"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

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.

Showing posts with label Extreme Cold Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Extreme Cold Weather. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Extreme Cold Spell

 The last time we had temperatures at -20F° was back in the first week of January of 2014.  Eleven years ago.  According to my blog anyway.  The weatherman on the news channel is saying we had these cold temperatures six years ago.  

Tuesday it was -12°F with a windchill (feels like).  Monday we at least had sunshine the entire day.  Tuesday it was dark and cloudy with a bit of sun here and there.

Today we didn't quite hit the -20 mark, but we did hit -5°F with a windchill of -19°F.  Thankfully, water is running, as we let the faucets drip overnight. 



We restocked on bird seed, and this one has a lever that will shut the feed area if a squirrel tries to hop on for a meal.


Garden prep:

I had some time to go through my garden planting plan for this year, and I realized we did not plant any type of pea last year.  We never got the pea fence back up.

What are you gardeners planting for sugar snap peas?  I am considering trying something new.  A snap pea that is perfect for a summer cold snack and/or cooked as well.   


More sunshine and more animal tracks.
No sign of the cat this week so far.  More tracks close to the house, which we think is from a fox.  Not sure on the ones in the photo without going out to take a closer look.  We've seen squirrel and rabbit tracks lately.


Our first puzzle activity.   We just opened the box this week.  I need to pay attention to the size of the puzzle next time.  The puzzle is huge!  A $20 puzzle I got for $10.00.  Is that a good deal?  It's 1000 pieces.


I don't often visit the dollar store, but if I am in the area, I do stop in for restocking some things.  I picked up a few word search books this trip as well as a few hair barrettes.  The word search books come in handy for waiting room activities, when I don't feel like reading, or crocheting.  The word search books, and puzzle, are also just a small part of my "stay off the internet/phone" plan for the year.  

Not pictured, I also bought for the chickens - 3 cheap dog food bowls for treat bowls, and feed scoop.

Also not pictured, for homemade salves/lotions - bought 1 cheap spatula.

With the puzzle now in motion, we have lots of options during these cold cold nights.  Many businesses closed today, including our local trash pick up.  Many people were still required to go to work, but I think all schools are closed today.

Speaking of puzzles, I wanted to buy one at the used book store last weekend, and my husband said I should wait until we get this current one done.  I see that they already sold the one I wanted, so when in doubt, just buy it.

Stay warm, and seek joy and joyful people in your life.  I know this post is all over the "map" today, but I was reading a book that talked about finding joy in everyday things.  Doing dishes, spreading peanut butter on bread, doing laundry, etc.  I never sought out joy in any of my every day chores (intentionally).  This year is different.

You only get this day to experience once.  What "fun" will you have in your day today?  My chickens will get some fun today.  I bought them a new snack mix, and I will be adding a sprinkle of hot red pepper flakes to help keep their innards warm.




Monday, January 20, 2025

Happy Homemaker Monday {January 20, 2025}

 

Last week's egg salad sandwich on the homemade avocado bread was fantastic.  I can't wait to try chicken salad, southwest chicken salad or even tuna salad on this "bread" it is that good.  I may play around with other seasonings, other than homemade everything but the bagel seasoning.

Update on the Chicken Breakfast "Sausage" Patties - I used the same seasonings, but made them with  ground turkey. They were delicious!  I used turkey patties and made breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese, turkey "sausage" and a slice of the homemade avocado bread.  So good!      

Next, I will experiment using the two different meats, with the same seasoning, and cooking it as I would for breakfast burritos, casseroles, frittata's, and quiches.  

                                                                                                                       


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


The weather in our neck of the woods . . .

Our version of the extreme cold, that  is unusual for our area.  It does happen, but just not that often.  The wind can make it very brutal here.  This morning it is a brisk -13°F.  A very thin layer of snow.

Things that make me happy . . .


Enlarging this photo, because they had a room where they sold donated yarn, sewing supplies, craft supplies, craft books and the like.








(Books and magazines were half price while we were there.)

Taking road trips to see something new to us.  Small or big.  We found a hidden treasure, and it filled my adventure tank (minus the hiking ha ha!).  What a treasure to find.  A non-profit foundation that has a used book store, that sells all sorts of books, magazines, puzzles, new local artist work, new local author books, locally made crafts/art, a room full of donated yarn for sale, crafting books, and much more.  We were both shocked at what we found inside, because the outside made it appear small.  I'm so glad we ventured out to find this, and yes (gulp), I bought some books, but held off on the yarn (for now anyway).  

Another good thing about this discovery, if we venture there again, I can donate books, craft books, craft supplies, kids books, and even small balls of yarn (yes they sell those too).  What a happy place.  There are a few chairs to relax in, so my husband had no problem waiting on me to check it all out.  Heck, we can donate our puzzles, and buy a new one there.


Book I am reading  . . .

Another book I started, tucked away in a drawer for some reason, and totally forgot about it.  

What's on my TV . . .

The Day you Found Me (movie), any comedy for some healthy laughing.


What's on my breakfast plate . . .

Not sure just yet.  


What's on my lunch plate . . .

Not sure.


What's on my dinner plate . . .

Not sure.


On the menu . . .

Breakfast:  Breakfast Quesadillas, fresh fruit (maybe)

Dinners:

-Sausage and Ditalini Soup (never got this made)

-Herbed Crockpot Flounder, roasted brussels sprouts

-leftovers



On the to-do list . . .

-make a new breakfast for the next few days 

-tend the hens ( a given "to-do" daily)

-dinner prep

-pick 3 things on my written to-do list


New recipe I tried or want to try . . .

A date bread recipe that was handed down to me from one of my Aunt's, which previously was a friend of my Grandmother (her Mother).  Will it happen?  I am not sure.


What I am creating . . .

I am mostly focusing on the crochet lap afghan.  I made another granny square too, and jus need to sew in the ends.  I'll be sharing that project this week (granny square project).


No words needed (favorite photo) . . .



All of these were taken in the morning, but on different mornings.
Taken last Thursday at around noon.  I think they knew a cold spell was coming.   I have not seen deer at noon before.  Not that I remember.

Devotionals, Prayers, and Bible Verses . . .

"I will shout for joy as I sing Your praises; my soul will celebrate because You have rescued me."  Psalm 71:23 (Voice)