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, October 11, 2016

Random Tidbits


I snipped a few containers of chives and got them into the freezer.  We plan to add these to every breakfast scramble, soups and whatnot.  Sort of like greens, but a lot more.   As the cooler weather approaches, I go into panic-mode.  We have not even started splitting wood, so I'm madly stocking up the herbs before the first frost.
 


Today, breakfast was "on the go" as Hubby and I made our first visit back to the gym.  We get up at 4:30am and get about an hour work out.  I pre-made the breakfast yesterday, using my crock pot.  I was completely out of apples, and thankful to have a few straggling pears left from our tree.  I made steel cut oats with pears, organic raisins and locally grown walnuts (which I am about out of).  It's a pity that stores here do not sell organic steel cut oats. 


I've been working outdoors in the garden now.  I'm gutting more of the garden, and getting one small part of it ready to plant.  You can see the drought year didn't do so well for my cantaloupe.   We got 3 measly, puny ones.  

I made a quick ditch effort to pull thistle from my front flower bed, and heard a noise I haven't heard before.  I high-tailed it to the barn to lock up the hens, but was so proud to see that Sparta got them all inside the coop already.  Two bald eagles were flying over head, and appeared to be traveling on, but were eye-spying my ladies for their lunch I suppose.  I hope they keep moving on and do not take the woods for their winter home.  We don't see them here too often.

Do you remember the succulents we started?  Way back in the spring?  Only two made it.  The girls forgot to water, so I took over and watered with rain barrel water. 
 
My oldest daughter and a friend are now hiking a few parts of the Appalachian Trail.  They started in VA.  I believe, as of yesterday, they were done - hiked 3 mountains in 3 days.  I can't wait to see her photos.

Hubby and I have accomplished a few more of the "dates" from the "date night" jar I gifted him.  He is enjoying taking the motorcycle to parks and having picnics more often too.  Especially if the park has a river/lake or waterfall.  I'll have to come up with another creative gift for December.

I whipped up a pumpkin-sage macaroni and cheese with asparagus last night (the recipe is here - Carrie's Experimental Kitchen).  I'll miss my fresh herbs, so I'm considering bringing more inside this winter.  I also put green onions in the asparagus for more heart healthy herbs.  I used up some pumpkin puree that needed rotated out of the freezer, and today I'll be pulling out a ham bone for more space.  

I have one store in which I can purchase organic ricotta.  Does anyone know if I can freeze it in the container it comes in (15 oz)?  Or should I divide, then freeze in smaller amounts?  It would be used for baking when thawed.

Well, I didn't even think I had enough to talk about this morning, and look at this...ha ha!  I hope you enjoyed.  

 

 


10 comments:

Kim said...

I always enjoy your posts. Thank goodness that Sparta was doing his job!

Mama Pea said...

We had "oatmeal" for breakfast this morning, too. Ours with homegrown (frozen and thawed) blueberries. I don't know if I could make it through the winter season without frozen chives to add to so many things I cook . . . both for nutrition and needed color!

Susan said...

Even your date night jar is special! I love the idea of popsicle sticks! I just found a package of frozen pureed squash, so will be hunting up a recipe in which to use it this weekend. I know what you mean about fresh herbs - last year I brought in a pot of parsley and this year I am doing the same. We just got a good, solid frost, so my time is running out!

RB said...

Did your daughter hiking the Appalachians get any of Hurricane Matthew? We got hit hard here in Central NC with high winds and flooding. We live on top of a hill, so we didn't experience any flooding, but we did lose power noonish Saturday until 2pm Tuesday. I wanted a shower so bad it was awful, but then I remembered people flooded out and the 18 people dead, mostly drowned in cars they were trying to drive through high water, and I didn't feel so bad about not showering anymore. Many schools are closed for the rest of the week because it's still unsafe for school buses to travel.
I pray for those affected, still so many flooded out.
Have a great week.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you Kim. We have only seen one bald eagle here the entire time we've lived here, so seeing two was very rare. I was asked if I took photos, ha ha! I said, uh, no I was running to the barn to save my ladies and Sparta.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I love blueberries and bananas in our oatmeal too.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, thanks. I loved the pumpkin in the dish we made. I have zero pie pumpkins from our vines this year. Have to blame the drought even though we watered. It was just too far from the house. I need a cart with a rain barrel next year. I will have to purchase pie pumpkins this year.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, the kids made it there and home safely. I hope all is safe with you too.

Sam I Am...... said...

Glad your chickens escaped harm and congrats to your daughter for the hike! I am afraid of heights (deathly) otherwise that is something I would love to do! What an experience that must be! I can't eat oatmeal...I must have plenty of fiber already! LOL!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sam I Am, you should see some of the photos my daughter took - sitting on the edge of a rock that stuck out of a cliff. Ha! Just what she'd do too.