Pioneer Woman at Heart

  We ended March with a high 77°F with an evening of thunderstorms.  We started April with temperatures in the low 30's, with a lot more rain. I've started my infused oil with horsetail.  I'm reading through my herbal books, watching Youtube videos and the like.  It's an herb/weed new to use.   I did not buy my horsetail online.  I purchased at an herbal health store.  However, the one store nearest us, does not carry it, and another apothecary does not grow it or carry it (40 minute drive).  We are very limited to access to stores or apothecaries with medicinal herbs, tea herbs, and the like.  It's frustrating, but in some cases, forces me to simply grow some of them myself.  It is depressing to not have any like-minded folks in our lives.  Most people we talk to about it, just laugh and act like it's all a waste of time or a joke. Speaking of Youtube, I'm watching several videos on spring wild violets right now (tinctures, te...

  Our weather continues to go up and down, but the spring flowers are either blooming or about to bloom.  The herb garden is waking up from it's winter slumber.  Although we had a 73 degree day early this week, it went quickly back to 36°F and very windy.  I am sure my blooms are struggling with  29°F weather. Daffodils with orange centers. And for a bit of foraging . . . Purple dead nettle. Wild violets.  Dandelions are coming up too. Spring Blooms   ©  April 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart

  (wild violets) The flower beds are full of spring blooms, but boy are they full of chickweed and other weeds.  I took these photos over two weeks ago, and forgot about them.  Other than tulip photos.  We did not mulch them last year for some reason, and we will be this year.  It will be hit or miss, as the rain comes and goes, and everything continues to remain wet around here.  I do have plans to add some new spring colors for next year.  The only reason I have very little tulips, is due to moles.  The new windmill is going up soon, and hopefully we can fall plant some more tulips next fall. Many, years ago, I was out weeding the flower beds, and a van pulled into the drive.  The older gentleman opened his window, and said not to mind them, as his wife loves to drive thru and see the flowers in the flower beds. He said it made her happy.  It was a couple that lives down the road from us.  That was a feel good moment.   ...

March rolled in quicker than expected.  It brought rain, cloudy skies, followed by some warmer weather.  The tree buds are already over winter. Our green onions are starting to produce new growth with all the recent rain, and the sight is welcoming. The weather was nice enough to grill out for dinner.   Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The weather . . . Well, they say it will be a high of 74°F and sunny today, then we cool back down the rest of the week. Right now I am . . . Brewing coffee late, and posting this blog post. Thinking and pondering . . . Wondering if we are getting thunderstorms today.   How I am feeling . . . Good! On the breakfast plate . . . I'm thinking I'll make a ham and cheese crust-less quiche, to use ham we froze, and some garden zucchini we froze as well. I'll toss in some of those frozen garden green peppers too. On the lunch menu . . . Not sure yet. On the dinner menu . . . Not sure yet. On the menu . . ....

  There is so much going on here right now.  Crazy busy with purging and re-organizing a lot of "stuff" in our closet.  I decided to take a slower morning, and tried Jovial's Einkorn (recipe is on their website) waffle recipe that uses yogurt in the recipe.  I had to use more dishes than I would like in the morning, but they were good.  They turned out nice and fluffy, but need cooked about 1 minute longer than traditional recipes (or they will be doughy in the center).  Delicious! We are going through every single tote that was in the closet.  Together we emptied 5 totes (so far).  I am washing them out and putting them aside for now (I may be able to use some for yarn).  We will not get rid of them for sure.  They are too expensive to buy right now (like about everything else). We are once again having wonderful weather, and the spring flowers are blooming on the homestead. Update on the chickens and barley grass.  They don't seem...