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, May 31, 2022

Banana Peel/Water for Tomato Plants ~ Hot Day!

 

Has anyone tried this with your tomato plants?  I keep seeing it shared online.  You put a banana peel in a jar, add water, let it sit for 1-2 days then pour it at the base of you tomato plant for a better harvest, bigger plant etc.  There are so many different directions to make this as well.  Some say cut the peel up, only let it sit one hour.  Then there are dehydrated recipes to chop the peel up with egg shells.  Any tips on this would be appreciated.  I already crush and drop egg shells in the garden.

It's going to be even hotter today, and my husband insisted I stay out of the garden today.  I'll water, even though it says it will rain, because if I don't it won't rain.

I actually got some crochet time in yesterday, and created something new.  I'll be sure to share a picture soon.



Monday, May 30, 2022

Working Solo

I've been busy weeding the tomatoes.  All 112 of them.  I am using a hand hoe until my smaller tiller arrives.  I have to stay on top of it.  Yes, the flower beds and herb garden are still waiting on me.  I am working solo.  My husband had to work Sunday and today.  No outdoor get together for us this year.  No grilling, no anything but garden work.

However, the heat sent me inside.  I finally finished this order for a shop.  I had all but one already made, so that was nice.  I do need more buttons for making more though.  A trip to the craft store is on the agenda, but not soon.

The heat will be worse today.  I'll be out there early to beat the heat and keeping an eye on things.  Yesterday I found that something dug up my cherry tomato plant, but left it.  It's been replanted and watered.  Praying it comes back to life, as I do not want to spend more money on a new plant.  It already had cherry tomatoes on the plant as well.

My wheelbarrow has a flat tire.  Hubby promised to replace it, but he's not had time for that.  It may be on my to-do list this week.

I feel like I am juggling all things that need done really.  Painting continues, but limited to space (painting floor trim on saw horses).  I finally cleaned out the leather trunk that was on our first motorcycle, and it's up for sale.  Today, I really need to remember to check on laundry.  The garden work makes me forget the regular chores around here.

My trips to the grocery have been very few lately.  My last trip was to get some quinoa chips for queso to go with tacos.  I was in complete shock to see the price almost $6.00!!!  I am so glad we planted what we did, after sticker shock at the store.  I'm am, however, keeping an eye on staying stocked up.  



Friday, May 27, 2022

This and That

I had just finished a mountain of dishes, when I remembered I needed to find an un-finished project that needs done ASAP.  I spent about a half hour  finding the project, but no pattern.

Well, I need to organize my patterns on a day I have nothing important on the to-do list.  I could not, for the life of me, find the pattern anywhere.  Of course, the house is in chaotic order right now, but I am thankful it was still on the internet.  Whew!

Today's morning project - bagging garlic to fend of raccoons and deer.  Be sure not to put this near some vegetables that do not like garlic.  I am also hanging in the fruit trees.  Someone told us they do this and it works.  We'll find out if it works or not.  I bought some cheap garlic from the store to do this project.

I have spent some time searching for close, fun destinations for my husband and I.  He sometimes has a day off, some weeks not.  I am having fun finding about new things to do and visit on his day off, and still get a few things done here at the homestead.

Meanwhile, the herb garden and flower beds are weed fests.  I have to wait for the rain to stop, and the beds to dry up just a bit, and then I will tackle those.



Thursday, May 26, 2022

Rain ~ Baking Day ~ Mowing Day

 Although we didn't get a lot of rain during the day yesterday, we got a good amount last night.

I took advantage of it, and did some baking.  I make Mom's favorite snack (just because), and I tried a new recipe (as well as a 2 crock pot dinner - hot pepper mustard sauce over meatballs in one and sweet potatoes/thyme/garlic in another).


The new recipe?  Bacon, cheese, jalapeno bread.  I used the frozen jalapenos from last year's garden, estimating "2" jalapenos, and left the seeds in (that is the way I freeze them).  We both loved it!  I'm adding the recipe to my "taco" night family get together.  It took time to make it, and a lot of ingredients, but so good!  I added the optional green onion, because the herb garden is producing well, although needs weeded badly.

Daughter K arrived for another pick up, but did not bring her trash bags down stairs.  I was busy in the kitchen, and didn't realize it until she already left.  Anyway, more is out of my front room and upstairs.

Painting continues.  I can only paint one thing on the saw horses due to humidity, and the AC remains off.  The mowing was done.  There was a window of opportunity in the day, where the sun came out, before the rain came back.

I worked for a bit in the utility room, but that is limited due to all the bathroom stuff put in there.  We are still waiting on our hired help to start gutting the smaller bathroom, which reminds me, we still need to buy the flooring for in there.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

The garden is in!!

 The garden is finally in.  I just have to drop some zinnia and dill seeds this morning before it rains, and put my garden cart back where it belongs.

I bought a pack of 25 wooden, 5 foot tomato stakes online and got it shipped free to the house.  Funny story about the tomatoes.  

I was planting when Daughter K called.  She asked if she would be the one getting any extra slicer tomatoes.  I would always grow them for Mom.  Guess who hopped in the truck and went and bought her a plant in the middle of planting?  Yep. That was me, but I also got me an extra hot banana, as mine did not all sprout.

You know it was a long day in the garden, when you don't see me post so early today.  I slept very well, ha ha!

Our friend came over and cleaned all the metal out of the burn pile.  He loaded up his truck and that job is done as well.

I painted one more cabinet door, and cleaned some of a junk drawer out.  Then I called it a night.

We have one kitchen drawer, that my husband dubbed his.  Well, the tracks keep breaking on it, due to the weight in it.  He tried to blame it on me, but guess who took all the tools, and heavy stuff out?  Yeah, I did.

I sent him a photo of this, and asked what the heck does this go to?  He had no idea.  Guess where it went?  I ran it outside before our friend left and added it to his scrap pile, ha ha!  The garage and all his tools will be so organized by fall.  I found my water spigot splitter that I lost years ago too,  ha ha!  Anyway, that drawer is painted and back in place.

The rain is to arrive around noon today, and the garden will love it.  Oh, by the way, the Etsy seller that was the only one I could find online with organic music garlic, fizzled out.  Order was never shipped, and I got zero responses from sending messages.  So....I had to go into my stash left from last year and plant asap.  I had to cut the amount down by about 20 cloves, but it's planted.  Tomatoes rank at the number 112 this year. All paste, but 2 slicer plants and one cherry tomato.

I planted 55 hot peppers, and one is new - golden cayenne.  Planted 33 bell peppers, and two types of lettuce.  We didn't get to plant everything we wanted this year like peas and potatoes, but I'm happy with what I got in considering everything that was going on this year.

I finally got the herbs planted as well, and after the rain will tackle weeding it, as well as the flower beds.




Tuesday, May 24, 2022

This and That

Last week I tried a new all-in-one crock pot meal - spaghetti and meatballs (with homemade ingredients).  We did not like it.  The pasta cooked too long for our taste.

My husband and I enjoyed another harvest of asparagus.  I don't know that we'll gut much more.  I'm so glad we tilled and are expanding this in the garden.

My to-do list has increased like you would not believe.  I am being told that my husband may not get the holiday off work now.  Not sure the honey-do list will happen.  So frustrated with this schedule this year.

I happened to check my fit bit and account associated with our insurance and his work.  They increased the points from 3000 to 4000, so I have to find out if the absolute required increased from 1000.  That would not be good, considering the amount of work I am doing on my own with the gardens.


Monday, May 23, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

I am so thankful I have my husband, and his full and complete support in life.  No matter what is stressing me, he is always there for me, even with this long, long hours at work.

He continues to work (coffee pot is pre-set for 4:15am) 12 hour days, 6 days a week, with about an hour to work and back.  If someone asks for his help with something, it needs to be super important, because he is exhausted when he arrives home.  He only gets one day off, and yesterday we had a date.

Many people also assume I have all the free time in the world, because I am not employed.  I'm frankly tried of explaining how busy I am lately as well.  Between the garden, the kitchen painting, herb garden, and flower beds, I am exhausted by 6pm.  Sunday was a well over due sanity saver day off with my husband.

Well, most of the day off.  We worked on a list of things that had to be done up until about 11:30am, and I got 3 things out of the garage we don't use anymore as well.



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

I will join up when she posts.


The weather . . .

Back to beautiful 70's.


As I look outside my window . . .

My herb garden is such a hot mess of weeds, and there is more to be planted in all of the gardens - vegetable, herb and flower.


Right now I am . . .

Getting ready to post this.


Thinking and pondering . . .

...about a long vacation next year due to the long work hours this year, the closing on the sale of Mom's house is tomorrow, not sure we'll get to go camping this year


How I am feeling . . .

Rejuvenated, but not looking forward to the next few weeks. There has been talk of my husband getting no days off now.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover homemade blueberry pancakes, local blueberry sausages and organic coffee.


On my reading pile . . .

Haven't had time to read.


On my TV this week . . .

Smokey and the Bandit


On the menu . . .

-pork chops, home grown asparagus
-tacos, queso
-have no idea for the rest yet.


Looking around the house . . .

...so much to do yet


The to-do list . . .

-do a quick check on laundry
-floors
-paint
-start working in the utility room of what I can for now
-gather items that need loaded for another donation drop
-while paint dries, clean up back porch, plant in the gardens


From the camera . . .

Oddly, nothing


Prayers . . .

Our friend Aaron.  He continues to heal from on infection after surgery.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Tidbits

I finally moved my Mom's plants from my bedroom to the living room. However, they will have to be moved to the kitchen somewhere to start ripping out the carpet and investigating the floor issue in that room.  

We are delayed on the kitchen bathroom, due to our hired help continuing to heal from a hernia surgery.  I am delaying the painting of that bathroom door until that is completed.  It will be easier to paint the door off the hinges anyway, and easier to gut it with the door off.

I got 99 tomato plants planted (yes, by myself), but 11 more need tomato stakes.  I went to one TSC location and they wanted $4.59 per 5 foot wooden stake.  Let's just say I'm still looking for them at a reasonable price.

I picked up my kitchen cabinet door that I had a piece of glass installed.  They only charged me $15.00 for it, and I was so happy.  I'll be back there to have screens re-screened soon.  They are local and do a great job.

I plan to cover the glass in the cabinet door with an etched peel and stick design.  

The heat will lower tomorrow, after todays storms, so that will be a relief.  I need to work on the mess upstairs as well as paint, and it can get hot up there.  The nearest Humane Society is doing their big garage sale days and taking donations, so I want to get whatever they left boxed up and donated.

Storms are moving in the area, so I will not being running any errands.  I had to move any remaining garden plants indoors until it passes.  All outdoor work is delayed for now.

Friday, May 20, 2022

Crazy Busy!

 



Update on my desk area in the kitchen.  I absolutely love it!  I painted the inside of the kitchen front door the same color as well.

I have to paint above the window, and the computer can be finally moved back where it was.  I put peel and stick barnwood on the computer keyboard tray as well.

On top of the kitchen painting, I have the gardens to work in.  I still need to get the peppers in, have to weed and plant in the herb garden and flower beds.

I spent the day painting, putting laundry out, and cleaning more upstairs.  I took 3 garbage bags down, plus brought 3 large boxes down to use in the garden under the grow bags.  I took a small shelf unit downstairs to the roadside and hope someone will take it.

We are not liking these long work hours my husband has.  His to-do list is growing, so I am googling on the "how to" and doing some things myself.

Once I'm done in the kitchen we start on gutting the rest of the smaller bathroom.  We are both worried we will have to do work on the sub floor in there, but once it's done we will have peace of mind.

I sent an SOS to the girls, to come help clean the upstairs.  They both work long hours and one has a 1 hour drive.  Gas is not cheap, so that's an issue for the both of them on their pay scale.

Ground beef was at a limit the other day at the closest grocery store.  I had to pay a whopping $18 for a motion sensor light for the garden, and we need one more.  I have not turned on the AC yet, but it will be up in the 90's today.  I will be cleaning one AC today, but hoping I don't have to turn it on, on account of the cost of our electricity.

Meanwhile, my house is a complete maze to walk thru.  I try and put things back where they belong daily, but duty calls almost every day.  It's been super crazy busy.  I do not like doing the garden all by myself this year at all.  I'm told that these work hours may last until September now.  It's not what either of us wanted to hear.


Thursday, May 19, 2022

Ramblings ~ New Recipe Tried

Although we have been told that the latest spike of covid is an actual common cold, we are watching our health right now, as a family member was tested positive.  My best friend also told me her friend tested positive last Sunday.

Afternoons are the hardest lately, if I chose to quit working early.  I miss my afternoon calls to Mom horribly.  I just want to pick up my phone and call her most days.

Not one of my serrano pepper plants sprouted, and I finally (after a long search) found one.

I've been very busy every day, so I surprised my husband with a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.  I also tried a new recipe - peanut butter pie.  I wanted to try this for family gatherings.  It was delicious!  The peanut butter pie we ate in Amish country was terrible.  As well as the one in town at a local business.  Both of them tasted like it was all marshmallow.  The new recipe is a keeper.  It is not overly sweet and filling like a cheesecake either.  I used all organic ingredients, including the cookie crust.  Recipe is from Pioneer Woman and can be found online.

Speaking of meals, I am working on the freezer, using up anything we stocked up on, to re-fill.  Not sure what tonight will be, but it may be fish or meatballs.

I ordered my organic music garlic from an Etsy dealer, and it has not shipped yet.  I have never had an issue with an Etsy dealer, but they have not emailed me back yet.  I'll update on that later. I really need to get it planted.

It's back to painting more in the kitchen today.  It rained the entire day yesterday.  My garden loved it I am sure.  It will be to wet to plant the remainder.

I've been so busy, I've been terrible at checking my email that is hooked up to my blog, terrible at commenting on blogs and even reading them.  I will try and do better at that as I get the garden and flower beds done.


Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Let the planting begin!



Sharing some early blooms.  Don't mind the weeds, I haven't had time to get to that yet.

Planting the vegetable garden has begun.  All by my little ol' self, and I was not looking forward to doing it alone this year.
Spent the entire (well most of it) out there, and I'm not done.  I still have to plant the bell peppers and all of the hot peppers yet. There is a lot we are not able to plan due to my husband's miserable long hours.

He hired someone to till for us, and even tried to hire me help with the "take back the kitchen" painting project, and attempted to hire me help with the garden.  The truth is, is that everyone we know works, works and has a garden, has a garden, or is busy with other such stuff.

I'm more than exhausted and welcome today's rain. It better rain anyway.

We have had some beautiful 70's weather lately, and I'm thrilled we haven't had a reason to turn the AC on yet.  I got the vents cleaned, but not the filters and as I look inside it is dirty.  I will attempt to find a gadget to get that cleaned, but not sure it will work.  Anyway, the rain is to arrive today, and like I said, I much welcome it with all the planting I did yesterday. 

I updated my garden journal, because last year I was terrible at that.  There was so much going on in the fall that I just plum forgot.  My husband's sister passed away, then Mom's health declined.  It was just a roller coaster season for sure.



 

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ A Day Late

I'm so not used to this new work schedule for my husband.  It's crazy on Sunday's.  We had plans to take a motorcycle ride to de-stress, and due to morning must-do's, we never got one in.

The garden however, is tilled.  Not but us.  We literally had to hire someone, and it was done in about a half hour. 


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

The weather . . . 
Rain, 75°/52°, looks like we'll linger around the upper 70's all week, but will have to dodge the rain to plant.


As I look outside the window . . . 
see above, rain...


Right now I am . . .
Posting this.



Thinking and pondering . . . 
...which part of the kitchen to start with this morning.


How I am feeling . . . 
Exhausted.  I asked Daughter E if she would help  me plant my tomatoes.  She has to work.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Leftover Southern Sausage Enchiladas with homemade sausage gravy.  Coffee.


On my reading pile . . .
Trick or Treat Murder, Leslie Meier


On my TV this week . . .
1883

On the menu . . .
Have no idea, will work on this today.
Yesterday was super busy.


Looking around the house . . .
We continue to have no order due to the kitchen project.  Soon....soon, I keep telling myself.

To-do list . . .
-paint kitchen
-laundry (using drying racks)
-dishes
-pay bills
-write out menu
-check asparagus and rhubarb
-clean air conditioner vents/filters
-either bake a peanut butter pie or rhubarb dessert


From the camera . . .
We inherited a huge amount of assorted nails, screws, nuts and bolts from my Dad.  I was super excited to open a bag of screws, thinking they were just what I needed, only to find out they were too thin in diameter.  My husband could not believe, in all that stash, there was not one of the size I needed.  The screws that came with the drawer knobs are too short for my desk drawers.  Yes folks, this is what is on my camera.



Prayers . . .
Our biker friend who had surgery is out of the hospital, but still needs prayers for continued healing.


Sunday, May 15, 2022

Egg Shells in the Garden

 

All those egg shells from the breakfast I made, plus more, made their way to the garden area where the tomatoes will be planted.  I don't even crush them up, because the tiller does that job.

We have not turned on the AC, although it's been hot and humid.  Mainly because I have not had time to clean the vents and filters yet. 



Saturday, May 14, 2022

Heat and Eat Breakfast ~ Painting Progress ~ Asparagus


My husband and his crew are getting taco breakfast burritos.  I had to cheat and use tater tots vs. real potatoes, but it's their heat and eat meal this morning.

I spent the entire day painting.  I have officially used almost an entire roll of frog tape.  The trim on the ceiling takes the most work.  I have a second coat to do on one window and start on the very last window.

Window blinds arrived, but I'm only ready to install one for the moment.  I am still doing painting on the wood above the window and sink area.

My new drawer knobs arrived.  I have to buy longer screws for the desk drawers, but what an amazing new look with just paint and knobs.

Before


After, but still in progress

I'm still painting floor trim and corner trims, so those in the back ground are the darker wood I am painting white.


Our asparagus is still coming in.  So thankful for that.






 

Friday, May 13, 2022

Hooky ~ Shortages/Businesses Closed and othe ramblings

 

We've been having beautiful weather lately.  My garden starts are loving it too.  I'm just starting to get worried about getting the tilling and planting done.

I played hooky and went to the "big city" and had lunch with my bestie from high school.  It was nice for a change, because I have been so busy in the kitchen lately.

I'm seeing more businesses closed, and I'm seeing more shortages of different items as well.   I may need to make my own ricotta.  The last few times I needed some, I had a terrible time finding it.  I filled up the truck yesterday - $4.30/gallon.  Toilet paper we typically by on sale for $7.99 was on sale for $13.99.

I tried a new recipe - Lasagna stuffed chicken.
Organic chicken is very expensive as well, but my husband loved it.  Recipe is online with The Stay at Home Chef.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Nice weather ~ Painting and purging continues

 

It has been nice weather to get the laundry and bedding out on the line.  I had it out early and painted for 3 hours.  Painting trim is a pain, but I am getting more done if I stay home ha ha!  I'm almost done with the upper cabinets.  I have about 3 to go, and paint the doors as well.  Four doors went back up last night. Progress is being made.

I know we are ripping out the carpet, but I wanted to spot clean in case we sell the other 2 pieces of furniture.  Put the plants out to harden, and totally forgot to put my mail in the mailbox.  Oops.

I got to enjoy a few minutes of porch time and could smell my lilacs all the way out there.  I went and cut some before they were gone for the season. 


I picked a bit more asparagus.  Hopefully it will be a side dish in a few days if I get enough.

I worked in the master bath, purging another cabinet.  I think I have a few drawers to go, but more progress there as well.





Wednesday, May 11, 2022

New Kitchen Gadget ~ Coffee Cubes and other ramblings


Not very often, but when we have leftover coffee, I freeze it into cubes for my husband's coffee (he likes to cool it down enough to drink right away).  You lift that white tab, and pour it right it.  Works great.


Prices on everything are going up.  We paid $8 a package for brats to grill on Mother's Day, gas was $4.09 last week and is up more this week to $4.19, propane went up, and many more things.  

I saw beautiful hanging baskets a few days before Mother's Day and didn't buy them. Went back after Mother's Day and nothing left.  Hmpf.  I should have known better.  I went to Menards, and the same situation.  Plus their prices are horrible this year.

I'm so happy I can use my clothesline to lower our electric bill, plus the laundry smells so good.




Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Asparagus ~ Garlic....where did it go?!

It's going to be a warm, gorgeous day today.  We'll hit the 80's.

I picked more asparagus, so I roasted some last night with rosemary.  Oh my gosh!  Delicious!  So much more flavor than from the store.  It's been a year waiting for this bounty.


My favorite garlic to plant in our area is Music garlic.  The first year we spring planted, and every year after that we fall planted.

I'm so depressed.  I went out to the garden to start prepping for the year, and found all of my garlic eaten but 3.  My guess, from research, is that a squirrel (or more than one) was the culprit.  Never in all the years here has this happened. Rabbits, deer and ground hogs do not like garlic, so I am just guessing.  They have plenty of black walnuts to provide, so I am stumped as to why it happened, other than the smell of the dogs is not out there anymore (guess I'm gettin' a dog).

I want to now spring plant my garlic, so it cost me an arm and a leg to order some to plant.  I didn't record how many I planted last year for some reason.  I think it was a crazy fall due to my husband's sister passing away from covid, and Mom's health declining. 

I typically plant 80-100 cloves, so this is a tremendous loss with organic garlic.  It's just such a shock, because nothing likes the smell of garlic.  We toyed with the idea that I forgot to plant them.  I did not.  I remember planting.

We toyed with the idea that someone stole them.  Ha ha!  Actually, it's not such a crazy idea.  Every day for the last two weeks a car has been stolen in the city about 12 miles from us, and now they are breaking into chicken coops.  Seriously.  Stealing kids bicycles, and more.

I plan to pull the pea fence.  We didn't get any planted with this crazy kitchen floor repair, and we need to till that area as well.

I finally got the carpet spot cleaned from Daughter K's dogs being here, and laundry put on the line, but got zero painting done.

I believe it's finally time to call an exterminator, unless someone has a sure fire way to trap those big bumblebees (a LOT of them).  I've tried every year, and they get worse every year.  Yesterday they were swarming the doors of the house and porch.  I cannot for the life of me find the nests, but I'm guessing they are by one of the barns, by they way they swarm over there.

Monday, May 9, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

Mother's Day this year was a bit on the rough side, but my wonderful family got me thru it.

First, we talked about my husband booking an appointment with Daughter E for a much needed haircut.  She was booked solid, so I texted and asked if she could make a special house call, considering Sunday is his only (and only) day off.

Second, we needed to be home at noon.  A lady was coming with her Dad to look at the pie safe, and she was out the door with it in minutes.  She loved it.  One piece of furniture sold and two more to go now.

My husband cleaned up the front porch, Daughter K helped put furniture on it, and the burn pile was finally burned down.

My husband, myself, and Daughter K drove to the cemetery to visit Mom.  I wasn't surprised to see that my previous flowers were gone (that was a terrible wind storm in March).  I will need to buy more for Grandma and Grandpa's now.

I have to say, I think this year was the best Mother's Day I've had in a long, long time.



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

The weather . . .
We are finally getting a week of warmer weather.  I'll be putting the plants out to harden (although we expect more rain).  We are starting to pull last year's carpets and plastic and get the tilling rolling.


As I look outside my window. . .
My porch needs hanging baskets.  It's on the shopping list.


Right now I am . . .
Finally washing a bed quilt to hang on the clothesline.


Thinking and pondering . . . 
We are still looking to hire help for the front room, but until then, I need to go upstairs and make a space for the treadmill, so that can be moved out of the way next weekend.

Oddly, my kids did not get me any flowers for Mother's Day, so I plan to make a trip to town and buy myself flowers for my birthday.


How I am feeling . . .
Good.  It took a few weeks, but I am finally on my husband's 12 hour work schedule and was up to enjoy coffee with him.



On the breakfast plate . . .
Broccoli/bacon breakfast casserole, coffee


On my reading pile . . .
I finally finished my current book!  I got reading time on the porch, while my husband replaced both window motors for Daughter K.  Both of her windows were not working.


On my TV . . .
Last movie was All Together Now.


On the menu . . .
-Lasagna stuffed chicken, home grown asparagus and steamed broccoli
-breakfast for dinner
-something with stew beef, veggie
-flounder and a veggie
-try a new peanut butter pie recipe
-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .
It's getting there, but the kitchen is still not put back together.  I am doing my best, but this week will be garden work split up with kitchen work.  I need to paint more floor trim, so we can put it back in it's rightful place.


The to-do list . . .
-bake a breakfast
-check asparagus
-laundry
-pay a few bills
-buy chicken food
-paint in kitchen, paint floor trim
-shampoo living room (I'll have to do this for Mom's furniture until we start tearing out the carpet)
-put sticky paper down on my kitchen keyboard tray
-clean old bike trunk with leather cleaner and put it up for sale
-make more homemade taco mix
-vacuum carpets
-

From the camera . . .
So happy to have grandkids for the day yesterday.



Prayers . . .
Our biker friend Aaron, who had hernia surgery, and had complications and was back in the hospital. Last I heard, he was still in the hospital.


Saturday, May 7, 2022

As Mother's Day Approaches

The first week of May is always a busy one with celebrations.  My husband's birthday, and mine, are within 5 days of each other.  I always feel we are cheated out of celebrating due to other peoples celebrations.  I tried to book us a cabin one year, but we had to cancel it for some reason or another.

Mother's Day is also in between our birthday's, and some year's my birthday lands on Mother's Day.  Mom told me once, that I was born on Mother's Day.

It is not a day this year however, that I am looking forward too (Mother's Day).  It was always a special day for Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!




Friday, May 6, 2022

Rain and gloomy days. . .

 

I'm starting to panic about the garden getting planted.  We should have tilled last Sunday.  It's been nothing but rain, rain, and more rain.  Rain today and tomorrow as well.  I'm not sure any tilling will get done Sunday, and that was the plan.  We will not be planting peas either (sad face here).  It's too late.  They would be coming up by now.



I spent most of my day cooking for my husband's birthday, so I start today with a sink full of dirty dishes, but worth it. He was so happy to come home, after a 12 hour day, and get homemade Einkorn peanut butter cookies, and homemade sloppy joes and sweet potato fries.

I picked a few more asparagus, so that is on the menu soon.  I feel like we are not getting as much this year for some reason.

I am relieved however, to find out that work is buying my husband's crew brunch on Saturday.  I thought I would be cooking all day today, but thankfully not.  I will be painting again.

When I was mixing the peanut butter cookies in my mixer, I realized it is on the edge of it's life time.  I mentioned it to my husband several times, but now it's really not working well.  I think I've had it for 20 years though.

I wish I would have known, or have thought to look for this when I first started painting.  Our kitchen is paneling on most walls, and trim work is a pain in the rump.  Man this tight space gadget saved my headache.  Works like a charm, and the tape works better for the uneven areas.  I had asked my husband to just take the trim off the walls, and ceiling for me, but this saved him from having to do that too.

The futon is still in my living room.  I tried to give it away for free last weekend, and he was a no-show (family member).  I put it up for free again, and last night they were unable to pick it up due to rain. They said today, but guess what folks?  Rain, and rain tomorrow.  It's not likely it's leaving, but I plan to get it out by Sunday, even if I have to do it on Mother's Day.  It will be out by the road with a free sign.  Dang kids leaving things for me to deal with when I shouldn't have to.

Although my body aches in places that have never before, I am very, very happy with the new look of the kitchen, with just paint.  It's been a long time coming with all the kids banging up cupboards, and walls.  To think it all started with the dishes Mom gave me.  I am so glad the kitchen floor repair is done, and that created us to re-think the 14 year old look of the kitchen.  I'm not ready to move the computer back to the desk in the kitchen.  I have to paint desk cabinet trim, and another window and ceiling trim before that happens.