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, November 7, 2021

Sunday Ramblings

 

A friend shared this photo of our Meijer store the other day.  It is just like 2020 now.  Not sure if people are hoarding or if supplies are slow coming in.

Photo from another friend (Meijer also, but another state)


We woke up refreshed with the time change giving us an extra hour of sleep.  I however, hope the state stops doing this.  It's frustrating with the quicker darker evenings, and less work time.



I went to Aldi's to stock up on quinoa.  It used to be $1.95 and it's now $2.75 (still cheaper than at the other stores). 




I was shocked at the new organic items they are carrying.  I haven't been there in a while.

A niece and her best friend are opening their own business - bakery/cafe.  I wish them well.  It's a tough time to be opening a business, with supplies high in price and the supply chains slow right now.

Well, my husband had to work today (again).  We were both up early, so I could pack his breakfast, coffee etc.  Today may be our last good weather day.  

Despite trying, we are forced to push our kitchen floor repair to Spring time.  I am sad about this, but maybe supplies will be a bit lower then.  I surely hope they are not higher.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

My Thoughts Ran Wild! ~ Chit-Chat

I was running around gathering laundry, picked up some socks off the floor (sigh), and there sat a bag of used canning lids.  I grabbed them too.  That's when things when wild.

I loaded the washer, but only to find a lonely sock laying in the hallway.  Sheesh.

Okay, about the wild mind of mind....

I was literally going insane, digging through what craft supplies I did not purge, thinking "there has to be way to create an ornament out of these lids."  

I had to find all my supplies, but then kept telling myself, not until I get the apple crisp baked, the onions out of the dehydrator, laundry done and whatnot.  I kept telling myself, as excited as I was (and I haven't been this excited to do a Christmas ornament in a long, long time), "focus woman, focus!" Ha ha!

Oh, funny thing.  Daughter K took Mom to a doctor appt and texted me that Mom said she smelled like onions (ha ha ha!).

Mom has at least two doctor appts. next week, so we will all be busy with that.


As for the ornament, I'll have an update when they are complete.  I'm putting instructions on my other blog (S.C.R.A.P) because I haven't posted on that one in like forever.

Friday, November 5, 2021

Puttin' Up

 


I sliced up 6# of apples and cooked them down, while I multitasked....


...and sliced and diced 6# of onions and filled my large dehydrator. Part of them will be ground into onion powder and part will be saved as they are.

I'll probably make applesauce again.  I didn't write down any notes on my recipe (basically instructions with number of pounds), and may have doubled it last time. 



Thankfully I thought ahead for the busy day.  I put an all-in-one dinner in the crock pot.  Four beans and sausage, with home grown green bell pepper and home canned ketchup.

I cut up yellow netting, and it took almost 3 hours to cut enough strips for 11 scrubbies.  It's sort of back breaking work, as it is a lot of netting and I cannot just simply fold it over several times (10 yards) and cut it quickly.  I'm not sure how many more years I'll be selling them.



By the way, two tips with homemade scrubbies.  I've had someone buy them for her husband and said he uses them to get the bugs off his windshield.  My brother uses one to scrub his potatoes.

Today marks day 5 that our mower guy didn't show up.  We had a biker friend over last night and asked if he would mow for a fee.  My husband works all weekend, and I do not know how to use the mower (it's a larger golf course style mower).  I have asked him to teach me, but he refuses.  I think he realizes though I am putting something up every day, and home cooked meals take time (which he appreciates). 

Hubby had his check up at the doctor.  He not only lowered his sugar number, but also lost more weight.  We are both thankful for this, and I'll continue to concentrate on meals to help with his health.

We woke up to a brisk 27°F.  The weather will be a bit warmer this weekend.

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.