Pioneer Woman at Heart

  We have been blessed with sunshine the last few days, and I am so thankful for that (after several days of zero sunshine). I emailed our local library, and proposed a puzzle exchange program.  They may not have the space for such a thing, but I have suggested it. We got a call that an extended family member on my husband's side of the family, had passed away. Joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather . . . 25 degrees at night, but we had some pretty nice, almost 60 degree weather over the weekend. Right now I am . . . Making a list of of things that need moved to the top of my to-do's for the day. Thinking and pondering . . . Thinking about adding another crockpot to our home.  I've been doing research on the best one on the market these days.  Boy have they changed too (digital buttons etc. on some). When the last kiddo moved out, she took one of our crockpots with her, so we do need another replacement. I'm thinking about getting us a puzzle boar...

  Sunday I had plans to do some long distance errands, but decided to do them another day.  It was predicted to storm all day, and go figure, it did not. I, however, cleaned up the kitchen, sorted cookbooks for donation, filled another box for Daughter K, caught up on laundry, and filled one box for donation.  I finally filled a tote with 50/50 vinegar/water to soak an old cast iron pan I was given. I already have a few cast iron pans, but no one wanted to bother with restoring it, so it ended up with me.  It's always nice to have an extra pan in case we need to cook over a campfire too.  You never know with what's happening in our world right now. Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I will link up when she posts. The weather . . . 85°F/65°F, possible rain As I look outside my window . . . It's foggy. Right now I am . . .  Trying to figure out the plan for the day due to more rain. Thinking and pondering . . . Where the heck am I...

  Long, but busy weekend.  While our handy-man had the weekend off, I was working hard to paint bathroom door trim, and juggle the laundry, put things back where I painted another smaller area of a kitchen wall, do dishes, cook, garden, and stock up. The bathroom repairs continue.  The floor is in.  He had to make some changes with the new sub-floor.  The new shower base drain hole was about 1 inch off of where the original drain was. The kids, when they lived here, took long hot showers, so the paint on the ceiling was literally coming off.  It's been cleared, sanded, and areas filled.  It could be another 3 days before the drywall can be put in.  The ceiling will be painted with kilz, then re-textured, and painted with ceiling paint.  Each step taking a day to dry, so I'm trying to be patient. The garden is starting to roll in bounty.  I pulled the last of the lettuce plants and made us a big salad for these humid and hot days.  I...

  I am constantly forgetting what day it is, with this miserable work schedule my husband has.   I'm definitely not running out of things to get done around here either.  I finally got some cabbage fermenting. By the way, have any of you canned sauerkraut? I just looked up one recipe in one canning book that requires 25# of cabbage.  I would cut that down, but would like anyone's feedback on how it tasted after canning it.  Any other small batch recipes too. I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I will link up later when she posts. The weather . . .  -hot, humid and no rain in sight As I look outside my window. . . -grass is dying and the yards look terrible, but garden has been watered consistently.  I have another maple tree to plant, but have it in a bucket of water until we see we'll get some rain. Right now I am . . . Drinking coffee, trying to get enough energy to get my power shower. Thinking and pondering . . . I want to plan ...

I am so thankful I have my husband, and his full and complete support in life.  No matter what is stressing me, he is always there for me, even with this long, long hours at work. He continues to work (coffee pot is pre-set for 4:15am) 12 hour days, 6 days a week, with about an hour to work and back.  If someone asks for his help with something, it needs to be super important, because he is exhausted when he arrives home.  He only gets one day off, and yesterday we had a date. Many people also assume I have all the free time in the world, because I am not employed.  I'm frankly tried of explaining how busy I am lately as well.  Between the garden, the kitchen painting, herb garden, and flower beds, I am exhausted by 6pm.  Sunday was a well over due sanity saver day off with my husband. Well, most of the day off.  We worked on a list of things that had to be done up until about 11:30am, and I got 3 things out of the garage we don't use anymore as well. ...

We didn't have to make breakfast Sunday.  Our niece and her husband invited us over.   To top that off, she baked my husband's favorite cheesecake.  I'm sure we'll be sharing as he shouldn't be eating it, ha ha!  So good though. We picked up another load of stuff at Mom's house.  There is much more to do there.  I just put all the gardening stuff in the barn and will go thru it all after we finish the kitchen floor project. Sorry for my lateness this morning.  I am easily distracted with my multitasking today. Joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  It is Monday right?! Ha ha!  Oh boy.... The weather . . . 34°F/21°F As I look outside my window . . . Nothing but gray skies right now. Right now I am . . . Doing too much multitasking and not enough of one job, ha ha! Thinking and pondering . . . Trying to figure out a plan for today.  I have to start moving Daughter K's stuff to an area not in my way, and out of my kitchen....

Our morning yesterday started out with watering everything.  However, we may see rain today or later this week thankfully. We can mark one big job off the "to-do" list now.  The garage is cleaned up, aside from a few totes the kids left (have to wash stuff up and donate).  There are several bags of trash to go out to the curb, but I would say 98% is done.   Everything we put by the curb for free is gone except our old computer chair. We are asking family and friends if they need softball, t-ball or baseball items.  If they do not, it will be donated to our school. Any tote that was emptied was saved, considering store have about zero on their shelves right now. A photo of our trip to Wal-mart over the weekend.  I needed a few for yarn, and well, I didn't get any the size I needed.  We even went to a bigger city. My next "big" cleaning job is to clean out the refrigerator.  It's a battle with a daughter living here for sure.  I'm not used...

  Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather outside is . . . Cold, sunny, 40's, lows tonight 30's On the breakfast plate this morning . . . Egg Souffle (again) As I look outside my window . . . It's sunny. As I look around the house . . . Not really looking.  Things can wait for now. What I am wearing today . . . PJs.   To do today or this week . . . -pick out an outfit for Dad's graveside service -try and get a hair cut -get through the week Currently reading . . . Nothing this week. On the TV . . . Operation Christmas Drop On the menu this week . . . So far it's been take out.  Chicken noodle soup is in the crockpot and after that most likely take out.  To mental stressed to even want to cook/bake. Something I want to share. . . If you go to Cookies and Cups website you can copy and paste and print this chart.  We may all need it if things get bad. From the camera . . . Miss Thelma thought the food tasted better inside the ...