Pioneer Woman at Heart

The younger two girls really out did themselves for Christmas.  We said no gifts, and they didn't listen.  They gave us fun stuff, useful stuff and I got books from one of them. I love books, but try to contain the collection with the space I have allowed.  Daughter E got me all of these. I spent an hour on the computer, and finally located a pattern for a top for Daughter E.  Yarn has been ordered, but the kind I need was not available from JoAnn's nor Michaels (they were curbside only for some reason). The cost of shipping was horrible. I did 2 loads of laundry and came to an abrupt stop.  Daughter K said, "um Mom?  Why is there water all over the floor and in the laundry basket?"  The seal needs replaced, has been ordered from a local business, and should be in today (thankfully).  Whirlpool direct, wanted $100 more than our local resource. Daughter E locked her keys in her car.  The boys rescued her. The wood stove continues to provide....

My husband had to work all weekend, but we managed to get to the gathering regarding the loss of one daughter's boyfriend a year ago.  Oh my, we love those families/friends.  It was a good turn out, including classmates of his and daughter E's.  So many good laughs and good times and even tears, but so thankful we all got together. Something I learned (although some of you may already know this). . . I have never cooked with flank steak before (believe it or not).  I bought some last week and sliced it and grilled it for philly's sandwiches.  What did I learn?  Well, I was watching America's Test Kitchen (love that show) and watched them prepare a recipe using flank steak. What did I learn?  I learned it has little fat and you must pound it before cooking, to tenderize it.  I literally did not know this until I watched the show.   I will be buying flank steak again and giving it a try the right way. Ha ha!  It always makes me excite...

It's time for some salve making to happen.  Ideally this would be much easier in the summer when the coconut oil is already melted in the jar. I used my crock pot this time, so I didn't have to watch the stove.  I just put a dishcloth in the bottom, to make sure my jar didn't break. Once the oil was infused with the comfrey, I strained it, added melted beeswax and poured it into the container. (Some of the beeswax started to harden as I poured the warm oil into it) I made a small batch - 1 cup dried comfrey and