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~
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Cleaning and Organizing ~ Books ~ Wild Violets ~ Homemade Rosehip Infused Oil
Friday, November 10, 2023
Chit Chat on the Porch ~ Library Loot
I thought we were going to have a very dreary, dark day yesterday, but the sun came out, and I got some fresh air. It was a bit cooler and breezy, but we are to warm back up thankfully. Getting outside this time of year is good for the soul.
Later, I went into my office for something, and found that I buried my crochet hooks in there.
I quickly got those back in their proper home, but I realized that I have more "stuff" in there to put away. By "stuff" I mean stuff shoved in there from ripping up the entire flooring in the living. I unpacked two more boxes I found from the bedroom project. I am also filling another box for donations.
Just pack up an entire room in a hurry, and then unpack it all. You'd be surprised on what you really need or use vs. what you have.
I found a cookbook I didn't even know I had. I may try a few, but it is old and falling apart.
I have used my "hidden" screwdriver several times already, and have installed a new curtain rod for my hallway (so it matches the one on the door).
I have used up all of the pumpkin, that we did not freeze, but I borrowed some books from the library for new ideas.
I have yet to talk with anyone who makes fire cider. It's been years since we made it, so I guess I'm on my own for finding a "good" tasting recipe.
The Christmas book was brought home on a whim. Not sure I'll have the time to read it, or if it will restore my holiday mojo. I guess we'll find out.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Recipe Books ~ Mail Delivery ~ Two New Recipes
I also placed an order for a few more books, and one is on making your own medicine (I do have books on this, but wanted more).
My son purchased this for our daughter. It is to hold his ashes. I was doing pretty well about this lately, until it showed up. I just about cried. However, I do love the photo she picked, because that's what I remember about my "tater tot" and boy do I miss him a lot. Since we are under shut-in, I texted her photos of it. She called him "Pooh Bear" and he even had a Pooh Bear Halloween costume at one time.
Well, as far as homesteading around here, the weather got cooler.
I made egg salad, some breakfast veggie muffins with dandelion greens, and a new recipe of dill pickle dip, using home canned pickles. As for the recipe for the dip, I just googled for one.
New recipe I tried for a side for dinner - Rachel Ray's Baked Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes (online on her site, from another cook). Forgot to take a photo, but wasn't really impressed. I added the vinegar after they came out of the oven, and didn't even taste it. They were simply smashed baked potatoes, and good, just not fantastic.
I hope to have time to get around to reading your blogs today. I've lacked the time lately, due to a busy routine, which I am thankful for.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Wacky Winter ~ Indoor seed planting has started
Hubby got a laugh out of this too. What a "wacky" winter we are having.
So what's going on here lately?
Monday, November 6, 2017
Surprise in the Chicken Coop ~ Chocolate Pie ~ Dehydrator Jerky ~ Skipping Thanksgiving ~ Tornado
I've been free ranging the ladies and stud muffin Sparta all day after about noon lately. One, they get their grit and dirt baths, two they help me reduce the bug numbers, and three it cuts the organic feed cost down. Oh, and four, they help "till" up the garden too.
I went to put them all in, and I had left the coop door open. The barn was shut, but once I opened the barn door, the hens followed me in.
I had a container of goodies in one hand, and a bucket of water in the other hand. I started to fill the water when all h-e-double hockey sticks broke loose.
At first I thought a raccoon was in the coop with me. It was that dang stray gray tabby that's been hanging around. It took forever to find the door out, and was literally climbing the chicken wire at high rates of speed. Once I realized it was just a cat, I stepped back until it found the door.
Oh my land. The ladies and I had a scare. Oh, and one hennie looks iffy. Not sure she'll be around much. I'm worming, but hmm. She's not looking so perky. Doesn't want to hop up to get in the coop.
If you read yesterday's post, you saw I made homemade chocolate grahams. I used 3 cups of them finely ground to make a pie crust.
I tried the new recipe. Actually two. The first?
Chocolate Mousse Pie. I have wanted to make a chocolate pie for a long time. Hubby raved about his mother's cake, and I didn't want to pie using chocolate pudding (processed) in it.
It's worth the look. My family devoured the pie, and one was moaning as she ate it. I've pretty much stuck to fruit pies lately and this was a sweet treat to try (for taking to holiday gatherings).
I also made my first teriyaki beef jerky. I used the oven first, then transferred it to the dehydrator. Then I realized my dehydrator goes up to 165°F. Duh!
I didn't do too bad for the first time. It tastes great too. It is a teeny tiny bit over-dried, but still good. I'll be making more when meat is on sale. Or Hubby gets a deer this year. Hubby loves it! Much easier to eat than organic (hard as a rock) jerky from the store. I'm seeing a meat cow out here one of these days. I really am.
The recipe for the marinade is from this book.
I borrowed it from the library several times, and finally gave one recipe a whirl. I had the meat guy cut the meat for me too. I will be checking out more jerky books to see which one will land on my "wish" list next. This one has a lot of recipes, but the author spends a lot of time on "cleanliness."
For now, I can't really try new holiday recipes, although one remains to be tried (sigh). It's getting too close to the big day(s) and I need to save up for the supplies.
We had plans to skip Thanksgiving. Yes. Skip it. Hubby's suggestion. We were to call and get reservations at a restaurant known for their very delicious holiday meal. I forgot to call. I'm sure it's too late now. Sigh....I may be cooking it this year. Double sigh. I was sort of looking forward to skipping it (shhh, don't tell the kids).
As for Sunday's entertainment? We all went to the movies. Hubby had 4 free admission tickets and we headed south to the other "big" city. It was storming, and just as we had left, a (what they believe to have been) tornado hit a trailer park not far from where we had left, taking back roads. It was very dark, raining so hard you couldn't see where the road was, and as we passed through another smaller town, several trucks from a fire station were sent out. We were darn lucky.
That's a lot to take in for our Sunday here, and I may still join up with Monday's Happy Homemaker. I kind of need to get back on track after a day off. Sort of a day off. I still had a few minutes on the porch.
...until the bugs attacked me. And before the really bad storms rolled through. See the wet porch floor? Rain was blowing up under the roof.
Oh. We got more rain last night. Like we need it. Flooding everywhere here.
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Random Tidbits
And speaking of whipping up a recipe. I made the homemade make up remover wipes - water, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and virgin coconut oil. The recipe is in this book:
I will be back with an update, after the girls give them a whirl. I sure hope they work. Buying "organic" ones from the store is robbing my wallet.
Update: 11/7/2017 - these wipes starting growing mold on them yesterday. So saddened, as these really worked, and I had hoped to cut down my costs for the girls. I can't add an essential oil, as they are used over your eyes, and I can't put them in the fridge either. They were tossed out.
The kale is growing like wild fire. I am super happy too. So is my swiss chard. They survive a hard freeze, and the best part of this colder weather? No bugs, so there is more to eat and stock up with.
I decided to put some of the kale into the crocky too - Lentil Barley Soup (recipe from the book above, and thank you Mama Pea for the book suggestion). A wholesome meal packed with warmth and nutrients.
I added a finely diced habanero for heat and health as well. I didn't have a leek, so I used chopped green onion and one shallot. I still didn't have a lot of spice to the pot, so I ended up adding some "fire powder" and red pepper flakes. Fire powder is just a mess of hot peppers dehydrated and ground up (at the end of the season).
Apparently Lagom (Swedish) is the new Hygge (Danish). I just read an article on it, and I pretty much try to live that way - living life to the fullest, staying spontaneous, trying new things, yet being responsible.
I've been using simply borax to scrub my toilets. We have a septic system, so I have to be careful of what I use. I just read a blog (Hibiscus House) that suggested you use baking soda, white vinegar and tea tree oil. I did some more research, and from what I found, it's also septic safe. I gave it a try, and it works great.
Send good thoughts and prayers my way. I'm writing a short story for a contest. A contest is always a shot in a million, but I love writing too. There is a pay out for the winners too.
I'm making progress on the mug sets. They are looking pretty good so far. I need to crochet the straps on next.
Happiness is when I find another pint of homemade granola in the cupboard. I love it on my yogurt.
Monday, July 17, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
When it's time to call it quits ~ Habanero Apricot Jelly Recipe Answer
Not that I have a lack of outdoor work. But....
I started to make spaghetti, but the unit to cut them was jamming it up. My dough was fine.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Einkorn Hamburger Buns
It's a cookbook with recipes for grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
It contains a recipe for einkorn flour hamburger buns too.
The author has a blog, but the recipe is not on there. The blog is Naturally Ella in case you are interested. I found some goodies on there too.
I made my first hamburger buns! I didn't use the egg wash and sesame seeds, but may do that the next time for additional nutrition. I was just focused on getting them to turn out nicely.
I thawed an organic pork tenderloin, and made Rhubarb pulled pork in the crock pot. Mmm. And on homemade buns this time. Recipe is in the book, "The New Slow Cooker Cookbook." Those are oven rosemary roasted "fries" with home canned ketchup. I would have made homemade Rhubarb BBQ sauce, but we didn't have any more rhubarb ready and zero in the freezer.
Two new "from pile to file" recipes. I'm just thrilled the buns baked up nicely. Oh, the recipe for the buns states to use einkorn flour, but not what type. I emailed the author and she mills her own flour, saying the whole wheat would be best.
Oh my, I am soooooooooooo tired today. Last night we had 2 proms for the younger two. One had a ride, the other did not, who had a half hour ride to her date, and then needed picked up at midnight. Oh my. Hubby and I took a nap. Literally, and set the alarm for 11:30pm. We were up until 2am, because the other child arrived home from after prom with girl drama. Oye. Talk, talk, talk.....I'm too old for this ha ha ha ha! He said to me "now I really know you love me" on the way over to pick her up. He thought I would send him over to a city known for gang killings (and many people shot in bars etc.) all by himself? Yeah, not happening.
I have downed one cup of coffee, but need a ton more today. We managed two motorcycle rides in yesterday's crazy-ness (along with two birthday party stops), so we both got therapy, but we'll need naps again today. And I would like a day of "nothing" and a motorcycle ride.
However, work called Hubby already, and he's on his way in. He said, "don't worry Honey it should be a half hour job." Right. I am pretty sure I'll get my own nap while waiting. Which I greatly need anyway.
Enjoy your Sunday. The sun is shining and it's all good here.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Pickled Asparagus ~ Sunday Clean Up
...Pickled Asparagus. I'll be tasting it in a week. I used the recipe found in the above borrowed cookbook titles "Pickled." I have a ton of sticky notes marking many more to try.
However, there is an error in the recipe.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Hiccups Continue ~ Barn Roofing Installed (or not)
Monday, Hubby pulled a double-whammy on me. Just after he got to work, he called and said he had barn roofing and was on the way home. I had planned to take it easy (ha ha ha!)
To gear up for the work, I had infused a nettle/mullein/oat straw tea and added juice of a lemon. My throat needed all the help it could get.
He arrived. We hooked the lift to the borrowed truck, ripped out some of the chicken run fencing, and ever so gently backed the lift in by the animal barn. We cut the roofing to fit (or so we thought we did), got it in the lift, and sent Hubby up.
Only the battery wasn't charged. We forgot to charge it overnight, in all our excitement.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
How To's and Cookbooks ~ Starting Seeds ~ Herb Garden
I'm not sure why I even brought this one home, other than we love to grill out. However, do you see what it says under "Burgers?"
Friday, March 10, 2017
Random Tidbits
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Einkorn Flour Tortillas
First, I made flour tortillas with organic/non-gmo canola oil. You can read about it here.
Downside of making them with the canola? You use a lot more oil than in the einkorn tortillas I'm about to tell you about, and the smell of the oil stinks up the kitchen.
Second, I made them with real lard. You can read that post here.
A huge bonus in making these? You make them on a griddle, and they use no oil on the griddle itself. Just the lard in the tortilla. Very easy to make and less mess (and no smell).
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Random Tidbits
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Tidbits ~ Curried Cashews ~ Homemade Noodles
Hubby was up very early yesterday. He was already busy working on projects that have loomed over us. One is the trash can. When we moved in here, years ago, it came with a trash compactor. It broke down several years ago, and we did not want to replace it.
The front of the compactor had a cupboard piece to match the kitchen, in which Hubby removed it. He's now putting in a slide rail for the trash can, to fill that space under the cupboard, adding hinges to the cupboard piece, and making it new again. I'll be painting it soon to match the cabinets. For years, the trash can was hand pushed in and out, and often left out. It's a relief to see it get worked on now.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Visioning Porch Time ~ Dandelions
Until then, I continue to clean and organize. I'd like to do some stencil painting in one room, but I'll have to wait for open-window weather.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Monday, December 29, 2014
Rest and Relaxation (kind of) ~ Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce
It's hard for me to sit around and do nothing, which was what we told Mom to do (she had another ER visit) for the next few days.
I was reading through a library book, on handmade gifts and decided to not let the year end without a "bang."
I went to the kitchen and made Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Carrot Sandwich Bread
I'm not really a fan of baking yeast rising breads when it's colder in my house, so I wanted to try this 1969 cookbook recipe for a sandwich bread.
Homemade Bread, By the Food Editors of Farm Journal © 1969.
The recipe caught my eye, because it uses carrots in the recipe. My first choice in "shortening" in this recipe would be real lard, but I do not have access to any. I used organic, non-hydrogenated shortening. If I keep coming up with reasons for lard, Hubby may reconsider raising our own pigs too.