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~

Monday, July 14, 2014

A Little Bit of This ~ A Little Bit of That


Sunday the humidity was terrible here.  Even so, I canned one batch of wild black raspberry jam, got caught up with laundry, garden work and even got dinner made before going to the movies with Son and the family.  

This is a "grab a cup of java" kind of post.  I beat my son up this morning.  How?  I have no idea. Ha ha!




We enjoyed our first green and wax beans this season at dinner too.  Yum. 


You know when it's hot, if Timmy is sacked out in the shade and doesn't move for anything.  The barn cats love the cool dirt in the tall flowers too.  



Yesterday I had to laugh when I had two dozen eggs in a pot on the stove.

"Whaddya doin' with those eggs," exclaimed my son.

Ha ha!  I think he was worried I was going to use them for something not related to eating.  

"I'm just boiling them for snacks and meals," I reassured him.

I also, despite fridge space, made another batch of goat's milk ricotta.  It will be Son's choice of using it for homemade crock pot mac n' cheese or stuffed spinach lasagna ruffles.  And of course we'll add some homegrown broccoli or other veggie from the garden.

Work today will be tying up more tomato plants, picking green beans, and checking the squash.  I may make another batch of goat's milk cream cheese too.  I can't wait for the new refrigerator.  It's been difficult to manage without it, and of course meals are mostly from the garden these past few days.  The chicken coop will get cleaned today as well.  Oh, and I have some dried oregano and thyme that needs removed from the stems and into jars today.  I may cut more rosemary as well.  We love it on roasted potatoes.


During our road trip to Son's graduation (and back) I took this book.  Although I spent most of my 12-13 hours giving Hubby directions (and telling him to slow down when he was trying to be Mario Andretti thru all those mountain curves), I got a few pages read.  I am really enjoying this book.  She really gives a different perspective on simplifying and what it really means.  

We do see what she is saying about how it is more work, but we are much happier people.  We don't tend to freak out and go into a panic when the world faces a bad situation (like a food recall, lack of water use, or other emergency).  Although I did go into panic when we lost our one fridge.  Who couldn't after just butchering almost 30 chickens.  Although next year, those will be in their own freezer, and I am putting a generator on the wish list, and will be working super hard to put money away for one.  It will take the stress off of all our hard work and food supply.  

The movie Son picked out yesterday was "The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes."   It was pretty good (coming from someone who does not go to the movies more than once every two years).  The first thing Hubby said was, "now I want to go camping!"  In part of the movie, it shows the folks camping out just outside of where the apes lived.  Ha ha!  

Recipe link for the recipe for : Queen Anne's Lace Jelly

I still can't believe how much Queen Anne's Lace is out in my pasture.  It's driving me nuts.  My brain is saying, "make jelly" and the other part is saying "you have enough already, don't do it."


5 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Busy, busy, busy. 'Tis the time of year!

Thanks for the reference to "The Simplicity Primer." I've not read it but think I'll try to get a copy from our library.

Susan said...

Yes, I'll add that to my reading list, too. Of course, I won't have time to read until winter. What is Queen Anne's Lace jelly like? I never knew you could use it for jelly!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, I will add the link to the recipe I use up above next. It has a fragrant taste, but mild. My kids love it.

Michelle said...

You were busy. We had our first taste of beans too the other night. Love homemade stuff.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I was boiling eggs to have on hand as a snack for me during the day... but my chickens are either NOT LAYING or THEY'VE HIDDEN THE NEST AGAIN...
and we can't find it.
The Simplicity Primer does sound like an interesting book... have to look for it.
I do most of the driving now--- so no reading in the car for me anymore. :/
the kitty looks comatose !