Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Heat and Eat Breakfast ~ Painting Progress ~ Asparagus
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Run errands day . . .
Tuesday was my run errands day. It, unfortunately, leaves me little time at home to get things done. When I cleaned out my one drawer of food containers, I realized I was missing several of my mini dressing containers and lids. While in town, I bought new ones, but the lids are a stiff plastic and do NOT come off the container. Now I have to make another trip to return them or hopefully exchange them.
The truck was also packed full of items to donate to our friends thrift store. It did not happen. It was pouring down rain, and the truck is still loaded for another day.
Last night we had a tornado warning. There was damage elsewhere, but from what I heard it did not touch down.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Tuesday Tidbits
Although I thought my brain would re-set, after a break, it has not. Yesterday I forgot my husband's birthday. Sigh. My husband told me yesterday I was a "hot mess" and not to drive anywhere today. There is nothing worse than instinctively picking up my cell phone to call Mom and realizing I can't. I guess the ol' journals will be coming out again. Maybe designate one solely for chats with Mom. It will take time to get thru this for sure.
The chickens however, are back to laying a good amount of eggs. I never got around to baking a breakfast, so that must be done today, or my husband has no to-go breakfast for work.
The weather is warming up enough for drying clothes on the clothesline, so I'm going to tackle all of the remaining laundry today.
I felt like everything, at a point of the day where I just wanted to relax, went wonky. First my scanner froze in scan mode. Then, when that was fixed, my emails were not going out. It's all working again this morning thankfully. Electronics can be a headache for sure.
I still have a huge pile of mail to sort, toss and take care of. My computer desk area is in total disarray.
Meanwhile, Daughter K continues to move stuff out of the house. Her rabbit is now at her new apartment. However, I am constantly on dog duty, meaning that first early am trip out is on me. I am not eagerly excited about taking two dogs out in the dark. Her cat Jasper is acting funny, and possibly needing a trip to the vet for a check up. On a good note, her new job will almost double her pay.
Hopefully this crazy schedule and mass load of things to be done will taper off soon.
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Saturday Chit-Chat
The boys came out and plowed out the 3-4 foot drifts that buried a few cars. They sped off before I could pay them though. Little turds that they are. We'll catch up with them soon. Thankfully, they plowed out the mailbox area for us as well.
Woke up to a wind chill of 1°F this morning.
I have a 5 foot drift blocking my chicken coop, so after I slowly wake up with some coffee, and get a warm shower, I'll be outside shoveling a path for that.
Daughter K is out of town visiting with her boyfriend. They are looking at more apartments. That means I have dog, cat and rabbit duty. Jasper (cat) is already meowing at me from the stairs.
My sinus medications have not kicked in just yet. Hopefully today will be the day. I'm getting tired of being tired (and sick).
We are having trouble getting someone affordable to replace the brakes on the car. Normally, my mechanic husband does the repairs, but we have the Chevelle in the garage right now. It's not a car you can leave outside in 1°F weather to pull the other car in for repairs. What a battle it is this time of year.
My seed/grow light stand is up and ready for action. The plan is to get the seeds in the trays today and get the lights going. To be honest, although it's always so much work, I'm looking forward to growing the garden this spring.
I spent most of yesterday loading the wood stove, taking dogs out and crocheting. It was nice to have a somewhat rest day despite taking dogs out in freezing weather. I'm now on the edging on the baby blanket.
Speaking of baby. Our grand-niece (my husband was a late baby) gave birth to a baby boy yesterday. So stinkin' cute. I'll need to put together a gift for her soon.
Another pizza place in the town closer to us, closed permanently. I was told there was an issue with the owners health and lack of employees to keep it open.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Thursday Thoughts
It's still very cold here. Woke up to -9°F. We are really not likely it either (who would?). I got everything marked off my to-do list yesterday except for one thing - wash bedding. If the water is flowing today, I'll get it done. I'm thankful for leftovers and pre-cooked breakfast.
Hubby is not feeling 100% himself, and found out that some co-workers have been out the entire month of January, and one was out 17 days. He felt he should have stayed home a few more days to get his body feeling better. I agreed, but he is back to work anyway.
Yesterday, I felt off. Just weird. Can't explain it, other than I'm not my 100% just yet. Daughter K can't get rid of a bad cough. My cough is a bit better. My cool-mist humidifier arrived and was set up and running before bedtime. I also sipped some sage tea, and made ginger tea (freshly grated) for my husband. Thanks for all your support and encouragement and ideas to get us back to "business."
At least I don't have the entire full blown day with dog duty today. Yesterday, the dogs stopped on the way back in and pulled their paws up. I had to hurry them inside before having to carry them inside. I asked Daughter K to bring down any booties they have. They will need them today as well.
As best as I know, they are springing Mom from the nursing home tomorrow. I'm not sure if this is a good thing yet or not. If she has troubles again back at home, the hospitals and the nursing homes are at full capacity, so getting her back in one will be a problem.
Looks like I will need to go fetch firewood for the day. As soon as I warm up with some coffee, and get my brain fog to ease a bit, I'll work it out so all my outside chores are done in one swoop.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Sunshine! ~ Post Office Nasty Gram
Although we had a good amount of sunshine, it was still cold yesterday. I donned my full body winter wear and headed to the coop with treats to beg for eggs, fresh water and headed out to get the mail.
Hubby was in the barn fetching firewood. It didn't take long to get a "nasty" gram from the post office, with a visual drawing of the 30 foot area (yes, that is right, 15 feet clear to the mailbox and 15 past the mailbox) they demand be shoveled/cleared of snow.
The post delivery person drives a jeep. Sigh. We have lost 2 of the 3 shovels. Daughter K shoveled some of it, and my husband some of it. I hope we can find the shovel, but darn it all. I'm not going to cough up a lung, only for the plow to bury the mailbox again. I am praying the snow is done for a while. We are all not up to shoveling snow, and too far out to have some of the boys come plow it out for us.
Our current morning weather is -1°F with a wind chill of -14°F. I'm pretty sure I may not have a hot shower today. Thankfully, there is little wind.
I'm "flying" solo today. My husband is back to work (praying it goes well), and Daughter K stayed the night with friends. Her timing is not great, but I understand her wanting to spend time with friends before she moves. She'll be back home this afternoon though.
I swear I heard a cat outside this morning. When daylight hits, I'll look for tracks. I'd hate to see a stray cat freeze in these temps.
I have written out a list for my to-do list today, but "flying" solo, I have dog duty, chicken duty, mail fetching, wood fetching, manning the wood stove, and possible laundry. The dogs are already crying to go out and it's not day light. Our pole light does not come on in this chilly weather, and darkness is not my friend with coyotes.
Speaking of Daughter K, her workplace is forcing their employees to present a vaccine card, or be tested weekly (I honestly don't see how they can, considering test kits are out everywhere right now). I'm glad she is moving and can find a better job elsewhere. I never thought my kids would have to live through this. Or us, for that matter.
Thankfully, we have a big pot of chili, and a pan of homemade buttermilk cornbread for the next few days. I just have to do some dishes (if we have hot water, ha ha!).
I have slept great the last two nights, but wake up to a coughing fit. I'll be happy to get my cool-mist humidifier today. I still have laryngitis, so I plan on sipping some hot sage tea.
More co-workers are out with covid at my husband's work. It's still spreading.
The chicken coop is a disaster. I cannot wait for a warmer day, so I can clean it. The ding dongs are poo'ing in their roosts. What a mess.
One of these days, I'll actually have some photos in my blogpost. Sorry if they have been boring.
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
I'm Back
I'm back. It's been cold here. In fact, we need to split wood today. Brr. The chickens continue to lack egg production.
My ankle continues to ache, so I'm calling my doctor today. I'll update on that when I have any results of further tests.
Daughter K said 3 people are out at her work with covid.
Daughter E had to test due to someone at her work with covid. She was negative and returned to work.
Update on Mom: The heart clinic nurse had a serious talk with her. Over the weekend, Mom fell 3 times in 24 hours and two ER visits. She was kept in the ER until last night (due to no rooms and the hospital wanting her out).
She was transported to a nursing home last night. Her heart failure is worse and now she cannot walk. She was talked to about hospice or continuing meds/doctor visits etc. She chose meds/doctors etc. I have yet to find out if (due to the wide spread of covid) visitors are even allowed. I'm betting the answer is no. It's spreading so badly here, that people are unable to find tests when they are sick. Daughter E was one of them. She was off work for 2-3 days due to lack of finding a test.
Not sure this is happening in your area, but in ours, medical people are told to go to work if they have covid and their symptoms are mild. I'm concerned over this, as Mom could be treated by a nurse with covid.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Random Bits
I'm making progress on the baby blanket. I'm thankful I had a few very old unfinished projects in my closet. I will need to ask Daughter K to check my yarn stash upstairs. I will be keeping this one for any future grandkids.
Updates on Mom are good thankfully.
Woke up to a brisk 27°F this morning. My wonderful husband got more wood for me. I can load the wood stove, but getting the wood inside is a bit tough right now.
The Christmas meal is planned now. My chickens are still on strike. Not sure what the mailman did, but Daughter K found half of it all over the ground yesterday.
My wonderful husband, although rushed for time, made us breakfast before he left for work - sausage/egg/cheese breakfast sandwiches.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
High Wind Warnings again and other chit-chat
I heard we were to get up to 50 mph wind last night. We got it and I can still hear it from inside the house. Last night I had to ask my husband to go latch a lock on a barn door. I didn't want to, but the wind would have whipped that door upwards. He did go out and latch it.
I am thankful for the easy meal ideas I put in the freezer. I thought we had bought a cauliflower, but after looking around I don't think I ended up getting one. If I remember right, the organic were sold out.
Anyway, I put meatballs in the crockpot yesterday, with home canned BBQ sauce, and then later roasted asparagus and made easy quinoa.
We have enough of two meals to do all leftovers tonight. Yay for that.
I called Mom. We shared our high's and low's from her recliner and from my bed. We got a few chuckles. She has been looking for her favorite nail polish. The stores are sold out. I helped her find it online, and it's shipped and headed to her house. Guess what the name of it is?
Aphrodite's Pink Nightie (OPI). Ha ha ha! She is happy now. She is also toying with the idea of hiring a cleaning person once a week. Her friend stopped in and said she would gladly do it for Mom. I am concerned about her memory. She told me she hasn't driven for 2 months. I didn't correct her. She hasn't driven since last July.
The egg supply is low right now. The chickens are getting their winter break. No word yet on wood stove door. I'm okay with that. I need more healing before hauling wood inside.
I guess it's going to be windy the entire day today. I guess my goal today is a few soaks with epsom salts, and today I'll search netflix for some crochet time. The cooking channel gets me into trouble.
I've come up with a small, new item to add to my craft show stash. Once a get a few more made I will share.
If I can stammer up enough energy, I will work on an easy breakfast casserole. I hate seeing my husband leave with a clementine for breakfast. Maybe pre-bake eggs on a sheet pan? I don't know. I guess we'll see if it even happens, ha ha!
When it's the right time to ask, I will ask my husband to re-prioritize our spring work. I know we have home repairs to do first, but we do need a dog fence up. I could really use one right now with this bum ankle.
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Fall Blooms ~ Sunrise
I'm still putting hot peppers away. I have not pulled the plants due to the daily rain we have gotten.
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Dehydrating ~ Tomato Season Ends ~ Seed Saving
The storms are over, so the dehydrator was back at it.
Rosemary made it's way into it first. Once that was ready to come out, trays were cooled and washed.
Cayenne peppers made there way in next.
Tomato season is officially over. I am freezing what I have left. Sort of a sad tomato year, but thankful for what we did get.
My layers are slowing down in egg production, which has me thinking of water-glassing them again for long storage.
Seed saving continues, and I feel it is very important to do, especially this year with how things are going with our food system.
The insurance company has attempted to deliver my Mom's 14 free meals 4-5 times now. So far, nothing has arrived (other than the first shipment with warm rotten food).
Woke up to 55°F this morning. I'm pretty sure the hot pepper season may be coming to an end. I guess we'll see. We better start stocking up on firewood.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Pie Pumpkin ~ A Funny ~ Tidbits
I'm thinking, she is mad it's so loud. I didn't want to touch any buttons and later my husband walked out and realized he left it so loud. He turned it down and the elderly lady in her vehicle now, drove up to us. She said we reminded her of her husband and their times riding around on their bike. She literally said, "we need more of that" pointing to the bike with the radio on, ha ha ha!
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Breakfast Scramble and just some random bits
I watered the flower beds and herb garden first thing in the morning. We are once again lacking rainfall.
Scramble - hannah sweet potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeno, sausage, eggs and kale.
Extreme clean update: a box of my oldest daughter's left behind items left the house, and more doodle paper for my niece and nephew.
Daughter K is helping babysit my niece and nephew this month, as well as her regular job. Good for her to pocket some savings for her move out.
I told both girls, that when they move they need to take everything. Leave nothing behind. If there are things they don't want, it's their job to take it to donation or toss out.
Daughter E started boxing up her bedroom to move this coming weekend. My first plan was to move my totes of yarn to her room, but I think I'll clean the entire carpet first, then add shelving units for now.
Sad news. A local salon is closing their doors after 47 years (due to the building owner). Thankfully, they all have new jobs in other salons. My thoughts on this, is that the people who own the building are selling, considering they had tenants who were forced to close and meanwhile the owners need to pay bills. I feel this is the same reason the Holmes county flea market owner sold his building for $3 million to a factory. I'm guessing they didn't want to pay bills when all the people paying rent inside the building were forced to close, and are concerned we will face another statewide shut down. Scary world we live in right now.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Garden ~ Cleaning and other Tidbits
I'm back back to gardening, weeding, and indoor clean up. We haven't had rain, so my week started with watering everything before indoor cleaning started.
The weather has been a beautiful fall like weather. Cool mornings and gorgeous evenings. We went on a bike ride last night with two other bikers and I slept like a baby last night.
However, we may be heading into very hot weather again.
My husband fixed the problem with the camper hot water heater. Big hooh-rah to that! I tried to get us a campsite for another park this month. They are booked solid (as most are this year).
Our hometown fair is in full swing. First time in two years. I am so happy to see it happening. Not sure if we will actually get to go, but happy it's going on this year.
I'm still unable to view my blogger reading list. I sent a message for help on this. We'll see if they can fix the issue soon.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Busy Day
Yesterday I had more laundry than anticipated, so the clothesline was working over time.
The ladies are happy with their nicely cleaned up coop. Yes, they need a new ramp, but it's not high on the list since we plan to build a new one for them. By evening they had kicked half their straw out the door.
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Extreme Heat ~ Rain ~ Rhubarb Vodka
Whoops! Yesterday morning I overslept. First time in years. Not sure if it was the extreme heat we had or what, but I felt terrible that I did. I am always up making coffee, feeding the cats, packing my husband's breakfast and lunch. There has been a lot on our minds though.
Although I will now be behind in weeding, I am so happy for the rain. The funny thing is, is that we both said if it's a rotten year we'd not plant a garden next year. In fear of a rotten year (3 years in a row), we really cut back on what we planted too. Now I regret not planting my popcorn, peas, spaghetti squash etc. Well, I'll be over those regrets, as soon as I visit Farmer's markets and re-stock.
I finally got rhubarb vodka in the making. We like this better than strawberry, but both are good.Wednesday, June 16, 2021
What sitting down to read a book did . . .
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Water Glassing Eggs ~ Stocking Up ~ Preparedness
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
New Recipe ~ Garden is getting planted