28 Weeks Until Christmas

 

Restocked.  Our grocery stores used to carry this, but with vanilla in it.  All area stores stopped selling it.  I have now prepared for the Christmas season, by re-stocking the organic/non-gmo corn syrup for any holiday treats.

If I don't make holiday treats, it will not be a wasted purchase.  I use it to make homemade Teriyaki sauce and also for a sweet treat (maybe once a year, and I typically share) of Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce (that is a true delicious sweet treat worth gifting, but will need refrigerated).

Tried a new recipe for baked and flavored pretzels.  I had about a half of a bag that was leftover from another occasion, and I decided to bake garlic-ranch pretzels.

First, the recipe stated to put it all in a ziploc bag and shake it.  I found that most of the seasoning stuck to the inside of the bag.  I will coat the pretzels in the bag with oil first next time, then sprinkling the season on the tray and mix right on the tray to retain the seasoning.

I used homemade garlic powder, and homemade ranch dry dressing mix for ours.  Very good too.  I only had the stick pretzels, but obviously, you could use any pretzel.  Most non-gmo pretzels we can find are in the "stick" form.

Recipe is very simple, and pretzels bake in 20 minutes.  It is a very quick recipe to add to your snack tray, or take to a gathering. Or simply to enjoy yourself.  Eating on a Dime (Recipe online).

Read this Christmas themed book, and crocheted a matching granny square for my book blanket.  The book also contains a recipe.

The recipe seems pretty bland or basic, but I may give it a try (to amuse myself), before handing the book off to another person.  Then again, I may not try it.  

I have not made any purchases for the advent gifts.  I, honestly, have not had the time to even think about them. 

I have finally found a store that still offers brown paper bags.  I have plans to use them to wrap the advent gifts with.  I have also ordered a roll of brown paper (pretty inexpensive), because I don't shop that often with a garden.  

I do need to get the wrapping of the gifts started, so I'm not wrapping them all at once.

28 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

38 weeks until Christmas

 

I have an update on the taste testing of the trial size jar of Christmas Jam.  It's delicious!  However, when I spread it out on the sourdough toast, it appeared more like jelly than jam.  I do plan to look for a recipe to can this myself, and reduced sugar if I can find one.   Sharing the label in case anyone has a recipe to can jam similar to these ingredients.

Note:  After drafting this post, I read most recipes state that you puree the fruit, hence the jelly-like spread.  

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe with such ingredients?  I do not see a "Ball" recipe in my books at home. 

It seems as if every new store we visit on any getaway trips, or day trips is selling Christmas decorations.  Maybe I am just noticing it this year?  Maybe. However, even though it's now March, I am finding that the stores are not reducing the prices on the Christmas related items.

I bought myself a new pair of Christmas earrings - hot cocoa cups with a candy cane.  Made in the USA.

Books I borrowed from the library, that are related to Christmas.  I may have found at least one new recipe to try.

I read this Christmas themed book in my book stash.

Homemade gift idea:

Homemade Vanilla Extract.  I gifted this one year and it was well accepted, as it's a useful item.

Grow extra in your summer herb garden, and gift dried herbs in recycled jars for gifts.  Attach recipes to use the herbs with.  One year I gifted rosemary, and another year I gifted sage.  Sage is great for cooking, but can also be used to make a medicinal tea for soothing a sore throat.

Let's talk peanut butter fudge.  I want to make it this year, and the only recipe in the books I have borrowed (so far) use marshmallow in the it.  Is that the normal ingredient?  I am looking for a fudge that ends up with a soft, creamy fudge, with good peanut butter flavor.  Anyone have a good recipe?  I have my Mom's, but it's a skillet recipe, and ends up a dry fudge.

38 weeks until Christmas  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

New Cookie Recipe Tried ~ Homemade Body Wash

 

I know there is one more holiday approaching, but I hope you all had a very nice Christmas.  Our Christmas week is typically full of celebrations - our youngest's birthday, Christmas Day, and our Wedding Anniversary.  A lot to celebrate in one week for sure.

My husband only got Christmas day off of work this year.  It seems the kids also had to work the same days. 

Our weather is taking a turn for warmer temperatures, and tomorrow they expect it to be around 60°F here.  Crazy for sure.  However, it is the perfect weather to take down all of the outside Christmas lights.  I would love to keep them up for New Year's Eve, but the weather will turn right back to very cold temperatures by next weekend.

It's the perfect weather to work on outdoor projects, but the best weather days are during the week.  The home repair list is dwindling, but it's still lingering ha ha! 

Two of the kids are house shopping, and we are trying to help, but it's not a great time to buy right now.

I have been seeing a lot of cardinals here lately.  I do need to clean my windows ha ha!  Next time I will go outside to snap a photo.

We made one batch of our traditional butter cut out cookies (gave most of them to others), and one batch of a new einkorn recipe from Jovial recipes - Peanut Butter Blossoms.  They contain einkorn flour (no white flour), but they do contain granulated sugar and brown sugar.  I used the Hershey kisses, but these went to work with my husband for a treat.  We kept just a few for us.  They are very good.  Next time I will try breaking up an organic white chocolate or dark chocolate bar, and use those in place of the kiss candy.  I got 43 cookies using my small pampered chef scoop.

We also baked a healthier version of "chex mix" and have already given half of it away (one kiddo loves it).  We all love it, so I'll have a post on that soon.  It's a treat only at Christmas and New Year's Eve for us.

I'm still staying on track with my fitness, and otherwise healthy meals despite the holidays and cookies.  I have a few new salad recipes to try soon, and we are focusing on the freezer and pantry for the next month.  Other than buying  fresh vegetables and fruits, it should be a fun monthly meal plan.

I mixed up a new recipe to try - homemade body wash.  Winter brings dry skin, and I wanted to give it a try.  We do typically only use goat's milk soap, but this may help a bit more.   I'm only making a small amount to make sure I am not allergic to any of the ingredients.  I'll update on it after using it for a while.

In other news . . .

I was washing dishes, and saw something jumping around out in the yard.  It was this cat, and he/she (most likely a he by the coloring), was pouncing on something.  I had to laugh.  It was out hunting for food, and caught it.  I've see it hanging around before, but it's been weeks since I've seen it.  I could not get a close enough photo to see if it was a catch and release (tipped ear) cat.

I have not been watching he morning or evening news, so I really don't know what's going on in the "real" world lately.  I have spent more time sipping herbal tea and reading, and a few minutes of easy crochet work.  Once the weather turns cold again, I will check my yarn stash and start a new lap afghan.  I may have enough to donate by next winter (not enough time this year with home repairs/purging/cleaning, and re-organizing (but so worth it).

I have finally opened my new planner and started filling it in already.  Which reminded me about how people spend their entire day looking forward to the end of the day, or end of the week, instead of embracing the moments as they are in real time.  Don't forget to find joy in the present moments, as you can't get that time back.

Do you do anything "fun" to embrace a moment or moments in your day?  Sit outside and watch the birds?  Watch the sunrise or sunset?  Plant a new plant indoors?  I would love to hear your winter activities or plans.  

I was gifted a new planter container last May (gulp), and have yet to fill it.  I had planned to try and bring in Thai basil, but that failed.  Rosemary is very difficult for me to winterize indoors, so I'm looking into maybe another herbal plant.

I have not yet found any local line dancing, but we are continuously seeking out activities for us this winter.  If anything, we'll get some evening walks in.

New Cookie Recipe Tried ~ Homemade Body Wash © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

A Little Late ~ Attempt to Put the Jolly in the Holidays ~ Homemade Velveeta

 

Yes, we have Christmas themed bedding.  It is coming out of storage today.  I'm very behind, but it's happening.  In fact, I have another King Christmas comforter to give away, but it may be next Christmas.  The kids have apartments, and no room, nor a place to wash a King comforter.  Any who, I'm hoping the new view of the bedding will put a spark in our Christmas spirit. 

We've had some bumps in the road for sure this season.  I think it will make the house a bit "brighter" and happier.  I have a bad habit of worrying about things that rob my sanity and happiness.  Do you have a prayer in regards for not worrying?

As long as we have life, we have problems.  It's how to be able to laugh and smile, to get thru the problems, worry, or setbacks, and what not.

The Christmas tree is up, grocery shopping has taken place (although we had to go to three stores because most were lacking supplies), and we both got haircuts.  The haircuts were very overdue and a much needed day of pampering.  I got a hard water hair treatment, and WOW!  My hair is amazing now.  No brassy hard water.  We do have a water softener, but she sent me home with some hard water treatments too.

The chicken coop was mucked last Friday, so that is off the to-do list this week thankfully.  I have four filled boxes ready to take to donate (with another possibly getting filled today).

The small room we used for an office, is now put back together.  In fact, I can now store extra folding chairs in our storage area under the stairs, along with other items I won't have to take upstairs anymore.  Woohoo to that.  

I need to finish decorating the tree, and I can put the totes away, and tidy up the house.  The plan is to bake some Christmas cookies, and maybe candy in the next few days (maybe today).  I'll be honest, I have not been in a festive mood this year.  A good daily workout keeps me energized, but.....

The recent handyman wanted to start on our next repair project, but it involves part of the kitchen ceiling, so we said it can happen after the holidays.  We removed an old light, so the drywall needs patched, and then half of the ceiling painted and that project will be completed.

We have had one evening of driving around to see Christmas lights, but plan to go see more.  I do miss my jolly holiday self this year, so I'm hoping some Christmas music will do the trick.  I normally would be busy creating a new ornament, but my siblings (most) do not put up a tree anymore.  Even my husband said I haven't been "crafty" lately, and I should work on something.  I don't know.  I can start another lap afghan, but I needed a break from that.

Jar openers are on the list for my on-the-go project. Apparently, I did not write the pattern down correctly, so I will be re-writing that today.  It should not take that long to do.  I have the supplies, and thought I could make these my "crafty" project for now, and donate them along with the lap afghans to senior centers, adult living facilities, and have them on hand for host/hostess gifts or just gifting.

I know what my Mom felt like at the holidays now.  When all of us adult kids started having our own families, she was alone more often.  I get it now, as our kids are building their own families.  However, I am also trying to focus on making our own couple traditions as well.  I really miss calling Mom and discussing life in general, health issues, advice and the like.  I do not have an elderly person left in our family.  I may have to adopt someone's Grandma.

On the try-it list - homemade "Velveeta" 

I made this yesterday, so we plan to taste test it today or tomorrow.  There is a traditional dish that we have (or used to have, as we don't get together at the holidays anymore).  I got the recipe from a friend at work, many, many years ago.  The recipe requires Velveeta in it - Cheesy Baked Potatoes.  I haven't used Velveeta since the kids were born (that long ago).  It is also an ingredient in my Mom's stove top Macaroni and Cheese.  She never had a recipe, but I think I could remember how to make it.  That's the plan if this tastes good and works well when baking and cooking.

We hope it works out well, and I have read that it freezes well too, as it only lasts about two weeks after it's made.  The recipe is very simple, and is made very quickly.  When I processed it, it not only smelled good, but tasted good.  I'll be back with an update.  I just used a container as my mold, as I did not have a 1 pound loaf (mini) pan.  

A Little Late ~ Attempt to Put the Jolly in the Holidays ~ Homemade Velveeta © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Camper Mug ~ Adult Christmas Game Idea

 

I was recently gifted a new mug.  I love it!  It's a camper, and inside the mug, says "home is where you park it."

Sometimes, what mug you drink your morning coffee/tea in, can create your mood for the day.

It was not from my husband, and not a Christmas present.  It was just a gesture of love.  

Speaking of new mug, there is a Christmas game that involves gifting a new mug. You each buy a mug of some sort, and fill it with small gifts.  You all sit around the room and either pass left or right when told, and then when the game ends, you keep the one you are holding.

I thought I would share, as we are trying to think of adult games that are fun, but don't break the bank.

Christmas is over ~ Frozen Pipes ~ Anniversary

 

The storm delayed my surprise anniversary getaway, but we still went despite arriving home on Christmas day.  We had zero company Christmas day anyway.  The kids were all with other family this year.

Anyway, we stayed in a Bed & Breakfast, he had flowers, chocolates, and a cheese and meat board all arranged for us.  What a guy!

Also, he bought me a new very warm coat you see in the photo, but I have to return it for a smaller size.  

We returned home to no hot water.  Everyone in the state was either battling no power, or no power and water, or pipes that had already burst.

We finally got all of our pipes cleared, and despite heat tape, it still froze with this treacherous weather.

With zero family to spend time with this Christmas, I made Mom's sour cream softies.  The temperatures are slowly getting warmer, but so many people suffered damage to their homes with this storm.  I'm glad it's over and warmer days are in the future. 

Priming the Trim and other ramblings. . .

 

I wasn't even going to paint the trim in the living room, but after we talked about it, we decided it would brighten up the room.  I have started to prime the trim, which is slow going.  I decided to use a tool to paint edges vs. using expensive paint tape.  It is slower, but works for the job.  You can see the room is already brighter with the trim white vs. dark wood.

Good news!  I got an email and a text.  The flooring will be in this week, and the gas heater is ready to be picked up.  I guess that means I better get these windows done, so we can get the walls painted next.  I never expected to do that either, but since we had to replace the entire floor, and it hasn't been painted in 14 years, we decided to do it.

I have been a bit depressed, and not feeling like it's even Christmas time right now, but glad this project is keeping my mind busy.  I'm just used to baking, and making homemade gifts this time of year, and I am not.  Heck, I'm not even sure where my Christmas cards are, that I bought a few years ago.

I am having grave pillows made for Mom and Dad's grave.  I will post a picture of them when I pick them up.

I am rotating crochet projects again.  I think it's just because I get bored doing the same blanket every night (although I am very happy with my color rotation).  I dug out baby yarn to re-stock baby booties.  I'm working on finding a nice, but inexpensive way to package them.

I'm also looking for inexpensive clear (with zipper) blanket storage bags.  I would like to have them for when I donate the lap afghans.  I found some on Amazon, but the per-piece price is a bit higher than I would like.  I will keep searching.  Wal-mart is more expensive and their bags are a bit too big.

I haven't had time, but there is a new crochet venture I am going to start making, as this living room project comes to an end.  It will keep my spirits up for selling stuff next year.

Today will be interesting.  Balancing house work while painting is a true hot mess, ha ha!

Clean Up

 We made a lot of dirty dishes Christmas day, but the meal will provide for us for a few days.  Today is our wedding anniversary, but because it falls the day after such a big day, it often gets no attention (in any special way).

My husband filled my foot tub soak with hot water yesterday, but later realized he forgot to add the epsom salts.  My ankle is still a bit swollen.

The girls (who were here for Christmas) seemed to really like their homemade gifts. It was a rainy sort of day, and we just cooked and ate when we felt like it, while watching movies and relaxing. 

My kitchen looks like a tornado went thru it, so I'm not looking forward to spending the morning cleaning up.

It's her birthday!

 

Yes, that is our youngest in a stocking the hospital gave us.  She was born on the 23rd and we came home on the 24th of Dec.

Gosh, it's hard to believe we didn't have the farm house back then.  I did grow an herb garden and loved it.  In fact, I pulled all of it and moved the herb garden two times before we landed where we are.  Time flies for sure.

Update on my ankle.  I took a chance and left the boot off for a day.  In the evening I however, needed an ice pack.  Boot went back on, but I will do a half day today and see how it goes. 

My husband is going to split wood by himself this morning.  Daughter K is off work, so I hope she gets up in time to help him.

Merry Christmas everyone!

High Wind Warning

Yesterday we literally hunkered in and did nothing but watch movies, and sip hot coffee.  My husband baked some no-bake cookies.

The wind gusts were anywhere up to 60mph.  Although the temperature was in the low 60's, it was not conducive to outdoor anything.

My ankle is a bit better, but still sore.  No one answered my question about dried comfrey, so I went online and dug into my herbal books and made several poultices (update on that later).

I located a person who makes handmade kitchen tools.  I emailed him, but have not gotten a response.  Hopefully I will hear from him soon.  I hope my email didn't go into his "junk" mail.

The glass cutter called me.  He wanted to make sure the cost was okay before he special ordered the glass for the wood stove door.  The prices have gone up 4 times he said over the last year alone.  What cost us under $50 will now cost us $138.78, and it will take much longer to get the glass.  I get so frustrated with this. 

My crafting sales are at the bottom lowest.  I put 17 sets of pot holders up on a social media page.  I got zero sales.  It's my go-do (travel) project, and apparently I have made a lot of sets.  They went back into a storage container, and I will be changing my "go-to" crochet project to another item.

As many people get new, higher paying jobs and sign on bonuses, my husband's salary remains the same, and no bonus for working thru the pandemic.  It's absolutely depressing and frustrating (and why we are not buying gifts not putting up a tree in the living room this year).  I'm usually really excited about Christmas, doing baking, candy making, wrapping gifts, decorating the house and what not.  Not this year.  

I'm still working on the handmade gifts for the two younger daughters (with what I have on hand).  The other kids don't even come around or stay in touch any more.

I sort of feel like that scene in Little House on the Prairie, where they are all hiding in places to make handmade gifts for Christmas.

I don't hear the wind this morning, so I am hoping for a much better weather day, and praying for all those who suffered devastation over the last few days (tornadoes).

Happy Homemaker Monday

Christmas week is always busy for us.  We celebrated our youngest turning 19.  Christmas Eve day my husband and I spent several hours doing heavy lifting at my Dad's place.  We were super tired by evening.  Christmas day we all cooked in our pj's and had a very relaxing day.  Our older daughter delivered a Christmas meal to Mom and to my younger brother, although the weather was pretty nasty with snow and wind. Younger daughter has a very (mentally) difficult Christmas, but we got her through it.

The little tiny island we got married on.  Then and now (from opposite views).  The little quaint town had to fill in the one side of the island due to erosion, and the sign was removed since then.  You can see in the second photo of where it was (it was a tiny small island).  First photo is our one year anniversary.  There is a small B&B there by it and that is where we celebrated our 22nd anniversary over the weekend.

We did some small town shopping, eating and whatnot.  I loved browsing their bookstores there and bought one book for $1.00.  We dined at a local brewery, and tried their bruschetta.  As all new businesses, they are making their food in different ways. Can't say it was the best bruschetta (made with olives and feta), but the pizza was delicious. Tried my first whiskey sour, because the cocktails were of limited choices.  I do not like whiskey sours.  We tried Buffalo Trace whiskey - good but expensive.

Oh, I found a copy of a two-book collection that I have been looking for.  However, it's signed, and was not priced.  They took my info and will call me with a price if they verify signature.  I have a feeling if it is verified as a true signature, it will be too highly priced for me.

I learned something too.  We browsed an antique store for a (what I thought was called a lamp shade) for my kitchen oil lamp.  Learned they are called a petticoat.  I'm told to bring my entire lamp in and they will fit it with one.  Sort of excited about that.

Back home and back to work now.  So much is now on the to-do list, but it keeps me busy.  The car repairs will resume, and other work.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Will link when she posts.  I have to get started on my day.

What 2020 has taught me . . .

-Don't think on decisions too long, because life goes too fast

-Get the tattoo.  I was given one for Christmas by one of the daughters and I thought "You know, life is short, just do it!"  They are mother daughter tattoos.  Yes, I really did it.

-If you can't visit friends and family call them.

-Random acts of kindness put happiness in my heart

-Take more trips.  Don't put them off. And to take the younger two girls on a vacation every year.  They work hard too.

-To take care of myself better.  I have not been that great at working out.  Eating great, but not working out.

-Write a Will.  Dad didn't have one and it's been one headache for my younger brother. 

-to carve out more date nights with my husband.

-sadly it's taught me that some friends are more supportive than family.

The weather outside is . . .

Warmer than the past weekend.  37°/22°F.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Coffee so far.  Will make a casserole later this morning.

As I look outside my window . . .

The snow we got on Christmas day is all melted.

As I look around the house . . .

I also have several lists laying at my computer for the week. 

What I am wearing today . . .

Right now I am still in jammies and a thick robe

Currently reading . . .

Nothing today, but hopefully back to it.  Just haven't felt like reading lately.

On the TV . . .

Whatever catches our eye.

On the menu  . . .

-ham/bean soup to use up all the leftover ham

-chicken tikka masala

-meatloaf, sweet potatoes, 

-salmon patties, roasted veggies

-kamut snack bars

-breakfast casserole with bacon and veggies, greens

Something fun to share . . .

Nothing.

Prayers, Inspirational quotes, Devotionals . . .

My cousin who lost her husband to covid, youngest (still having a rough time), 

 

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!

Cheers to all of you who stuck with me this year, even if we had or have a difference of opinion on the plan-demic.  I notice so many adults fighting right now about masks and other related things.  It has been a rough year, so thanks for putting up with me on my off days.

One sister is taking all of Dad's photos and putting them on cd's for us (and siblings).  One brother is taking old reel movies and putting them on devices for us all as well.  Things are moving along I guess.  I have letters and will read them and pass them on or scan them and create booklets so all can have a copy if needed.

I'm already making a list of homemade gifts for 2021, and praying our families can get together.

Christmas Traditions

We have had many fun and memorable Christmas traditions in our home.  First, I loved (loved!) being classroom Mom for the class Christmas parties.  I would literally try to sign up for them when school started.  I loved it!  I always made some sort of treat bag/treat container that was filled with fun.  By fun I mean a handmade ornament for each student, candy, and fun activities or toys.  Here are a few treat bags I made for Christmas.  Also, most years I hand wrapped each handmade ornament so the kids had something to unwrap.

Classroom treats were also made.  One year I dipped large marshmallows into melted butterscotch chips on a stick.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

I had so much fun coming up with creative treat holders.  The one above was made from a toilet paper roll (bottom piece), and the top was an ornament that sat into the top.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

Long time blog followers already know that I have a passion for making homemade ornaments for my family every year.  Well, every year until I got some comments that they "had too many."  Then I stopped, but I am making one this year.  The above one was made with gumball machine capsules.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

Link to this on my blog

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

I made so, so many ornaments over the years.  Many are on my S.C.R.A.P. blog, and if you search my blog here, I posted many photos of some.  Search handmade/homemade Christmas ornaments.  The posts should pop up for you.

Another tradition when the kids were younger - sugar cube castle building with frosting and candies.

We still have a tradition of gifting new and wrapped jammies on Christmas Eve.  We are now down to just the 4 of us, out of a family of 8.  This year I will gift everyone a few days earlier, so we can all wash them before wearing them.

I'm going to start a new one this year, just different from the idea of it all.  I will share when that happens.

Of course when the kiddos were young, they would leave cookies and milk out for Santa.  Making all sorts of cookies and candies was a family tradition, and saving some of them for New Year's Eve.

Over the years, trying a new cookie/candy recipe for the holidays became a tradition as well. One year we even tried an alcoholic breakfast beverage (adults).

Overnight breakfast casserole has been a long time tradition for us.  We only make it for Christmas morning.  I thought for sure I shared my recipe on my blog, but can't seem to find it.  I guess when I bake it this year, it'll get it's own post.