Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I can now get up the stairs, but the office is so jam packed with stuff, there is no way to access my recipes in there.  It will be a while before it's emptied. The white door is my office, and the black plastic to the right of that is covering the stairway. I'm glad I can get back upstairs, due to a yarn order I recently placed.  It was a great deal during the week of Thanksgiving, and even lower in price that Wal-mart. The ceiling fan is now taken off, so I resume the removal of the popcorn ceiling.  Lots of work done, but there is a lot more to do.  We have no heat until the room is completely done.  We'll be bringing in a propane heater to be able to work in there. I can't recall if I updated on my Kitchenaid mixer, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat.  My husband took it apart and fixed it.  I am so happy that is off the "replace it" list now.  The new ones are not built like the old ones, and are pretty expensive. Not wanting to pay for ...

  ....new ripple blanket for the living room sofa.  I'm considering 3 colors maybe.  I had to make a trip to the store for this yarn. ....current scarf being crocheted.  I had the yarn downstairs.  I'm not quite halfway done. . . .daughter E requested these.  She feels they will sell well at the salon.  I luckily had the yarn downstairs, and will possibly make 2-3 more colors depending on what is accessible right now.  These cute nail polish Christmas ornaments will get hangers attached as well.

  Not wanting to pay anyone else, nor add more pay to the current handy man, we did a trial on the removal of the popcorn ceiling.  We did the 50/50 fabric softener/water spray first, then realized we didn't even need the spray.  The popcorn ceiling was coming off lickity split with just the scraper.  About 1/4th of the ceiling is down and cleaned up.  We are waiting on the rest of the subfloor to be installed to remove the rest.   Now my husband understands why I wanted the ceiling done.  The spider webs were dangling at the edges of where he was removing the texture.  He understands my frustration with having to "sweep" the ceiling every year.  It was ugly as well.   Still needing done? -remove remaining popcorn ceiling, remove current ceiling fan -paint ceiling and install new ceiling fan/light -wash down all trim/walls -paint trim -paint walls, re-install floor trim -install new flooring and move furniture back Meanwhile, w...

  The gutters have been cleaned!  Woohoo to that!  His timing was perfect as well.  He helped carry in the subflooring for us after he was done with the gutters. Actually, it was my husband and him that carried it in.  As soon as he was in the house (he's family), all the sudden our handy man's tune changed to "oh I can't carry that at all, blah blah blah"  so who did he think would carry it in?  Just a head shaking moment, or eye rolling.  Also, Handy man told my husband he was "on break" when it was time to move more subflooring in.  My husband is now also frustrated.  It was just a fluke that my husband was off work for the holidays. Subfloor is going in now!  However, it may not be done until week 4 of this project.  I can't say that even half is in right now.  He doesn't work weekends either, and remember he took Wed. off, and Thursday was a holiday. We are going to do a test run on the removal of the popcorn ceiling ...

  Thanksgiving morning was a beautiful morning.  They day was a perfect porch day as well.  Rain slowly crept in as the evening fell.  I can't say we really did much.  Daughter K came over for a visit. I was given a pass on all that holiday cooking, but I did restock my homemade seasoned salt. Our guy to clean gutters called and was to come Wed. morning.  I then got a message Wed. morning that he said the weather may be better on Thursday.  It was too.  Anyway, he never called, messaged or arrived after that. I finally got around to setting up an account to register any new tools (and register any we purchased this year), for the lifetime warranty.  So get this?  I was reading over receipts from the living room supply runs.  I have been giving the handy man our credit card vs. cash (easier to keep track of and we trusted him).  It may sound petty, but he purchased two energy drinks with our card.  We haven't said anyt...

  We are having beautiful weather in the 60's. The deer are very active in the early evening time. Happy Thanksgiving!

  I got to thinking yesterday.  Yep.  I thought I would gather supplies and finally get around to making my lip balm.  Then I got to thinking about where I put them, and went to look.  I completely forgot I used all my tubes with the last batch.   I just ordered the lip balm tubes, and then realized that I can't even make them until I can get into the office (where the recipe is at on a buried bookshelf). I took photos of the living room, for insurance purposes, since there is no crawl space.  Then I realized my thumb drives are all in the office.  I need to load the photos, get them printed and put into our Home Owner's Journal. Same issue making homemade face lotion - recipe book buried in the daggum office. I really need to make a day out for myself, just because, even after getting to town the other day (it was late and no time to do anything but get wood). Now the truck is loaded with wood.  Again.  I could just drag it around ...

  I finally got around to baking a spaghetti squash.  I am planning to make patties (new recipe) out of them.  A new recipe that uses quinoa and parmesan cheese in them. We finally went into town to pick up the subflooring.  We also took a container of chili and dropped it off for Daughter E.  She's doing so-so with her work income, and needed dinner. Gas lines are being installed, but there is still more to do before the flooring goes in, and with the holiday coming up, I'm not sure we'll make a whole lot of progress this week.

  I have been working up a list, in case I finish the crochet blanket before I can get back upstairs for more yarn.  I am putting off any canning due to the dust in this house (which will end soon I hope). -journal -read -tidy closet (a bit difficult, as boxes of stuff from living room are stacked in there right now) -finish a crocheted scarf I started (have the yarn for that) -make nail polish bottle ornaments -start a new scrap lap afghan Lumber prices have come down a bit thankfully.  However, we have to return to the hardware store for more supplies.  It's just never ending. Today I will join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather . . . 45/24°F, we may possibly hit the mid 50's this week. As I look outside my window . . . The wind tapered off.   Right now I am . . . Brewing another pot of coffee. Thinking and pondering . . . Not sure if the two of us are making anything special for a Thanksgiving meal yet.  The kids will not be around, ...

  I made us a crock pot of chili for the weekend. Brr.  Woke up to snow on the vehicles, but that's about it.  I'll be freezing half of this for a future meal. We have decided to install a gas heater in the kitchen and living room.  It will be more cost efficient for us, and most likely heat better than our wall (floor) electric heat.  The gas lines are going in before the subfloor goes down. Speaking of heat, I cannot wait to fire up the wood stove.  Thankfully, the weather will be a bit warmer next week. I'm down to the last skein to complete Daughter K's blanket.  I should be better prepared myself with yarn, before I was cut off of access to the upstairs.  I guess we both didn't think the living room would take so long.   Anyway, I guess if I run out of projects with what I have downstairs, I will make a run to a craft store.  I do have some cleaning I can also do in our bedroom closet, but spring/summer is the best time to...

First time making a breakfast with butternut squash, but it was rather easy, and simple ingredients.  I pre-cut the squash the day before though.  I used the homemade turkey sausage I pre-cooked and froze as well.   I do need to freeze more spinach.  I better put that on my grocery list right now.  I would like to do a breakfast with ham, but it's hard to find.  The last "organic" ham we bought tasted terrible. I blanched and froze the other butternut squash I bought. The guy who was to come quote us for gutter cleaning 9 days a go, has not messaged, or even come out.  The guy to come give a free quote for the removal of the popcorn ceiling has also been a no-show, and not even a text message.  I guess we are going to do that ourselves now.  You just can't count on anyone anymore. Our handy-man's supply run was another long part of the day again.  The hardware stores, in either direction, are between 25 to 30 minute drives. ...

  I got a bit more cauliflower blanched and froze.  It's hit or miss at the store, so I grab it when I see it.  We did not grow any over the summer.  I asked my husband to bring home sweet potatoes, and he said they did not have any.  It's a growing concern.  I will watch for them, and mash and freeze when I do see them. Getting to the store during the week is about hit or miss as well.  Guess who has to go get more wood for the floor?  So, yeah, my truck is borrowed way too much for my liking.  I have already had the discussion with my husband, that if we hire someone we know, they must have their own vehicle, and we'll get supplies over a weekend.  I'm just (whining I know) tired of not being able to just go when I please, get my hair cut, etc. I didn't get any answer yesterday on to blanch or not to blanch butternut squash, so I guess I will try and do more research.  I am unable to get to any of my homesteading books right now. ...

  I haven't lost my mind with this living room project just yet.  Getting to town is hit or miss.  The truck is needed to haul wood and blocks etc.   Also, I get so excited to add a new recipe to my "Christmas" binder and then realize it is buried in the office.   I got excited about a free ornament pattern to make for a daughter, then realize the yarn I need is upstairs.   Patience....patience..... Another thing about shopping is, for some reason, prices at our Kroger are much higher for some items that are sold online with their sister store - vita-cost. Literally.  I just ordered items, free shipping, and right to my door.  I needed almond flour and other items, and I also noticed that Monkfruit sweetener is much cheaper at our nearest Big Lots.  I have to do hurdles, but will be really watching where to buy things we need. My husband had to stop at Home Depot for more flooring supplies and brought me home these.  I won...

  I had to order the yarn to make this for our youngest daughter.  It's a bit larger than I thought for a Christmas tree ornament, but it turned out super cute.   There is a story behind the safety cone.  If you have been following my blog, you know that her high school boyfriend and his bed friend died in a car accident, the night before her graduation party. Prior to that happening, she hosted a surprise birthday party for him at our house.  They never woke us up in the night, surprisingly.   The next morning, it was awfully quiet.  I came into the kitchen to brew coffee, and lifted my eyebrows when I saw a giant safety cone on my kitchen table.  I kid you not.  I just chuckled and went back to my bedroom sipping my hot coffee. The boys, apparently had a history with taking these cones from various places and returning them later. Hence the safety cone Christmas ornament to lift her spirits and always make her chuckle when sh...

I baked us some healthy banana cookies.  It takes organic oats, bananas, oil and I used diced apples in place of the dates.  I have no access to my  home canned applesauce to cut the oil, but anyway.... They tasted great.  Good enough to eat more than one, but I will add more cinnamon and nutmeg next time.   Recipe is from Allrecipes, called something like Healthy banana cookies?  Anyway, my husband loved them and the oats did not make his sugar go up thankfully.  They say oats can affect people differently. I also make a new dinner recipe called chicken bruschetta casserole.  You dice the chicken and cook it first, layer it in a 8 x 8 baking dish, and top with goodies.  I simple used a 1/2 pint of "Bruschetta in a Jar" I canned, then added some mozzarella cheese.  It was good, but I think it would be more beneficial to simply can canned tomatoes and add the garlic, fresh basil etc. to the dish.  I forgot to take a photo, but w...

  To make the new breakfast casserole, I needed sausage.  The recipe called for Italian, but I simply used my homemade sausage recipe , by swapping out the pork with lean ground turkey.  I put the extra into the freeze for other meals. I made a new breakfast casserole, but after putting it together it is basically like a bake I make, only the potatoes are swapped out with cauliflower.  It's very good, but I will season it up next time with either jalapenos, garlic or fire powder.  I topped it with dandelion greens as well.   Today, I am on the hunt for someone to at least remove the popcorn ceiling.  Wish we luck.  Nothing is cheap anymore.  We can do the painting, but I have never removed the popcorn ceiling.  The floor work is slow going right now, which is driving me crazy.   I signed up to make rolls for one Thanksgiving, and yesterday realized, I cannot get to my recipes.  They are buried in my office, where the ...

  I made a batch of refried beans. We eat a lot of beans and greens, especially during the winter.  I use a box of organic dry pinto beans (soak the night before, and drain and rinse), add onion and garlic, cook all day in the crock pot.  I then let it cool, strain off any extra water, and blend in the blender (adding any extra flavorings like "fire powder" to it.  You can freeze extra for another day.  We eat beans with breakfast, lunch, dinner and for a snack.  Much healthier and less expensive than canned refried beans.   Speaking of freezing food, I need to get more containers.  Someone has not been bringing his breakfast and lunch containers (hmpf). Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather . . . 43/33°F today, and we dip down to the teens at night by the weekend. As I look outside my window . . . It's cloudy. Right now I am . . . Starting a load of laundry and getting ready to make homemade turkey sausage....

  I finally got to the grocery store.  I noticed that they now only sell one type of tahini now.  They used to carry about 6 different brands.  I also noticed the peanut butter selection is much smaller.   In the midst of trying to find the tahini, we had a conversation with a woman who was shocked at the price of eggs right now.  Then we were talking about hummus and found out she could not eat chickpeas, so I told her she could make hummus with pumpkin, black beans, beets etc.  She was so happy to find that out and said she grew pumpkins this year.  Anyway, nice lady and I was glad I could share with her. We had our first snowfall.  It's officially winter.  It snowed all day, but melted away.  Nice big snowflakes too.  They kind that make you want to hunker in and crochet.  I did that too, only due to the fact I can't really do anything, other than tidy up the boot area in the hallway (I may do that today). I was th...

  Daughter K came for a visit.  I completely forgot to have her go thru the Christmas stuff in the garage.  I guess that will be next visit. The living room floor is ready for it to go back in, but not until starting Monday.  He "doesn't work weekends."  Also, he said his back is hurting.  Not what we wanted to hear. In the meantime, I have a family member coming out to give us a quote on cleaning the gutters.  The leaves are all down, and it needs to be done. Daughter E's cat Tiger finally got the vet and got his shot. He's is feeling much better and eating again.  I found his special food online and he's a happy cat (can't find it in any store anymore). Not sure what the weekend will entail, but I do know we need to get all the porch furniture put into storage for the winter.  Right now the porch is literally the only place to sit, other than in our bedroom.  Yes, it's part of my stir-craziness.  I'm trying to be patient, but....

  Not the best photo, but one half of the living room is getting new joists.  One broke while our handy man walked on the floor after the under layment was removed.  Anyway, the progress is moving along.  We have more supplies we need.  Some blocks need tuck work, but we got 90% of the wood purchased. We had trouble locating some of the supplies, such as cement anchors, screws, washers, and other items.  At least we have a Menard's and Lowe's in one town, and a Home Depot in another.  We have Ace as well, although they are the last choice due to prices being high. Thankfully, our handy man has a trailer, making it easy to get the larger supplies to the house.  Of course we pay him gas money as well.  However, the weather was nice, and the last thing (during this big of a project) is "I'm tapping out early today."  He did.  He wanted to get a motorcycle ride in while the weather was beautiful.  I don't blame him, but we are anot...

  We had another beautiful sunrise, and weather in the 70's.  Crazy that it will get so cold at night this weekend. I dried a bit more sage, but had to use my large dehydrator.  My smaller one is buried until the living room is done. Speaking of the living room, day 3 of floor removal went well.  Nails had to be pulled etc. However, (the part where I needed Baileys in my coffee), our handy man's vehicle has bad wheel bearings.  Now,  if we were doing this ourselves we would still be using our own truck to haul the old flooring out.  The guy we hired is a friend.  He asked to borrow my truck the other day to buy mold spray and and a new blade.  I agreed.  It was for supplies we needed.  I get it. But....but...he hauled flooring out to the burn pile and then just left yesterday.  Literally, he just left without asking permission.  I mean I want the floor done, but I was not expecting him to use my truck daily for all his nee...

  Not the best photo, as I should have been up at 5am for a better photo. Half the living room floor remains to be removed.  Sigh.  I though it would go much faster and it's driving me nutso. We believe the original part of the house was built in the 30's.  Apparently this is what was typical to support the center of the floor in each room.  In the living room it's a random stack of wood.  There may be a rock or two as well.  Just one more of those "what in the heck" moments of doing repairs and remodeling. I ordered a crochet hook from Amazon, and the carrier lost the package.  It was one I did not have either, and I need to keep my sanity during all of this chaos in the house right now.  I typically find myself baking, but even with the plastic sheeting up to block dust out of the kitchen, that's not going to happen.   I have to be super strict with my husband's diet anyway.  His last doctor appt. was not good....

  Over the weekend, we got the chicken coop mucked, and ready for colder weather.  We were lucky to be walking around outside in t-shirts.  Oddly warmer weather for November. They say we may not have to deal with this time change stuff next year.  Let's hope and pray.  We are not happy with dark skies at 5-6pm.  Our Christmas tree is now up in the master bath.  I need to dig out my tree topper.  It may be the only tree we get up this year, depending on how long it takes to finish the living room. Speaking of living room, I told my husband that if our handy man delays our work, I will start ripping up the carpet myself.  He didn't come all weekend, and we want this done ASAP. Joining up today with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather . .  . 60's and sunny, but weather is all over the map this week, and we dip to the 20's over the weekend. As I look outside my window. . .  Sunny. Right now I am . . . Getting ready to pos...