"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.

Friday, December 13, 2024

Chit Chat ~ Nourishing Nail Oil


We paid our handy-man a partial payment the other day, and low and behold, he never showed up yesterday.  I did get some rest however.  One the of kids wanted to deliver something late, and they didn't show up until almost 8:30pm.  It may sound early to you, but when you are under the weather, it's early.

I've been drinking goldenrod tea, and taking our homemade Four Thieves Vinegar.  The Four Thieves seems to help the annoying cough that developed after everything else.  Thankfully, I have kombucha and other probiotics in stock too.

After speaking with someone who works for a hospital, if your "what feels like" a sinus infection is viral, they do not prescribe antibitiotics.  I'm watching my symptoms closely.   I also talked to someone locally who has the same symptoms, and they too, thought it was a sinus infection (from the severe early on miserable pressure).  It was not.  Again, watching myself closely, but things seem to be better overall (just not completely gone).


(photo from google)


Meanwhile, funny how the small stuff can make you feel so happy and at peace (maybe accomplished is the right word).  The UPS guy delivered a part I ordered for the refrigerator.  We replaced our refrigerator 10 years ago, when ours stopped working.  The kids literally broke the cheese/butter (slides up and down) plastic door at the onset.  I, at the time, was consumed with raising kids, that I didn't think to replace it, nor even thought I could.  It was just never registered on the "important list" or even the to-do list.

We got tired of the butter slices falling out every time we opened the refrigerator door.  I went online and ordered what I thought would be the right replacement door.  We both asked ourselves why we never thought to fix that issue. Wa-la, it fit perfect.  No more butter falling out.  

Other "to-do's" are being adding to the growing list, as I recover from this bug.  

You know what else I am hearing?  That some people are going to work sick, because they are out of sick days.  I guess I better work on my immune system if I want to get back to the stores again.  Sheesh.



From an old blog draft . . . 



I made some homemade nourishing fingernail oil (started using it on 11/13/24).  I realize my nails get a work out with outdoor work, and decided I needed to give it a try.  You can find many youtube videos on making this oil if you are interested. I hope to have an update post down the road.

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As for the current room repair project, we'll see if we can gain some progress today.  

I'm hoping to feel better very soon, as I am pretty sure my husband is tired of sandwiches.  I promised him a meatloaf dinner at the beginning of the week, and well, that did not happen.

Chit Chat ~ Nourishing Nail Oil © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Tidbits ~ Homemade "Vicks Vapo-Rub" (Mixed Oils)

It's a brisk -2°F windchill this morning (15°F).  The weatherman warned us.  Maybe it will kill off some germs.

I blame it on the weather, but my sinuses are a hot mess.  The pressure is so uncomfortable.  I am breaking out my herbal teas, my lavender eye pack (for headache relief) and ordered myself a headache ice pack wrap now.


I made homemade "Vicks Vapo-Rub" and this time around, I doubled the recipe, but used a combination of coconut oil and olive oil.  It came out to the perfect thickness, and made about 4 ounces.  

Note:  Allow it to completely cool.  Make sure the jars do not have a cardboard insert in the lid.  If you put the lids on too soon, you will have condensation on the inside of the lid which will cause your rub to go bad faster.  

The link will take you to the recipe, but as you know coconut oil becomes very solid when it's cold.  I have not tried making it with simply 1/8 cup coconut oil and 1/8th cup olive oil, but it should turn out the same (roughly 2 ounces).  I like that it's not rock hard, and will make it this way from now on.


I have not had any issues for years, and all the sudden wham!  I drank goldenrod tea I dehydrated this last fall, and it does help.  The second cup I drank, was infused with freshly grated ginger.

Tidbits ~ Homemade "Vicks Vapo-Rub" (Mixed Oils) © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart