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, May 31, 2016

Homestead Happenings and Tidbits

I was heading out to the barn to close it up for the night, and Leo ran out from under my car and meowed at me.  First time ever for him to come to me like that.  He won't eat with the other cats, so I gave him a water and food bowl.  He wouldn't let me pet him standing up, so I got down to his level, and he rolled over, thanking me for the food.  I guess he's warming up to us.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Rhubarb ~ Flowers - Tidbits

It's the second year for this rhubarb.  I had so much trouble getting it to take on here, first in the garden, then in a raised bed.  I'm so happy to see it flourishing.  Next year we get to finally eat it.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Stray is Named ~ Homemade Ginger-ale

This young guy has been seen off and on since last winter.  We thought he was housing up in what's left of our largest barn, but wasn't sure.  

Well, my Vet Tech-in-training, has been able to get the cat to come to her, let her hold him (a bit reluctant), and will come to the house to eat the cat food.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Herbal Eye Compress ~ Random Tidbits ~ The Planting Begins

Over the past weekend, my eyes were super sore.  Not sure why this year, but I have one idea.  Anyway, they were beet red, dry, and I wanted to rip them out (they felt that bad even with allergy eye drops).

I use the last of my dried calendula, poured a cup of boiling water over it, and cooled it.  I used it to make an eye compress.  It is a short relief, but I do feel like it helped.  It was the only dried herb I had that was suggested for eyes.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Achy Body

Just a quick post.  Today is day 3 of back in the garden.  Oye.  My aching body.  I'll try to get a post in when my arms stop hurting.

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Garden Grows ~ Freezer Fill-Up

My herb garden is getting a good cleaning, and I'm adding new herbs (and ones I simply haven't planted again).  Many went into pots.  I learned homestead lesson #247 (that's a sarcastic made up number):  don't plant lemon balm directly into your herb garden.  It has roots like cement and spreads quickly.

I purchased my herb seeds from three different sources this year - High Mowing, Baker Creek, and Horizon.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Give a Woman an Herb Garden ~ Herbal Syrup ~ Lemon Balm

The Good Lord gave me a dry day, so I went straight to the herb garden.  The vegetable garden was still too wetI know the weeds are bad, but sharing a photo anyway.  I have to re-set the natural stones around it every spring, but I really don't mind it.  The bed on the other side (top) of the sidewalk is a flower bed.  I still have sage in some of it.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Homestead Happenings


We are so happy to see peaches on the tree this year.  This is our third year since we planted.  I'm so happy with this progress.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I am once again joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay-at-home Mom.   It's "Happy Homemaker Monday!"  

This is getting posted late due to my busy day yesterday.  I simply got going with dinner, while our oldest daughter came for a visit.  I never got back to the computer, ha ha!

Monday, May 16, 2016

Snow ~ From the Handiwork Journal . . .

The weather dropped in digits on Saturday.  I was not ready for that.  It was raining and cold.  And a bit windy.  I guess in our parts, our garden season just got shorter. 

And on Sunday?


It snowed.  Timmy was not happy either, as you can see.  Snow in May?  Unbelievable!  I refused to start a fire, even though we still had wood on the porch.  Crazy I say.  Just crazy.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

More Rain ~ Chive Oil Complete ~ Tidbits

Although yesterday remained dry for the most part, it was still too wet to weed or plant.  I attempted to weed the last of the front flower beds, but it was still too wet.  I'll admit I woke up to 4am downpours again this morning.  I am a bit frustrated.  There is no way we can plant right now.  It could take several days to dry this all up.

 The potatoes, the majority of the plants, look pretty healthy.  I just need Mother Nature to give us a break this year.  Sheesh, so many of us deserve a bumper crop this season.


The chive oil is complete now.  I strained it and have it ready to try.  I would love to make homemade pizzas first.

In desperation to get some homesteading garden work completed, I cut some oregano to dry.  My jar is at the very bottom, so oregano is being restocked first. 

Friday, May 13, 2016

Homestead Happenings

The last two years have been not so good with planting new bushes, and grape plants.  Between having those two trips south, then a flooding of rain, most new plants we planted died.  And after two to three years of attempting to grow blueberries, we know we cannot (limestone).

Since then the new red raspberry bushes are taking flight (thankfully).  The cherry tree looks great too.

I've purchased three new grape plants (for jams/jellies, juice and wine) and we are using Grit Magazine's "plan" to put them in (for a starter arbor).

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Delivery of Two Types ~ Interesting Update

Here is a snippet of what my birthday flowers looked like.  My husband surprised me with a large, beautiful bouquet.  I have received flowers via delivery in a long, long time.  He's awesome.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

May Madness

This past weekend, and week, have been super packed with activities.  Two birthdays combined into one weekend celebration, Mother's Day, Prom, and what not.  Whew!  I even got the flower bed in front of the porch weeded, and zinnia seeds dropped.

Hubby worked many extra shifts due to demand, and I still got a bike ride in.  In fact, we met up with my Mother and took her out to dinner for Mother's Day.  It was a full weekend for sure.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Random Tidbits

I've been running around with errands, and have not had one minute to get back to my gardens.  It's frustrating, but my license needed renewed, chicken feed was low, and I needed to make a few other stops.  I delivered Mom some organic tea for Mother's Day as well.

It's been crazy busy this weekend too.  Hubby and I are celebrating our birthdays together, as his work schedule is about to double. He already went to work at midnight last night for another shift.  He works so hard.


Prom is tonight, and I have been hired as the photographer.  We aren't sure on the weather, but sporadic storms are in the forecast, so we may not be meeting her at the "gardens" with the bike or car yet. Or just where photos will be taken.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Catnip Tincture ~ Insomnia

In September of 2015, I made my first catnip tincture.  I used a portion of it for making homemade bug spray, which works wonderfully by the way.

Bug Away Spray (Mountain Rose Herbs Recipe)

The other portion, was placed into a dropper bottle.  Hubby had been having trouble sleeping, and would wake up in the middle of the night.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Chive Oil

Summer time pizzas, made fresh from the oven sounds great right?  Or Italian anything sounds good.  I decided that I needed some homemade chive oil for those types of meals.


With a few free minutes (I'm so funny) I cut some of those fresh chives we are getting from the garden.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Random Tidbits ~ Chicks get Sunshine

Breakfast - potatoes, red bell pepper, dandelion greens and eggs. No cheese.  It's delicious flavored with onions and/or shallot powder.

Sorry this post is so long.  I didn't mean to keep writing, but I think I'm trying to procrastinate my exercise today, ha ha!