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~

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Processing the Process . . .

 

Who ever said this process of preparing for the floor project would be easy, was wrong.  Sigh.

I've been emptying out a set of floor cupboards for removal.  I'm finding this is a good time to purge what I have not been using, like the giant heart cookie pan.  I can't even recall using it.  Thankfully I found a home for it.

We also went shopping for flooring.  We got tips, ideas, color options, checked out options for a cupboard and sink for the bathroom that we need to gut as well, and returned home.

My husband made phone calls, and discussed flooring options.  1. sheet linoleum (downside, if you accidently drop something and tear it or put a hole in it, you replace the entire floor), 2. Plank vinyl (we can't decide until the floor is back and we can check to make sure the entire floor is even enough to use this), 3. Slap an area rug on it and worry about it later after the bathroom and living room is done.  We ruled out that peel and stick stuff.  It's so thin and I got bad reviews people were having issued with it popping up.  Everything depends on price as well.  Hence, the need to do more trips to other locations for prices and options.

I have finally figured out how to move my computer, so I can read your lovely blogs and stay connected.  We only have 3 places, including where the computer is now, for a cable hook-up.  To do this, I will need to move all my boxes of dishes (which started the need for this floor project, that need to go back in my hutch when the kitchen job is finished).  

Oh, and we talked to family, and the guy we hired to install kitchen flooring did one of their kitchens and messed it up.  Now the family has to rip it out, so we are not sure we'll use him.

....and then of course I need to feed the family and friends coming to help this weekend.  On the meal plan is a big 'ol pot of chili, cornbread, shredded chicken sandwiches, chips, and possible some side cold salads.  Oh, and a cold pineapple pie.  I only need to feed 2 on Saturday, and possible 3 on Sunday (maybe one more).  I think I have all of that covered, as long as they don't have to move my stove. If that is determined Friday, I will bake the cornbread and they can reheat in the air fryer or microwave as a back up.

We are dealing with horrible winds, and the sound kept me up most of the night.  It sounded terrible out there.  We got up to 72°F yesterday, but today it's a high of 62°F and a wind advisory.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

What's Cookin'? ~ Mom's Recipes

I had a busy day Tuesday.  Once I had the chickens tended, I headed to town to do some paperwork with my younger brother.  I then ran some stuff to Daughter E, and went to a couple of stores, and completely forgot to pick up chicken feed.

Once I was back home, I had dishes to wash, dry and put away, only to start baking a breakfast and dinner for the day, and finish up more laundry.


It felt weird, but I made a small batch of blueberry pancakes and cooked some locally made blueberry maple sausages for breakfast for a few days.  I typically make a giant batch of pancakes, that's why I said "weird."  


I tried another new recipe.  Thanks to my dear friend for asking me to help her with freezer meal ideas, I came across this one - Taco Stew.  I've made taco soup before, but this was amazing.  I told my husband, that it was almost better than chili.  I changed a few things, like using home canned tomato (herbed) sauce, and added homemade taco seasoning to the meat, and it was so good.  It's a keeper recipe now. It's also a Taste of Home recipe online.  Oh another thing I did - added 2 small cans of chilies to the diced tomatoes (recipe called for 2 cans of diced tomatoes with chilies).  If you freeze your own tomatoes, just add organic chilies.  All ingredients were organic or home grown, and so good with a dollop of organic sour cream (or make homemade) on top.

Mom kept her recipe cards in this contraption.  I opened it thinking I'd find a divider that said "Desserts" on it.  Nope.  She has recipes filed alphabetically.  Sigh.  It's gonna be a bigger project for me, but once that is done, will pass these on to the next sibling.  Oh boy....

We never got an estimate from the professionals regarding the kitchen floor.  Last night we hired someone to come help, who knows what they are doing thankfully.  Today, I will be very busy and moving all of Daughter K's boxes, to the living room.  I need to get to the store for ingredients to feed our help, and to buy sliders to move furniture and counters/cupboards from the kitchen. 

On top of that, Daughter K is coming for the weekend, and bringing her dogs (ugh).  She may have to set up her dog kennels upstairs due to space.  We told her it's the last time we can watch her dogs, as we are repairing and remodeling and I'm not in the business of replacing stuff again.

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

I intended to take a photo of the casserole with cheese (fresh out of the oven), but it smelled so good we scooped and ate right away.

The only thing I did differently, was mix the pepper in with the onion (vs. sprinkle on top the cheese).  Well, that's not the only thing I did differently, I also used sage sausage vs. ground beef, and used home canned pizza sauce vs. tomato sauce.  

It was delicious.  I think it smelled divine, because it was home canned pizza sauce.  

I froze the other half of it, so we had an easy meal for another night.

Just google the name of the recipe, and Taste of Home.  Recipe is online.

Great way to use your zucchini this season (and for us avoiding pasta), and using up some home canned pizza sauce.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

We didn't have to make breakfast Sunday.  Our niece and her husband invited us over.  


To top that off, she baked my husband's favorite cheesecake.  I'm sure we'll be sharing as he shouldn't be eating it, ha ha!  So good though.

We picked up another load of stuff at Mom's house.  There is much more to do there.  I just put all the gardening stuff in the barn and will go thru it all after we finish the kitchen floor project.

Sorry for my lateness this morning.  I am easily distracted with my multitasking today.





Joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  It is Monday right?! Ha ha!  Oh boy....

The weather . . .
34°F/21°F

As I look outside my window . . .
Nothing but gray skies right now.


Right now I am . . .
Doing too much multitasking and not enough of one job, ha ha!


Thinking and pondering . . .
Trying to figure out a plan for today.  I have to start moving Daughter K's stuff to an area not in my way, and out of my kitchen.  We took her donation items over the weekend, but she has a lot more upstairs yet.  I'm also trying to figure out a weekend vacation if we can pull it off.  Not sure, but looking into dates and locations.


Homemaking Tips . . .
As a new "empty nester" I am making recipes as usual, but freezing half for a future meal.


How I am feeling . . .
Tired.  I need to get stuff done, so I can start feeling accomplished.



On the breakfast plate . . .
Leftover French toast, sausage, coffee.


On my reading pile . . .



On my TV . . .
CSI


On the menu . . .
-Zucchini Pizza Casserole
-Taco Stew
-Moroccan Spiced Stew (all 3 new recipes)
-have no idea yet on the rest


From the camera . . .
Nothing right now.  Too busy cleaning.


Looking around the house . . .
Like I said earlier, I will need to move stuff around in the living room, so I can have access to my office, and still get the kitchen cleaned out.


The to-do list . . .
-move boxes from kitchen to living room
-dishes
-laundry 
-vacuum carpets
-re-organize living room boxed items
-move table out of kitchen into living room
-move hutch and other big items from kitchen
-fetch more firewood


Prayer list . . .
For the Hoffman family (lost their 22 year old daughter)


Saturday, March 26, 2022

Funeral Visitation ~ Snow

The funeral home is the last place I wanted to be last night, but we went to visitation, regarding the young 22 year old that went missing.  The mother works where my husband works.  I'm still a little rough around the edges, and emotions were a bit sparked by being there, but glad we went.  She was so happy to see us.  She came to my surprise birthday party years ago.

It's tough to see this happen, as we have a 22 year old as well.  It's not said how she passed, other than she went missing, they went out searching and found her too late.  It's just so heart breaking for the family.



Woke up to snow.  Not much, but UGH!  We went from several dreary, windy days to this.  I hope it's gone by tomorrow. Sheesh.  My daffodils are already coming up.

Friday, March 25, 2022

New Cake Carrier and tidbits . . .

 

Check out my new round cake carrier!  I just love it.  I have had a Tupperware one for maybe 30 years and this replaced it.   It can be used for all sorts of make and take foods as well.  

I wiped down the wooden towel stand that was in the smaller bathroom, and it will go to the road for free this weekend weather permitting.  The bathroom has no linen closet, so I have a wall unit that now holds the towels and washcloths.  Daughter K is coming for a weekend in April, and after that we'll be ripping stuff out of there soon.

I'm still debating on replacing the sink, mirror and wall light.  I could paint it, but then there is the garden too.  It's a small bathroom, so the sink is pretty small compared to a normal bathroom.  Not sure if we would even be able to find one that size.  Time will tell, so will the pocket book.

We have not gotten the estimate on the kitchen floor main work, but have been making plans ourselves in the meantime.  I am hoping that Daughter K is here this weekend for another load, so I have more room in the living room to move stuff from the kitchen.

If the weather is good today (it rained yesterday again), I will trim my lavender plants.  I'm hoping for a good harvest this year.

My siblings and I are pulling funds together to purchase a memorial flag for Dad. It will have his picture on it and will be displayed on a main street flag pole along, with other flags, at his hometown.  He now also has a Korean war veteran flag holder at his head stone at the cemetery.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Kitchen-ness and other ramblings

 


I spent the good half of the day yesterday in the kitchen.  I felt bad my husband had nothing to take to work for breakfast.

I made a sweet potato (organic hannah), bacon with greens hash, topped with eggs.  It was so good too.

I also made a pecan sour cream coffee cake with Georgia pecans.  Oh my goodness!  So good.  New recipe I tired.

Dinner was homemade meatballs with a sauce made from home canned barbeque sauce, garlic from the garden and a bit of honey, on a bed of wild rice.  I wanted broccoli in it, but that didn't happen.

Cleaning also resumed, after a mountain of dishes were done, and dishwasher ran two times.  It was a beautiful 60°F day, but too windy to enjoy the front porch.

The local professionals stopped in last night to take a look at our first project - kitchen floor/new joist/new sub floor.  They took measurements and asked questions.  The estimate will be emailed soon.  My husband is 99% sure we'll be doing it ourselves.  He is guessing they will come back with an estimate of $5,000.00 or more.

Today, to prepare for it, I need to box up everything that Daughter K left on one table, and box up what I pulled from the cupboard that will be donated.  I need to take the inserts out of the table that make it longer.  That will help make moving it to the living room easier.  Then I need to box up what's in the bottom of the hutch and move that out, then we will start on the counter and cupboards, then floor.

In the meantime, I've gotten a few suggested outlet locations for possible flooring, but Hubby is not too excited about running from place to place for prices and supply.  We are dealing with his work schedule with all of this too.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

This and That

Took advantage of good weather and got the chicken coop mucked, and just before the rain moved in.  I did a little bit of sweeping on the front porch, and swept living room.

Craft stuff put away until big repairs are complete.   I really don't have time to create right now.  I will try to carve out a break time for my self some how.

I guess I'll be collecting more boxes.  I have two more cupboards to empty.

I purchased a new toilet paper holder for the bathroom remodel.  It pivots up, and has no spring thing to deal with.  It should arrive today.

My kitchen is full of boxes that Daughter K needs to come and move yet.  Sigh....I do not like my house looking so chaotic.  In time it will be looking spiffy.

Here is our big job to-do list for this year:

1. Rip out some counter tops and cupboards, rip up flooring and sub floor, replace joists, re-do sub floor and complete new flooring, put cupboards and counter top back in, hutch back in, and re-fill with the dishes that are already boxed up.

2. Rip out entire bathroom off kitchen.  Replace dry wall, all new flooring, install new shower and toilet.  I already pulled a tall shelve unit that I will clean today and put out by the road for free (just needs painted again) and I'm too lazy tired to haul it all the way into town to donate.  I will paint the entire bathroom as well and Hubby will install a fan (never had one for some reason).  We already have the new shower and paint for this job.

Note:  When this bathroom is all done, we will hire someone to re-tile the master shower floor.  We hired family the last time and the grout washed away.

3. Rip up part of front room floor, replace joist, replace sub-floor, replace carpet (painting will be next year I think).  Replace furniture (dogs destroyed it).

4. Rip out and replace all carpet in stairway and upstairs.  Again, dogs, cat and rabbit destroyed it.  Painting and removing old wall paper will be another year.  No time for that this year with a garden.

5. If we have the time, rip out old carpet in our master bedroom and replace with new flooring.  Remove and install closet door to a change where the entry way is (it's in the center of a wall right now) so we can move furniture into place better.

6. Build new chicken coop and covered run.

7. Purge garage

8.  Utility room will get new flooring and paint (next year).

We already hired a friend to finish the unfinished new hallway, and have someone coming out today to give an estimate on the two floors that need new joists.  If it's out of our budget, we are doing it ourselves.  The hall can wait for now, but knowing someone is hired already gives my brain a rest.

Now....what to make for breakfast?  And dinner?  That is top of the list this morning.  I will figure it out after I down some good ol' coffee.


Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Progress with the repairs . . .

I am still working on re-homing the Rock Band.  We don't have the games anymore, and it's leaving as soon as I hear back from people.

Daughter E is taking all the board games, so those will be out of my living room.

A guy is stopping out this week to give us estimates on both kitchen and front room floors.  Whoever put the woodstove in way back in the day, simply cut out the corner of the floor. It has to be ripped out, new support system in place and new sub floor.  Kitchen problem is a bad joist that needs replaced.

We will need to go to town and buy furniture sliders to move the heavy stuff too.

I had to re-do some e-mail paperwork, but next up is to clean up the entire corner of the kitchen to prepare for taking cupboards and counter tops out, which means unhooking the computer and moving that to another room.  There will be a blip in blog posts I imagine.  

In the process of getting kids to clean up their stuff they have left, I am filling boxes of my own for donation.  You don't really realize how much you have until you have to box it up to move to put in new flooring.

Thank you for your prayers regarding the missing 22 year-old.  Unfortunately, they found her and is now in Heaven (so, so sad to hear this).

Monday, March 21, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weekend was super busy, but Daughter E squeezed my husband and I in for a haircut.  I actually got a hear treatment while she cut his hair.  It was way over due.

It hasn't been decided yet, but due to my husband's new position at work (12 hour days) and lack of help with the garden, I may be doing more downsizing for this garden season.




Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, and now I am technically a "homemaker."

I will link up later when she posts (and if I can remember to, ha ha!)


The weather . . .
It will be a nice sunny 70 degree day, but rain will resume for a few days.


As I look outside my window . . .
...checking a trap we set for an unknown pest


Right now I am . . .
Starting the washing machine, writing this post, and making a list for the grocery store, and figuring out a meal plan.


Thinking and pondering  . . .
Oh....there is a ton of this going on.  Trying to make a plan to get someone hired to rip out the kitchen floor.  I have someone to install new flooring, but we have yet to go purchase that.  First, we need the plan for the person to do the more serious work, and then buy supplies to get the job(s) done.


Homemaking tips . . .
Honestly, my brain is over-worked right now, so I have nothing that comes to mind.  If I do, I will come back and share.


How I am feeling . . .
Mentally and emotionally exhausted, but hopefully that will change as we get thru the week.



On the breakfast plate . . .
Leftover omelet we had Sunday morning.  My dear husband made them with mad hatter peppers.


On my reading pile . . .
Still waiting on my used book order.  I don't have time to read right now anyway.


On my TV . . .
Anything we find interesting.


On the menu . . .
-Italian sausage/bell peppers/red onion
-have no idea yet


From the camera . . .
The roses my husband surprised me with are absolutely beautiful, and smell wonderful.


Looking around the house . . .
I'm glad Daughter K is finally moved, but she has a lot of stuff yet to move and clean up.  She left the living room a pigsty.


On the to-do list . . . 
-dishes
-laundry
-tidy bedroom
-start cleaning living room to make room for kitchen tables, counter tops and cupboards (first big job on the home to-do list)
-clean up computer area (which will also be moved to do kitchen floor repair)
-dust down the Rock Band and re-home
-start cleaning porches on good weather days
-muck the coop next best weather day (ain't happeneing today)
-clean out fridge and do a re-check on freezer
-put out going mail in mailbox
-put trash out
-burn down burn pile

Prayer list . . .
A 22 year-old missing girl in the area about 1 hour from our location.  She is the daughter to a co-worker of my husband.  Last seen on March 18th.


Sunday, March 20, 2022

Rainy and Windy Day

 

It was not really the best weather day to do this, but we drove to Hobby Lobby and with my wire cutters in hand, made this in the truck on the way to the cemetery.  It wasn't cheap, but worth every penny to put together.  I think it turned out very nice.  

We (my husband and I) also put flowers on my Grandparents grave (next to Moms), and drove to the town where Dad is buried and put flowers on his too.  

On the way home we realized how many graves we need to yet visit this year - his parents, his sisters, our grandson, his nephew and his nephew's son.....just too many sadly.

Today we will be having Christmas with our Daughter T and the grandkids.  I know it's March, but it's been a whirlwind since Christmas (or before that).  The grandkids will be tickled pink to get presents in March.  She was unable to visit with us Christmas day, and she has a busy work schedule.

My blue roses are blooming beautifully.  I'll try and remember to take another photo of them today.

It's a brisk wind-chill of 32°F here his morning, and the wood stove is warming up the house.  I hear trickles of rain, but hopefully that will stop so we can burn down the burn pile, only to add more to it later today.

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Blue Roses

 






My husband is simply the best!  I was surprised with this delivery yesterday.  He knows exactly what I need and when I need it.  Mom loved blue roses and so do I.  They don't exist in the real world, but one year I found a blue rose plant at Home Depot.  I could not for the life of me get it to bloom blue.  It takes a certain soil to bloom blue, but I really, really love my surprise delivery.  I very well may search for a hybrid plant this year and try again. 

Although Daughter K is "officially" moved, there is much still here for her to move to her apartment.  I plan to box up anything for her if needed.  Now that she is out, I spent a good day cleaning (but oh my, she left the upstairs, downstairs and bathroom a mess).  My fitbit has finally gotten back up past the 10,000 mark.  Yeah, there was no way I was logging my "stress" on that fitbit, as it was at a all time high (for several reasons).

As soon as we toss the couches into the burn pile (her dogs chewed up the cushions, we'll take down the kitchen tables and start ripping out the one half of the kitchen (hopefully very soon).  That repair job is first on the list, and a must-do job before garden season is in full swing.

I had to be stern with Daughter K last night.  In no way are her dogs to visit us.  We will visit them at her place.  Once they are out they are out.  Now she will be forced to better train them, as she is in an apartment.

It's raining today, and it's the only thing holding us back from starting on the kitchen floor project (need to empty the living room to make room for two kitchen tables, all the chairs, cupboards, hutch and stove.  It really stinks not having a crawl space to do this repair, so cupboards and all will be pulled out to rip out the floor and replace the joist, sub floor and then new flooring while the kitchen is empty.





Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Beautiful Spring Day

 

The weather has been beautiful.  Today the high is 71°F.  Porch weather, and we are loving it.

I have not run out of things to catch up on or clean.  My kitchen is full of door wreaths of Mom's I put one on each door, and plan to donate the remainder.  She had a knack for finding the most beautiful ones.

Considering my brain has not yet re-charged, I will be relying on notepads to keep me in check.

I'm considering getting a barn cat this year.  We are getting a few field mice.  I think Jasper, who is a great mouser, is on leave ha ha!  Country life at it's best.

My homemaking tip today:  sure fire way to catch a mouse in 24 hours or less.  Use the snap traps.  Put a small piece of cheese on it, covered by clear tape, poke a few holes in it and wa-la!  Their teeth catch in the tape and tripper the trap.  Otherwise they get away with the snack and trap never goes off.

How long does arrowroot powder last?  My bulk buy container does not have an expiration on it?  Hm?

Short post today.  I'm off to get this day started, and dig thru the freezer for something to grill.  We'll be taking advantage of this beautiful day.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Tuesday Tidbits

 Although I thought  my brain would re-set, after a break, it has not.  Yesterday I forgot my husband's birthday.  Sigh.  My husband told me yesterday I was a "hot mess" and not to drive anywhere today.  There is nothing worse than instinctively picking up my cell phone to call Mom and realizing I can't.  I guess the ol' journals will be coming out again. Maybe designate one solely for chats with Mom.  It will take time to get thru this for sure.

The chickens however, are back to laying a good amount of eggs.  I never got around to baking a breakfast, so that must be done today, or my husband has no to-go breakfast for work.

The weather is warming up enough for drying clothes on the clothesline, so I'm going to tackle all of the remaining laundry today.

I felt like everything, at a point of the day where I just wanted to relax, went wonky.  First my scanner froze in scan mode.  Then, when that was fixed, my emails were not going out.  It's all working again this morning thankfully.  Electronics can be a headache for sure.

I still have a huge pile of mail to sort, toss and take care of. My computer desk area is in total disarray.

Meanwhile, Daughter K continues to move stuff out of the house.  Her rabbit is now at her new apartment.  However, I am constantly on dog duty, meaning that first early am trip out is on me.  I am not eagerly excited about taking two dogs out in the dark.  Her cat Jasper is acting funny, and possibly needing a trip to the vet for a check up.  On a good note, her new job will almost double her pay.  

Hopefully this crazy schedule and mass load of things to be done will taper off soon.

Monday, March 14, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm back, in case you wondered where I've been.  It was a last minute decision.  Literally.  The vacation dates were set in May of 2021, and unknown to me, my husband did not cancel them.

He kept asking, and I kept saying no due to the situation, but my mental and emotional state was not good and he picks up on that pretty well.

So....off to FL we went.  We literally in one day borrowed a box trailer, loaded our motorcycle, and off we went to meet our friends, who were already there (and also encouraging us to get there).  They literally still had a room in the house for us.  Daytona beach (Bike week) was the most crowded we have ever seen it in the last three years.  Unbelievable.

We had a really good time, so I am glad we went.  What made me say yes, is that my husband's job is moving him up, and overtime will begin soon and we may not get another vacation the rest of the year.  So we went.

What I really didn't like, is getting text messages the entire trip, while on vacation.  However, our house was in the boonies, and cell service was about zero.  We all couldn't send texts, emails (I don't get those on my phone, and like it that way), and even calls.  My phone was either in the trunk of the bike, or charging.  We basically got service where ever we stopped or ate food.

I knew we both needed the wind therapy.  One of our sanity savers, and a way to decompress and rejuvenate.  




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


The weather . . . 

60°F and sunny.


As I look out my window . . .

All of the snow has melted.


Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee and trying to slowly wake up.  Daughter K took a car load to her new apartment last night, so I have dog duty today (all day), and wasn't happy about that, but.....


Thinking and pondering . . . 

Lots of stuff.  Too much stuff.


Homemaking tips . . .

Hm.  I haven't consumed enough coffee.  Will have think on this one. 


How I am feeling . . .

To be honest, exhausted from the second leg of driving home.  The first leg, we dealt with bad wind and we had to slow down (losing time to get going). Pulling the trailer with our bike was a bit rough, and traffic was crazy. Just after we left, a tornado went thru the area we were leaving in Florida.  We didn't find out about the tornado until the next morning.

I'm also cold.  90 degrees agrees with me much better, ha ha!

Also, while in FL, my chin connected with the end of the bed frame and boy it's so sore, my ankle is swelling.  I am back to hobbling around.


On the breakfast plate . . . 

Bagel, coffee


On my reading pile . . .


Finished this one.

Finished these two, but lesson learned....don't read this series out of order.  I read them all years ago, and wanted to read them again, but the ordered books haven't arrived yet.  I'll resume with them in order after they do arrive.


On my TV . . .

Anything really.


On the menu . . .

Have no idea.  I know it's pick up today, since we just got home yesterday.


From the camera . . .


Sorry for the bad photos, when I transfer from phone to computer they are just not the same focus)
A few photos from the dock of the house we all rented in Florida.  No, we didn't see any alligators, but I'm sure there were some in there.


Looking around the house  . . .

It's a hot mess.  I knew if I left town, it would be, but that will change soon.


To-do list . . .

- take an important phone call (pre-set)
-make an important phone call
-empty dishwasher and put away dishes daughter washed
-wash all our laundry, bedding
-take trash out 
-empty travel totes
-clean out truck
-get mail, go thru mail and pay any bills
-fold towels daughter left in laundry room
-wash dishes
-clean master bath
-get mail
-tend hens 

Prayer list . . .

...for all the folks in the Ocala, FL area who suffered due to the tornado that went thru over the weekend.  Jasper.   Daughter K's cat.  His health is not well, so she'll need to take him to the vet to find out what's going on.



Friday, March 4, 2022

Spring Clean Battles Move Out

 


I moved most of my yarn/craft supplies upstairs, but it's between Daughter K's room and the stairway.  I'm dealing with tripping over boxes and whatnot to move more up there (to clean out my room and closet). 

The quilt photo is a quilt from my Great Grandmother.  The photo was taken in 2011, when I attempted to donate it to a historical society.  It didn't happen.  I have had it in a bag on my bedroom floor since last fall.  

It was time to clean up my own bedroom.  I still have Christmas presents in there for the grandkids (not wrapped either).  I sent an email out to my siblings to see if they wanted it.  I do not want to store it anymore.  It's thread bare, and cannot be used or washed, and I have no where to hang it (and protect it from dust).

Heck, I just put away more Christmas decor my daughter left out, and today a small Christmas tree, and this weekend the outside Christmas lights come down.  Life has been that hectic, busy, and so forth.

In the midst of a snail's pace of getting order again, I have several lists going for the next trip to town, in either direction.  I think I will try and make my own arrangement for Mom's headstone, but have yet the chance to visit the craft store.  I have something in mind.

I'm planting new herb seeds for my indoor pots, and hoping it warms up so the window area is not so cold.


Thursday, March 3, 2022

Beautiful Tablecloth

 My brain was on over drive yesterday morning, as I had one day to try and attempt to at least clean up the kitchen.  It was a bit tough to dodge packed boxes, but I'll deal with it all, and boxes will be gone soon.  


Be still my heart!  I had a bag full of tablecloths from Mom.  As I unpacked them, I found a Pioneer Woman one.  It made me so happy, it's on one kitchen table.  I have Pioneer Woman's kitchen curtains, glassware, and a trivet.  I am so blessed to inherit it.  I absolutely love it.  My napkin holder is being passed to Daughter K (doesn't match kitchen anymore), and I will soon find some goodies to add to my kitchen.  I can't wait for a shopping trip to beautify the kitchen. 

Speaking of kitchen, I spent the entire day cleaning it.  Oh my, crock pot put away, all of Daughter K's stuff off the table (she's terrible at doing that).....even started a box for my husband.  He's terrible (then again we've been dealing with a lot lately) of letting tools sit around.  I have a box labeled "Honey-Do Box."




Wednesday, March 2, 2022

New Recipe ~ Greens and Tibits

 

I am saving this recipe to try this summer.  I thought I would share it.  Has anyone made this?  I am just now learning about it.



I got some organic dandelion greens blanched and in the freezer.  There is only one store that sells them this time of year.

It was another day at Mom's house.  I made two trips to the re-sale store in town (benefits area businesses).  It's been difficult, but the busyness keeps my mind off things.  I've been able to pass on some kitchenware to our Daughter K, for her new apartment. Clothing has been donated to a soup kitchen.

My house is a crazy mess, so once Daughter K is completely moved out, we will start major repairs and updates.  We also plan to do a major clean up in the garage when the weather gets better.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

This and That

 

We got a card from one of my cousin's, and it was obviously opened by someone in the mail system.  It's sick that this happens.  They probably thought it was a birthday card and were looking for money or a check to steal.




We also got cards and a beautiful wind chime from my husband's work.  Mom loved wind chimes too.  In fact, she gifted us one made of shells.  I can't wait to hang them on the porch this spring.

I finally got around to baking a healthy breakfast, but forgot to take a photo.  It involved sausage, eggs, bell pepper, onion, jalapenos, garlic and dandelion greens.

I've been slowly working on a menu this week, but I am slow joe fizz this week.

My asparagus seeds are starting to sprout.

My kitchen is filling up with packed boxes, for another move day for Daughter K.