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, December 31, 2013

Banging on Pots and Pans ~ Bringing in the New Year

My 17 year-old helped a lot with this year's cookie tradition.  She also wanted to add a "lemon" cookie to our baking this year.  We searched the internet and found Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze (Giada, Food Network).

These were delicious.  We will keep this recipe for future holiday baking (and more).  We will however, make them half the size next time.  And of course we used organic lemon juice too.

During summer, I plan to bake these using our homemade ricotta cheese (made from our goat's milk), and organic (or homemade butter).

Tidbits . . . 

It's a whopping 2°F wind chill today.  We got a bit of snow last night too.  Thank goodness my son re-stocked the wood pile.

I went and got myself a head cold, and am sorry I didn't get my elderberry elixir made yet.  I best get on that.  Nobody likes it when Mom is sick around here.  I tend to get grouchy.

I was actually up early this morning, searching pattern sites for a baby blanket for my brother and his wife.  Unfortunately, the best patterns (in my opinion) are in pattern books at the library. They however, are closed.  They actually closed from Dec.23rd, and will not reopen until Jan. 6th.  I guess it was to help with cut backs that they are still dealing with.  Unfortunately for them, my kids (and myself) would have visited often this Christmas school break, and gave them business.

It's hard to believe it's the last day of 2013.  I picked up my new 2014 planner and hope to chill-out later and work on it. More on that later.

Tonight I plan to stay safe, and hang out at home with the kids.  I wonder if they will grab my pots and pans (like I did at their age), and run around the house (outside) and bang on them with wooden spoons, screaming "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"  Of course back then, I lived in the city and it was much more fun to make noise at that time of night, ha ha!  Who knows, if I feel better, I may just join them for ol' time's sake.





Monday, December 30, 2013

Just Snoozin' into a New Year


Alias, who was said to be "aggressive" is far from that.   He's a teddy bear.  He's a loving, funny, and hug-able pup.  He's a wonderful watch dog too.  He may be about 13 years old, but he sure doesn't act like it.  He loves my blankets.  In fact, the higher the pile it is, the more comfy he thinks it is.  He had his first Christmas with us and really liked those pig's ears he got.  I think he's enjoying his new home quite a bit.


Jesse and Tiger curled up together, and Winston was not far away.  Aren't they cute?


Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Reflections of 2013

 
I enjoy reflecting on the previous year, as we bring in a new year.  So grab of cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage, and join me.
 
Made my first hay net. 

Click on "read more" for more reflections in no particular order, and definitely not all of them. . .

Friday, December 27, 2013

Oven Overtime

( mugs that were a gift from my 19 year-old)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I knew I was in trouble, when I heard the coffee cup hit my nightstand at 6:00am, and the curtains where carelessly tossed open (despite it was pitch dark outside, ha ha!).

Thursday, December 26, 2013

15 Years

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary.  We made it this far now, and can still talk about it, ha ha!  Raising six kids in today's elements, environment, influences, and social media bombardment, is no picnic when it comes to keeping a marriage alive.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Traditions

We have a family tradition here on Christmas Eve.  Although it's too early to post a photo (and I am not sure the family would appreciate it if I did photograph them, ha ha!), but I gift everyone with new jammies.  

We open them before bedtime, and wake up to open gifts in brand new jammies.  It's fun, and one thing our family enjoys every Christmas.  

Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Flooding in December

We've been getting several days of rain here, and sometime during the night, our country highway was flooded over again.  This time the city came out and posted signs on each side of our property, warning drivers.  At 55mph (and most drive over that), a vehicle can easily become air born, when hitting this water.

The problem is that the drain in this field is not being kept free of debris. . . .

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Winter and Work are Synonymous

This morning's sunrise was beautiful. The pink stretched for several miles.


The recent 9 inches of snow is about to leave us.  In fact today.  Crazy as it sounds, the rains are due to arrive today.

Winter does not give us a break in physical work here.  My son, the feed and pellet lifter, is working a much unwanted third shift job right now. 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Homestead and Family Tidbits


The kids took advantage of the snowfall, and did some indoor creative artwork.  And, as you can see, I shoveled out my clothesline.  It was actually nice in the sun that particular day.  We've had 2 days of school delays, but no closings.  Last night my son's car went off the road on his way to work (3rd shift), but thanks to extended family, we got him safely back on the road (without injuries).

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Snowed In and Loving It!

We did get snow on Friday night, but most of it came down all day Saturday.  Thank goodness there was no wind, so drifting was not a problem.  We are getting more snow today too. 


I took advantage of the snowfall, and stayed in and cleaned my bedroom.  I was just getting a table ready for Hubby and I to have a candlelight dinner in there, but work called him away. 

Friday, December 13, 2013

Handiwork Tidbits ~ Winston


Here are the "scrap" dishcloths I crocheted , using leftover yarn from various completions.  I have no business working on a new mission (I am starting to dislike the word "project" ha ha!) They turned out pretty nice.  I'll admit, I did try to color coordinate them, but scraps are scraps.  I found the pattern in a book I borrowed from the library.  It was actually a pattern requiring a different sequence of colors, but I simply used scraps.  Once I have the name of the book, I will update it here later.  Here's more to read......

CHRISTmas is a time for Love, Joy and Peace!


It's bad enough that my inbox is filled with over 20 advertisements selling something - Free Shipping!  One day only!  Cyber......blah, blah, blah....

Don't let the hype of buying, buying, and buying get you sucked into having to have it all, or give it all.  Sheesh.  The newspaper must weigh 10 more pounds now that December is here, and the ads are overflowing.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Pampering Day


The girls and I had planned to have a pedi/mani day, along with a hand heat wax treatment, right after we completed Monday's housework. They were home from school, and we were going to reward ourselves. 

We ran out of time.  With my trip to town for pellets, then making dinner, and then time with Hubby, we just plain lost track of time. Oh, by the way . . . .

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Stray?

(he's much bigger than he appears here in the cat carrier)

School was canceled yesterday, and the roads thawed out.  In fact, we put bedding out on the line. And if you are wondering, it dried. 

After a successful "all-out" cleaning day (with some blessed help), we ran out for chicken feed and wood pellets. After we arrived home, one of my daughters saw the stray cat run from barn to barn.  She went out there, and he came to her. Here's the story. . . .

Monday, December 9, 2013

Gotcha!

"Yikes! She caught me!"

Jasper has been more skittish than before, ever since the propane "boom" we had.  He walks around looking startled by any little movement or noise.  I have such a hard time getting a photo of him.

The other day, before the school bus arrived, I was able to snap this photograph.  He was actually playing until he saw me get down to his level and snap a few shots. Ha ha!

As for today's weather here. . . . .

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Baking with Booze



This year may be a "booze infused" Christmas. Ha ha!    Hubby brought home a 4 oz. back of "Whiskey Stix" made here locally in our state.  They were spicy, they were delicious, but way over priced.  I, like most days, said "I can make this myself!"

I found a recipe for Whiskey "Sticks", and made them for Hubby's game day.  They are easy to make, healthier than most snacks they take, and delish!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Oh Maybelline! (and other tidbits)


I never thought it would happen.  Not before the snow arrived, nor afterwards.  Okay, so I named my dryer - Maybelline.  Don't you?

She's back to work!  Yay!  No more fighting weather and birds.  I, of course, will use the clothesline all winter when I can, but it is most comforting to know I have a way to dry large items now.  Phew!

Friday, December 6, 2013

A Library Run


Remember those 25 library books I had out?  Well, one of them was Stop the Clock Cooking, by Cheryl Forberg, R.D.  This cookbook has many healthy recipes, which are full of age-defying ingredients.  I had to try a few.  There is even a grape jelly recipe that uses sorghum in it.  So what did I try?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Let the Baking Begin!

My Christmas baking has begun.  It's official.  Drum roll please....

"You made buckeyes and you didn't save me any?!"  cried Hubby.

"Yes," I firmly replied.  "Out of sight, out of mind."

"Hmpf."

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Reclaiming some "Z's"

Even Tiger was giving me the "eye to turn the lights out early, and I did.  Hubby was surprised.  "It's like six o'clock?" he exclaimed.  Really it wasn't.  It was about 7:30pm.  Still a shocker for everyone.  Me in bed early?  Ha.

Although Hubby and I made it to the gym yesterday morning, we both had upset stomachs, and I with a headache.  I did get my "all-out house cleaning" finished, and even brought in a jug of rain barrel water (to water house plants).  However, after getting Leftover Turkey soup in the crocky (which I spiked with some ground super chili pepper for health reasons), I was starting to run out of fuel.  

Monday, December 2, 2013

Apron and Bookmark




Here is the photo I promised, of the apron Mom gifted me with.  We use a lot of aprons here. Thanks Mom!


I also wanted to share a cute bookmark that blessed my mailbox recently.  I participated in the Farmgirl Sisterhood prayer day back in October, and this bookmark was a thank you.  A  nice, and unexpected surprise too.