Feather your Nest Friday, 18 June, 2021.

We had a week of cleaning up after the storm and lots more rain.   We never complain about rain so we worked inside on those days and outside on clear days.  

I was busy, busy, busy but I still had time to notice that many of the banks here had their online banking go down.  Every week it has been something.   Being prepared means we need to think about these things. And thousands of Australians were told their power will be restored SOMETIME MID JULY.    Ok, when we have had power outages we usually get a message to tell us when it is expected to be back on and this is usually some time later in the day.  Hours rather than days.  We have lived through many blackouts.  I imagined getting the message "some time mid next month."     My friend in California regularly has no power for a day or two.  Usually in the hottest weather.   This seems to be spreading.  Could have something to do with knocking down power stations as they have done here.   It is hard to think about but we need to have a plan.   A very good plan.... 

Now for my week.  I had many opportunities come my way! 

I was getting started cooking dinner on Sunday night when my brother rang.  He asked would I like a calf?  Yes!  I turned the stove off at that point.   We agreed to both leave home and meet in the middle.   This meant about a twenty minute drive.  It was already dark.  I grabbed a blanket,  a big bright torch (flashlight), a collar and a lead.  Off we went.   We never saw another car so the one car we did see we figured was my brother and we pulled over to the road side.  It was pitch dark.  You have to remember this is farmland there are no street lights!   The torch gave me light to see the calf.  He was so little but bright eyed.   Somehow he had lost his Mum.   My brother lifted him into the back of my car.   

Once home I quickly made him a bottle.  So thankful right then for my animal pantry.  Because of this I had formula,  teats, bottles and all I needed.  He drank his bottle as though he already knew what to do.  I have named him Teddy.   He already comes to me when he is called.   He bounds around like a deer and is lovely.   This photo was day one so he has filled out quite a bit as today is day five.   He has 2 litres of milk in the morning and 2 in the evening. 

Im so happy to have the first baby of the season.

So the week was off to a good start! 

I baked scones and friands and took some of each to Mums.

Mum had saved her veggie scraps for my chickens.

I made several pizzas using cherry tomatoes Wendy gave me and then I dehydrated the rest.  This got me two nice jars of dehydrated tomatoes.

I plan on using some of these in some impossible pies.  It's good to preserve some for later.  Thanks Wendy! 

In my travels around the old farm houses I had noticed a lot of bulbs.   Some of these houses will never be lived in again.   I went with my spade and some boxes to dig some up and transplant them to my garden.  

I think I probably know what these are but I guess I could get a surprise when they flower!  If anyone knows what these are please chime in!

These were really hard to dig up.  I broke my spade handle.  Lucky I had my spare spade in the car!   Eventually I got them all up in a big clump.   I re planted them right away.  I expected the next morning maybe they would look like wilted lettuce and not be successful.  But so far they look just fine!  I will be so excited if these flower.

Then these...  and there are many more I could go dig up.   I am starting to run out of room though.

I think these are Agapanthus maybe but again not sure...

So many free garden additions. 

In the stores I found great deals on shampoo, conditioner and vitamins and stocked up those areas.

At the post office they had so many beautiful books marked down.   Many that had been $35+. were $5 and $2.   I stood and went through them and the lady I always chat to asked what kind I was looking for as she had heaps more to mark down.  I showed her some examples and she came back with a selection.  There were beautiful kids books and cookbooks and more.  I came away with a pile of them with different people in mind.   Into my gift cupboard they went! 

Speaking of the gift cupboard.  Chloe needed a gift and had no time to go to the store.  She detailed the kind of gift she needed and I had something just perfect.  She was amazed.  I told her this gift was $5 and again she was amazed!   This is the power of a good gift cupboard! 

I was given a big bag of kids clothes.  All were new with tags.   But many were dirty none the less.   Once I started to go through them I realised what I had.   After washing everything and donating things I did not think I could use I ended up with 75 items!    I sorted them into sizes from 00000 to 7.   Mostly there were three of this and three of that.  The plain small things I am keeping out to embroider.   I had just been thinking of doing some embroidery to put away for future babies.   

Then there are bigger things that will fit the girls in summer and the boys soon.   

I thought with the t shirts I could make pyjama bottoms in cotton prints and coordinate with a t shirt for the top.  I even have plenty of cottons suitable for this.   So summer pjs will be coming up.

It took me a full day to wash it all and sort things into sizes but they are in my chest of drawers that hold things for the Grandkids.     Just so wonderful to get all of this.    I hope to have some embroidered items completed soon.

I added some more hankies to my gift collection...

And five more bibs for the baby boys. 

The store had a big special on celery.  I bought one and made some into chicken soup and dehydrated the rest. 

In the op shop I had so much luck.  I found reels of lovely ribbons and laces.   Also some beautiful pure wool yarns.    This red wool is just lovely.  

I have been wanting to learn to make shawls.  Especially to make prayer shawls.  I think this yarn would be suitable.   The idea is you pray for the person as you make the shawl.   Then when you give it to them they wrap the shawl around them as a comfort and warmth.   They receive the shawl and all that prayer.  What a gift!  

The tin... I collect lovely tins like this because if I make a fruit cake a tin makes for lovely presentation.    Also if you bake biscuits a tin can make them into a lovely gift too. 

This morning I had to go into town so last night I sat the slow cooker out and filled it with all the ingredients for chicken soup except for the actual chicken!   This morning all I had to do was press on and add the chicken to it.   Tonight that soup was so good.  Very easy and full of goodness and extra garlic.   Now the weekend will be soup and toasted sandwiches, soup and scones or cornbread. 

So that was my week!   Little things add up!  

How did you add to your pantry, build up your home and get ahead this week?

Be like the little ant.   Prepare your food in the summer as winter can come in many forms. xxx