Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I managed to finish the rag rug I started this year.  It's for the bathtub.  Sorry about the lighting, I took the photo just before dinner time. The book store never called me back on the book they were waiting to price.  I'm assuming it was a legit signed copy and they were selling it for well more than I could afford.  I don't want a signed copy anyway.  I just wanted the recipes. Happy New Year! 2020 has been a total bunch of hot garbage.  It can only get better from here, as I see it.  Dad's place is empty.  I can't explain how I feel after seeing it that way.  On a funny note, he had several typewriters - electric and manual.  There were 4 typewriters when I arrived with one daughter.  I told her "load 'em up, they are your project now."  She was fascinated that people used to use them. May 2021 (but I said this in 2020 too) be better than the year before.  We can only hope right?

There might be some peppermint schnapps in my coffee this morning. Today is the last day to clean out Dad's place. I got the last of Christmas decorations put away, drained an infused oil, got most of the kitchen back in order (whew! thankful for that), got more wood split after Hubby got home from work, and other cleaning caught up with.  I put a fresh vintage tablecloth on one table, but I'm still working on the other table.   I still haven't found a box of Christmas cards I lost.  However, I found my husband's missing truck keys. The sun was out most of the morning yesterday.  I was also thankful for that.  Snow was predicted, so was rain. Woke up to a level 1 emergency, so I'm praying roads are okay later when we need to be out.

Breakfast yesterday ended up a tossing of whatever I had - onion, green pepper, broccoli, eggs, leftover sour cream, bacon and herbs.  Dinner was crock pot ham and bean soup using the last of the leftover ham. Monday was a total madness day of cleaning, tidying up, putting Christmas stuff away (which wasn't much this year), laundry and more.  I took down my bathroom Christmas shower curtain, and put the bathroom Christmas tree away.  Took down all the outside Christmas lights (first year to ever do this before Jan 1st).   Tidying up may take all week, but it's getting done. After everything that has happened in 2020, I am pulling out my journals and getting back at it, and writing (fiction) again. I have no resolutions for the new year, but I do have one goal - see Chris Stapleton in concert with my husband.  It may be next fall, but it's a goal anyway.  Doubtful our country will be back to that sort of normal, but I can at least hope.

 Merry Christmas! Cheers to all of you who stuck with me this year, even if we had or have a difference of opinion on the plan-demic.  I notice so many adults fighting right now about masks and other related things.  It has been a rough year, so thanks for putting up with me on my off days. One sister is taking all of Dad's photos and putting them on cd's for us (and siblings).  One brother is taking old reel movies and putting them on devices for us all as well.  Things are moving along I guess.  I have letters and will read them and pass them on or scan them and create booklets so all can have a copy if needed. I'm already making a list of homemade gifts for 2021, and praying our families can get together.

  I decided to bake my Mom's sour cream cookie recipe for Christmas.  Although I am lacking my Christmas zippity do-dah, I got it done. Youngest slept the entire day.  I know she got much needed rest.  She went to Urgent care but was sent back home.  No meds, no real diagnosis, so it's Mom's remedies for now.  They also did a rapid virus test (came back negative). Our sunshine yesterday was gone as fast as it came sadly.  No sun makes a dreary lazy day for me. Apparently there are thieves cruising the area, who are stealing flat bed trailers.  We don't own one, but it does put one on more of an alert. I got out my iron and worked on the homemade cards to finish up Mom's gift. Sad news from afar.  Cousin  (she is my age)  M's husband  is in the hospital with covid.  It doesn't sound like it's good.  Please say a prayer for her husband.

Being stuck in the house day after day has gotten me lazy. I'm off track with homemade gifts this year.  Not to mention baking.  I am writing out a list to get back on track.  Oye.  I need out of this rut. Finished 4 of the Adli's quarter holder keychains.  I think they are adorable. I made cashew brittle for Christmas.  I hid this batch, but we'll see if they find it before Christmas. Made one batch of Paprika Dry Rub to gift.  It's for turkey or chicken.  Good for a year once made.  I recycled some glass jars that were the perfect size for gifting (organic tomato paste jars).  I just have to label them and pack the bags for delivery. Recipe is from Taste of Home (online). Recipe I want to try, but will cut recipe in half.  

Yesterday morning, right after I put up my blogpost, our internet service went out.  I literally stayed in jammies until I got that back up and running.  I had items in two carts to get ordered.  I'm pretty much stuck in this house until the car / truck issues are completed. We can't start on the bathroom remodel until winter is over.  Our house would be freezing cold, not to mention I can't paint in there either, so that is frustrating.  I could however (after Christmas) unload the bookshelves in the hall, move the bookshelves and hire a friend to come re-floor the hallway.   The carpet is old and worn and new flooring needs to go into about every room in the house.  So....it's on the possibility list. I have created a new crochet item.  Not sure if it will sell well, but I plan to get more made for next year's craft shows.  It's an Aldi's quarter holder.  I know one daughter here could use it.  I plan to make some with h...

Snow arrived early yesterday morning.  It sort of made me feel like staying in jammies all day, sipping hot cocoa and watching America's Test Kitchen (love that show).  However, I had to tend the hens, fetch a load of wood, get the mail and whatnot, which required getting dressed and putting on snow boots. I was a bit motivated by wanting to try a new crochet pattern.  Although my bedroom was/is a hot mess and needed tidied up.  I have crafting supplies all over it.  I'm not sure how my husband puts up with me, ha ha! Well, everything is on hold here.  Our one daughter who works retail, said one co-worker is off awaiting a test for the virus (his wife is sick).  She (daughter) is in a panic and went to test as well, and results come in today or tomorrow.  Praying she is fine, but all plans are on hold until then.  It's pretty frustrating how anyone who is around anyone sick has to fear for their lives right now.  

  My first tic-tac-toe crochet game (not from China toy).  I'm thrilled it turned out nice.  I am trying to work on kids toys this year to have in stock for next year.  I am tempted to gift this to my niece and nephew, and check in to see if they like it and use it.  The game is on the side of a crocheted bag, and the pieces are stored inside it.  I'm thinking of maybe making the bag with handles vs. drawstring, but I think drawstring would keep the pieces from getting lost (or fall out of the bag). I also finished another panel for a hot pad set, finished a crocheted wine bag, sewed the inner rice bag for Mom's heat pack, and crocheted one dish scrubbie. The weather.  Oh my.  It's cold.  The kind of weather you just want to stay in your jammies all day kind.  The weather that gets me into trouble in staying on task on housework.  It was so cold my wood, that I left in my garden cart, was frozen to it. As for an update on the car re...

Our hired help showed up.  Car is running good, but we need to buy a new radiator hose, some anti-freeze, and put one headlight back in.  Then we pull the truck in and replace brakes on that next. Got the house work started yesterday until the sweeper stopped working.  One daughter and I got it back to working.  I can't wait to get rid of the carpet and replace flooring in this house.  One thing at a time. The Mexican Crockpot casserole was a hit.  It's online with Well plated by Erin.  I used home grown tomatoes (I have frozen jalapenos to make those "fired up" too) that I froze (and thawed), and made homemade enchilada sauce (no sugar like store bought has), and only added some hand shredded sharp cheddar cheese upon serving it.  So delicious and it has quinoa in it. Breakfast was a hit too.  I've made many breakfast dishes with broccoli, but changed it up a bit by adding zucchini.  Broccoli is a power house of goodness, and ...

  Recipe I want to try (without the whipped cream) Recipe I tried.  It's a keeper - peanut butter whiskey balls.  It has peanut butter in them, but more of the peanut butter whiskey.  Delicious! (recipe from Allrecipes) Bought myself some fun mini cutters for Christmas pies.  I already had the star, but look at all that fun!  I could even cut cheese slices for a festive cheese/cracker snack too. Am I the last to know this?  Hummus on a hard boiled egg? Yum!  Breakfast, lunch, side dish or snack.  The intake is in, but more work needs done before our daughter can drive it.  Our friend is coming back over today to finish up on it.  Hopefully, it'll be ready for daughter to drive after that. We got wood cut and split Sunday morning.  In the afternoon we met up with my younger brother at my Dad's place.  We made a plan to bring the truck over next weekend and help remove lots of furniture.  Oh my.  My Dad saved every...

The car saga continues.  When one biker friend never responded to our plea for assistance (paid assistance), we hired another.  He didn't show up until 3pm.   The car is still not completely repaired.  We both feel he won't return today either.  So....we plan to hit the wood splitter early this morning, then start on the car ourselves (yes, I said I'd help). I have a to-do list a mile long too, but those two need checked off first.  However, I got crochet time and kitchen time in yesterday. I hope to have photos to share of both tomorrow.  While the men worked on the car, Tiger curled up with me while I crocheted and got some cooking channel time in (PBS/Create). Hubby has started to feel much better since I started to cut out potatoes again (and rice and whatnot).  We made omelets for breakfast without the potatoes and they were still good.  I'm working on new ways to create breakfast that will eliminate the stuff he shouldn't be eating...

Friday I had one thing I wanted to accomplish, even if it was the only thing I got done - clean the coop.  Oh boy.  It was not easy.  I do believe with all we have to deal with, we will all be on board to building an appropriate coop. Considering I have to hunch over to get into the coop, it took some maneuvering and several tools to get the job done.  I can't just pull my wheel barrow to the door either.  I have a fence with a temporary gate, and it's not wide enough.  Oh, and my straw is out in one of the barns, so that had to be loaded up and taken to the coop.  Two trips.  Job done.  I only hit my head 3 times ha ha! Today we have to pull Youngest's car into the garage.  Praying it gets fixed and up and running.  The rain is already here.  

Now that shotgun week is over with, coyotes have started on the move (again).  Lovely. I had a person wanting to buy 4 scrubbies, and luck would have it, one daughter was home.  We went to town and delivered them (new customer who was sad there were no craft shows to shop from), and went birthday present shopping.   I have to say, the day went much better than the last shopping trip, and we completed our birthday present shopping.  I even found disinfectant spray.  I haven't been able to find that since March. We attempted to take Mom to lunch at a local restaurant, but she was babysitting. Back home, one daughter started working on her homemade Christmas presents (so proud of her).  She is gifting all homemade gifts.  Right now she is painting a wooden jewelry box she purchased at Hobby Lobby with her 40% off coupon. We have lots of "plans" for the weekend.  The weather is to be very nice tomorrow, but rain comes with it.  Not sure what...

Breakfast!  Thrown together with whatever I had - onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, hot banana peppers, eggs, topped with pepper jack cheese ( a bit too much, ha ha).  I meant to add bell peppers too, but it slipped my mind.  I was multi-tasking. Menu so far: Southern Ground Turkey Casserole Salmon Romanoff, green beans Creamed peas and toast ( my Mom's recipe) Leftovers Miss Thelma continues to lay eggs in the feeder.  I looked around and found something to temporarily cover it.  Crazy chicken. Woke up to 25°F this morning, but we should be up to 50°F later today.  I was so looking forward to the weekend.  It is to be a high of 56°F, but now they say rain.  Darn it all.  We have to split wood, work on a car, and help remove large furniture from my Dad's place. Speaking of sweet potatoes in the breakfast, my supply of homegrown continues to supply us.  Although we didn't grow as much, my garlic is also supplying us (thankful...

I was a very lucky gal yesterday.  Very lucky.  My daughter (21 year-old) had the day off.  I was so stinkin' happy.  We both got out of the house for some shopping. I wrote out my shopping lists and we headed out.  Oh boy, oh boy. Picked up some netting for scrubbie making.  I still cannot locate lavender netting.  Anyway, we stood in line forever.  No clerk.  There was an older lady waiting in front of me with fabric.  I rang the bell.  The lady turned around and said, "I did that too."  We chatted and chatted.  No clerk.  I literally got my cell phone out and called the store.  No clerk ever came.  My daughter caught up with me and we told her what was going on.  She said, "okay this is not cool, I'm finding someone."  She did.  Clerk showed up with a very mean face on.  Got the netting and left.  Shopping is a total headache.  Lack of employees and long lines. We stopped at ...

Homemade Hummus It's amazing how much better I felt Monday morning, after a fun Sunday out of the house.  Got the master bath 75% cleaned (just need to clean shower and tub), did laundry, vacuumed, tended the hens, took trash out to the curb, got the mail, kept the fire stoked, put a roast and veggies in the crock pot, made overnight french toast for this morning, and some good ol' homemade hummus.  Of course there were dishes to wash, but I felt better mentally and physically. It took most of the day, but I quit just before dinner so I could get "me" time in as well. Since I didn't write up a menu and post a Happy Homemaker post yesterday, it's being done today.   The menu that is. Hm.  Better check the freezer and pantry and get that done. Oh, gotta share this tidbit.  So Youngest was not home and had my car, so my husband drove her car to work to check things out and leave me the truck. Upon arriving home (my husband), I looked out the window t...

  Sunday, my wonderful husband took me out to our favorite Italian restaurant.  The photo is the current bruschetta.  When I say "current" it's the new way they are making it.  Third time for them to change the way they make it.  We told them it was good, but the original was the best. We dressed up for the outing, and had a bit of fun too.  Visited a few smaller towns, but really didn't find items great for Christmas gifting.  Nor did I find the coffee I was searching for, but was glad to get out of the house. Chicken food - restocked, Cat and dog food - restocked. Fresh fruit - restocked I need to restock fresh greens and veggies, but we really had a good time.  

Saturday was a complete disappointment.  I had plans.  I had been making plans for over a week.  Lists written out.  You know, like chicken feed....didn't happen. My husband came home late Friday, and said he was working Saturday.  Not only that, but a 12 hour day.  Both girls gone.  No way to get chicken food.   All week he's told me that Youngest can't drive her own car.  Told me he has no way to take care of her if she breaks down and she's at work (before looking at the car one last time).  Proceeds to tell me, "take her car."   "Um, what happens if I break down?" "Someone will get you."  Right.  I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind stuck at home.  Seriously.   Left to my own devices, I started a new project.  Mom told me she could not find a wine gift bag at the dollar store and most she did find were up to $6.95.  I whipped up this one and a few more over my Saturday home al...

  The metal sign I bought for my husband for Christmas, ha ha! Miss Thelma continues to lay eggs in the feeder.  I'm going to buy a shower cap to place over the top, or go see if I have a piece of wood large enough to cover the top.  Crazy chicken. I'm trying to convince (motivate) my husband to go pick up the dog fencing this weekend. I was going through old photos, and had scanned this recipe for a drink called the Bahama Mama.  Yes I went to the Bahamas.  One time in my life, with a sister.  It was what they call "Fam" trips, short for Familiarization Trip.  I tried to take these trips often when the offer was given.  These were specially priced trips for Travel Agents to visit and do hotel tours we could know more about what we were selling.  Fun times for sure.  Can you tell I was on the "procrastination station" way too much yesterday, ha ha! Oh, I almost forgot.  I finished one ornament.  It's made out of a wooden clothe...

A lot has been downhill and downright frustrating, mentally exhausting . . .2020. I need to post this for a reminder to myself.  Hope you enjoy it. What gives me joy and what was good about 2020. We got the privilege to go to Daytona Bike Week in Florida (first time for us).  Good friends of ours trailered our motorcycles (things started to shut down the day we left FL). We got 3 trips to our favorite island (talk about isolation in a good way). We got many motorcycle rides in. We (husband and I) got to take a trip to the Thumb of MI, and take a boat ride to see turnip rock etc. I love snail mail.  It makes me smile and gives me happiness. A mug rug I received from Mama Pea one year (and still use it year round). I have received many other items as well.  I love to send surprise snail mail too, just to make someone's day. Handwriting letters or getting hand written letters gives me joy, but lately it's been just quicker (gulp) to use the computer and print letters ou...

First year we didn't make one trip to Amish country.  The hotel has sent me deals via text many times this year.   First year we never got to go camping. Went to way too many funerals this year. I didn't get to go to the library one time this year.  Not once.  First shut down, no car, and no one to pick up or drop off.  I loved going to the library for craft books, fiction books, reference etc.  I really miss the library.  I think I was one of their biggest supporters.  I don't even know why I had that Rosemary Gladstar book in the pile.  I own a copy, ha ha! Pandemic year kept us all inside almost all of the year, with very little visits to Mom and Dad, and away from extended family and friends. Isolation, depression, and feeling like we are dragging all day long.  Add to that state mandates and restrictions forced upon us. Thankful for what we did get from the drought-year garden, but what a stressful time keeping it watered. I ha...

My mornings are spent sipping coffee, stoking the fire, and listening to the snow plows hard at work outside.  It also has me thinking it's time to get back on the treadmill in the mornings (haven't had the motivation lately). In case you missed the post, I caught Miss Thelma inside the feeder the other day.  Well, I went out yesterday after putting spikes on my muck boots, shoveled off 4 inches of snow and ice off the ramp (not easy with rungs on it either), to fetch eggs and feed/water the chickens. I happened to look down inside the feeder (which when I am standing on the ground looking in, I have to tip it sideways).  She laid eggs in there.  They are confused as to where to lay eggs.  I'm going to have to build something so they feel like they are crawling inside something (in the sides of the coop). Dinner - two new recipes.  Up  top is sweet potato/lentil stew, and below is Skillet bread.  Both are online - stew is from Taste of Home, and b...

I apologize for the bad photos.  It was snowing and dark outside.  Not great for picture taking indoors. . . .got the crochet part of Mom's Christmas present done.  Just have to sew the inner part - it's a heatable wrap.  The inner part will be made using an old bed sheet for the fabric.  I haven't decided if I will fill the inner bag with just rice or mix it with lavender.   . . .so far on the cardigan.  I hope it fits her when it's done. I put a crochet hook in one of the "invisible" pockets (worked from bottom up). . . .crocheted pieces for 5 red truck ornaments.  Just have to sew them together.  . . .started on a purple set to sell (hopefully before Christmas) I'm working on some ornaments as well.  I've lacked the motivation, but going through scrap items I have to come up with more ideas.  

Yesterday morning I piddle-dinked away on the procrastination station (computer). I picked out some new recipes to try, printed out a crochet pattern, and after 15 attempts to get the wood stove fired back up, I finally went out to the barn to retrieve cut barn wood boards for kindling. Although I said yesterday that I'd take the day slow, I decided to wash bedding, remake the bed.  Boy oh boy, was Tiger mad at me - kept meowing until the bed was remade (ha ha ha!). It'll be the first year my husband and I won't exchange gifts.  We would like to buy ourselves a new TV (if the price is right).  We are gifting the girls that are living here, and one has a birthday just before Christmas.  No gift card buying either.  I'm afraid I'd get them for each, and the business could close from another shutdown (local winery, brewery, gift shops etc). My dehydrated onions came in handy yesterday for dinner prep.  I didn't want to cut a fresh onion for only 3 Tbsp.  ...

The porch is fully loaded with split wood for the upcoming colder nights this week.   We also moved the splitter inside the barn, and more wood, so we can split wood despite any weather. We got more stuff taken off the porches and put in storage, all garden hoses put away (I use a lot to get out to the gardens). Got Youngest's car fixed.  Thankfully, she did not blow the transmission.  Got the larger air conditioner out and put in storage (been after Hubby for a few months on that job). I'll try and remember to post an update on handiwork.  I'll have time this week, as the snow and rain are keeping us inside for now. I'm finally back to cooking.  Since the passing of my Dad, I had zero motivation/mental capacity to cook or bake.  We had no meal after the service, nor any meals delivered from friends/family (we lived on take out).  First dinner we had was a ham, potatoes and corn.  The family is elated.  As for baking?  Well, that may hap...