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.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
This and That
Monday, December 19, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
In with the new....remote control too. Simple, farmstead style, and we can control the fan for winter or summer (will work either direction). My husband and I took the old one out, put together the new one, and he re-wired it. The top still needs hooked to the ceiling, but it's in working order.
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Homemade Lip Balm
Homemade lip balm has been made. I originally made it with calendula infused oil, but now make it with lemon balm infused oil, plus essential oils.
Instead of buying the holder to hold up the tubes, I just wrap a few with rubber bands, and it works great. I save the rubber bands from any mail delivery. I also use a can, washed and dried (from chickpeas/beans etc.). I bend a "spout" for easy pouring.
I did not write down the source for my recipe, but there is one on Mountain Rose Herbs online, and many other recipes to use online. Trust me, it took some work to get the binder out of my office, ha ha! I'm just glad this is done. I use the lip balm all the time.
I try to keep notes on my recipes. I had written this makes 10, but I got 9 tubes. I guess it will depend on tube size. Anyway, the benefits of growing medicinal herbs.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Flooring Snafu and Tidbits
I spent most of my morning making a breakfast casserole with dandelion greens, but guess what while it was baking?
The new flooring did not work with our floor. As well as a new level floor was, this flooring was not working (thin, and locking side would not stay locked).
It was all taken out, and our handy man went home. New flooring was picked up, so we will find out this weekend if it will work better. It's thicker, and actually less expensive.
The rain arrived last night as expected, and it's is to rain all day long. The weatherman says, "do not let this rain fool you." A winter storm is on the way.
My few outdoor tasks today are halted, but I have plenty to do inside today. It's still not feeling like Christmas at all. I can say though, I'm glad I'm not running around crazy busy baking and cooking this year.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
This and That
I ended up cooking eggs for breakfast, using my English muffin rings. I cooked bacon as well for sandwiches.
Monday, December 12, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
The weekend was a long work weekend. The walls in the living room are completely painted, the trim is almost done (we literally ran out of steam and time on Sunday), and the gas heater line goes in this week.
The walls are a light gray, and the floor trim is not getting painted to match the windows.We put grave pillows on Mom and Dad's graves. We picked up salt for the water softener, and I could not believe how high the price is right now.
My husband was called away for several hours, so that put us behind in painting the floor trim. A nephew is having electrical issues, and he went to help. However, for the family's safety, he plans to go back and re-wire their house.
It doesn't even feel like Christmas here. We've already told our broke kids to not buy us anything for Christmas. Once the house is in order (could be late January at this rate), we will have them over for a meal.
39/28°F, and we dip down to the 20's this weekend.
It's the same gloomy skies.
Right now I am . . .
Making another pot of coffee, getting ready to fry some eggs. I'm thinking egg/cheese/bacon breakfast sandwiches.
Thinking and pondering . . .
Wondering when we'll finally get done with the living room ha ha!
How I am feeling . . .
A bit frustrated. The hardware store sold our flooring, but no matching transition pieces. We had to order it online, and that puts us, once again behind.
Listening too. . .
Radio.
On the breakfast plate. . .
Ezekiel bread with peanut butter, coffee.
What I am wearing . . .
Painting clothes for now.
On the reading pile . . .
Nothing. It's halted for now.
On the TV . . .
Whatever we find on regular TV.
On the menu . . .
For once, I have no idea. Possibly thawing some fish.
Looking around the house . . .
The same - hot mess.
On the to-do list . . .
-make a breakfast
-laundry
From the camera . . .
When we drove to the cemeteries, a passing truck threw a rock up and cracked our windshield. One more thing to repair now. It's about a 5 inch circle. We are thankful it did not go all the way thru, as it would have hit me most likely.
What I am creating . . .
I started the blanket order. I am just waiting on one more yarn order.
Devotional, Bible Verse. . .
I literally can't get into my books, and I cannot wait until everything is back in it's place. Prayers for my friend Dean, whose mother fell and broke her hip. She has had surgery, so prayers for a quick and healthy recovery.
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Weather ~ Yarn Prices ~ Painting Update
The weather is moving colder again, and the entire week has been nothing but gloomy days. It's been dark, cloudy, rainy, and now snow showers.
Unfortunately, all the resources for yarn online, have once again raised their prices. I'm holding off for a sale, but geeze, this is getting ridiculous.
Windows are now painted, other than the very tippy top. Those will be finished today.
I checked in at the Museum gift shop (where some of my handiwork is sold), and they are pretty well stocked. I found out they are closing at the end of December for a month. I will have plenty of winter time to restock items.
We also picked up grave pillows I had someone make. We did a barter for that, which was nice. Not sure when we can deliver those yet. The weather is an issue as well, and we are on a time line to get the rest of the painting done.
Oh, and as far as the flooring goes for the living room, we found out (should have checked sooner), that our hardware store does not carry the transition piece to match the flooring. So now we are delayed even longer. The flooring can go in, but seriously, why carry flooring with no matching transition piece? She even checked a sister store. Nope.
December is a pretty busy month for us - our baby girl turns 21 this year, we are approaching our wedding anniversary, then there is Christmas, followed by New Year's Eve party. Goodness, life needs to slow down right now.