Pioneer Woman at Heart

Well, well, well....car repairs loom over us once again.   Our college daughter who is 2 1/2 hours away, drove home with car problems. I guess it's time to go car shopping, unless Hub-ster the mechanic can pull miracles today.

Hubby had this brainy idea a few years to till up this lot, which is south of the largest garden, and north of yet another newly tilled garden lot (which has popcorn and pumpkin).  As you can see, there is a ton of grass and weeds in there.  We used plastic the last two years to plant our squash and the vegetables did terrible.  This year there is no plastic, so there are tons of weeds.   In that one garden (photo above) is zucchini, yellow straight-neck squash, spaghetti squash, and cucumbers (at the fence).  Really, they are in there.

I have some exciting news!  We got a letter from Son, who is at Parris Island, SC. He asked for us to send photos, especially of his dog.  I'll admit, he sounds homesick, but he's never been away from home before (other than short camping trips).

If spring weather is giving you a sore throat, make yourself some sore throat ice pops. They're not just for kids.  This recipe comes in handy for fall flu and sore throats any time of the year.

                                                                 (photos from 2013) Last year we purchased two different types of rain barrels - one that looks like a half barrel with a screen on top and a brass spigot at the bottom, and a square one with a hose (you can still attach a garden how to it).  I prefer the square one.  The barrel in the top photo have an overflow that is too close to the foundation (both purchased at Menards).  The screen lifts out and flows off in overflow action as well.  It still works, but I wanted to share.

I finally took the chicken necks from my freezer the other day, and today I will make homemade broth.  I will freeze it instead of can it, and most likely use about half of it before the current chickens are butchered. I have never made broth from scratch (strangely), so this is a new step for me.  I've always purchased it (gmo-free, organic) from the grocer.  However, prices have gone up to over $4/box.

Although I have just begun, you can see that this herb garden is cleaning up nicely already.  I have much more to do, but it's starting to look much better since the goat somewhat destroyed it.  I am taking advantage of any good weeding weather day here. Want to see what Hubby bought me?

Misty had a doeling.  Once we have daylight, I'll go out and get a photo to share (updated now).  This is the end of our kidding season.  It rained heavily all day yesterday and it continues to rain this morning.  It's been pretty gloomy and dark out.  School is delayed 2 hours - fog. Just a reminder:  Be sure to click on "read more" in my posts, to read the full blog post.

Well, the weatherman was correct.  We woke up to snowing and blowing, but that was after the rain came.  School was closed.  It is to snow all day today also.

The start of this morning's sunrise was beautiful.  After taking this photo it clouded over and was completely gray outside.  I was thankful to capture the moment to share.

My cucumbers and peppers are sitting in water.  We continue to get rain, and some times in sparatic, heavy downpours. 

As p romis ed, here some thr ift store finds I found recently.  I set out in search for a nice pair of dress pants for one of the girls.  We d id f ind a pair for $1.00. I found the hot iron transfers for $.50....  A seat cover for my desk chair - $3.00.  These sell for $12.00-14.00 each in stores.  Even Big Lots.  It di dn't t ake Ti ger long to find it.  A vintage hankie for $.50....  And this vintage recipe bin der, complete with tab divi ders and extra paper - $1.00.  I really d idn't need to buy this, but after reading about avo cado g reen and harvest gold, at Pat's blog Corn in my Coffee Pot , I just had to b uy th e thing.  I t was just screaming "buy me, buy me ." I' ll be locked up inside, ni ce and tight tod ay.  The farmer is taking o ut all the corn c r ops that surround our property.  There won't be any laundry on my line today either , as this stirs up dust, allergens, and a mass of t ee...