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.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Delay in Postings
Sorry for the absence of posts. I've been sick for over a week and so has everyone in the house. As soon as the bug clears, I'll have some new articles here. Thanks for visiting.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Volunteering at the Humane Society ~ Our First Day Back
I finally caved in. My 12 year old daughter has been after me to take her back to the Humane Society to volunteer. We moved out of state and then recently back, so she was eager to start again. I had been through the volunteer training with the girls before the move, so we just needed to commit to the time again. This year it will be myself, my 15 year old and 12 year old daughters volunteering. We are starting with caring for the cats.
Upon arrival we updated our information with the Humane Society, signed in on the volunteer form, and headed to the room where the cats were. It was packed full of cats. Some sleeping, some climbing, some roaming, some grooming, and one rubbing my legs.
We armed ourselves with cat hair brushes and investigated the cats. Leaving sleeping cats sleep, we positioned ourselves in the middle of the floor and sat down to their level. Immediately my daughter's laps were full of cats. A very beautiful long haired orange and white one curled up in my 12 year- old's lap and turned her belly upright, stretching her paws out in total relaxation.
My 15 year- old's lap had two cats. One was practically sitting on the other, while another pawed at her back. A few climbed my legs and got a few belly rubs, and cuddling, and one decided to play.
My 15 year old spent over an hour trying to get the attention of an orange colored older kitten. She nick-named him "monkey". He was climbing everywhere, and very quick too. He didn't seem interested in getting attention or brushed, keeping himself distant.
We continued to brush, cuddle, and then finally ended the evening by playing ball with the frisky cats and kittens. We again sat ourselves onto the floor and rolled a plastic ball with a bell in it. Back and forth it went, while cats and kittens pounced, chased, and darted at it.
When it was time to leave, I looked at my 15 year old's lap, and low and behold, there was "monkey". He was not only getting cuddling, but he was stretched out onto his back, belly side up, and paws stretched way over his head. He was a totally different cat.
We can't wait to go back next week to see what the cats are up to. Maybe we will bring some food, toys, and blankets when we return.
Upon arrival we updated our information with the Humane Society, signed in on the volunteer form, and headed to the room where the cats were. It was packed full of cats. Some sleeping, some climbing, some roaming, some grooming, and one rubbing my legs.
We armed ourselves with cat hair brushes and investigated the cats. Leaving sleeping cats sleep, we positioned ourselves in the middle of the floor and sat down to their level. Immediately my daughter's laps were full of cats. A very beautiful long haired orange and white one curled up in my 12 year- old's lap and turned her belly upright, stretching her paws out in total relaxation.
My 15 year- old's lap had two cats. One was practically sitting on the other, while another pawed at her back. A few climbed my legs and got a few belly rubs, and cuddling, and one decided to play.
My 15 year old spent over an hour trying to get the attention of an orange colored older kitten. She nick-named him "monkey". He was climbing everywhere, and very quick too. He didn't seem interested in getting attention or brushed, keeping himself distant.
We continued to brush, cuddle, and then finally ended the evening by playing ball with the frisky cats and kittens. We again sat ourselves onto the floor and rolled a plastic ball with a bell in it. Back and forth it went, while cats and kittens pounced, chased, and darted at it.
When it was time to leave, I looked at my 15 year old's lap, and low and behold, there was "monkey". He was not only getting cuddling, but he was stretched out onto his back, belly side up, and paws stretched way over his head. He was a totally different cat.
We can't wait to go back next week to see what the cats are up to. Maybe we will bring some food, toys, and blankets when we return.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What Are You Reading?
During a time where all of us were sick, and still are, I accidentally located a book my father gave me for Christmas six years ago. It was, and is, the perfect book with answers on how to cure most of our ailments.
In the book, "Joey Green's Amazing Kitchen Cures", you'll find over 1150 ways to help with health issues, using name brand products. As I flipped through it I found a chapter titled, "Sore Throat". I picked one of the cures listed and gave it a try on our 9 year old. The next day she was back in school. Although not completely gone, her sore throat was healed enough to get through the day without pain.
If you've ever had a very bad sore throat, you know how painful it can be. Even though I've read over this book many years ago, I plan to read it again. There may be other cures and preventions for the rest of us.
If you can locate a copy of this book at your local library, check it out. There might be something in it that can help you. Many chapters of the book list strange facts also.
Happy Readings!
Joey Green's Kitchen Cures, 1150 Ways to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments with Brand-Name Products, by Joey Green, ISBN: 1-57954-643-9, © 2002.
In the book, "Joey Green's Amazing Kitchen Cures", you'll find over 1150 ways to help with health issues, using name brand products. As I flipped through it I found a chapter titled, "Sore Throat". I picked one of the cures listed and gave it a try on our 9 year old. The next day she was back in school. Although not completely gone, her sore throat was healed enough to get through the day without pain.
If you've ever had a very bad sore throat, you know how painful it can be. Even though I've read over this book many years ago, I plan to read it again. There may be other cures and preventions for the rest of us.
If you can locate a copy of this book at your local library, check it out. There might be something in it that can help you. Many chapters of the book list strange facts also.
Happy Readings!
Joey Green's Kitchen Cures, 1150 Ways to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments with Brand-Name Products, by Joey Green, ISBN: 1-57954-643-9, © 2002.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Banana Pancakes ~ New Recipe We Tried
I've put off trying different recipes because I let other things, pets, and people, steel my joy. I'm back to trying them again and working on organizing my kitchen with homemade dry mixes. I'll be searching the Internet for the perfect ones.
We went to the Web site, www.allrecipes.com to search for a tasty banana pancake recipe. We found one, and will be working on making it healthier by trying it with whole wheat and white flour mixed, adding olive oil or applesauce and a bit of vanilla. We gave 2 thumbs up for this one:
Banana Pancake I
Visit back often as we search for the perfect combination of ingredients and something new to us.
We went to the Web site, www.allrecipes.com to search for a tasty banana pancake recipe. We found one, and will be working on making it healthier by trying it with whole wheat and white flour mixed, adding olive oil or applesauce and a bit of vanilla. We gave 2 thumbs up for this one:
Banana Pancake I
Visit back often as we search for the perfect combination of ingredients and something new to us.
Joy Strengthens ~ Sadness Weakens
I just listened to the association of Joy and Sadness, on an audio CD yesterday. While I walked away my stress on the treadmill, these words became so uplifting during a dreary winter day. I realized, that even though I try to make all things in my family's life joyful, I had not been. Winter is a wonderful and beautiful season. In truth I would have a hard time living the fall and winter months without snow. So how was I going to make anything else joyful?
Through prayer, through faith in God, and through trust in God. God wants us to be joyful. Joy brings us strength. I'm going to put effort into every little thing I do daily, including cleaning. I've just purchased a book to read and study the Bible in 15 minutes a day. Putting this first on my priority list will, and can only, bring us a good life.
God didn't say, that what he provides and gives to us will be easy. Starting small may bring better opportunities and prosperity. He wants us to do our best. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Doubt steals joy. I have a bad habit of not trusting God, and letting doubt consume me with a specific situation. I let procrastination steal my joy, and I let negative thoughts steal my joy. For example, I love to try new recipes. However, you haven't seen too many on my blog lately. I love to reinvent the recipe so it's healthier for my family. I look at projects, and let negative thoughts, and use phrases such as, "I will never be able to", "I'll never get better at" and "If I just had the time to".
Today I have started putting effort into ignoring that nasty beasts that try to steal my joy. I'm going to start living my life, and stop putting things off because I feel or think something else or someone else is keeping me from doing it.
If fact, in the last two days, we have tried 3 new recipes. One that was too similar to a recipe we already make, and therefore did not keep. I getting drawer knobs out to paint and install, I'm reading my Bible daily, I'm listening to inspirational Christian audio CD's and so much more.
Through prayer, through faith in God, and through trust in God. God wants us to be joyful. Joy brings us strength. I'm going to put effort into every little thing I do daily, including cleaning. I've just purchased a book to read and study the Bible in 15 minutes a day. Putting this first on my priority list will, and can only, bring us a good life.
God didn't say, that what he provides and gives to us will be easy. Starting small may bring better opportunities and prosperity. He wants us to do our best. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Doubt steals joy. I have a bad habit of not trusting God, and letting doubt consume me with a specific situation. I let procrastination steal my joy, and I let negative thoughts steal my joy. For example, I love to try new recipes. However, you haven't seen too many on my blog lately. I love to reinvent the recipe so it's healthier for my family. I look at projects, and let negative thoughts, and use phrases such as, "I will never be able to", "I'll never get better at" and "If I just had the time to".
Today I have started putting effort into ignoring that nasty beasts that try to steal my joy. I'm going to start living my life, and stop putting things off because I feel or think something else or someone else is keeping me from doing it.
If fact, in the last two days, we have tried 3 new recipes. One that was too similar to a recipe we already make, and therefore did not keep. I getting drawer knobs out to paint and install, I'm reading my Bible daily, I'm listening to inspirational Christian audio CD's and so much more.
Chocolate Ricotta Dessert - New Recipe Tried
I keep finding recipes for a dessert dish that involves Ricotta cheese. I couldn't believe it could taste good. So, after mixing a few ingredients, in my own version, we came up with this combination for a healthy treat.
1 - 30 oz. container of low fat Ricotta Cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend Ricotta cheese and powdered sugar in a food processor. Blend until creamy. Let your cheese warm to room temperature. Melt chocolate chips over a low heat and add to the mixture in the food processor. If you add the melted chocolate to the cheese while it is still cold from the refrigerator, it will cool and harden quickly, leaving tiny chunks in your mix. Chill in refrigerator.
You can also cut this recipe in half, however for a large family you will want to use the measurements above. This was a winner with all family members!
1 - 30 oz. container of low fat Ricotta Cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend Ricotta cheese and powdered sugar in a food processor. Blend until creamy. Let your cheese warm to room temperature. Melt chocolate chips over a low heat and add to the mixture in the food processor. If you add the melted chocolate to the cheese while it is still cold from the refrigerator, it will cool and harden quickly, leaving tiny chunks in your mix. Chill in refrigerator.
You can also cut this recipe in half, however for a large family you will want to use the measurements above. This was a winner with all family members!
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