Pioneer Woman at Heart

  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....

  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.  Mu...

  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 t...

  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

  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 ...

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...

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 ...