This and That

 It's February, so there is not much activity going on here at the homestead.  Not even home repairs at the moment.  Weather is the cause with freezing rain and bad roads.  Weather continues to jump all over the map.  We still need a trip for home repair supplies.  The freezing rain put a thick layer of ice on everything over night last night.  

My entire day was just changed thanks to the ice covered roads.  If we lived in town, it would be a different story, but we live in the country.  Nothing is just a hop, skip and jump to get to. 

You get blessed with a rambling sort of post today.

I've made a bit of progress on the blue and white baby blanket.  I haven't really devoted much time to it lately.  I do need to verify her due date, so I can get this finished in time.

My intention this month, was to work in the utility room (purging first), while our affordable hired hand, worked in another area with wall repairs/painting, and stairway work, but that is changing.

We have once again have to locate a new handyman.  Until we locate another reliable, and trusted person, the repair work falls on us, and when we can work on it.

The beauty of having a local library, is that you can borrow free books and movies.  Of course libraries offer more than that, but I love that I can borrow a book to see if it is worthy to buy as a guide for our adventures with nature.  I have ordered us more movies on DVD and more non-fiction books.  I'm still waiting on some DVD's we ordered via the free library inter-loan program.

I love tea samples.  I have already tried the British Black Tea.  Yum.  I have yet to try the other one yet. I can't remember how I got them, but I will be enjoying them.

A purchase for the camper.  It is a foldable drying rack that can hang on a door, or for instance, the back of a camper to dry kitchen/bath towels etc. outside the camper.  We can also bring it indoors to use in the house on rainy or wintery days.

A few new items from the Dollar Tree - notepad and magnetic bookmarks.  The notepad is convenient for short list days, and not a sticky type notepad.  I shared some bookmarks with one of the kids.  They are great for traveling books or on-the-go reading.

Speaking of bookmarks, do you prefer a flat bookmark or have you ever used or purchased a crocheted bookmark?  Or have you been gifted a crocheted bookmark?  Do you use it?  Like it?  Prefer not to use it, due to it's thickness?

The "blind date" puzzle has been opened. The puzzle is not a new puzzle.  We were surprised at this, as the clerk never advertised this at the store, and didn't say anything.  We literally paid a higher price for it, but apparently, because the puzzle is an art portrait from a famous artist.  The box was falling apart, so we had to tape the sides and ends to re-box it later.   I am hoping all the pieces are there, but we'll find out.  The pieces are smaller, and not uniform to size.  I see a headache instead of relaxation.  Should be interesting.  I may, or may not, be back with an updated photo.

Don't panic if you don't see a post for a week or so.  Again, it's February, ha ha!  Winter at it's best. I may be trying a few recipes, we have doctor appointments to check off our calendar, and now my husband is not feeling well (adding another doctor appointment to the list).  I really want to tackle the home repairs, so we'll see if anything happens in that department, along with more installation of new shelf liner put in three other areas of the house.  Not to mention, if we get a break in the weather, I need to muck the chicken coop.

This and That  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Waterfall/hiking Trip that turned Shopping

First Feb 2025 blog post.

We took a spontaneous few days away, and the funny part is, that it was to go to see a waterfall area, and do some hiking.  We were looking forward to some time with nature.  Mother Nature did not cooperate however.  

The weather on the day before we visited the falls, was 55°F, but raining.  The day we drove to the falls, the weather dipped to 25°F and the water was frozen, so we never left the vehicle, never hiked, and I did not even take a photo, ha ha!  We plan to go back when the water is flowing, and actually do some hiking.

The getaway was not a loss.  We had no idea we'd visit two different apothecaries, and we also found two health stores.  I was able to restock vitamin E oil, and castor oil.

First apothecary we visited (newly opened last fall).  Loved this store, but because it is new, the selections were meh. Nothing sold in bulk (like herbs).

The second apothecary we visited (maybe a 30 minute drive from the other one).  The store setting is pretty neat, but prices are a bit high, and to access the store, you go down two short stairways, so the store is more of a basement, and lighting is dark.  The store did have a lot more salves, medicinal oils, etc. for healing and such.  I probably won't go back, to this one, as we can buy bulk herbs (when needed and now grown) at another store in an Amish community area, at much better prices.

I purchased a "first aid" kit they sold (they make everything they sell in the way of salves, infused oils etc.), so I can try a few of the salves in it, and determine if we could use them in our medicinal arsenal (or if some would make nice gifts).  I have most of the ingredients listed on each salve, so it shouldn't be too hard to make them myself either.

Both stores would get more business if they invested in selling fresh growing herb plants, or even medicinal plant seeds.  We visited a store with live plants a few years ago, but they lacked everything else.

There were so many unique shops to peruse, and that we did.  It was fun to window shop, but we did make a purchase at one of the shops.  There was a section in the store where they sold blind date books for all ages.  The books are wrapped up so you do not know the book until you you are home and open it.  They do give you a few clues on the front.  They also sold "blind date" puzzles.  Of course we had to purchase one.  We'll be opening it soon.

We saw handmade items in many of the shops as well, and both of us were happy to see a leather store still in business, with affordable prices.

 (Leather stores in the Amish area are so highly priced it's unbelievable.)   

The gentleman working there, who crafted everything in his store, still made hair pieces that you cannot find anywhere anymore.  I had to bring a few home.

My husband purchased a new belt.  I didn't get many photos of the store, but he made everything from holsters to horse saddles, Christmas ornaments, bracelets, and more. 

By the way, one gift shop had so many unique handmade items, and I did see hand crocheted dishcloths (I am always intrigued on their prices and quality), and thin dish scrubbies made from "scrubby" yarn.  They were being sold for $5.99 (dishcloths), and $4.99 (thin dish scrubbies).  With the rise in yarn costs, I'm thinking I should have raised my own prices back in 2022, but then again, it did not look like there were many being sold in the store either.

Not to get off the subject, but I did reach out to sell my knitted dishcloths at a local area store, and was told they did not sell well (actually two places told me that).

Our hotel room had a poolside balcony, which was not in the description when we booked our room.  A fun benefit, but we did not even use it.  The air in the pool room was hot and humid.  To be honest, I'm not sure what the purpose of it was for, but very different for a hotel room.

Let's talk road trip snacks.  He he, I tend to go way overboard in regards to this part of road trips.  We were spontaneous with this trip, so I was unable to pre-plan the snacks.  My husband was delighted, as I often bring way too many with us.  Of course you need fresh fruit right?  Not this trip, ha ha.  I had meant to grab a few clementine's, but forgot.

We left with some mixed nuts, and light cheese sticks.  However, the hotel offered free breakfast, and they had boiled eggs for us to enjoy.  I put a few in a coffee cup and added that to our road trip snacking on our way home.  They even had individual salt packets.

Are you an extreme, road trip snack packer?

I also pack a yarn project and a book.  The book got some reading time miles, but I picked a yarn project involving #10 cotton thread, and a tiny crochet hook.  The roads were up and down and full of curves, so next time, I will plan a better on-the-road project, ha ha!

Something funny to share.  During our trip, we were taken on many back roads to get here and there.  The gas station we stopped at to re-fuel, did not have a public restroom (and this was not on a country road either).  We got back on the road and stopped at a Dollar General and this was the key to the restroom.  I laughed all the way to the restroom, and laughed as I took the key back.  I told the clerk "Thanks, ha ha ha ha!  That made my day!!"  What a chuckle to see a cat pooper scooper keychain. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!  

The weather went to rain and slush on our drive home, and one of the windshield wipers broke not long after we were on our way home.  We were on country roads, so GPS took us 16 miles off of our route, just to find an auto parts store (that was also open).  Guess how much it cost to replace just one wiper? 

It cost us $40.00 for one new wiper.  Ridiculous, but we were back in business to get home safely.

We are are re-fueled, as travel reduces any stress, and gives us renewed energy, giving us more motivation to achieve goals, and tackle "life."

The suitcase is unpacked, and it's back to life at home and work.  More garden planning is underway, list making for home repair supplies continues to grow, and the weather is all over the map again.

The start of February begins, and I do not plan on wasting away any of the days.  Clinking our coffee cups, in a toast to end morning procrastination (for me anyway). 

Do you do any day or weekend trips involving nature during winter?  It's a bit iffy in our parts, as weather is unpredictable.  We are now heading into freezing rain weather, and a "weather alert" day as they all it.  Spikes remain on my outdoor boots for now.

Waterfall/hiking Trip that turned Shopping  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart