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 9, 2021
The to-do list continues. . .
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Random Tidbits
In lieu of the kitchen floor project discovery, I sliced and diced yesterday to get some tomatoes off the tables.
Ketchup was canned. I love Amish paste, I cut less, because they weigh more. I may have to mix it up next year to ensure I have enough for all things tomato. I may plant 3 types of paste tomatoes.
I started to drain rain barrels and flip them upside down for winter. We were supposed to get rain last night but did not. We really needed it too.
Picked hot peppers, and there were a good amount to pick.I froze two more trays of mad hatter peppers.
My husband told me twice he was bringing dinner home. Guess who walked in the door with no dinner? Yep. I was tired. He was tired. I made adult cheese sandwiches (Recipe is online with America's Test Kitchen).
Daughter K has been a Godsend in helping with Mom's appts. She not only picked up the transport wheelchair and shower stool, but also took her to two appts, and one was to get her hair done.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Wham Bam Slam
Conversation with my husband....
"Hey, Mom gave me her set of red glass dishes to put in the glass door hutch. In order to do that we have to jack up the floor first."
Well, that was followed by an entire day of trying to access under the kitchen with two accesses we already have. Didn't happen. We created a 3rd. Got in a few feet, and dug out some dirt to get to the beam.
Jacked up the floor only after an entire day of work, to find we have dry rot.
Guess who is ripping out their kitchen floor? Yep. We can't do sister joists from the access. No room for anyone to get in. Seriously old house problems. Guess I'm gonna get new kitchen flooring out of this now. Just what we don't need. I may live with a wood floor until next year, and put new flooring in the kitchen.
On the same day, after all that bad news, we went to town to pick up a new recliner we bought for Mom. We picked it up, delivered it, and once it was inside we discovered it was the wrong chair. We packed it back up and took it back. Delivery date for the right one?? 12 weeks. Sigh.
On the good side of this, we found out before winter. On the bad side, it's canning season.
Mom's 2nd delivery attempt of her 14 free meals failed. They never arrived, so we picked up a few hot meals. My younger brother was off over the weekend, so he (what I call "granny rigged") added handles, hooks and what not to her home to make it much easier for her to get around.
Oh, her appetite is back. Such good news that the new medication is working in more ways than one. Today we are working on getting a transport wheelchair and a shower stool for her. She would very much like to get her hair done, which would make her feel much better.
I'm beginning to tarp down more grass between 2 flower beds to make mowing much easier, but those tarps will stay down all winter and we'll tackle that area next year. Not sure, but I think I'll add a few flowering bushes and perennials in that area.
Friday, September 3, 2021
Hot Peppers and tidbits
I had a mess of hot peppers to take care of, so I made one last batch of hot pepper jelly. I'll be freezing the rest, or using them in recipes such as salsa etc.
Army worms have invaded our state. I have yet to see any at our property, but some friends are dealing with their entire yards gone.
I brewed up a batch of homemade ginger ale for Mom. She has had no appetite and loves my ginger ale. I wanted to make her favorite snack, but decided it was best to not right now. She says the only thing she can eat right now are tomatoes and popcorn. My tomato plant has new tomatoes on, but nothing ready to pick, so we'll check the produce down the road.
Speaking of Mom, she has had two more falls since I last posted. We went into town last night and helped do some things and feed her cats, but didn't get home until dark.
Daughter K had to work late, so we had dog duty, had to feed her cat, put the chickens in and when that was all done we were literally drained of any mental/physical energy.
My kitchen sink and counters are full of dirty dishes, laundry was left on the line all night, I didn't have time to make a breakfast for my husband to take to work this morning, and we are both mentally and physically exhausted.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Just the Bits
I'll be honest, I am ready for fall weather. The sky in the morning has been beautiful as the weather has been changing lately.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Why I Wear Cowboy Boots. . . Tidbits
This is my Dad singing and playing his guitar. He used to take song requests and play at a radio station in the 50's. Happy birthday in Heaven to my Dad!
I thought I would spread some goodness and love today. Hope you enjoyed it.