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~
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Breakfast for the work crew and ramblings on the kitchen
Friday, April 29, 2022
The purge is the word. . .
The purge continues. I took an entire truck load to a place that is a thrift store, where their sales help area businesses. However, my kitchen has another full (maybe more) load to go. I'm not sure they'll take another load.
I also have a futon that Daughter K left that is going on social media today for free.
I picked up paint swatches and got the okay from my husband. Living room painting is on hold for now, but getting ideas.
Three pieces of furniture were put on facebook marketplace, and what a pain it is to deal with. There are so many scams right now it's not even funny.
After 4 days of my husband attempting to set the brew time on the coffee pot, I figured it out yesterday. It now brews for him at 4:20am. We are both still not liking the new schedule.
If the pie safe does not sell, we have plans to rip the screen out and put in something else to keep the dust out. I am getting the most interest with that piece however.
I joined an online area garage sale page on social media. The furniture has been shared there as well, but nothing so far. No one has the money to buy right now, and we can't afford to just give it away either. It's all just frustrating, but I do not lack work to do in the house, and I'm getting worried about the time I'll need for the garden this year.
On top of that, my husband is asking me to cook up 2 dozen eggs and meat for him to take to work tomorrow for his crew. Ugh. He says he's doing it himself, but I'm pretty sure he knows that I know he does not have time for that. I guess we'll see if it happens.
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Progress
I am still cleaning and purging. I got all the painting done on one side of the kitchen, and trim is next. I cleaned the window wood work and put the curtains back up.
I felt like once I was done, I wasn't done. I always seem to find more that has to be done. We are so pleased with the progress however.
My daughter K left an entire set of baking dishes of my Mom's. She said she had zero room in her apartment. So....I've inherited those and have a place to put them, but that also means purging my old ones. Mom's are prettier anyway.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Cold weather moves in (again)...
The weather Gods have once again turned us to colder temperatures, making it questionable on how much asparagus we will get. I picked what I could yesterday.
The daffodils, and hyacinths are in full bloom, but again the weather may change that.
The herb garden started springing to life, and the green onion is fully ready to harvest from, but cold weather could affect that too.
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Extreme Clean Continues
I finally got the dishes (all but 2) out of the boxes and back into the kitchen. New shelf paper is down, and filled 8 boxes for donation.
I don't have to cook for an army anymore. I had 4 pizza pans. Insane! I'm passing on what the kids want for their apartments, but the rest will be donated.
I washed up rugs from the half-bath, and packed up another box of teacup/saucer sets. I'm still waiting to hear from store who may take them.
I forgot to take a photo of my breakfast yesterday. I cooked up some onion, asparagus, bell pepper, zucchini, and bacon, and added oregano, garlic and eggs. I wanted mushrooms in it, but didn't have any. I wanted to sprinkle green onion on top, but it was pouring outside.
My goal tomorrow is to go upstairs (gulp!) and start cleaning a space for the treadmill. I'm dreading going up there, but it has to be done, so I can start ripping out the carpet while my husband is at work. We won't know what we are dealing with until the subfloor is cut out in one area.
Monday, April 25, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
We had beautiful weather over the weekend. It was in the lower 80's, but Sunday the wind was pretty nasty. We took off on the motorcycle to a friend's house, but retreated home after our experience with the wind. Back at the homestead we got some work done.
I ordered a single rolling pin holder for hanging on the wall, and the Etsy dealer specifically said it was for only Pioneer Woman's rolling pin.
Well, my husband spent some time sanding it down so it would fit. I was in no mood to return it, so that has been done and up, to make more space in a cupboard. I love it on the wall anyway.
I spent time putting shelf paper in the cupboards and re-organized my drawers, so all of my utensils are in drawers and no in a utensil spinner on the counter top. I am super happy, because I always felt like it was looking sort of chaotic with it on the counter top.
I'm no longer feeling like a "hot mess" and now sort of like a semi-hot mess. The kitchen is slowly coming together, and the purge continues. It feels weird, but good to downsize some baking dishes. The boxes are filling up for the donation station. I still need to purge tablecloths, but have a few washed, folded and in a box as well.
Saturday, April 23, 2022
On a roll....
I started to clean yet another cupboard out, and realized I needed more shelf liner. I went to the "big city" to get more at Wal-mart, and I'm glad I did. There was only two rolls left of the color I already bought.
I also thought I better pick up a smaller paint brush to finish the kitchen, and there was only one of those left too. Crazy!
While walking down the kitchen bake/cookware aisles (can't remember if I was just window shopping or looking for something ha ha!), my eye caught something. I'll get a photo for you soon. It's my new obsession, and an item that I can display in some of my cubbies (and useable).
Back home I got more drawers and a cupboard newly lined with shelf paper, expired medicinal items tossed (left by Daughter K), and yet again filled another box for donation. Now that we don't have the round, smaller kitchen table, I have no use for the tablecloths for that table.
I'll have the kids look at them first, but plan to donate the smaller or round tablecloths. I have many more shelves to line, and then it's time to purge baking items. I have two pans for mini-muffins that I know I will pass on or donate. I used to bake candy filled cookies in those pans, and haven't used them in years.
It sure feels good to get things back in order. Not to mention back to cooking again. I'm going to get my husband on board to start looking at front room flooring. However, I think we'll need to start pulling carpet up to see what type of flooring we'll have to be buying. We may have to go with the glue down type again, or go with carpet.
I called our green house yesterday, because some of my vegetable plants didn't survive my trip away, despite Daughter K watering them. They won't even be opening for another week, which is odd. They are typically open in March.
I have a long weekend to-do list. May your weekend be blessed with goodness.
Friday, April 22, 2022
How to get rid of tiny ants!
Okay....for the first time ever, we had an ant issue by the dishwasher and sink. I've never seen this happen, so I did some research.
First, I sprayed down the areas with vinegar/water solution. It killed the ones on the counter, but more would show up. I noticed they were coming in by the dishwasher area, so I did more research.
I made a solution of:
1 1/2 Tbsp. Borax
1 cup warm water
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Rainy Day Baking and Cleaning ~ Homegrown Asparagus
I told my husband that I am, despite the work, having fun getting the house the way we want it (and stay that way for once).
I was sort of just going around getting side tracked, but things are going forward. As I opened a cupboard, I just decided to empty them both and re-organize. It's been sort of like a "sigh" moment along the way.
Our friend who repairs cars, came over and did an oil change on the truck for us. We are thankful for that. You never now how long you have to wait in town for one anymore. We buy the supplies and he charges way less than in the "big city."
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Doing odd jobs while in stuck mode
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Spring Blooms ~ The Great Purge
The daffodils are in bloom right now. I decided not to can wild violet jelly this year, and concentrate on low sugar jams. Our biker friend we hire now to mow, has already mowed anyway (and then there was snow). I brought the daffodils in just before the snow arrived.
I decided, as I was cleaning out my hutch, that it was time to pass on the Wilton cake decorating books and cake pans. An old neighbor, who used to babysit for us way back in the day (another town) is now considering buying them. All the kids are moved out and the pans are for kids birthday cakes. Oh, and this person actually decorates cakes and sells them from her home, so it will go to a good home and to good use.
Funny story, while in High School, I used one of the pans to bake a cake for Biology class. It was a bacteria cell! Ha ha! My husband got a laugh out of that. I'm sure I have a picture of it in one of my photo albums (somewhere).
I also used the same cake pan to make and decorate it for one of my sister's birthdays. It was decorated like a pack of gum. Yeah, I did a lot of cake decorating over the years. I taught the kids the talent as well, but they have zero room to store it all.
I didn't finish cleaning out the pie safe, so today is the day. I also need to clean two more kitchen chairs and put them back in the kitchen.
Daughter K visited and packed up her car. I gave her one of my 3 crock pots. Yes, that is right, I had 3 of them. We used to entertain for my husband's side of the family, but now that his family is growing and buying houses, they started offering gatherings at their places. It was time to let go of one.
It will be a while before we have people over. We still have a lot to do at the homestead.
It's another chilly day here today, but I'll be staying warm with all this work to do, ha ha!
Monday, April 18, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
I hope your Easter was a nice day with friends and family, or just a nice weekend. I was whisked away last minute, by my husband. We went to our favorite Amish area almost 3 hours away. I wasn't really looking for anything while we perused the antique stores, but I found a chicken cookie jar for $8.00! What a find. I have that wrapped up safe until the half bath and living room work is done. I will share a photo when it's out of it's packaging.
I'm glad we did. We were recharged, and arriving home on Easter Sunday, we got right back to work and hooked the kitchen heater back up, cleaned more floor glue (urgh) off the floor, moved the hutch, kitchen table and most of the chairs back into the kitchen.
My husband pre-ordered a take out meal (smart thinking), and we went to pick that up. Daughter E was the only kiddo that could come over and we met her new boyfriend (very nice kid, has a nice truck and works and went to the same school with her).
While chatting out in the driveway, I mentioned the truck bed cover that has been sitting there for 2 years. I talked my husband into giving it to daughter's boyfriend. Wha-la! One more thing out of the house we are not using.
They left, and we went into the "big city" to pick up supplies to change the oil in the truck, see if the feed store was open (was closed), and to pick up supplies at Home Depot.
It will be a real treat to cook in my own kitchen again, but we are considering sanding down and staining our table, and painting parts of it, and the chairs white. We actually got information for a guy in the Amish area that does it, but I'm sure the cost will be high going that route. We were very impressed with his work however.
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Old Crocheted Blankets
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Snail Mail ~ Kitchen Updates and Jibber Jabber
I ordered myself a bracelet from another store, that I absolutely fell in love with, and wanted to wear it in memory of Mom. It popped up on social media one day, and it's from a store in FL, where they hold bike week, so I figured the sale would be legit.
This is what they shipped me. Ugly to me. Not what I ordered. I sent emails back and forth, and they told me it was one of a kind, and already sold, but yet it was on their site and he description clearly stated what I ordered.
On a good note, and I won't believe until I receive it, they are having the person make another one and shipping it directly to me. It is handmade. I'm waiting on a shipping label to return this one.
Although I nearly broke my back, I got all the vinyl flooring glue off, but two places. I'll work on that later today, or pick up a different remover.
We still need to screw in the desk supports, install the kitchen heater back in (painting is done there), and move the hutch and table/chairs back to the kitchen.
Daughter K finally made a trip home to pack up another load. However, she left an entire box of things from Mom's house she didn't want (or didn't have room for), and a few very old afghans for me to deal with (photos on another day when I can unbury them from the living room.
I did however save this for me. It's for grating garlic or ginger. I grate a lot of both. I will most likely only use it for ginger though. I have a mincer for my garlic.
In the meantime, I am purging my pie safe. Due to limited space in my kitchen cabinets, I was using a pie safe to store my mixer, food processer, jam maker, platter plates etc.
I have two boxes of stuff already boxed up to donate somewhere (nothing that was of my Mom's). I'm giving a food processer to my best friend (I had two), and some books.
The pie safe will be sold. and if not, we'll look into an antique store and remove it completely from the living room.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Kitchen Havoc
The Good: The kitchen flooring is in.
The Bad: We have to take several pieces back out and replace due them leaving debris under them and flooring with bumps. They didn't sweep good enough and then put a fan on it. We have a 2 year warranty with these guys, but my husband wants to do it himself and be done with it.
Oh, after they moved the fridge back, they made a mark in the new flooring all the way across. They had to replace about 15 pieces due to something under the fridge wheel. This was before we noticed the debris under several after they replaced those.
They didn't put any of the trim back in, nor the supports under my counter top that is the desk. We'll be doing that after I paint today and my husband installs the kitchen heater.
We had to remove the heater prior to all of this, due to the fact the first people we hired for the joist/seal plate/sub floor repair. They didn't put any sub floor or under layment under the heater. They left an open gap.
It's been one big headache.
I allowed them to use my canopy to cut wood outside. First people we hired cut the wood inside, so all my cupboards have to be cleaned on the inside and out.
I downsized that bathroom too, and will remove the wall cabinet and only have the vanity for extra toilet paper. No kids, hence no extra storage. I located the vanity/sink, and a new light fixture however.
Friday, April 8, 2022
Brewing Coffee in the Bedroom and other "I can't make this stuff up" moments
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Moving along. . .
After firing our last hired help, we had another person come to the house last night and gave us an estimate that was a lot better than the last, and hired him and his boys. He also installs carpet and his prices are much better, in case we decide to go with carpet in the living room.
My husband....sheesh. He is already talking about doing more work, he's that excited to get things repaired and looking spanking new again.
I have a lot of work cut out for me today, including some kitchen painting that the last person did not do. I also have another person who does good painting work and doesn't charge an arm and a leg lined up. We also have a few family and friends that can come over and help re-install the counter top and cupboards.
My only problem is finding places in the house to move more stuff out of the kitchen. I have no more room in the living room ha ha!
Today, thankfully it's an all-in-one crock pot dinner. Once I have that done, it's a get-er-done day for me. Rain is on the way, so it will be good to be busy indoors today.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
I've been taking down all wall decor in the kitchen, in order to prep for painting more ceiling and walls. Sub floor is in for the most part, but not finished enough to put flooring in. Our hired help (friend's brother and wife team) are getting fired today.
Long story short - drug users, not reliable, untrustworthy, etc.
I'm already missing an entire painting kit.
Anyway, there is much more to the story, but I'll be doing the painting and another friend as the jobs go on. Meanwhile my husband is working 12 hour days and Saturday, so the major work still has to be hired out.
Joining Sandra a day late, at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
62°F/48°F and rain
As I look out my window . . .
Right now I am . . .
Figuring out breakfast. Toast?
Thinking and pondering . . .
There is a lot on my mind right now.
Homemaking tips . . .
To remove a popcorn ceiling, mix fabric softener and water 50/50 and spray, then scrap off with a tool.
To remove hair dye from a bathroom door, use a paste of 50/50 baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. It worked too. Dang kids.
How I am feeling . . .
Tired, frustrated....
On the breakfast plate . . .
Ha! Toast or nothing I guess
On my reading pile . . .
Nothing.
On my TV . . .
Mystery channel
On the menu . . .
Take out?
From the camera . . .
Nothing
Looking around the house . . .
To do list . . .
I have no idea. My husband took the truck, because our hired help used the car and left with the car keys in his pocket (and left the gas on complete empty). I can barely squeeze into the living room to get to my computer....kitchen is still a hot mess. I need more ceiling paint...can't use the stove....sort of feeling trapped in the house today.
Prayers . . .
Me? Us? Ugh....I am constantly cleaning up mud. They have no respect for working in someone else's home.