Homestead and Handiwork Happenings

We started December with some chilly weather - low -4 (windchill) 6°F/High 27°F.  The coldest weather for early December since 1976.  According to weather authorities.  We've been as low as -8°F this month.  Now we are melting away into the 50's by tomorrow with a lot of rain.  Crazy, crazy winter weather for sure.

Surgery went well.  Thank you all for your prayers, good vibes, positive mojo and good thoughts.  I am in recovery mode, which oddly feels very strange for someone who is on the go most days.  

One kiddo visited to help out, and stayed the night, and I really appreciated the help. She did some driving for us, cooked and even cleaned.  Very thankful for her help.

Not to worry.  I am listening to my doctor/nurses.  I'm not able to exercise like I typically do daily, but my brain is getting a super dose of "brain" activities.

On top of a new puzzle, and a 132 new word search book (my first), crochet also continues.  I have one crochet item to share soon, but waiting on Amazon to deliver the final item to finish it.   I am also revisiting my long lost interest in writing.  There may be a submitted entry (small, but a start) in the near future.  I think my husband is more excited about this venture being revisited, but I am too.

I had purchased glass jars with wooden spoons, for easy access for my evening tea, and I'm so glad I did.  You have no idea how much you "lift" in a day, until you are told to not lift certain things.

The yarn order I sent out a few weeks ago, for another last minute hand crocheted gift, is on back order.  Seems fitting right now, ha ha!

As for some good news, one of our girls has learned to bake bread, and baked bread for the very first time (yeast rise bread).  One has learned to cook one of the family holiday dishes, and I am beyond proud of them.  Kids today, do not cook, nor are they interested in getting back to the basics in the kitchen, and we are so thrilled they are learning.

My rosemary and chive plants are still alive, but the rosemary looks iffy.  I am doing my best to win this battle to keep it alive all winter.  Lemon balm continues to sprout, but it does much better outdoors in the summer.  I had to replant a few seeds.

Homestead and Handiwork Happenings  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Winter Homestead Happenings

 There has been no more snowfall this very chilly day, and by chilly I mean a wind-chill of 14 degrees.  Snow is on the ground, but no more snow in the forecast for now anyway.  It's slippery out for sure.

My lovely ladies have started to lay again, after a much shorter (but still long) molting hiatus, compared to last fall.  They love their new coop.  They have more room, more roosts, more light and more protection from the predators.  It only took us 3 years to complete it ha ha!  Photos to share soon.  We are actually considering on keeping the old coop and using it for the actual "brooder" now.  We'll be adding more ladies to the clan, so we'll figure that out sooner than later.

I have not made all of our gardening plans for 2026, but I am putting in an order for some herb garden seeds.  

The rosemary and chive plants I brought indoors are still alive, but the rosemary is looking iffy (crossing my fingers, saying a prayer).  

I needed to purchase more amber bottles, as I have gifted so many of my own over the years, that we were completely out.  They will be used for strained extracts, tinctures, and infused oils.

I have added one book to our homesteading bookshelf.  I have a few more in my sights.  I'll get a photo of it for you soon.

I put out an offer to barter with anyone local that cans jelly.  I have the ingredients and a recipe, but due to doctor's orders, I am unable to can right now (lifting restrictions, which will seem forever for me, but temporary for a few months).  I had hoped to barter the ingredients for the jelly, but even one nearby acquaintance said "no" to the offer.

Prayer requests. . .

I typically do not share something like this, but I know there are many prayerful blog followers here, so if you don't see a post very soon, I am having surgery soon.  Lifting will be restricted even more after that during recovery.  I may drive my husband crazy, because if you you follow my blog, you know I do not "sit" around.  I will not be able to make or take a grave blanket to either of my parents graves this December, but will plan to go in the spring with new flowers.  Our other dilemma is how to get the snow shoveled and plowed.  We'll figure it out.

Also, prayer request for a friend Lisa B, who her husband just lost his job so they have no health insurance.  She is due to have a surgery next Feb.

Winter Homestead Happenings  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart