"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.

Showing posts with label Year End. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Year End. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Crochet Book Blanket ~ End of Year Update

I started a crochet book blanket at the beginning of this year (2025).  I crocheted a granny square for every book I finished, and crocheted the square with matching colors of the actual book.  The plan was to get back into reading, be motivated by the crocheted blanket, and use up scrap balls of yarn.  An overall fun, and positive project for myself.  The blanket is a join-as-you-crochet type of blanket, making it less intimidating to start, work on, and eventually finish. 

How many books did I manage to read?

43 books, with one last book that will be finished on the 31st, will make that final year end number a whopping 44 books!

Not the amount I had hoped for, but I really did not have a number goal in mind.

It's not a bad number either.  

In the past 5 years, I was lucky to even read 1 to 5 books within the years.  There were all sorts of reasons reading didn't happen.

On the bright side, the blanket is coming along very nicely, and it is such an inspiration to other book lovers who crochet.  I have shared my progress with so many book store owners, especially used book stores.



I finished a pair of blue baby booties for the next grandson to be born next year (crocheted).



First puzzle to finish this winter.  What can I say?  It's winter, and not much is going on.  Besides the crazy weather.  Snow, up to 60's, then really bad wind, followed by more snow and cold again.....it's winter.

The dehydrator is out (thanks to my husband's help) and ready for some winter time making.


I have learned a lot in 2025, and overall tried new adventures, and loved every minute of each one.  I have learned a lot about people, as I had time to sit and reflect much more at the end of the year than ever.  I've learned the good, the bad, and the ugly.  

Like I said, it's been a year of learning, and making changes.  Social media has really changed some people, and not in a good way, as life was before social media.

I've learned to grow new foods, dehydrate new concoctions, and learned new ways to either utilize or use herbs, medicinal herbs, and garden goods.  

We discovered many new-to-us or "first time" try-its.  

I've ventured back into my writing, and boy am I rusty.  It's been fun however. It's been a positive spin to this winter.

Plans for 2026?  Yes and yes. 

So many people we have talked to are sick right now.  Thankfully I am home another 3 weeks of recovery, so I've been staying away from people.  My husband has had to work outside a lot more than inside this winter (he's not happy about that).  We do have homemade ginger-ale syrup in the freezer, and I'm about to write my recipe to mail out for another person this week.

I'm putting together a list of items to create "get well" baskets for those who I can bless.  

As of this post, my rosemary plant is still alive, but barely (sigh).  I am babying it, but man these plants take such specific winter indoor care.  I'm learning anyway.

Happy New Year!  

Crochet Book Blanket ~ End of Year Update  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart