"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.

Thursday, January 14, 2021

January ~ A new beginning

I love January.  A new beginning for the year, a new start and it's the best time for me to deep clean.  I am more excited this year, as we are starting to update the flooring etc.  Most of you are excited to sit and read, relax and whatnot, but I can't do all my deep cleaning over spring, summer and fall.  There is simply too much work with the garden, as I am the only person on weekdays to work it.

We located some flooring on sale, but need to see if other stores have more of it.  My husband is super fired up and motivated now.  I'm so happy for that.

However, my house looks like a hot mess. Boxes of books in three rooms right now, ha ha!  I know it will all piece back together when we are done, but boy oh boy.

My hometown is starting to crack down even more regarding this virus.  It's becoming a less appealing town to visit anymore.  They also have their own mask mandate they continue to update.  It's so frustrating to shop there.  Okay, off my soapbox about that.

Back to my extreme clean.  While waiting on the flooring, I am purging my writing materials.  I have loads of file folders that I have not opened for 10-12 years. I know it's not something that they eye will see first, but doing it as it is much needed.

I also dumped out a drawer in the bathroom.  The kids have destroyed my organizing.  It's the drawer for things like chickweed salve, band-aids, medical tape etc.  Man it was a total mess.  Not really exciting news to post, but maybe I'll motivate someone to dump a drawer and clean it.

Although we recently canceled our out of state trip with biker friends (one has 5 stents), we are concentrating on in state travel for ourselves.  We don't want to be stuck in another state if anyone should get sick.  Anyway, short in state trips, including camping are our escapes.  We will not stop living our lives during all this going on in the world (hopefully it won't get worse).

No one answered my questions about planting mullein and comfrey in the same raised bed, so I guess I'll be doing some research this week.  With the lack of snow this spring, I'd like to get outside work started early on days it's warm enough.  Yesterday was a chilly 21°F in the morning.

On a last note, I weighed myself this morning.  Since we bought our first Harley, I have lost 48.6 lbs. I can't say my exercise was regular in 2020, but I'm back on track.  Just putting laundry on the line, I can rack up 10,000 steps on my fitbit too.



Here is a photo of my embellished Valentine's Day paper clips.  I have also made small flowers as well.  One year I made a set for all the kids for Valentine's day.


Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Tuesday Tidbits

I had to get back to the kitchen yesterday first.  I had dishes to deal with, books all over one table, and of course the meals for the day.

Dinner was beef stew (another change in the menu) in the crock pot.



Breakfast was a sweet potato and kale frittata.  I started that later, so I could get the stew in the crocky.  I used the last of our home grown sweet potatoes.

My husband started researching new flooring last night.  I'm praying we find enough of one type at a good price for the hallway.

I am not prepared for Valentine's day, as far as selling handiwork this year.  I just realized how close it is, and I have sold all the heart bookmarks, almost all the heart cup coasters, heart dishcloths etc.  I may have some embellished paperclips, but that is about it.  I'm not going to rush into making anything either.  If I get anything made, I will post it.  I didn't realize how much work I'd be doing just to prep the hallway to be ready for a facelift.  

My extreme clean pick was a dresser drawer.  I dumped it out, purged and re-organized it.

Update:  I just realized I posted this on a Wednesday, so think of it as yesterday's tidbits ha ha ha!