Pioneer Woman at Heart

  Our mailbox has been taken over by earwigs.  Never, in all the years here, have we had this happen.  I read about making traps, by rolling toilet paper roll over a pen, and stapling one end to trap them.  They go in and can't turn around to get out.  I set two in the back of the mailbox. They did not work.  Just a quick post today. I'm putting a sticky bug trap out there in the back of it.  The kind that fold over and the bugs crawl through it and get stuck. Found two tomato plants with work activity.  I found one horn worm, but could not find the other.  I hope to have time to go look for it today, before it destroys the plant.  

  I'll admit, that I was not ready for this!  First picking of the pickling cucumbers  - 7# of them!  I was totally shocked.  I literally just checked them two days prior.   I'll be back when have taken care of these.  Thankfully, some of my dill is up too.  Update on the rise in electric costs:  We have been talking to friends.  Some have already changed companies, but said there is a "transmission" fee after changing, and the cost remains about the same.  Others who have different companies for their electric have told us that their cost has gone up the same amount as ours.

  There has been a lot of wildlife activity around there.  We have been seeing the cardinals almost every night.  We've had a run in with a sick raccoon, and I happened to see a deer heading to the garden.  The deer got spooked by something, reared up and turned around and ran off.  I am wondering if the motion sensor sound is deterring the deer as well.   I gave two bags of squash to a close friend.  The plants are producing well this year. Most recent breakfast - Crustless Zucchini Quiche.  It is made with almond and coconut flour (no white flour), and it was I used up about 8 yellow squash to make us some squash patties to go with dinner.   I also sliced zucchini and made a no sauce type lasagna with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.  We love the squash patties, and have made them for years.  The other recipe was new, and if I were to make it again, I would dredge the slices in egg first.  I would also use thin sli...

The weekend went way too fast for us.  We finally got to a area butcher shop, and took advantage of a few "bulk" buy deals (locally raised, no antibiotics, butchered at the shop etc.).  We also took care of most of my errand list in the pouring down rain (yeah for rain). However after two days of errands, the truck is out of commission.  My husband, accidently ran over something and spent all evening working on the truck.  It is still not running.  On a good note?  The back of the truck is full of supplies for building the new chicken coop.   It threw our plans off for the evening. Daughter E was to bring her car out for some work to be done.  That didn't happen.  We were to deliver our older car to a repair man, so it could be sold soon, and that did not happen.   It's been literally one thing after another here. We found out our electric company we have, has raised the cost 110% starting last June.   We are currentl...

  Daughter E called us and we talked for an hour.  She loves her new job and of course the income, and we can really see a difference in her happiness and way less anxiety.   We both got a chuckle when we were talking about being a stay at home Mom.  She said, "after seeing what Mom does every day, I don't want that job, I would rather work outside the home" ha ha ha! Although some days are extremely busy, there are a few days where I get to take the day slower, but yes, homemade cooking takes a lot of time, produces more dirty dishes, more dishes to wash and whatnot.  I do prefer the real foods and prefer home grown, which is also work.  I get it, but some day she may change her thoughts on that. Weeds!  Not sure this is a stress reducer or anxiety reducer, ha ha!  I'm tired when I'm all done.  I am thankful some of the gladiolus are coming up.  I only put a dent in one flower bed, but today's rain should make the rest of the ...

The recent rain gave the garden a sip of glory, but not a full drink so to speak.  There is a good possibility for a good soak tomorrow.   The gardens are doing well, and my green onion is springing back to life.  I check it daily, as those squash bugs can lay eggs in a hot minute, and I have to keep the sensors on my motion sensors out there clean, and make sure they are charging. I started weeding the herb garden and flower beds, but it will take several days.  We did not mulch the flower beds, as we had plans to expand one flower bed (for easier mowing).  It is on the back burner for now.      I'm still working on the utility room, by washing up hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, and coats, and drying them on the clothesline.  Anything I haven't worn for the last 14 years, is going in a donation box.  That all came out of one coat cubbie, including more sweaters that I put to dry inside on hangers. One coat cubbie scrubbed cle...

Our egg basket has been looking a bit empty lately.  I have been using them a lot more, so I hope the newbies start laying soon. The garden is producing, but the red raspberries don't look that great this year.  The blackberries are loaded, so I'm hoping my bird netting will keep the birds out. It is such a relieving, happy, and glorious feeling to walk out and pick something fresh, and not have to get in the truck and drive to the store and spend hard earned money on our vegetables.  I am already making a list of what to plant next year  (for one, adding English type cucumbers, if you have a favorite organic/heirloom variety please do share).  If things go good this month, we may have new raised beds built for fall planting. I tried a new recipe to accommodate zucchini into our meal - Roasted Chickpea Salad.  Recipe is online with Green Healthy Cooking.  I made my own homemade ras el hanout seasoning (no sugar) using a recipe online from AllRecipes....