Pioneer Woman at Heart

Hubby and I had a good laugh at the end of yesterday.  As we were driving home, I said, "I feel like I'm playing hookie from my tomatoes."  I really was, and it felt so good. We went to the movies to get out of the house, watching "The Magnificent Seven."  Don't worry,

Over the weekend, a thrift store was having a customer appreciation sale - 50% off store wide.  I got all of this (two bed sheets, 3 vintage tablecloths) for about $8.00 total.  The bedding will be saved for camping, and possibly a few of the tablecloths. 

My Aunt sent me a b ox full of fun and family history.  T he blanket was crochete d by my Great Aunt, the wooden spools are all from my own mother's sewing supplies (that were given to my Aunt, and now to me) , and the other items are from my Aunt's friend and from an anti que store .  The doilies are alread y underne ath my wooden candle stands.   The blue em broidered pla cem ats and napkins will be used for "date night" with Hubby , the pillow case will be used on our bed , and the blanket will def i nitely be used.   I have a plan for the s pools too, but wan t to put good use to t he thread on each one too. My family history project has begun as well.  All the le t ters, stories, and ph otos will be organized over t he next few years ....more on that later.

I'm sharing a few thrift store finds and bargains , that I got before getting sick.

I made homemade deodo rant for the first time. I learned to be more resourceful.  Finished a crocheted bla n ket to take camping.  Had "wig" night with the kids (and pets too).  I baked more foods from scratch. (pho to take n by my daughter) Buried a very much loved barn cat named Joey.  D id many farm/barn repairs.  Tried new foods and recipes.  (photo taken by my daughter) Experienced the birth of two different baby goats. Took an "accidental" road trip with hubby. I added a few more useable anti ques to our home. I nvested in Araucanas .  (our daughter who tends the goats and makes the soap) Ha d successful soap making.   Partici pated in the Farmer's Market fo r the first time ever.   Got through m any trials and tribulations.  Took more time out for my self.  Made homemade ricotta cheese with our go at's milk for the first t...

Hubby and I have been looking on ebay to find a wooden storage unit with drawers.  We finally found one at an antique store, and the drawers are perfect for storing all the tea we drink here.  This was another great find on our recent getaway.

It was a much colder day here on Monday. Brr!  Temperatures dropped about 20-30 degrees from Friday's temperature. Monday is my all-out cleaning day, but I had to shampoo a few carpets (thanks to some naughty cats).  I'll have to finish the rest of the house later this week.  However, I was able to get about 4 loads of laundry done, including some of the goodies I bought over the weekend.  Here are a few more items I got:     Here is the sewing box I found at an antique mall.  It's not stained and in great condition. And because it wouldn't be right to return home without some "bling" (ha ha!) I bought this snazzy pair of pink dangles for $5.00 (also from the antique store).

  I dug through my beads and found a few that match the vintage necklace I bought.  The earrings are simple, yet elegant and will be perfect for a "date night" with hubby. A Year of Quotes: "The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is."  ~ Charles M. Schwab

from the homesteading journal. . .   We are trying to buy USA made items when we do need to shop.  I actually found a clipboard at Wal-mart that states it's made in the USA.    We bought chicken wire to start a much needed outdoor coop off the "chicken" barn.    Split wood again, but the weather is not too cold here.    We are bartering service work on our broken down van, with home canned goods again.  The van was delivered, so I need to get busy so I have canned jelly to barter. from the crafting journal . . .   I finished the new dishcloth pattern, and actually put another one in my store.   I have already started a third one.   I'm finishing up another knitted block for the block blanket, and have decided to put my tatting aside until the blanket is finished.  Two projects "in progress" I started decoupaging another tea bag box, and this time I'm using old book pages.  The h...

I'm sharing some very special hankies that belonged to my mother.  I am not sure what I will do with them yet.  I know for one idea, I will be using them to decorate around the house and possibly take some camping.

The last couple of days we have had a thin layer of snow each morning.  The problem is that it's over a layer of rain that froze, melted and froze again.  The school closed yesterday and today they have a 2 hour delay.   I mixed up my first batch of "baking mix" that will be stored in those two containers you see in the photo.  Last year my Uncle gifted us with some dishes and those containers have been very useful.  The mix will be used to do baking with, and to see if it's useful for us (in saving money).  I am a whole wheat flour kind of person, so this is a real test for us.  If you haven't seen Candy's blog, this recipe can be found here:  Lazy J Bar C Farm . I'm starting to work on my "family history" projects (in teeny tiny steps), and remembered that Mom gave me her mirror and hand brush set last year.  This set was given to her in 1956 for my Grand parents.  It is completely unused and in perfect condition.  The ...