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, September 19, 2019

Wellness Weekend ~ Going Off Grid

I'm trying to find a coral colored 100% cotton yarn (chemical free) for  a project, but cannot find any reasonably priced.  I like Lily yarn, but if you know of a company selling it, please leave a comment.  I found Sugar n' Cream 2.5 oz in Tangerine, but they want $2.99 per ball for it.  That will make my project cost go up.  I am already paying $1.77/ball at Wal-mart.

Two men were supposed to come Tues. evening to buy the old truck as-is.  They did not show up.  Wed. came around and they didn't show up again.  If they don't show up tonight, we'll be fixing it up and putting it up for sale for a higher price.


 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

We are going off grid until next week.  We are calling it our "wellness weekend" where we'll pamper our mind, body and souls.  We'll relax and rejuvenate, block out the bad, and soak up some "good."

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

This and That

I am finally back to the stove for making a good and healthy breakfast.  Swelling in my foot and leg has gone down enough to stand a bit longer.



It's another scramble this week, but I haven't made a breakfast in over 2 weeks now - eggs, potatoes, onion, bacon, zucchini, dandelion greens, fire powder and garlic.

I was almost full swing back into my routine - sorted mail, washed, dried and put away a mound of dirty dishes, ran the dishwasher, washed a load of towels and hung them on the line, watched the pup, spritzed my sprouts (which are already sprouting, emptied trash, washed more clothes and put them on drying racks, and crocheted.  I have an order for a set of pot holders and another order for dish scrubbies.  Nylon netting was cut, but not much.  

I also got around to making crock pot beef burgundy, noodles and mashed potatoes and corn.  Thankful for a good meal and thankful I can pack a lunch for the Hubster (as well as breakfast).  A bit of "normal" has been reinstated.

No call from the surgeon just yet. Praying they call soon.

The totaled car has been hauled away thankfully.  

Hubby said we are having a pepper picking day this weekend.  He said we do have peppers.  I guess I need to check my empty jar supply today.




Tuesday, September 17, 2019

from the handiwork journal . . .

Finished this bracelet - a special request.  I had trouble with the green beads, but overall turned out nice.  I won't buy beads from the company that made the green ones again.  They were not the exact size as specified and I had to use my tool to enlarge the holes on almost all of them (green).  Anyway, it turned out nice.




Finished these bracelets as well, but they need ends sewn in and buttons yet.  The black one was finished and gifted.  I'll be making more.




Finished these sets of pot holders.  That bottom one was the new yarn I bought.  It's not the colors I thought it would be, but it reminds me of a cabin in the woods sort of color.



Finished this dishcloth (knitted) and a matching set of pot holders.


The positive aspect of having to sit around with my leg up, is that all of this has gained me more to sell at the winter craft show (s).  I'm completely out of my black yarn, so my "f" bombs are not restocked, nor the dish scrubbies, but it's on the to-do list.  


Monday, September 16, 2019

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hubby put the totaled car engine up for sale.  He literally got an interested buyer within a few hours or less.  The car has been sold. They even have a trailer to pick it up this week.

The same people may be buying our old truck as is as well.  That would be awesome.


My broccoli sprout seeds have arrived and are started.  Can't wait to taste them.

The roosters finally went up for sale.  We are keeping one.  I'm offering them to a family friend first, so we'll see.  We have one person interested so far.

We had donated a large amount of shredded chicken for the meal after the funeral, and there was half of it left, so we took it to a family birthday party on Saturday.  It worked out great.  Nothing left over.  

Sunday we picked up a flower arrangement and an angel solar light and made a visit to our grandson at the cemetery, then made a visit with his Mom.

I'm praying my surgeon calls and schedules my procedure.  I need a ride on the sanity saver (Harley) in a bad way.  We also need a Wellness Weekend off grid.  We all do.  We are completely emotionally exhausted.  My main focus this week is to get some healing time mentally.  If I am so exhausted I can't even imagine what our daughter (mother to our grandson) is going through.

Our youngest daughter has gotten several migraines due to emotional stress (see prayer list).  She is home again today for a grievance day.  I made her feverfew tea yesterday and will again today if needed.

I've gotten a few orders this week, which I am thankful for.  It will keep me busy and keep my mind off things - a set of pot holders and some dish scrubbies.





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



The weather outside is . . .
High of 80°F, sunny


On my reading pile . . .
I haven't been in the mood to read


On my TV . . .
Whatever movies we find on Amazon prime


On the menu . . .
Crock pot beef burgundy, noodles and mashed potatoes
leftovers
Something grilled maybe
....have no idea



On the to-do list . . .
clean up kitchen
laundry
check jalapenos and pick them if we have enough
crochet orders I recently received
Deliver some hot pads that were ordered


What I am creating . . .
Another set of pot holders, nylon dish scrubbies, and a boho beaded bracelet.  


Looking around the house . . .
It's a hot mess.  We'll get some order in it as I heal.  I'm starting to walk almost normal, so I'm praying for a quick healing to get back to a tidy homestead.  Even the porch, flower beds are a hot mess.  Just everything is a hot mess.


From the camera . . .


Sunday morning sunrise.


Prayer list . . .
For myself and my leg to heal and for the surgeon to call ASAP and schedule the procedure, for our daughter who just lost her 4 month old, for a young man who our youngest was friends with (even came to one of her parties here) who was recently hit by a hit-and-run driver a few days ago and passed away (he was a 2019 graduate {18 years old} and was just starting college, he was hit while on campus at his college), our 20 year-old who is sick right now with a sinus infection and an ear infection, for my Mom and nephew and niece who all have a horrible cough, and other personal requests.


Saturday, September 14, 2019

Pushing On

Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and well wishes.   We have gotten through the funeral of our grandson, and are trying to push forward.  Little man would want us all to be happy.  I will admit, it was the hardest thing I've had to do as a grandmother, and as parents watching our daughter bury her infant.



Thursday, September 12, 2019

Putting a Stop to the King of "Take Out"




I'm doing a little bit more every day, although I am watching myself on not over doing it.  I'm still getting of handiwork time.  Adding more vitamin C to my diet with organic lemons.

I had partial day of help yesterday, and boy did it feel good to have a homemade dinner last night.  I dug through the freezer and pulled out meatballs, a jar of home canned pepper mustard sauce from the pantry, and I pulled a lonely last jar of home canned pickled beets (I do love my beets). This is why I also like canning and doing freezer food prep - you never know when you need something quick and easy and healthy.

I did a few more small loads of laundry, made a nettle tea infusion, and unloaded the dishwasher and put other dishes away.

My hands have been so dry from handiwork over time, that I'm putting lotion on the top of the list after the leg procedure is done. 

Speaking of my helper, it was my 20 year-old, and she even drove all the way out to the homestead to drive me to my sonogram (on my leg).  She even took me to the store for some much needed grocery items, black yarn and other misc items.  I'm so thankful for her offer to help out yesterday.  I had planned to drive myself.

Speaking of shopping, I had hoped to find a nice outfit for the funeral this week.  Nope.  They had long sleeved fall clothing and winter coats out.  It'll be 86°F and hot.  Guess I'll find something suitable in my closet.

As for the garden, we were due for rain yesterday, which I was forever grateful for.  I hope there will be a few more tomatoes to eat with this heat wave.  I got out my canning recipes too.  Here's hoping for a ton of jalapenos out there too.

Sorry I haven't been around to read your blogs.  I hope to get some visits in this weekend.  If you can, please say a prayer for our youngest daughter.  She's getting migraines from the emotional stress of the funeral, and my feverfew has not been harvested.  I hope to get some cut today for her for tea.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Unsupervised

I couldn't take it any longer.  I was left alone, so I washed dishes (twice), emptied and reloaded the dishwasher and did a few loads of laundry.  Hubby has been busy helping our daughter with funeral arrangements and our youngest is grieving.  I had to do something.  Every dish in the house was dirty.

There is a lot of things I still can't do, but I at least put a dent in the mess here.  By the time Hubby gets home, he's mentally exhausted and doesn't want to do a thing, so I had to do it or it wasn't getting done.

I'll admit, I'm not eating as healthy as I should because I can't do the cooking involved, which is also driving me mad.


Also, my refrigerator is contaminated with leftover take out.  Gah!  It is about to explode from lack of attention too.

My fresh spinach went bad.  Double Gah!  I need a trip to the store for fresh greens so I can make some fruit/green smoothies for my lunch and breakfast.  We are totally out of eggs, the chickens apparently went on strike (I think they miss me), and I'm left with toast for breakfast again.

Things could be worse though.  Hubby took the Harley out when he left to help our daughter and arrangements.  On his way home, he had to detour and took a country one lane road.  A semi going full speed in the opposite direction, came an inch or two from hitting him head on.  Not something the wifey wants to hear at the end of the day either.

On a good note, I have a helper today with Romeo.  I hope to have her water my peppers, grow bags and medicinal weeds as well.  I'm just glad for the company too. 

I guess I'm heading to the freezer and pantry to see what I can whip up for dinner tonight.  I cannot.  I repeat cannot eat another grilled burger nor eat take out.  Wish me luck.  There has to be something here to create a healthy meal for once.  It's too hot here for soup, so that's out.  We are up to the 90's here again.