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, June 30, 2020

Photo shoot from the front porch




Baby yellow finch.  So happy to see that Mom and Dad had a baby.  I will have to keep an eye out for more.



More blooms in the flower garden.


My new addition to the flower bed is blooming wonderfully.

I almost had a close up photo of a Boston Oriole, but by the time I got my gimmpie rear to get my camera, he/she flew off.  Hubby and I got to see it though while playing cards on the front porch last night.  That's about all I accomplished, other than watering everything.

Monday, June 29, 2020

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had another weekend retreat at our favorite island.  It was the best weekend ever.  We went alone this time.  We met more islanders and laughed and laughed and laughed.  Tried a Storm Cloud shot for the first time.  Hubby didn't like it so much, but I did.  Sort of on the sweet side.

It was pretty busy on the island and the place we rent is now booked until mid August already.  Our friends that own it, have a machine that they set inside and put a timer on and it kills anything.  Sort of like what the UV machines do, but different.

We were home early, unpacked, laundry started, lawn mowed, garden checked, catnip went into the dehydrator and potted plants watered. Sage went into another dehydrator.  It was hotter here than at the island (beautiful weather and nice breeze at the island).




We have six acres, but not all is mowed.  Our old goat pasture looks like this now.  Hm.  Time to locate people to bring the goats in to eat it down?  When our buck was in this area, he ate it down regularly for us.

We did some flower bed weeding, and cleaned one of the air conditioner filters too.  It's probably a good thing we did work on Sunday.  By evening, I figured out my sciatica was back.  At first I thought it was just a pulled muscle.  Not a good time to happen.  I'm digging out my papers on stretching exercises and will start on that first.  I will have to have the girls do my garden work for a few days until I can get back to feeling better.  I didn't sleep good at all last night due to the pain.  It's a horrible pain.



Here are my biker gnomes.  They are going back out. I'm just not sure where yet.


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

The weather . . .
89°F/63°F.  No chance of rain.  Sunny.

How I am feeling this morning. . .
In serious pain.  Frustrated this happened, but I succumbed to this awful, off and on problem, due to falling on ice and landing on my back and hitting my head on cement over 13-14 years ago. It comes and goes when it feels like.


On my mind . . .
How am I going to get my work done today?  The timing is awful. Also, the health store where we buy our true organic/non-gmo meat from has closed permanently.  The produce stand where we buy our sweet corn announced yesterday they are also closing permanently.  What's not getting destroyed from idiot rioters, is closing due to lack of income (from being forced to close).


On the breakfast plate . . .
Sweet potato and black bean frittata with fresh cilantro from the herb garden.


On the reading pile . . .
Nothing this week.  I took the week off.


On the TV . . .
Whatever we find interesting on Amazon Prime.


On the menu this week . . .
Well, first I have to make out a grocery list, after checking the pantry and fridge.  
-Stuffed Shells, veggie
-Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn
-Chicken/veggie kabobs on the grill


From the camera . . .

I picked shell peas this morning.  They are doing great.  I missed these last year.  Lots more on the vines, and that makes this gal happy.


Looking around the house . . . 
It was cleaned up yesterday by one daughter so she could have a backyard cookout with some friends last night.  I will need to get the herbs out of the dehydrators and refill one with mullein leaves and flowers.  My wild mullein is 6 feet tall right now.


Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . .
Everything and anything I can manage to get done, like watering everything.  I will resort to my sprinkler for the vegetable garden, but I hate to run the water pump that long.


To relax I will . . .
Stay off any news on the TV, stay off any social media (getting so sick of it), crochet and maybe watch cooking shows to stay off my feet.  Although movement helps.  I will do my stretches however.  It's the only thing that helps get rid of the pain.

On my prayer list . . .
Well, for starters for this pain of mine to go away.  Our country, our President,  and law enforcement. 

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Garden Goodness ~ Happy Heart

Pea picking is daily right now.  Shell peas are now on thanks to the goodness of rain.



Oregano is abundant this year (unlike my thyme and rosemary), but I'll take anything this year.  I filled the dehydrator, and may do it once more.




Although there are a lot of sugar snap pea recipes, I went with what I had - used homemade garlic scape pesto, tossed in pasta and snap peas, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.


Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Rain and other tidbits

Tuesday morning we finally got some of Mother Nature's medicine for the gardens.  It was very much welcomed.



We also celebrated our one daughter's 21st birthday (she baked and frosted her own cake), and we celebrated it by going out to eat and buying her first adult drink.

Daughter and I went to the "Big City" to get our licenses renewed.  Her renewal was easy, but because mine expired during this virus mess, I had to have all sorts of information brought with me.  I dug through paperwork and actually found every single thing I needed for my renewal.  It took us an hour to get through the process.  We timed it right, with only 17 people ahead of us, but a very long line behind us.

We have purchased one car thankfully too.  However, we need 2 more to be completely functional, so we are car shopping for the daughter who turned 21.



View from our front porch last evening.  


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Slim Pickin's


I had access to a car for a quick blink of the eye.  I ran into Wal-mart to get some items, and this is the area where crochet hooks and needles are sold.  The yarn is so slim.  See that shelf at the bottom of the photo?  Hardly any #10 cotton thread.  Literally nothing but one "I" hook left.  I needed an H and some needles for a gift for a family member.


I am putting together an Emergency Crochet kit for her.  I found tape measures, but not the retractable ones (that section was slim as well.  I found pencils, notebook and scissors.  Good gravy on the shopping trip.  I am told I have to drive further out to find a fully stocked store.  Geeze o' pete.  I'm told that Wal-Mart stopped stocking anything that wasn't "essential" and to me crochet while stuck home is mentally essential.  Crazy times for sure.

I came home and spent a while scrubbing my outdoor cushions with upholstery cleaner.  At least I was productive in that way.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a Father's Day cookout to go to yesterday.  It was nice to see family, but there were people there I didn't even know and we all sort of didn't mingle that much.  I talked to some, but not all.  It was also very hot outside.

I also took a cold fruit salad (homemade, not store bought), but when I went inside it wasn't put out. When I asked about it, I was told that there was more dessert so mine wasn't needed basically.  So why bother making something I thought?   Why ask us to all bring a side dish?  I put it out anyway, and it was basically gone by the time we left.  

We later went to test drive a car. My car is toast.  It will require a new engine.  So tired of the car situation, but hopefully it will change if we find one (need 2 more vehicles).
Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.


The weather . . .
Well, it was to rain all day yesterday.  We got a 10 second rain shower.  Rain is in the forecast today.  Not sure I want to even trust their forecast anymore.


How I am feeling this morning . . .
Tired.  I need to stay accountable today.  My to-do list isn't even written out yet, but so far this is on the list...
-make garlic scape pesto
-make garlic scape-radish spread
-depending on weather, dehydrate oregano and sage
-total kitchen clean up
-check on laundry
-shampoo hallway
-clean up hearth area
-check snap peas
-errands if I have a vehicle (I need stamps like 2 weeks ago)
-clean up office area


On my mind . . .
Our one daughter's birthday.  She'll turn 21.  Trying to figure out how to celebrate it.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea.  We have one egg right now, ha ha!  It's gonna be a challenge depending on how many eggs are in the coop.  I have no vehicle to go to the store this morning.


On my reading pile . . .



On the TV . . .
The Reliant.  If you are concerned about what will happen if the government fails, this movie is spot on.  Scary, but makes you really think if you have prepped enough for something like this.


On the menu this week . . .
Pork tenderloin, snap peas with asparagus
Spaghetti, corn
Meatballs with sauce, quinoa or rice, veggie
Salmon patties, veggie
(just ideas, and have no idea if this will happen)


From the camera . . .

My wild growing mullein is about 4 feet tall and blooming now.

Looking around the house . . .
Lots to do. Lots to do....


Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . .
Have no idea yet.  I haven't written out my to-do list yet.


To relax I will . . .
Crochet

On my prayer list . . .
A family friend, who lost her son to an overdose. Everyone in law enforcement.  

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Productive Day

Saturday was a very productive day.  House was partially (finishing up today) power washed, we picked up my new treadmill and put the old one by the road (which was picked up within 10 minutes by someone driving by thankfully), more zinnias planted, a few more flowers planted, and a meal was baked for our friends (just had a heart attack) and made a cold strawberry pie for them too.

Peas are starting to roll in.  I have enough to saute with some asparagus, and many more on the plants.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Flower Garden Blooms






I thought I would share some new blooms in the flower gardens today.  Some are not looking great, while others are.  I'm sure it'll all look great after a dose of Mother Nature's rain water.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Journal Junkie at it again and other tidbits

I added this journal to my bookshelf.  Now I can write down steps as I create new items without a pattern.  I have a few Christmas ornaments, and now another new item (nothing spectacular), but it will make it easy to write as I stitch too.

Snap peas are coming on and I picked a handful for snacking.  Soon after this next rain, I should be eating some for meals and freezing some for meals.  

Nothing new going on really.  I spent the entire day doing laundry, now that the washing machine has been fixed, but watered the heck out of the garden.  Weeding resumes today, along with lots of other things, including errands.  Hubby's work gave them today off (new day off for a "holiday" which most likely occurred due to today's crazy times).

I hope to get some photos of my younger hens soon.  There is one that is almost all gray and she is absolutely gorgeous.  I have yet to introduce them to the older hens (still quite young to do that).


Thursday, June 18, 2020

Dip Time! ~ Tidbits

Finally!  I made this delicious Garlic Scape-Radish Spread.  We love this, along with radish hashbrowns.  I really should plant 3 rows vs. 2.  Yummo.

We are struggling with lack of rain again.  Weeding daily.

Good news is coming (I hope) about a car for daughter, and a treadmill for me.  Hubby already installed the new washing machine part - laundry will be going strong today.  Woohoo to that!

Oh, and that stray with kittens?  We now visibly see 3 kittens.  She had them under the house (oye) and now they are all out in the old barn rubble.  Hubby said he saw them playing in a tree.  Time will tell if there are more and when it's okay to trap them and find them all a new home.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Exhausted!

The radishes are starting to develop.  Super excited to harvest even a little bit yesterday.  My first day back to reality was exhausting (with a capital "E").  Oh my.  I am weeding the beets and it's not fun.  I really hope we can build a few raised beds for parsnips and beets (and maybe carrots) next year.  It's such a pain in the butt to maintain.



Sitting on the porch early evening, I watched a man walk from one end of the crop field across the road, to the other.  Not sure what he was doing, but when he reached the other side, he bent over to do something in one area.  He then walked all the way back.  Looking for arrow heads, planting marijuana seeds or picking something.  It was strange for sure.



I brought in 10 eggs yesterday morning.  So excited to see that too.  Don't mind my Christmas towel.  I'm still waiting on the washing machine part.  Hopefully the part comes in today and Hubby won't be too tired to install it tonight.

My goal today is to get my spearmint planted, and possible summer savory.  I have yet to do that, as I spent the greater part of the day out in the garden.

Our fair is a go this year, but with many things closed, no rides, no milkshake stand, no homemade foods at all....basically 4-H animals.  Same price to enter, but I'm sure most people won't bother to go.  We won't be.   Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a go this Sept.  We won't have time to go due to vacation days, but if Ohio Bike week happens in Sept, we do plan to go.

The "Big City" is making changes.  Meijer removed the X's on the floors and Wal-mart removed some barriers.

The "Big City" is planning a "bash" again this coming Sept.  It will be set up in a mall parking lot, so people can do drive thru if they prefer.  Not sure if they will allow homemade foods, but I'm considering doing it for some handiwork sales.  September will be busy, so I'm just not committed yet, but it's free to vendors.  

I'm getting frustrated with the car situation.  I can't get a vehicle to go buy stamps (only open 2 hours of the day) and can't get one to get groceries, pick up strawberries, visit Mom....I'm pushing Hubby to help one daughter get a car first, then mine replaced.  His hours are later this week again and it really messes up our free time to get stuff done.

Well, I better get this posted and get out to the garden.  I have a ton of things that need done inside too.  


Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Island Time!



We took a hiatus from life and went to the island for the weekend.  Where we are off grid most of the time (love it that way too), and where it was the most normal of normal life.  Peaceful, no protesting,  no rioting, stores open, campground open, beaches open, golf cart rentals going, winery was absolutely packed (they put outside tables all over the property), live music at all our favorite stops, and beautiful scenery.


It's not cheap to eat and drink over there however.  One glass of sangria at the winery is $7.00 and a pitcher $21.00.  We went out for Breakfast one morning and it cost us $70 for the 4 of us.  We packed a lot of food, so we ate at our rental and grilled.  We also brought our own adult beverage.  Breakfast out was biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and a slice of watermelon (and the biscuits and gravy sadly were the worst we have ever had).

We got to stay an extra night.  Oh darn, lol!  Winds were bad on Sunday and the ferry shutdown after about 9:30am.  We had just got in line, but went back to our lodging and we were allowed to stay another night.  No one would be coming over anyway, so most people had a place to stay.  

Monday however, they ran one ferry.  We got in line and were told 4-5 hours.  An hour later they had 3 ferries running and 2 hours later we were back on the mainland.


I wasn't worried.  I have a crochet project and a pack of cards.  The girls played cards in the back of the truck while we waited.  Some people got out and had a picnic in the grass with their family.  We were all patient, except for the store workers in the marina store at the ferry.  They were furious (and very rude) with the onslaught of sales while we all waiting.  By the way, we had access to public restrooms, a restaurant and store at the marina where the ferry pulls in.  It all worked out.

Lots of wild life over there too.  Saw many deer, raccoons, rabbits and lots of birds, including Boston orioles.



The island has an eagle nest too.  They have 3 babies in the nest.  So cool!

Upon arrival home, our mailbox was bashed in with what we believe was a baseball bat.  We have a USA flag cover on it, and feel it was because of that and a lot of vandalism in an neighboring town (someone on a 4 wheeler at night).  They also stole one of my nice solar lights I had in a flower pot (which has glass panels on it).  I'm so mad about it, so we will be adding more security cameras.  Next time we go away, we'll have a house sitter too.  We had someone come to feed animals, but they we will hire someone to stay the night from now on.  

I already want to go back to the island....vandalism at our home, news, media, more protesting, vandalism nearby, stupidity regarding flying our America flag (by the way our flag pole was laying in the bushes, and it appears the flag pole holder was beat off the porch post).  I have another place to put it up today, and I dare them to come back and beat it down again.  America is not the land of freedom any longer.  It's home of a bunch of idiots and other words I can't put on this post.

On top of dealing with that, the washer drain pump broke the night before we left.  The new pump arrives tomorrow.  No laundry today.  On top of that...yes there is more...we have 2 vehicles and 3 people working today.  Hubby took the Harley to work.  My car is done.  He drove it last night and said, "it's done."  We will be car shopping in a hurry this week.  If it rains, we are in a huge pickle.

The septic guy came Monday.  I had to find a location on the island to get a signal to call and explain our situation and where to locate the septic.  Got home and found he located it and emptied it.  That is off the to-do list now.

Deer have located our tomatoes and ate the tops off some and most of the others down to the quick.  It could be the year of no tomatoes again. I am walking the dogs around the back of the homestead to leave scent and keep the deer off.  In all the years we've lived here, we've never had a problem with the deer (other than the eat pears, but always leave plenty for us).

So, while we got a weekend of rest, we are back to one big headache here on the homestead.  I'm so tired of the way Americans are acting right now, tired of the media, news, and now this vandalism that happened on our very own property.  It's time to get the back stop up and some shooting practice going. If things continue like the are, we'll need the practice.

I hope you enjoyed my weekend retreat photos.  I'm about to go take a peek at the tomatoes and get my late day started.





Thursday, June 11, 2020

It Arrived! ~ Restocked Lip Balm ~ Woodpecker ~ Feverfew

Finally!  After 2 1/2 months, my pressure canner has arrived.  We are still waiting on about 3-4 more orders from months ago.


I accidentally made the first batch Calendula (because I was reading my recipe.  I re-wrote it now, so I reads "Lemon Balm Oil" as well.  I have to put the lemon balm in tubes, so I can take them on motorcycle rides.  The slide trays work at home though.  Not sure where I got my recipe.



\Red bellied woodpecker?

My feverfew bloomed for the first time ever!

We got a 10 minute rain storm late evening.  Thankful for the rain.  However, all day they kept saying an all night threatening storm.  I stripped my porch, took hanging pots down etc.  Now I have to put it all back.  All for 10 minutes of rain.  No 70mph winds they kept saying we'd have.  Oh, and no tornadoes.