Pioneer Woman at Heart

January 1st, 2025 I decided to start creating a book blanket.  What is a book blanket? I use any scrap yarn (#4 weight), and a 5.5mm crochet hook, and crochet one granny square to match the cover of every book I read this year.  Purchased this book at an antique store. (with first granny square) The blanket is also a join-as-you-go blanket.  The final results will be my "book" blanket. I am using a much different pattern, than the regular join methods, and I love the look too. I am not picking my books out by how colorful the cover is either.  I am working on books that I have purchased, books that were passed down to me from my Mom, or from a daughter (or even friend), and matching the yarn colors to the best of what I have in my scrap yarn stash.   The idea is to use up what I have without buying any new (deep breath here, ha ha!).  It is also my motivation to read more books, and scroll on the internet (or my phone) a lot less. Another book read wit...

Nothing really exciting on the news front.   I dehydrated more oregano to make sure the new dehydrator worked.  There are things about it I like, and other things I do not like.  It is much quieter than my last one.    I can say that I am glad I saved my trays from my older one.  The new ones are thinner, and the way the metal is twisted on the trays, the oregano stuck to the trays.  I had to layer the counter top with sheets of waxed paper, so I didn't make a mess, and didn't lose any of the dried oregano in the process of removing it.   I dried some oregano for the kids, and I was thankful to find a drawer full of saved lids to top the canning jars with. How I found the lids?  Well, funny story.  I have one daughter who just started to learn to crochet, and asked for some yarn and supplies.  I went rooting around in my craft drawers, and low and behold, I had used one drawer for empty baby food jars and lids that fit canning ...

My recent attempts to soak in some porch time, have been short due to 90 degree days here lately.   The bugs are terrible, and I'm guessing from the recent rains we have had.   . . .the second doily for the living room.  I honestly forgot about this project.  It was in my on-the-go bag.  I need to get this finished. . . .current status on the current large blanket.  It's too hot here to work on such a large project. . . .finally finished this (top picture) dishcloth.  Started another one.  Finished that one. I used the leftover yarn to crochet two hand sanitizer holders, and then used the very last of the yarn..... ...to make 4 granny square centers.  I have just a wee bit of yarn left.   How this project started:  I was cleaning up the very last box of craft items in the living room.  I had a crocheted strawberry for a keychain for one daughter.  I went to the utility room (next room to get a complete extre...

Warmer days are arriving, so this may be put on the back burner until fall.  We'll see, I guess.  It's still in progress. Another wire crocheted/beaded pair of earrings, but this may be the last.  I am donating all the beads I have soon. On good weather days, I'm spray painting these last small clipboards.  I will add magnets to the back for fridge note paper.  I just wanted them done and ready for gifting if needed.  I should have just donated them, but it's getting done. . . .still working on the other square doily for the living room. . . .and lastly (that I know of ha ha!), this scarf is finished!!!  However, I have a bit more yarn, so a matching hat may be my go-to, on-the-go project soon.  

  Years ago, my Dad gave me a container of "crafty" items from his mother (my Grandma).  She lived through the Great Depression, and was very creative on recycling "trash" into items to sell (above is a magnet she made). She used to recycle egg cartons, but punching holes out using a single hole punch.  She would make many things with them, and in the container, along with several bags of punched circles, was a magnet she made with other styrofoam trays.  My biggest memory from these punched circles, was her necklaces she made with them, using dental floss to string it and other beads.  Several years ago, I wrote about it.  You can get directions on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot. She also made beautiful beaded jewelry.  I have completely emptied that container, sorted it and boxed most of it up.  It will be donated to a home where they house women recovering from mental/health and addiction/recovery issues.  They are very "crafty" and were asking fo...

  I haven't knitted in a long, long time.  I have only knitted a scarf, and most of the time dishcloths.  Socks are still on the bucket list, but I realized how sore my finger tip can get.  I found these at the Dollar Tree for $1.25! I've been focusing meal planning on what needs rotated out of the freezer and pantry.  Other than fresh fruit on the menu.  You know like the canned ketchup, frozen blueberries, frozen bell peppers, frozen green onions - just anything put up last garden season.  I use home canned ketchup, and frozen bell peppers in Four Beans and Sausage. A one meal in a crockpot recipe. A random breakfast dish I layered with cooked sage sausage, cooked (from the freezer) garden bell peppers, and added green onions I froze last summer.  Oh, I chopped to jalapenos I froze last summer, and boy it was delicious.  I also freeze the cheese blocks that go into dishes like this (grated), so I checked that supply as well as butter. ...