Pioneer Woman at Heart

  August was a very full filled month.  Overall it was great.  I learned things, I tried new things, canning season started, Ketchup Sweet Pickle Relish (just a few photos to share)  processed a lot from the garden, dehydrated on cooler days, and wrote a lot.   The storms we got a few days ago, have taken out several more of our tomato plants. I have to admit, I have not read a lot lately, but I am getting some itty, bitty travel time on one book. It seems to be taking me forever, but I will finish it eventually.  I am loving the non-fiction book I'm currently reading as well.  Two pages a day is better than zero a day.  I also have two new devotionals I will share soon.  I just need to get a photo of them.  So yes, "fun" and "relaxation" are still in the our lives while canning season is in full swing.  Just not so much crochet, ha ha ha! I planted cilantro indoors, dug up more herbs and replanted in pots, and even started har...

I have not had much to blog about, and to be honest after looking over past posts, I really don't have much that is  new to post about.  Changes are being made here at the homestead, with more to come, and they are all good and productive.   Honestly, they are not wasted days either.   We are downsizing the kitchen table, and it will make it much easier to sweep and mop.   The upstairs is still in limbo (uncertainty) right now.  In reality, the summer times leaves little time for home repairs and such. We replanted what hot peppers would could buy, that were affordable and big enough.  Half of the green and wax beans were replanted and have sprouted.  The greens did terrible where I planted them this year.  I have replanted two of what I had seeds for.  We will not have arugula this year.  We are entering another heat wave, which makes garden season a bit tricky. The first zinnia seeds sprouted almost immediately, but...

  Whoops.  I guess donating two books, instead of one, is a good thing too, ha ha!  I have been able to harvest chive blossoms, and it is rather early for that to happen.  You can read about how I did it HERE from last year.  We are only early on doing this by a few weeks, and all due to the rain this  year. While the chives are dehydrating, I picked more asparagus.  I will have to now replace my asparagus patch fence, and I will need to dig out a few wild raspberry plants the birds planted. What's new?  Well, I found a new houseplant to add to our home, and love it.  We have also planted a new apple tree, a new plum tree to replace the one that died, a new lilac bush, and one new hydrangea (also died over winter).  New landscaping edging was upgraded on one flower bed, and another is being worked on during dry days.   One volunteer cilantro plant, in the herb garden, survived the last frost.  One died.  One sage plan...

  Brisk 14°F and high of 38°F.  I used my clothesline yesterday, but the wind was crazy.   We are seeing wild ramps on our walks lately. Planted:  Mullein (very hard to seed start, so we shall see) Harvested:  Green onions, Yarrow Purchased:  Flower seeds A small, removeable fence has been placed around the "weed" and herb garden.  Thankfully, I had the fencing, and did not have to purchase any.  Hopefully, it will keep the rabbits out of it, but I have seen a chipmunk who runs among the outdoors.  Ordered a few books and DVD's from the library inter-loan program.  Just doing my part to keep the library open, but also to use the free resources. Speaking of resources, you never know what freebie you can utilize, and one fell right into my lap last week.  More on that later.                  Finished this book.  As a result, I learned a few new fun facts.  Like the fact that ...

  March was, not what I call "busy" for us, but adventurous, and filled with more of "living life" than doing all the "doing" stuff we do all day every day.  Warning:  Post is long today (gulp!).  Grab a cup of java or tea. "Busy" is sort of synonymous with negative vibes.  I mean, we still had medical appointments (some regular, some needed), hair appointments, husband's full time job, but only a few commitments.  However, we spent much of the month "enjoying" life  (maintaining balance).  I have not harvested much other than fresh grown green onions.  I do have some oil on order to restock homemade hand/body lotion. Not sure if I will re-stock our homemade lip balm just yet.  We have a plan to build one more item for the chicken castle (more on that later), and we plan to better landscape one flower bed. Planted:  Feverfew, Mullein, Radishes (two types), Beets Harvested: Green onions Purchased:  Seed potatoes On the "to-buy...

Another yet cold day here.  A bit warmer but still in the negatives.  -6°F, but we may now be in the clear and rise above zero this next week. I'm still crocheting a current blanket for ourselves (odd occurrence, as it's usually for donation).  I do need to check in my back ordered yarn.  It's the very last day of January today, and it was said to be shipped a week ago.  Then again, roads are not in good condition, and the temperatures are cold.  I think a new soup should be tried with more snow on the way (oh joy!). I am getting caught up with crochet book blanket granny squares.  I'll try and remember take a photo of them.   Funny story to share.  One year I was so pumped for a new "thing" to do (a new venture with gusto), I decided to read all of Ernest Hemingway's books in one year.  I had them on my shelf of course (why wouldn't I? Ha ha ha!). You can see the original post HERE and  HERE if you need some winter time entertainme...

I don't watch the news often, but we do try and listen to the weather report if we can.   We are dipping into another very cold, cold spell here.  The news is warning us that the temperatures could dip as low as -25°F with the windchill (the forecast changes hourly).  Not only that, but they are predicting snowfall in abundance.  The snow expected could be 10 inches and up in areas here.  The weather predicted, is said to last another week.  They are calling the weather "Mother Nature's Fury." The snow does not concern us, as much as the sub-zero temperatures do.   We have been to town to re-stock a few items, but typically we avoid town when people are panic shopping (thank you news people).  We were low on chicken feed and a few other necessary items. Now...about  books.  First, I have had very little reading time if you can believe it.  When your house is 6 weeks behind in cleaning and what not, there is no problem with...

  Along with an experimental baking, this is my experimental post to see how things go too.  Thank you for all of your advice on the blog issues.  

  We finally got rain, after 20 plus days of 90 degree plus weather.  Despite watering the garden, it was looking fried by the heat, humidity and sun.  The zucchini plants are starting to die off with little harvest already.

  Like most garden summers, it's been a whirlwind of activity.  Weeding is hit or miss with the recent downpours and storms here lately.  I can't complain for not having to water anything.  Somehow, in between storms, the mowing and trimming got done. (leaves are bigger than my hand this year- woohoo to a great crop) The Red Russian Kale I planted, did very well this year.  I harvested a pretty good lot already.  The kale we grow has a less bitter taste, and more favorable for fresh salads or topping a sandwich.  The frozen kale will be used for smoothies, soups, stews, casseroles, breakfast casseroles and anything I can add greens to add more nutrition. However, pint freezer bags are very hard to find in our area.  Just a few places sell them.  One year, I was lucky to snag a "bulk" box of them at a nearby Menards (not available this year). I am still getting a few more radishes, and the Swiss chard is doing great this year.  Everything...

  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 ...

  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