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, March 14, 2013

Handiwork Progress ~ Moving Onward



When my older brother stopped in recently, he also brought me a bag of old jeans from his wife.  I have already started cutting them into strips for another denim rag rug.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

From the Homesteading Journal. . . (work, work, and work)


. . . Hubby and my 16 year-old worked on building the new goat stalls.  Only a few more boards to go.



. . . meet the newest member on the farm.  She's from a good bloodline of purebred lamancha dairy goats.  She is not named yet, but will be increasing our goat's milk, soap production, and homemade cheeses.  She's such a cutie.  This little gal follows my daughter everywhereI had to laugh when Sadie (black lab mix) brought her rope toy to the goat, to play with.  She was even (the dog) growling at Jesse to warn him to stay away for "her" baby goat playmate.  


. . . purchased early spring seeds (peas etc), but still need our potatoes and onions.





. . . worked on painting more of the kitchen cupboards.  With the temperature change, I hope to finish this project this month.


. . . washed up a vintage feed sack, and reused it for a curtain for one lower cupboard

. . . mixed up 5 more jars of homemade vanilla extract, and more homemade ginger ale.


The weather has quickly changed from 50 degrees and sunny, to 40-50 degrees and rainy, and now to the 30's, 100% cloud cove,r and a teensy bit of snow (or is that drizzle out there?).

Either way, I have a load of towels going on the line today.

It's a good day to get out my writing gear, and get something down on paper (or computer).  I've put it off way too long.  The kids can cook dinner tonight.  They joke why I haven't "written" my book yet, but they consistently leave me a very messy house.  Who can write with a clear mind, when the house is a chaotic mess?  I need my "office" out at the back of the property....and soon.

I may just make a big pot of hot cranberry punch to get me in the "mood."  That is, after I re-start the wood stove (hmpf - kids!), and bring in more wood.   Looks like we'll need it this week.



   

A Year of Quotes:

"In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by."
   ~ Lucille Ball  

   

Monday, March 11, 2013

Teabag Tidbits


It's Monday, and I have lots of work to get done - dishes the kids did not do (again), painting, laundry, floors, bathroom, design new business cards, do research on the possibilities (it may not happen due to cost) of a new easy-up canopy for Farmer's Market, and a few quick checks on the wee one we brought home yesterday (more on that later).

It's raining, dark and dreary today

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Lola is Not Happy ~ Road Trip

I finally found a chicken saddle/apron for Lola.  Sparta has ripped out her backside feathers completely.  She is the only chicken so far, that is like this.
 
Lola does not like her saddle/apron.  Once the kids put it on her, she went "bananas" and squawked and squawked.  She went running around, trying to get it off.  The other chickens followed and chased, wondering what that thing was on her.  In the photo you can see they are all staring at her, in curiosity.

However, by evening, she was still upset.  I hope she has gotten used to it by this morning, and will agree to wear it.


Hubby was called in again for more repairs at work.  This time it was 3:50am.  He's still not home yet, and it will be a long Sunday for him.

Today we have a road trip scheduled. 
 

A Year of Quotes:
"You have to have a dream, so you can get up in the morning."
  ~ Billy Wilder

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Singing Birds ~ Wall Tent Memories

This male cardinal was singing his heart out last night.  My older brother stopped in for a visit, and gifted us wood and fencing, and we were still all standing outside.  My 11 year-old daughter encouraged me to run in and grab my camera.  Birds are the most difficult animal for me to photograph.  They are there one second, and gone the next.  However, I got lucky this time.  What a beautiful sound he made too.


We may have a change of plans today.  Hubby got called into work for a  repair, sometime around 4-5am.  He's still not back home, so I best get started on plan B.  

The weather is even better today than yesterday.  However, like most days in our state, we'll probably be back to colder days soon.  It's a good day to wash the kids bedding and put it on the line.  Not to mention, air out the house.

I'm not drinking a green veggie smoothie drink, that contains spirulina, and blue green algae.   It doesn't taste very good, but it will replenish my body with a good dose of vitamins and minerals, protein, and so forth.  I also read that the spirulina helps with allergies.  I am feeling better each day, but I am really not sure if the smoothie is the source of it yet.

Yesterday, I was able to take my crocheting project on the road.  And during my daughter's dental visit, my Mother met up with me.  She surprised me, and gifted us with two bags of delicious breads.

Days like today make me wish we had our backyard wall tent up.  

I will need to replace our tent, as well as our easy-up, as both are ruined by wear and tear.


 I'm not one to take all this stuff camping, so we look forward to relaxing in it, in the backyard. See the chicken in the photo in the upper right?  Even the chickens join us.

And of course the dogs (which Gus will be missed) join us.....

 And the barn cats too.


A Year Of Quotes:
"Courage is grace under pressure."
~ Ernest Hemingway  



Friday, March 8, 2013

Get R' Done ~ Before Planting Season Arrives


As promised to Hubby, I am finishing up projects that are taking up space in our bedroom.  When we moved here, I was forced to put all my craft totes in the garage, as there are no extra rooms for a craft room.  Unfortunately, they piled up in bedroom and bedroom closet.

I had a small piece of fleece with turtles on it - one my youngest daughter's favorite animals, and her favorite color of green.  I decided to sew a pillow.  

Cha-Ching - one project done.




I started this baby blanket back in November of 2011. Yikes!  I got sick, and decided to abandon it, and make an easier pattern for the new baby.  I am now finishing it, and putting it up for sale (or I may gift it to a mother expecting her first baby this summer).

Ching - another (unfinished) project getting worked on! This one doesn't get the full "Cha-Ching" until it's complete.  But it's a good start compared to the pile of unfinished projects.


 And here is an unfinished winter scarf I started.  It, like some projects, got buried under the "pile" and will get finished this month or next as well.  I'm still knitting blocks for a blanket, but that may not be completed for another year (I decided to make it larger).

My 11 year-old daughter is busy making earrings to sell at this year's Farmer's Market.  She is making them all by herself, with my already stocked supply of beads.  I bought her this rotating display for $1.00 at the local thrift store.  This will also free up some space in my room.

And there are many more other unfinished projects, that will be updated soon I hope.  My son already delivered several boxes of used books (a lot of old homeschooling stuff) to the local library (for their future book sale).  I filled two garbage bags of stuff to throw out as well.  I am turning off the wood/corn pellet burner today, and doing some much needed dusting. I typically do more "spring" cleaning in the fall, but there is some much needed cleaning that needs done here. Not to mention repairs.


The weather is absolutely gorgeous today.  If I had a lawn chair on my porch, I would be sipping my coffee in my jammies and robe outdoors right now.  I could care less about traffic seeing me.

If I close my eyes and breath in the cool crispness, I can imagine sitting around a campfire and enjoying camper's coffee.  Not to mention the sounds of nature.  

I had to take a photo of the goats this morning.  Peanut (far left) hates winter, and won't come out.  Today, they are all out and enjoying this beautiful sunshine and warmer weather.  The two on the left are expecting babies late this month.

And since I do not yet have my porch back to the "relaxation" mode, I will be putting as much laundry on the line as I can, and enjoying the outdoors just the same.  The day will end too soon, and I have to make a trip to town for one of the kids as well.  The fresh air should do me some good, and hopefully put an end to this annoying cough.

 
 

 

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Pet Funny

Name:  Jesse James Jackson

Occupation:  Family Therapist

Fee:  Mom's Homemade Pancakes

Disclaimer: If fee is not paid accordingly, you will be reprimanded by me stealing your slipper, and tearing up the bathroom trash (not to mention dragging it all over the living room floor).