"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.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Raised Beds and other tidbits (okay mostly deep cleaning updates)

Question for those who grow medicinal herbs in raised beds - can I grow comfrey and mullein in the same bed?  Or should they be in their own raised bed?

Another question?  Is there a difference in planting white or black horehound?  Which is better to plant for medicinal purposes?

I've been busy beautifying the homestead, and so grateful I am out of my depressing "funk" I was in.  I can't believe I didn't do any of this work last year when I was "stuck" at home.  Anyway, I think my husband is happy, other than spending the money (ha ha!) on new flooring and possibly more paint. I'm looking forward to shopping for the flooring.

I haven't had much handiwork time, but I hope to get a handiwork post go up soon.  Last nights dinner was changed to chicken breast and home canned mustard pepper sauce, over red quinoa (what I had), and a side of garden green beans.  I needed something easy, as it took the entire day up until 1pm to go through and remove all the books on the other bookshelf.  Oh my.  I had spiritual growth/prayer journals, several that were new empty journals (note to self: do not buy more), and even found my review for work when I went to Argentina.  I asked one daughter if I should just throw it out, read it and throw it out or what.  She couldn't decide either.  I hate to come across things like this. 

I had a stack of magazines that needed to be read through and then off they go too.  I have so many folders from my freelance writing days (haven't done much in years).  I need to pull each file and go through them now.  

I still have 2 full boxes of binders I need to go through.  One I already decided was completely going in trash - stuff that was outdated and binder falling apart.  I filled two boxes of books to donate.  Felt great to get done.  



I also have this oversized book.  Why oh why I bought it when it's that big and difficult to put on a shelf.  

While putting my Bibles in a box, I told my daughter that was home, I have a Bible in Spanish!  I was about to put it in the donation box, but flipped to the very end and it was signed by Mom as a Christmas present way back in the day when my sister and I at the time, were going to Spain and Africa with a class trip.  I'm on the fence, but I won't use it.  I think it will have to go.  

Speaking of Mom, she is deep cleaning too, but I told her I will only take her boxes if she doesn't send anything back in them ha ha ha!

Good news!  The chickens are using the new nesting box, but Thelma insists on laying in the feeder.  

Monday, January 11, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday



The sun was shining bright Sunday.  Woot!  We got outside for more wood cutting and splitting.  My husband also did some updates on one daughter's car (changed wires), while I emptied a bookshelf, dusted it and moved it to the living room corner.  I have a box getting filled to donate to the thrift store soon too.  

My husband built me this many years ago and I love it!  I just have to dust the screens on it, but love it.  I am now in the process of purging more books, dusting them off and putting them back on the shelves.  I came across some of my freelance work, and that got me to sort for an entirely new organizing project.  So glad I am doing this.  You would not believe the dust behind that bookshelf.  Hasn't been moved in 12 years.  I have one more larger bookshelf to empty, move, vacuum, dust etc and then go look at flooring for the hallway.



So, Thelma got an F on using the nesting box.  If they pick up on it, they'll get another roost installed soon.  Next time I go to town, I'll pick up a wooden egg to put in there too.




Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
I'll link up when she posts today.  Gotta get moving early today.

The weather outside is . . .

37°F/28°F, sunny


On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea yet.


As I look outside my window . . .

It's dark and dreary. Not like the sunshine we had the last two days.


Looking around the house  . . .

I have about 4 boxes of books to purge and put away today, and get those boxes re-filled with more from the hallway.  I still have Christmas stuff that one daughter needs to put away (her decor). 


What I am wearing today . . .

PJ's, bathrobe and slippers as I post today.


Currently reading . . .

Nothing.  Just purging books I won't use or read again.


On the TV this week . . .

Anything we can get on Netflix.  Our internet hasn't been that great for wifi lately.


On the menu . . .

-Enchilada Casserole, steamed broccoli

-Homemade pizza with garden veggies

-Walleye, veggie and homemade tarter sauce using home canned sweet pickle relish

-Mexican bean soup, cheese sandwiches 


On the to-do list today and this week . . .

-order medicinal seeds

-master bath

-finish sorting books, dust and put back on bookshelf I moved

-start boxing books on the other bookshelf, sorting as I go

-get to town for errands

-start inquiring about flooring for the hallway (we are installing it ourselves for this job)


From the camera . . .

Yikes!  I have nothing.  I've been working more than playing lately.


Prayers, Inspirational Quotes, Devotionals . . .