Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Homemade Mexican Taco Seasoning Mix
I am finally at a point in our self-sufficiency stride, where all of my homemade goods (and home grown) are coming together in all of my recipes.
Homemade Mexican Taco Mix is made using home grown oregano, onions, and garlic. I can then use the seasoning mix for all sorts of recipes, such as my salsa dip (using home canned salsa too).
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Mexican Lasagna ~ Taco Bar Meal Ideas
I happened to see this recipe in a cookbook from my Mom's old work place, and thought, "hm, I should try this." Ha ha! I love this cookbook, but this recipe was the most poorly written recipe I have ever tried. The photo is putting the dish together sadly written instructions.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Homemade Fajita Dry Mix
It's very convenient to buy the packets of dry fajita mix at the grocery store, but you can make it yourself. I've been making our dry taco mix for several years now.
You most likely will have all of the ingredients to make this at home. I buy some of my ingredients in organic/non-gmo bulk, which saves us money and allows me to have extra on hand to make many other dry mixes homemade. Let me know if you make your dry Fajita mix without the sugar, and if it changes the flavor.
Homemade Fajita Dry Mix
(makes about a 1/4 cup of dry mix)
I use all organic/non-gmo ingredients, and bulk buy some of them, as I make a lot from scratch
4 tsp. Chili Powder ( I buy bulk)
2 tsp. Ground Cumin (I buy bulk)
2 tsp. Paprika (I buy bulk)
1 tsp. Garlic Powder (we use homemade from homegrown)
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (use more for more heat)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Optional:
1/2 tsp or more of onion powder (we make this homemade)
1-2 Tbsp. sugar or brown sugar if your heat seasonings are on the spicy side, otherwise there is no need for sugar
2 Tbsp. = 1 store packet of dry mix
Friday, October 16, 2015
Homemade Gift Ideas for the Holidays
What I gifted in 2015: Christmas 2015
Handmade Hand Lotion (they loved this!) I ended up putting it in 4 oz. canning jars to gift. I do suggest adding the preservative for gifting too.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Taco Soup ~ Praying Mantis
I'm up before the sun is again. The weather is to be in the upper 80's, but it said to feel like 90's. I need to water flowers before I start canning today.
I spent part of the day yesterday on the phone, making appointments.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Happy Homemaker Monday
Today, rain is once again in the forecast, and we may actually get some this time. It's to rain all day, so first on the to-do list is work on the green beans in the garden. If I can resurrect the second row, we plan to mow down the last two and replant.
On the breakfast plate. . .
Eggs, toast with home canned jam, coffee
The weather outside is . . .
It's hot and humid, and we are praying we finally get rain.
On my reading pile . . .
Herbal books from the library.
On the TV . . .
McCleod's Daughters
On the menu . . .
-organic roast, carrots, potatoes and onion
-stuffed shells, steamed broccoli
-chicken with home canned hot pepper mustard sauce, wild rice and beets
-egg salad sandwiches
-leftovers
On the weekly to-do list . . .
-floors
-make homemade taco mix
-work on purging more books
What I am crocheting, knitting, sewing or creating. . .
Two lapghans, another set crocheted ice pop holders, and a knitted dishcloth
New recipe I tried . . .
Whiskey Balls. They are pretty good too. I adjusted a recipe from my Maker's Mark cookbook. I used non-gmo organic chocolate crisp rice cereal, and organic ingredients. You can't find a non-gmo, organic marshmallow whip, but you can make it homemade. I found a recipe online at Attainable Sustainable.
Whiskey Balls
1 cup organic non-gmo chocolate chips
7 oz. marshmallow fluff (see recipe link above)
2-3 Tbsp. whiskey
3 cups organic crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup organic coconut
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Melt chocolate, let cool but not harden. Mix in the marshmallow and whiskey. Add remaining ingredients. Form into 1 inch balls and chill. I used my large cooking scoop and it worked great. They were larger, so next time for a larger Christmas crowd, I'll use the smaller and probably get about 5 dozen.
Next on the try it list are some serviceberry recipes.
From the camera . . .
I think my auracanas think it's Christmas in July. I have gotten one of their eggs since last Christmas.
We had 3 visits in one day from this hummingbird. It has a red chest.
In one day, a chickadee built a nest in one of my hanging pots. He paid me a visit this morning too.
Looking forward to. . .
Rain.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Salsa Party ~It's Fiesta Time ~ Preserving Continues
We had a Salsa Party, to taste all four of the salsa recipes I canned this year. The Peach Salsa recipe used a small amount of honey.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Hope Chest ~ Preparing Your Kids for Independent Life
A Hope Chest simply refers to preparing your child for independent life. To us, it doesn't mean simply "marriage" but independent life, and have a good start for it.
There is actually a book written about the Hope Chest, and suggestions. I used to own this book, but passed it on to a friend years ago.
We don't want our kids going broke, when it's time to leave the "nest" so I try to add to their stash quite often. The first three to move out even had boxes of homemade Christmas ornaments for their own, first Christmas trees away from home.
(Made with scraps of cotton year leftover from knitting dishcloths and other items).
I recently added a scrap rug to our youngest's daughter's "Hope Chest" along with a few Christmas ornaments. I also added a set of coffee cup coasters with a hand embroidered kitchen towel, and a new kitchen utensil.
It's not limited to what you put in a child's hope chest, but most importantly useful and needed items. I just add a few items to keep it fun and real, like the ornaments or other items.
Just for example (but not limited, let your mind be creative), here is a list of ideas to stock up and prepare your child for independent life:
-Bedding, handmade quilt, hand crocheted afghan
-Handmade washcloths and face scrubbies (I crochet)
-Handmade hot pads, dish towels (embroidered etc). I hand crochet hot pads, XL pt holders.
-Handmade dishcloths, hand crocheted dish scrubbies (I knit and crochet them)
-kitchen items: salt/pepper shaker, butter dish, utensils, set of dishes, canister set
-basic bakeware/cookware
-handmade doilies, dresser and night stand covers
-handmade tablecloths
-recipe box, locally made or handmade
-cookbook with family recipes, including homemade cleaner recipes like homemade laundry soap, foaming hand soap, grout cleaner, and homemade "lysol" wipes. Our youngest is the only one to have a "family" cookbook, but I get messages from the older ones for family recipes often. Include easier recipes for homemade dry mixes like taco mix, italian, seasoned salt, homemade hot cocoa, homemade butters (honey-cinnamon, cranberry etc.,) Recipes for herb infused cooking oils, spreadable butter etc.
-books on growing indoor/outdoor herbs, veggies etc.
When they get older gift them a dehydrator with a recipe book, and homemade useful, frugal recipes.
Our daughter already has quite a bit, aside from the bedding. She has entire set of 7 hand embroidered "cat" kitchen towels and many other items.
I often look for unique items while out at the thrift stores, but more-so at antique stores (butter dishes, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spoon rest, etc.).
Store items in a chest (thrift stores often have them), or storage bins. A hope chest is not limited to your own children either. It could be a grand child, God child etc.
I hope you enjoyed my post today. I just try to add a personal touch to most of what we put in Youngest Daughter's Hope chest.
I remember when our oldest daughter set up in her first apt. by herself. She sent me photos of everything I had made, and was so proud of her new "home." Even the smallest item can make a difference.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Mexican Chicken
Years ago, we discovered a recipe that was a family favorite. However, it contains three cans of condensed cream of chicken soup and one of celery soup. Needless to day, I have not made it in many, many years.
Yesterday I made the recipe, and used homemade soups, organic chicken, and organic tortilla chips (which were made with non-gmo oils, believe it or not). It took a few days to make my soups ahead of time, but it was worth it.
Here is the recipe.
Monday, December 9, 2019
Happy Homemaker Monday
Like a dork, I took a huge bag of crochet projects with me to the craft show last Saturday. Guess what I did? I forgot to bring a hook. I had zero hooks and my afghan hook was still at home. I had one "crochet emergency kit" in the truck (woohoo!), so I at least had an "H" hook to work on a lapghan.
Speaking of hooks, the ones that light up do not work well using cotton yarn. To be honest, I like the neck lamp better than the light up hooks. I get more light that way. However I used them to crochet dark yarn and they worked great too. Just an update.
We started with the coop repair Sunday morning, only to find out the damage was more extensive than we thought. We'll be buying another roll of wire, and saving our pennies to build a new coop (out of the barn) next year. It's just time. Chicken wire is not working out and we could use the barn space anyway. We need to re-roof the barn next year if we want to keep the barn from deteriorating as well. I was just tired of fighting predators and it's just time to build a more secure coop.
Speaking of chickens, "Cluck Norris" has passed on and into rooster heaven (sad face). However, I am not lacking in roosters. One lucky gent went from the rooster pen and in with the ladies. I'll be giving him a name soon.
We cut wood for more than 3 hours, and only have one large chunk left to cut and split now. I racked up 6000 steps just splitting and hauling wood. Whew! Oh our achy bodies....
I put more sets up for sale on my other blog. All proceeds go to building us a new coop.
Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The weather outside is . . .
High of 52°F and raining. Tomorrow the temps dip again.
On the breakfast plate . . .
Taco breakfast egg muffins.
I just googled for a recipe, adjusted it with home canned zucchini salsa, organic beef and homemade taco mix, and organic cheese. Next batch will have some sort of greens in them, but otherwise delicious.
As I look outside my window . . .
It's dark, cloudy and still raining.
Right now I am . . .
Starting the dishes and laundry
As I look around the house . . .
Oh my, I have to put the craft totes away, tidy up the living room and start a fire.
On the to-do list . . .
Install new drip bowls on stove top
Put trash out
Repair coop
Crochet
On this week's to-do list . . .
-can applesauce
-put up Christmas decor
-clean up my bedroom (it's a total disaster of yarn)
-freeze homemade mushroom soup
-place online order for daughter's birthday gifts and Hubby's anniversary gifts
On the menu this week . . .
Have no clue
Currently reading . . .
Nothing
On the TV . . .
Movies from the library
What I am creating at the moment . . .
A headband/ear warmer that is an order I got, and one daughter's scarf. Also, our youngest daughter asked me to whip up something to gift her two Cosmetology teachers. I have a pattern for something cute. Cross you fingers I get them made.
Favorite photo from the camera . . .
Prayers . . .
No special request at this time
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Taco Night ~ UFO's
We spent New Year's Day taking down the trees and outside lights. Totes were all put away too. Got it all done by 10am too.
It was a blistery snowy, windy day New Year's Eve day. I took advantage of it and cleaned out the fridge, and tackled one of my UFO's. I am super excited to stay on task. I got a lot of craft time on Wed.
I had the fabric done, but had to attach them to the burlap and glue them onto the jars. The final product is on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.
Sorry for the bad photo - took it before 5am this morning.
I'm thrilled to say I'm using fabric scraps that a wonderful lady mailed me years ago. I am still using them for gifting. I also used the embroidery floss for the gifts, which I won from a blog giveaway years ago. I have more ideas using the scrap fabric as well.
I finished this UFO as well. They are tucked away in the right box for next Christmas or gift giving.
I am still working on the spool ornaments, but hope to have them completely done today. We'll see. I'm tackling cleaning and purging again.
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Case of Missing Spoons
It's Monday cleaning day, and although I typically don't get it all done, I get a good majority of it done. I look forward to sitting, crocheting and sipping hot tea later.
It looks like I'll be needing boots to put my bedding out on the clothesline today.
Made another batch of homemade taco seasoning mix, and plan to make taco salads tonight.
My bread crumbs are stored nicely in a canning jar. I hope to dehydrate more today.
If no one in the house can find a spoon to eat breakfast this morning, it's because my 10 year-old put them under everyone's pillows last night. Her school principal once told them that if they put ice cubes in the toilet and put a spoon under their pillow, that school would cancel. It did cancel today.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Happy Homemaker Monday
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Discombobulated
Two things happened that surprised me. I don't even have photos. Yikes.
One, I dressed for cutting wood, and as I was putting on head gear (to keep the wood chips out of my hair) Hubby said, "I going to go pick up R to help me cut wood."
"What?"
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Hay Day and Other Tidbits
Hubby spent most of the day wrestling with the mower. He did have to order a part, which should arrive in a week or so. I continue to wrestle the weeds in the garden.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Barn Siding ~ Getting our Legumes ~ Red lentil burgers ~ Beet Hummus
Friday, September 4, 2015
Operation "Garden" ~ Flower Seeds ~ Salsa Chicken
It was very humid, and when I took my camera lens off yesterday, it immediately fogged up. I have only gotten two hours out there, and much to do. I only got 1/4 of the distance down the carrot row, beet row and green bean row. I found many beets yet, and even carrots. The carrots are no bigger than three inches in length (most are 2 inches or less), so I'm pulling them all out. It will feed us a few meals, but won't be enough to freeze this year. Some of the tops will go to Milo, our pet rabbit.
This is what all of the vegetable gardens look like. Full of grass, thistle and various weeds. Today the grass pulled easily, so I could find the dead plants to pull (or other surprises). I am going to need to move my pea fence too, so that will determine where I plant my garlic next. I can't move it to the south, because my asparagus is there. I may move it completely to the new plot we are going to put in.