Pioneer Woman at Heart

Just to warn you, there are a lot of pictures in this post.  I guess I'm making up for lack of posts, but we had a very fun, amazing, spontaneous three state, 3 night vacation.  It was perfect and took our minds off anything we didn't need to be thinking about.   However, everywhere we went, they either lacked employees, were closed on Monday due to lack of help, or the employees were telling us that they can't get anyone to work due to the status of unemployment in these states.  Anyway, we still found things to do and see. First, we rented a lake house for a few nights with a hot tub. Driving around trying to figure out what to do on day two, my husband found an adventure park.  We rented this and our guide was in his in front of us.  We had walkie-talkies to talk back and forth on.  My husband has driving experience with these, and it was an hour and a half of full blown fun.  We left covered in mud, but it was so worth it. After that we d...

A bit worried about the early asparagus, lilacs and violets, I re-checked the weather.  We'll dip in the upper 30's, but thankfully not low enough for a frost or freeze. The warmer April weather has also brought our ornamental apple trees into bloom.   My green onions are doing great but some nettle is crowding it out.   It's the worst this year.  I pulled some chickweed too, but left some for a fresh salad next week.  I want to dig the entire herb garden out and re-do it, but I'll painstakingly wait another year. The purple dead nettle can be used like my stinging nettle in teas, but this year I learned you can also use it in a poultice like plantain.  I also found a new recipe I may try ( uses purple dead nettle ). I started out with a much less work day.  The dishes were done, laundry done, breakfast and dinner all taken care of....porch time came first due to rain moving in later in the afternoon with thunderstorms. I have a new recipe to...

  More pretty blooms are coming up. We are getting lilacs this year (unless the upcoming freeze kills it again like last year). Wild violets are coming up early this year. Asparagus is coming up early this year too, so I hopped out to my beautiful garden and weeded it.  I can see what needs covered if covering is needed.  So excited to be in the garden for once. A woodpecker built a home in the tree that my clothesline is attached to.  It comes out and gives me heck when I use the line now. I finished the order for 2 scrubbies using the scrubby yarn from Red Heart. Where I spent most of my day.  So far no rain either.  The wind has picked up this morning, but no rain yet.

  There is literally nothing much going on this week.  I spent most of yesterday outside.  The weather got up to the 80's!  Woohoo to that.  While I took time to crochet on the porch, this beautiful bird came for a visit.  When it flies, the blue wings are so beautiful!  I did some research, and I think it may be a bluebird.  Does anyone know? Just curious. We are still enjoying leftovers for dinner.  Today will finish the all up though (Daughter K is taking them to work for her dinner).  I made a breakfast casserole yesterday, but have no idea what to do for dinner.  Maybe grill out since the weather is nice again, with rain moving in later this evening. Although it's tempting to start weeding flower beds and such, I do think it's a bit early yet.  If the temps drop, the leaves give my herb garden protection.  My green onions are looking pretty good right now. I received on order for two dish scrubbers.  I haven't us...

  Two different sunrises from last week. Our tiny town library is having a book sale.  Wow, they have a lot for sale this time.  However, after my big purge, I will not be going.  I love book sales too.  They are something fun to do for a day.  Nope.  Not this gal.  Maybe if there was a specific book I was looking for, but for now will stay away, ha ha! I spent the day cleaning and forgot that I needed a breakfast baked.  We don't lack leftovers for dinner, but we have nothing for breakfast per say.  I have eggs, but will see about whipping something up today. We are to get up to close to 80°F today.  Can you believe that?  No, I am not cleaning flower beds or the garden just yet, but hope to enjoy some porch time today.

Saturday I got these two made and really spent the day on the porch after that.  It was somewhat nice out, sun was shining, and my husband and I played cards on the porch.  First day off work in 2 weeks. Easter Sunday we finished up the rest of the feast, played more cards, and took off on the Harley and delivered my Mom an Easter meal.  My husband helped cook on Sunday. It was absolutely perfect riding weather.  Just what the both of us needed. Instead of the usual green bean casserole, I made BBQ green beans, using home grown green beans and home canned ketchup.  So good! Work called my husband Easter Sunday.  He, thankfully, did not answer the call.                                                      Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I will link up when she posts.  I have tons of dishes...

  Friday I did some Easter meal prep . . . Cooked bacon for crock pot BBQ green beans. Baked carrot cake. Made roll dough. Made pineapple pie.  Just have to top it with whipped cream. Guess who was up at the crack of dawn?  Me.  My husband got the weekend off, but forgot to shut off his 5:30am alarm. Hopefully our cold weather days are done now.  We are to gradually warm up again. Something I noticed at the grocery store - the water refill station is now open again.  They have had it closed for a year.  It's easier and cheaper to get water by the gallon in another location, but sometimes it's more convenient at the store.  So happy to see that. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!