"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Wow! October is here already
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Under the Weather ~ What's Growing?
I have not been around in blogland much, due to being under the weather after I pushed myself way to far one day. I have to remember we cannot do it all in one day. Thank goodness for teas and tinctures, and healing foods (and rest). We are feeling better.
As for our blogs being used for advertising on many websites, and so forth (I can't see any other reason for the source of views: howstuffworks, dominospizza, mayoclinic {not the blog readers interested in my actual blog}) the numbers continue to climb. I have not found a way to "opt" out either. If any of you find a new way to avoid this, blog elsewhere, find a new platform etc, please be sure to share.
If your blog has ads, you are are not going to complain, ha ha! You are probably making a bucko-bucks with all these visitors to your blog.
Okay, back to the update post . . .
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Colder Weather (again) ~ 43 degrees! What?!
I have yet to remedy the websites using my blog for whatever they are using it for. The views cut down by about 200, but considering I posted a very, very short post yesterday, it's still getting 300 views from advertiser businesses and other businesses. All to read about how they are using my blog too.
It is very annoying to be honest. I have not had a lot of time to work on putting a stop to it, but I did look into a few of the sites to "opt" out and there were no options to remove my blog. Not sure what to do next. If I do remedy the situation, I will remove the page breaks on my posts.
The majority of viewers are from Hong Kong and Singapore (huh?). Like it's been suggested, AI may be the reason, and one we cannot avoid, as Blogger has very little privacy options.
Monday, August 25, 2025
Weather
The blogger view issues continue. I see that many of you are also dealing with the same thing.
I've added page breaks again, and I know they are annoying. I may have to add some google ads to make some money off of this, if it continues.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Experimental Healthier Zucchini Bread ~ Garden
Along with an experimental baking, this is my experimental post to see how things go too. Thank you for all of your advice on the blog issues.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
No Shortage of Boredom
We finally got rain, after 20 plus days of 90 degree plus weather. Despite watering the garden, it was looking fried by the heat, humidity and sun. The zucchini plants are starting to die off with little harvest already.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Embracing the Late Harvest ~ First Canning of the Season ~ Crocheted Cord Keepers
We have been pretty creative in consuming the cucumbers. Needless to say, I am finding some nice salad recipes that we are really enjoying.
Canning season officially started this late month of August - sweet pickle relish. We did not get enough of our cucumbers last year to can this, but we did have enough already canned to last 2 years. We were down to the last 3 jars, so this is a blessing. We use it to, no only as a condiment, but to make chicken salad, tuna salad, homemade tartar sauce, and more.
A bit of our lemon balm was dehydrated for tea making. I'm in the process of starting more plants (for our soon to be designated garden area for perennial weeds/herbs).
I also ground some dehydrated lemon balm for a lemon balm powder. A "first" time for us to make the powder. I'll use it for baking, smoothies, and possibly other uses. Possible uses: salad dressings, pesto (fresh is best I think though), desserts, infused honey, infused sugar (just a thought), iced tea, and more.
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Last Day of July
Once infused, strained, and only a small bit of glycerin added, it's bottled up to use. The most easiest thing you can make for yourself. I have been using it for more than a year, and I have a travel bottle to take it on any sort of overnight trip as well.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
This and That
I am making a meat re-stock list of course, but the meals created by randomly picking freezer items has been fun and successful. I did, however (gulp), find a few bags of frozen green beans from 2023 stuffed into the back of one shelf. We had a bumper crop that year.
Harvested our first handful of cherry tomatoes July 25th. I think we may have a chipmunk eating the very low tomatoes. It could easily get into the fence, so we (gulp) purchased some rodent netting and wrapped the lower fencing for now. Protecting the garden is becoming expensive.
First basketful harvest of the season and we are almost at the very end of July. What a strange garden year. It's almost August.
New to the garden this year - Cocozelle Zucchini.
No new book blanket granny squares, and no books finished for that matter. I, however, started another baby blanket. The last if this particular yarn. I am behind on the book blanket, and have not started any lap afghans to donate just yet. The goal is to just get this baby blanket done first.
Everything seems to be running out at the same time as the end of July approaches. I'll be making several re-stock items that I have found to be my/our favorites. I am out of witch hazel, and now I am on the hunt to find some sold in stores.
This and That © July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Friday, July 25, 2025
Homemade Diced Chili Peppers (Anaheim Peppers)
Yes, you can buy cans of chili peppers for about $.70 and up, but there is nothing better than homemade diced chili peppers. A small 4 oz. can of organic diced chili peppers are costing about $2.19 a can in our area now.
I have had this on my "try it" list since last garden season, and had intentions of canning them. I am "on the fence" with canning them for now. I'll explain.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Good Vibes ~ Al Fresco
I have had one run-in with a baby deer this garden season. I'm not sure who was more surprised, me or him/her. Off it ran and no damage to the garden. I do think we may have another ground hog, but have not seen it for a while. A bug of some sort is having a feast on my garden kale, so once we catch up on the weeds and such, I'll sprinkle some flour with pepper mixed into it (husband's trick).
It's a bit disconcerting to not have much to harvest yet, and hear the sound of locusts announcing fall is around the corner. The rain is coming down almost every other day or every day, so the weeds are winning I think. The bonus win is not having to drag 200+feet of garden hose out to water stuff.
I've been challenging myself to continue to meal prep from the freezer first, then add pantry and garden goodies.
It's sort of been fun, by picking random items and looking up recipes. Rotation underway . . . preparing any room for garden additions to the freezer.
Good vibes from the herb garden. Green onion, parsley and basil to add to a cold salad.
Edamame salad - corn and edamame from the freezer (new recipe tried as a result of random freezer rotation). It utilized the freezer and garden, but it did not give us the "wow" response. Good, but not great either. Healthy? Yes. I thought the flavor overall was much better after it sat in the fridge overnight too.
A sweet potato breakfast casserole - sausage and bell peppers from the freezer. Delicious. I would prep more breakfast meats for this, for easier and quicker baking. I will also be trying this with garden kale.
Stuffed garden bell peppers from the freezer for dinner.
Other news . . .
We (by "we" I mean my husband) are starting to clean the gutters out. I have been after him for weeks, and almost got the ladder out to do some myself (but got scolded).
We have come up with a plan for the rose bed, but it's on the back burner until we get caught up with the vegetable garden weeds. It's back on the "list" but so is the chicken coop (story of my life).
The weather was an absolute gorgeous 70's (wish I was camping, but sometimes we have to shuffle life's responsibilities) and cool day early in the week, but the heat is said to return. Early mornings have been slightly under 60°F, and foggy. It has helped me get more done in the garden.
Good Vibes ~ Al Fresco © July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Rainy Day
We had another rainy day, so I was able to have a much slower indoor day (sort of). It was also so humid outside after the rain stopped, so it was not even enjoyable. There was also a smoke haze in the air, compromising the air quality. I did not get any Swiss chard cut as it heavily downpoured most of the day yesterday.
Our garden is about 2-3 weeks behind, compared to last year. I think it was due to a very cold May, and we planted much later. I am getting kale, Swiss chard, and radishes. The zucchini is on, but only about 1 inch long right now.
I do need to dig the fall planted garlic up soon. I dug one up already, and we are very happy with the size of it this year.
I used some of the Red Russian Kale in our dinner the other night. I was worried we would have needed another side vegetable, but this was perfectly enough. I cooked the turkey cutlets in the crockpot with barbeque sauce, and later in the evening made the "One Pot Beans, Greens, and Grains" recipe that I found in the New York Times newspaper. By the way, I found the recipe online, and I linked it. It is the first recipe I have found where it does not require you to have a membership of some sort.
It is very similar to how I make my quinoa, but I used leftover broth instead of water. I used great northern beans, but you can use any beans of your choice. I will double the amount of kale in it the next time.
Rainy Day © July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Whirlwind
Like most garden summers, it's been a whirlwind of activity. Weeding is hit or miss with the recent downpours and storms here lately. I can't complain for not having to water anything. Somehow, in between storms, the mowing and trimming got done.
The Red Russian Kale I planted, did very well this year. I harvested a pretty good lot already. The kale we grow has a less bitter taste, and more favorable for fresh salads or topping a sandwich. The frozen kale will be used for smoothies, soups, stews, casseroles, breakfast casseroles and anything I can add greens to add more nutrition.
However, pint freezer bags are very hard to find in our area. Just a few places sell them. One year, I was lucky to snag a "bulk" box of them at a nearby Menards (not available this year).
I am still getting a few more radishes, and the Swiss chard is doing great this year. Everything else in the garden is about 2 weeks or more behind compared to last year.I got my refund on the stainless steel tomato strainer. I have not had any thoughts on new resources.
I mended a few pairs of pants, and ran necessary errands, and booked appointments with a new optometrist (based on recommendations). Our current optometrist wants 6 month visits for contacts and will only write 1 year on prescriptions for glasses (my husband's work will reimburse every 2 years, like most prescriptions for glasses are generally written). Our family physician retired, so we are having to find a new one there too. Appointments for "new" patients have a long waitlist too.
I exchanged 3 books for one (not a bad deal on reducing my bookshelf).
I went to a local area Dollar Tree for some scrub brushes, and while I was there, I thought I would pick up some more tin pans for the chicken's treats. The store raised the prices on the tin pans to $1.75 now. I'll be buying inexpensive bowls and just washing them out over summer instead. Besides, the ladies tend to smash up the tin after about 3 or 4 treat days.
Meanwhile. . .
Someone is going to all of the free little libraries in one nearby town, and taking out all of the books (or most of them), and replacing them with a bunch of Bibles. I don't care what belief you have, but seriously??? It always takes one person to ruin a community project that is fun and free. There has been a volunteer to check those free libraries now. I have donated more books to those little libraries than to other places lately.
On a side note about little libraries . . .I found an out reach program that puts books, journals, pens, bookmarks etc inside the little libraries every once in a while at part of "service day" with their churches. Guess who found some bookmarks in a box of misc. stuff? Yep. I'll be going thru all of my crafted items leftover, and sending those bookmarks into their new homes soon. I may even have a few unfinished crocheted bookmarks too. It's on my charity list, as well as getting back to crocheting more lap afghans this next fall.
Rain is back again this week, but the mornings are in the low 70's, making outdoor work much more comfortable.
I'm on the lookout for seeds to plant yellow cone flowers in the flower beds next year. The type that grows 3-5 feet. We used to have them growing here, and we do miss them.
I tried a new pumpkin pancake recipe and loved it. It used organic Greek yogurt, pumpkin from the freezer (last year's garden), a very small bit of flour (I swapped it for Einkorn flour), and we loved them. It was a small batch recipe too, which is a win-win for us. Oh, it used some old fashioned oats too in the recipe.
Until next time. . .