"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.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Just the Bits



 I hope the joys in your winter days are pouring in.  I got a teeny tiny sample from Eden Garden Essential oils, and it's in the diffuser today.  It's called "It Smells Amazing."  Photo to show you how tiny and cute the sample bottle is.


One day it was very dreary, but the huge slow falling snowflakes were so pretty.


Another day we started out with snow fog.  Crazy, but it was beautiful with the sunshine.  Love that sunshine.


A few bird photos I took recently.  The sun was shining just a bit too.

The snow is rolling in again, and more until Saturday.  Last I heard they predicted about another 2-3 inches for our area.  I won't complain.  It's poor man's fertilizer.  Good for the garden, because it brings nitrogen to the ground.

The weather however, is delaying our beloved Fluffy Butt Hutt (aka new chicken mansion) from progressing. Even so, the ladies are back to laying us at least one egg a day.  I have been taking scraps and treats to them, and giving them positive mojo talks (yes, I do that).  Focus is directed to other projects for the meantime.

I have gotten all of our Christmas decor put back into totes,  but a few items.  The tree star was taken down and boxed up until next Christmas.  We'll take the tree down together this weekend.  I think I will join Anne in the Kitchen with her count down to Christmas, with trying new recipes for the next winter holiday.  Maybe new gift ideas that come along to print off, and anything else.  Adult games that are not corny would be fun to research as well.  I've had a binder for such things for years, but really have not spent time with it, nor adding anything to it.

The only decoration remaining, is our evergreen door wreath.  It smells so good when I open the door to fetch the mail, that I plan to leave it up for another week or so.

I had to laugh yesterday.  My husband and I were talking about the Breakfast Chicken Sausage Patties I recently made, and he was shocked I made them from scratch.  Insert eye rolling, because he knows I cook from scratch ha ha!  They really are that good.  The sage, thyme and garlic come from the garden.
These are so good, we are considering grinding our own chicken, which means investing in a meat grinder.  I have an old hand crank one, but if you own one and have a suggestion, that would be a great place for us to start.

I think the word for this month should be "perspective" and "consistency" (possibly others).  They keep coming to me in my books, devotionals, blogs from some of you (thank you for that), and even in some TV shows lately.  Your mindset is a powerful tool in navigating life.  When I hit a bump in the road to our plans, I am getting positive reminders to not boo-hoo my day away.

We are delaying any traveling this month.  Not just due to the recent snow storms, but now I have two doctor appointments.  Ha!  Nothing like being told, "we would like to see you, to make sure you did not fracture anything" and "just to be sure" when you are starting to regain momentum with daily exercise.   In the meantime, I have new spike straps for my boots, when I go outside.  On a good note, they do the x-rays in the same building as my doctor's office, so it's much more convenient, and quicker results.  To be honest, I am not worried about having a fracture, but more worried about being able to lift a filled canning pot this summer (only me, right?)


Praying for the LA area in CA right now.  I have a cousin, her husband and their cats living in the area of these fires, and they are greatly affected by it.  Currently without power, damaged roof, dangerous to drive anywhere due the 100mph winds and so forth.  Please pray for Cindy, Chip and their cats (which are rescues that were dumped in a trash can, and very dear to them). Cats names are Ginger and Mary Ann. 

Just the Bits © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

6 comments:

Faith said...

Oh those pictures are beautiful, I would LOVE to look out my window & see that every day. Hope springs eternal. I'll have to take a look at the sausage recipe, as I am journeying into traditional nutrient foods, shopping the paremeter of the store, and eliminating processed whenever possible. Grinding grain this morning for fresh bread, it will smell heavenly in here in a little while.

Betsy said...

I'm glad that your cousin and family are okay, if not exactly fine. The fires and destruction are horrible and I've been praying for the people sine I heard.
I think it would be nice to leave the wreath up as long as it's beautiful. It says "winter" just as much as "Christmas." At least that's my humble opinion.
We were supposed to get some snow last night, but once again it passed us by other than a few flurries that have disappeared this morning. That's fine with me. I would much prefer a bit more warmth and rain to refresh the ground.
Have a wonderful day.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy

Carol said...

Such a cute bottle. The snow is changing our plans a bit as well as the 2 days a week therapy that I am doing now for my arm.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Faith, I would love to see what type of grain grinder you have. I have looked a few. Maybe a post about it? We too avoid processed food when all possible. Thank you about the views. The snow has been beautiful.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Betsy, you are right, the wreath says "winter" and I do love the smell. It is awful of what the LA people are dealing with right now. Prayers for all.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Carol, the bottle is so darn cute. Tiny for sure. I sure hope the snow doesn't keep you from your appts.