Creative Homemaker

I love me some Pioneer Woman ! I have been a follower on her blog for a while now, but now that I have my own ranch--it pales in comparison to hers, but one can dream--I have been watching every episode. My DVR is full.  Don't anyone touch the delete button, either.  I'll have your hide. I have implemented many of her ideas in my own homemaking. I store my staples in mason jars, (actually, I did that before I came to love her.) I love cowboy boots, horses and basset hounds.  I don't have a basset hound yet, but I'm working on it.  I just have to reconcile the fact that the hound might actually sleep on my couch.  I'm not ok with that yet. I use handkerchiefs for napkins now just like she does.   I homeschool, just like she does.  I'm a blogger, just like she is, I could go on and on!   We are practically twins! But since I have begun watching The Pioneer Woman on Food Network, my cooking has really improved...

We never outgrow the need for lessons. And we should constantly be learning. But sometimes we have to learn and relearn a particular concept over and over again. A week ago I had out of town company.  The first visit from these dear friends in my new home.  I wanted everything to be perfect.  I had cleaned the guest room, changed the sheets, set out a soft stack of towels for my guests, written out a menu and purchased all the food.  Our visit was going splendidly!! Sunday morning though, in a rush to get the meal in the crock pot I was cutting potatoes -- "distracted with much serving" and cut off the end of my finger.  I don't want to be graphic but this was bad. I gave new meaning to the term "meat and potatoes." I grabbed a handful of paper towels and, (calmly? Can't remember) asked my friend to come see if she thought I needed to go see the Doc. Um, yes. We did. Even while walking out the door to the Emergency room I was flinging instructions ...

This recipe has been a favorite in our home for years.  Mom always made them every Christmas. Mom and Dad also had them made by the hundreds for their 40th wedding anniversary in 1988. They are printed in The Durrant Family Cookbook "A Home-Cooked Heritage" page VIII-1 (cookie section) Book published in 1991, reprinted December 2010.  I don't know when they became a holiday staple in our house, but I have to make them every year too.  These cookies just seem to say Merry Christmas to me.  This is a three-step cookie, but it really couldn't be easier.  It has a brownie base, a creamy frosting filling and a bitter-sweet dark chocolate topping.  Yum! I double this recipe to fit in a large, 12x14 sheet pan. 2 eggs, beaten 1 c. sugar 1/2 tsp peppermint extract or 5-6 drops of peppermint oil 1/2 c. margarine melted (I use butter) 2 squares melted unsweetened baking chocolate 1/2 c. sifted flour 1/2 c. walnuts, chopped small Beat e...

My cousin asked me today if people still really do this, well, yes, I still do. My hubby regularly rips holes in knees and so do my four boys.  Buying new jeans is just not an option for us. I have even been known to pick some up at the thrift store and repair them as well.  Boys size 10-12 jeans are hard to come by so I'll take what I can get.   Here's a little tutorial on how I accomplish this task without the use of those yucky iron-on patches. First of all, I keep any lower pant legs that I cut off from making denim shorts out of the "too-bad-to-mend" pairs.  This is my "patch" material. Step one: Open up the leg seam about 8 inches past the seam on both sides.  Give yourself plenty of room to get into the leg area. Step two: Cut your patch about 1-2 inches bigger than the size of the hole. Make it a nice square or rectangle in proportion with the hole. Step three: Turn your pant leg inside out and stick a large ruler inside or a p...

Yesterday was my first beginning Canning class. I had three lovely ladies attend. We had such a good time learning and working together. I heard this quote this morning and I think it really applies, "Give a woman a jar of food and you feed her for a day, but teach her how to can an you feed her and her family for a lifetime!" What an amazing legacy. I'm honored to have the opportunity to impart some knowledge of the craft to these ladies.

My kids and I built these shelves after only one day of planning and one day of building.

I found this at the local thrift store and brought her home with me. I'm not good with anything other than dating the machine. Can anyone tell me what model she is and how I can get parts. Thanks!!