Guess what I found? It was the only book allowed back on the shelf. Now to find Volume one. The book store called me back finally, saying the signature couldn't be verified on the book and it was for sale for $39.00. I found it elsewhere for almost half that price.
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~
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Random Tidbits
Guess what I found? It was the only book allowed back on the shelf. Now to find Volume one. The book store called me back finally, saying the signature couldn't be verified on the book and it was for sale for $39.00. I found it elsewhere for almost half that price.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Freezer/Pantry Stash
I have been getting creative with my freezer and pantry stash. I am trying to rotate out, so I am prepared for the new garden stash to go back in.
I made another new breakfast recipe - Blueberry Baked Oatmeal (Cookie and Kate online). I followed the recipe completely, other than adding a bit more blueberries. I am going to need to re-stock my organic oats soon though.
I'm looking into making herbal packets to sell for facial steams. Has anyone done one? There are so many recipes for different skin types.
I haven't heard back from the General Store on selling an item. Hopefully today I will. I sent another email in case it got missed for some reason.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Motivation Returns ~ From Pile to File Recipe (Sweet Potato Egg Cups)
We have a lot going on now. Woot! I heard it from my husband's mouth! His goal is to finish the hallway completely this weekend. What's on the list? Well, for starters, I have boxes in the hall (again) that need delivered. After that we finish the hallway flooring and trim. I'm excited to see him motivated, but the weather may have something to do with that too, ha ha! Although it's a bit chilly this morning.
The purge continues, but at a slower pace unfortunately. I have done it again - printed new recipes to try. I want to switch up our breakfast meals, try a few for larger group meals, and some for potlucks/summer cook outs. I'm having a family get together one way or another (for whoever wants to come). I miss family.
You may see lack of posts from now until later in March. There are two possibilities for the bathroom remodel. Not sure which way we'll go.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Nothin' Much.....
Nothing much going on here lately. We were conserving hot water until our propane was delivered. Someone forgot to check the tank, but thankfully we prepaid last fall and delivery was the same day. However, that meant dirty dishes piled up, ha ha! Oh boy, I guess we'll keep a better eye on it. At least we didn't run completely out.
I felt bad for the guy delivering the propane too. He had to walk through a 4 foot drift of snow around the garage to do it. The snow is slowly melting here. I've been busy shoveling snow away from the house foundation, garage doors, entryway etc.
Our propane company pulled in the drive again yesterday. I went out with our receipt and told him they already filled us up. He wasn't happy about it, but that's not my problem. Their company had routes double booked I guess.
We are melting away here. Love the weather, but the one side of our drive was pretty much flooded. I had to tell Daughter T to not come over unless she had rain boots. She opted to stay home. Later last night the water receded. Thankfully, it's melting at a nice pace, but a muddy mess as predicted.
The chickens are going stir-crazy. We are upon coyote mating season. I can't let them out and alone for too long at a time, and the gigantic snow drift in their run has not melted. The younger ones absolutely hate the snow, ha ha!
Monday, February 22, 2021
Happy Homemaker Monday
Today's post is a dewzie. Meaning long. I tried a few new recipes this past week.
I've been doing some searching on the internet lately, and have been reading up (Better Homes and Gardens) how to make my own seed tape. It will make planting my new green onion seeds so much easier this spring. I may also just plant them in starter trays this year for easier planting.
Good news! We are warming up, so this snow will start to melt and we can get outside comfortably to fix the wood splitter.
Thank you all for your oohs and ahhs over the new switch plates. I have them up for now and deciding on if we need to replace receptacles with another color. So far I LOVE they way they look, but missed buying for one more outlet.
.....and guess what? I think I want them for our master bath now, and one for the living room. Sigh, I just think we are due for upgrades in this house to perk our spirits. The old switch plates and screws will be bagged and donated either to the thrift or Habitat location. I have more ideas for the kitchen.
I've been working on making Monday's and Sunday's an all one meal crock pot day. It gives me a break in the kitchen, and if we are working outside or in the hallway, we can relax when we are done for the day. Sunday I made Four Beans and Sausage.
My husband's way of a quick fix (wood splitter) on Sunday? Buying about 1/3 of a cord of wood. It was really too cold to be out and fixing the wood splitter.
Woke up to 7° yesterday and today? At 5:30am it was 38°F.
The weather outside is . . .
38°F/31°F, but may hit 36°F during the night tonight.
How I am feeling this morning . . .
Feeling like our weekend work was simply problems that needed fixed, so no work done on the hallway. Otherwise feeling good.
On my mind . . .
I was happy to see a bill passed a second time to reduce our Governor's control on lockdowns etc. It has a better chance this time, as more were for yay than nay and that stops him from putting a veto to it.
I'm starting to know what the empty nest feels like. We haven't seen Daughter E (youngest) since last Thursday. She doesn't like the long drive with the snow.
On the breakfast plate . . .
Not sure, but this is what we had yesterday.
On my reading pile . . .
As the Earth Turns
On my TV . . .
I love watching Create (cooking shows) during crochet time. Avoiding talk shows and news has definitely lifted my spirits (sick of the lies, and tired of biased shows). As for evenings we rely on netflix, movies we own (the best out because they are older movies or funny) or Amazon prime - whatever looks good.
On the menu . . .
-Crockpot roasted turkey breast, roasted asparagus or brussel sprouts
-Beef stew (Monday crock pot meal)
-Philly stuffed green bell peppers
-Sunday crock pot meal - sweet potato chili or a roast with veggies
- Snacks, homemade hummus, kamut flake bars with nuts/seeds
From the camera . . .
Looking around the house . . .
Looks the same as last week. I need to take boxes to donate and deliver purged crafting supplies.
To relax this week I will . . .
Watch Create (cooking shows) and crochet.
New Recipe I tried or one we tried and really enjoyed. . .
Pizza casserole (my version)
1 lb. sausage of your choice (we like homemade sausage using organic pork)
1 box Organic Einkorn Penne
1 organic green bell pepper diced (or equivalent from your freezer)
1 onion, diced
2 pints home canned pizza sauce
2 cups your favorite pizza topping cheese or cheese blends (we love some Parmesan in ours).
Cook sausage in a skillet. When the meat is halfway cooked, toss in the diced green bell pepper and onion (and any additions you'd like - olives, mushrooms, pepperoni). Stir in the pizza sauce and heat.
Cook noodles per package instructions and strain water. Add cooked noodles to the pizza sauce mixture and combine well.
Pour half of mixture into a prepared 9 x 13 baking pan, layer with cheese, add last half of mixture. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Add another layer of cheese and bake until cheese is melted. Serve. Note: You could also add extra pizza toppings with the last layer of cheese.
Crispy baked chicken.
Something I want to share . . .
Ideas for revitalizing and energizing yourself (cont.)L:
51. Don't do wrong
52. Learn to let go
53. Allot time for daily meditation
54. Engage in organized religious activity
55. Encourage your gentleness
Prayers . . .
Texas. Mom - she gets her vaccine this week (shipment was delayed). Youngest - she is still mentally having a difficult time after losing her boyfriend last year. Some things just remind her of him. Some times too often for her to handle.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Consignment Sales~ Whoops! ~ Repairs
Good news! I am looking into selling my jar openers in a smaller town with a general store. I have to raise the price due to the percentage they want to sell consignment, but happy they are considering.
You can find the easy instructions for the mini-sun catchers on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
A Warm Up
Although they say we'll dip to a low of 5°F tonight, yesterday the sun was out all day and the icicles started to melt. What a joy that was to see. I knocked them down over the door to avoid any falling on us. The warm up is approaching thankfully. I am prepared for a big muddy mess, but so glad to be moving out of the cold spell.
I had a lot of indoor house chores, and after doing laundry all day, I pulled the rug from the washer only to notice water on the floor. Yep. Guess what my husband is doing today? Ha ha ha! Fixing the softener line that runs into the water lines behind the utility room sink. Water is shut off, so thankfully I had jugs of water to make coffee this morning.
Speaking of rugs, the rug at my master bath shower is a rag rug, crocheted from old bedding. I do think it's time to make a new one, but time will tell. I was exhausted from housework, but at least that is done and will free up time this weekend. We need to tackle fixing the wood splitter too.
Mail is running very slow in our parts. There has been times when we are not getting anything for 3 days, which is very unusual. We typically don't go one day without something (mostly junk mail), but I do worry about a late bill, so guess what I am doing today? Writing down due dates and bill names on my handy dandy planner. I pay them all online, so I can check my planner every day from now on.
Oh, and speaking of late mail, the IRS said we didn't pay our taxes in 2020. I typed up a letter, gave them the online bank confirmation number, sent them the interest they were charging us (which we should have had to pay). Guess what they sent back? Yep. They interest. Guess it was worth writing a letter with a real check vs. paying online this time.
Okay, sorry for the boring post. I'm trying to get my husband to start this day. I had to tell him about the mess in the utility room as he was literally walking in the door from work last night. Hallway progress will depend on how long it takes to tackle today's repairs, and of course splitting some wood so we can turn off our expensive electric heat.