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~
Friday, May 13, 2022
Hooky ~ Shortages/Businesses Closed and othe ramblings
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Nice weather ~ Painting and purging continues
It has been nice weather to get the laundry and bedding out on the line. I had it out early and painted for 3 hours. Painting trim is a pain, but I am getting more done if I stay home ha ha! I'm almost done with the upper cabinets. I have about 3 to go, and paint the doors as well. Four doors went back up last night. Progress is being made.
I know we are ripping out the carpet, but I wanted to spot clean in case we sell the other 2 pieces of furniture. Put the plants out to harden, and totally forgot to put my mail in the mailbox. Oops.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
New Kitchen Gadget ~ Coffee Cubes and other ramblings
Not very often, but when we have leftover coffee, I freeze it into cubes for my husband's coffee (he likes to cool it down enough to drink right away). You lift that white tab, and pour it right it. Works great.
I saw beautiful hanging baskets a few days before Mother's Day and didn't buy them. Went back after Mother's Day and nothing left. Hmpf. I should have known better. I went to Menards, and the same situation. Plus their prices are horrible this year.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Asparagus ~ Garlic....where did it go?!
I'm so depressed. I went out to the garden to start prepping for the year, and found all of my garlic eaten but 3. My guess, from research, is that a squirrel (or more than one) was the culprit. Never in all the years here has this happened. Rabbits, deer and ground hogs do not like garlic, so I am just guessing. They have plenty of black walnuts to provide, so I am stumped as to why it happened, other than the smell of the dogs is not out there anymore (guess I'm gettin' a dog).
I want to now spring plant my garlic, so it cost me an arm and a leg to order some to plant. I didn't record how many I planted last year for some reason. I think it was a crazy fall due to my husband's sister passing away from covid, and Mom's health declining.
I typically plant 80-100 cloves, so this is a tremendous loss with organic garlic. It's just such a shock, because nothing likes the smell of garlic. We toyed with the idea that I forgot to plant them. I did not. I remember planting.
We toyed with the idea that someone stole them. Ha ha! Actually, it's not such a crazy idea. Every day for the last two weeks a car has been stolen in the city about 12 miles from us, and now they are breaking into chicken coops. Seriously. Stealing kids bicycles, and more.
I plan to pull the pea fence. We didn't get any planted with this crazy kitchen floor repair, and we need to till that area as well.
I finally got the carpet spot cleaned from Daughter K's dogs being here, and laundry put on the line, but got zero painting done.
I believe it's finally time to call an exterminator, unless someone has a sure fire way to trap those big bumblebees (a LOT of them). I've tried every year, and they get worse every year. Yesterday they were swarming the doors of the house and porch. I cannot for the life of me find the nests, but I'm guessing they are by one of the barns, by they way they swarm over there.
Monday, May 9, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
Mother's Day this year was a bit on the rough side, but my wonderful family got me thru it.
First, we talked about my husband booking an appointment with Daughter E for a much needed haircut. She was booked solid, so I texted and asked if she could make a special house call, considering Sunday is his only (and only) day off.
Second, we needed to be home at noon. A lady was coming with her Dad to look at the pie safe, and she was out the door with it in minutes. She loved it. One piece of furniture sold and two more to go now.
My husband cleaned up the front porch, Daughter K helped put furniture on it, and the burn pile was finally burned down.
My husband, myself, and Daughter K drove to the cemetery to visit Mom. I wasn't surprised to see that my previous flowers were gone (that was a terrible wind storm in March). I will need to buy more for Grandma and Grandpa's now.
I have to say, I think this year was the best Mother's Day I've had in a long, long time.
Right now I am . . .
Saturday, May 7, 2022
As Mother's Day Approaches
The first week of May is always a busy one with celebrations. My husband's birthday, and mine, are within 5 days of each other. I always feel we are cheated out of celebrating due to other peoples celebrations. I tried to book us a cabin one year, but we had to cancel it for some reason or another.
Mother's Day is also in between our birthday's, and some year's my birthday lands on Mother's Day. Mom told me once, that I was born on Mother's Day.
It is not a day this year however, that I am looking forward too (Mother's Day). It was always a special day for Mom.
Friday, May 6, 2022
Rain and gloomy days. . .