Yesterday, you could hear a pin drop in the house, when normally it would be filled with chitter chatter, laughter, screaming, running through the house, and dogs barking.
It was one of those days when you feared giving a hug, because it would induce a bucket full of tears.
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~
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Sadie
January 30, 2015 (today) was the last day we had with Sadie Lou. She was a wonderful dog, and will be greatly missed. Click on "read more" for photos. She was a part of our family in so many ways. She was the "mother" to all. She was the protector to Oldest Daughter. She was greatly loved.
January 20, 2015
Writing Mojo Needs Fueled
The wind always makes the house feel colder, but the wood stove was going good and strong when I got up this morning.
I abandoned all chores (aside from animals) and retreated to my room to write yesterday. I started out pretty well, but found myself wandering to the kitchen desk, and fiddling around on the internet.
"Mom?! What are you doing? Get back in your room and write something," said Oldest Daughter.
"I will, I just have to find something."
I abandoned all chores (aside from animals) and retreated to my room to write yesterday. I started out pretty well, but found myself wandering to the kitchen desk, and fiddling around on the internet.
"Mom?! What are you doing? Get back in your room and write something," said Oldest Daughter.
"I will, I just have to find something."
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Tidbits ~ Egg-less Blueberry Muffins
People driving by often ask Hubby if he makes me put the laundry out in winter. Nope. For show? Nope. It's my real life. It smelled so good when I brought it in, and it dried completely.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Pinto Beans ~ Pantry Lunch Packings ~ Handiwork Developments
I finally broke down and rinsed our home grown pinto beans. The piddly harvest....we all know that story right? Either way, I am cooking them to go with breakfast burritos, snacks and after school burritos. We get creative with breakfast burritos. Which reminds me, I better open a jar of zucchini salsa too.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Savory Soup ~ Snow
I tried a new white bean soup recipe - White Bean Soup with Greens and Rosemary. I found it in a book my Dad gave me years ago (Super Foods Rx), but there are many versions of it online as well. The rosemary in this soup makes it taste wonderful, along with a pinch of cayenne.
Labels:
Carrots,
Dried Beans,
Healthy Eating,
Herb Garden,
Motherhood,
Recipes,
Weather
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Handiwork Developments ~ Home Canned Potatoes ~ Hand Lotion Update ~ Library Blip?
I am afraid to dig into more boxes, as I have found another dishcloth I need to finish crocheting. I must have taken it camping, along with other "go-to" projects.
Here is the latest development ~
Here is the latest development ~
Before
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Gratitude
I woke up to an orange furry feline, sitting on my stomach, nose to nose with me, and every so gently pressing one paw up on me over and over again.
"Wake up sleepy head," he was silently saying.
His eyes were begging me to get up and feed him, as his master is away at a (gulp) sleepover. No one is on agreement with me regarding sleepovers this winter, so if this one comes home sick, then my opinion is getting enforced.
Well, it's been a long time since I did a gratitude posting. Oddly, I am thankful for being in bed for two days, because I finished one book before the month was even over.
"Wake up sleepy head," he was silently saying.
His eyes were begging me to get up and feed him, as his master is away at a (gulp) sleepover. No one is on agreement with me regarding sleepovers this winter, so if this one comes home sick, then my opinion is getting enforced.
Well, it's been a long time since I did a gratitude posting. Oddly, I am thankful for being in bed for two days, because I finished one book before the month was even over.
I have one book left in my personal stash.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Recovery ~ Sadie Update
We are recovering. The sickness got three of us (if I could only teach one to wash her hands more often). We used hot herbal teas (ginger, mullein, thyme and others), homemade vapor-rub, eucalyptus inhalation steams, homemade ginger-ale, and homemade elixir. I encouraged them to gargle with salt water too. It really helped me.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Sickness ~ Hubby ~ Homemade Graham Crackers ~ More Hand Lotion
The only reason I am up this morning, is to locate the school's transportation number and cancel the bus today. Both kids that ride it are sick with fevers and whatnot. As luck would have it, the school was calling me as I was calling them, and they closed today due to snow and bad roads. Traffic outside, is moving extremely slow.
As for me? I woke up at 4am freezing cold. I knew at that point I was the next to get the sickness (that our 15 year-old brought home from a sleepover). My temperature was 101.4 and I am not feeling so well.
As for me? I woke up at 4am freezing cold. I knew at that point I was the next to get the sickness (that our 15 year-old brought home from a sleepover). My temperature was 101.4 and I am not feeling so well.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Winter Slow Down ~ Making Decisions ~ Christmas Ornament
I'll admit, the chilly outside air has kept me indoors more often. I do have to enjoy it and slow down. So far, we have avoided the flu, although our 15 year-old recently came home from a sleepover sick. The more I am home, the less contact I have of airborne and other nasty germs. I am, however, considering banning sleepovers during the remainder of the winter (flu hospitalizations are up in our area). I just want to keep sickness out of our home. This is the second time this season that she has come home sick from a friend's house.
Although it is snowing right now, we did have a warm up, and the weather was perfect for drying laundry outdoors. And it was warm enough to let the ladies out and clean the coop. We tried last week (to clean the coop), but everything was simply frozen to the ground.
I've taken some time to think on things, and ....
Although it is snowing right now, we did have a warm up, and the weather was perfect for drying laundry outdoors. And it was warm enough to let the ladies out and clean the coop. We tried last week (to clean the coop), but everything was simply frozen to the ground.
I've taken some time to think on things, and ....
Monday, January 19, 2015
Coffee Pot Collection Re-do ~ Sadie Update
Almost a year ago, I shared my antique coffee pot collection.
This year, I decided it was time to use them or lose them.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Handiwork Developments
The cat blanket is finally finished. I got the ends sewn in, and it's on the couch....out of the closet and into good use.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Spring planning ~ New Seed Catalog
What are you looking forward to? I'm looking forward to
Labels:
Homesteading,
Motherhood,
Self Sufficiency,
Vegetable Garden
Thursday, January 15, 2015
In the Kitchen ~ A Year of Ernest Hemingway
Chore time was so peaceful and quiet yesterday. If fact, it was beautiful outside. I had to go inside and get my camera out and take a few photos.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Updates ~ Tidbits
Homemade "vaseline" - I have used more than half my jar already. After bitter cold weather (even with my face covered out there), my skin was very dry. I even used this on my face when it was very dry from winter air. I will definitely make this again.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Happy Homemaker Monday
I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today - 1/12/2015.
The weather outside is. . .
On the breakfast plate this morning . . .
Labels:
Beets,
Canning,
Cats,
Family,
Motherhood
Dehydrating Orange Peel ~ Orange Peel Powder
Our grocer is finally carrying organic oranges, so I have been saving the peels and dehydrating them.
This is a first for me. I've never dehydrated the peels due to not having access to organic oranges. My plan is to use them for recipes for now. We use orange peel in our hot cranberry punch, and now that I am making more teas, I think it would be nice to have some on hand for tea making.
I plan. . .
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Suited Up ~ One Roasted Chicken
Okay, Mama Pea said she wanted "picture proof."
Here it is:
I'm not moving very fast in all the get-up either, but it is keeping me warm and well covered. I just have to be careful when walking. Hubby's old carharrt is a bit long for me (oddly). I had a problem with steaming up my sunglasses, but that morning sun was piercing my eyeballs yesterday. I am thankful for it (sunshine), so no complaints. I wear Hubby's hat over the face mask in colder weather too.
Want to know how far one roasted chicken stretched for us?
Normally, one home raised, roasted chicken lasts about two days around here. However, with Son gone (and oldest Daughter gone more often), we have more leftovers.
Labels:
Breakfast Sides,
Frugal Living,
Healthy Eating,
Meat Chickens,
Motherhood,
Recipes
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Tidbits and Herbal Tea Making
I have only tried my home canned pepper mustard sauce on chicken so far. I know meatballs would be wonderful, but this time I tried it on organic pork tenderloin (in the crock pot).
Delicious. Another winning way to eat from our summer stock up. We topped it over organic brown rice, and had a side of roasted brussel sprouts.
We are having another cold day.
Delicious. Another winning way to eat from our summer stock up. We topped it over organic brown rice, and had a side of roasted brussel sprouts.
We are having another cold day.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Cinnamon Maple Macadamias
With the cold of winter here, we are enjoying hot oatmeal for breakfast. Something (nutritional) we discovered to top it with is this recipe. It also heats up the kitchen on a cold day.
Simply chop 1 1/2 cups (non-gmo, organic) macadamia nuts and mix in 1 teaspoon of organic cinnamon. Next. . .
Simply chop 1 1/2 cups (non-gmo, organic) macadamia nuts and mix in 1 teaspoon of organic cinnamon. Next. . .
Labels:
Cinnamon,
Homemade Gift Ideas,
Lunch Packings,
Maple Syrup,
Motherhood,
Recipes
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Drinking Kale? Bitter Cold Returns
The most recent issue of Country Woman magazine contained an article about ginger.
Labels:
Healthy Eating,
Homesteading,
Kale,
Magazine Reviews,
Motherhood,
Weather
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Snow arrives...
I took this photo Monday morning. Winter has officially arrived - rain, freezing rain, snow and bitter temperatures (but not as bad yet as last winter).
Yesterday, although a bit cold, the sun was shining and there was a pretty good wind out there.
Larger towels were dried in front of the wood stove.
I've sort of been hibernating and ever so slowly finishing up some crochet and knitting ventures.
I took this crochet project camping in August of 2014. I found it in a bag in my closet while cleaning. . . .
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Christmas break ends for.... ~ My Herbal Journey
Normally, I'd start my morning around six o'clock, by putting wood in the wood stove, feeding barn cats, letting dogs out, and feeding house cats (all before a cup of coffee).
This morning?
My alarm went off at 2:35am, I slipped on shoes, brewed a pot of coffee and was out the door by 3:00am with Hubby, Son, and Youngest (one daughter didn't make it back out of bed, ha ha!).
This morning?
My alarm went off at 2:35am, I slipped on shoes, brewed a pot of coffee and was out the door by 3:00am with Hubby, Son, and Youngest (one daughter didn't make it back out of bed, ha ha!).
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Randomness ~ Barn Kitty ~ Last Christmas Tree
It's raining here this morning, and the step is a sheet of ice. Every dog did the "bambi splits" this morning. Needless to day, the didn't go far to do their business.
I can't really say I am writing out my new year resolutions, but I am randomly writing down a "wish" list of needs and other possibilities for this year. Of course that is after a good strategic financial plan is in order.
Honestly, I told Hubby that if we only had one thing to reflect on at the end of 2015, I would be elated to write down
I can't really say I am writing out my new year resolutions, but I am randomly writing down a "wish" list of needs and other possibilities for this year. Of course that is after a good strategic financial plan is in order.
Honestly, I told Hubby that if we only had one thing to reflect on at the end of 2015, I would be elated to write down
Labels:
Antiques,
Barn Cats,
Christmas,
Motherhood,
Preparedness,
Self Sufficiency
Friday, January 2, 2015
Cold Temps ~ Tidbits
I was pretty happy with our "system restore" here, by getting the Christmas decorations down and put away, but slumped my shoulders when I entered my bathroom. I forgot about the Christmas tree in there.
It's coming down today. Then it's all back in storage. All but the outside lights. Those will have to wait for a warmer day.
It's been pretty cold here lately. I'm not complaining. I am glad we don't have snow (yet). I have family traveling about the same time my Son will travel, so we are praying for good traveling weather. We are dwindling down to the last few days before he has to leave again.
Although I forgot to take a photo, I do have a new recipe to share. Our grocery store is stocking more organic pasta (I know, I know, I should be making my own noodles right now).
I decided to make
It's coming down today. Then it's all back in storage. All but the outside lights. Those will have to wait for a warmer day.
It's been pretty cold here lately. I'm not complaining. I am glad we don't have snow (yet). I have family traveling about the same time my Son will travel, so we are praying for good traveling weather. We are dwindling down to the last few days before he has to leave again.
Although I forgot to take a photo, I do have a new recipe to share. Our grocery store is stocking more organic pasta (I know, I know, I should be making my own noodles right now).
I decided to make
Labels:
Family,
Healthy Eating,
Motherhood,
Recipes
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy New Year ~ Sister's Question ~ Popcorn Storage
Happy New Year!
I was out getting wood for the wood stove, and snapped this quick sunrise photo. It's not the best photo, but winter sunrises here are difficult to catch.
At our Christmas family gathering, my one sister asked me, "so now what are you doing? You're done with the garden right?"
To answer her question,
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