"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.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

What's Growing in Early March

 Once again, weather is all over the map these past few days.  First the rain moved back in, and now they say we may see snow flurries.  Winter is still hanging around.



A few scant tulips the moles did not eat.


Lots of different daffodils and hyacinths.



Chives in the herb garden.


More daffodils.




Green onions in the herb garden.


Bunching onions.

Yarrow.

Fall planted garlic.  It's under wire to protect it from rodents that might find it tasty.  Once it's up, we'll remove the screen.

I did not get a photo of my peppermint and spearmint (in pots), but I'm hoping they will spring back to life.  I'm almost out dehydrated spearmint for tea making.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Local Eats ~ Book Goals ~ Sweet Energy Treat

 

The sun finally made an appearance!  Boy it was nice.  I got out of the house and got a few smallish errands done.  The library was first, but I also made a visit to the local orchard.  The only thing we needed was local honey, but I picked up some locally made apple cider and some red delicious apples that were on sale.  I'm thinking apple oatmeal breakfast bake, pork chops and apples, and more.

I also made a trip to a Dollar General, but for specific things, and to price check (to see if digital coupons were worth it).  I did notice that they have kitchen sponge/scrubbers and cleaning brushes in two different locations in the store. One had them at $1.00 each, and the other area had them more expensive.  

I stocked up on kitchen sponges, cleaning brushes (they come in handy for cleaning chicken watering units, the bathtub, and other things), and some very inexpensive toothbrushes for cleaning purposes.  I keep a few toothbrushes in my cleaning caddy for smaller space/area cleaning.

As for the digital coupons with Dollar General, I am on the fence so to speak.  I'm going to price check a few things, but for now I am not signing up.


I'm on a roll with reading through my bookshelf books this year.  I am still using the library, but for non-fiction books mostly.  I like to help keep them in business.

Anyway, I was able to start this book on the porch, although the sun was out, the wind was a bit chilly.   After talking to my husband, I think I bought this book a few years ago at an antique store, that had a book seller.  It just got put in a hidden location when we started ripping carpet out to repair floors and joists.  Well, the book  was found, and I'm almost halfway through it already.

Energy bites.  They are light and delicious.  I have made so many different recipes for these, but after buying some while in Amish country, reading the ingredients, and trying to find a copycat recipe, we did.  The ones sold in Amish country are much denser (thickly rolled), and have a few more ingredients.  

These were a bit tricky to roll, but after cooling the ingredients in the fridge first, they rolled up nicely.  They are light, not dense, and boy are they good.  I may even cut back on the mini chocolate chips.  The recipe is online at Gimme some Oven - No-Bake Energy Bites.  I adapted the recipe with organic/non-gmo ingredients.

I plan to make the energy bites this summer, and put some in the freezer, to have on hand for hot work days in the garden.