Pioneer Woman at Heart

Flipping the three switches  (heat lamp and fan) on in for my morning shower, is like flipping jetliner engine switches. My chicken coop is a pigsty this winter.  Can't wait for a warm/dry day to clean it for them. Seeing a low supply of cut/split wood is like a baby about to have a crying fit. Putting on aloe infused snowman slipper socks is like being given the ticket to pretend you are snowed in, curl up with a book, blanket and candles lit (which oddly my even happen today). Receiving a hand written letter in the mail is like receiving a surprise gift. Waking up to a clean kitchen is like sunshine on my face.  There is no sunshine in my face this morning.  Daughter got a bored and baked cupcakes (not that we need them), and promised to clean her dishes.  Didn't happen.  I hope her boyfriend's family likes cupcakes.  She made a lot. Applying nail polish in winter is like buying a new purse - fun, exciting, relaxing, something for me, whi...

A batch of good 'ol hummus.  I had some non-gmo tahini that needed used up, and we are eating a good amount of garlic right now.  Too many people getting sick. Breakfast frittata - homemade sausage (organic lean pork with home grown seasonings) and dandelions from the freezer. Roasted dinner with a twist (adding asparagus vs. corn on the cob). Grain free fruit/nut bars - King Arthur Flour recipe (available online).  Amazingly good and healthy.  I didn't have shredded coconut, so I used chopped macadamia nuts and swapped peanut butter for the almond butter. Made my first no knead, no yeast sandwich bread - low carb too.  It doesn't rise as much as yeast bread, but it tastes great for a sandwich bread.  I found the recipe online (Low Carb Sandwich Bread).  It uses almond flour and coconut flour.  Now my husband can have an egg salad sandwich again, and PB & J, or Tuna or chicken sandwich.  I had all the exact ingredien...

It seems like winter is slow this year.  Maybe it's being tucked inside all day long.  I don't know.  If your wondering why your are getting odd/silly or boring posts.....well, it is winter. It is a good time to work on UFO's, clean and purge though.   I've been contemplating some outings for a day here and there, but so much needs to be done on the "to-do" list here.  First, we are putting one big job on the weekend list - install a new pellet stove.  I'm gonna push on that.  We really need it done.  The electric bill is killing our finances.  It'll be a big job for the two of us.   Everything we are doing, or need to do this winter is based on what the weather is on the weekends.  They are predicting rain/snow/wind this coming Sat.  Sunday may be cold. UFO - FINISH!   My long time followers will remember this fabric.  It showed up again, and this time I got the ends sewed for a tablecloth....

....from the gratitude journal  Five things that made me happy (yesterday): 1. music, it's pretty boring without it 2. Romeo, he's such a good dog and offers his love  3. Getting things organized.  Makes me feel awesome. 4. Leftovers - soup beans were so good and I didn't have to cook, so I got a bit more done 5. Slippers.  They keep my tootsies warm while indoors. ....from the wine tasting journal  Tried a new Pinot.  Expensive, but not that great as far as taste.  I use wine label removers to remove the label and then it goes in my wine tasting journal. .....from the inspirational quote journal “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ―  Maya Angelou Nothing has gone into my "book reading journal" just yet.  I need to finish that book first.

I wanted to share a clip from a newspaper that my oldest brother shared with me.  I do take out warmer water this time of year.  I am going to try the suggestion for feeding them - lighter in the am, and heavier in the pm, and see how it goes.  I'll let you know if the egg production changes for the better.  I do believe they need a break after long summer, but having some eggs would be nice too.  We got one egg yesterday.

Friday I started my morning by paying bills, doing laundry and posting items up for sale on my Rooster's Crow Farm (handiwork) blog. Our weekend weather was not just wacky, it was insane.  We had 60 degree weather Saturday with pouring down rain, and thunderstorms, and today we woke up to "feels like 23°F" and snowing. I used some frozen garden pumpkin puree to make dog treats for Romeo.  I'll use more for pumpkin soup, pumpkin hummus, pumpkin pancakes or waffles, pumpkin BBQ sauce and pumpkin/sage macaroni (using Jovial Einkorn noodles).  What else do you use your pumpkin puree for?  Besides pumpkin bread or a dessert? Homemade bruschetta, using the leftover mix from the chicken dinner.  By the way, I bought a new basil plant now, so we will have plenty next time I need fresh basil.  Yum! My new kitchen shelving arrived.  I am replacing a wooden stand with metal and on wheels.  I can easily move it to sweep and mop under...

I was asked to explain our daughter's Hope Chest.  I do not have an actual "chest" in which items go into, but they go into storage bins. A Hope Chest simply refers to preparing your child for independent life.  To us, it doesn't mean simply "marriage" but independent life, and have a good start for it. (not my photo) There is actually a book written about the Hope Chest, and suggestions.  I used to own this book, but passed it on to a friend years ago. We don't want our kids going broke, when it's time to leave the "nest" so I try to add to their stash quite often.  The first three to move out even had boxes of homemade Christmas ornaments for their own, first Christmas trees away from home. (Made with scraps of cotton year leftover from knitting dishcloths and other items). I recently added a scrap rug to our youngest's daughter's "Hope Chest" along with a few Christmas ornaments.  I also added a s...