Pioneer Woman at Heart

The things I do when I cannot sleep.  Take photos of the moon.  This was, I think, from last Thursday early in the morning. I am being very bad at eating breakfast at all.  I have a light lunch and come dinner, I don't want to eat either.  The stress has been over the moon bad.  Just lots of things going on. The chance for rain on Saturday (60%) went off the radar as fast as it went on.  However, we thankfully got a nice pour down last night.   My 21 year-old and I went on a small day adventure and visited an antique store in the Big City.   I've been wanting one of these for a long time.  First, I thought I might paint it red, but I may leave it yellow.  I kind of like it. We also went to a thrift store, which I sort of thought was not stocked by much (oddly).  I snatched up this green pepper dish for $1.00 and it now holds my vegetable scrubber. Picked up this wine bottle stand for a few bucks as...

The weather is just like any other year here in this state can you have a thunderstorm, hail storm, and snow in 24 hours.  Tuesday it was 52 and warm, no wind.  Suddenly we had a major thunderstorm, which quickly turned into a major hail storm.  Wednesday morning the snow rolled in, along with cold temps.  I woke up to a stone cold wood stove.  Not good.  Took me forever to heat up the house again.  I think Hubby and I both were just too tired to remember to do the last stoking of the fire. Dinner has been "on the fly."  One night it was breakfast for dinner - biscuits and sausage gravy, fried potatoes and scrambled "farm fresh" eggs.   It would have been homemade pizza last night, but someone forgot to restock the mozzarella cheese.   Here is a better look at my new candy dish.  We joked we'd put celery in it, ha ha!  Not sure what I'll put in it just yet.  Maybe organic mints. (c...

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,

High stress levels called for rela xing tea, and for Hubby to reach inside his date "night" jar and pull out a stick. A well deserved weekend was called for - just Hubby and me (and solitude).  We both voted for " spontaneous ." The jar holds day trips, one night trips and two night trips in it.  Our marriage revival getaway was a two night trip.  Yay for us! The drive was very peaceful.  Beautiful scenery, good driving weather, and positive thoughts along the way.

I got the joy of filling out the large stack of papers the school sends home the first day.  Hubby was too tired after work, so I got the glorious job.  At least it was only for two kids this time, and not six.  The school however, has been sending me emails, containing a PDF files (letters on every subject you can imagine) and they kept coming throughout the day yesterday. It's been continuing to rain off and on, so I have not yet been able to check the tomato situation.  It's kind of a relief not be out in the heat this month (or canning).  It's actually not even comfortable to sit on the porch (too humid).  However, the weather man says it will cool down this weekend. I'm still taking advantage of, not only having the extra time, but a reason to be working indoors.  I found more scraps of yarn hiding in different places, but still have not found my #3 crochet hook, ha ha!

My wonderful Uncle sent me a tea infuser, and some teas to try.  I'll be trying some today.  You put the leaves inside, add hot water, steep, and place it over your mug, and the tea flows right into your mug (leaving tea leaves in the infuser filter).  Neat, right?  And no recycling a messy muslin tea bag, or using disposable teabags. 

It's raining here this morning, and the step is a sheet of ice.  Every dog did the "bambi splits" this morning.  Needless to day, the didn't go far to do their business.     I can't really say I am writing out my new year resolutions, but I am randomly writing down a "wish" list of needs and other possibilities for this year.  Of course that is after a good strategic financial plan is in order. Honestly, I told Hubby that if we only had one thing to reflect on at the end of 2015, I would be elated to write down

Here is what I gifted extended families this year (hint: not the baking dish):  

I found this vintage pattern pillow case ( Fashion Manor Percale Penn-Prest) at a thrift store for $.50.  I love the yellow roses on it.  I thought about using it in the camper, but decided to give it to one of the girls to use (who loves yellow).  It was hard to give it up, but my pillows are king and this fit a standard.  I love the beautiful lace on it too.

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...

Last weekend, hubby whisked me away again for a night away.  It was completely by surprise and completely at the last minute Friday.  We really enjoyed ourselves, and had some short, but well worth it, relaxation.  We brought some flowers along this time.  As parents, we are spending more (serious) time giving ourselves time away.  This stress stuff is serious and we are taking it seriously now more than ever. I think we relax so easily, due to the quiet surroundings, peaceful sounds of the waves, and the lack of clutter around us.  Not to mention lack of kids sniveling and arguing, and lack of electronics and noise pollution. This little strip of shops is basically downtown.  The island is only about 4.6 square miles.  Our favorite coffee on the island.  Mmmmm!  The owner bakes all the baked items herself. Our secluded retreat.  No people, no traffic, no nothing.  Just a few birds, waves and a few boats i...