Last Day of June (Already?)

 Despite our efforts with solar alarms and solar rodent alarms, the rabbits got the green beans (again).  I know we have to fence the other area, but it's just not in the $$ pocket book right now.  I should have planted a squash plant at the end of every row.  I guess we were really lucky all the years we've lived here and not fenced it.

The birds got all our blueberries.  I just didn't make it to town for netting yet.  It's been on my list, but I have to figure a way to cover the bushes without it touching the plants, and easy to remove.

I need to replace my mandolin this year.  If you have one that you really like, let me know in the comments.  The one I have is 15 years old, and has limited thickness for slicing.  It's not sharp anymore, and the case broke years ago.  It's just time to upgrade.

June went by way too fast.  It really depresses me to see the summer go by so fast, as we have not gone camping one single time yet.  It seems that we have such busy weekends most times, with battling the weather this year, I feel like we haven't lived life to the fullest this month.  Of course there was my fractured foot that set me behind on all things too.

At least I can say I didn't let the month go out without some fun.  We did take a weekend to the island and we recently visited a car and truck museum (which was worth the admission to see).

Are you doing anything fun for the last day of June?

Plans for July?  Maybe.  It's the hot time of the year, so camping can be a bit uncomfortable.  I should write out a few options to motivate me.  

As for home repairs and checking off the honey-do list, my husband knocked 6 off his list of 11 yesterday.   He actually installed the mole chasing windmill, that we purchased over a year ago.  He also replaced 3 more electrical outlets, and put a new bottom seal on one of our doors.  The hallway is not complete yet.  It's also on his list.  We just need to finish one step and install floor trim on half the hall.

There are two very large items in our garage, so I do have plans to have a delivery day and return them to their owners.  Not sure why we still have them (or even why) but I do have plans to get them out of our garage (space wasters, and not ours).

Last Day of June (Already?)   © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

More Rain ~ The Craft Purge ~ New Recipe Tried

 The rain is flowing again here.  The weeds are getting taller, ha ha!  Some garden seasons can be a real struggle.

Today is probably the most boring post of all times.  It's the time after planting, and the wait in between the rain storms time of year.

I spent more time purging craft supplies.  I had everything you wouldn't even think of, and some in mass amounts thinking I would make and sell some new items I was making.  I literally had a bag full of medicine cups for crafting, and have had them since before 2011! 

In 2011 I made Christmas ornaments with them, using belt buckle pieces for top and bottom, added the tiny bird, and used embroidery floss for the hanger and added a scrap bead that was part of a set of beads I was given.  Oh, and a circle of red felt.  Very creative, ha ha!  I wish kids were creative more than on their electronics these days.  

Anyway, I emptied several more containers of crafting stuff.  Much is in boxes to go to recovery home for those with addictions (some have their kids with them).  They are getting most of my supplies.  Anything else will go to the donation station (local thrift store, that is not a chain).

There are a few more expensive craft supplies I may attempt to sell, but when I was on the sale online sites, there is another person "going out of business" with her craft sale supplies and finished crafts.  So....it's not just me.

In the process of my (sigh of relief) craft purge, my husband fell into the process and put some jeans in the boxes to donate.  No more space wasters, as I told him.  Let someone else use it, wear it, etc.

Blueberry Lemon Power Bites (Clean Food Crush online).  I tried a new recipe.  I mean what else can I entertain my blog readers with, besides cleaning and organizing right now? 

These start with raw cashews, pitted dates and dried blueberries.  All done in the food processor and then chilled in the fridge.  Oh, the real lemon juice and lemon zest is a bonus.

They are delicous!  I still like the peanut butter energy bites I make, but this gives us another option, and boy are they good.  Just be sure to read your dried blueberry package.  Some of the packages include sugar and bad oils.  Others contain apple juice.  I may be dehydrating some blueberries this year, but that is my least favorite way to stock up on them. Anyway, they are very good!

On a side note:  I roasted my raw cashews.  If you have ever tasted a "raw" cashew, they taste terrible.  I let them cool before making these.  I also used organic/non-gmo ingredients.  Recipe on requires 2 Tbsp. of honey, as the pitted dates give a natural sweetness.

Something I learned:  you can add chia seeds to your scrambled eggs, for more protein, overall health, and it will help you feel full longer.  

As for closings, Walgreens are closing more doors now.

More Rain ~ The Craft Purge ~ New Recipe Tried © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Rainy Day

 

Photo is June of 2023.  The zucchini plants grew to almost 6 feet tall last year, thanks to our compost pile.  I have yet to check on the garden after a torrential downpour.

We had flood warnings, flooded areas, and it was worse north of us. 

Strange weather this year, and mostly frustrating for gardeners.

Another strange event. . .

I walked out the door a few days ago, and right in the driveway, not very far from me stood a baby deer.  No Mom around.  Of course I think I scared it, because it ran off, but a very rare sight around here.  At least that close to the house anyway.

Rainy days can be productive here.

I took advantage of the rainy day and purged/organized "stuff."

I emptied 4 plastic storage drawers of craft supplies, of much will be donated.  A few items went to other people (or will go soon).  A few items went to the garage, like my eye screws I used for crafting.

I also emptied two entire totes from the garage.  I had a tote of tablecloths I no longer use.  I also had a entire tote of saved baby blankets from when I raised the kids.  The blankets are all going to be donated, aside from any the kids want. I also eliminated one large tote of yarn.

I also found a bag of scrap balls of cotton yarn, leftover from knitting dishcloths to sell last year.  The yarn is all twisted up and a hot mess.  I have yet to decide on that mess.  It's either toss it all, or try to rescue it on another rainy day, and then donate it all.  I have no plans to crochet anything with it.  

I may get that rainy day to do more purging too.  Rain is in the forecast for the weekend. 

I would not be purging my craft supplies, had we sold more last year, but sadly no one in the area supports handmade right now.  So basically, I closed my doors on the craft shows for good.  Too much work for no income.  Does it sadden me a bit?  Yes, but now I can crochet/knit on my own time, and not feel the pressure of having it all made by a certain time.  I had a TON of inventory for this last show, and it's now down to a few items thanks to one of my kids (she took it all and sold "mystery" bags).

Speaking of closing doors, another business in my home town (other than Rite Aid stores) is closing it's doors.  Another business in another town nearby is also closing it's doors.  It just seems as if more and more are closing.  

Rainy Day  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

There are never too many eggs part 2

 

Too many eggs?  Never!  You can not only boil them, but pickle the boiled eggs.  I forgot all about this, until I found us with more eggs on hand (again).

You can get the recipe for our Hot Pickled Boiled Eggs:  HERE

Part 1, was my blog post about baking an Angel food cake:  HERE (sorry, the link for the original recipe online no longer works).

 There are never too many eggs part 2 © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Identified! It's Wineberry ~ Garden Tidbits

 

I posted this photo a few days ago, and asked if anyone knew what it was.  Well, with the help of my sister-in-law, and an app on her cell phone, it's been identified as Wineberry.

In the early spring, I thought it was my red raspberry bush spreading into my asparagus patch.  I never got the chance to dig the sprouts out due to fracturing my foot.

I did some research on this plant, and of course the birds planted it (they seem to be good at this).  However, it's an invasive plant, because it grows quickly and can over take the area.  Lovely.  It's actually illegal in some states to sell etc.

I'm not sure I'll be able to dig them out until spring, as my asparagus has gone to seed and is very tall.  I'm going to do my best to remove it this year though.

Apparantly, those spiky looking pods open up, and produce an edible raspberry.  Other than that pod, the plant itself, literally appears the same as our red raspberry plants. Oh, and the stems are more of a brighter red too.  Unless I am in correct, but it looks exactly like wineberry.

The first zucchini is on, but I'm not sure it will form correctly.  I have not seen that many bees yet.

Another delicous way to use your garden green beans and sweet potatoes.  I baked this all as a sheet pan dinner, using store bought sweet pototoes, but used frozen garden green beans.  I forgot to add red onion, but the seasoning is paprika, cumin, herb garden oregano, homemade garlic powder, and salt/pepper.  I used olive oil and added chicken sausages.

It was the first time to put the green beans on the pan frozen, and it did take longer to cook than I thought. Next time, I will pre-cook the green beans, before adding them to the sheet pan dinner.  It was very good!

Identified! It's Wineberry ~ Garden Tidbits  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weekend went too fast, but we had a fantastic time with family.  I took an orzo pasta salad, and a cold mostly sugar free carmel apple dessert.  It was very nice to visit with everyone, and with help we figured out what the strange plant is growing in my asparagus patch (more on that later).

Two lap afghans were delivered to my husband's cousin and her husband, who live in an assisted living home.  

I have been successful at purging books I have read. Over the last two weekends I placed books, reader glasses I can't use, and two sets of nautical crocheted cup coaster sets in a little library on the island we visit.  A bag of books went home with my sister.  I also found homes for three more sets of crochet cup coasters leftover from craft shows.

Trust me, I have more craft supplies to purge, but I am very behind on reading books.  If I am not using something, or haven't used it in years, it is making it's way to another home.

We had to cancel our plans to go to a festival over the weekend, because it rained.  We are thankful for the rain, as the gardens needed it.

Today I am joining once again with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  The link up is back, so it's easy for me to link up today.

Update:  I could not link up.  Again.  Sorry folks.

The weather . . .

86°F/67°F today.  We are finally getting a break in weather, but that could change. 

Right now I am . . .

Writing out my to-do's for the day, and waking up with coffee.

Thinking and pondering . . .

To purge all of my writing books or not.  I used to freelance write when the kids were younger, and all lived at home, but I have not had the time, nor the desire lately.  Getting the house in order (trust me the fractured foot set me back 2 months) has been on top of the list.

It's been on my brain, but I'm considering putting and end to this blog.  Various reasons.

How I am feeling . . .

Depends on the weather, ha ha!  If it's hot out, and I've been working out there, I'm too tired to do much when I come back inside.

I am however, back to a pretty good exercise plan, other than the treadmil.  I'm still waiting on the final x-ray of my foot.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea yet.

On the lunch plate . . .

Chicken salad on cucumber slices, leftover orzo salad.

On the dinner plate . . .

If my husband doesn't call or text with a change in my plan, it's a sheet pan chicken sausage/sweet potato and green been dinner.

On the menu . . .

Anyone else have a husband that has a knack for meddling in the menu plan for the week?  I'll have it all planned out, and he'll come home with burgers to grill or some other option.  

I'm going to try my best to use up some food this week, that was intended for another day, including the green beans in our freezer from last year's garden.

On my reading pile . . .

Still reading this.  I haven't had the energy or time to read over the last month.  I really need to read at least a few pages a day.

A quick once a day read, and sometimes very appropriate for the day's work/events.

Dug out a box of letters to get finished reading. I need to pass this on to another family member (part of my purge).  I've had it since my Dad passed away.

On my TV this week . . .

Fried Green Tomatoes

Looking around the house . . .

I have a habit of starting the to-do list for the next day, and not finishing the current day list.  In the end, I am still looking at piles of yarn, and other things like tablecloths I no longer use, that need to either be put in storage or passed on.  I use them for tables when we have people over, so I may be saving them.  Anyway, I am working on more areas of the house, so come fall, we can get back to bigger indoor repairs/painting, and what not.

To-do list . . .

(for the next two weeks, and in no particular order)

-harvest yarrow
-harvest thyme
-dust
-wash master bath rugs, sweep and mop

-make homemade insect repellant

-work on all the craft supplies I wish to purge

-work on list for getting the house back in order

-water pots and greens

-work on sorting yarn, and re-organizing them to reduce storage totes

-weed flower beds

-continue cleaning porch

-get back to working on master bath, removing items we no longer use and remove everything from the walls to start washing down walls.

From the camera . . .

I have nothing today.  I had a pretty busy weekend, and the same last weekend, filled in with other projects and work around here.

Devotional, prayers, Bible Verses . . .

No current prayer requests.

Happy Homemaker Monday © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Microgreens and Lettuce / Greens Update

The microgreens I planted in soil are ready to eat today.  I planted broccoli and radish microgreens, but we plan to expand on our options.

I filled a tray I had in storage, but I feel this only provided enough for one meal, so I will be using my sprout jars next, to have more than one meal available.

Other than adding to your sandwiches, you can toss them into salads, smoothies, top your hummus, add to omelets or eggs, or even add to anything that you add lettuce too.  Do you have a favorite way to eat microgreens?

The two types of lettuce are up now.  I will have to thin them out later, as the seeds are small, and as you can see, there is more than one in that container.  I'm not even using the grow lamps right now, as they are getting a good amount of daylight/sunshine.  

We finally got rain last night.  I hope it was enough to keep things alive and well outside.  It's been so hot and crazy dry.  Not to mention the well needs water too.

I planted greens (Collards, Swiss chard, Russian Red Kale) in a waist high raised bed this year, and there are pros and cons so far.  

Cons:

Not all the seeds sprouted due to the soil not staying wet in this heat.

I have to water every single day, and sometimes two times a day (heat wave).

They may not grow as big as if they were planted directly in the ground.

Pros:

No rodents can eat them.  

It's easy to water, and no bending down to weed etc.

Microgreens and Lettuce / Greens Update© June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart