Pioneer Woman at Heart

  In May of 2024, I ordered a brand new, USA made stainless steel tomato strainer.  In the fall of 2024, I called to check on the order, because it did not arrive in 6 months as I was told. I was then told, the new sauce maker would arrive in May of 2025.  Keep in mind, you have to remember this over all this time too.  Well, May of 2025 has passed.  It's now June and I called again.  I'm told (and before she even asks for my order number) the production won't produce any until "May of 2026" (seriously).  I asked for a refund.  I'll let you know what happens, as I do expect that refund one way or another.  Once that is back in my bank account, I need to find a better source for a stainless steel tomato strainer.  I thought I would share, if case anyone has thought about ordering from them.  I'm not "bad" mouthing the company.  I'm just sharing my experience in attempting to order a tomato strainer. Who knows what I'll be doing ...

  A few snippets from the flower beds.  It's not everything, but some beauties right now.  I took these on my phone, so the photos are not that great.  I have yet to replace my actual camera (soon I hope). One of our regular's from the herb garden - two types of sage. We have  had this one for over 20-some years, and moved it twice.  Love it!  It already bloomed this season. Added this sage about three years ago.  I believe it is called Greek Sage.  We love sage in homemade breakfast sausage, teas, medicinal teas, and tincture.  Sage tea (as well as ginger tea), is great for a sore throat. The heat index was not as bad yesterday, as the day before, but we did get up to 96°F.  All  of the seeds, that I replanted in the vegetable garden, are sprouting but a scant few.  It will be hot again today, and then possible rain moving back in (we need it too). I found a wild growing mullein plant growing in the yard, so I dug it...

  The heat index was 105°F yesterday.  Today it is said to be a record breaking day.  I have yet to hear what they actually do expect today.  Yes, we did outdoor work yesterday, but very early.  AC is on, but one system has to be worked on before we can turn it back on.  The sunrises are still smoke hazy sunrises.  A heat wave means it's officially salad season again. We were gifted some garden romaine.  I made us a big salad (apples added later) - chicken, apple pecan salad. Something new (a first for us) this year - growing a Meyer lemon plant.  I have wanted to do this for several years.  One blogger I used to follow was going to mail me seeds.  When that didn't happen, I bought some on Etsy, and not one seed sprouted.  Years later I found a plant and wa-la!  We have some lemons on it this year.   I have a lack of photos, partly because I have lost my blogging mojo (numbers show a lack of interest anyway), and...

  An updated photo of my crocheted "book blanket" for this year. We are 6 months into the year, and obviously (he he!) I am not even to a halfway point on this blanket.  Sigh.  I'm squeezing in reading time when I can.  The blanket is about 67 inches long, if that helps give you an idea on the size it will be. In the beginning of 2025, I dedicated a hand crocheted granny square for every book I read this year.  The granny squares are crocheted with scrap balls of yarn, matched the best I can, to match the colors of the book cover of the finished book.  The granny squares are then attached, one at a time (join as you go) with a unique stitching.  We are absolutely loving how it's turning out.   You can read about the first post about this blanket HERE . Book Blanket {post #2}   ©  June 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart

  (6-7-25) (6-11-25) I appears she is moving the eggs around after a few days.  Notice the blue egg in front a few days later?  The baby birds are born.  Not sure how many will make it yet, but they are being fed, so I have to be careful on watering my flower pot (or not, ha ha!). Mrs. Bird   ©  June 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart

  Visited a thrift store that was in an old house, and one room was a "Christmas" themed room.  I bought two $.50 ornaments (proceeds went to a local church).  Most items were over priced for a "thrift" store. A favorite crockpot side dish of ours - crockpot creamed corn.  It's different than some recipes you make on the stove top (we still love that kind too).  Crockpots are so handy during the holidays. The recipe is from Southern Ladies Cook online.  We have been making the recipe for a few years now, and it's been so handy, and quick to make for a side dish. I would double or triple this recipe for larger get togethers.  We love it the most, because we freeze corn off the cob every year, and when it's frozen, it's frozen with butter and a bit of sugar (I salt later when it's cooked).  The recipe for this crockpot side dish requires corn and butter both, and since the butter is already in the corn, I cut back on what's added.   The re...

Sunrises have been murky with smoke this summer.  Definitely not as beautiful as last year.  It has taken a toll on our eyes here at the homestead, not to mention throats.  Like I say, "I have a tea for that." The garden is growing, thanks to more rain here, as well as somewhat warm days.  There is a bad storm forecasted later today.  Just about everything is coming up now, and I may even plant a few more borage seeds.  My feverfew seeds are not sprouting very well, and I am concerned there will be no harvest.  I will look into other seed sources just in case. The seeds that sprouted the quickest were the mashed potato squash seeds I saved from last year's garden (originally from Territorial Seeds).  There is one new winter squash, that was planted, that has not sprouted anything yet (and I bought a very small amount to try).   I will be doing a lot more seed saving, but not from anything I grew from High Mowing Seeds.  Last year, a...

  Restocked.  Our grocery stores used to carry this, but with vanilla in it.  All area stores stopped selling it.  I have now prepared for the Christmas season, by re-stocking the organic/non-gmo corn syrup for any holiday treats. If I don't make holiday treats, it will not be a wasted purchase.  I use it to make homemade Teriyaki sauce and also for a sweet treat (maybe once a year, and I typically share) of Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce (that is a true delicious sweet treat worth gifting, but will need refrigerated). Tried a new recipe for baked and flavored pretzels.  I had about a half of a bag that was leftover from another occasion, and I decided to bake garlic-ranch pretzels. First, the recipe stated to put it all in a ziploc bag and shake it.  I found that most of the seasoning stuck to the inside of the bag.  I will coat the pretzels in the bag with oil first next time, then sprinkling the season on the tray and mix right on the tray to retai...

  Thankful for the rain that arrived right after I finished planting the garden last week.  I have new garden goodies to try this year, and I have ordered a new item to start in pots (more on that later). Our AC units are not installed yet.  We have not had anyone to help do that, and one person we reached out to, has not responded. It's been nice to get back on track again.  It's been nice to "catch my breath" so to speak.   The house needed a tidy up, I returned my library books, ran errands, and most of all cleaned up clutter.  The refrigerator got a good cleaning (needs a bit more cleaned).   The chicken coop mucked. I updated the garden journal, made notes, and have made notes for next year as well.  We bought some of our garden plants this year, so I'm saving all the containers and trays.  I plan to use them for seed starting for next year (unless plans change by then). Harvested: -chickweed  -fresh chive blossoms   ...