"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.

Monday, April 21, 2025

Happy Homemaker Monday

Could Spring finally be here to stay?  The heat has been shut off.  The first mowing has happened, and the grass is a beautiful and bright green again.  The flower beds look really nice again, and I have dug up and moved some flower bulbs.  New fruit trees were planted, and porch furniture covers removed.

I've not been online much at all (hence the long post today, so grab a cup of java), and even hand wrote a letter this past week.  I've done a lot of cooking, but mostly the prep work for fresh salads to go with meals.  Soak, chop, slice and dice, mix....lots of good food, but a lot of dirty dishes too.


Third Year Asparagus.

First planted asparagus

Our first asparagus is sprouting, the asparagus beds have been cleaned up and ready for a Spring harvest.  We planted more more new asparagus roots, and we are preparing a new area to expand the asparagus patch again (we never have enough to freeze).

I planted rosemary seeds prior to a good rain. I have more seeds to plant for other herbs.

I have transplanted a few house plants, and one does not look too healthy.  I am hoping it just needed a larger pot.  I have not had house plants in many years due to cats and dogs, but I inherited my Mom's plants when she passed away.  I've been doing pretty well with their upkeep, but the cactus isn't looking too good (insert sad face).

I hope you had a nice Easter Sunday.  As for us, we did not do anything in the way of a special meal/gathering (no invitations).  My husband had to work, and the kids all spent the day with their other families or had other plans.  

I spent the Easter holiday cleaning and lining the last kitchen cupboard, and other jobs around the house.  Apparently, the double decker, lazy susan I bought from K-mart almost 17 years ago has broken.  I'll need to find a replacement.  Otherwise, that job is done. Tossed some rennet from 2016 (gulp!) I didn't even know we still had (from dairy goat cheese making days) it. I think I eventually went to a liquid rennet that needed to be refrigerated, so I was shocked to find old rennet in the cupboard.

Put those pesky toothpicks in a canning jar.  The boxes are always breaking and I'm tired of shoving them in plastic bags.  The lid is a repurposed lid that fits half pint Ball jars.

Food scale recommendations?  Online or in store.  I am in the need to replace ours (have had it since we raised dairy goats).


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

I will link up when she posts today. I am up early.


The weather in our neck of the woods . . .

Rain early today, high of 71° and sunny later (hopefully).


As I look outside my window . . .

It's raining.


Right now I am . . .

Getting this blog post posted.


Something fun to share . . .

Cute! If you crochet anyway. My Mom had been after me for a few years to crochet cactus plants in crocheted pots, to sell at my craft shows.  I never did get any made, but a few years ago one of my daughters encouraged me to crochet leaves and a pot, in which the leaves were cup/mug coasters.  I donated a set to a plant bingo that was taking place last year. 

In fact, I crocheted flower dishcloths and filled a cactus looking plant pot, to appear as a plant, and donated that too (you can see both of my plant projects in the blog post link).


Thinking and pondering . . .

To sell or not sell our wine making supplies.  We made pear wine once, with our homegrown pears, and we learned a lot from the experience.  I doubt we will ever make homemade wine again.  Although, the way things are going in this world, the finished product would make a nice item to barter with.  Just thoughts rambling.

To work on making something this year, to donate to the plant bingo next year.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I have time to consider it.  

Make something for the advent gifts.  I have a crochet project in mind.  It's a useful item.

When God created me, did he make a "blooper?"  Do you ever wonder what your God given "gift" is?  I'm still wondering.

Possibly going back to work.  Full time?  Part time?  Not sure.

I miss fun "snail" mail.  My Aunt and I used to write hand written letters, and she was the last person who stayed in touch with me that way.  I loved writing her a letter.  I do miss that.

Not to make this post any longer, but have you ever actually written down your own happy list?  A list of what truly makes you happy?  What brings you joy?  From simple to complex?

Being that this weekly, Monday "Happy" Homemaker post has "Happy" in the title, and the funny thing that this was the daily reading for Easter morning  - 



The book the daily readings are from.  Some are pretty good, some are just meh.

Do you have a "happy" list?  I did not.  It got me thinking.  


On my bedside table . . .

3 crochet hooks, yarn needles, notepad and pen


On my TV . . .

Ransom Canyon


Listening to . . .

Radio, 90's


On my reading pile . . .

Besides my three morning readings (two are devotionals, one is a daily positive reading, all of which I bought a year ago), I am currently reading this book:

ebook (my first ever ebook)


(photo source:  Google)

On the menu this week . . . 

-chicken fajitas
-grilled burgers, veggie side
-crock pot lasagna (new recipe to try), veggie side
-leftovers

On the to-do list . . .

-make a few calls
-check asparagus
-check wild violets
-handle some paperwork
-muck coop
-meal prep
-mail in a rebate


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

See last post:  HERE to see current projects

Pot holder set in the making.


Picked up a free bookmark craft from the library.  I plan to make this sometime this week.  I just need to buy Elmer's glue (to secure the ends, according to the instructions).


My simple pleasure . . .

Nail polish.  I only get the chance to polish my nails in between garden seasons.


Looking around the house . . .

I have extra bed pillows that need stored.  I'm thinking the best way will be to buy those suction type bags, but they are very expensive (and in the past they don't hold items compressed very long). Hm.  


From the camera . . .


These two were sitting out back a few weeks ago.


Bible Verse, Devotional, Prayers. . . 

"God thank You that even hard days can be good days when we hold on to You.  Guide me throught them with strength, peace, and the comfort of Your love.  In Jesus' name. Amen." (180 Devotions for Your Best Day" Barbour Publishing.

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


12 comments:

Sandi said...

What lovely photos!

Make sure your cactus is dry enough and you have the right kind of soil that drains easily.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sandi, thank you! I purchased cactus soil this time, and the new larger pot has a drain hole. When I took the plant out of the existing pot, I realized it did not have drain holes in it. Thanks for that info. Crossing my fingers and a prayer it will flourish once again.

Faith said...

GOD made no mistakes/bloopers, but I do have to wonder about his motives, as I also struggle with what I'm to do, how to do or should I do it. What is his plan for me? Am I doing it, do I need to do more, or am I good where I am? Lots of questions. I think in these times often we will compare and contrast our lives with others which may make us feel inadequate, or unfufilled. That is when I hear him say..you are enough as you are, as I created you.

🌻 Debby 🌻 said...

After the pandemic I was in a slump - it didn’t feel right. In my own power, I couldn’t get out of it so I asked the Holy Spirit what I should do. I prayed that I want more of Him and less of me. Wow, the past 2 years, I’m like a new believer who is on fire for the Lord and He’s opened doors for me to serve Him. I’m amazed because I’m an introvert who usually shys away from too much. God is so real and all we need to do is ask Him in what ways does He want us to serve and glorify Him.
More of Him/ Less of me! That’s His will for us!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Faith, thank you for that. Great way to to put it.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Debby @ My Shasta Home, thank you for sharing this. Just what I need to hear too.

R's Rue said...

I love snail mail. It brings me joy. Have a wonderful day.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

R's Rue, snail mail is simply the best, right?

Sherry Jolly said...

Those eagles are amazing! We have a lot of them in Northern Michigan but no so many around here! That asparagus is so cool! Spring asparagus is my favorite. And your menu sounds so good, I haven't had anything grilled for quite some time! Have a great week!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sherry Jolly, I think the eagles come around the same time every year. According to the photos I took last April, they were in the same tree or same area anyway last year. I am thankful they are not sticking around, with my chickens new run not built yet and all.

Luludou said...

Look at those Eagles! A local writer (a few years back), instead of writing a book wrote letters we would receive every month for a year as if the older lady was writing to us as a friend. I have kept them all, I need to reread those at a leisurely pace - I loved having mail like that. Have a great week

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Luludou, those letters sound not only interesting but fun. How neat.