Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I haven't had time to porch sit, so I have not smelled the lilacs wafting through the country air.  I noticed a bit late this season, but they also bloomed early.   A few years ago, a pine tree died and fell down, breaking off half of our lilac bush.  It's still blooming, but barely.  Lilacs smell so wonderful.  I remember, as a young teen, my Grandma bringing cuttings from her lilac bush.  You can make a lot of things with lilacs, but I have yet to try any recipes.  You can make syrups, infused sugars, jelly, teas, tinctures, and even body care.  Do you make anything with lilac blooms? There is a possibility to plant another lilac this spring, but the rain is still an issue. I had "plans" to do some weeding, but we are saturated here still.  Rain is not ending today again either.  I think we may even see rain a bit Thursday, but hopefully not.  The rain is giving us chickweed, and we are enjoying pesto.  I mixed ot...

I literally made a "possibilities" list yesterday.  The sun came out (shocker), and the rain was only 10%.  I had no idea what to tackle first.  Garden?  Herb garden?  Garlic? Wash rugs?  Clean off the porch?  Fix the vacuum?  Harvest chickweed, plantain and clevers?  Start another jar of Four Thieves Vinegar?  Take a lawn chair out into the sunshine and read a book?  Oh, so many possibilities. I just wrote out a list and went with the flow, starting with anything that could be washed and dried outside (taking a chance). First off the list - leaning tower of dishes.  Put them away only to get most back out again.  Oh look!  Rotten bananas! Second off the list - rugs washed and on the line.  I could not believe the sun was out and the rain went away for a day. Next?  I had all good intentions to get the bathroom scrubbed, tidied, swept and mopped. After checking the garlic and asparagus I notic...

First, I apologize.  This post is a long one.  Grab a java or tea.  Or a meal, ha ha! Wednesday my day was a bit wonky.  Hubby sent me all around the "big city" to fetch more tomato plants and flowers.  Even the back streets are getting close to the construction zones.  Ugh.  I have to use more gas to take the long route too, taking all the back roads.  Better than getting caught up in the construction zones though. Early morning, the sky looked like the sun might shine, but minutes later it turned to this: Thunder rolled in, but no rain thankfully.  Some areas got short rain showers though. I had to zip back home to pick up sticks.  Hubby hired our biker friend to mow the almost 6 acre homestead (not all is mowed).  Anyway, the back of the house, where the trees are mostly, and winter wind ripped branches down was a mess. The guy was already mowing when I arrived.  I hurried and changed into work clothes and lo...

It's amazing how much beautiful sunshine can change your attitude for the day.  It's been so nice to see a bright sun-shiny day lately.  I had a lot on my to-do list, but first things first. Blueberry pie was baked, and because I will forget about it if I go work outside, I put laundry on the line. While that was baking, Hubby sent me a text - "Bike Ride."   I just hurried up my garden work.  Got another bed weeded. Woohoo! Our 19 year-old stopped in the previous night and brought her kids with her.  King just looks so cute in that photo.   Chickweed is coming up.  Super excited about this.  It's not ready to harvest just yet.  I am about out, so I'll be checking on it often this spring. As for the "iron" you probably guessed it.  That's referring to the bike ride we took.  Just an early week "refresher" on the "sanity saver."

I have been weeding the rose bed, which may get all torn out and roses moved.  Every year one particular rose plant in one area dies.  I think they get more shade than sun, so I may have to re-think what I'll plant there for color.  Anyway, I had a good amount of chickweed, cleavers and dandelions in that bed too. I got all of them into the dehydrator for other uses, including facial cleansers, and even got a bit of dandelion root dried.