Spice things up

 I'm working on keeping the monotonous, un-monotonous.  More so leaning on keeping the variety of these winter days interesting and not boring.  Although one who is constantly "busy" would find forced rest time a blessing.  Or not, ha ha!

I am doing well.  I'm not back to reading very much at all, but the "mind" games are a bit refreshing.  Spikes are back on my boots, although we are told Christmas will be in the 50's and rain here this year.  I'm getting a walk in to the mailbox once in a while.  If there is sunshine, it's a win-win.

I've been relying on the health benefits of herbal teas, and have been rotating them for restorative benefits.  Teas are always are soothing addition to the winter days.

I've discovered that we love a peppermint anything hot in the winter once in a while.  Sort of a treat in the day so to speak.  

Homemade peppermint mocha creamer for your coffee!  Yum!  Of course the heavy cream is not fat free, but we plan to try it with half and half (would use goat's milk if we had it, along with the cream that floats to the top).  It lasts for a week in the fridge and it is delicious.

Heat in a saucepan:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 Tbsp. Cocoa 

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

Whip or stir until all ingredients are combined.  Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. homemade vanilla extract and 1 tsp. peppermint extract.  Immersion blender works great for this.

We used all organic ingredients.  I attempted to make my own peppermint extract one year, but it did not have a strong flavor.  If you have tips on making it, please comment below. 

Stir, cool, and store the homemade creamer in the refrigerator up to a week.  

Garden seed catalogs are starting to roll in, and of course I'm taking a look-see.   We definitely will not be planting any squash next garden season, but that will free up space and eliminate those nasty squash bugs for a year.  

I ordered some library books via the inter-loan system.  The books are non-fiction, and will give me a bit of a change with learning something new.  Thankfully, my husband can pick them up for me.

All things "kitchen" are in disarray, but my husband (bless his heart) is doing as much as he can around here.  The refrigerator is going to need a full clean out after this month, ha ha!  

Crockpot Hearty 3 bean soup.  We've had this soup 3 times now, and there are never any leftovers. It is meatless, but it is very good.  I do have home grown garlic for it, so that makes a wonderful flavor.  I have grown turnips and kohlrabi, but we have not grown parsnips yet.  Sprinkling those home grown herbs on the soup, always makes me smile.

Side note:  Oregano oil has been handy for medicinal reasons, but limited to specific ways to use it.  I will be making an oregano tincture next year.

Although I have been taking it easy, and moving slowly to full recovery, I have a few things I will be able to do (with some assistance).  I have printed (yikes!) about 3 new recipes, but for summer garden season too.  

Handiwork is very slow going.  I'll try and get one last "Christmas" post in soon.

Spice things up  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Warm Weather ~ Knitting Hats?

 

Beautiful sunrise, and the weather has been in the 60's, with yesterday almost 70 degrees.  A nice break in the weather.

I'm already writing up a list of new herbs to plant next year.  It may be the weather break inspiring me.

Winter home repairs are on hold for now, but I'm taking notes, making lists, and so forth.

Crazy me, as about 4 crochet blankets on the hooks, but for different occasions (I love a single yarn pattern for "on-the-go" etc.).  No hurry on any of them, other than one for a Christmas present.  I've had more "sit" time than I'd normally prefer, so I'm taking advantage of it.

Do any of my blog followers have a knitted hat pattern (easy) for beginners (or links to free online patterns)?  I have knit dishcloths, but would like to expand my ability to knit hats (before I attempt socks).  

Maybe a pattern you shared on your blog perhaps?  One of my grandmothers used to knit, but of course I was too young to even think to learn it before she passed (to be honest was never introduced to knitting by anyone).  Would love to expand my handicraft knowledge and experiences.

I'm thinking a baby hat, child hat and adult hat.  I was told that hats were more needed for donations than scarves (our school stated kids don't wear scarves anymore, but will wear hats).  Not that I will stop making scarves, but thought I would ask here, as so many of you are talented.  I would love to pair up baby blankets with hats, as an area pregnancy center has asked for donations.

Warm Weather ~ Knitting Hats?  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

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.

Extreme Cold Spell © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I hope you all had a nice Easter.  We spent it with my husband's family, but there were so many people, it's hard to talk to every single person. 

I can't say I had the day off.  I got books back on a bookshelf and towels put on the clothesline to dry, before heading out to see friends and family.

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

I'll link up later when she posts.

The weather . . .

Gorgeous!  In the 60's and sunny, and we will hit the high 70's this weekend.  

As I look outside my window . . .

The sunrise is beautiful.  There is no wind, and the day should be great for laundry on the clothesline.

Right now I am  . . .

Waking up with coffee, and about to start a load of laundry.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Working on a plan to get two doors painted, closet carpet removed, and new flooring installed in there.  The garden needs weeded, tilled, compost added etc.  This week is perfect, but we'll see, as it will be only me doing the work.  My husband is too tired to do much after work during the week days.

On my beside table. . .

Water, a cell charger, a crochet hook and yarn needle.

On my TV . . .

Netflix, whatever looks good when I am watching TV.

Listening to . . .

70's Rock

On the lunch plate . . .

-have no idea

On the dinner plate . . .

-see menu plan

On the menu . . .

-Sheet pan chicken sausage/carrot/potato

-Pasta casserole with ground beef, home canned tomato sauce, asparagus/onion etc.

-Crockpot chops, quinoa and roasted brussel sprouts

On my reading pile . . .

....because I cannot locate my current book due to the work being done, I bought these two, recommended by a cousin.  I am reading the one on the right, but only a few pages a day.

On the to-do list . . . 

-dishes
-laundry, put out on the line to dry
-sweep and mop floors
-dust

Plans for the week . . .

Extreme Clean:  

-Start cleaning front porch

-Clean out fridge

-Continue cleaning bedroom closet/purge

What I am creating . . .

Honestly, I had to frog my current blanket, and I may table it until I have the porch cleaned up, and have a cool weather day.

My simple pleasure . . .

Porch time.  Some days it's reading, some days crochet, some playing cards....hence cleaning it up.

Looking around the house . . .

Its somewhat coming back together, but I have a bunch of craft supplies to look at before I lug them upstairs (or get rid of some).

From the camera . . .

Bible Verse, Prayers . . .

-prayers for a friend Tina, her husband is in the hospital on a ventilator.  I do not know the details.

Finishing up homemade garlic powder ~ Growing Rhubarb Question

 

Using parchment paper on my dehydrator trays makes this grinding part easier.  I push the dried garlic to the center of the paper, and lift the sides to slide it into the coffee grinder.

The jar I use fits my canning funnel, making that part easy too.  You could use a smaller funnel for smaller jars.  We use garlic a lot, so hence large jar.

I dump out the older garlic powder into a cup with spout, put the new garlic powder in first, then the older on top.  All set for another year (maybe, ha ha!).

It's not exactly a quick job.  I wash all the trays after I dehydrate, so tastes and smells do not permeate into the next dehydrated food.  I wash the coffee grinder and clean out anything that blew off the trays inside the dehydrator.

Question about rhubarb:

Our rhubarb died last year, and we were going to move it anyway.....but...

I believe someone on here bought root starts online one year.  I can only find seeds (organic, non-gmo), and our local produce stand that sold them, closed their doors.

Where can I find them online?  If not, I need to order seeds or check our garden stores here.

Random - ness

 

Progress is slow, but continues - cleaned out two boxes of stuff from the computer area (we are talking stuff boxed up since last February/March).   Yes, there are very old floppy discs in that box, ha ha!  

Broke down 4 boxes to get rid of, and in the process, found my devotional, and some forever stamps.   I found a file folder filled with new recipes to try, body butter recipes, salves to try etc.  I'm half tempted to just toss it all out, considering it's all been in a file for many years now.  No surprise there.

Don't laugh, but in the process of that, and opening mail, I lost two lists I had going.  I am sure they went into the trash with the envelopes from the mail, and that bag was already taken outside.  The lists were started again, and carefully placed, so I don't do that again.

Garden seeds have been ordered.  I just have to check the herb garden seeds.  I am pretty sure I need basil, cilantro, and parsley, but will check again this week.

Laundry was started, but I'm limited to two drying racks inside, and I filled my unit in the laundry room that holds shirts on hangers. Just trying to save on my electric bill.

Outside Christmas lights are down and back in storage.  The rain returned, so that is off the list now.

I updated the home journal, and taped the paint swatch inside on the living room page.  I still need to get photos printed to add to the journal for the floor repairs we did.  I am also missing my paint chip for the doors and other trim.  I'm sure I will find it when I do more cleaning.

I think I over did work yesterday, so today it's hunkering in, crochet, thunderstorm day.  I did not sleep well with this sore throat.  I have already been on a round of antibiotics.

My husband's first day back to work was yesterday.  He talked to co-workers, and there is a virus going around with laryngitis.  Lovely.  Also, the trip to FL was a blessing for my husband.  He found out the guy he was to work with, had he not gone on the trip, had covid while we were gone.  

Anyway, I could not sleep with this scratchy throat, so it's ginger root tea today, possibly with honey and lemon.  My husband caught something too now, so he is not sleeping well either.  

I'm thankful for leftovers for tonight.  We have had to purchase eggs this week.  My ladies are not laying again yet, and that is frustrating, but they do deserve a winter break.