Pioneer Woman at Heart

I was asked to explain our daughter's Hope Chest.  I do not have an actual "chest" in which items go into, but they go into storage bins. A Hope Chest simply refers to preparing your child for independent life.  To us, it doesn't mean simply "marriage" but independent life, and have a good start for it. (not my photo) There is actually a book written about the Hope Chest, and suggestions.  I used to own this book, but passed it on to a friend years ago. We don't want our kids going broke, when it's time to leave the "nest" so I try to add to their stash quite often.  The first three to move out even had boxes of homemade Christmas ornaments for their own, first Christmas trees away from home. (Made with scraps of cotton year leftover from knitting dishcloths and other items). I recently added a scrap rug to our youngest's daughter's "Hope Chest" along with a few Christmas ornaments.  I also added a s...

It rained all day yesterday, but thanks to my multitasking mania mode, I got the dogs walked, all of the remaining pepper plants pulled from the garden, stove ashes dumped, eggs collected, goat's water checked....all before it started raining.  A good warm breakfast was much enjoyed after that. Nothing new right?  I was very satisfied with the morning progress, but rain makes me lazy.  I tend to gravitate towards a sofa, blanket and a book (or some sort of handiwork).  

From the Homesteading Journal . . . While hanging laundry on my clothesline, I kept hearing a woodpecker nearby.  My clotheslines are run off of 3 large, older trees.  They were there from the previous owners.   I stopped what I was doing, and walked in the direction of the middle tree.     In the top portion of where a tree limb was broken off, I found this. The last few tornado seasons, brought in bad winds and tore down many thick branches.  Birds now make a home in this portion.  I sure hope the barn cats don't see it. We are drying Peanut (our goat in milk) off for breeding.  We are down to 1 pint of milk a day.   I will sure miss it over the winter, but will be blessed with more milk next year. Wood splitting came to a halt.  Our chainsaw blade went bad.  Now, it's just a matter of hubby getting the time to put the new one on.    From the Family Journal . . . This past weekend was full of surprise...

I finally finished it.  Phew!  I crocheted a rag rug with sheets, pillow cases, and other rag-worthy fabric.  I've been saving fabric for approximately a year now.  It measures about 5 1/2 feet long by about 22 inches wide.  I even cut up an old apron my kids used for playing house when they were very young.  I also cut up an old baby crib sheet that I probably used for all the kids.   My Uncle gave us a new set of sheets and pillow cases, and we greatly appreciated them.  It gave me the opportunity to cut my old pillow cases and sheets, and make this very useful rug.  Some of my pillow cases were over 20 years old and worn very thin.  I honestly thought they would rip when I crocheted them, but they held tight.   My 9 year-old was watching me sew the strips together the other day.  She now wants, not one, but two rag rugs for her hope chest.   Now......I better get back to cleaning.  I just hope I d...

Despite the garden keeping me extremely busy this year,

I am working my way through my craft supplies, and finally started a set of flour sack towels for my 9 year-old's hope chest.  I just found out that my 12 year-old wants the same ones, but with black and gray cats.   These particular ones, will have orange cats, to match her own cat, Tiger. Tiger, as a baby. I also crocheted a bath rug, from 3 skeins of thick macrame yarn.  I purchased them at a Goodwill many years ago,and had not done anything with them.   This was a bit of a challenge.  This type of yarn frays and I had to knot each end, and then weave the ends in.  Either way, I made a useful bath rug, and used supplies I already had.  More projects to finish yet.  I also taught my 9 year-old to sew a button on, and to hand sew.  Now, all she talks about, is when we are going to rent the cabin again, and sit in our "rockers and sew." Ha ha ha!  She is such a "mini-me" through and through.  Now she wants to learn ...

Getting back to the gym, after being sick, has been great for me.  The sun shining today is always a welcome to my body and soul. Today, we are trying a new fruit - Pummelo.  It is best for jam and jellies.  It's been fun trying new foods. I'm still plugging away on another hope chest blanket.  My goal was 2 rows a night, and I've pretty much kept up with that.  It's about 60 inches wide. Besides reading library books, magazines, and my Bible, I have been working on more articles.  Items added to my mini "bucket list":  dehydrate eggs, can grape jelly, and add hand towels to the Christmas crochet list.

I finally finished my 16 year-old's blanket.  She is soon to turn 17 and it will be part of her hope chest.  However, because the upstairs is not heated, she is getting her blanket today. Here is a close up of the stitching  I have one more child to crochet a blanket for, and then I can start on a bedspread for my own bed.  I just need to decide on pattern and color.

I am reading the diaries from pioneer women who crossed the U.S. in the 1800's and it's been interesting and amazing.  Many women took extra needles and thread with them and traded with Indians for food.  Embroidery work, on hankies and other items were also given as gifts.  In my quest to embroider, learn more, and improve my skills, I have completed several projects.  Here are photos of my progress so far: Here is my first embroidery sampler (posted before)

I just finished another Christmas present.  I made this nice warm wrap for my 14 year-old using a pattern on-line .  One more gift done!

At one point, I actually had an article published with suggestions on what to put into a child's hope chest.  Today I read through this book from library, and felt it was worth sharing. 

This current (crocheted) blanket now measures 68 inches wide by 21 inches long.  This pattern is much more challenging and requires more concentration.  The stitches used are basic, but it takes more thought and requires less distractions and interruptions, than the last blanket.

I have a very happy 8 year-old daughter today.  I finished her crocheted blanket, and she is so excited to curl up in it.  I didn't get the chance to make final measurements (she ran off with it too fast - ha ha!), but it fits the top of a king mattress.  I simply chose a pattern from an old library book, and chose colors at the store.  Now I am so used to crocheting every night, I'm not sure what I will do with myself.  I will be starting the next blanket for my 16 year-old daughter.  She is deciding on colors for me to work with.

My 8 year-old's blanket now reaches the measurements of 6 ft 2 inches wide, and 40 1/2 inches long. She's begging me to stop and give it to her as is, but I had to explain that I need to finish it. She's so eager to have it. I have already spent more than 20 hours on this blanket. I have to say, this is my favorite so far, in the 3 blankets I have crocheted. Here is an update on my embroidery sampler. I have added another stictch since this photo. You can see, it's a bit wrinkled from holding the material. I'm really enjoying making this, but will probably make another in five years to check my progress.

I finally finished my son's blanket. He asked for these colors, so I alternated with a spike stitch. I egdged it with 2 rows of single crochet. Phew! I can't believe I finished it prior to his graduation!