Pioneer Woman at Heart

Up at 4am, couldn't sleep with some weird and crazy dreams. Rain is now a "four letter word" around here.  We finally got up to 77°F, but couldn't do a thing outside.  It's getting depressing, so I have been turning on every light in the house, putting on music and staying busy with cleaning.  Found some division flash cards and phonics - in the goodwill pile now.   The heat lamp caused major dust in my utility room, so I'm glad I never got that room deep cleaned prior to the chicks being in there.  What a mess.  I can't wash coats and jackets until the rain stops either. Let's just say that the clothesline is not in full swing.  I caved, washed bedding and towels, and used the (gulp) dryer. Lost my "jippity" in this mass of rainy do-dah days.  Now the forecast says rain here almost every day until May 15th.  Not sure after that. Question for soap makers out there?  I bought essential oils from Hoegger to make goat's m...

A few asked how I make my laundry detergent.  I simply grate a bar of unscented homemade goat's milk soap (you can use a bar of Zote as well), add 8 cups of water, and heat until melted.  I then add 1 1/2 cups borax and 1 1/2 cups washing soda, and continue to heat and stir until dissolved. . .

I gifted Mom with this hand crocheted bath mitt, and a bar of daughter's handmade grapefruit goat's milk soap.

Although the weather forecast is showing thunderstorms for this coming weekend. I made some fun crafts.  I had a bag of pin backs, so I used scrap fabric and a button to create some fun brooches.  These will be so cute on tote bags or aprons (or anything else for that matter).

I made homemade deodo rant for the first time. I learned to be more resourceful.  Finished a crocheted bla n ket to take camping.  Had "wig" night with the kids (and pets too).  I baked more foods from scratch. (pho to take n by my daughter) Buried a very much loved barn cat named Joey.  D id many farm/barn repairs.  Tried new foods and recipes.  (photo taken by my daughter) Experienced the birth of two different baby goats. Took an "accidental" road trip with hubby. I added a few more useable anti ques to our home. I nvested in Araucanas .  (our daughter who tends the goats and makes the soap) Ha d successful soap making.   Partici pated in the Farmer's Market fo r the first time ever.   Got through m any trials and tribulations.  Took more time out for my self.  Made homemade ricotta cheese with our go at's milk for the first t...

We discovered that pureed cucumber can be frozen and used for facial masks, for soap making, and for winter soups. For our facial mix, we peel and puree 1/2 cucumber, and add 1 Tbsp. of  plain yogurt.  These facials are wonderful, and once it's on our face, it's so refreshing. We haven't made soap with it yet.  However, now that I know I can freeze it for that purpose, I am stocking up on it.  We continue to stock up - every day.  It rained last night a bit and I am still getting more tomatoes. I've been so busy canning and freezing and dehydrating, that I forgot to call and get an appointment for the chimney to be swept.  I better do that next week. Hubby has a sore tooth, so I called and made him a dentist appointment. We have a bad habit of always putting the kids before us.  I hope it's not too late to save his tooth. My son dropped out of college for his own reasons.  He's a mature adult and was paying for it himself, and it was ...

I've been taking a bit of morning time to watch the birds on our property.  Every now and then I am able to get somewhat of a good photo.  I have seen a red-winged blackbird only once, and did not have my camera.