"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.

Monday, June 5, 2023

Happy Homemaker Monday

 Although the weekend was another hot weekend, and no rain, most of the garden was tilled, and all the tomato plants were tied up.   I think we are on about day 15 of no rain here.

Sunday was our Monday.  Hubby worked, so I got most of my regular "Monday" stuff done already.

I worked up another hat pattern, but this time using some Red  Heart yarn I had, and I asked my husband for his opinion.  He said he did not like the "feel" of the yarn.  He preferred the Bernat yarn I used.  Do you all have a preference?  I have a lot of Red Heart in my stash.

By the way, the above pattern is free online from the Friendly Fox, called the Mountain Ridges Hat.  It uses more yarn, and is thicker than the last hat pattern I used.




Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Whelp, a possible rain this coming weekend.  We shall see.  It's going to be cool at night and highs in the high 70's or low 80's.  60% chance of rain Sunday.


As I look outside my window . . .

Honestly, it looks like it could rain.  It's dreary looking right now, but the sun is not up either.


Right now I am . . .

Making coffee, and posting this blog post.


Thinking and pondering . . .

Changing our watering sprinkler system next season.  Adding another house to water both areas at the same time would speed that job up.


Listening to . . .

80's rock


How I am feeling . . .

Just frustrated with my husband's long work hours.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Steel cut oats with apples/raisins/cinnamon


On the lunch plate . . .

Either chicken salad or a turkey/cheese sandwich


On the dinner plate . . .

Pork Chops, Beets


What I am wearing . . .

PJ's


On my reading pile . . .



On the TV this week . . .

A Simple Favour on Amazon Prime


On the menu . . .

-chicken salad (a new recipe from Mom's cookbook)
-crock pot pork chops, roasted oven beets with rosemary
-Apple/Pecan salads with chicken and roasted asparagus for a side

Looking around the house . . .

I still have a pile of craft supplies to donate.   I have more to go through though.


On the to-do list . . .

-water gardens
-purge another craft box
-muck coop (on any non-windy day here)


From the camera . . .



Devotional, Verse, Thoughts. . .



Sunday, June 4, 2023

Crocheted Washcloths ~ Review Over the Years

 

Ten years ago, I crocheted my first washcloth for selling at craft shows.  The photo above is from a camping trip in 2013 (that is a store bought black dishcloth to the right).  It's cotton, but over the years, it is not a favorite, and I stopped making them.  They where two thick, and too small, especially after several years of washing them.  




It was not a good selling item at the craft shows.  Ten years later I still have these in my inventory.   I still have 7 sets (one washcloth and one face "scrubbie").  The size is perfect for camping or traveling.  I know a friend who takes her own washcloth on vacation.  I got this pattern online for free, but her page is loaded with adds.  



Above 3 photos were taken a few days ago.  The bottom one is showing you how my first washcloths held up over the years.  It also shows how thick the stitches are, compared to the "make up" washcloths (most current pattern made).
 


2015


2017


Baby washcloths - 2017

I purchased some thinner yarn, that was going out of business and was never made again.  I made hand towels and washcloths for personal use, and some baby washcloths to sell.  They have held up over the years, but the baby washcloths did not sell.  My Mom bought them for using to wash up her grandkids, after a meal.  Mom was my best supporter.  Oh, and those were the only colors in that yarn they had in stock.  A yarn that takes up my stash space, so I may be looking into finding a way to use it up.


Current photo (2023)

Next, I made these to try them out.   I first made them in 2015.  They also held up, but too think and too big.  I feel they will be put to cleaning rags.  Also, these did not sell.


2022

I made, what's called, a "makeup" washcloth, using a new pattern and using black cotton yarn.  These, so far, are my favorite of all the tried and used crocheted washcloths.  They are just the right size, hide any black mascara stains, and dry fairly quickly.  The stitch creates a not-so-thick washcloth.

Sorry if this was a boring post ha ha!  I literally just came across them in the wash, and thought "man these are really holding up."  Thought it deserved a post.  Washcloths are also small projects, which are great to stitch up during hot summer days.