Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day

 

The heat index was 105°F yesterday.  Today it is said to be a record breaking day.  I have yet to hear what they actually do expect today.  Yes, we did outdoor work yesterday, but very early.  AC is on, but one system has to be worked on before we can turn it back on.  The sunrises are still smoke hazy sunrises. 

A heat wave means it's officially salad season again. We were gifted some garden romaine.  I made us a big salad (apples added later) - chicken, apple pecan salad.

Something new (a first for us) this year - growing a Meyer lemon plant.  I have wanted to do this for several years.  One blogger I used to follow was going to mail me seeds.  When that didn't happen, I bought some on Etsy, and not one seed sprouted.  Years later I found a plant and wa-la!  We have some lemons on it this year.  

I have a lack of photos, partly because I have lost my blogging mojo (numbers show a lack of interest anyway), and partly due to the heat wearing us out.

The chickens have been treated with some chipped ice, and will be until this heat is over with.  They are being treated with some sprouted peas, and maybe later some frozen veggies.

Of course, there is nothing ready to harvest from the actual garden but I have harvested lots of oregano from the herb garden.  I am waiting for the heat wave to end, before I continue to cut more.  God provided us with a lot of oregano this year, so I have more plans to utilize it soon.

The dehydrator is off during this heat wave, but we have lots of herbs to dry for the season this year.

We located more local strawberries and peaches, but there will not be jam made (so far anyway).  It's been nice not to have to can/bake/cook for more than us two. I also located a lemon balm plant (I dug ours out of the garden a few years ago, and the new location is not doing well).  I may have a new way to enjoy lemon balm this year.

I finished a few baby washcloths, and completely used up this crochet yarn (discontinued).

Miscellaneous blog thoughts:

- I miss reading an actual newspaper in my hands.

-we attempted to donate to a free little pantry, but the door was missing and the items inside were old.

-I'm looking into new tinctures to make

-making lists for new home projects, home repairs, new "try-its"

-I really miss the bloggers I used to follow (no longer blog), as there was a connection to homesteading, preserving, home remedies, eating real food and the like.  In fact, we have zero family/friends that are like-minded and I have been having acquaintances tell me to stop gardening, saying it's too much work.  Funny thing is, is that once the garden produces, I suddenly get text messages asking for "free" produce from our garden.  I love to share, but I'm done with people who are negative and who offer nothing but negative vibes (or help in the garden).

-still looking for lemon verbena seeds or a plant

Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Lemon Facial Toner ~ Butterfly Pea Flower Tea? ~ Weeding

I am trying a new facial toner to use at bedtime.  It's made with real lemon juice.  In the past, I have made one with rose petals.  I do have yet one more new recipe to try, but it uses a flower I would have to buy.  I'm on the fence with trying it yet.

Question for tea drinkers?  Has anyone tried butterfly pea flower tea?  Any benefits of drinking it?  Good sources to purchase the dried flowers for tea making?  

Question for those who crochet - what's the best beginner crochet kit for someone who wants to learn?  I have all the supplies, but I thought a kit would be a great way to teach the basics and actually make something too.  I see Knit Picks has kits, but wondered if any of you had suggestions.  I have another person asking me to teach them.

Or....if you have a book suggestion, and then I can put together the yarn and hook for the person, that would be great too.  I learned from my Mom, so have no "how to crochet" beginner books here.

(One of many books)

I have a bunch of library books to look at yet.  I have just been putting it off, as I'm exhausted at the end of the day.  I flipped through a few of them, and that's about it. 

The song "with a little help from my friends" comes to mind on a daily basis here lately (ha ha!).

I was gifted these garden knee pads by one of the kids.  I've used them once already, and love them.

I am back to weeding, but have only had one full, good day of it.  The weather is whacky for us again.  It goes from storm weather, to rain, to cold and windy, and so forth.  I have purchased disposable covers to put over my medical boot to keep it clean and dry.  It works for now.

 I have not meant to turn my blog into a "recipe" blog, but with everything I do, taking 5 times the amount of time to get done, there hasn't been much to post about.  I don't think you'd enjoy me prattling on about how I managed to get myself to my dental cleaning, and survived the long walk to get in and out of the place.  It's always busy, and the parking lot is always full.  I was actually late, but they smiled as they saw me hobbledehoy into the office (see, I'm prattling on...).

Having said it takes me longer to get things done, I have had little time to read or to crochet, but I have added a few more rows to the current baby blanket. 

I have also finished another baby washcloth (using discontinued thin cotton yarn).  

Lemon Facial Toner ~ Butterfly Pea Flower tea? ~ Weeding  © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart