Rain ~ Spicy Barbeque Sauce

 We finally got rain!  So thankful for it.  There was a field fire near us the night before the rain arrived.   It's been so dry, and the field dust was causing upper respiratory issues for so many people (wind didn't help with that).

Spicy Barbeque Sauce was canned.  It takes a lot of ingredients, so it's not my favorite to can, but it is real ingredients.  Yes, it has brown sugar.  It's a canning recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, that we have been using for several years now.

Rain ~ Spicy Barbeque Sauce ©  October 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

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 . . .

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.

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.

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.

Our first Anaheim peppers from the garden.  They are huge as they should be.  However, it's not enough to process, so they are in the crisper drawer to use for current meals.  Or I have plan B too.

The cherry type (heirloom) tomatoes are finally on and turning.  Other tomatoes are on, but nothing not even close to harvesting yet.  We now have some hot peppers on the plants.  There are a few hot banana peppers about ready to pick too (the need is to have them all ready at the same time).

I harvested some Swiss Chard for one dinner too.  The garden is providing.

Garlic was finally dug up, but we had to wait for a dry day to get into the garden.  The garden was actually still pretty wet the day I dug it all up.

I had some chives that spread into my thyme plants, in the herb garden.  I dug those out, but later spotted one more smaller start.  I will get that dug out and into a small pot for now.  Most likely I'll give them to friends or donate to a local person who gives plants away (we have a few people who have bring one, take one plant tables).

It's not really a good week (ha, there never is) to pick up 10# of blueberries (from a nearby state), but I did.  I am pretty sure we'll use them all too.  I love to use frozen blueberries for summer lunch time smoothies, and especially after a long hot day of garden work.

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. 

What's was next?  I randomly pulled some sweet Italian sausage links.  I am sure I had a plan for them, but cannot remember what for.  I did a very simple crock pot meal with potatoes on the bottom, layered the sausage links, topped it with frozen garden green beans from last year, and whipped up my own homemade Italian dressing and poured it over. The sausages fell apart, and it was fantastic.  Two more freezer items used.  Dinner al fresco - weather was fantastic.

It should be fun putting something together for the next 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.

Lastly, some good advice from a book I recently finished.

Good Vibes ~ Al Fresco  ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

The Garden, Weather and Sun

Sunrises have been murky with smoke this summer.  Definitely not as beautiful as last year.  It has taken a toll on our eyes here at the homestead, not to mention throats.  Like I say, "I have a tea for that."

The garden is growing, thanks to more rain here, as well as somewhat warm days.  There is a bad storm forecasted later today.  Just about everything is coming up now, and I may even plant a few more borage seeds.  My feverfew seeds are not sprouting very well, and I am concerned there will be no harvest.  I will look into other seed sources just in case.

The seeds that sprouted the quickest were the mashed potato squash seeds I saved from last year's garden (originally from Territorial Seeds).  There is one new winter squash, that was planted, that has not sprouted anything yet (and I bought a very small amount to try).  

I will be doing a lot more seed saving, but not from anything I grew from High Mowing Seeds.  Last year, and this year, I've had to replant most of any seeds we bought from there.  We had a bad garden year last year, so not many seeds could be saved.  I have also learned to save enough seeds for two garden years.  You never know when you might need to re-plant something (for any reason, including weather).

With that said about the quality of High Mowing seeds, we are looking into a new resource to buy new seeds next garden season for a few garden goodies, like green beans/wax beans, zucchini and yellow squash.  Also, marketmore 76 cucumbers, and maybe pickling cucumbers.

Garden is being hand hoed for now.  The tomato patch looks better than I thought it would by now.  As presumed, a few smallish tomato plants did not make it.  If I read it correctly, you can burn up to 200-400+ calories an hour hand hoeing an hour.  I am pretty sure I burned up some calories this week.  A lot of calories.  

Planted. . .

-Sorrel (not sure the seeds will sprout this late)

Harvested . . .

-oregano

-more garlic scapes

-chickweed

-more wood sorrel if the dehydrator is done early today

We are done trying to grow blueberries at the homestead.  We planted two in very large pots (last year, and we got blueberries) due to the lime stone in our ground.  Both have died this year sadly.  We will yank the plants and re-purpose the pots, but not until next spring.  It's too late to be planting annual flowers (many greenhouses close after planting season here).

AC is not on yet.  Not really a big deal yet, but we could hit the 90's in 3 or 4 days.  Our electric bill is $97, but normally this time of year going from heat off and air on, is around $50 (doubled in cost now).

Not much reading is happening, but that is hand in hand with gardening.  It was way too humid outside to read on the porch in the evening.  Handiwork has been very minimal.  I'm just too exhausted by evening to pick up a hook or needle.

We are still enjoying meals from our efforts to store up last year's garden (and a few produce purchases).

Green bean and ground beef baked casserole with last year's garden green/wax beans, some frozen jalapenos, jalapeno salt, garlic and some powdered green bell pepper (this is made with a bit of milk and cream cheese, and so good).

The last of the corn we froze on the cob last year (produce stand purchase).  We have planted sweet corn this year in the garden.  Most have sprouted.  The only thing that will be in issue is raccoons.  They can climb fences.  I have planted some squash in the corn to deter the critters, but not one has sprouted in there either (at this point anyway).  I do have noise makers, but crossing our fingers the buggers find food elsewhere.  

The Garden, Weather, and Sun  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Very Cold First Morning of June

The evening temperatures are still cooler than we'd like.  It would be great if we were camping, but we are not. 

Woke up to 38 F degrees this morning.  Way too cold for much of anything in the garden.  I'll be out to check on my tomato plants (there are a lot of them, so I am concerned).

Yesterday, the last day of May, I thought I picked the last asparagus from the garden.

I then found another one while out working on the garden.  I don't see anymore new shoots, so this should be the end of asparagus this year.

On a good note, the garden fence is up.  It's not perfect, but it looks good. The remainder plants will not be planted until these cold nights warm up, and I am even hesitant to drop any seeds just yet.  It's been a very strange May this year.

I planted some chamomile seeds, not realizing we'd have another night of very cold weather.  I also have already planted two types of radish seeds, two types of swiss chard seeds, and a some Russian Red Kale seeds.

My hands are cut up and dry.  I have not acclimated to garden work yet this year.   I can tell you I'm already in a fight with the 200+foot garden hose too.  It has to be pulled back to the house on mowing days, and my luck, the minute I pull that hose all the way out to the garden, I have to turn around and pull it all back.  

Putting in the garden is also a frustrating time with housework, and meals.  It is so hard to find a balance with cooking/making a proper meal, keeping up with everything indoors, and getting the outdoor work done all at the same time.  My house is a hot mess right now.

I am using anything and everything I have for repairing my dry hands, so crochet work is at a halt right now.  I am too tired to do much of anything by evening, but wash my face and crawl into bed.  I have easily forgotten how much energy you need for this amount of garden work (especially with not much help this year).

I sure hope this is the last cold spurt we have, now that it's June 1st.

Very Cold First Morning of June  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

More Rain

 We have not had a day without rain.  It rained all day yesterday, and all night and it's raining this morning.  In fact, I went out to pick asparagus yesterday when I saw we got a slight break, but the rain poured down as I walked to the asparagus patch.  Three stalks of asparagus got picked anyway.

The garden tilling was not done as we were planning yesterday.  May is finicky, so I'm not going to guess.  I'll just keep making back up plans and get other "stuff" done around here.  

I have enjoyed the little bit of porch time (most days have been on the chilly side), sitting and listening to the rain.  The flowers are enjoying the rain too, as well as the herb garden.  I'm just glad we have not planted the vegetable garden yet, although seeds would have been a blessing to have gotten in before this rain.  The evenings are still in the low 40's, and too cold for tomato plants or other vegetable plants.

Right now, it's just a saturated muddy mess, so we can't even get into the garden at all.

More Rain ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

More Rain ~ Garden Prep

 I'm posting a bit late this morning.  I am so worn out and tired, and have not even planted the actual vegetable garden yet.  I got parsley planted in the herb garden, and I see my seeds that I planted for everything else are coming up nicely, other than feverfew.

I brought in more asparagus.  The one good thing about all this rain.  The rest of the fencing was pulled, so we can till the garden now.  Our tiller is not working (of course it's not), and my husband's work hours don't give him the time to fix it.  I have no clue what's wrong with it.  All we know is that we need the garden tilled, and the tiller fixed.  We may have to resort to hiring someone this garden season.

There were to be bad storms around midnight last night, so I ran around after garden work, laundry and did storm prep (in case we lose power).  If you have never had a property with a well, you won't know that if the power goes out, your well pump won't pump water (hence why people have hand pumps installed) - no water to water your animals, no water to wash dishes and clothes, no water to flush toilets etc.  I also charged batteries (runs a smaller generator), and any/and all chargeable lamp light bulbs, and lamps.  

I also took down my windmills, so they would not be destroyed by wind.  By the way, the mole chasing windmills do work.  My windmill out by the vegetable garden broke last year, and there were tunnels everywhere inside the garden.  When the windmill was up, there were no tunnels inside the garden (or within an area of where we put it).

The odd thing, is either the storm never came, or it wasn't as bad last night. Or we were both dead tired, ha ha!  Neither of us heard much.  It appears to be somewhat dry out too, and I do not see heavy puddles of water either.  

It got up into the 80's yesterday, with a heavy humidity in the air.  It should be a bit cooler today, but you never know.

In between work outside, I was running inside to fetch laundry to put on the clothesline, and cook a breakfast (had to thaw some sausage).  I am so glad I made my homemade facial toner.  As you can see if removes dirt from your face.  It's a very nice refresher when I come inside, and have to work a bit, then go back out.  If you haven't made it, the post is HERE (Butterfly Pea Flower Skin Toner) on this blog.

More Rain ~ Garden Prep   ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Just the Bits

April 9th - rain and snow mix, morning temperature was 21°F!
April 10th - 38°, high of 44°F, rain
April 11th - 30°, low chance of rain, partly sunny

We should be picking asparagus, wild violets and wild dead nettle right now, but the weather is delaying it.  I surely hope we still get them all.  Time will tell.

Despite freezing cold weather that is freezing my chickens water at night, my potted comfrey is already coming to life again.  The weather is to warm up again thankfully.

I need help with deterring rabbits.

Does anyone have any tried and true (non toxic) ways to deter rabbits from your flower beds and herb garden?  I read coffee grounds deter them, but they are not good for my herb garden.  I had motion sensor noise gadgets, but they did not work for the rabbits last year.

A tree of some sort is growing in the edging (between the landscaping stone and chives of all places) of the herb garden, and it has thorns.  It needs to be dug out thanks to the birds.

I have wild growing wineberry starts (again thanks to the birds) to yank from the asparagus patch, and have already put straw in the newer asparagus patch (to keep those weeds down for harvest).  I will need to add more straw before Spring harvest.

(oatstaw in a jar)

I've been brewing nettle tea for us here lately.  It's a powerhouse, but it's great for allergies too. I'm no doctor, but you can do your own research on stinging nettle.

Homesteading/Self Sufficiency goes hand in hand with being physically fit.  If anyone is interested, I can write up a post on this.

Garden or no garden is the question.  We purchased not-so-inexpensive fencing to fence one garden area last year.  We need fencing to protect the other (larger) garden area, and it's now in limbo.  The cost to buy fencing is not low, by all means, but we can install it ourselves.  

A lot has affected the purchase of the fencing.  Our electric cost doubled, and we are not even heating the upstairs (as we did when the kids lived here).  We are not even using heat in two downstairs rooms either, yet our cost doubled.

Groceries more than doubled.  Home repair supplies are up.  I mean it's just a rough time for everyone right now.

Home Repairs/Updates:

-purchased one window blind and installed it (was thankfully under $30)

-one last blind is needed for another room, but the window itself will need replaced at some point soon.  I'm on a list to be notified when they are in stock (has to be custom cut to fit).   I already got one email stating they were in stock, but when I went to order it, it said "out of stock" (again).  I called, and yes in fact, they are out of stock (again).

-lined more wire closet shelving. I have a few more to line.

-started stairway project by scraping tape and adhesive off the walls (kids!!) This job will take a while to get done.

Just the Bits ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday {April 7, 2025}

 

Welcome April!  First Monday of the month.  Spring time!  I love Spring flowers too.  The bad storms we had last week, brought so much rain, that flooding was an issue.  Even a park we were walking at, had closed a portion of it due to flooding.

On the health front, we are still looking for a tried and true kale/blueberry salad with homemade dressing.  I hate to waste ingredients, so I'm still asking around.  I plan to ask one of the local librarians soon (one who eats healthy and exercises etc.).

I am joining Sandra with Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  

I will link up when she posts later.

The weather in my neck of the woods . . .

Woke up to 24°F with a frost.  Mid week the forecast is saying we may get more rain and possibly snow.  Our state is flooding everywhere, and we could definitely use a break from rain.  So many roads, and areas closed due to high water.  Our property is very saturated.

Our colder Spring weather, and frost, may affect the wild grown violets here, as well as our asparagus harvest.  Possibly the pear, apple and peach trees too.

As I look outside my window . . .

Very foggy and chilly.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping hot coffee and writing out my meal plan.

Something fun to share . . .

Nothing today.

On my TV . . .

Tombstone

On my reading pile. . .

Current book off my home bookshelf.  Apparently, I bought it over a year ago or so.

Listening to . . .

80's music maybe today.  Not sure.

On the menu . . .

-Chicken pesto pasta

-Baked Perch

-Chili, cornbread or cheddar chive biscuits

-Red lentil hummus for healthy snack option

-Leftovers

On my to-do list . . .

-Bake breakfast, sweet potato hash with veggies and eggs

-Dinner prep

-Muck coop

-Visit library book sale (gulp!) Maybe.  Maybe not this week.

-New Recipe to Try:  Bourbon Candied Walnuts (to use on salads)

-Look into local activities, crochet meet up's, book clubs, outdoor exercise groups, writing groups, cookbook book clubs....heck, I'm even considering doing coffee and crochet at my own house.  Just random thinking and pondering, but I know garden season will bring "busy" into the mix too.  

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

. . .finished three more crocheted pacifier holders for future gifts.

(will get a photo soon)

. . .started a lap afghan to eventually donate to an organization or person in need.

. . . finished more books, hence more granny squares for our book blanket.  You can see some of the recent ones on my blogpost HERE.

My simple pleasures . . .

(have to think about this one more)

Looking around the house . . .

I have a lot of yarn to put away.  I've been sorting it to decide on more lap afghan colors.

From the camera . . .

(nothing today, I've been off-line a lot more often lately)

Bible Verse, Devotional, Prayers . . .

Prayers for Specific Situations:

If you are struggling with a specific problem:
"Lord, I bring before you this [specific problem]. I know you are in control, and I trust in your timing. Help me to find the strength to persevere and not give up hope that you will guide me to a solution."
(source:  Google)

Happy Homemaker Monday {April 7, 2025}  ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Storm ~ Tidbits

 I have not been watching the news at all, and late Monday, I was told there was a bad storm expected mid-week for us.  What kind of storm?  I had to turn on the news to find out.

The storm was rain, thunder, wind, possible hail, and possible tornado.  It came in two parts.  One storm in the morning and one later.  I had charged all the things that needed charged, just in case.  We did lose power, but thankfully it came back on.  

It's 63°F this morning.  Much warmer, but it's flooded almost everywhere around us, area towns, etc.

Home repairs/updates: we ordered, picked up and installed a new window blind for the window.  I do need one more blind for a kitchen window, but that particular size is out of stock.

The remainder of the home repair list is on-going for now.  We tend to run out of time in the evenings.

One mole-chasing windmill has broken from years of use.  It's on the repair list, but we may have to replace it.  It does keep the moles out of the vegetable garden.  We installed another one near the flower beds last season, so time will tell if it helps in that area too.

Gardens:  we picked up two containers of tulips, that we plan to bury into the garden.  It's test one, to see if it will keep the moles out of them, and will still flourish in the containers.  We are also planning to add more hyacinths to the flower beds.  Test two on the tulips will be in the fall, when fall bulbs are planted.  We are finding it difficult though, to find a variety of colors sold in pots this Spring.  Who wants all yellow tulips?  Not me.  We have a ton of yellow with the daffodils. 

Let's talk whole wheat flour . . .

I've had a few slower days lately, so I finally tried a whole wheat roll recipe (had quick oats in them too), and they were a fail for me.  I am wondering if they recipe originated where the altitude is different, because my dough was very, very dry.  I even left out 1/2 cup of the flour.  A recipe fail for me.

I'm on a mission to find a good whole wheat roll recipe, even though it's against my husband's likings (he's all for the white rolls, and I get it).  However, I would still like to have one in my recipe box for large gatherings etc.  Or even to bake and freeze to have on hand.

Has anyone tried the recipe in the Back Woods Home bread cookbook?  Or does anyone have a tried and true, soft and delicious whole wheat roll recipe?

Back in March of 2017, I tried the Taste of Home's Honey Oat Pan Rolls.  They are now rated 4.5 online.  I have a few recipes I may try yet, that rate better than these.

I'm still searching for a tried and true kale/blueberry salad recipe.  I see them on the internet, but I have not found one person who has made one, or even tried one.  I'm just looking for ways to spruce up our salad options, as the weather is warmer and salads are wanted more often around here.

Update on the Nitrogen Cast Iron pan:  Used it twice, and both times we gave it a thumbs down.  The food stuck to the pan in both uses.  I'll give it a few more trials, but so far, it's not even working as well as my regular cast iron pan.

Storms ~ Tidbits ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Blind Date with a Puzzle ~ Meal from the Freezer

 We have been having some beautiful weather here lately.  I however, have not put laundry out on the line, as we call this "bird" season.  Flocks of them are in the area, so as soon as they move on out, I will be able to enjoy the clothesline once again.

We purchased a "blind date" with a puzzle back on January 31st, from an area local store, while out on a getaway.  However, we paid $18.00 for this puzzle, and when we got it home, it was a used puzzle (box was falling apart).  I never saw any signage that stated the puzzles were used, so my husband insisted we purchase a 1,000 piece one.  

Well, we finished the puzzle finally. 

(puzzle is a portrait by a famous artist)

There were two puzzle pieces in the box that did not even go to the puzzle.

As we predicted, there were pieces missing from the puzzle.  We plan to donate the puzzle pieces to a place that recycles them with art/crafts.  Very disappointed.  We won't make this mistake again.

We have however, purchased two new puzzles.  I'll be back to share photos of them soon.  I, honestly, was not going to get more puzzles, as our weather is warming up here, but we did.

It's been so nice to pull the our homemade stuffed, garden bell peppers from the freezer.  I just top with more tomato sauce to bake them, and top with some mozzarella cheese.  It's a meal in itself, and we get to enjoy our "fruits from our labor" garden.

In the past years, I blanched the bell peppers.  I do not blanch them anymore.  The stay crispy, and bake up so delicious.  If you blanch them, they bake up too soft and more of a soggy bell pepper.  I prepare the stuffing mix myself, then stuff the fresh grown bell peppers (I cut in half lengthwise vs. cut the tops off), wrap each with saran wrap, and store them all in freezer containers.  The end result is a quick, healthy and delicious meal.

There are many ways to utilize growing bell peppers, if you are considering it this garden season.  We made breakfast egg filled bell peppers, we have cut them in rings and made "eggs in a nest" for breakfast, we have made oven baked bell pepper rings (like onion rings), stuffed bell pepper soup, and of course we freeze them in diced size and sliced for future meals.  Fresh bell peppers are healthy snack tools for hummus and other healthy toppings or dips.

Blind Date with a Puzzle ~ Meal from the Freezer  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Mud Season

 March is what we call our "mud" season.  Everything is thawing, or there is rain and flooding, and sometimes a snow shower in the mix.  Mud.  We get lots and lots of of a muddy mess, which prevents any or all outdoor work or play (unless we find paved hiking/walking trails).

Mud season can feel unending and arduous, but also inspiring as the warmer/sunny weather arrives.

Monday - 13°F windchill in the morning

(I attempted to sit in the sunshine for a hot minute, and the clouds moved in of course)

Tuesday - 36°F windwill in the am.  High for the day was 60°F (insert smiling face), but we had am rain.

Wednesday - 53°F (windchill of 48°F), rain

Today?  - 37°F Snow!  

Nothing new going on.  We are patiently waiting for spring to stay put.  If you remember, we were trying to get an online appointment for new tires last weekend?

Well, my husband actually got an appointment made over the phone, and drove there after work to the said appointment.  When he got there, the employee told him he could not and would not put new tires on the vehicle, that we had an appointment for.

After much discussion, my frustrated husband got him to do the job.  The employee literally told my husband that whoever was on the phone that day, should have never agreed to the work to be done.  Needless to say, my husband drove home with new tires.

On the home front . . .

I got two more wire shelves purged, lined, and re-organized.  I cut more pool noodle pieces to place inside my tall boots (it's a cheap way to keep them upright and looking nice).  I have yet to find tall enough storage bags for a few pairs of tall dress/casual boots (that do not have boxes).

I got the one corner kitchen cupboard cleaned, lined and re-organized.

The donation box is filling up much, much slower now, which means I'm much closer to being 100% organized (in the house anyway, the garage is another story).

What's Cooking?

I finally got around to making kimchi for us.  I have no experience with this, and no advice, so I used a recipe from a book I own.  I'll let you know if we like it or not.

Outdoor fun . . .

Despite rain here again, I managed to find a window of time to roll out the coop cleaning tools and muck the stinky winter chicken coop.  The ladies are in pure heaven again, and I got outside.

R & R time . . .

Current book.  I bought this book almost 2 years ago, at an antique store, and while on a weekend getaway.  It is starting out rather mundane and slow.  I sure hope it gets better.  I had shoved it into a living room end table drawer, and completely forgot about it.  I guess I had high ambitions to sit in the living room and read maybe?  Either way, it's on top of the stack right now.

Current progress on the "blind" date with a puzzle.  It's been a doozy of a puzzle.  Pieces are not uniform, It's hard to find the edge pieces, and there are too many of the same color in much of the puzzle.  It's been a challenge, and may be the last puzzle of the "winter" season for us.  My husband, who insisted we buy the "blind" 1000 piece puzzle date, has been of very little help with it too.

Mud Season  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Chilly Time Chit-Chat

We warmed up from 0°F to 2°F today.  It's all a sheet of ice outside.  No sign of thawing just yet.  We also got more snow last night.

We are getting news from family and friends of sickness.  One is one of the kids too.  She has confirmed having the flu.  

The water softener is still on the "off" mode.  My husband has acquired the supplies to repair the leak in the line, but has lacked the time to do the actual repair.  I'm tapping my foot in anticipation, so I can turn the water softener back on (laundry awaits).  He works outside in this cold some days, so when he comes home, he is physically spent so to speak.

With that said, I have only moved a few puzzle pieces on our current puzzle.

Update on the last new pancake recipe.  I froze about 15 of them, and we are thawing them this week for breakfast with a side of homemade chicken "sausage" patties.  I may add scrambled eggs later, but I wanted to let you know they thawed and re-heated nicely.  

I have found another high protein pancake recipe to try soon as well (recipe with no protein powder).  I have several healthy new breakfast recipes to try, as well as dinner, so I won't run out of winter activities, ha ha!

I finished a few books, so I'm working on some new granny squares for our "book" blanket.  I'll post them soon after I get them done, ends sewn in and added to the blanket.  What a huge improvement on reading books this year too.  I would say 98% of the books read this year are books I bought at least a year to three years ago.  Other ones are given to me or borrowed from the library.  The one on top was okay.  I didn't really learn a lot to be honest.  She mentions Lincoln shell peas as the best yielding peas, but I grew them here and they did not do well. It was written and published so many years ago too.

I started some lentil sprouts for the chickens.  I think they will be happy ladies with this deep freeze we are experiencing.  Although lentils are inexpensive, I will be adding new sprouts to their winter diet.

~Home Updates~

I'm getting some shelf liners installed.  Woohoo to that.  One area is already done.  Three more areas more to go. I added another area.

I have wanted some of these for a long time, and finally bought some (online).  They are shoe bags. These are clear enough I can see what shoes will be in them, and durable enough they keep the dust off shoes on a wire shelf in the closet, and they can be used to take shoes traveling (water shoes, flip flops, sandals or whatever).  

In order to line the closet wire shelves, I have some updates like this to do.  I may be doing some purging in there too.  I know the clothes have got to be sorted.  Good luck with me getting my husband on board with his clothes.  

Progress is better than no progress.

I made a few peanut butter/bird seed treats for the birds.  I'm sure they will be enjoyed during this winter.  I just saved some empty toilet paper rolls, spread peanut butter on them, then rolled it in the bird seed. I then put the rolls on high branches in the trees.  

I'm hoping the birds find them before the raccoons.  I spotted this guy, but I still have not replaced my camera, so it's not that great of a photo. I'm tickled they are finding the food with this deep freeze.

A little "funny" to share.  We were in a hurry one day, and at a different store than usual.  We were out of coffee, so I grabbed a bag and kept shopping.

It took one day to realize we didn't like their "brand" and the next day went back to buy our regular organic coffee.  

I was cleaning off the counters yesterday, and moved the old bag of coffee beans.  I happened to pick it up to take a photo, and text my husband if he wanted it tossed out or if someone could use it at his work.

Ha ha ha ha!  After I sent the photo, I looked at it again and groaned.

See what it says???  Uh oh!  Whoops.  Not wonder it didn't taste right.  Good grief.

Chilly Time Chit - Chat  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart