesauce I have frozen as well (in place of cooking oil).  I had to smack a few hands from snatching my frozen blueberries.




I also finally canned Cinnamon/Cider jelly for our own family.  Now that the Christmas holiday is over, I can catch up on chores for my own family. 

from the crafting/handiwork journal . . .

I worked like a mad woman all weekend, to try and finish up or at least work on unfinished projects.  While I continue to crochet my sherbet colored afghan, I started painting mixing bowls.....
 {soon to be posted on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot}

. . .I picked up at a thrift store almost 4 years ago.  I boxed up a few finished ornaments, and finished a few re-purposed projects.  


I finished another scarf. . .

While cleaning up my craft supplies (which could take me weeks), I found yet another unfinished project. . .


I worked a little on this yesterday, and when it's finished, this set of towels will be completed.

The list continues....


from my personal journal . . .

Two kids are home sick, hubby has been having stomach trouble (still went to work), and I am coughing with congestion, sinus pressure and once again the dreaded mucus.  I was so hoping we were all over this, but this is the pits.  

Today I am thankful for:

1. my washing machine
2. mail delivery to my home
3. my kid's jobs
4. the income I earn from writing
5. hot tea
6. essential oils and Vick's Vap-Rub
7. kleenex
8. my Bible
9. God's Love
10. paper   
      

9 comments:

Kim said...

Sorry to hear about the sick ones. Can't wait to see the finished mixing bowls!!

Candy C. said...

I hope everyone gets to feeling better!
Your Zucchini/Blueberry bread looks great and I love the colors on the newly finished scarf!

Nancy Jo said...

Ok, Now I'm tired after reading that and I didn't do any of it. You have been busy.
Keep using the vicks, I love vicks, it just isn't as strong as it used to be, can't leave well enohg alone you know. Hope you are all feeling better.
Nancy JO

Michelle said...

Hope everyone feels better soon. I wish I had your energy. I have so many unfinished projects. That I don't know where to start.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you all for your sweet comments. Michelle, I started getting my projects done, simply by keeping a craft journal. I have them all listed on one page and cross them off as I finish them. I also have a page for items I need to buy in order to finish some of them too.

Unknown said...

I've been using my frozen, homegrown nectarines, mixed with frozen blueberries, great cobbler!

EMMA said...

You are a busy lady!! I may be asking something that you've already blogged about, but what is your recipe for the home made laundry soap, if you don't mind sharing it.
Hope everyone is better soon.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Emma, I use 1 bar zote soap, grated, 1 1/2 cup borax and 1 1/2 cups washing soda.

I melt grated soap in about 12 cups water, then add borax and soda until it's all dissolved. I then add 8 more cups of hot water into my 5 gallon bucket and add the melted mixture.. I stir, then add 2 gallons and maybe about another 12 cups of water. I let it sit over night and whisk prior to using. I use about 1/4 cup for a load of laundry (this is liquid laundry detergent).

To make detergent for a dishwasher, I mix equal parts borax and washing soda. I use about 2 Tbsp. per load, and before I run the dishwasher I pour about 1 cup of white vinegar in the bottom of my dishwasher, then start it. It works great. I use an old food processor to mix this because it's dry and can clump up in the box before I use it. After that I store it in a reused sherbet or ice cream container.

Hope that helps.

EMMA said...

Thank you very much Kristina for those two 'recipes'. I'm going to try them both.