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~
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Weeding ~ Tending Tomatoes and other ramblings
Monday, July 25, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
We thankfully got rain all weekend, however it is too wet to work out there this morning. I'll be weeding from the sides fo the flowers beds however.
I finally found where I got my washcloth pattern. It's from Cream of the Crop Crochet. There are ads on the page, but I absolutely love this pattern for a washcloth. Left is my old pattern, and the one on the right is the new pattern I found free online.
The weather . . .
Looks like we stay in the 80's with more rain this week.
As I look outside my window . . .
Flower beds look horrible! Full of weeds.
Right now I am . . .
Making a 2nd pot of coffee.
Thinking and pondering . . .
Apparently we bought two different shades of corner trims (for the bathroom), so we have to return 3 pieces and pick up 4 more. Trying to figure out if we can go do that tonight, or pay the handyman to go do it (would have to pay him for gas).
How I am feeling . . .
Ready to get some weeds pulled. But first the coffee...
On the breakfast plate . . .
Einkorn pancakes and blueberry sausages, coffee
What I am wearing . . .
Work jeans, tank top - weeding day.
On the reading pile . . .
Does the mail count? Ha ha!
On my TV . . .
Virgin River
On the menu . . .
-sheet pan chicken, brussel sprouts, carrots
-have no idea on the rest yet.
Looking around the house . . .
All of the trim, other than the bathroom floor trim has left my living room. I still need to clean off a kitchen table, and start packing up the living room for that floor repair.
To-do list . . .
-weed flower beds
-check tomatoes for worms, check beans
From the camera . . .
New sign for the kitchen.
Devotional . . .
I still haven't moved all of my "office" back, so I haven't found my devotional book yet. I need to get that done this week.
Saturday, July 23, 2022
...from the handiwork journal
. . .I've changed my handmade washcloths. The one on the left is my original pattern. I absolutely love the new on on the right. Stitches are not as tight, larger and love it for a "make up" washcloth when needed. I hope to get more made to sell this winter. The last time we stayed on the island, the owner had black washcloths with the word "Makeup" stitched on it. Brilliant idea.
. . .finally found a simple pattern for offering an inexpensive item for kids. Kids are always coming up to our tables at the craft shows, so these be perfect. Friendship bracelets. Crocheted with embroidery floss. Pattern is from Whistle and Ivy online (she has 4 different bracelet patterns). I got them free, because I am an email subscriber. I used a simple style and with the tie on method (better for more sales to fit more sizes).
It's not much of a handiwork update, but an update no less. It's been a busy summer here at the homestead.
Friday, July 22, 2022
This and That
The blueberries are all done for the year. I canned a small batch of blueberry cinnamon jam, and froze the rest. I picked more green beans, tied up more tomatoes, and had a mound of dishes. I mucked the chicken coop, and boy was it a hot day. I did a check on all of the tomatoes and thankfully, only found one tomato worm.
I came inside and snapped a photo of the flooring going in for the bathroom. Sigh....look at those seams!! I sent the photo to my husband how immediately got in touch with the men doing the work. They were putting the seams way too close. Oh my gosh, by the way, the two men were arguing the entire time.
It was taken out and fixed. Sorry for the bad photos, I took them with my phone.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Blueberry Season and Chit Chat
I drove my 62 minute round trip to pick up 10# of Michigan blueberries. I did not get the chance to plant potatoes this year, so I also picked up some potatoes, more peaches, and garlic. If you read my blog, you'll know that we are pretty sure I forgot to plant my garlic last fall.
Anyway, I spring planted my garlic and two entire grow bags have zero garlic, so yes, I could have, and yes it may be a squirrel problem. I'll be picking up some 1/2 in. wire to cover the grow bags this fall.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
How I Re-Seasoned My Cast Iron Pan
A few asked how I restored my cast iron skillet, so this post is about that.
It's been a long time since I had to restore cast iron, but I did some research online. Never soak your cast iron more than 8 hours (some Youtube videos I found said to soak overnight, do not do that).
I placed the pan in a large tote big enough to fit it. I had the larger skillet so I used a plastic tote.
I filled the tote 50/50 with water and white (5% acidity) vinegar. The vinegar helps loosen the rust (if you pan is rusty like the one I was given). Completely cover the pan with this mix. I soaked my pan about one hour, then tested it with the scrubber, and soaked about a half hour more.
You'll have to wash out your tub or sink after soaking. There will be a residue of rust left behind. I washed my tote outside, using the water hose.
I have read that you can scrub the rust off with a waded up ball of foil, scrubbie, or steel wool.
I had a few of these on hand, and it worked great. Heavy Duty Scour Pad (found at the Dollar Tree or your local Wal-mart etc). You can cut these in 4 smaller pieces to make your supply last longer.
Using Mesh Food Bags - Scrap Article (this may work as well, but you'll ruin the yarn portion of the scrubbie). If you have food mesh bags, I'd just use that to scrub off the rust, but I think the thicker one I used worked better.
Once the rust is removed, I completely dried the pan. I then oiled the pan with a canola oil (what I had on hand, or use vegetable oil). If you read the instructions from Lodge company themselves, they say to use the spray type, but I suggest you do not. That leaves a weird coating.
I placed a piece of foil in the lower rack to catch any oil that may drip off. I read you can set your oven from 450 to 500°F. I set mine at 450°F. I place the cast iron pan on the other rack above it, and upside down.
You may want to do this on a day when you can open your windows. You will get a (smoke) fog in the house from the oil baking on the pan if you do not. It may depend on the oil you use, but for me it smoked up the house a bit.
I heated the pan for one hour, turned off the oven, and let it completely cool inside the oven. I also re-oiled it after it cooled.
I hope this helps.