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, April 14, 2018

Antidepressant Ride

Although I am mentally exhausted, and the weather today here is cold, and 100% chance of rain (did I mention cloudy), I woke up to a smile and a refreshed soul.  I have biker's sunburn.  Hubby does too.

The first bike is Hubby and I (Harley coat with back and white helmet is me).

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Family ~ Black Bean Hummus

I'm sitting in my kitchen, sipping some herbal tea, trying to be very quiet.  Hubby will need his sleep today more than ever.  Especially these next couple of days.  He's trying to be strong, but having been a "brother" to his nephew from age 4-5, he had a very tight relationship.

I can't recall when his nephew wasn't there to help us in any predicament.  He never judged anyone that I know of, and was a very giving man and good father.  He held up the family for so many years, hosting get togethers at his house.


I'm hoping the aroma of two large pans of stuffed chick pea shells cooling, doesn't wake Hubby up.  Thankfully, I had some help from a daughter with these.  The macaroni salad is already in the refrigerator, iced tea and water are in the car, and a bag of more food is waiting to be delivered tomorrow morning.  It's to help with the meal after the funeral.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Tuesday Tidbits

It's been a trial week and it's only Tuesday.  It will be a longer week too.  I pray that God gives our nephew's family protection, love, support, and all the mental healing they need

It's not only the night shift change anxiety/strain/tension right now, but another death in our family.  We got the call last night (Monday) just about 15 minutes prior to Hubby leaving for work.  Their family, and ours, could use prayers, uplifting thoughts, and good mojo.  We lost our great nephew's father.  We just lost our great nephew in late January, and now his father (my husband's nephew).  The great nephew was only 21 years old.  I am not certain, but I think our nephew was in his early 40's.  Last year we buried my husband's sister, mother to this nephew.


Flustered and in no shape to crochet, I had a baby yarn disaster last night too.  I messed up, pulled out two rows, but in the process of putting the rows back in, created the worst mess of a knot.  I went in search of help from a daughter, who tried her best to unravel it.  To no vail, we cut the yarn.  I put it away for now, but will need to take out a half of a row, and re-attach the yarn.  Sigh.  I'm just in no condition to crochet for a day or two.

To uplift this post and share some self-sufficiency data going on here at the Rooster's Crow Farm. . .

Monday, April 9, 2018

Happy Homemaker Monday

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

We have a pretty nice weekend, yet cold.  We had a family wedding to attend, which was held outdoors (yes we froze our bums off, but the sun was out too), cut up more barn wood,  and Hubby got up Sunday morning and cooked me breakfast (even though he had to work nights starting last night).   We actually have started putting wood up (cut and ready) for this next winter.  It's a small start, but a start, and it makes me feel so relieved.  Say a prayer Hubby sticks with it this spring, summer and fall.  He's notorious for putting it off. 

We finally picked up our seed potatoes, although it was "slim pickin's."  No red potatoes this year, just white.  Red hasn't been that great with lasting long without a root cellar or basement, and white does better in my kitchen bin.  We'll see how it goes this year.

My routine will be discombobulated this week. I need to do things backwards, like make a pot of coffee at dinner, which we never do.  I need to make sure something else is leftover for Hubby's lunch too, or more like breakfast.  It's gonna be a crazy week for us.


On the breakfast table . . .

Friday, April 6, 2018

This and That

Wednesday is snowed here.  Sigh....Mother Nature has to be drunk.  It literally snowed all day and into the night.  Thankfully, there was no snow on the ground Thursday morning, we had less wind, but lots of sun.  It was still cold though.  

I'm getting a bit concerned about this gardening season.  It won't warm up for another week, and then we get an onslaught of rain for days and days.  At this point in April, I should be dehydrating tons of stinging nettle, I should have my peas, potatoes, beets and carrots planted outside.  None of that is happening right now.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Tisanes

A tisane is basically an herbal tea (used medicinally or for enjoyment), created the same way you make an infusion or decoction.  They can be enjoyed hot or cold and may be for simply enjoyment or medicinal purposes.  The only difference I have found with a traditional tisane, is that it is made with barley.  


I made my first "tisane" using two simple ingredients - cardomom pods and anise star.  I cracked open 6 organic cardamom pods (green), and used 2 anise stars.  Basically a "seed" tisane.

Anise star is good for aiding digestion (bloating, constipation, gas).  It's also beneficial in treating colds and flu.  I use anise star to flavor canned pear jam, and I use cardamom in my homemade ginger ale.

There is a lot of sickness going around again, most likely due to the change of weather from warm to cold, to warm to cold rotation.  The long winter hasn't helped.  I am hearing of people with the flu, sinus infections, colds, swollen lymph nodes, etc.


The tisane has a pale yellow color when it's all brewed.  I first wanted to make this for a "wake me up" morning drink, but it has so many health benefits too.  It's not something you want to sip at bed time, or you won't get any sleep.  It's an invigorating tisane.

If you have experience brewing a tisane with barley, I'd love to hear about it.  





Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Random Tidbits

One refrigerator has been successfully disinfected, cleaned out and reorganized.  Whew.   One more step ahead of garden season.  I got a few other chores marked off my list too.  It's been cold and raining.  The weatherman was wrong about a 62°F day.  Brr.  Today however, it's already 36°F, but that's our high too.  I believe we'll need to cut wood tonight.  


I haven't had enough good weather days to get back to the barn debris, but one day while taking old man Jesse out, I found a gem in this pile.  I took it to the house.  I hope to have an update on what I did with the "gem."  It may not happen for a few months, as Hubby goes to nights pretty soon (he is working a temporary supervisor night shift for a while).  I'll need a bit of help from him.  There are many gems in that pile, so I'll be writing down some more ideas as we pick through it.