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, October 28, 2019

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's now cold weather handiwork, winter coat weather, but more so hurry-up-and-get-it-done outdoor work weather. 

A recent conversation on the porch with Hubby got us talking.  We talked about what we would never do again as a homesteader - deal with black walnuts.  

The other day workers were going up and down the country highway, and cutting back trees near the power lines.  Our black walnut tree is one of them.  I looked out the window and saw the guy on the ground throwing black walnuts at the guy in the bucket.  It gave me a chuckle.  I thought to myself, his hands are gonna be black when they drive off.

I then remember my hands after peeling those walnuts.  Yeah, with two pairs of gloves, my hands burned for days after that.  The tree is getting old, so it may become firewood.  Who knows.


Another thing I won't do ever again - buy straight run chickens. 

We have a plethora of grasshoppers. I mean a plethora, so much that when I took the dog out in slippers I felt something up in my jeans near my thigh.  I shook my pants twice and out popped a grasshopper at my ankle (but it was in panic mode as you know I was bitten by a spider - note to self - boots on always).  There was some chicken free-ranging going on to reduce the bug population.

You never know what works for your homestead unless you at least try it, so there are no regrets of trying.  I still would like to raise either angora goats or alpaca in the future, but who knows.

We canceled our camping trip that was for last weekend.  The weather went to a low of 37° one night and 90% chance of rain all day Sat.  It wouldn't be fun to camp and not cook over a campfire (we do all our meals over the campfire).  I was okay with that.  It would not have been fun to put down the camper in the rain either.

I started more deep cleaning again.  Let's hope I get it done this time, and before the holidays. 

I got a bag of clothes and hangers donated to a church, and passed down some tops and shoes to Youngest Daughter.  




Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 



On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea yet.  It's 6:04am right now.


The weather outside is  . . .
Should be 65°F and sunny


As I look out my window . . .
It's pitch dark out right now.



Right now I am . . .
Drinking coffee in my PJ's and trying to wake up


As I look around the house . . .


This arrived!  Thank you so much Rebecca!  Can't wait to use it too.



On the to-do list . . .
-laundry
-make a 2nd batch of homemade croutons
-make homemade sausage
-continue to deep clean bedroom/bedroom closet
-continue to deep clean hallway
-re pot a houseplant
-clean off driveway side porch
-make a trip to the post office
-go to the library
-purge Halloween totes



On the menu . . .
Homemade Corn dogs, and (gulp) homemade fries
Sausage sandwiches with home canned cabbage/beet relish
Cowboy Beans (Crock pot)
Mama Pea's Lentil Burgers
Leftovers in there somewhere....

Snack:  Hummus and Einkorn Chips

Breakfast:  Homemade English Muffins or Bagels, Homemade Sausage for patties



Currently reading . . .
Nothing right now, just blogs right now when I can


On the TV . . .
We finished Goliath, so we are looking for a new series to watch.


What I am creating . . .
I finally had time to dig through my yarn stash.  I am making a scarf for a daughter (had the colors wrong, but now they are correct).  I also got an order for an XL hot pad, so that's started.  

I also got more netting cut, so I'll have yellow dish scrubbies soon too.  I'm looking for more fall craft shows, now that the November show has been canceled (due to it being the same day as the OH/MI game.


New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Cowboy Beans, Crock Sausage/Pasta Dinner, Baked Spaghetti, Taco Dip


Favorite photo from the camera . . .


Prayers . . .
Our son-in-law (married to our daughter who just lost their infant son) who is having open heart surgery today, myself (leg, insurance denied the easier procedure), our daughter and grand niece who lost their babies, a friend's mother, our older two daughter's (they seemed to have left the universe), and other personal requests



22 comments:

Faith said...

pretty thread crochet you got going on there...what cha making?

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Faith, a crocheted thin dishcloth. Speaking of which, Romeo got a ball of my blue thread (off the kitchen table) and chewed it up last night. First yarn catastrophe with him. He must have thought it was pretty even though he has a ton of toys, lol.

Mother Em said...

Sandra from A Diary of a Stay at Home Mom has had her blogs put into books. Might check with her (I used to have email address, but have lost over the years!).

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Mother Em. I'm linked up.

Leanna said...

I would love to have a day planner like that. I just don't have the cash right now. There is so much for me to do today. My husband and I are going early voting after work.

Jean said...

You always get so much done. It seems everyone is in deep cleaning mode with the holidays around the corner. Fun photo! Hope you have a great week!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Leanna

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Jean, yeah it feels like spring cleaning but in the fall, lol!

Annie said...

Oh my.. I will be praying for your son in law and your daughter. I hope everything turns out well for them.

Luludou said...

Sending positive thoughts for all of your family in need. You are always so busy with your homemaking! I love to read your posts they are always interesting and I always learn new things. Have a great week

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you Ann, he's at the best hospital in our area for this surgery.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you Luludou, I'm glad I can inspire you. Some days are sort of boring, but I like to write too, so a post typically will go up.

Pamela said...

Yes, 6:04am is much too early to be thinking about breakfast. You have a lot on your prayer list, take comfort that we are sharing the load with you. Blessings for your week ahead.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you Pamela

Jodi said...

Gorgeous handiwork!! Homemade english muffins sound amazing!! Have a great week!

Mama Pea said...

You've had so much trouble and sadness in your family lately. Hoping your SIL's surgery goes without a hitch.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the lentil burgers. Gave me the push to make some soon as I haven't done that.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Jodi

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, it has been a challenging year for us family-wise and garden-wise. I'm so far behind with everything with my leg and having to go places due to family issues. Thanks for the lentil burger recipe too.

Sandra said...

You've had a tough year my friend, I really do hope things start calming down for you. We don't have walnut trees but pecans and they leave our hands a mess as well.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Sandra. As for walnuts, the skins have acid in them, so if you don't peel them with two pairs of very thick gloves on, the acid soaks through and burns you skin.

Pat said...

Love hanging clothes on the line but can't where I live, miss being in the country,and enjoyed my visit to your blog and will come again. I got here from Homemaker Monday!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks for visiting Pat, I use the clothesline even in winter. I don't think I would survive living in the city after living in the country.