Pioneer Woman at Heart

  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.  T eas 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 n...

We started December with some chilly weather - low -4 (windchill) 6°F/High 27°F.  The coldest weather for early December since 1976.  According to weather authorities.  We've been as low as -8°F this month.  Now we are melting away into the 50's by tomorrow with a lot of rain.  Crazy, crazy winter weather for sure. Surgery went well.  Thank you all for your prayers, good vibes, positive mojo and good thoughts.  I am in recovery mode, which oddly feels very strange for someone who is on the go most days.   One kiddo visited to help out, and stayed the night, and I really appreciated the help. She did some driving for us, cooked and even cleaned.  Very thankful for her help. Not to worry.  I am listening to my doctor/nurses.  I'm not able to exercise like I typically do daily, but my brain is getting a super dose of "brain" activities. On top of a new puzzle, and a 132 new word search book (my first), crochet also continues....

I finished the lap afghan in the green yarns.  It will be the last blanket to be crocheted until fall/winter time.  I prefer small projects during hot weather here. Finished the current knitted dishcloth.  I had forgotten about it, as it got tucked in the midst of my projects.  There isn't much yarn left on the yarn cone, so I'm not sure what I'll use the remaining yarn for yet (this color was discontinued). I finished another book, hence another book blanket granny square.  I don't know how people can read 200 plus books a year.  I do not have the time to sit, and sit to read that much, but there has been progress this year (much more than last year).   A few of you have given me a few ideas for audio books too.  Like combining an outdoor walk/hike with such books, or while cleaning house.  It's a year of new things and "first times" this year, so it may happen.  This is the first year to read an ebook and could be the first year t...

I harvested a handful of green onions and chives before the very cold weather moved in (more so than before).  The chickens are not happy.  I'm not happy, but trying to find the joy in the days either way. My kitchen has been in full force the last few days.  My goodness, I have never felt overwhelmed with baking and cooking, but it has taken over in whirlwind lately.  These photos were not even everything that was getting baked/cooked or mixed up. Despite the need to get meals made around here, I managed to squeeze in a trip to the library book sale.  I only brought home three books, but snagged some free magazines too.   I used to read magazines when Mom was with us.  She'd pass her magazines onto me to read.  When she passed, I no longer read magazines.  I never thought to borrow some from our library.   In light of garden season moving in slowly (thanks to this colder weather), we've been enjoying our empty nest life. ...

First Feb 2025 blog post. We took a spontaneous few days away, and the funny part is, that it was to go to see a waterfall area, and do some hiking.  We were looking forward to some time with nature.  Mother Nature did not cooperate however.   The weather on the day before we visited the falls, was 55°F, but raining.  The day we drove to the falls, the weather dipped to 25°F and the water was frozen, so we never left the vehicle, never hiked, and I did not even take a photo, ha ha!  We plan to go back when the water is flowing, and actually do some hiking. The getaway was not a loss.  We had no idea we'd visit two different apothecaries, and we also found two health stores.  I was able to restock vitamin E oil, and castor oil. First apothecary we visited (newly opened last fall).  Loved this store, but because it is new, the selections were meh. Nothing sold in bulk (like herbs). The second apothecary we visited (maybe a 30 minute drive from ...

January 2025 comes to an end, and I am thrilled to have met my own goals of staying off social media (less scrolling time), being more consistent with reading, exercise, time better well spent overall.  Although there is more wiggle room to become better at avoiding morning procrastination (winter cold weather can do that to a person). Winter time gives us zero harvest from the outside world.   We lack a greenhouse.  However, I purchased a cilantro plant for indoor growing.  We are praying we have the funds to fence the other garden, and have been working on a garden plan.  I have toyed with the idea of not growing one, but that thought quickly dissipated.  Our health is important, and I'd miss all that garden goodness. There is nothing better than to take a red sharpie, and cross off to-do's that have lingered on the list for almost a year. Do you ever finish a job, and then go back and look at it over and over and smile?  Ha ha!  I finally ...

The recent cold snap caused some businesses to deal with burst water pipes.  Some busted water lines flooded streets, and some flooded University dorm basements. The puzzle has been an addiction.   It is 24 x 30 inches.  Huge! Meanwhile, I'm patiently waiting for the doctors hands on diagnosis (vs. a phone call diagnosis).  I am patiently waiting for a clear-all, so I can get back to doing regular work around here, and possibly volunteer where needed (and helping my husband's cousin, read below in prayer requests).  A community member is also in need of help, and I can't commit to anything until I am cleared of all/any restrictions.  If you know how active I am, you know it's taking a great amount of patience. **see prayer request at the bottom of the post Homemaking tip:  how to remove a sticky note stain from a kitchen counter.  Hair spray.  My husband got a sticky note wet, and it stained my kitchen counter.  Nothing was wiping a...

  The photo pretty much depicts the recent snow storm.  We did get a slight bit of sunshine yesterday.  I think we got about 3 inches.  My husband finally got to use his drivable mini snowplow (he bought it from an auction a few years ago and never needed it).  He walked in the door that day giggling that he was happy to finally try it out on snow.  Ha!  I have to say it worked perfectly.  All those years I joked he was a collector of such do-hickies, but it sure came in handy for us. However, I did hand shovel the side patio to get out to tend the hens (there is a side story to this) and get the mail that particular day.  There was 2 foot drifts to get to the coop, and I slipped slightly on the underlying ice (which I didn't see until I shoveled).  Anyway, when I put my right foot down to catch myself, it shot pain right up that already beat up leg.   I put in a call to our main doctor, and the nurse called me back.  I, a...

  We have been blessed with free calendars from our very small local library every year. The top one is last year's with January of this year included, and the second one is this year's new calendar. I do have some goals for this month, but I do not make resolutions per say.   Goals for this year so far: Re-create a few photos. Get a photo shot day for just us with hired photographer.  This may not happen until fall for better outdoor scenery. Read more. Reduce hours on social media (I only have facebook) Travel more. Have the entire downstairs repaired, renovated, updated, purged and completely organized (will need help from the husband to complete this goal). Stay on task with regular exercise (this was interrupted so many times last year).  Including staying on task while traveling of any sort as well. Hike more. Take evening walks with my husband more. Go camping more. Talk with friends more often.   I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home ...