Pioneer Woman at Heart

  A "first time" for us this year.  Growing turmeric root.  The roots I ordered arrived (very late however), so they were planted in a large pot indoors for now.  I originally planned to plant them individually in small pots, but decided on the big pot.  I can water them all in one pot, watch them over, and see if they will grow as they are said to grow.  Each root has a sprout, and that is needed before you plant them.   I can dig them up later, and plant in more individual pots.  I'm not planting them outside, as we have zero room in the gardens this year (and they would need brought in for winter too).   I'm excited to see how this all goes for us.   A "first time" this year as well, is making lemon balm tincture.  I make a few tinctures over summer months (you need fresh herbs vs. dried) for a powerful tincture.  I may have, maybe one more "new first" using lemon balm this year.  More on that later if it...

  I hope your July 4th was an enjoyable holiday.  We spent it by ourselves.   One weekend night we were able to watch fireworks from our front porch at night, and there were about 5-6 different towns or people setting them off (one was spectacular).   The break in rain finally gave us (I mean "me") a chance to weed the garden, re-tie up the tomatoes (they grew another foot), hill potatoes, harvest some Red Russian Kale and more radishes.  Boy it's still hot here. Sunday it was 94°F with a heat index of (feels like) 97°F (not as hot as it has been). My homemade bug spray is working great other than it does not work to deter the teeny tiny gnat type bugs flying around.  They seem to be attracted to the body sweat while working in the hot sun (so annoying). There is not enough work being done in the gardens, in one day, due to the heat, the humidity, the rain, or a combination of these issues. Overwhelmed.  Frustrated.  Those are few words ...

  The heat remains muggy and in the 90's.  The air is very thick most days.  The rain has returned, and not left yet.  I took a look-see at the gardens, and weeding ( a lot of weeding)  will be top of the to-do list.  The tomatoes, that I tied up last Thursday, have grown another foot, and will need re-tied. Last Thursday, while working in the tomato patch, I thinned the radishes, but that's all that we are able to harvest so far.  One day the rain cooled the air just enough to grill burgers, but the bugs were a nuisance.  We are still enjoying pickled red onions.  I'll definitely keep a jar in the fridge on an on-going basis. Hot and Muggy ©  July 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart

  In May of 2024, I ordered a brand new, USA made stainless steel tomato strainer.  In the fall of 2024, I called to check on the order, because it did not arrive in 6 months as I was told. I was then told, the new sauce maker would arrive in May of 2025.  Keep in mind, you have to remember this over all this time too.  Well, May of 2025 has passed.  It's now June and I called again.  I'm told (and before she even asks for my order number) the production won't produce any until "May of 2026" (seriously).  I asked for a refund.  I'll let you know what happens, as I do expect that refund one way or another.  Once that is back in my bank account, I need to find a better source for a stainless steel tomato strainer.  I thought I would share, if case anyone has thought about ordering from them.  I'm not "bad" mouthing the company.  I'm just sharing my experience in attempting to order a tomato strainer. Who knows what I'll be doing ...

  A few snippets from the flower beds.  It's not everything, but some beauties right now.  I took these on my phone, so the photos are not that great.  I have yet to replace my actual camera (soon I hope). One of our regular's from the herb garden - two types of sage. We have  had this one for over 20-some years, and moved it twice.  Love it!  It already bloomed this season. Added this sage about three years ago.  I believe it is called Greek Sage.  We love sage in homemade breakfast sausage, teas, medicinal teas, and tincture.  Sage tea (as well as ginger tea), is great for a sore throat. The heat index was not as bad yesterday, as the day before, but we did get up to 96°F.  All  of the seeds, that I replanted in the vegetable garden, are sprouting but a scant few.  It will be hot again today, and then possible rain moving back in (we need it too). I found a wild growing mullein plant growing in the yard, so I dug it...

  The heat index was 105°F yesterday.  Today it is said to be a record breaking day.  I have yet to hear what they actually do expect today.  Yes, we did outdoor work yesterday, but very early.  AC is on, but one system has to be worked on before we can turn it back on.  The sunrises are still smoke hazy sunrises.  A heat wave means it's officially salad season again. We were gifted some garden romaine.  I made us a big salad (apples added later) - chicken, apple pecan salad. Something new (a first for us) this year - growing a Meyer lemon plant.  I have wanted to do this for several years.  One blogger I used to follow was going to mail me seeds.  When that didn't happen, I bought some on Etsy, and not one seed sprouted.  Years later I found a plant and wa-la!  We have some lemons on it this year.   I have a lack of photos, partly because I have lost my blogging mojo (numbers show a lack of interest anyway), and...

  An updated photo of my crocheted "book blanket" for this year. We are 6 months into the year, and obviously (he he!) I am not even to a halfway point on this blanket.  Sigh.  I'm squeezing in reading time when I can.  The blanket is about 67 inches long, if that helps give you an idea on the size it will be. In the beginning of 2025, I dedicated a hand crocheted granny square for every book I read this year.  The granny squares are crocheted with scrap balls of yarn, matched the best I can, to match the colors of the book cover of the finished book.  The granny squares are then attached, one at a time (join as you go) with a unique stitching.  We are absolutely loving how it's turning out.   You can read about the first post about this blanket HERE . Book Blanket {post #2}   ©  June 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart