. . .from the handiwork journal {Feb 28, 2025}

 The month of February typically is the month we tend to get the most snowfall.  Now we are thawing out, and having some flooding.  Heck, Wednesday we started out with everything frozen again, then snow showers, followed by a day of rain.

Yesterday we woke up to fog.  The weather is all over the map right now.  Just after dinner time last night, we had a rain shower.  

 Ribbit, Ribbit. 🐸  Sounds like Rip it, Rip it.  It's where the term "frogging" a crochet project comes from.  Ripping out stitches due to mistakes in previous rows.

I did more frogging this past week than I wish I had, ha ha!  I worked on the blue and white baby blanket, but kept making mistakes.  I am not sure if it was my husband talking to me, or if I was just having an "off" day. Ha.  If fact, I had to rip out a few rounds last night (again) due to an extra stitch I had made in a previous row.  I hope to get it finished soon.  

Update on the "book" blanket granny squares.  

.  .  .  finished more books, so more matching granny squares for my "book" blanket. These books were both on my shelf for several years (other than the very last book). The first book granny square is a repeat photo from last Monday's post, but these are all the newest ones made for the "book" blanket.  All of them have been crocheted to the blanket (other than the last three).

The "BAT" book was tucked into a drawer and forgotten about last year.  My Mom gave me book #1 and I read it about a year ago, and bought book 2 and 3.  She just handed me the book with a giggle, and told me I just had to read it.  Hence the kids book included in my reading this year.

. . .  some embellished paperclips, to use up the last bit of some crochet thread.  

Lastly. . . 

I found a new pacifier holder pattern, and I love it.  Funny story about finding it.  I went on a search, so I could make one to gift with the pink baby blanket soon. 

I can't exactly remember how I saw the one I liked. Maybe doing an image search?  Once I found the one I wanted, I checked Ravelry.  All of the finished ones were noted with a pamphlet or copy of Crochet World Magazine.  After extensive searching, I somehow found a book that it was published in, and wa-la, our library had a copy.

                         

My first crocheted pacifier holders - Pattern is from Crochet Crowd.  As you can see at the clip, it is rounded, and slides back and forth on the clip.  It's cute, but I was not really that happy with the final results.  I also had a hard time getting it to lay flat, even after blocking it.  

These crochet up very quickly, and they fit the clip much better than the last pattern I used from Crochet Crowd (using #3 crochet thread).  The pattern I used, uses #10 cotton crochet thread.  I already had the clips, because I had made a few using the last pattern.

Last month, I was him-hawing about getting rid of a bag of misc. beads.  I'm glad I did not.  I used some jewelry supplies, jewelry tools, spare beads, and created a way to attach a row counter to my project bag (or project) for traveling.  Talk about a happy gal.  No purchases needed.  The row counter actually came in a bag of odd assortments from a thrift store haul years ago.

Results?  I love this for road trips or just any long drive with time to do handiwork.  I still feel I will be using paper and pen any other time.

. . . from the handiwork journal  {Feb 28 2025} © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Red Lentil Hummus

 Here is how I make our red lentil hummus.  It makes a good amount, but you can slather it on a cracker and top it with a sliced boiled egg, dip fresh veggies in it, enjoy it on a sandwich (of any sort) and so many other ways.  You can use hummus as your "sauce" for dishes.

First, measure 1 cup of organic red lentils, and rinse them.  Add them to a pot and 3 cups of water.  Cook them until there  is no water left (they will be a mushy consistency).  You will need to watch the pot at the end so it does not burn to the pan.

Take off the heat and allow to cool.  Go clean something, read a book, fold laundry or enjoy the outdoors for a bit.

Place the cooked and cooled lentils in a food processor and add:

1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup Tahini

3 Tbsp. Lemon juice (I use fresh squeezed and often use one lemon, and don't measure)

3-4 Cloves of garlic, minced (to your taste)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cumin

Mix in the food processor, chill and enjoy!

Note:  We love garlic in our hummus, but you can easily adjust all the ingredients in this to your liking too.

It's our favorite hummus, next to traditional hummus that uses all chickpeas, olive oil and similar ingredients. 

Red Lentil Hummus  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Enjoying the Last Days of February

 

It's hard to believe that we are approaching the last day of February 2025 this coming Friday.  The weather was definitely much more "winter" this year, but February is the month we tend to get the most snow.  

There has been some beautiful sunrises this month.  I'm blessed be able to capture a few.  We even squeezed an adventure in this month.  

We have also driven around, and located some new hiking/walking trails to enjoy nature and get exercise (maybe even a few picnics).  

Although we had much of the month in freezing and subzero temperatures, this week it warmed up to a wonderful 53°F.

Seen during the day recently.  Even the deer are enjoying the warmer weather this week.

I had the chance to read a new book on the porch this week, before the month ends.  Oh my gosh, the sun felt so good.

The ground is a very mushy mess this week, so there is no work progressing on the new chicken coop, but we have not forgotten about it either.  However, I did ask my husband where the new wire cutters were for this project.  We both have no idea, but I surely hope we find them.

I did however, take a walk out to the fall planted garlic, and all but a few are up already.   I did not walk on the garden, due to the thawing out here, but will check it again soon. 

Our bunching onions look pretty good for being February too.  I may be harvesting some to go in tonight's dinner.

I finally got all of my medical appointments off the calendar too.  I had to change one twice due to icy roads.  I've been bringing a book along with any travel friendly crochet/knit projects to any appointments or any longer drives, and have finished another book.  More granny squares for the book blanket are in progress (insert happy face).

I rescued our lost roll of shelf liner.  The clerk indeed must of put it down behind the counter, because they had it at the customer service counter.  I had to sign to get it back.  Literally.  Anyway, I took advantage of the store visit, and purchased a few zipper storage bags to help organize the current closet.

Only about 950 pieces to go on this puzzle, ha ha!  It's been too nice outside to work on it.

Here is the newly tried frittata recipe (29.4 grams of protein, cut in 4 servings).  It called for sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach.  I think feta cheese and cottage too, but we finish it off today. We loved it, but  I felt the fresh spinach added too much moisture to the frittata, so I will wilt it and squeeze it dry next time we make it.   I may be topping mine with home canned cowboy candy too.  Oh, I did add a pinch of homemade "fire powder" to it.  

Recipe:  Cottage Cheese Egg Bake (Frittata in a pie dish)

From:  Sweet as honey online

I also made the homemade chicken breakfast "sausage" patties, but used organic ground turkey.  I left half of the brown sugar out this time, and may even leave it all out next time.  It's basically to carnalize it while making them.

I'll be posting the red lentil hummus recipe and an update on handiwork soon.  I plan to enjoy every minute of the last days of February.

Enjoying the Last Days of February  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday {February 24, 2025}

 Success this past week. I installed shelf liners on 3 shelves in one of the bathroom cabinets.  I also completely cleaned out two large corner kitchen cupboards, purged any expired seasonings, vinegars, oils etc. Cleaned them, washed every lazy susan/turntable, lined the shelves, and re-organized.

I made a trip to town to buy liner to finish the remaining shelves.  I also invested in two more turntables to make life more organized.

However, between putting the roll of shelf liner on the check out, and then paying for it, apparently it never made it home.  The drive back is not short.  The remaining shelves will be waiting until we retrieve the roll.  We are stumped at how we never got that long roll back into the cart.  

Anyway, I have also done inventory to see what I need for this year's canning season.  I, apparently, have enough celery seed to can items for the next two years (ha ha! Whoops!).  The kids moved in and out, but left behind their huge supply of spices and seasonings (which of most were the ones expired).

We also replaced our paper shredder, so thanks for all your suggestions.  

A question for anyone who pickles eggs - do you have a fantastic recipe, or do you just re-use juice from your canned beets?  Which vinegar is better if you make your own pickling liquid?  I have only pickled eggs with one recipe, using a jalapeno, and other spices.

Today I will be joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  

I will link up when she posts.  Today's post is a doozy of a long one.  Sorry for that.

The  weather in our neck of the woods . . .

We are finally warming up, and we may even reach 50°F!  It's going to melt all of this snow and ice, so it will also be a muddy mess, but a happy temperature.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's still dark out, but last night during dinner we watched two woodpeckers enjoying our bird feeder on a tree.

Right now I am . . . 

Making our daily snack plans.  Sipping hot coffee.

Something fun to share (blog, video or tip). . .

Tip:  Use a mandolin to shred cabbage on the thinnest setting vs. using a food processor for either slaw or other meals.  It creates a much thinner cabbage, which makes a better slaw or cook faster for a meal.  

Thinking and pondering . . .

Possibilities I'm considering for this next garden season -

1. Dehydrating dandelion greens

2. Planting a new squash

3. Putting my shell pea/snow pea fence back up

4. Planting more fruit options

5. Looking for a new resource to buy tomato plants

6. I can't locate Jerusalem artichokes to try this year.  Anyone have suggestions?  I would like to see if they will grow here well.  I tried Baker Creek and I think I looked at High Mowing, but can't remember ha ha!  Not Amazon or Etsy please.  I saw on Territorial they want $24.95 for one plant.  Are they that expensive for organic/heirloom?

We have lacked in the way of sowing seeds in the house this past year, and I am way behind this year.  I may go ahead and start beets, but it's pretty late for the rest I typically start early.  We do not have a green house, and we lack space in the sunlight, so I have to use grow lights when we do start seeds inside.  The lights have timers, but it does increase our very expensive electric bill.

On my bedside table . . .

-a few crochet hooks, notepad and pen

Listening to . . .

Nothing now, but maybe the radio during the day.  The type depends on what I wish to listen to at the moment.  Music anyway.

On the menu . . .

Focusing on the freezer and garden stash/pantry ingredients.

-pork chops with home canned BBQ sauce, quinoa and roasted beets

-cabbage wraps with Italian sausage (my own recipe, but uses meat from the freezer)

-stuffed bell peppers (made last summer with garden bell peppers), will side these with other smaller meals too

-summer vegetable spaghetti (uses frozen diced zucchini, yellow squash, and green beans from the garden, and a jar of home canned tomato sauce), with frozen homemade meatballs (made with oats and no bread crumbs)

-chickpea crust pizzas using home canned pizza sauce, and frozen bell peppers from the garden

Book I am reading. . .

A much different book, but reading no less.

On my TV . . .

Nurse Jackie Series 3, 4 and 5, DVD's borrowed from the library. However, if it doesn't get much better, we are abandoning the series and finding something new to watch.

On my to-do list . . .

-make a breakfast frittata, and turkey breakfast "sausages"

-make a jar of pickled red onions

-start more sprouts for the chickens
-dishes, empty dishwasher
-laundry
-sweep and mop downstairs room

(my "possibility list" in other words)

Happening this week . . .

Ha!  It all depends on the weather.  I am hoping to get into town to retrieve the roll of shelf liner we paid for and somehow didn't get.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

Another granny finished book means another finished granny square for my "book" blanket.  I am not stressing about if the colors match "exactly" but close enough is enough for me.  The new project is to use up scrap balls of yarn, and crochet a beautiful blanket for us.  More granny squares to make.

Post about my "book" blanket - HERE

My simple pleasure . . .

Reading.

Lessons learned the past week . . .

1. buy honey in glass jars, not plastic

2. keep tinctures in canning jars and not bottle droppers (two of my bottle droppers broke from the residue or whatever)

From the camera . . .

Prayers, Bible Verse, Devotional . . . 

No current prayer requests.  

Happy Homemaker Monday {February 24, 2025} © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

 

Yesterday's sunrise.  It was snowing all day, but it was one of those big, soft, slow falling snowflake days.  Beautiful, despite the freezing temperatures and lack of full sunshine.

Check out these photos.  I had to take them thru the window, because of the snow outside, but loved what I photographed (cannot wait to upgrade my camera soon).  There was a woodpecker enjoying the bird feeder later in the day, but the bugger was playing with me, and kept flying off before I could snap one photo, ha ha!

Look at the top of the photo.

A blog follower asked for the hamstring stretches that I was given by one of my daughters.  Here they are, but check out anything on Youtube too.  There are exercises on there that were also helpful.

I also did floor stretches in addition, and ate a well balanced diet etc.  Good advice I was given one day, is 80% of maintaining your health (good weight, or weight loss) happens in the kitchen.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Although I did some bits of deep cleaning yesterday, I realized my pile of paperwork that needs shredded is growing.  Our paper shredder broke down, and we do not have a burn barrel here.  If you have suggestions for a good quality paper shredder to buy, please let me know.  Otherwise, I will be looking for community shredding events (if they still have them).

I whipped up a batch of red lentil hummus for us to enjoy.  I do think, so far, it's our favorite of all the hummus recipes I have made, and I have made a lot of different ones (pumpkin, black bean, beet, roasted red pepper, green pepper, other white bean, butternut). I adapted a recipe I located online, but added more garlic and a can of chickpeas.  I will have to see if I shared the recipe on my blog.  If anyone is interested.

We have warmed up to 12°F this morning.  I am hoping the icy driveway melts away soon.

I have some new recipes lined up to try.  One I thought would be "new" to us, is not really.  It's basically a frittata with added spinach to it.

I have some new crochet patterns lined up to use up some crochet thread.  We'll see if it all happens or not.  I want to finish the current baby blanket too.

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

Chilly Time Chit-Chat

We warmed up from 0°F to 2°F today.  It's all a sheet of ice outside.  No sign of thawing just yet.  We also got more snow last night.

We are getting news from family and friends of sickness.  One is one of the kids too.  She has confirmed having the flu.  

The water softener is still on the "off" mode.  My husband has acquired the supplies to repair the leak in the line, but has lacked the time to do the actual repair.  I'm tapping my foot in anticipation, so I can turn the water softener back on (laundry awaits).  He works outside in this cold some days, so when he comes home, he is physically spent so to speak.

With that said, I have only moved a few puzzle pieces on our current puzzle.

Update on the last new pancake recipe.  I froze about 15 of them, and we are thawing them this week for breakfast with a side of homemade chicken "sausage" patties.  I may add scrambled eggs later, but I wanted to let you know they thawed and re-heated nicely.  

I have found another high protein pancake recipe to try soon as well (recipe with no protein powder).  I have several healthy new breakfast recipes to try, as well as dinner, so I won't run out of winter activities, ha ha!

I finished a few books, so I'm working on some new granny squares for our "book" blanket.  I'll post them soon after I get them done, ends sewn in and added to the blanket.  What a huge improvement on reading books this year too.  I would say 98% of the books read this year are books I bought at least a year to three years ago.  Other ones are given to me or borrowed from the library.  The one on top was okay.  I didn't really learn a lot to be honest.  She mentions Lincoln shell peas as the best yielding peas, but I grew them here and they did not do well. It was written and published so many years ago too.

I started some lentil sprouts for the chickens.  I think they will be happy ladies with this deep freeze we are experiencing.  Although lentils are inexpensive, I will be adding new sprouts to their winter diet.

~Home Updates~

I'm getting some shelf liners installed.  Woohoo to that.  One area is already done.  Three more areas more to go. I added another area.

I have wanted some of these for a long time, and finally bought some (online).  They are shoe bags. These are clear enough I can see what shoes will be in them, and durable enough they keep the dust off shoes on a wire shelf in the closet, and they can be used to take shoes traveling (water shoes, flip flops, sandals or whatever).  

In order to line the closet wire shelves, I have some updates like this to do.  I may be doing some purging in there too.  I know the clothes have got to be sorted.  Good luck with me getting my husband on board with his clothes.  

Progress is better than no progress.

I made a few peanut butter/bird seed treats for the birds.  I'm sure they will be enjoyed during this winter.  I just saved some empty toilet paper rolls, spread peanut butter on them, then rolled it in the bird seed. I then put the rolls on high branches in the trees.  

I'm hoping the birds find them before the raccoons.  I spotted this guy, but I still have not replaced my camera, so it's not that great of a photo. I'm tickled they are finding the food with this deep freeze.

A little "funny" to share.  We were in a hurry one day, and at a different store than usual.  We were out of coffee, so I grabbed a bag and kept shopping.

It took one day to realize we didn't like their "brand" and the next day went back to buy our regular organic coffee.  

I was cleaning off the counters yesterday, and moved the old bag of coffee beans.  I happened to pick it up to take a photo, and text my husband if he wanted it tossed out or if someone could use it at his work.

Ha ha ha ha!  After I sent the photo, I looked at it again and groaned.

See what it says???  Uh oh!  Whoops.  Not wonder it didn't taste right.  Good grief.

Chilly Time Chit - Chat  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

44 Weeks Until Christmas ~ New Appetizer Recipe Tried

I'm not too behind in trying this recipe.  I printed it off (gulp) back on December 3rd of 2024.

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

Appetizer

(Don't Sweat the Recipe, online)

Did you know they make organic tortillas now?  In case you are lazy like me, and do not want to make them homemade.  

One bowl mix.

Spread on the tortillas, roll up, cover, chill, and slice later.

How they looked sliced for snack size appetizer.

We love these, but be warned, they are not low-fat ha ha!

These would be great for summer potlucks, taking along for weekend getaways, when guests come to visit, picnics and the like.  Not just for Christmas.  I would love to try them with home grown jalapenos from the garden this summer.

Honestly, if you don't want the tortilla in your meals, I would just as much enjoy deviled eggs with bits of freshly chopped jalapenos in the filling too.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

It's a brisk 3 degrees here today, with a windchill of -9°F.  It's so frozen outside, we were not able to put our trash container out to the road for trash pick up today. It's frozen to the ground.  Literally.  It previously rained, then froze, then melted a bit, then the snow arrived, and now the continued deep freeze.  Exciting news today.  Ha ha!

I have another recipe to try, but it's not for a holiday meal.  I am in search for one ingredient, and so far unable to find it in stores.  The recipe is from a cookbook I own, so if it all happens, I'll write up a post about it.

Meanwhile, garden plans are underway, and seeds are being ordered.  I try to plant something new to us, so that gives me something to look forward too.

44 Weeks Until Christmas ~  New Appetizer Recipe Tried  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart