Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I hope your July 4th was an enjoyable holiday.  We spent it by ourselves.   One weekend night we were able to watch fireworks from our front porch at night, and there were about 5-6 different towns or people setting them off (one was spectacular).  

The break in rain finally gave us (I mean "me") a chance to weed the garden, re-tie up the tomatoes (they grew another foot), hill potatoes, harvest some Red Russian Kale and more radishes.  Boy it's still hot here. Sunday it was 94°F with a heat index of (feels like) 97°F (not as hot as it has been).

My homemade bug spray is working great other than it does not work to deter the teeny tiny gnat type bugs flying around.  They seem to be attracted to the body sweat while working in the hot sun (so annoying).

There is not enough work being done in the gardens, in one day, due to the heat, the humidity, the rain, or a combination of these issues.

Overwhelmed.  Frustrated.  Those are few words to describe the current season here (everyone in the area with any type of garden is dealing with it).  I get negative feedback from my full-time working husband, who thinks the garden should be spic-n-span weed free on a constant basis.  In this heat, a person has to be smart, and just show up when you can.

Despite being haggled about what's not getting done (cut me some slack please), I have harvested more kale and radishes, and hopefully more soon.

In the meantime, the rabbits have dug under the garden fence (rabbit dinner?  Get a dog?  Maybe 4? And a donkey?).  On a good note, we have not seen one ground hog in the last few weeks.  Or a deer for that matter.

It's definitely been a week of weeding, and more to do.  I am tired.

The suggestion to plant rosemary and borage in the squash plants, has been questionable.  One day I saw squash bugs, and then weeded out the borage and rosemary plants.  The next day I saw zero.  Not sure if the plants aroma could spread easier after being unburied in the weeds or not.  Time will tell as I check daily.

I also planted collards next to the thyme and green onions (again to deter the bugs).  Something ate it to the ground.  No collards this year.

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

Will link up when she posts.

The weather . . . 

Hot. Rain is back after a week of drying up.  Possibly rain every other day or so this week.  Say a prayer for my sanity vs. weeds (ha ha!).

As I look outside my window . . .

Sun is coming up and the rain is giving us a break.

Right now I am . . .

Writing this post of course.

Something fun to share . . .

I have zero today.

Thinking and pondering. . . 

What crazy person thought it would be a great idea to plant a garden this year????

On my bedside table . . .

I have no idea.  I'm too lazy (tired) to go look.

On my reading pile . . .

Finally off my "bucket" list (I don't really have one).  Another "first" this year - read a real, paper copy of the New York Times.   I won't be subscribing to it, ha ha!  I can read the digital copies for free with my library (for the recipes only).

I forgot to take a photo of my current book, but if you scroll down to the "what are you creating" prompt, you'll see all the latest books I have finished, and matching book blanket granny squares (yes, I'm behind in attaching some, but caught up with making them).

On my TV . . .

Literally, whatever looks interesting.  We liked Miracles from Heaven (movie on Netflix).

Listening to . . .

Nothing.  Hum of the white noise around here.  Some days the radio if I am actually cooking after a long garden day. Depends on where I am and what I'm/we are doing.

On the menu this week . . . 

-ice cream cones? ha ha ha!

-have no idea, we do have more stuffed bell peppers in the freezer however

On my to do list . . .

-garden work 

-anything after that is pure chance (literally), you know like overdue errands, housework, food preserving, making hand lotion and so forth.

-dehydrate more oregano when the rain stops again

-start oregano infused oil (by the way this is fantastic for cooking anything you love oregano in, not just medicinal).

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating . . .

ebook

. . .from the box of 18 something Christmas books I bought early in the year at an antique store (gulp!).

My first "blind" date with a book from a coffee store/bookshop.

Bought this several years ago at a flea market in Amish country.  Put it on a shelf and forgot I had it until last winter.  I loved this book, and looked forward to reading one every morning.

Most recent books finished with a matching granny square for my crocheted "book" blanket this year.  Matched the yarn the best I could, and with all yarn from my stash (it was the point to use up small balls in the stash).

I'm still crocheting the pink and white baby blanket (slow going).

My simple pleasure . . .

Lately?  Reading a book. Writing my blog.  Simply resting, ha ha!

Looking around the house . . .

Well, it's as it should look, when the garden work calls.

From the camera . . .

New current blooms (Rose of Sharon), and one about to bloom (forgot what it's called). I think the blue one may be called balloon flowers.  Our bluebells that I dug up and moved from our last home, lived about 16 years, then died off (never found them again).

Bible Verse, Prayer, Devotional . . .

"God, bring me friends who love You so we can encourage one another!  In Jesus's name.  Amen." (from 180 Devotions for Your Best Day)

Happy Homemaker Monday ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

What's blooming? Foraging ~ New Gadget

 A few snippets from the flower beds.  It's not everything, but some beauties right now.  I took these on my phone, so the photos are not that great.  I have yet to replace my actual camera (soon I hope).

One of our regular's from the herb garden - two types of sage.

We have  had this one for over 20-some years, and moved it twice.  Love it!  It already bloomed this season.

Added this sage about three years ago.  I believe it is called Greek Sage.  We love sage in homemade breakfast sausage, teas, medicinal teas, and tincture.  Sage tea (as well as ginger tea), is great for a sore throat.

The heat index was not as bad yesterday, as the day before, but we did get up to 96°F.  All  of the seeds, that I replanted in the vegetable garden, are sprouting but a scant few.  It will be hot again today, and then possible rain moving back in (we need it too).

I found a wild growing mullein plant growing in the yard, so I dug it  up and moved it.  It's bad timing the heat, but I took a chance. It was growing where we mow.

Oregano is definitely the "star" of the herb garden this year, but I do have new plans to try with lemon balm, and if we get more chickweed in the fall.

First picking this season - wild black raspberries and mulberries.  Not enough to make a jam, but enough to enjoy or use in an oat breakfast bake.

There is a lot more going on in the summer months, and I tend to let my coffee go cold.  I was out looking for canning labels, and found these wide mouth screw on lids.  I bought them for salad dressings, but found another use for one.  Cold coffee.  Not to waste that brewed coffee, it works great.

By the way, after 4 stores I finally found the dissolvable labels for canning.  I could not find a shelf label for them.  The 60 count box is now $6.47!!!   I could not believe it!  Even more expensive on Amazon.  Although they make storing so much  easier, I'll be using a sharpie marker on the lids when our current supply runs out.  The labels would be great for when one is gifting a canned item, or labeling tinctures, oils, vinegars (when using a lid that cannot be written on).

What's blooming?  Foraging ~ New Gadget  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Long Weekend

 I had another long weekend, but productive.  My husband worked again (2 long 12 hour shifts), so I decided to tackle another big job while I could.  In reality, it was because we got more rain, and it's been raining every single day lately, so garden work was not happening anyway.

I emptied the entire standing cupboard that holds my canning pot, freezer containers (as they empty), extra canning jars, and all things homesteading that don't have place anywhere else.

A shelf had collapsed (it's the cheap wood type put-together-yourself type cabinet, but it works for now).  

I purged the entire thing, cleaned it, then moved it from the wall and cleaned behind it and under it, moved it back, re-organized it and prayed it will hold together a few more years.

I filled a box with items to take to the thrift store.

We have had some cooler weather lately.  Woke up to 42°F this morning. Brrr!  Some evenings are below 50 degrees.  There is rain in the forecast for the next 4 days.  It can all change, but we could use a slight break with the rain.  

Many of my herb plants are starting to flower.  Sage is about to bloom.

A few of our flower bed perennials are starting to bloom as well.

I picked yet some more asparagus.  One good thing about all of this rain.

                                     

I have not made time to open more than one library book.  The recipe above made me laugh.  Do you see it?  It was from a recipe book for foraging.  

Speaking of library books, I do need to get those looked at and returned.  They are all resource type books for foraging, fermenting, and wild cooking.  Not sure what I was thinking ordering so many books at once.

Speaking of books, I have carved out a few minutes to do some fiction reading.  I had to switch up books this time, as I needed a "palate cleanser" (reading refresher) to change things up a bit.  It's a short book, and so far I'm enjoying it.

Update on the Jalapeno Salt I made:

I have used it to season potatoes being prepared for a breakfast scramble.  I will try it on sweet potatoes next. Yum.

I also have been using it to season ground beef for tacos, and I recently used it to season the ground beef for a new recipe we tried - crock pot taco pasta.  So good!  By the way, we liked the recipe for the pasta, but it made more than I expected.  

There are several versions of the recipe online, but I had some leftover beef broth, so I used that up instead of chicken, and I added a rinsed and drained can of black beans.  Oh, I used frozen bell peppers and jalapenos from last years garden, and homemade taco seasoning.

Long Weekend  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Chitter-Chatter

I am almost done weeding all of the flower beds.  I have yet to weed the herb garden, but it's in pretty good shape thankfully.

We came up with a solution to "fence" the other vegetable garden on a budget.  We are seeking out a person to come till the vegetable gardens on a budget.  It seems that the only one we can find so far, is with a large tractor (so glad we removed two sides of the fenced garden).  

We had a coyote in the gardens lately.  We are also hoping it has moved on.

The new coop build is on hold (sigh), but there is nothing I can do about it. When you run a homestead, you run into set backs here and there.  

Our AC units are not in yet, and we are in the 80's.  Again, another job on hold (for now).  

I've started harvesting chive blossoms (more on that later).

I managed to gather yarn scraps to crochet the latest book blanket granny square, but have yet to crochet it.  Progress.

I was asked if I had anymore crocheted water balloons, and the answer was no (of course).  Back in Dec. of 2023 we held our last craft show.  Despite letting everyone know, not one person we knew, nor other people who arrived, bought anything from us.  I had a TON of inventory too.  Something for anyone.  The only lady to show up, was one that wanted knitted dishcloths, and I had already made them, and it was a good place to meet to exchange. We decided that was the very last one to do.  Too much handiwork time, very little sales, and a lot of hard work to pack up and un pack and set up.  Not to mention the cost to rent the space.

Anyway, I had asked a ton of people if they wanted them, and tried to sell the remaining water balloons.  No one wanted them.  I had a LOT leftover, so I took them to the library and they used them for an Easter Egg hunt that following Spring.  That was over a year ago.  Now, I'm being asked for them.  Go figure.   I don't even had the yarn to make them.  

So, I will be doing a double check to make sure I do not have any left, but if you are interested in what I am talking about, the post and photo is on this:  BLOG POST.  Enjoy!

If you have the blessing of a weekend off, and adventures in the mix, enjoy!  

Chitter-Chatter  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

 We have had three days of rain (again).  I for once, was happy for it, as I had planted flowers, and had a new tree and bush to plant.  I have not gotten to the point of dragging out all of my garden hoses, so it was a relief for the sake of everything being "watered" (including the garlic and asparagus).

The herb garden was ready for some rain too.  I have everything planted, other than buying a new parsley plant (cannot find my seeds).  

I have a bit more weeding to do, but for the most part, all is doing nicely.  

Oh, and it's been a terrible tick year here for us.  Although I make my own tick oil, and use it, I often forget.  I have come inside with a tick on me twice now.  Very unusual too.  I have a post it sticky note to remind me now (to apply the tick oil).  The wind can carry those buggers just about everywhere.

The keeper of the herb garden.  He was sitting in the chives, and there are stray oregano plants growing in them now.  I do need to dig those out soon.  I left him be, as I was working in another garden, yanking a fence to prep for tilling.

This is a truly "this and that" post today.

Speaking of asparagus....

We are continuing to harvest asparagus, thanks to the recent and current rain.  I, for sure, thought we were at the end of harvest, but the good Lord is still providing us some.

One of our meals made from the crockpot turkey breast - turkey a la king.  I made this is a crockpot as well, and it was fantastic.  I used homemade condensed mushroom soup, and other goodness.  I have to write down exactly how I made this, so we can make it again.  I topped it over a wild rice mix, that was cooked in leftover chicken broth I had to use up.

I have had to make some changes in my "intentional" exercise.  By intentional, I mean the exercises I do on purpose vs. the garden/yard/housework exercise.  I've been consistent with some stretching exercises for the last 6 months, and I'm glad I've stuck with it.  I have even taken my yoga mat while traveling too, along with exercise bands (no excuses).  I have found that the older we get, the more flexibility is a blessing in all day activities.  Plus you feel better all over at the end of the day. 

Garden work is easier and less physically stressful, climbing stairs is a piece of cake now, walking and hiking a longer lengths, and so forth.  Planting 3 flats of marigolds will give you the best glute work out of your life (you'll feel it the next morning, ha ha!).

Speaking of garden work. . . .

I was out and about, looking for something.  I can't recall, but it may have been my watering can.  Anyway, I saw something move up in the rafter and I swore it was a raccoon.  I slowly moved out of the barn, and looked back.  Ha ha ha ha ha!  It was our resident barn cat that adopted us.

Back story to this cat, is that I saw it a year ago, and the year before that, but only a few times.  One day it was pouncing in the taller grass in a nearby field chasing and eating mice.  I laughed and laughed.  

Next thing I know, there is a "gift" left at my front door (this was about a month ago).  I laughed and laughed.  If you have ever had a barn cat, this is a gift (sorry, but by gift, I mean remains, or part of remains, of their latest kill) to show their love and your dedication to feeding them.  I had left food out whenever I saw this cat.  We all got a laugh.  The cat is a very good hunter, lets just say that.  

I have yet to find out if the cat is a female or male, and to properly give it a name now.  My husband said we should call it "Spooky" for scaring the heck out of me (thinking it was a daytime meandering raccoon).

We have used free loose rocks from the homestead, to border the flower beds for almost 17-18 years now.  I'm now watching marketplace and other sites to look for actual landscaping stones to make flower bed prep much easier.  I'm down to two areas that need them (a form fitting, taller landscaping stone that holds the dirt and mulch inside).  Otherwise, every spring, I have to pull the rocks, push the dirt back, re-align the rocks, and tidy up the borders.  It still looks nice, we do plan to upgrade the borders.  Until then, the free rock border works.  Both areas are not an issue for the mower, so it's last to upgrade and make much less work.

We are eliminating our mailbox flower bed.  I have already removed all the rocks but a few, and we will be digging out the extra dirt to level it.  In the past we had a rose bush, but it brought too many bees to the mailbox. We tried annuals, but the care for it was way too close to the roadside, so we are just taking it out.  One less thing to take care of.

We have already seen our resident hummingbird, and I have actually seen a new one this year.  I have also seen two Boston orioles (very rare sight), and they have the prettiest song ever.  I just wish I could get a photo for you all.  They are both quick to fly here and there.

I recently finished this book.  It's a newer book, and much different than most that I read.  I really liked it. I still need to check my yarn scraps/stash and see if I have any matching yarn to crochet a book blanket granny square.  I am still behind on attaching some squares to the blanket.

This and That ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Spring Blooms

 

Our weather continues to go up and down, but the spring flowers are either blooming or about to bloom.  The herb garden is waking up from it's winter slumber.  Although we had a 73 degree day early this week, it went quickly back to 36°F and very windy.  I am sure my blooms are struggling with  29°F weather.

Daffodils with orange centers.

And for a bit of foraging . . .

Purple dead nettle.

Wild violets.  Dandelions are coming up too.

Spring Blooms  ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Chit Chat

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 jars (peanut butter, tahini, and other jar lids).  

I used to use the baby food jars for gifting extra dried herbs, and making homemade salves and hand creams.  I no longer use the jars, so those will find a new home soon.  Oh, one year I filled baby food jars with homemade taco seasoning, and gifted that one year.

Essentially, I found an entire drawer of items to get rid of, other than the lids I can use for when I open canned items, such as pickle relish, jam, taco sauce, ketchup, etc.

I not only found the lids, I found a pattern template that, for some reason was in a plastic bag, and tucked in a drawer with other half finished craft projects (yes, more unfinished, ha ha!)

The pattern is for a handmade Chicken Christmas ornament.  More than 4 years ago, I made one for our tree, and never did make the intended amount of them.  As you can see I found the painted clothespins with eye screws already in them.  I have no idea what I'll do with it all yet.  Most likely see if one thrift store will take it.  I have no plans to finish them, as my family has a ton of homemade ornaments from me already.

I have yet to locate my extra set of crochet hooks for the one daughter, but I now have more rainy day purging to do.  I found more craft supplies that need a new home, ha ha!  I thought I purged all of my supplies, but nope.

On another subject, I finally got the potatoes planted in the garden, but we have some more hot peppers to plant. I plan to get that done by the weekend.  My foot hurt yesterday, and actually swelled a bit, so I'm taking it easy for a day.  I will be getting another x-ray later this month.  At least the garden will be completely in by the weekend.  We didn't even know if we'd have one this year.  I did not plant popcorn or sweet corn this year.  We'll be buying it this year.

My husband bought some dragons breath flowers, so I got those planted, and more mulch dropped.  We had to buy a new broom for the porch, so porch cleaning can now resume.

Chit Chat  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart