Tuesday Tidbits

 

Weather has been in the 20's here, with lots of snow, some rain, icy roads, and just your typical winter weather.

The latest crocheted granny square for my book blanket.  Book was about a 3/4 out of 10, if you ask me.  Just too much family drama for me.

In the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, we made up a batch of homemade meatballs and got them into the freezer for winter meals.

Update on the crock pot macaroni and cheese... 

It reheated great!  Just do it slowly, and it reheats very creamy as it was when it's cooked.  My husband took some to work and heated his in the work room microwave, but heated it too long and the oil separated.  So, just heat it slowly, and not high microwave heat, and it's great the next day.

Here is how I made it.

In a crock pot pour in dry noodles.  I used a 14.5 oz. box, and that was non-gmo (can't remember the brand), but it was enough noodles.

My Mom never made stove top mac'n cheese with whole milk, but she did add it later if needed.  She always started with canned milk.

I had one can of evaporated milk, so I used that first, by measuring, then make up the difference, with whole milk, up to 3 cups, and poured that over the noodles. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream (I used organic).

Next time I will use more evaporated canned milk or all canned milk.

I think I will also butter the crockpot first next time.  The noodles cooked, but stuck when I stirred half way of cooking these two ingredients, mixed with 4 oz (half a block) of organic cream cheese and 4 Tbsp. of butter. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. white pepper. I cooked this about 2 hours, then added the following cheeses:

-2-6oz. blocks of organic sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

-about a inch thick stack (to 1 1/2 inch) of local Amish made American white cheddar cheese slices, cut up (what we had on hand)

and about 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Additional whole milk if needed, after the cheese is melted. 

The mac'n cheese was the first crock pot mixture, that did not come out "gritty" or reheat terrible, or even taste too cheesy.  It was just perfect in flavor, texture, and over all a winner for us.  I do believe the type of cheese, and brand will change this, but using the better cheeses will make a winner dinner.  One recipe we tried in the past called for mozzarella, and we have both decided the only local mozzarella is the worst cheese made (will look for some locally for our other dishes now).

Tuesday Tidbits  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

4 Weeks Until Christmas

 

Tree was made from a cinnamon stick, fake evergreen cut, and buttons.  The candy apple ornament was a mini muffin wrapper, a small apple ornament dipped in glue and bird seed.

Drum was made from half a toilet paper tube, craft foam for the top and bottom, felt and ribbon, and the drum sticks were painted tooth picks with tiny pom poms glued on.  Yes, they took forever to make, and back then, I didn't blink an eye on how much time they took to make.

A small bit of all of my duplicate handmade Christmas ornaments.  I could not believe how many duplicates worked their way to the Christmas storage totes (Three more totes to go through yet).  Good grief.  Anyway, the story behind them all. . .

When the kids were in elementary school, I would race to the school and sign up for room parent for their Christmas party first.  My second choice was always Valentine's Day when the lists were full.  

Anyway, for some crazy reason, I fell in love with making ornaments, and when I was a Christmas party room Mom, I came up with a handmade ornament.  I made one for every single kid in the class, and I hand wrapped each one, so every kid had one to open.  Yes, I did that.  Some years there could be almost 30 students too.

In the process of the ornament making, my family got one every Christmas too.  Ha!  Probably way too many, but they got one too.

I would go to our large area library, and check out every single handmade ornament books they had, and then some.  I would get ideas, or in some cases, even patterns (I made a LOT over the years).

The duplicate pile was loaded into a box, and the kids got to pick out any they wanted.  The rest will be donated to a nursing home or if I hear of a family in need. 

~~~~~~~~~~

As for what's happening for this up coming Christmas?

First, I realized when I bought dye free, non-gmo cookie sprinkles for the advent gifts, I did not buy us any.  I had to find them again (not easy to find in the area here).

I have started yet another crochet project related to Christmas, but it's on the slowdown time, for an idea for next year (too late for this year).  More on that later I think.  I saw the idea on facebook one day (ha ha!  Social media at it's best to influence us).

Two advent gift bags delivered.  One more to deliver yet.

I have yet to get a Christmas grave blanket/or saddle for Mom and Dad's headstones.  I will not be able to make them myself, and may not even be able to deliver them this coming month.  In the past, I did a barter with an acquaintance, and she made us two.

I have my 2026 planner now, and there is a section for "projects" in it, so that is where "Christmas 2026" will be kept noted and organized.

We have talked to someone we know, who is not working and could use the extra money over the next month.  We may have found someone to help with a few home repairs before or after Christmas.  We are not done painting, and took a long break from it.

Tried a new macaroni and cheese crockpot recipe.  I added additional cheese.  It's a white cheese dish, and it tasted fantastic.  I will try and get the recipe up soon, but it may be the best we have tried so far, and perfect for potlucks or gatherings.

4 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 We have been blessed with sunshine the last few days, and I am so thankful for that (after several days of zero sunshine).

I emailed our local library, and proposed a puzzle exchange program.  They may not have the space for such a thing, but I have suggested it.

We got a call that an extended family member on my husband's side of the family, had passed away.

Joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

25 degrees at night, but we had some pretty nice, almost 60 degree weather over the weekend.

Right now I am . . .

Making a list of of things that need moved to the top of my to-do's for the day.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Thinking about adding another crockpot to our home.  I've been doing research on the best one on the market these days.  Boy have they changed too (digital buttons etc. on some). When the last kiddo moved out, she took one of our crockpots with her, so we do need another replacement.

I'm thinking about getting us a puzzle board and puzzle box lid stand for the winter puzzle time.

We are now thinking about which home repairs to tackle next.

How I am feeling . . .

Tired.  Ha!

On the breakfast plate . . .

Breakfast sandwich - sausage, egg, and cheese.

On the menu . . .

-a new crock pot mac n' cheese recipe to try

-a new roasted stuffed chicken recipe to try

-Thanksgiving meal will be whatever we feel like.  We have no kids coming home for the holiday.

-leftovers

On my reading pile . . .

Used book.  Have no idea how I obtained it either, ha ha!

On my TV this week . . .

Landman when a new episode is available.  Some Christmas movies. Not much else.

Looking around the house . . .

The Christmas decorations are mostly out.

On the to do list this week . . .

-cobwebs (been on the list all last week)
-make a few calls (doctor, park district {more on that later})
-return library books
-mail a rebate

-write a snail mail letter to an extended family member

-make a yarn order (gulp! for a specific cotton yarn not in stores)

-sweep/mop 

-dust

-wash some rugs

-laundry

What I am creating . . . 

Current crochet blanket for a Christmas gift.

Current "on-the-go" crochet blanket. Sorry if you saw these on my last blog post.

From the camera . . .

The best part of the early morning, is getting outside and taking in a deep breath of fresh outdoor air.  Unless someone is cleaning their barn, and then it's not so pleasant,  ha ha ha!

Devotional, prayers, bible verses . . .

"In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  But take heart!  I've conquered the world."  John 16:33 MSG

Happy Homemaker Monday  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

I harvested one last bit of Russian Red Kale.  I saw new sprouts of our Swiss Chard.  It makes me happy to see it growing this late in the season.  I am already missing the garden.  Crazy as that sounds, but I am. 

A funny to share.  I was working on the dinner in the kitchen when my phone rang.  Ha ha ha!  It was my husband.  He was home, so this was strange to me.  He said, "Well, I have discovered one problem with the coop.  Can you come let me out?"  Ha ha ha ha ha ha!  The door shut, and latched on him.  We are still laughing about it.  We will be doing something to rectify that from happening again.  Oh, they are still not laying eggs, but they deserve a break too.  They still get treats and such, so hopefully they will be laying again shortly.  Then again, they have new roosts, so they may be acclimating to them.

Our little library is celebrating 100 years, and they are having a "home" Bingo game, but the numbers are called on social media, so I have to check there every day to play.  A little bit of fall fun.

I may have shared this for crochet folks, but did you know that Boye is not making the "I" hook in 5.5mm size?  They only make them in 5.25mm now.  It sort of messes up my patterns I use.  I am still trying to find more of these to keep on hand. 

I ordered one from Herrschners online, which stated 5.5mm, and when it arrived it was 5.25mm.  Just a heads up on that information.  You can buy other brands in the 5.5mm size.

Here is an update on the larger lap afghan I am crocheting for a gift.  I am not yet halfway done, and the month is going by way too fast right now.

I have already been going through the yarn stash to make the next gift (it may end up after Christmas, but the recipient knows).  I have not narrowed down the colors just yet. Can you tell the recipients of both blankets like green? Ha ha!  Blankets take a good amount of time to crochet.

This and That  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Lima Bean Hummus

 

I found it very difficult to find a selection of any lima bean recipes.  I asked around, and only one person I know ate them as a kid, and not ever as an adult.  

I purchased canned lima beans in the Amish area we visit this year.  They are very hard to find around our area for some reason.  I have had them sitting around waiting to try.  

I used them to make hummus.   Delicious!!

(source:  Google images)

I did not cook the lima beans, as I do not when I use chickpeas, but I may try cooking them next time (to see if it would be creamier, and/or cook from dried beans).  I do not mind the texture regardless, and it tastes just like chickpeas in my own hummus recipe.  Of course, I used home grown garlic, and it makes it the absolute best flavor.

I just swapped out the chickpeas for the canned lima beans (rinsed and drained), and it was fantastic.

My traditional hummus RECIPE.

Red Lentil Hummus

In the past we have tried beet hummus, black bean hummus, pumpkin hummus, green bell pepper hummus, white bean hummus and others.  I think the only one yet we have not tried is sweet potato hummus.  

Lima Bean Hummus  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

5 Weeks Until Christmas

 

Not new, but sharing a hand crocheted XL (for those 13 x 9 size pans/pizza pans etc.) pot holder I created and gifted one Christmas.  I made one for each of my sibling's family, Mom, and a few friends one year for Christmas.  I used to put together a box or container of handmade gifts for each family, and had so much fun creating the gifts too.  

As one blogger stated recently, life requires us to make "adjustments" sometimes.  I have a few local people to gift this Christmas, and it's not happening this year.  I had plans to can a ton of "Christmas" jelly, but it will have to wait until Holiday season of 2026. 

Note:  My husband is already trying to assist, and help can jelly sometime after late January.  He's so sneaky really.

I have looked into adopting a person in a nursing home/assisted living facility.  I plan to keep that a year long commitment if I can locate a facility.  Many facilities are doing things like fill a stocking for someone etc. I am looking for someone who gets zero visitors.  It's harder than you think, as most out reach programs help kids more than single elderly adults.  I will be asking around with the local people as well.

Another past gift item for Christmas . . .

I may have shared these before.  Sorry if it's a repeat.  Not much going on, other than decorating right now.

              

Homemade Vapo-Rub

Herb garden, home grown rosemary, dehydrated and put into recycled jars.  I also included a recipe to use the rosemary.  Even the kids bus driver was gifted rosemary that year.

Every year I had fun coming up with unique, useful homemade/handmade gift ideas (one post here, what I gifted in 2015).

The Christmas decorations have made their way out of storage, thanks to my husband.  I am slowly, going through all of it, and filling a box of donations, and some actually were so worn out they went into the trash (no kidding there).  

I have a pile of duplicate handmade ornaments for the kids to look through.   I used to make a new ornament to gift every single year, and the extras must have made their way to the Christmas totes.  Whatever they do not want, will be donated to an area 55+ living facility (to put on their "free items" table).

Many of the older decorations are retiring and moving on to a new home (not handmade).  I found items that belonged to the kids and their past homes (after moving back in again, leaving things behind).  I found ornaments that the kids bought and they no longer want, and even childhood stockings.  

It is simply a good time to sort it all, purge, toss, and narrow it down to a better collection of decorations.

I have about two or three new recipes to try, but have yet to try any of them.  Two advent gift bags were delivered (one left to deal with).  The Christmas tree is up and is being decorated.  yes, we still put up a tree, even if no one comes home for the holidays.  It brings cheer to the homestead.  I am about halfway done with the larger lap afghan crochet gift.

As for house cleaning for the holidays, I really need to clean my oven, but it may not happen until after Christmas.  

5 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Using a Spiralizer and Garden Basil Pesto

 

I tried another new crockpot recipe, and we loved it.   The only thing I discovered, is my crockpot "low" setting is pretty hot, and I can lower the cook time on this, and it lacks "color" due to the homemade basil pesto.  We think adding some red bell pepper next time would be nice.  

Also, it did not make a lot.  It's about a 3-4 serving dish, but it ended up a 3 serving for us, ha ha.  I would double this for leftovers.

What is it?

Chicken with Zucchini Noodles and Basil Pesto

Where is the recipe from?

                         

I prefer to cook my raw chicken separately, and not with other vegetables, when it comes to crockpot cooking.  It's just me.  I cooked the chicken the day before (in the crockpot), shredded it and cooled it (recipe called for chicken breast sliced).

I simply added the chicken at the end of cooking, as well as grated parmesan cheese, because I froze our homemade basil pesto without the cheese this last time.

We thought it was so filling too, and wow, so healthy.

I bought a new hand crank spiralizer about a year ago, and I (gulp) finally used it.  Wow, it is so much easier than the little gizmo I used to use.

Advice:  Grow an herb garden.  Even if you have to grow it in pots.  You will have so many options for your meals, medicinal options, and you will have so much fun in the process.  I'm considering teaching classes for herb gardening, but the actual classes to be "certified" in any way, per say, are expensive.

Using a Spiralizer and Garden Basil Pesto ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Easy Crockpot Recipes

 

What is was supposed to be?  A new recipe - flank steak tacos (recipe is in the first cookbook below).  what it ended up as?  Round steak fajitas.  First, I've only cooked a flank steak once in my lifetime (no kidding there), and two, we couldn't find flank steak, so we used a round steak.  

The seasonings were exactly as the recipe called for however, and it shredded up very nicely.  Although, I would cut back on the seasoning, it was very good, and mostly very, very easy to prepare for the crockpot.

We got 4 servings (2 meals for 2 people), plus we had more leftover after that. Super easy, many possibilities, and a good bang for the buck.

The above cookbook was probably my favorite of all the cookbooks I have borrowed this month.  You don't have to be diabetic to enjoy any of these either.  They are very healthy recipes.  I have many more to try yet.

I found this one to have a lot of recipes with very little ingredients, but most of the recipes ask for a can of this or than, a package of this or that - processed food ingredients.  If you are like me, many of the recipes can be adapted to your homemade ingredients, home canned, or if it's summer your your home grown ingredients.

A soup recipe I converted from a stove top recipe to crockpot.  We have made it twice, and each time with different broth (based on what needed used up first), and we have never had to freeze any of it.  We like it that much.  Odd for a meatless soup too, but we really do like the parsnips in place of potatoes in this recipe (no pasta, no corn, no rice etc).

It's free online with CleanFoodCrush.  Recipe is called Hearty 3 Bean Soup.

My slight changes:

-I don't sauté any of the veggies, so no oil

-I don't use sun dried tomatoes, I use one can of diced tomatoes (or home canned or fire roasted diced)

I toss everything in the crock pot and add additional broth if needed, and cook all day long.  I try to add my seasonings at  the end of cooking, but if I'm going to have a busy day, it all goes in first time in the morning.

Easy Crockpot Recipes  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Warm Weather ~ Knitting Hats?

 

Beautiful sunrise, and the weather has been in the 60's, with yesterday almost 70 degrees.  A nice break in the weather.

I'm already writing up a list of new herbs to plant next year.  It may be the weather break inspiring me.

Winter home repairs are on hold for now, but I'm taking notes, making lists, and so forth.

Crazy me, as about 4 crochet blankets on the hooks, but for different occasions (I love a single yarn pattern for "on-the-go" etc.).  No hurry on any of them, other than one for a Christmas present.  I've had more "sit" time than I'd normally prefer, so I'm taking advantage of it.

Do any of my blog followers have a knitted hat pattern (easy) for beginners (or links to free online patterns)?  I have knit dishcloths, but would like to expand my ability to knit hats (before I attempt socks).  

Maybe a pattern you shared on your blog perhaps?  One of my grandmothers used to knit, but of course I was too young to even think to learn it before she passed (to be honest was never introduced to knitting by anyone).  Would love to expand my handicraft knowledge and experiences.

I'm thinking a baby hat, child hat and adult hat.  I was told that hats were more needed for donations than scarves (our school stated kids don't wear scarves anymore, but will wear hats).  Not that I will stop making scarves, but thought I would ask here, as so many of you are talented.  I would love to pair up baby blankets with hats, as an area pregnancy center has asked for donations.

Warm Weather ~ Knitting Hats?  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

What's Growing?

 

Organic lemon balm sprouting up in an indoor pot, for the first time ever.  I have not planted it indoors before, nor brought in a plant or portion of a plant.  It's being started from organic seeds.

I brought in some chives and rosemary.  We'll see if I can master the ability to keep them both alive indoors this winter.

Sage and Thyme from the herb garden (brought in before our first hard freeze):  dehydrated the thyme, but next year I think it would be useful to make a thyme tincture (for any medicinal reasons).  Do you make a thyme tincture?  If so, what do you keep it on hand to treat?  It totally slipped my mind this year.

I dehydrated most of the sage, but used some fresh to start a tincture (this is great for sore throats when you don't want to/or can't make hot tea).  Just my experience with a sage tincture.  If you have other uses, please share. 

 I ground some ( a first for us ) of the sage and filled a re-purposed jar.  It will be used mostly for mixing up chicken breakfast sausage patties (or turkey).  I will be finding out if it stays pretty good in the ground form or not.  It will make breakfast preparations a bit easier for me.

What's Growing?  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

We are enjoying our garden potatoes.  I use the really small ones for breakfast scrambles or for soups/stews.

New crockpot recipe tried - Beef Stew.  I cannot recall that I have ever made beef stew in the crockpot.  I have always used the oven.  I have to admit, I did not follow the recipe exactly, as it called for red wine.  I did not have any, and used additional beef broth and two tablespoons or organic red wine vinegar instead.  The one thing I will do different next time, is put the rosemary sprigs and bay leaves in a piece of cheesecloth tied with string (making removing them so much easier).

Peas were added in the end, and the seasoning was perfectly delicious.   Next time I will be adding some sourdough bread, rolls or biscuits with it.

Newest tea to try by itself, and as iced tea - Hibiscus.  I tasted and tried a small bottle of locally infused honey in the tea as well - Organic elderberry and hibiscus infused honey.  The honey itself tasted more of elderberry, but good.  It paired very nicely with the hibiscus tea.  Very pretty too.

Not a crockpot recipe, but a new breakfast recipe.  It was in a 22 year old cookbook I already had, and it's very similar to Rachael Ray's Cheddar and Green Chile Egg Casserole, but added ingredients, and it calls for Tabasco in place of chili peppers.  I used jalapenos, jalapeno salt, doubled it (expect the butter).  I used breakfast sausage.  It gives us breakfast for several days (no bread, no potatoes).  I thought I took a photo of the recipe for this post, but it has flown somewhere into cyber world.  

               

Regarding the blanket pattern for this lap sized afghan . . .

It is free and printable online with yarnspirations.  The pattern is here:  Free Easy Red Heart Lattice Lapghan (Yarnspirations).  I am using Red Heart color Aran, and an "I" hook (5.0mm).

We are researching on what type of brooder we want to build for the chicken coop. 

(not my photo)

We are collecting photos on possible builds for the brooder.  It will be built inside the actual chicken coop, so we'll also need access to electricity (or solar if available, as we have not looked into it yet).  

This and That  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 It's been a long time since I participated in Happy Homemaker Monday.  I apologize for the length of it.  I tend to get a bit chatty and blabber on a bit with these posts.

Today I am joining Sandra with Happy  Homemaker Monday. 

The weather . . .

Cold!  Sunday we got down to 27 degrees, our first hard freeze, and rain.  

It's 18 degrees and snow arrived.

Right now I am . . . 

Brewing coffee, and writing this post.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Spring home projects/repairs, chicken brooders, volunteering...fun winter activities.

How I am feeling . . . 

Overall, good, but frustrated with those who cannot "listen" and I have to repeat myself over and over and over (not my husband ha ha! He's a great listener).  I have really learned from this, to be a much better listener.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea yet.

On the menu . . .

-(new recipes to try), crock pot mac n' cheese

-crockpot flank steak tacos (new recipe to try)

-Salmon, stuffed acorn squash (new recipe)

On my reading pile . . .

1.  A lot of crockpot and sheet pan dinner cookbooks from the library (working on new, easy dinners for the next few months).  I have never had the "need" for a crockpot breakfast, but I'm looking into those as well.

2.  Non-fiction (trying to get a few pages in a day).  Interesting, but the authors continuous references to war or military are monotonous (hence 2 pages a day, ha ha!).

3. Fiction

(forgot to take a photo).

On my TV this week . . .

Anything that brings laughter.

Looking around the house . . .

Looking good, and I managed to clean up a pile of paperwork, but found about two dozen printed new recipes to try.  How does that happen?  Sheesh.  I thought I found them all.  I now use my phone to try the recipe first anymore.  If it's a keeper I then either write it down or print it (no more recipe piles for me).  I do have a pile of free magazines from the library to read.

To-do list for the week . . .

-make a new breakfast

-sweep and mop floors

-dust

-one doctor appointment this week

-return books to the library

What I am creating . . . 

Finished this lap afghan for a future donation.

I was given some yarn recently, and there are at least 21 skeins of Red Heart aran yarn in the mix.  Yes, 21 of them.

I started a new lap afghan pattern with the aran colored yarn, and should use up 4 skeins to make it.  It is my "travel" or "on the go" project for now.  It's one color of yarn, and the pattern is very easy to memorize, so "on the go" is perfect for this blanket.

From the camera . . .

Updated photo of my crocheted "Book Blanket" I am making.  If you haven't seen my first posts on this, you can see it HERE and another post HERE.  I crochet a granny square, with scrap yarn, with my best ability to match the colors of the book cover.  The granny squares are crocheted onto the blanket (a join as I go project).  The photo is 40 completed books with 40 matching granny squares.  We'll see what I get attached by the end of 2025.

Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses . . .

A few prayer requests:  

Abby, a daughter to folks we know, who was in a car accident and in the hospital unconscious.  They cut some of her skull to relieve pressure, and have plans to slowly remove her from sedation and eventually move her to acute long term facility.

Larry, adult friend of a family member who recently suffered serious seizures.  We are told he takes medication for seizures, and the cause is not known. He had a seizure recently, while driving to work, which put him in the hospital.

Myself.  God knows the details.

Happy Homemaker Monday  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart