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, November 4, 2021

Random Tidbits

I went to our closest grocery store yesterday, but was disappointed with the organic vegetable section.   Sigh.  I will need to make the longer drive in the opposite direction from now on.  

I've been cutting netting the last few days to make dish scrubbies for the upcoming craft show.  The are a big seller at the shows.  I added another new color - orange.

I'm focusing on buying USA made, and just ordered a board game for my niece and nephew for Christmas.  I don't think I'll be making homemade gifts this year, as with Mom's health and the way the world is, we most likely won't get together (sadly).  I could be wrong.  It is fun coming up with new gift ideas though.  I already have one idea just in case.

Speaking of Mom, she had another fall last night.  Her legs are being treated by a wound clinic now thankfully.  One leg was infected and the other has a growth, that they took a biopsy from. She also had blood come from her ear, in which I told her to immediately call her doctor about.  The visiting nurse didn't seem to think it was anything (but this is not normal).  The issues are communication right now.

I think yesterday was the first day in a long time to not stock up on something.  I'm back at it today though.  No pictures today for some odd reason.


Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Canning Beets

Yesterday my kitchen had the wonderful aroma of beets boiling.  



My wonderful husband brought home some organic beets so I canned them.  Mmmm!  I'm so blessed to add more to the pantry this winter.  Considering how the world is going, it's nice to have more preparations for our meals.

Yesterday morning the dogs started barking at a particular door in the house.  We all assumed it was raccoons eating the cat food.  Not so.

It was around 5am.  Daughter K beat me to the door and took her dogs out.  Had I been more awake, I would have gotten my husband up.  Daughter K said she could hear something out near the woods but could not figure out what it was.

Later when daylight arrived, and after canning beets, I went out to the camper (which sits under a pole light all night) to get the last of the items to winterize it.

I found the door wide open and lock still in lock position.  Someone (or more than one) broke into our camper, but the dogs barking ran them off.  Nothing was taken.  I alerted my husband considering where we live and anyone would be seen from the road.  These people had to have come out from the woods (parking down the road or up the road).

I guess it's time to take precautions anymore.  I am also highly considering to get ourselves a dog when Daughter K moves out.  Those dogs sure let me know when someone or something is outside.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Tuesday Tidbits

Monday ended up mostly a cleaning day.  Bathroom cleaned, hallway swept and mopped, dishes done, beef stroganoff put into the crock pot, carpet swept, etc.

I had some last minute garden stuff that needed to be put in storage, a dog gate moved out of the house (heathens tear it down when someone knocks on the door), and twine put away until next garden season.

My fun purchase from our weekend getaway.  The feathers on this clamored all the way home, and my husband kept rolling his eyes at me, ha ha!

It'll be a busy day.  Our mower guy didn't show up yesterday.  I hope he shows up today.  It's getting colder in our parts.




Monday, November 1, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

 We got away for another adventure over the weekend.  A fall foliage trip.  








The colors were absolutely gorgeous.  The weather not so good, but we still had a good time.


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

The weather . . .
51°/34°F

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Tired.  I didn't sleep well, with a lot on my mind, despite our weekend away.  I came home to a dirty kitchen, and it's time to do a family meeting with Daughter K about her housekeeping (lack of is a better word).


On my mind . . .

See above.  I've been up since 3am.  


On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no clue.  Egg production is down, so there is that.


Right now I am . . .

Doing dishes, getting dinner in the crock pot and getting my head together to make a to-do list.


On my reading pile . . .

Nothing.


On today's to-do list . . .

-make a plan for the rest of the week, as I have to get it together today first.


On my TV . . .

How to get away with murder - Netflix


On the menu . . .

Working on it.  


From the camera . . .

See weekend trip photos above.


Looking around the house . . .

It's a mess, but mostly due to a lazy daughter.


New recipe I tried or want to try . . .

A homemade cake recipe I want to try.


To relax this week I will . . . 

Crochet


Prayer list . . .

All the families that also recently lost loved ones.

Friday, October 29, 2021

More Stocking Up and Random Chit-Chat

 






Stocked up more on broccoli, asparagus and bell peppers.


Stocked up on a few more of these disposable pans.  They have come in handy for delivered dishes.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Random Tidbits

It's been a busy few days for sure.  I took advantage of the weather and washed bedding and quilts and dried them outside on the line (smelled so good after bringing it in).

I pulled the bedding from the camper and got that on the line too.  My wonderful husband dismantled the dishwasher (cleaned it too) and fixed it.

Our trash pick up left me a "nasty gram" on the handle the other day.  Literally our mail system is a total mess right now.  I typically remember to pay regardless of a bill, but I did not get one this month.  At all.  They left me a nasty note with a late fee stating they will not dump our trash until it's paid.  Keep in mind the bill with the late fee was $24.00.  It was not like I didn't get a bill for two months.

I called and explained.  They are taking the late fee off, but I'm switching any bills I can to paperless for now.  I'm also using my planner religiously, marking due dates for utilities etc. so I don't get slammed with late fees for not getting my mail in time.

I finally got an email from my Aunt M.  She said it took 2 weeks to get my letter I wrote her.  We live an hour apart.

Something probably boring to you, but I signed onto our insurance points program the other day.  In order to keep our insurance at the current price, my husband and myself are required to earn 1,000 points.  The programs range from boring online classes (health related, financial related etc) to tracking steps with a fitbit.  

Well, my fitbit disconnected and I could not re-connect it to the program.  My device is so old they don't even make it anymore.  I sent a request via live chat (which takes more than a day) to get a new one.  I am still working on that, but it took much of my precious time.



Update on my last grocery shopping.  I could not find most of what I had on the list, but froze some fresh spinach, and froze some squash.  I have more produce to freeze today.  I can tell you the section in the store that had anything tomato canned, was almost bare.  Same with the canned beans (like garbanzo, great northern).  I'll be stocking up with dry beans from now on.  The bread section was fully stocked, although that was not on my list.  I typically bake that myself.  I could not find cauliflower, and bacon was almost $7.00 (I have another resource to check for that later).

The dairy section was fully stocked, but cream cheese was very limited.

Sadly, another bad news text I received yesterday.  The stepdad to one of our niece's passed away from covid.  He was only 49 years old.  I was asked to make a dessert for the celebration of life.

Just found out this morning a good friend of ours lost his brother as well.  Lord, help us all!


Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Putting Up Peppers


Froze the last of the green bell peppers.

Jalapenos and green bell pepper went into this breakfast, topped with freshly cut chives.




Froze the last of the mad hatters and some more hot banana peppers.

Made hot sauce with some of the habaneros.  New recipe.  I'll let you know if it's good or not.

Filled the dehydrator with a mess of peppers for more fire powder.



Dinner last night.  Something I haven't made in a long, long time - pumpkin/ricotta stuffed shells (recipe is still online with Country Living) with basil and sage.  I sliced home grown carrots and put them in the crockpot with honey, butter and thyme.

Sadly, another extended family member on my husband's side of the family, had passed away from covid.