Pioneer Woman at Heart

  We enjoyed our 78°F days, but then the weekend brought us rain. The wind was terrible, but we still had breaks in the day to do some outdoor adventuring.  We have a tree down, and a few large tree limbs down due to the high winds.  Monday morning it was 21°F!  A big swing in temperature for us. If you saw my post about the "blind date" with a puzzle, I have some news about that.  My husband said to toss it in the garbage and chalk it up as we were duped in the purchase. I however, took photos, and contacted the store we purchased  it at.  Mind you, we bought it January 31st, and we just finished it.  I was nice and polite, but to the point about our disappointment on the expense and product.  The store responded back to me.  I'm told they purchase them from a vendor from California, and were as disappointed as we were.  She said they were supposed to all be "new" puzzles.  I explained to her that that the box was even falling...

  We have been having some beautiful weather here lately.  I however, have not put laundry out on the line, as we call this "bird" season.  Flocks of them are in the area, so as soon as they move on out, I will be able to enjoy the clothesline once again. We purchased a "blind date" with a puzzle back on January 31st, from an area local store, while out on a getaway.  However, we paid $18.00 for this puzzle, and when we got it home, it was a used puzzle (box was falling apart).  I never saw any signage that stated the puzzles were used, so my husband insisted we purchase a 1,000 piece one.   Well, we finished the puzzle finally.  (puzzle is a portrait by a famous artist) There were two puzzle pieces in the box that did not even go to the puzzle. As we predicted, there were pieces missing from the puzzle.  We plan to donate the puzzle pieces to a place that recycles them with art/crafts.  Very disappointed.  We won't make this mistak...

  March is what we call our "mud" season.  Everything is thawing, or there is rain and flooding, and sometimes a snow shower in the mix.  Mud.  We get lots and lots of of a muddy mess, which prevents any or all outdoor work or play (unless we find paved hiking/walking trails). Mud season can feel unending and arduous, but also inspiring as the warmer/sunny weather arrives. Monday - 13°F windchill in the morning (I attempted to sit in the sunshine for a hot minute, and the clouds moved in of course) Tuesday - 36°F windwill in the am.  High for the day was 60°F (insert smiling face), but we had am rain. Wednesday - 53°F (windchill of 48°F), rain Today?  - 37°F Snow!   Nothing new going on.  We are patiently waiting for spring to stay put.  If you remember, we were trying to get an online appointment for new tires last weekend? Well, my husband actually got an appointment made over the phone, and drove there after work to the said appointm...

  It's hard to believe that we are approaching the last day of February 2025 this coming Friday.  The weather was definitely much more "winter" this year, but February is the month we tend to get the most snow.   There has been some beautiful sunrises this month.  I'm blessed be able to capture a few.  We even squeezed an adventure in this month.   We have also driven around, and located some new hiking/walking trails to enjoy nature and get exercise (maybe even a few picnics).   Although we had much of the month in freezing and subzero temperatures, this week it warmed up to a wonderful 53°F. Seen during the day recently.  Even the deer are enjoying the warmer weather this week. I had the chance to read a new book on the porch this week, before the month ends.  Oh my gosh, the sun felt so good. The ground is a very mushy mess this week, so there is no work progressing on the new chicken coop, but we have not forgotten about it...

  It's February, so there is not much activity going on here at the homestead.  Not even home repairs at the moment.  Weather is the cause with freezing rain and bad roads.  Weather continues to jump all over the map.  We still need a trip for home repair supplies.  The freezing rain put a thick layer of ice on everything over night last night.   My entire day was just changed thanks to the ice covered roads.  If we lived in town, it would be a different story, but we live in the country.  Nothing is just a hop, skip and jump to get to.  You get blessed with a rambling sort of post today. I've made a bit of progress on the blue and white baby blanket.  I haven't really devoted much time to it lately.  I do need to verify her due date, so I can get this finished in time. My intention this month, was to work in the utility room (purging first), while our affordable hired hand, worked in another area with wall repairs/paintin...

First Feb 2025 blog post. We took a spontaneous few days away, and the funny part is, that it was to go to see a waterfall area, and do some hiking.  We were looking forward to some time with nature.  Mother Nature did not cooperate however.   The weather on the day before we visited the falls, was 55°F, but raining.  The day we drove to the falls, the weather dipped to 25°F and the water was frozen, so we never left the vehicle, never hiked, and I did not even take a photo, ha ha!  We plan to go back when the water is flowing, and actually do some hiking. The getaway was not a loss.  We had no idea we'd visit two different apothecaries, and we also found two health stores.  I was able to restock vitamin E oil, and castor oil. First apothecary we visited (newly opened last fall).  Loved this store, but because it is new, the selections were meh. Nothing sold in bulk (like herbs). The second apothecary we visited (maybe a 30 minute drive from ...