Pioneer Woman at Heart

Finished this Christmas book and matching book blanket granny square.  It's about the 6th of 16-18 books of a box I bought at an antique store very early in the year.  I'll attach it to the blanket soon. Two of the kiddos who received the 24 day advent gift bags, have been in touch, and so far have really enjoyed them (and found it fun and love the "useable" theme I tried to adhere to).  One kiddo I have not heard one iota from.  Not even a thank you.  One loved the hand crocheted dust cloth (as it is reusable and saves them money), while one was ecstatic about the tiny sample jam jars we included.   The Christmas Spice Extract I "brewed" up was ready to strain and bottle.  Just a few lucky ones will be receiving it to try this Christmas season.  I was able to bottle this up early December, but have not tried it yet. The had-it-on-the-plan, but did not happen.  Yet. Homemade Seasoned Salt for another quick and easy gift idea. My Mom loved th...

The holiday decorating has not even been happening around here as it should, and for two reasons - 1. How I am feeling and 2. The room repairs / renovations. I have not felt up to doing any holiday shopping, nor even shopping for baking and cooking supplies for the Christmas Day meal.  I have nothing ready.  Nothing.   Also, the handy-man we hired has been a no-show the last few days, due to his car breaking down.  Just lovely.   By the way, in the meantime, I have put about 5 sticky notes up on the walls for places that need "fixed" and have paint issues.  Splatters, scratches, you name it. I have not been ill like this for a long long time and it stinks.  It's like the virus that keeps on giving and refuses to go away.  Once I have a good day, the next day something new arrives.  One day it was congested ears.  The next a dry cough with chest pressure.  The next itchy/watery eyes.  The exhaustion comes and goes as i...

I apologize for the bad photos.  It was snowing and dark outside.  Not great for picture taking indoors. . . .got the crochet part of Mom's Christmas present done.  Just have to sew the inner part - it's a heatable wrap.  The inner part will be made using an old bed sheet for the fabric.  I haven't decided if I will fill the inner bag with just rice or mix it with lavender.   . . .so far on the cardigan.  I hope it fits her when it's done. I put a crochet hook in one of the "invisible" pockets (worked from bottom up). . . .crocheted pieces for 5 red truck ornaments.  Just have to sew them together.  . . .started on a purple set to sell (hopefully before Christmas) I'm working on some ornaments as well.  I've lacked the motivation, but going through scrap items I have to come up with more ideas.  

Even though Hubby didn't want to exchange gifts, I took advantage of a 50% off sale and got him some joggers for the gym, a new pair of slippers with rubber soles (he wanted some to take the dog out), and half price snow boots.   He hasn't had a pair for a few years.  I got them half off and another $10 off that.  A very good deal.  I already gave him the snow boots.  All things he's needed, but never took the time to get himself. Hubby asked me to write up a list of things to get me. I told him "I have no idea."   Finished the double wrap infinity scarf.  It's ready for delivery.  She previously ordered the headband, and wanted a scarf to match. Finished Hubby's hat.  Got it wrapped too.  He has no idea.  I've been working on it while he's at work.  Very warm too.

Hopefully it's not to small of print for you to read.  Something neat for someone traveling.

I clearly had a "thing" for Christmas.  I'll admit, when the kids were young, I was the first to volunteer for their school Christmas parties.  I made a hand crafted tree ornament and wrapped one for each student.  That's how crazy I was over Christmas. Recently, I've realized how crazy.  Cleaning off over 100 Christmas related books, then days later finding binders full of Christmas magazines.  By the way, I had it all - Christmas Almanac, Christmas recipes for around the world, Christmas traditions, Christmas planners, etc. Then I came across this the other day, while cleaning in the bedroom closet.  Sometimes a new idea, is not always a good idea, ha ha!  It's a binder dedicated to gift giving, baking, patterns etc.  I didn't even know I had this, and so it was emptied and binder put away for possible donation. I know one friend of mine will laugh out loud at this point.  I tossed much of it, but wanted to share one gift idea....

Tuesday started out just gorgeous.  Caught these photos after seeing it going out to fetch firewood.  Just makes a person smile.   BBQ pork chops went into crock pot yesterday.  We had leftover wild rice, and it was a perfect match.  The sauce is home canned, with added fresh onion, green pepper etc.  Yum.  Recipe is in the cookbook, "Fix it and Forget it."  Although I think it's called "Spicy" not BBQ in the book. Now if you just read the blogpost title and wondered (hiccup) if I indulged (hiccup) in that bourbon or (hiccup) not .  .  .   . . . Cherry-Bourbon BBQ Sauce was canned. Recipe is a "pile to file" keeper recipe.  I've had this on my list for over a year now.  It's from "The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving @ 2016."   And you bet I tasted it right away.  Yum!    I would recommend it for gift giving for any occasion too.  You can use it on meat, f...

We finally had our family get together (a winter, non-Christmas gathering) yesterday, with my side of the family.  I can share what Christmas gifts I gifted.  I ran out of time, then you know, got sick, so it was not very much this past holiday. I had them ready, other than the recipe to attach to the sage (but emailed everyone it, along with what to do with sage).

I went back through my blog recently, and compiled a post today to share many handmade gifts I made over the years.  Hopefully, you will find an idea here, or have one to share. What I gifted in 2015:  Christmas 2015 Handmade Hand Lotion (they loved this!)  I ended up putting it in 4 oz. canning jars to gift.  I do suggest adding the preservative for gifting too.

I've been wanting to try this recipe all year, and finally got around to making it.  I don't have the preservative for the updated recipe, and I used lemon essential oil (organic of course).

We seem to have a situation in the chicken coop.  On October 21st of 2013, this is what we got from the coop:

I wanted to send Daughter some good coffee, and finally found a way to do it.  The first thing that came to mind was a "Coffee Tea Bag" but they are really Coffee bags.  After I made these.  .  . 

Woke up to fog.  And cold.  I left windows open all night due to the warm weather.  We woke up to a pretty cold house.  Brr.  The kids have a 2 hour delay today, so I actually slept in for once.  

Cooler weather means it's time to fill the jar of homemade hot chocolate .  Mmmm!   It also means I have to get laundry on the clothesline much earlier to completely dry. Dinners here have been,what I call "on the fly."  I take whatever is in the garden and cook what ever comes to my mind.  

"Yikes! She caught me!" Jasper has been more skittish than before, ever since the propane "boom" we had.  He walks around looking startled by any little movement or noise.  I have such a hard time getting a photo of him. The other day, before the school bus arrived, I was able to snap this photograph.  He was actually playing until he saw me get down to his level and snap a few shots. Ha ha! As for today's weather here. . . . .

Without a television to watch in the evenings, I am finding myself working on my crafting projects more and more. I just started the art of "stitched stationary" and love it. I was looking over a few patterns over at Sublime Embroidery, and saw "Stitchable Stationary" but found it was out of print. Looking a little deeper, I located the blog, The Stationary Place .  She posted instructions that got my mojo going to give it a try. I searched the internet for coloring pages that were printable.  I re-sized them to fit my note cards.  I used her tip on punching holes over the pattern, and into my cardstock.  I simply held the printed picture with an office clip, and used a bright light to see where I was punching holes with a pin. I then took embroidery floss and connected my dots, using my pattern for guidance.  I started with this basic cat.  But one thing led to another.  I found this cute goat, and made him too.  And it k...

I can finally share two starfish dishcloths I gifted to my mother.  She re ceived these yesterday.  They are thick enough to be table top/counter hot pa ds as well.  The pattern is free on-line.  I'll post the link as soon as I locate it a gain.

We dedicated a special c ross, on our wall of crosses, in memory of Gus.  My s on pu t it on the wall. Another tri b ulation .... Tiger gave us a scare.   We were in and out yesterday with the bur ial of Gus , and didn't see that our 10 year -old 's cat got out somehow.   T hi s morning , I noticed he was n't crying for his breakfast like usual.  When I asked if anyone had seen him, they all said no. Tiger is a cre ature of ha bit.  He typically sleeps in different place s, but as soon as he see's our 10 year-old, he's running off be hind her and into the bathroom .  Every morning he does this.  Today, T iger was missing. After searching the house twice, we realized he w as outside somewhere.  He had been out there since yesterday early evening, as that was the last time we remem ber seeing him. My son (who jus t lost his dog), my 18 year-old daughter and I took turns searchi ng our 6 ac res, barns and brush.  T...

These are one of my favor ite handmade ornaments to make at Christmas.  It's not real ly ma de from "scraps" so I decided to post it here . What you need:

I love Christmas time.  I love to make ornaments .  I love to bake and cook .  I l ove t hat I have time to read this time of year.  I borrow ed this book from the library ( interloan).  I love this book .  It not only has lots of recipes, but tips on each page for frugal gi ft ideas , or jazzing up a h ome baked gi ft , or fun homemade holiday decor.     As a child, my sisters and I would cut pieces of paper, write nu mbers on each one, and punch them with a hole p unch.  We'd then tie the number s with y arn and tape the countdo wn to our headboard on our beds.  W e'd look forward to ripping o ff those papers each day, as Christmas got close r.  Of course as a child, we'd rel ish the day for opening gifts.  Today, I embra ce the real reason for Christmas , but still have the opportunity to watch the kids with anti cipation. I saw this fun ac ti vity i n the book, and thought it would be fun for adults to mak...