Reflections of 2015 ~ Part 1

I started out 2015 by making a binder to start keeping herbal recipes in. I learned a lot last year, and hope to learn more this year, along with essential oils.

Reflections of 2014

Over the past few years I have managed to post reflections of the entire year.  I apologize in advance for the length of this post.  I had no idea how many steps we have taken this year in successfully living a more sustainable, morally earned lifestyle, removing nasty chemicals from our lives, learning more about natural remedies, herbal teas, and so much more.  This lifestyle is not for everyone.  Although splitting wood is both physically and mentally challenging (our source of heat), I would not trade it for a switch on the wall any day.  And I could not have gotten this far without the partnership and support of my husband.

Goat Coats ~ Helping Others

 

I'm not sure how these survived in a tote this long, but these goat coats were taken to an area animal sanctuary yesterday.  I actually found one more after I took the photo to send to them.  Anyway, the zebra coats were made and sewn by myself.  I know, I am shocked myself.  I can still see the baby goats (kids) running around looking like baby zebras, ha ha!

I dug out my Mom's sewing machine and got to it one day.  The pink one (store bought) was for our very first female Lamancha goat.  The zebra ones were cut from old pajamas from the kids (recycled I should say).  I sewed velcro straps on,  and wah-la, goat coats for the kid goats when it was cold out.

The temperatures here are to dip into a brutal cold spell starting Monday, and the sanctuary has many goats, and kid goats.  They asked the public for help, and we decided to give them all 4 goat coats. 

We have no plans to raise dairy goats again, but we do have the means  (and  know how)  to do it, if we decide to do it again.  I can always sew new coats, so we are not sad to donate them.  We are glad we can help them.

Goat Coats ~ Helping Others © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Path in Life and Changes Along the Way . . .

My post today is in reference to Mama Pea's post the other day about "A Different Choice."  Thanks for the inspiration to write this, but you may want a hot beverage to sip. It's sort of long, ha ha!

My first career, and very happy with it at the time, was a Travel Agent.  I went straight to Travel School (right out of high school), which was about an hour drive from home (I was still living with my Mom).  I loved it.

I worked my school hours on the River (up north), where I worked as a sales ticket person, where river boat rides went up and down the river.  I had a fancy uniform too.

I also did internship with other Travel Agencies.  I LOVED it!  I worked my way through a few Travel Agencies, and landed in a bigger agency.  I took additional classes and earned my DS on many destinations (specialist on certain travel locations).  These were serious designations to earn (testing was difficult as well).

I took outside classes and earned my CTC first.  That stands for "Certified Travel Consultant" and you could only use that designation as long as you were working for an agency with a true iata agency number (and worked full time).  Today, this course is over $500.00!  My agency at the time paid us, as long as we passed the courses.  The designation was up and beyond the travel school certificate I earned from the first school.

I loved it so much, I became a "teacher" for the next few DS (Destination Specialist) courses.  I think I even still have my books from it somewhere.  I loved teaching the course, and toted my briefcase to work every day.  I began to wear suits to work, handed down by my Mother as well (she worked at a bank at the time).  I felt that great about my career.

Well, then they hired a woman as an "agent" who literally turned psycho on my manager, and put her out of a job.  My boss was THE BEST EVER BOSS!  The woman they hired had mental issues and control issues, and didn't want anyone to do the job as agent better than her (I did, and she didn't like it). 

I had a large clientele.  I was the type of person who studied the available travel packages, and only sold the customer what they could afford, but a good quality company as well.  We worked on commission, and the "psycho" lady they hired sold only high commission packages to clients (expensive for costumers).  It meant, I had to work more customers in a day to pay my bills, but I had repeat customers who trusted me.

I got tired of "psycho" woman (who stole my bosses job) to the point I was mentally sick and threw up on the job, and I walked out on the job (while a single mother raising 3 kids).  I was later hired at the plastic injection molding company, where I worked in the office (best income I ever had).  My title was Purchasing Coordinator.  It's were I met my current husband.  Best thing I ever did.

Later, down the road, after a few more kids, I went to college for Journalism.  I ended up leaving that college and caring for the family.  Journalism is not even offered there anymore.  I do not regret staying home to care for the kids and family at all.  I do miss my Travel Agent days, but as of today, those are not even needed as much as they were back in the day.

During my course of a stay-at-home Mom, I built beautiful flower beds around our first new home using natural stones that had been dug up.  I dedicated one section by the back door for my first ever herb garden.  I have since dug up that garden and moved it twice to where we are now, and wa-la now a garden grower, chicken raiser (even raised dairy goats and meat-birds).  I would not change a thing, but have to admit, I miss my Travel Agent days.  Those would be totally different, and more difficult today with the internet and people booking their own travel.

Thanks for the inspiration to write this post.  I hope I didn't make the post too long.

It's still snowing and very cold here this morning.  I have hot water, so I'm a happy gal.  I'll be happier once the wood stove is in full swing.  Coffee is brewing, and breakfast just needs heated up.

New Tea ~ Down Memory Lane

 

Giving this new tea a try.  It is similar to the Traditional Medicinal teas, and it is good.  I have also ordered something new to try.

The carpet is all out upstairs.  It is almost completely out of the stairway as well.  It may be an all year long project, but at least the carpet is gone.

I got my stand for my starter seeds moved.  I'm starting seeds two weeks earlier than last year.  I do need to check the grow lights today.

There were a total of 9 deer out early evening last night.  I heard my husband talking and looking out the window saying, "you all better stay over there."  Ha ha!  They were all out eating the winter wheat.  The temperatures have dropped to the single digits, so it is back to cold here.

Down memory lane:   

I was looking for a specific photo and remembered I made flan for a fiesta/salsa party/tasting night.  That was the first and last time I made flan, but it was good!  You can read about the year I canned several different salsas and our fun food fest  HERE.

Our first goats!  Golly what a memory!  Reflections of 2011 can be read HERE.  We haven't had goats now for many years.  I do miss the milk, soap and cheeses.

Homestead Tidbits ~ Canning Radish Relish

Friday, Hubby had to get a required physical, to return to work (always some strings attached in that business), so I headed to the garden.  Lots and lots of work out there, so I took a nice big thermos of water, and covered my head with a hat and bandanna.  I went out there prepared to sweat.

It is very reassuring to know I don't have to babysit chickens this summer, while I'm running around working.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had another weekend retreat at our favorite island.  It was the best weekend ever.  We went alone this time.  We met more islanders and laughed and laughed and laughed.  Tried a Storm Cloud shot for the first time.  Hubby didn't like it so much, but I did.  Sort of on the sweet side.

It was pretty busy on the island and the place we rent is now booked until mid August already.  Our friends that own it, have a machine that they set inside and put a timer on and it kills anything.  Sort of like what the UV machines do, but different.

We were home early, unpacked, laundry started, lawn mowed, garden checked, catnip went into the dehydrator and potted plants watered. Sage went into another dehydrator.  It was hotter here than at the island (beautiful weather and nice breeze at the island).

We have six acres, but not all is mowed.  Our old goat pasture looks like this now.  Hm.  Time to locate people to bring the goats in to eat it down?  When our buck was in this area, he ate it down regularly for us.

We did some flower bed weeding, and cleaned one of the air conditioner filters too.  It's probably a good thing we did work on Sunday.  By evening, I figured out my sciatica was back.  At first I thought it was just a pulled muscle.  Not a good time to happen.  I'm digging out my papers on stretching exercises and will start on that first.  I will have to have the girls do my garden work for a few days until I can get back to feeling better.  I didn't sleep good at all last night due to the pain.  It's a horrible pain.

Here are my biker gnomes.  They are going back out. I'm just not sure where yet.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .
89°F/63°F.  No chance of rain.  Sunny.

How I am feeling this morning. . .
In serious pain.  Frustrated this happened, but I succumbed to this awful, off and on problem, due to falling on ice and landing on my back and hitting my head on cement over 13-14 years ago. It comes and goes when it feels like.


On my mind . . .
How am I going to get my work done today?  The timing is awful. Also, the health store where we buy our true organic/non-gmo meat from has closed permanently.  The produce stand where we buy our sweet corn announced yesterday they are also closing permanently.  What's not getting destroyed from idiot rioters, is closing due to lack of income (from being forced to close).


On the breakfast plate . . .

Sweet potato and black bean frittata with fresh cilantro from the herb garden.


On the reading pile . . .
Nothing this week.  I took the week off.


On the TV . . .
Whatever we find interesting on Amazon Prime.


On the menu this week . . .
Well, first I have to make out a grocery list, after checking the pantry and fridge.  
-Stuffed Shells, veggie
-Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn
-Chicken/veggie kabobs on the grill


From the camera . . .

I picked shell peas this morning.  They are doing great.  I missed these last year.  Lots more on the vines, and that makes this gal happy.


Looking around the house . . . 
It was cleaned up yesterday by one daughter so she could have a backyard cookout with some friends last night.  I will need to get the herbs out of the dehydrators and refill one with mullein leaves and flowers.  My wild mullein is 6 feet tall right now.


Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . .
Everything and anything I can manage to get done, like watering everything.  I will resort to my sprinkler for the vegetable garden, but I hate to run the water pump that long.


To relax I will . . .
Stay off any news on the TV, stay off any social media (getting so sick of it), crochet and maybe watch cooking shows to stay off my feet.  Although movement helps.  I will do my stretches however.  It's the only thing that helps get rid of the pain.

On my prayer list . . .
Well, for starters for this pain of mine to go away.  Our country, our President,  and law enforcement. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

Could Spring finally be here to stay?  The heat has been shut off.  The first mowing has happened, and the grass is a beautiful and bright green again.  The flower beds look really nice again, and I have dug up and moved some flower bulbs.  New fruit trees were planted, and porch furniture covers removed.

I've not been online much at all (hence the long post today, so grab a cup of java), and even hand wrote a letter this past week.  I've done a lot of cooking, but mostly the prep work for fresh salads to go with meals.  Soak, chop, slice and dice, mix....lots of good food, but a lot of dirty dishes too.

Third Year Asparagus.

First planted asparagus

Our first asparagus is sprouting, the asparagus beds have been cleaned up and ready for a Spring harvest.  We planted more more new asparagus roots, and we are preparing a new area to expand the asparagus patch again (we never have enough to freeze).

I planted rosemary seeds prior to a good rain. I have more seeds to plant for other herbs.

I have transplanted a few house plants, and one does not look too healthy.  I am hoping it just needed a larger pot.  I have not had house plants in many years due to cats and dogs, but I inherited my Mom's plants when she passed away.  I've been doing pretty well with their upkeep, but the cactus isn't looking too good (insert sad face).

I hope you had a nice Easter Sunday.  As for us, we did not do anything in the way of a special meal/gathering (no invitations).  My husband had to work, and the kids all spent the day with their other families or had other plans.  

I spent the Easter holiday cleaning and lining the last kitchen cupboard, and other jobs around the house.  Apparently, the double decker, lazy susan I bought from K-mart almost 17 years ago has broken.  I'll need to find a replacement.  Otherwise, that job is done. Tossed some rennet from 2016 (gulp!) I didn't even know we still had (from dairy goat cheese making days) it. I think I eventually went to a liquid rennet that needed to be refrigerated, so I was shocked to find old rennet in the cupboard.

Put those pesky toothpicks in a canning jar.  The boxes are always breaking and I'm tired of shoving them in plastic bags.  The lid is a repurposed lid that fits half pint Ball jars.

Food scale recommendations?  Online or in store.  I am in the need to replace ours (have had it since we raised dairy goats).

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I will link up when she posts today. I am up early.

The weather in our neck of the woods . . .

Rain early today, high of 71° and sunny later (hopefully).

As I look outside my window . . .

It's raining.

Right now I am . . .

Getting this blog post posted.

Something fun to share . . .

Cute! If you crochet anyway. My Mom had been after me for a few years to crochet cactus plants in crocheted pots, to sell at my craft shows.  I never did get any made, but a few years ago one of my daughters encouraged me to crochet leaves and a pot, in which the leaves were cup/mug coasters.  I donated a set to a plant bingo that was taking place last year. 

In fact, I crocheted flower dishcloths and filled a cactus looking plant pot, to appear as a plant, and donated that too (you can see both of my plant projects in the blog post link).

Thinking and pondering . . .

To sell or not sell our wine making supplies.  We made pear wine once, with our homegrown pears, and we learned a lot from the experience.  I doubt we will ever make homemade wine again.  Although, the way things are going in this world, the finished product would make a nice item to barter with.  Just thoughts rambling.

To work on making something this year, to donate to the plant bingo next year.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I have time to consider it.  

Make something for the advent gifts.  I have a crochet project in mind.  It's a useful item.

When God created me, did he make a "blooper?"  Do you ever wonder what your God given "gift" is?  I'm still wondering.

Possibly going back to work.  Full time?  Part time?  Not sure.

I miss fun "snail" mail.  My Aunt and I used to write hand written letters, and she was the last person who stayed in touch with me that way.  I loved writing her a letter.  I do miss that.

Not to make this post any longer, but have you ever actually written down your own happy list?  A list of what truly makes you happy?  What brings you joy?  From simple to complex?

Being that this weekly, Monday "Happy" Homemaker post has "Happy" in the title, and the funny thing that this was the daily reading for Easter morning  - 

The book the daily readings are from.  Some are pretty good, some are just meh.

Do you have a "happy" list?  I did not.  It got me thinking.  

On my bedside table . . .

3 crochet hooks, yarn needles, notepad and pen

On my TV . . .

Ransom Canyon

Listening to . . .

Radio, 90's

On my reading pile . . .

Besides my three morning readings (two are devotionals, one is a daily positive reading, all of which I bought a year ago), I am currently reading this book:

ebook (my first ever ebook)

(photo source:  Google)

On the menu this week . . . 

-chicken fajitas
-grilled burgers, veggie side
-crock pot lasagna (new recipe to try), veggie side

-leftovers

On the to-do list . . .

-make a few calls
-check asparagus
-check wild violets

-handle some paperwork

-muck coop

-meal prep

-mail in a rebate

What I am crocheting, knitting, sewing or creating . . .

See last post:  HERE to see current projects

Pot holder set in the making.

Picked up a free bookmark craft from the library.  I plan to make this sometime this week.  I just need to buy Elmer's glue (to secure the ends, according to the instructions).

My simple pleasure . . .

Nail polish.  I only get the chance to polish my nails in between garden seasons.

Looking around the house . . .

I have extra bed pillows that need stored.  I'm thinking the best way will be to buy those suction type bags, but they are very expensive (and in the past they don't hold items compressed very long). Hm.  

From the camera . . .

These two were sitting out back a few weeks ago.

Bible Verse, Devotional, Prayers. . . 

"God thank You that even hard days can be good days when we hold on to You.  Guide me throught them with strength, peace, and the comfort of Your love.  In Jesus' name. Amen." (180 Devotions for Your Best Day" Barbour Publishing.

Happy Homemaker Monday  ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Reflections of 2012

I made homemade deodorant for the first time.

I learned to be more resourceful.

 Finished a crocheted blanket to take camping.

 Had "wig" night with the kids (and pets too). 

I baked more foods from scratch.

(photo taken by my daughter)

Buried a very much loved barn cat named Joey.

 Did many farm/barn repairs.

 Tried new foods and recipes.

 (photo taken by my daughter)

Experienced the birth of two different baby goats.

Took an "accidental" road trip with hubby.

I added a few more useable antiques to our home.

Invested in Araucanas.

 (our daughter who tends the goats and makes the soap)

Had successful soap making. 

Participated in the Farmer's Market for the first time ever.

  Got through many trials and tribulations.

 Took more time out for myself.

 Made homemade ricotta cheese with our goat's milk for the first time.

 Canned more.

 Planted more.

 Dehydrated more.  

 Received "Farm Girl of the Month" in July. 

Went camping.

  Spent more time focusing on my marriage with weekend trips to rejuvenate, relax, and enjoy.

 Had a "salsa" party to celebrate and try new canned salsa recipes. 

Inherited many family heirlooms (Grandmother's doll my Aunt made, my mother's rings and hankies, and more).

 
Buried our good friend Gus.

Happy New Year's and may 2013 be full of blessings, love, and peace.