Pioneer Woman at Heart

I am loving the warmer weather.  It sure dries my laundry faster. I love the smell of bed sheets after they have been out on the clothesline.  I actually think it helps me sleep better too. Speaking of sheets, I had to wash my bedding this morning.  Not because I am trying to de-germ the house, but because the two younger girls got Milo (our rabbit) out of his cage and let him play on my bed this morning.  They gave him a newspaper to rip up and play with, but while they were laughing at his excitement, he left me a little present.  The girls are now cleaning my mattress - ha ha ha!  No resting in there for me today. I've gotten many "do's" this week from my 10 year-old daughter.  She wants to be a hair stylist when she grows up and she has been learning and practicing how to french braid my hair.  She's told me that I can't get more than 2 inches cut off, so she can continue to use me for practice.  I kind of enjoy it anyway....

  I am working on sprucing up my front porch.  Here is my new addition - a wooden porch sign.

I finished my hot pads.  These were fun to make.  I have been wanting to practice some cross stitch embroidery, and this was my chance.  I also used up some scrap material.  Hubby will be glad the "pile" is shrinking. I'll post the other pattern tomorrow.  I had to take another daughter to the doctor, who also ran a fever most of the day and night.  This crazy weather (80° one day and 50° the next) is most likely causing our bad allergy issues and the spread of viruses from their public school.   No baby goat(s) yet...my daughter said "any day now."

It was a much colder day here on Monday. Brr!  Temperatures dropped about 20-30 degrees from Friday's temperature. Monday is my all-out cleaning day, but I had to shampoo a few carpets (thanks to some naughty cats).  I'll have to finish the rest of the house later this week.  However, I was able to get about 4 loads of laundry done, including some of the goodies I bought over the weekend.  Here are a few more items I got:     Here is the sewing box I found at an antique mall.  It's not stained and in great condition. And because it wouldn't be right to return home without some "bling" (ha ha!) I bought this snazzy pair of pink dangles for $5.00 (also from the antique store).

I don't think my husband will ever let me crochet in the car again. He he!  We ended up going South vs. East over the weekend, and we had to stop to get directions.  I trusted myself with my travel journal, and we accidentally, missed the correct exit.  However, it was all good.   This guy wasn't in a hurry to leave, so he's in my photo (sorry guy).  See that cabinet in the truck?  This is all a funny story.   We saw this antique store, once we were on the right road to our location.  We decided to stop and have a "look-see."  While we were shopping, and oohing and ahhhing the entire time, this guy came in to buy that large cabinet you see in the truck.  There were two women working, and they were on their phones attempting to get this guy help, but no one was available.  Hubby overheard, and offered to help.  Thankfully, he was there to help him out.  This was in Centerberg, Ohio.  So if you ever get the...

Have you ever wondered where the phrase "tea time in Tanganyika" came from?  I have yet to find out. It's a saying my Dad used to ask me when I got overwhelmed, frustrated, or just plain upset about something.  He'd ask me, "is it tea time in Tanganika?" and I would profess to him "yes!" Wednesday's "tea time" reminded me of those days, although I was not overwhelmed and frustrated. Having tea on the porch has been a long time enjoyment.  A lot of memories have been, and are, created there.   A view on my porch   A view from my porch. . . ... another view from my porch

Although I had a few errands to run, I pretty much took the rest of the day "off" for once.  I didn't even cook.  We enjoyed leftovers - spaghetti and corn on the cob.  I took the afternoon to catch up on reading and writing both.  Getting "rejections" isn't my problem right now.  I haven't sent out enough to receive rejections.  However, this book is very inspiring and contains many writing exercises.  Even the barn cats joined me for a relaxing afternoon on the front porch.  Those jelly beans you see in the photo are made in the USA, do not contain high fructose syrup, and contain real fruit juice.  A girl has to have candy once in a while.