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~

Monday, October 31, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's definitely back to reality today.  The treadmill, and other work out equipment are all moved to the upstairs.  The table I used for the sewing machine was moved upstairs, and the sofa moved as well.  It'll feel like a zoo around here again, but we are making progress.  The armoire we had used for the TV left the house Friday to a good friend.  Today I will measure an area rug from the living room.  If it's too big for a room upstairs, we'll donate it to the Habitat Re-store.



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

I'll link up when she posts.  


The weather . . .

Rain, drizzle, 60's.


As I look outside my window . . .

It's still dark out.


Right now I am . . .

Making more coffee, as it shuts off at 6am from the pre-set 4am pot.


Thinking and pondering . . .

We are considering taking the pellet stove out and replacing it with a gas fireplace.  The cost of pellets compared to gas is the question.


How I am feeling . . .

Mixed feelings.  It's hard to focus when there is so much going on in the house - move this to there, there to here, here to over there (ha ha!).


On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea yet.  Will figure that out soon.


What I am wearing  . . .

Still in PJ's, robe and slippers


On the reading pile  . . .

Haven't open  my recent book for a long time.


On the TV. . .

We just finished the 3rd older Walking Tall movie (watched all three).


 On the menu. . .

-Cajun Sausage and Red Beans, Quinoa, Broccoli
-Bruschetta chicken casserole (will try this with my home canned bruschetta)


Looking around the house . . .
It's chaotic, but I know when it's all done it will be beautiful and we'll have peace of mind getting the joists fixed.


To-do list . . .
-make a breakfast
-vacuum area rug, and deal with that
-go thru mail, clean up desk area
-label all the last canned jars and put away
-put canning recipe books away
....basically today is clean up all of the kitchen day (the best I can, as plants will be rotated back to the kitchen for their safety as we start working on ripping out carpet to see what we are dealing with).

From the camera . . .
We visited a new zoo (all outdoor) over the weekend.  It was spontaneous, and found out about it by accident, ha ha!  We got these birds, and others to talk to us.  Two ladies were watching us and got their cameras out, ha ha!  They'd say "I love you,"  "Hello,"  and laugh back when we laughed.  Loved it.  We squeezed some fun in a beautiful weekend, but it's back to work again today.


Devotional. . . 
Prayers for our friends who are moving to another state.  For our friend's wife A.  She was in the hospital for heart issues.

Friday, October 28, 2022

Sunny Day ~ More Cactus Blooms

 


We had a beautiful sunny day, but it was cold.  Look at all those leaves.  A dog's dream.  Jesse loved to run and jump in piles of them.  Of course, out in the country, we do not rake these.



Mom's Zygo cactus has more buds this time around.  So beautiful.

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Take Back the House and other ramblings....

 I was so busy cleaning, I did not get one photograph for today's post.  The pantry is almost done.  It's been wiped out and re-organized, other than waiting on two containers for my pasta.  We have really cut back on pasta, so the container is getting downsized, and it's cheaper to order online and have delivered than to make a trip all the way to the "Big City" with gas prices.

Once those arrive the pantry will be completely done, and much easier to take inventory for grocery days.  Daughter K had lots of stuff in there that had expired.  I imagine she forgot about them after she moved in two years ago.  Anyway, as I was in the process of that job, I found a few items in that room to toss and donate as well.

Our handy-man was out.  He tuned up our wood splitter, and we talked about the to-do list a bit.  I explained my washer was on the fritz and we chatted about that in case I need to hire him to help me.  My husband's long hours should be coming to an end in the next few weeks (thankfully).

I managed to find a few more boxes for the living room.  I do believe we finally found a few helpers to hire this weekend (yay!).  The treadmill will be moved finally, and this lady needs to get back on it too, ha ha!  I have to move some things around for ease, but we are finally starting to get things moving.  Hence "take back the house" phrase for this post, ha ha!  It's great to get things in order and have them stay that way for once.  

All the cut wood we had was split for winter.  We have to buy a few parts for the chainsaw before cutting more.  Always something needing something around here.  

Mucking the coop is still on the list.  Sigh.  I need to re-attach some pegs they knocked off too.  The ladies should be happier with today's weather.  Yesterday, it was cold, raining, and windy.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Weather

 

The morning sky was so beautiful the other morning.  Today it's raining.  The cooler weather returns.


The battle of the leaves ha ha!  As soon as I blow them off, they are right back on the porches.

My rainy day projects are back on track today.  The pantry is still under construction, but I will be so happy when I am done.  It just got out of hand with a kids grocery shopping as well.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Mom's Cactus and other ramblings

 

Mom's cactus is blooming again.  It is so, so pretty.

I spent most of the day putting laundry on the clothesline until I ran out of room.  My washing machine needs tuned up.  I kept getting an error in regards to water it was adding (not enough apparently).  Not what my husband wanted to hear, but hopefully he can fix that.

I started the pantry project.  Daughter K had stuff in there that had expired.  I'm gonna be so happy to finally get some order in those cupboards.  


I yanked the last of the hot pepper plants and was surprised at the size of some of them.  It was rather hard to pull them too, as it was pretty dry out there.

Monday, October 24, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

 If you are wondering why there hasn't been a post lately, it's due to great weather here.  Sunshine, high 70's meant motorcycle rides.  I could not, as hard as I tried, get my husband to work on the to-do list.  

One ride was to our grandson's birthday party.  The other to deliver a foldable lawn chair to our youngest.  She was set up at a pop up show for a new store in town, to represent the salon.  She did not have a chair, so my husband said he'd load up on the back of the bike, and yes he did ha ha!


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

The weather . . .

Awesome weather for the first few days this week, high 70's again, and then rain returns mid-week, followed by the temperature dropping again.


As I look outside my window . . .

Leaves are everywhere.  I'm charging the leaf blower as I type to get them off the porches before the rain cements them to the pavement.


Right now I am . . .

Making another pot of coffee.


Thinking and pondering . . .

We are thinking of visiting a town one hour away, to check out a store that carries discounted items.  I heard they carry flooring and items we may be able to get for the living room at a discounted price.


How I am feeling . . .

Tired.  We both didn't sleep well last night for some reason.  We both are not ready to tackle a Monday.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover omelet my husband made us on Sunday morning.


What I am wearing . . .

T-shirt and garden work pants.  Tackling that job first today (after I get the laundry going and the dishwasher running)


On my reading pile . . . 



On my TV . . .

We watched The Watcher, and were disappointed at the ending of it.  Now it's whatever is on TV, if it's even on.


On the menu . . .
-leftovers
-on cooler days, a new butternut/kale soup
-salsa verde chicken tortilla casserole
-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

It's a hot mess. It'll be that way until the living room project is done.


To do list . . .

-label more jars and put away
-laundry
-wash bed quilt (great weather for outdoor drying)
-re-organize pantry and take inventory
-clean kitchen
-run dishwasher
-wash yesterday's breakfast dishes (gulp)
-make a breakfast for the next few days
-yank the last of the hot pepper plants
-blow leaves off porches and driveway

...for the next two weeks
-empty pantry, check dates and re-organize
-empty boxes from living room
-muck coop
-put a new garage seal on
-tidy up computer area
-write list for paint needed for living room and other supplies
-take a table apart and move upstairs
-get more totes for yarn upstairs
-make travel soaps
-make chapstick

From the camera . . .

Sunday morning sunrise.  It was not as pink as usual, but pretty.

Devotional . . . 

Still can't find my devotional, but found a book with 365 days of "Brighteners."

"A good friend will sharpen your character, draw your soul into the light, and challenge your heart to love in a greater way."



Friday, October 21, 2022

Question ~ Spreadable Butter~ Errand Day

 Our stores do not sell organic milk by the quart.  We buy the half gallon, but find that it goes bad before we finish it.  I decided to start freezing half of it, as we buy it.  I'll have it on hand, and it won't be wasted.  We have no access to goat or cow milk in our area either, so it's purchased at the store.  Heck, I couldn't even find goat milk for soap making, so we are back to buying it.

Speaking of soap, I think I asked this before, but how much essential oil to add to 1# of soap base?  I have some to use up, and want to make travel size soaps for traveling (and to get the base out of my closet, ha ha!).

Spreadable butter was made.  It's great to have on hand when the weather is cold.  We keep our butter on a butter dish in the kitchen, and during colder weather, it's not spreadable on fresh bread, or to grill sandwiches.

I am starting to dislike "errand" day ha ha!  I got 'er done though.  I was tickled pink to find gruyere and aged cheddar at our Aldi's (way cheaper than the main grocer).

The credit union sent this to my husband.  Literally.  Wasted money to encourage us to buy a new vehicle.  I guess it'll go to our grandson.

It went down to 35°F last night and is predicted to be 70°F today.  Crazy weather for sure.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce

 




It was another cold miserable, dreary day.  Of course I am not out of inside work either.  However, I managed to squeeze into my day, by making whiskey butterscotch sauce.  We drizzled it over the apple crunch cake for dessert.  No we didn't need the sugar in our diet, but it is so good. I only make this once a year if that.

Now that my youngest has found out, she wants my flourless brownies for sundaes.  The sauce will last in the fridge for 1 month, so it may happen.

We did not plant pinto beans this last summer, so I had to order those (dry).  Our stores do not sell organic brands of those.

First it was the mower that broke down (it's old and passed down), then the smaller AC unit died.  Now?  My 20-some year old Kitchenaid mixer.  Sigh.  I use it a lot.  My husband wasn't happy that he couldn't do anything to fix it either.  I guess I will be hoping for fall sales (if we are lucky to get those this year).

It's still pretty cold here.  It's hard to believe that we will be in the 70's this weekend.  Hm.  I wonder if their prediction will be correct or not.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Baking day and other tidbits. . .

 

Spicy Apple Crunch Cake went into the oven.  I had some home canned applesauce I needed to rotate out of the pantry.  So good!




I baked skillet bread to go with our leftover Chicken/gnocchi soup.  I'll definitely be making the soup again.  

The view out of the windows is definitely screaming fall.  However, our weather has been colder than normal.  They say we will warm up, and I hope so.  We have some work to do outside.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

This and That

The chicken/gnocchi soup was delicious.  I only made it due to having all the ingredients on hand.  It was definitely different, but glad I had spinach on hand (note to self, freeze more).  I did not take a photo though.  I also need to make celery cubes for the winter.  I simply dice the celery, fill an ice cube tray, and then add a bit of water and freeze, then bag and store in the freezer. It's great to have on hand for soups/stews.

I have had making gnocchi homemade, on my try it list, for a long time.  Does anyone know if you can freeze it after making it?  Or is this something you make fresh for a meal?  I used already made gnocchi for the soup.  I intended to try a new recipe for a mac n' cheese, but ended up using it for the soup on a cold, cold day.

Our weather is freezing cold.  However, they are predicting high 70's this weekend (only in our state ha ha!).

I'm getting a lot of the indoor work done due to the weather though.  I checked a lot off the to-do list yesterday.

Here is the photo of the other scarf I made, using yarn in my stash.  I found two more in brown colors, but it takes two skeins to make the scarf, so I am hunting thru yarn to find any leftover for the fringe.  If not, I will figure a way to use it for something else.

Along with my regular to-do list, I am writing up a list for things that I need done to re-stock, like make lip balm.  I am also working up a honey do list, but with the warmer weather this weekend, I'm not sure I will succeed, ha ha!

We are talking about moving the pellet stove out of the house (we use it to heat the other half as a back up source), and using a propane fireplace instead.  Pellets have gone way up in price as well.  Time will tell.  I cannot get things done with my husband so tired anymore.  

Guess what???  He didn't have to get up at 4:30am today.  I got to enjoy coffee with him.  So thankful for that.  We talked about his temporary position, and we both agree he will not keep it for a year.


Monday, October 17, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

 



Another successful donation drop weekend. Four boxes of stuff were all donated to a Habitat Re-Store.  In the process of emptying a plastic storage container, I cleaned it up and am now using it for yarn.

Whew!  The only thing?  I started filling up another box.  I found a few things in the garage we don't use or need.

I've been doing great on using what I have in the house for meals, before going to the store to re-stock.  Now that it's just us two, and an occasional kid, I don't really need to stock up as much as I used to.

I'm taking advantage of the online digital coupons for regular stuff, and I realize I do not stock up enough for things like coffee, toilet paper and fresh veggies/fruit.  I will be now.



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

The Weather . . .

46°F/37°, rain and possible snow in some areas, raining right now


As I look outside my window . . .

I looks like a winter sky.


Right now I am . . .

Getting ready to start a load of laundry.


Thinking and Pondering . . .

Why is it so hard to get rid of things for free?  I'm not even asking anyone anymore.  The boxes continue to fill.  It actually feels good to get rid of stuff in the process of the living room project.  


How I am feeling . . .

Honestly, between the weather changing and my husband's work schedule, sort of on the depressing side.  I may be baking a sweet treat today.  Oh, work asked him to keep this temporary position for a year.  I told him to tell them "Wifey says nope!"


On the breakfast plate . . .

Breakfast scramble/burrito, coffee


On the lunch plate . . .

Leftovers


On the dinner plate . . .

A chicken/gnocchi soup


What I am wearing . . .

Thick sweatshirt, sweatpants....it's cold today.


On my reading pile . . .



On the TV . . .

Movies - Elvis, The Reef


On the menu . . .

-Crockpot potatoes/ham/peas, homemade bread
-Crockpot chicken/gnocchi soup
-leftovers

Looking around the house  . . .
I am gaining on the living room, but my husband ran out of time to find people to move things this past weekend.  We finally (and in due time) got the AC unit upstairs out.

On the to-do list . . .
-make a breakfast scramble
-laundry
-clean off kitchen island
-run cleaner thru dishwasher
-clean out part of the freezer
-sanitize washing machine
-empty dishwasher and wash breakfast dishes
-make out another honey to-do list
-work on a crochet order

From the camera . . .

I took advantage of the sunshine the other day, and photographed items I have to sell.  No fall craft show in sight just yet (affordable anyway).

Devotional . . .
There have been a lot of house fires in my home town.  They say it's due to space heaters most of the time.  Lots of families in need right now.  Prayers for those families.

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Display arrived and other tidbits

 


The display finally arrived.  It's perfect for the small area our daughter has at the salon.  I'm donating one for a raffle the salon is doing as well.

It rained last night, and we had pretty bad wind.  There were a few fires in the area, and one being a field fire.  Crazy weather for sure.

I managed to box up for donations.  Just things we've had for years and never use.  Drop off days have changed though.  I guess it will give me more days to find more to donate, ha ha!

The weekend will involve us trying to get my husband into the eye doctor.  He thinks he got soap in one of his eyes, and the drops we have are not working.  It really looks bad, and he's in a lot of pain today.

I re-stocked our fresh fruits and vegetables, and will be making a meal plan based on what else we have on hand.  Prices are crazy high.  I had a short conversation with a person at the grocery store.  He was picking up pie filling and the can was almost $5!

Friday, October 14, 2022

Four Thieves Vinegar

 

I got 2 quart jars of 4 Thieves Vinegar made.  It is good for a year with proper storage, but needs to "brew" for 3-4 weeks.  I use Rosemary Gladstar's recipe.  For those who do not know what it is, you infuse it, drain it, and store it.   It's taken when you start to feel ill.  It doesn't taste that great, but it does work.  In the past, I have also made Fire Cider.

The weather will dip to the low 30's tonight.  Brrr!  I am not really ready for this.  Although it is nice to know the bugs will be gone.

I made beef stroganoff in the crock pot last night, only because I needed to use up the sour cream, but my husband was delighted.  The cost of everything is so expensive, I just can't afford to let anything go bad.

My yarn was piling up on the kitchen table, making hair clips for the salon. I literally filled a large reusable grocery bag, and put it all back where it belongs.  All, except a few colors of worsted weight yarn.  I am making a few more ear warmer headbands.  Daughter E is joining up with a co-worker to put up a tent and table to promote the salon soon.  They are putting together a basket to raffle, and I am donating a headband for the basket.

My husband told me he almost brought home 3 pumpkins for the porch that light up, and some orange string lights.  He knows I have no intention of fall decorations and have already put up the Christmas lights.  We got a good laugh, considering all the work we are trying to get done.  I told him, once the house is all in order, I will do a nice display outside for fall next year.  We may even have our own corn stalks to use.  It's just not happening here this year.

The winter check list is getting looked at.  I have oil for the oil lamps, and extra wicking.  We need to split more wood, and I have enough straw for the chickens.  I am also doing a re-check on seeds I saved and a plan for next years garden.  I really want to add more too it.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Moving into colder days again. . . .

 We did indeed get rain yesterday and during the night.  It will be a few days before I can return to weeding and pulling the last of the last of the garden.  I was glad for the rain though, as our newly planted mums needed it.  We are now moving into cooler days and nights.

So I was sitting on the porch and this decided to hitch a ride on my pants.  They fly fast, so you don't see them until they land.  Man, you never saw someone freak out and grab the fly swatter to get it off then kill it.  Then a few minutes later another one showed up on the side of the house.  We have never seen these at our place, other than a few years ago we saw one.  It was two too many for me in one day.  Not sure why we are getting more of them, but I was told they hitch to semi-tractor trailers.  Ugh.


My main cleaning job was to clean off my night stand.  I put away all the crochet hooks (ha ha!) that collected there, cleaned it with wood cleaner, dusted the framed photos and light etc.

To get some crochet time in, I have been making my make up remover pads (travel size) with black yarn.  I hope to be selling them at the salon along with my other smaller items.

I located one more place to donate lap afghans as well.  The committee on aging creates a basket of items for their monthly trivia contest to elderly that receive meals on wheels.  I believe I have an afghan on the hooks in a bag somewhere too.


Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Beautiful Weather ~ Christmas Prep

 

That's not all that I put on the clothesline, but I was thankful for good weather and got it out early and back down early.  Beautiful weather!  There was a good wind, so things dried pretty quickly too.

I also took advantage of the weather and put up our minimal Christmas lights.  I don't put many up, but they do make me happy.  It's way better to get them up on a warm day vs. freezing weather.  I had to laugh though.  We took the motorcycle out, as it may be the last best weather day to take it out, and when we got back home, the Christmas lights were on, ha ha ha ha!  I forgot the timer was set the same it was last year.  My husband laughed but quickly said, "Hurry! Turn those off so people don't think we are weirdo's!" Ha ha ha ha!

Not sure what today will bring.  They are calling for rain, thunderstorms, and a lot of wind.  I had plans to pull the last few plants out of the garden, but I may be inside working on the living room.  I have a few more things to pack up and move, and I have to move plants, and more furniture.

Speaking of weather, I planned to grill out tonight, but the weather may change that.

We had a stray cat come around the other night, but it looked to be in bad health.  Not sure if we'll see it again.

I have a long list on the to-do's around here, and realized I need to add some fun on the list, like get my lip balm re-stocked, or maybe get some travel soaps made, or even some Christmas ornaments made.  I am pretty sure, unless we gain speed on the floor in the living room, we won't be putting up a Christmas tree (wahhhhh!).  Hopefully we gain speed on that project.  We found a home for the Armoire in there, but it hasn't been picked up yet.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Good Weather Day

 

There are a few zinnias that I missed and survived the cold nights.  I'll have to make sure I have those too.  Today may be the last best weather day we'll have.  They say it'll get up to around 77°F today.

I am still moving furniture from here to there, cleaning up and getting ideas for hiring help for the living room project.  In order to move some furniture, I have to clear out space in another room.  I decided to let go of my 37 book collection of Janette Oke books.  I put them up for sale, but like I told my husband, everyone is selling and no one has the money to buy.

I just found out that Daughter E's booth rent is not just a whopping $500.00/month, but she has to pay another $100.00/month for the booth to do nails as well.  Horrible rent, so I hope it all works out for her.


Monday, October 10, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

 Our weekend was busy, busy, busy, but we did have time to relax later on Sunday.  We had three events to attend, all in different towns, and one being a funeral. We didn't get home until 9pm.

We got one AC unit taken out and put in storage.  The smaller one fritzed out on us (14 years old), and will be scraped at a later date.  

My husband wanted more mums for the flower beds, so we added 6 plants.  

We had to replace the shower head in the camper, as it was leaking, and the RV store told us it was put together (took the old one there) using a home shower head, sigh.  



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

The weather. . .

We will heat up to the mid 70's this week for a few days and then we go back to he 50's during the day.


As I look outside my window. . .

The trees out front of the property are getting trimmed.  We are at a halt as the chainsaw broke down.


Right now I am . . .

Brewing another pot of coffee, waiting on the washing machine.


Thinking and pondering . . .

I'm considering freezing some brussel sprouts.  Has anyone done this?  Wondering if they thaw well for roasted ones or in other recipes?  

We are considering installing an alternative heat source while we are fixing the living room floor.  We are just getting up in years to the point we do not want to mess with splitting wood every year.  We are not eliminating it, but if you heat with wood you'd understand.  We are lucky to have ease is sourcing wood to cut, but have to have the boys come and bring the equipment to bring the dead trees to the house.  Once again, we are way behind on that as well.  We have some wood cut, but needs split.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Egg, cheese and sausage muffin sandwich, coffee.  My husband prepped the sandwiches yesterday thankfully.


On the lunch plate . . .

Have no idea just yet. Probably PB and Jelly.


On the dinner plate . . .

BBQ Western Ribs, Sweet potatoes and possibly another veggie.


What I am wearing . . .

Sweatpants, t-shirt and slippers until I need to do the outside work.


On the reading pile . . .




On my TV this week . . .

We just watched Fried Green Tomatoes, but have been watching all the movies we have with Loretta Lynn in them.


On the menu . . .

-BBQ Western Ribs, Sweet potatoes
-Something grilled on the warmer days
-Beef Stroganoff over noodles and peas
-Leftovers


Looking around the house . . .

My to-do list is long, as we prep to clear out the living room to start ripping up old carpet.  We have 3 people lined up to take the Armoire, and hopefully soon.  We are working on hiring a few people to move a table and treadmill for us as well.


The to-do list . . .

-empty dishwasher and fill it
-wash the other dishes
-wash bedding
-put some things back into storage
-clean more out of the living room
-put outside Christmas lights up (best to do when it's warm out)
-locate place to take more donations
-take other donations already packed up to their new homes
-take down the wind chimes and put in storage
-wash all camper bedding and put back in storage
-muck the coop and add extra straw for the up coming cold weather
-wash a window and put the curtain back up
-take down hanging porch pots, dispose and store hangers

From the camera . . .

Oops....got nothin' today


Devotional . . .

Prayers for Renne's family.  He and his wife were hit head on and Renne did not survive his injuries (funeral we attended).

Saturday, October 8, 2022

Last Chance for the Herb Garden ~ Weather and other ramblings

Our weather is now in it's persnickety season, where you put on a thick sweatshirt in the morning, and a t-shirt in the afternoons.  You all know me, and I'm a die hard put-it-on-the-clothesline woman.  Some days are great for drying, and others take much more time.

We got some rain, which is great for my fall garlic, but keeps me from weeding flower beds.




Our weather dropped down to 31°F last night, so I spent the day putting up more green onion and chives.  I also cut all the zinnia heads and brought them in, as well as flowers that were about to bloom.  

We also canceled camping and winterized the camper.


Daughter E is getting bookings, but has had to drop some prices to do that, so I hope she is still earning enough to set sail with her being her own boss.  She asked me to bring in some ear warmer headbands to sell at her chair.

I've been working on some headbands in fall colors.  It's been a while since I pulled the pattern out too.  

Friday, October 7, 2022

Daughter's Advice .....

 

While cleaning off our breakfast bar, I found the jars my Aunt J packaged up for me (later sent by my Uncle after she passed).  They were tucked behind photos.  I kept them all the way packaged them except for the one that had candy in it, which of course I ate.  The other jars have teabags, popcorn and buttons.

In conversation with my daughter K, she advised me that we can't keep everything, and sometimes we need to change things.  

The story about the jar, is that I sent her jars of jam.  She packaged and intended to return my jars filled with goodies.  She was the best snail mail buddy I ever had.

I used to send her the funniest stuff around Halloween for her grand kids. 

So....the jars will be emptied and the buttons saved for something.  The jars will go back into rotation for canning again, but Aunt J will not be forgotten.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Refreshing the Flower Beds

 













It was high time to refresh the flower beds, however I am not done.  We are talking about possibly adding more mums, as some of ours have died over the years.  I just depends on if I can get them all looking spiffy.  The mowing is being done today, so I can't exactly do any weeding, but they do look much better.

We had a beautiful 70 degree day yesterday, but boy did that weather wake up the stink bugs, bees and wasps.

I was so excited to find a craft show in November, only to decide it won't happen.  Instead of the usual $20 a table and $10 for a second one, they want a whopping $30 per table this year.  As of now, it won't happen this year. Paying $60 to participate is outrageous.  I don't have high priced items, and even if I did, they would not sell.  

Gas prices are soaring as well.  Everyone is selling and no one is buying, so there is that too.

I hate mowing days.  It puts me out of outdoor work, putting anything on the clothesline, so hopefully we are nearing the end of mowing season.