Feather your Nest Friday, 3rd September, 2021.
It is Spring! It arrived with a true beautiful Spring Day. I loved winter but now I am ready for the opportunities the new season brings. I hit the ground running and planted up two giant pots I have.
I also planted Capsicums into my raised garden beds, a row of Tomatoes and three rows of Parsley seeds.
Now I have pumpkin and trombone seeds soaking ready to plant in pots later today. Sunflowers are next.
Next week I will plant a lot more but I felt good to be planting out on the very first day! Spring is a window of opportunity! If you don't sow it you aren't likely to harvest it!
A final fruit tree was added to the orchard. I had one space and one tree surround left over so I thought I would put that too good use too. So I added another peach tree. All the new trees are covered in blossom! They are looking good!
We had rain last night which was perfect after after some warmer days.
The tractor has been working. On the farm we have an area with loads of rocks. I realised some of these could be great in my flower gardens for creepers to climb over and so on...
I am telling Andy to put the rocks on the weedy spots. A new way of weeding... cover it with a big rock.
Andy also finished for me a shelf that fits the narrow space behind the pantry door. I have tried all sorts of things to utilise this space but they usually end up falling over. Now I have solid shelves, secured to the wall. It is amazing how much more room this gives me!
They are floor to about six foot high. Gradually I have re arranged everything, removed any non food for the pantry and it is much better. Now to fill these up!
I was able to give a tray of Orange cake sliced up and frozen to Lucy for the girls lunch boxes and a tray of fresh cup cakes.
A big and very old cement tank needed to be replaced. It leaked like a sieve. A new tank was delivered.
The driver completely ignored Andy's advice to not get bogged in the sand and got bogged in the sand!
Lucky we have a tractor and pulled him out!
The big green tank is ours, now set up.
We worked on cleaning up an area with a dead tree that has been a problem since we moved here. It was a big days work because the dead tree leaned over another water tank and a shed. That was the shed we relocated a couple of weeks ago. So now this area is cleaned up thanks to having the tractor also!
I weaned my goats and my calf! The calf had his last bucket of milk then I walked him into the paddock with the big cows. They have a lot of feed in the paddock plus hay. He followed me quite a distance to get where we needed to be. He did step on my foot which is now purple. But now they are all hanging out together very happily. This has freed up quite a bit of time in my day which is going to be needed in the garden now.
How did you build up your home, pantry or garden this week? If it was a hard week as I know it was for many then success is making it through. Some times we have to take it just one day at a time and do the best we can with that day then repeat. xxx
A new water tank! I hope it rains for you and fills it right up! The little cup cakes look lovely. The new shelves are a great way to make use of space, perfect to fill for your pantry. I am slowly, slowly getting the new veggie beds filled up. I put a good thick layer of cardboard boxes I've been hoarding since lockdowns began - I knew all that online shopping the kids have been doing would come in handy for something. Then I put down a good, thick layer of the mulchy chips/bark left from splitting firewood over winter - another thing I'd go out and scoop up and hoard. On top of that has gone a layer of apple tree branches, pruned off and you guessed it, hoarded for a couple of years. I read that apple tree wood is especially good for using in garden beds. on top of that a nice thick layer, about 30cm, of hay/straw. Then slowly, half a barrow at a time (because any more is too heavy and I can't turn the corner!) I've been shovelling the soil from the old beds into the new ones. These beds are almost twice the size of the old ones so it's going to take a bit to fill them. The strawberries have been transplanted to new beds, after a discussion with Wayne - they're very old, and were neglected last year so in huge clumps. They look like they've taken to their new home, time will tell. Otherwise I've made a Christmas cake and some little fruit cakes and knitted some dishcloths for gifts this week. Ordered some canning jars from Myer on half-price (almost pre-pandemic price!) as I'm out of empty canning jars and they will be needed soon.
ReplyDeleteDear Cath, We did get a bit of rain so we are pleased. You are going well with filling the veggie beds. It is amazing what can be used. I used a lot of shredded paper and it all broke down into good soil. I am so glad you found some canning jars!! Even better at a good price! It is nice to get the fruit cakes me. I think they improve so much when made early! Have a lovely weekend, with love, Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteSpring arrived here too with a couple of warm to hot days. Yesterday was so dirty and dusty and I have spent today sweeping up all the red dirt. Never ending job around here. We had 4mm rain this morning but that was it. Better than nothing, the plants sure did appreciate it though.
I have planted out zucchini and cucumber seedlings. Also popped in some tomato, capsicum and basil seeds today. The new growth is appearing on everything around here, I love it! I have been preparing veggie beds with organic matter to enrich the tired soil and tidying up last summers plants that I had not got to. With Mum being ill and nursing her for months, I have gotten so far behind.
I have started sorting through things here in my home. We did a huge shop last week and I restocked my pantry shelves. I am using a bookshelf to keep some of my stash.
I stayed over with dad through the week and cooked him some meals and hopefully got him motivated to work on the veggie garden. He wasn't going to worry about it, but I said we would take the excess veggies off his hands and preserve them etc. Mum had saved seeds, so yesterday he went out and planted a heap in seedling trays.
We are getting heaps of eggs from our girls and Dad's. I am picking plenty of citrus and made some marmalade. Next I will pick the rest and squeeze and freeze the juice. I am picking lots of quandongs, stewing them and putting them in the freezer.
I am going to start sorting my craft room tomorrow, it has become very messy during the last six months. I want to get on with sewing, I have plenty on my to do list. First up will be more masks.
Have a beautiful weekend, hope the weather is nice for you to do some more gardening.
Lots of love,
Tania xxx
Tania, I love what you are doing for/told your dad. I think anything you can do to help an elderly person hang onto the life they had is good, good, good!
DeleteDear Tania, Im glad you got 4 ml as even that is a help. I also think it was good to encourage your Dad on the garden. It will be very good for him and give him purpose and also help you all with your pantry shelves.
DeleteMy girls are really laying well now too! I am hoping to hatch some chickens too. All the produce you have coming in is wonderful.
I hope you are able to get sewing too. It feels good to get sorted out and organised. You are doing very well since I know you cared for Mum and now you are helping your Dad. Have a good weekend, with love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, Scout's happy face really made me smile. Thank you. I've had a survival week. The Spring weather helps and I did get our beds washed and dried in the sun and made sure I collected a bucket of weeds from the vegie garden everyday to feed to the chooks and my daughter found another hidden nest of ten eggs so it wasn't all bad. Love Clare
ReplyDeleteDear Clare,
DeleteScout is a character. She brightens every day. I am sorry you sound like you had a hard week. Sun dried bed linen is beautiful. Nothing feels like it! I am doing the bucket of weeds per day for the chooks too... and it feeds them and really adds up to improving the garden. You might get some more chickens I hope! Have a good weekend and we hope next week will be easier, with much love Annabel.xxx
Hope you have a restful weekend Annabel :)
ReplyDeleteMuch love , Heidi xxx
Thanks Heidi, you too!xxx
DeleteWe are heading into cooler weather and soon it will be Fall. I am ready! We added anther propane tank in case we have to use the generator. We have been hit by the remnants of two hurricanes in two weeks so we are thinking more disaster minded. I have seen some in the hardest hit areas who have nothing. Their homes are badly damaged but they don't even have a bottle of water because they had not thought ahead.
ReplyDeleteI saw gDonna's post on first aid supplies and am building that up in some areas so that we can take care of ourselves better. She mentioned someone waiting 10 hours in the ER for something they could have possibly taken care of at home if they had been more prepared. We really want to avoid this sort of scenario.
Enjoy your Spring weather!
Dear Lana, I saw some news on the hurricanes. It is even looking like maybe another hurricane is forming? I have a post coming up on first aid also. Yes many people go to emergency for things easy to look after at home. But in some situations its impossible to get to ER and we really have to be well equipped. I am glad you are prepared with the propane. It is nice that we get to a point we are ready for the change of seasons! I love it really! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel and everyone,
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, I love those shelves and your cakes look great! So happy that you have your tractor now. Really enjoying following along with your daily series and giving myself "to-dos" from those, too. It is a little wild where I live right now with full hospitals and a lot of angry people, but we are all doing the best we can.
This week I harvested some tomatoes and raspberries from my garden - a nice surprise! I thought surely those last tomatoes would end up being homes for bugs, haha. We saved lots more seed heads from sunflowers and zinnias - my summer flowers are winding down, but succession planting this spring meant I still have some pretty zinnia blooms now. We put down a deposit for this year's lamb and beef side; this made me so happy - for our freezer and to share with family, and to keep money in our community - and also the farm we get them from was so happy and welcoming when we spoke to them again this year. We replenished our stored water supply - our water treatment plant had some issues last week, so we were starting to run low. There were turkey breasts in the store for the first time in forever, so I got 2 nice ones for the freezer.
Saturday was the big cooking day (sandwich bread x2, pumpkin bread x2, a huge pot of stock, roast chicken & veggies, and a chuck roast in tomato for the freezer - we portion it out for dinners and it is so handy when we are pressed for time.) Our roof replacement is scheduled and we are excited to have that done!
My horse is fully recovered from her illness (bless our vet!) and I got to go for a ride on the weekend - so good for the spirit! I'm also spending a bit more time knitting and hoping to make some soap for gifts this weekend.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
<3
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
DeleteIts concerning about your hospitals being full, I hope you can stay well away from needing a hospital. It is great you have lamb and beef lined up and yes to keep money in the community. We are tying to do this too, live local!
Your baking day sounds so good, also great to get hold of the turkey. I am going to try the same so I have it on hand well before Christmas. I will eat Tueky any time though it is my favourite.
It is lovely to hear about your horse! I hope to hear you got to make the soap that would be wonderful. Soap making is so much fun and it is good to have supplies and gifts.
Have a great weekend, with love, Annabel.xxx
Well done. I hope your foot heels quickly. A store has corn for 10 cents an ear. Limit 15 so we bought 15. Had 2 for lunch and the rest will go in the freezer when we get up from our naps. It is not as sweet as we would like but will be something added to our pantry! Thanks for sharing. Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, What a good deal on corn! I love sweet corn. Yes good to add to the freezer! Have a nice weekend, with love Annabel.xxx
DeleteLove the shelf - that is a great way to utilize an odd space and have storage too.
ReplyDeleteAll the babies are growing up - gives you a little more freedom.
Have a lovely weekend.
Have a good weekend to you too Cheryl. Yes I love my babies but it takes up a lot of time. Now I can use that time in the garden etc. I am aiming to get my shelf stocked up over the next few weeks! xxx
DeleteHi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI just want to let you know that I am following along and enjoying you preparedness posts each day. Life is super hectic as I'm trying to finish new garden areas to plant out fall veggies. I'm also helping my mom with numerous things as well.
Your evacuation one sounded scary. We face tornadoes, but we obviously don't evacuate. We take important things to the basement instead. I do have food and water as well as blankets etc down there always.
So sorry about your foot. I hope it gets better quickly. Scout looks so cute smiling in the background. Sunflowers are gorgeous! We planted an area of them and was thrilled to see a few goldfinches hanging upside down enjoying them.
Looking forward to this weeks posts. Blessings, Laura
Dear Laura,
DeleteThanks for telling me you are following along. You sound well prepared and used to the basement plan when a tornado is coming. That sounds very frightening to me. It is funny how we have different things we get kind of used to and need to prepare for !
I would love to see Goldfinches in the sunflowers! How beautiful!
Have a good weekend, you sound very busy but it will be good to get your fall garden in for sure. With love Annabelxxx
How big are those rocks? They look about the the ones that covered our last property. Mine averaged around 2x2 feet and many were bigger. The Great Missoula Floods, which occurred 15,000 to18,000 years ago, passed through this area and the rocks were left behind. But I digress...........
ReplyDeleteI harvested more tomatoes and canned 2 more pints = 12 to date. This is a slow way to can, but I also don't have to work too hard. I still have lots of green tomatoes and more ripen every few days. I covered the tomato plants one night when we had a frost advisory. After the summer we've had, can you believe...a frost advisory on Aug. 31??? (It didn't happen).
This week I fulfilled my goal of having 7 ready meals in the freezer, although one is a duplicate. (Actually, I have 8!) Plus I froze soup starter made of chicken bits and bone broth. I cleaned and organized the freezer underneath the fridge so all of the ready meals are in one place and my husband knows where they are! (which may or may not be a good idea, LOL).
I read and returned 3 library books and checked out two more.
I received a notice from Amazon that my Country Living magazine subscription expires in October. I searched for "cheap subscriptions Country+Living" and found a price of $8.99--half the price of Amazon--from a reseller/broker on Ebay. I subscribe to two magazines and I buy both through resellers (Amazon is a reseller). I have never had a problem with the magazine extending my subscription when done this way.
Dear Maxine,
DeleteWell there are huge rocks like 5 or 6 feet long! The firs tone we put in the garden was more like 3 x 4 foot. But there are all sizes.
Good job on the tomatoes and the 7 means in the freezer. Duplicates dont matter after a week having the same again is pretty fine.
Country Living magazine is a nice one. My Mum gets that! So I get to read it.
You did well! Have a good weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
How we got rid of the rocks--our neighbor located a company that sells and places big rocks for landscaping and/or retaining walls. She got them to come out and take all of her rocks that were 2x2 or larger, at no cost to her. They had to be entirely on top of the ground, but we all had plenty of those lying around. Thanks to her, we were able to have them come to us, too. They took away 3 big double loads (a drop in the bucket, but every little bit helps). I believe our biggest was about 3x4 feet, but neighbors pulled a few that were as big as 4x6 (glad it was them and not me).
DeleteWhen the house was built and the basement excavated, the big rocks were dumped in a low spot. Unfortunately, this was right in front of the house, LOL. I hired a company to haul them to the back of the 5 acre property. Do you know, this cost $1,000 because we had to pay for a dump truck to wait for 3 hours while they got the rocks out??? (Naturally, we were paying for the excavator, too). So that ended my idea of doing more than that!
About 10 years later, a neighbor who owned a log truck with stump puller offered to pull our half-buried boulders for FREE. He also owned a dump truck and knew someone a few miles away who needed big boulders. Thus we got about half of the back of the property cleared at no cost to us. What a guy! After 20 years, we sold the house, leftover rocks and all!
Even though the Great Missoula Floods came through this whole area, they didn't deposit boulders everywhere. We now live in town, 6 miles from our old house, and there are very few rocks in our soil, and nothing bigger than a large potato. I can't tell you what a challenge it was for a woman in her early 50s (then) to plant trees, shrubs and flowers at the old place. I dug out lots of rocks the size of watermelons, and even a few of those 2x2 rocks. After I'd dug all around the big ones, I'd have to get someone to help me lever the rock up on boards, hook a chain around it and pull it out with the pickup truck. It sounds romantic to say the Great Missoula Floods passed over my property, but the reality was that it was a pain in the arse!
When I saw your John Deere, the first thing I noticed was the bucket and thought, "They can pull rocks with that!"
PS The neighbor who got the company to come and take her (and our) rocks was a recent widow. Her husband was the kind of guy who could--and would--do anything. He had equipment most men only dream of. But he acted like she didn't know anything and wasn't capable of doing anything, so naturally we all thought of her that way. (She did seem like something of a ditz). Finding someone to take the rocks was something no one else in the neighborhood had been able to do, mainly because none of us could imagine that someone would. This was only the first of several big projects she took on by herself in the 12 years or so we were neighbors. For very little money, but lots of imagination, she turned that rocky piece of ground into a fenced pasture for her married daughter's horse. "Never underestimate the power of a woman."
Morning Annabel. You have had another productive week. I have been slowly making headway in my spring cleaning. One set of living room curtain liners washed and re-hung with the second set ready to wash today. I have had them soaking over night like the first set. I was incredulous at how dirty they get over 1 winter. Some how I always forget. I spring cleaned the laundry yesterday. My vege garden is already to be planted. I might have to do an online click an collect order for some of the things I need. We went into lock down the weekend before I was going to pick things up. Now we are at level 3 I can do this. I love being outside and working in the sun. It takes you away from the troubles of the world for a while. Our biggest city had its own tragedy yesterday with a terrorist attack. Coupled with Covid, not a good time. So the best I can do is to be thankful my loved ones are safe, think good thoughts for those affected yesterday, limit exposure to the negative and be productive and happy in my wee part of the world.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week and stay safe everyone.
Mandy(NZ)
Dear Mandy, On the same kind of track I took down a glass light fitting to wash it in the sink. I was fairly disgusted how dirty it was. We get ash from the fire etc and at the end of winter all this needs doing. But then it looks so nice.
DeleteI saw the news. It is horrific. I am so sorry. Lockdowns and the impact of those is enough to deal with without murders. The last weeks have been especially challenging Ive found... I agree with you on the outside working in the sun... it makes you feel much better and then sleep better. Important. I hope you have a good weekend, love Annabel.xxx
We got back from a short break on Wednesday and found that the power had gone off a few days earlier and the freezer had defrosted. I lost everything I had in there. The next day we were gifted some fruit and veg, so the restocking began!
ReplyDeleteOh no... Sorry Tracy. I hope you got it all cleaned out and so good you have something to begin again. That is all we can do, dont give up! xxx
DeleteWow, Annabel, you sure accomplished much! Our days have been busy despite wrestling with vertigo caused by crystals in my inner ear out of whack. God is good! Glad my dizziness wasn't caused by something worse. And my kind family is helping me process apples and tomatoes. Plus prepare for company on Sunday. Will try to catch up on the preparedness challenge. With schooling and canning, I don't have any spare time!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
Dear Leslie,
DeleteYes I am glad your dizziness wasnt a worse diagnosis... it is hard though and you have to be careful.
I am glad the family are helping you with the tomatoes and apples. I can see you are busy for sure and on important things! Have a good weekend! With love Annabelxxx
I have been adding lots of bargains to my pantry. I'm trying hard to stay within my routine budget but I am giving priority to the pantry most of all. Every time I've been out, if I see something pantry worthy I buy it!
ReplyDeleteAfter following the freezer meals stock-up post, I mentioned Shoebox suppers and I gathered a comprehensive list of meals, some tried and true and some new to me recipes shared by others and now I am cooking one Shoebox Supper each week (my first posts on Saturday). If we really like them, as we do this particular meal, I am going to put together meal kits that contain all the necessary ingredients and packets and such. I'll be planning my next Shoebox Supper for next week and am looking forward to trying another recipe.
Your whole preparedness series is really making me think hard about some areas that I've never even considered. So thankful you are doing those posts!
I'm also slowly accumulating Christmas gifts. I made out a list on the first day of September and so far I've bought five since August. I have about 8 more to go.
I am in a season of 'must wait' and it's so hard when so much wants to be done, projects are waiting to be started etc. I'm trying to break them down into "But what's the FIRST steps?" lists. Often it's not what we can't purchase it's cleaning or sorting or dismantling, etc. And then I'm getting started. I might not can finish but I can START.
Dear Terri,
DeleteGood job! It is great you are finding good deals!
I am loving this side of shoe box suppers. I have several things in mind where I can make up a kit like this... and then I know that is a complete meal. It gives us meals in the freezer and meals in the pantry!
Thank you for telling me you are enjoying the posts. I appreciate this as you are an organised and thoughtful person so it means a lot to me.
I also work on things by getting a step done. One or two steps done over mean the rest isn't so daunting... I think like this!
Have a lovely weekend Terri, with love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel.
ReplyDeleteit is lovely to read your account of your week and like you and many others I am planting out seedlings in the garden. We have broad beans growing , loads of parsley coming up from last years' seeds and carrots in amongst them.
Following on from your preparedness posts, I am reorganizing the first aid kit and making "be prepared for ......" lists( fire, flood, black outs etc) Thank you for these posts So many good ideas and I love to read the comment section as well.
Virginia
Dear Virginia,
DeleteThank you! I have a medical pantry post coming up soon also. That is a very important area. It is exciting to get seedlings planted out and get off to a good start. We are similar as I also have Broad Beans and Parsley! And a few carrots. I am not good at carrots.
Have a good weekend! with love Annabel.xxx
This week Hubs and Son made some lovely pantry shelves for me, which hopefully get installed tonight. I started a new notebook for this month with goals for the pantry, sewing, holidays, and preparedness. I canned a variety of beans and got started on making some Christmas presents. Today, I made a big pot of bone soup for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteAll of your pictures are beautiful. I love seeing all the baking, animals, pantry, and garden photos.
Ginger
Dear Ginger,
DeleteOh that is fantastic! Having the shelves will give you so much more space. Also I love your idea of the notebook. The soup sounds good and the beans added to the pantry is great too.
Now its September Christmas seems to come quickly so I am thinking on Christmas too. Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteyour posts are my morning treat together with my morning coffee. I am following you a long time but this is my first comment. Here in Slovenia we are going into a autumn and covid situacion is getting worse daily. I am sort of a prepper and your posts helps me tremendles. Take care of your family and stay healthy and safe. Thank you, Alenka
Dear Alenka, Thank you so much for commenting! I am so glad to have you here. I am glad you are prepping. I would really appreciate it if you would be my scout in Slovenia because the situations in different countries kind of give us an idea what is coming next, what shortages there are and other information that we all can use. Thank you for your kind words! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteNot a lot in the last few days. Our garden's about done (USA). I am currently preparing for Christmas by knitting wool socks for my family. I am working on my husband's pair right now. Four more pairs to go after that. If I have time, I have a dear friend, my sister-in-love and my brother-in-love to knit for. We'll just have to see about that. I'd also like to knit some fingerless mitts. I don't know how long my fingers and yarn will hold out. ~smile~ Oh, and I've been knitting children's charity hats as well.
ReplyDeleteBlessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura
Annabel
ReplyDeleteDo you get algae in your water tanks? We have a large tank we fill for farm use but it came to us with some kind of algae/plant dried on the walls. We've tried scrubbing it but it comes back. I would like to use this water in an emergency but without a Berkley I could not drink it. So it would be bathing, clothes washing, animal water.