Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Sunrise ~ Sickness
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Hats ~ Questions
Not that I need another project right now, but I returned the coat for a smaller size and ended up with a green colored coat. The above yarn matches it the best, so I stopped at JoAnn Fabrics and picked up some faux fur pom poms. The smallest I could get was medium, but they were on sale 40% off.
The pom pom is a tad too big for my liking, but it will work. Regular price for one medium was $2.99. I paid $1.79. I feel it would less expensive to buy 12 or 24 for selling hats less expensive. I am looking at some on Amazon that would make a 24 lot about $.70/each.
Question: If you crochet/knit and use these faux fur pom's, where is the best place to purchase a set of them online?
I looked up the one I purchased at JoAnn's , and it says Medium, 4 x 4 inch. I think I would like smaller ones.
I won't start a new hat right now, but put it all in a bag, for working on when we have longer car trips, like to the cemetery etc.
Question: What is your favorite (if you crochet) hat pattern that is free and online?
I have made a few different hats, and with different yarns, but since I had that thyme colored yarn, I think I will use it. I read that some yarn that is part cotton and part acrylic works better, but I just don't want to buy more yarn right now. Thoughts?
While I wait for the delivery of the floor transition piece, I am tidying up our room. I had more yarn in there than my husband would like (he he!), but I wanted to make sure I had it accessible during the floor tear out.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Egg Soufflé ~ Couch Moved and Other Ramblings
The storm is over, and we are predicted to be up in the upper 40's or low 50's by later this week, but rain moves in.
I don't like to go out a lot during winter, so I attempted to purchase a desk top file holder for my office area. Well, it was delivered and returned. It had mold on it, and may have been opened and gotten wet. Anyway, I will just add that to my shopping list for the next trip to town.
I was greatly disappointed. It was a wooden handmade one, and matched the desk. I will just keep looking for one to get that area organized.
I am all stocked up for what I sell at the museum gift shop. They close for a month for winter, so I am ahead of taking them more. I sell my dish scrubbies, jar openers and soap saver bags there. I'm glad I am ahead of that, as I have no place to cut more netting to make more.
I will be very busy over the next few months, sorting, and purging what goes back to where it came from. I still need to print photos for the home journal, as we'll need those records of what we repaired in the living room.
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. It's always a crazy time for our family, and we are not done with repairs.
Monday, December 26, 2022
Christmas is over ~ Frozen Pipes ~ Anniversary
The storm delayed my surprise anniversary getaway, but we still went despite arriving home on Christmas day. We had zero company Christmas day anyway. The kids were all with other family this year.
Anyway, we stayed in a Bed & Breakfast, he had flowers, chocolates, and a cheese and meat board all arranged for us. What a guy!
Also, he bought me a new very warm coat you see in the photo, but I have to return it for a smaller size.
We returned home to no hot water. Everyone in the state was either battling no power, or no power and water, or pipes that had already burst.
We finally got all of our pipes cleared, and despite heat tape, it still froze with this treacherous weather.
With zero family to spend time with this Christmas, I made Mom's sour cream softies. The temperatures are slowly getting warmer, but so many people suffered damage to their homes with this storm. I'm glad it's over and warmer days are in the future.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Winter storm continues....
We had plans to go away yesterday, for celebrating our upcoming anniversary. It did not happen. The winds were up to 50-60 mph, -27°F wind chill, white out conditions so bad, almost all business/restaurants closed. We had a level 2 road emergency.
Reports today tell us a 50 car pile up on the state turnpike caused 4 deaths, and one electrical worker died doing his job repairing power lines.
Power went out all over yesterday, and some are still without. We are currently, despite heat tapes, without hot water.
The wind is just as nasty this morning as yesterday.
I unburied my office, by removing books off a bookshelf, moving the bookshelf back to the living room. It was the only thing moved back so far.
The storm continues this morning, and entire cities are again reporting power outages. Thankfully, we have power, but that wind could stop. There will be no cooking or baking of any kind until we have water restored. This is not how we intended to spend Christmas, or our anniversary. By the way, this is the first time ever, for our area, to have such cold weather.
I heard that the big box stores have had trouble with their freezers, and they were pulling all of their food. I have not confirmed this yet.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Storm Updates
Storm/winter prep is not new to us. I made sure all the dishes were washed, and laundry done, chickens got fresh straw, and salt tank filled.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Winter Storm ~ Blizzard Conditions
My afternoon delight most days now - homemade hot chocolate and mini marshmallows we picked up in Amish country.
You may see blips in posts now. Meaning, more chances of power outages, loss of internet (like this morning), etc.
This morning there was a car accident nearby, which took out power, and I am sure I heard life flight fly over. Praying for all involved.
No, the heaters are not on yet. and the temps will drop to 0°F tonight (so frustrated with getting this done). Experts have been called in at this point. Delivery on our flooring transition piece is a month from now. We will fire up the woodstove, but I sure hope we saved our fireproof rug from the pellet stove. I went to the farm store to buy a new one, and they told me they never got any shipped in this year.
I made an attempt to have the sofa moved back to the living room, but we could not get anyone in the family to help move them. We literally have about an hour of daylight after my husband gets home from work.
The winter storm is moving in now. Rain turns to snow, then icy roads and blizzard conditions. I believe we will be snowed in for a few days. Stay safe my friends.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
This and That
Monday, December 19, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
In with the new....remote control too. Simple, farmstead style, and we can control the fan for winter or summer (will work either direction). My husband and I took the old one out, put together the new one, and he re-wired it. The top still needs hooked to the ceiling, but it's in working order.
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Homemade Lip Balm
Homemade lip balm has been made. I originally made it with calendula infused oil, but now make it with lemon balm infused oil, plus essential oils.
Instead of buying the holder to hold up the tubes, I just wrap a few with rubber bands, and it works great. I save the rubber bands from any mail delivery. I also use a can, washed and dried (from chickpeas/beans etc.). I bend a "spout" for easy pouring.
I did not write down the source for my recipe, but there is one on Mountain Rose Herbs online, and many other recipes to use online. Trust me, it took some work to get the binder out of my office, ha ha! I'm just glad this is done. I use the lip balm all the time.
I try to keep notes on my recipes. I had written this makes 10, but I got 9 tubes. I guess it will depend on tube size. Anyway, the benefits of growing medicinal herbs.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Flooring Snafu and Tidbits
I spent most of my morning making a breakfast casserole with dandelion greens, but guess what while it was baking?
The new flooring did not work with our floor. As well as a new level floor was, this flooring was not working (thin, and locking side would not stay locked).
It was all taken out, and our handy man went home. New flooring was picked up, so we will find out this weekend if it will work better. It's thicker, and actually less expensive.
The rain arrived last night as expected, and it's is to rain all day long. The weatherman says, "do not let this rain fool you." A winter storm is on the way.
My few outdoor tasks today are halted, but I have plenty to do inside today. It's still not feeling like Christmas at all. I can say though, I'm glad I'm not running around crazy busy baking and cooking this year.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
This and That
I ended up cooking eggs for breakfast, using my English muffin rings. I cooked bacon as well for sandwiches.
Monday, December 12, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
The weekend was a long work weekend. The walls in the living room are completely painted, the trim is almost done (we literally ran out of steam and time on Sunday), and the gas heater line goes in this week.
The walls are a light gray, and the floor trim is not getting painted to match the windows.We put grave pillows on Mom and Dad's graves. We picked up salt for the water softener, and I could not believe how high the price is right now.
My husband was called away for several hours, so that put us behind in painting the floor trim. A nephew is having electrical issues, and he went to help. However, for the family's safety, he plans to go back and re-wire their house.
It doesn't even feel like Christmas here. We've already told our broke kids to not buy us anything for Christmas. Once the house is in order (could be late January at this rate), we will have them over for a meal.
39/28°F, and we dip down to the 20's this weekend.
It's the same gloomy skies.
Right now I am . . .
Making another pot of coffee, getting ready to fry some eggs. I'm thinking egg/cheese/bacon breakfast sandwiches.
Thinking and pondering . . .
Wondering when we'll finally get done with the living room ha ha!
How I am feeling . . .
A bit frustrated. The hardware store sold our flooring, but no matching transition pieces. We had to order it online, and that puts us, once again behind.
Listening too. . .
Radio.
On the breakfast plate. . .
Ezekiel bread with peanut butter, coffee.
What I am wearing . . .
Painting clothes for now.
On the reading pile . . .
Nothing. It's halted for now.
On the TV . . .
Whatever we find on regular TV.
On the menu . . .
For once, I have no idea. Possibly thawing some fish.
Looking around the house . . .
The same - hot mess.
On the to-do list . . .
-make a breakfast
-laundry
From the camera . . .
When we drove to the cemeteries, a passing truck threw a rock up and cracked our windshield. One more thing to repair now. It's about a 5 inch circle. We are thankful it did not go all the way thru, as it would have hit me most likely.
What I am creating . . .
I started the blanket order. I am just waiting on one more yarn order.
Devotional, Bible Verse. . .
I literally can't get into my books, and I cannot wait until everything is back in it's place. Prayers for my friend Dean, whose mother fell and broke her hip. She has had surgery, so prayers for a quick and healthy recovery.
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Weather ~ Yarn Prices ~ Painting Update
The weather is moving colder again, and the entire week has been nothing but gloomy days. It's been dark, cloudy, rainy, and now snow showers.
Unfortunately, all the resources for yarn online, have once again raised their prices. I'm holding off for a sale, but geeze, this is getting ridiculous.
Windows are now painted, other than the very tippy top. Those will be finished today.
I checked in at the Museum gift shop (where some of my handiwork is sold), and they are pretty well stocked. I found out they are closing at the end of December for a month. I will have plenty of winter time to restock items.
We also picked up grave pillows I had someone make. We did a barter for that, which was nice. Not sure when we can deliver those yet. The weather is an issue as well, and we are on a time line to get the rest of the painting done.
Oh, and as far as the flooring goes for the living room, we found out (should have checked sooner), that our hardware store does not carry the transition piece to match the flooring. So now we are delayed even longer. The flooring can go in, but seriously, why carry flooring with no matching transition piece? She even checked a sister store. Nope.
December is a pretty busy month for us - our baby girl turns 21 this year, we are approaching our wedding anniversary, then there is Christmas, followed by New Year's Eve party. Goodness, life needs to slow down right now.
Friday, December 9, 2022
Ornament Idea and other ramblings....
I saw this ornament for sale the other day. I thought it was so cute, but look at how small that is. You'd almost have to knit with toothpicks to create one, ha ha! Just thought I'd share.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
This and That
I have been pretty good at making sure I stop working, so that I can take time to decompress/rest. I am rotating my crocheted blanket with re-stocking baby booties.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Priming the Trim and other ramblings. . .
I wasn't even going to paint the trim in the living room, but after we talked about it, we decided it would brighten up the room. I have started to prime the trim, which is slow going. I decided to use a tool to paint edges vs. using expensive paint tape. It is slower, but works for the job. You can see the room is already brighter with the trim white vs. dark wood.
Good news! I got an email and a text. The flooring will be in this week, and the gas heater is ready to be picked up. I guess that means I better get these windows done, so we can get the walls painted next. I never expected to do that either, but since we had to replace the entire floor, and it hasn't been painted in 14 years, we decided to do it.
I have been a bit depressed, and not feeling like it's even Christmas time right now, but glad this project is keeping my mind busy. I'm just used to baking, and making homemade gifts this time of year, and I am not. Heck, I'm not even sure where my Christmas cards are, that I bought a few years ago.
I am having grave pillows made for Mom and Dad's grave. I will post a picture of them when I pick them up.
I am rotating crochet projects again. I think it's just because I get bored doing the same blanket every night (although I am very happy with my color rotation). I dug out baby yarn to re-stock baby booties. I'm working on finding a nice, but inexpensive way to package them.
I'm also looking for inexpensive clear (with zipper) blanket storage bags. I would like to have them for when I donate the lap afghans. I found some on Amazon, but the per-piece price is a bit higher than I would like. I will keep searching. Wal-mart is more expensive and their bags are a bit too big.
I haven't had time, but there is a new crochet venture I am going to start making, as this living room project comes to an end. It will keep my spirits up for selling stuff next year.
Today will be interesting. Balancing house work while painting is a true hot mess, ha ha!
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Sunrise ~ This and That
Monday, December 5, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
The living room walls are being washed down, and all of the trim has been cleaned as well. The ceiling has been painted.
I actually found a craft show to sign up for, but after doing calculations on the living room, decided it was a no-go for me. There is still much to do.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather. . .
Woke up to 26°F, today 50/26°F
As I look outside my window. . .
It's still dark out.
Right now I am . . .
Brewing more coffee.
Thinking and pondering. . .
I think baby booties will be on the top of the stock up crafting list for now. I am also thinking about our upcoming anniversary. The living room is the entire issue of what will be getting done. Speaking of that, our handy man made comments to us in such a way, that he was not happy we are painting the living room. We decided we were not spending any more money on hiring someone, and besides that, we are staying physically active during this cold winter.
How I am feeling . . .
Cold.
Listening to. . .
-radio
On the breakfast plate . . .
-leftovers from yesterday
What I am wearing . . .
Sweatshirt, sweatpants, zip up jacket, thick socks and slippers
On the reading pile. . .
Nothing right now.
On the TV . . .
Yellowstone
On the menu . . .
-leftovers
-have no idea just yet
Looking around the house . . .
We are gaining on the living room, but these cold nights are so stinking cold. We have no heat source (in that room) until it's completely done, other than using portable propane heaters. We could fire up the wood stove, but it would be an issue with painting the walls next.
To do list . . .
-get dinner in two crock pots
-dishes
-prime window trim
-laundry
From the camera . . .