Today is the last day of February for 2024.
Hopefully it's the last day of our winter as well. Although, every day has been up and down weather, and yes, more snow yesterday.
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
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.
Today is the last day of February for 2024.
Hopefully it's the last day of our winter as well. Although, every day has been up and down weather, and yes, more snow yesterday.
Update on the Tex Mex Sweet Potatoes and Onions: Delicious! However, I keep forgetting that our jalapenos from last year, were very "hot" in flavor (hence the small amount on my plate).
It ended up very spicy, but next time I will cut the jalapenos to a smaller amount, ha ha! I cannot find the recipe online, so you'll need to borrow the cookbook from your local library. We served the side with homemade chicken enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce.
My chicken enchiladas are filled with sauce, then a layer of cooked onion, chicken, chilies, and black beans (salt and pepper), and some cheese.
The enchiladas are super easy to make. I cooked my chicken in the crock pot the day before, and the sauce can be made up to 3 days before (stored in the fridge).
Sitting On the Front Porch in February ~ Update © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
In the beginning of February (2024), I made homemade hair detangler (recipe is online with Mommypotamus). I was quite impressed when I brewed the tea for this on the first batch. It uses marshmallow root for the tea making part, and it creates a wonderful "conditioner" spray for the hair (mucilage properties).
My review? It takes about as much effort to comb out my hair with homemade detangler vs. store bought (chemical free/no preservatives).
I have new hair growth underneath the back hair, and very slightly around the brow area. It is said that the marshmallow root can repair damaged hair and encourage new, healthy hair growth.
I absolutely love my hair after using it, and I letting it dry as much as possible without a hair dryer. My hair is softer, feels better, and looks so much better. My scalp feels better as well.
The only draw back I see, is that by storing it in the refrigerator, the oils (jojoba and any essential oils if you add them) in this will harden. I have to take it out of the refrigerator, with enough time to "thaw" it all, prior to using it.
Otherwise, when you get down to the bottom of the spray bottle, you are left with mostly oils and it will definitely make your hair look oily. By this I mean, if you use it daily, and use it right out of the fridge, before the oils can warm up to a total liquid spray.
Also, I drape a towel around my next when I spray this on, so that the "tea" does not stain any of my clothing. So far it has not, but to be sure, I do this as well.
Overall, I will continue to use it, and see how much new hair growth, and repaired hair I get. My daughter, the hair stylist, said it has to be much healthier for my hair vs. store bought.
If I remember, I will try and update in maybe 6 months of use. It is very easy to make, and use. The first batch I added lavender essential oil, but the next batch is without any essential oils (to see if it really made a difference).
Homemade Hair Detangler ~ Update © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Today is definitely a "happy" homemaker day. Waking up to new floors in the hall and the kitchen is a game changer. It really brightened up the house. If you didn't see the photos of the hallway progress, you can see the post HERE.
Today is the last Monday of February 2024. How will you be spending your day today? Time flies by way too fast.
We are getting a lot finished on the to-do list, and boy it feels great. No more pattern binders piled in the living room, another lap afghan finished, kitchen blinds/windows cleaned, and so forth. We still have a bit of work in the hall, but it's 98% done!
We haven't decided on the next course of action, but with spring around the corner, we may be back to working on our waist high, raised beds (a project from last spring). There is the complete garage clean out, and the drywall repair/new outlet and window project too, to think about.
I think I forgot to buy new seeds for some winter squash for this years garden, so I need to get on that before the week is over.
Also, in the process of moving the refrigerator, I realized how many printed recipes I had on the side (with magnet clips). Oh boy. They have been there for a few years. I guess I just forgot about them, and secondly, I just don't have the time to try them all. Some are tried recipes, but for the most part are recipes to try. Once again, I let them pile up. A very bad habit of mine. It's on the purge/clean list for the week.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
The sun will be out, but the rain moves in tonight. It will be warming up too.
Right now I am . . .
Brewing another pot of coffee.
Thinking and pondering . . .
I had to toss out the plastic floor mat, that was under my computer chair (in the kitchen). I'm considering replacing it to protect the flooring, but stores here do not carry the clear ones, or any for that matter, for non-carpet floors. I had to buy the last one online. My husband says we really don't need one, but the wheels do put wear and tear on the flooring.
How I am feeling . . .
Tired, but a good tired.
On the breakfast plate . . .
I'm thinking I will bake Cheddar and Chili Egg Casserole.
And blueberry link sausages.
On the lunch plate . . .
?
On the dinner plate . . .
I put about a half batch of a new recipe in the crockpot. It'll be a side for tonight's yet-to-decide dinner. I'll let you know if it's good. The original recipe calls for 5 sweet potatoes and 3 onions. Hence why I made a half batch of this. I used frozen jalapenos from last years garden.
On the menu . . .
Again, I didn't have time to plan this yet. I will work on this today. I'm going to base my menu on what's in the freezer. Stay tuned.
On my reading pile . . .
On my TV . . .
Whatever looks interesting.
Looking around the house . . .
The kitchen was swept and mopped, and everything is finally moved back in their place. We used those felt mover pads, and it worked for most of it. We'll add felt floor protectors to the legs too.
To-do List . . .
From the camera . . .
Yikes! I have nothing to share today, other than my crochet projects below.
What I am crocheting . . .
Devotional, Bible Verses, Prayers. . .
Prayers for our youngest, as she is sick and the doctor was unsure of what was the cause of it is. I delivered her some homemade ginger-ale, but she is still pretty sick.
Happy Homemaker Monday © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
The last Sunday in February. We went from 60 degree weather earlier in the week, to cold 30°F with a windchill of 20°F, and snow.
The forecast is all over the chart for next week. We are to warm back up to a delightful 66°F, but with it comes thunderstorms and wind. We just can't win this time of year.
I do love the sunshine. We got a glimpse of it yesterday, but it hopefully, we'll see more of it today.
Happy Sunday! I hope you all get some rest and R & R today.
Up and Down Weather © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Sheesh. There were lots of dishes, more laundry, cleaning, cooking and so on. I also started on the stairway clean up project. It may take a month to finish, as I am fitting it in my cleaning schedule, as I have time for it.
I finished dusting and cleaning all of the kitchen blinds and windows, and the valances were washed and put out on the line.
It was so nice to open windows and let the fresh air flow for a day. So intoxicating for the soul. Winter can seem so long sometimes, and this day was welcomed by all.
To focus on what's in the freezer and pantry. . .
I made a batch of Einkorn pumpkin pancakes for us for breakfast, and more egg cups, as I had one more cup of cooked sage sausage to use. I used thawed frozen pumpkin puree from last year's garden, for the pancakes. Einkorn flour pancakes are the best. These pumpkin ones are more of a scoop and spread type batter. It is much thicker, but so good.
Today the rain moves in, but the temperature is still nice. For now anyway.
I happened to see this recipe in a cookbook from my Mom's old work place, and thought, "hm, I should try this." Ha ha! I love this cookbook, but this recipe was the most poorly written recipe I have ever tried. The photo is putting the dish together sadly written instructions.
Here is the video LINK for the YouTube video on how she makes the breakfast lasagna.
Do any of you own one of those box style choppers, that also work as a mandolin? I have a hand chopper and food processer, but I'm thinking the box chopper would be easier to use, and wash and store. It could utilize it in the camper as well.
I'm just thinking ahead for garden season, when we bring in tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and the like. I need to replace my mandolin this year, so I'm curious about this type of chopper/mandolin.
I have been getting outside for fresh air as often as I can. I think this is mentally and physically important. Whether it is to pick up trash thrown in the yard from people driving by, to muck the coop, pick up or clean up the porch/patio, or ...
...to simply put on a jacket and sip a hot beverage and sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather . . .
We still have a bit of snow on the ground, but we are to get up into the 50's again this week.
Right now I am . . .
Drinking coffee, and writing this post.
Thinking and pondering . . .
What project to do next. We need to paint the master bathroom, and we also need to install a window in another room, with drywall repair work and a new electrical outlet. We may be hiring someone for the window/drywall job. Depends on if we are close to a finish on the hallway before the end of the month.
How I am feeling . . .
Terrific. I did buy an elbow brace for my aching elbow (from slipping on ice while stepping out of the truck).
We make ourselves goals, we give ourselves rewards, and my husband said he hasn't felt this good in maybe 30 years.
Last weeks pamper me moment? Painted my nails at the end of a very nasty weather day. Dressed up and went out for breakfast one day.
On the breakfast plate . . .
A new recipe!! Breakfast Lasagna! It's a layer of scrambled eggs, a different type of sausage gravy, applegate low sodium/no sugar ham, and cheeses. I'll post my review on this later this week (to keep this post short, ha ha!).
On the lunch plate . . .
Leftovers.
On the dinner plate . . .
Not sure just yet. It could be leftovers again.
On the menu. . .
Breakfast: Einkorn Pumpkin Pancakes, maybe bacon to go with them? Blueberries.
-Mexican Lasagna, Crockpot creamed Corn (using frozen off the cob corn)
-Meatball casserole (using homemade frozen meatballs, that are made with oats vs. bread crumbs, home canned sauce, and some cheeses, Green Beans (also from the garden freezer goodies)
-Spaghetti squash pesto chicken, veggie side (maybe roasted rutabaga)
-Leftovers
On my reading pile . . .
I needed a break from reading the Leslie Meier series. I am about half way into this book, and I am very much enjoying it.On my TV . . .
Anything that looks good.
Looking around the house . . .
I'll have an update on the hallway progress this week. It's coming along nicely.
One box of donations was packed and delivered. We donated to a Habitat Restore, as the items were used light fixtures, switch plates and the like.
I have another box started for donations, but it's not full enough to deliver.
To-do list . . .
-clean the washing mashing filter
From the camera . . .
What I am crocheting . . .
I posted an update on handiwork yesterday. You can see the post HERE.
I also started another lap afghan, but these will dwindle as the weather warms up. I will switch to projects for me/us when the cold weather leaves.
Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .
Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
Happy Homemaker Monday © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart