Pioneer Woman at Heart

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...

  Medicine Cup Bird Feeder Ornament The other day I suddenly realized I got my "resourcefulness" from my Dad.  Years ago, he gave me a container of craft supplies from my Grandmother.  Somehow I was the new owner of a bag of medicine cups. I think I should have added some bird seed to that medicine cup.  Anyway,  I think this trait I inherited had something to do with my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot. I was literally searching through my crafting supplies for a container I kept old keys in.  I caught myself laughing, because I realized how much I don't throw away - container of bottle caps, old jewelry, wine corks etc.  Oh boy.  Stay tuned for some future posts on my S.C.R.A.P. blog.  I have a few up my sleeve right now. We were back to wood splitting yesterday, but we were delayed with repairs on the splitter.  We finally got some split about 1pm, after a full morning of running our for parts etc. We are back at it today.  Snow is in the for...

My Grandma and Grandpa (Dad's parents) lived through the depression.  They were very resourceful people.  Never threw anything away, dug stuff out of trash bins that could be used to rebuild new items to sell (many times lamps).  I am the owner of one my Grandma made using egg cartons.  It still works too.  My Dad gave it to me to use in an apt. many years ago while raising my first 3 kids. I found this when we cleaned the garage last.  My Dad made it for me many years ago when I had my first house.  It shows his humor as well as resourcefulness.  Best I can figure, it was a key to our shed at the time, and I am sure I lost the key once or twice, so hence he recycled wooden piece in large form, sanded and polished it too.   I went through my photo albums and found these.  It's my Dad, his dad and Mom visiting when I gave birth to my first born child.  Precious moments.

Thanksgiving yesterday was spent much differently, but so much more less stressed and way less dirty dishes. We started off the day with ordering 7 meals online from Bob Evans.  We went to the "Big City" and delivered 2, then headed out of town to our daughter who is in quarantine with a total of 5 people.  We placed a box (5 meals) and bag of extra food in the driveway, and then called her.  She was ever so thankful, but still can't really taste food.   By the time we returned home, our 21 year-old was off work and we broke out our take out meal.  I was literally back in my PJ's by then and we just hung out in the kitchen until we were all done eating.   Porch weather returned for a short bit, so we spent some time chatting on the porch too. We had to stop at the grocery store for an extra pie, the day before Thanksgiving.  Our 21 year-old daughter is constantly buying Christmas decor (which I told her "save your money") Guess what she bough...

  Let's talk about English Muffin rings.  I had no idea these things even existed.  Do any of you have them and use them, and if you have them, do they help in the rising/baking process? Where is a good place to purchase a wool pressing mat? Let's talk pie.  Does anyone have a really good homemade butterscotch pie recipe?  I will be checking my cookbooks, but I really don't want to use a pudding to make it.  I'd like to try a homemade one. I found another use for my home canned pizza sauce.  One day last week I made chicken parmigiana in the crock pot.  So easy and tasted awesome. I sliced two organic chicken breasts in half, making 4 filets of chicken.  Dipped them into an egg beaten with salt and pepper, then dipped them in Italian panko, seared 3 minutes on each side in butter in a stove top pan.  Transferred them to the crockpot, poured a pint of home canned pizza sauce over it.  Put the crock pot on low for about 7-8 ...

  (note:  you could use ham or bacon or any mix of meats really, but we've always used breakfast sausage) The original recipe was given to me by a co-worker many, many years ago.  She had brought the dish in for a potluck, and it was amazing.  We've been baking this for Christmas morning every year since then, because you can make it the night before and bake it in the morning. Brown one pound of organic (or homemade) breakfast sausage.  Drain. Set aside. Recipe calls for "8 slices of white bread" I use homemade white bread, and use about 6 slices, because my loaf is much larger than one from the store. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.  I've also used a thin layer of organic olive oil. Dice the bread with kitchen sheers or a knife. Layer the cubed bread into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the cooked breakfast sausage evenly over the cubed bread. Grate 1 cup of organic sharp cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over...

  Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather outside is . . . Cold, sunny, 40's, lows tonight 30's On the breakfast plate this morning . . . Egg Souffle (again) As I look outside my window . . . It's sunny. As I look around the house . . . Not really looking.  Things can wait for now. What I am wearing today . . . PJs.   To do today or this week . . . -pick out an outfit for Dad's graveside service -try and get a hair cut -get through the week Currently reading . . . Nothing this week. On the TV . . . Operation Christmas Drop On the menu this week . . . So far it's been take out.  Chicken noodle soup is in the crockpot and after that most likely take out.  To mental stressed to even want to cook/bake. Something I want to share. . . If you go to Cookies and Cups website you can copy and paste and print this chart.  We may all need it if things get bad. From the camera . . . Miss Thelma thought the food tasted better inside the ...

I placed another book order.  I also ordered a few western movies for my husband for Christmas.  We are not really exchanging gifts this year, but it gives us something to watch Christmas day too.  We still plan to buy for two younger ones. We've just had too many car repairs expenses, and one daughter we co-signed for and moved out of state, stiffed us with 3 months of car payments then blocked us on social media.  I can't make this stuff up. I just don't go to the library anymore.  First, without the car, had a horrible time getting help getting them picked up and dropped off.  Second, you can't just go and browse.  You have to make an appt, ring a doorbell and they come let you in.  I just caved and bought the book I need. I heard back on the dehydrator part.  It's not in stock right now, but they suggested another door - $30.00 and no answer yet if it will work for my model.  So frustrating, considering this is not a cheap dehydrator...

Sadly, my loving father of the age of 89 passed away last night. My heart is very heavy.  Please send up prayers.  Our immediate family has had one h-e-double-hockey-sticks of a year in the way of grief and loss.  

We have had many fun and memorable Christmas traditions in our home.  First, I loved (loved!) being classroom Mom for the class Christmas parties.  I would literally try to sign up for them when school started.  I loved it!  I always made some sort of treat bag/treat container that was filled with fun.  By fun I mean a handmade ornament for each student, candy, and fun activities or toys.  Here are a few treat bags I made for Christmas.  Also, most years I hand wrapped each handmade ornament so the kids had something to unwrap. Classroom treats were also made.  One year I dipped large marshmallows into melted butterscotch chips on a stick. Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot I had so much fun coming up with creative treat holders.  The one above was made from a toilet paper roll (bottom piece), and the top was an ornament that sat into the top. Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot Long time blog followers already know that I have a passi...

  If you have been following along with my blog, you read about the coop massacre and the emergency purchase of a used coop.  Well, although it is keeping my ladies safe and sound, it is a pain in my royal rump.  Literally. I have no idea why someone in their right mind would build it that way, so I have printed out what I want built in the spring (above photo). The fenced side will be on the other side of the coop itself, but you get the idea.   So what's wrong with the one we have now?  Well.... The inside is not conducive to roosting nor cleaning.  It's not that big either.  The lower sides are where they are to roost and lay eggs.  They tops of those extended parts have no way to get the eggs (does not lift up).  I have to crawl inside to get the eggs.  The door?  If it swings back closed, I'm locked in.  The heat lamp is inside and wired so we could wire it to the garage for heat, but the chickens have flown around in...

I have two kitchen tables.  We use both during tomato season then potato season.  They are perfect for feeding family during get togethers (which I miss dearly).  Anyway, my larger table has become he spot to drop stuff and not put it away.  Yesterday I cleared it off.  Everything went to their home. New tablecloths were put down, and yes that one on the table behind it is a Christmas one.  I really want a Christmas cloth for the smaller table in blues.  The one I have works for now. I also tried a new bread recipe.  First, I wanted to try it due to the lesser amounts of ingredients and it didn't require bread flour.  Second.  I needed bread to make a french toast breakfast. The recipe for the bread is a 4 ingredient recipe, which makes 2 loaves.  It's online (Simple Amish White Bread Recipe, Donna Elick).  I used all organic ingredients. I was skeptical at first.  It uses all-purpose flour and no eggs. I used the full 7 c...

  Hobby Lobby goodies.  I picked up some tiny Santa hats for a craft, more stitch markers, a new porch sign (which is adorable with a metal hanger like you'd see outside a general store), and some chicken stickers for my thank you cards when I make a sale of my handiwork.  All was 50% off.  I also bought my husband a funny sign for the garage, but haven't had time to take a photo.  I'll share that later. Oh I came home with blue netting this trip for scrubbies.  I still cannot find lavender.  The woman measuring it told me that business for her dept. has really reduced.  If they don't shut down non-essential businesses, I'm going back for more netting.  I'm very low in my supply of scrubbies to sell and gift. The car did not come home last night.  Story of my life.  It very well may happen later today.  I guess we'll see.

In the beginning of the year, I accidently knocked my dehydrator front cover off and broke it.  I could not order another due to the business shutting down as well.  Well, it's beyond using, and I went online to order it.  Guess what?  Not available for the model I have.  I have sent an email, so I wait and see what they say.  So frustrating. When I said we were trying to hang on to sanity, I didn't mean totally this lockdown stuff going on and our Hitler of a Gov.  I had to drive our 21 year-old to have emergency surgery on her hand.  She will be back to work tomorrow thankfully.  She does however, have 3 pins in one finger and will have it that way for 6 weeks. I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom (very late today) The weather outside is . . . Still a bit windy, 45/33 degrees, partly cloudy On the breakfast plate this morning . . . Sausage, potato and egg burrito, coffee As I look outside my window . . . There is a lot that go...