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~

Thursday, April 14, 2011

First day tilling the garden


Yesterday we started tilling the garden, and getting it ready to plant.  In fact, we went ahead and planted our onions, peas, and lettuce (2 kinds, one is heirloom).  I noticed that one rhubarb plant died, but our asparagus is coming up nicely. 

Tonight we will be planting more of the cooler weather vegetables, and I hope to finish the split barn door in the next week.

Our goat milking supplies have arrived – all but the milking pail.  We are excited to start having our own milk soon. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I got my bucket "filled"


My 9 year-old daughter reused a plastic container.  She surprised me with a “bucket” and “happy” fillers for me.  Inside, are new pencils, pens, erasers, gum, and more.  She also included a note to tell me she loved me.

Have you filled a “bucket” for someone today?  Thank someone, surprise someone, make someone feel special and appreciated today.


It's funny, because I often tell  my kids to stop dipping their spoons into my happy vat (space around me), to encourage them to stay positive throughout the day.  If the are being negative, I often express this, to remind them their words and actions can suck the happiness out of someone's day.   

I'm tickled to receive my "bucket" of happiness.  I will have to use my pens and pencils to write today.

Attitude of Gratitude

I invite you all to take a close look at today, and write down what you are thankful for.  Create a list of at least items you are thankful for.  Then, write at least five thank you notes to people you love and appreciate.

My Gratitude Journal

Today I am thankful for:

1.    The sunshine that warms my body, heart and soul.
2.    The fresh eggs our chickens lay for us.
3.    The clotheslines in which I can dry my laundry naturally.
4.    My husband’s job.
5.    Iced tea and tea time on the porch

~Articles you may enjoy~
Short Stories:  Finding God

Reflections:  Afternoons

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

First day in the gardens

It felt great to finally get out to the gardens.  The weather was perfect for uncovering a few blooming hyacinths, daffodils and tulips.  The herb gardens are coming up already and I can’t wait to start drying some for next winter.   We did not dry enough last summer.  I have an abundance of green onion, and plan to share that with as many people as I can this year.   

Although the herb garden shown above is not looking real good yet, it will be soon.  I think this one needs expanded.

Monday, April 11, 2011

No Make-Up Required

Yesterday, my husband and I started to build a split barn door, to replace the one that is basically hanging from the barn.  When we moved here, the bottom door was missing.  Here is the “before” picture.


We are trying to keep the original barn frame vs. tearing it all down and starting over.  It has housed many animals for many owners over the years.
My husband took this photo of me putting the screws into the backside of the bottom portion of the door.  It’s a bit out of focus, but the good news is, we have a new camera.  Pictures after these were taken, should look a lot better.


And yes, I used the table saw myself.  We work together 50/50 on most work such as this.  All women should know how to use these types of tools and build items from scratch, or re-purpose items to build from.



We are making progress, but these things just don’t happen as fast as you think.  We still need to frame the outside it, and attach it to the existing hinges.  Instead of purchasing new hinges at $8-9 each, we are using the ones that were already on the barn.  We estimate the barn was built around 1954, first housing cattle. 

We worked until dark, but had to stop to plant a plum and peach tree.  We are starting to build a small orchard for our self-sufficient farm.  We are unable to grow oranges here, but we can add pear and more apple trees.  If the two blueberry bushes survived the winter, we will add raspberry and other berry bushes for our fruit as well.

I’m so tired this morning.  I forgot how much work is involved with self-sufficient living. The humidity was very high yesterday, and it just sucked the life out of us, while working outside with tools.  There’s no use, or purpose, for wearing make-up these days.  

It’s all worth it.

Crawdad Gumbo Anyone?


We found this guy in our driveway.  The rains must have brought him out of his hole.  However, he soon became bird food and was snatched away as fast at we found him. He was about 5-6 inches long.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Hearthside Cooking

A good friend and one of my daughter's participated in a Hearthside cooking class.  We were first "team Pastry" and started mixing a Dolly Madison Scripture Cake.  We were so happy to taste your cake, along with all the other items cooked/baked and prepared.  This was such a fun experience, and we now know how to cook over fire, or coals in a brazier (see below)