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~
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Gardens are Ready ~ Crochet Pattern ~ A Mix of Granny Ripple and Double Crochet/Single Ripple with Straight Edge Start
Monday, January 2, 2023
Updates and such....
Well folks, I have not been on an antibiotic for almost 2 years or longer. They asked me what I was able to take and could not remember, other than I cannot take the z-pac.
Now I am having other issues, despite eating the BRAT diet, so a call is getting placed to the doctor this morning. Not sure what he can do, other than change the antibiotic and take another route.
I'm just not taking chances for things to go south, like they did with the z-pac (put me in the hospital for 14 days).
I am eating my yogurt and taking a prebiotic, but it's not helping. My cough is a bit better, but we are also going to seek out a different prescribed cough syrup.
In the meantime, I got plenty of rest last night. I went to bed at 6pm and didn't get up until 7am this morning. I'm still dealing with fatigue.
I haven't felt like crocheting, reading a book....nothing.
It's foggy here and predicted to reach up into the 60's. Crazy.
I remembered a family member asked me and one other about crocheting her the below afghan, so I looked into it. Check out the cost of supplies! Even though I would not need stitch markers or a hook, that is one expensive blanket to make. I would want labor, so yeah, I am sure it's not affordable to make. The cost of supplies plus labor would almost make this a $200.00 blanket.
Monday, May 24, 2021
Happy Homemaker Monday
We had a very hot weekend, so tilling didn't happen. It was so dry out. We had to water the flower beds daily. I am very frustrated getting the vegetable garden in this year. It's either the weather or my husband is not available to till. He won't let me till when I am home alone. We asked someone if they were interested in tilling for me for some cash. Didn't happen.
The weather was perfect for starting some jars of comfrey oil. I'll be trying a new salve recipe and giving it a try before I put a review on here about it.
We are somewhat feeling like normal in our state again. We noticed however, when eating out they still give those annoying packets of ketchup vs. a bottle. I'm putting one in the fridge just for when we are on the road from now on.
We had a busy weekend. There was a baby shower we attended, and delivered gifts for two grand niece birthdays we missed. I forgot to take a picture, but we gifted a crocheted baby blanket and matching baby booties, along with diapers and other items (man the price of diapers - wow!!).
Our Bike Week will be different this year, but it's coming up the same weekend they do an MS charity bike poker run. Rain is in the forecast for next Friday, so I'm not sure what activities we'll be doing. We are in a race to get the entire garden planted too, so who knows what we'll actually be able to participate in. Personally, I'd like to work my bum off this week in the garden and try and get at least one day on the bike.
Our mower guy (only charges us $40 for what we mow on our 6 acres), showed up so that is one job taken off our hands.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Treasures ~ Corn ~ Turkey/Zucchini Meatballs and other Tidbits
The garage is next, but I still have a bit to clean up in the utility room. I'm just glad I got the closet done (other than Hubby purging his clothing).
Bad news for our area. The produce stand (has been open for 91 years) announced they will not be opening for the 2020 season due to numerous road closures. We get our corn and other various veggies from them. I'll have to look for a co-op to drive to or other source, but it will be drive if we want corn. They also sold popcorn, so I may be planting it, and hoping for the best this year.
Good news!!! Woohoo! Mom went to Cleveland Clinic on Monday, and the news came back that she does not have to see a doctor for at least one more year. No surgery. So happy for that news! Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, vibes and mojo!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Soaked ~ Patterns
I've had a request for patterns for the items I make. Here are a few of them.
The pattern for the heart cup/mug coasters is online and free at Red Heart yarn: Valentine Heart Coaster
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Ma's Little House Shawl
I continue to receive emails asking for the pattern, so here it is:
Sunday, January 29, 2017
The Scarf of Many Colors
I need another project, like a need a hole in my head.
However.
I've wanted to learn the corner to corner (C2C) crochet stitch, and I'm using up leftover, leftover yarn.
While I'm crocheting the scrap blanket, there are small balls of yarn. That would be the "leftover, leftover" yarn balls. They are too small to even make one row across the blanket, so they are in a basket.
My inner, "you can't store that anymore" and "can't waste it mode" (again) kept poking at me.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Camping Prep ~ Crochet Projects
The shells are always saved from these walnuts. My older brother and his wife gift me their cardboard egg cartons.
Four dozen campfire starters are in the making today, and I have more shells.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Dead Mouse and other Homestead Happenings
Unless you count the night that King proudly brought in a dead, flattened mouse. Two girls went ballistic and screamed for me (or their Dad who conveniently ignored them) to come rescue them.
I found one daughter holding one puppy, and one holding the other and both screaming and pointing to the dead mouse. I removed it of course, even while they were screaming at me while doing it. I had gloves on, but they still couldn't watch. I told them when they grow up and have kids, they'll be able to do almost anything without gagging.
Puppy nap time - Zuri with her head on top of King. They both are growing so fast already. King still thinks he's a lap dog, so this will be interesting. King has learned "speak" already. He's been easy to train in that department. He's very vocal. Zuri is such a doll. I just hope she can hold up to her end if protection is needed. She is so calm for me.
They are partners in crime. This weeks casualties? One church youth group flyer that they kept pulling off the fridge, along with the clip magnet. I had to go in search of their toys to get them to stop. Oh, and one chewed our 19 year-old's computer charge cord in half. Not their fault. Daughter just forgot to put it up. I told the kids to put stuff up as if they were baby goats in the house.
Hubby and I have gotten the tree limbs split and stacked, so we are ready to tackle that one tree when school is out for Christmas. This Saturday however, he'll be putting Duaghter's car back together.
Friday, December 4, 2015
. . . from the handiwork journal
So....
Cup of coffee anyone? This one was a bit of a challenge for me, and my coffee is sitting up a bit too high in the cup, but I'm glad I'm venturing into toys for kids. This would even make a nice pin cushion for someone who sews and loves coffee. Heck, it could be hot chocolate. I could crochet mini marshmallows on top. I mean it's a play toy, so we can play all sorts of make believe.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Dandelion Greens for Dogs ~ Crocheted Cowls ~ Writing Update
He has tumors, and some were removed, but are growing back. They are "fatty" tumors, but with that in mind, I'm drying dandelion, to sprinkle over his food (1 tsp. per every 20 lbs. of weight).
His dog treats are made with kale, so he's getting more vitamins and nutrients that way as well.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Flower Cup Coaster ~ More Gardening
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Still sick, but plowing through....
The ironic part, is that we ran out of coffee yesterday. The last thing I wanted to do was run out to the store. I truly missed Hubby's help yesterday.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Crocheted Placemats and Chair Cushions ~ Vultures and Tidbits
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Surprise Delivery ~ Just for Me
The birds are singing this morning. What a nice thing to wake up too. It sounds so peaceful out there. It's a good day to let the ladies out and clean the coop too. They will be so happy to be out and about today. My 15 year-old opened the door and smiled, "it sounds like spring out there."
Yesterday, I was just finishing up my lunch, when a van pulled in. My Hubby surprised me with red roses.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
An apple in my pocket ~ The iPod eating box ~ Floor Rug
I guess, although we are to warm up to the 38°F, they are predicting ice covered roads until noon today.
Aside from animal feed, which I may run out before the end of the week, I'm declaring this week a no-spend week. Toilet paper is stocked up so we are good in that department.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
I got "Notered" ~ Granny Square Crochet Bookmark ~ Random Tidbits
(The history of the "noters": for years we exchanged uplifting notes. I'd put them in their lunches, and Youngest loved to write me back often).
Here is what I found in my email today:
"Soo I don't really have anything to write about but I love you mommy. You're amazing and you care for me and I love you. Also check facebook :) I couldn't help but brag about how amazing my mom is.. I love you. You do a lot for me and there should be more than one day of the year that I show my gratitude to you and how much I appreciate you, and of course the work you do for me. You are AMAZING. I love you. I love you times 10000000 <3 :d="" are="" br="" hearts="" lol="" love="" mom="" symbols="" those="" you="">
Sent from my iPod=
That just made my day start even better. I did hack into Hubby's facebook to see what she posted too (Sigh....in a good way).
Lookie, lookie! (just trying to be funny) I found another one! (actually I found two, but I'll explain the other one on another post).
While shuffling through my leaning-tower-of- Pisa stack of magazines, I found this:
Saturday, February 14, 2015
The little things that say "I love you"
I used scrap fabric to make these homemade cards (right), and old book pages (left) to create the envelope. I used a fine-line black marker to make dashes around the scrap fabric heart (adhered with fusible web).
What's inside?
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Pinto Beans ~ Pantry Lunch Packings ~ Handiwork Developments
I finally broke down and rinsed our home grown pinto beans. The piddly harvest....we all know that story right? Either way, I am cooking them to go with breakfast burritos, snacks and after school burritos. We get creative with breakfast burritos. Which reminds me, I better open a jar of zucchini salsa too.