Pioneer Woman at Heart

  First year to infuse dandelion flower oil (wild dandelions from our own homestead).  First year to make our own dandelion salve.  It's in trial period.  We have both used it and so far really like it, but we'll have one more person testing it out for me.  I'm getting so much better at keeping notes this year. I used an assortment of vessels, as that is what I had on hand.  I love the smaller tins for travel, or to give as gifts.  I just ran out of tins and used whatever glass jars I still had in my herbal supplies. I already have a new "first" time salve to make next spring as well.   The rain is finally done (at least we hope so), but the wind blew right in last night.  Good grief.  Maybe it will dry up the soggy ground, but our nights are to dip to the 40's.  Fall weather can be so iffy in our area. Dandelion Salve   ©  September 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I haven't had time to porch sit, so I have not smelled the lilacs wafting through the country air.  I noticed a bit late this season, but they also bloomed early.   A few years ago, a pine tree died and fell down, breaking off half of our lilac bush.  It's still blooming, but barely.  Lilacs smell so wonderful.  I remember, as a young teen, my Grandma bringing cuttings from her lilac bush.  You can make a lot of things with lilacs, but I have yet to try any recipes.  You can make syrups, infused sugars, jelly, teas, tinctures, and even body care.  Do you make anything with lilac blooms? There is a possibility to plant another lilac this spring, but the rain is still an issue. I had "plans" to do some weeding, but we are saturated here still.  Rain is not ending today again either.  I think we may even see rain a bit Thursday, but hopefully not.  The rain is giving us chickweed, and we are enjoying pesto.  I mixed ot...

  I decided, after doing some research, to buy butterfly pea flowers (instead of growing them).  Everything I read stated they prefer a very hot season, and otherwise, do not produce enough flowers.  I have been intrigued to try the tea with them too. Here is the witch hazel after 24 hours, after infusing it with a few flowers.  Very pretty right?   I started using it on May 19th. Do I like it?  It's only been a few days, but feels great after a washing my face, after a hot day of work outside.  My face feels great in the morning too.  I'll continue to use it and update after a few months.  I did do a test on my arm first, to make sure I would not have any reaction to it first. The recipe is online with a free printable page - Mommypotamus, DIY Butterfly Pea Flower Skin Toner. I included the link on this post, as she has a lot of other DIY recipes and how-to's.   It's just infused witch hazel (organic, double distilled), infused wit...

  I have wild violets on our property, and they only bloom for a short time.  One area is around my clothesline, so I have to keep on top of it, before someone mows it down. In the past I have made wild violet jelly for gifting and enjoying ourselves.  I just don't have the time to can anything right now, so I decided to make a medicinal tincture this spring. Here is how I canned the jelly:  Wild Violet Jelly It's perfect for gift giving because it is a beautiful color, and it tastes delicious.  I can it in 4 oz. jars, to make the recipe more shareable.  I typically only get enough blossoms for one batch when I do can jelly.  I first made the jelly back in 2018.  I got the recipe from another blogger (go to my link and it will then have a link for her blogpost). (I picked these, and made this Sunday, before the frost) The tincture is new to us.  I am doing research on uses, but so far cough, throat issues are two.  Have you made this tin...