Feather your Nest Friday, 4th Feb. 2022.

I am very happy with my week.  It was not bedlam and I enjoyed each day.  Our summer days were mild and beautiful.  Much easier than the heat.   

We started with a trip for Scarlett's fifth birthday.  All at once she was turning five and starting reception at school.  She was excited and proud.  Aunty Chloe took on the job of making the cake.   Scarlett requested a dog.  I was waiting to see what Chloe came up with and went and checked the day before to see how it was looking.  Yes a sneak peak!   She made three White Chocolate Mud cakes.  

This was loosely based on Chloe's dog Sully.  (A red Heeler.) 

Well, the cake was a hit!

Chloe also made Gluten Free little cakes.  Each was a different dog.  They were beautiful.  I went for the one with one black eye.  Patch. 

On the way home I checked every apple tree I know about.  Some were covered in apples but no where near ripe.  I know the trees well enough now to know if they will turn pink or red.  So in another couple of weeks I will check them again.    Two trees had potential.  Birds were eating the apples so in the case of these trees is was pick them or miss out.   I happened to have my fruit picking stick and ladder in the back of the ute.  😊

These will mostly be apple puree.  Later I will get better,  sweeter,  apples which I will dehydrate.   Then there are pies, muffins, cakes, baked apples, stewed apples... 

Our drive south is always very scenic.  We pass through vineyards then forests.  Dotted along the road side are these huge gum trees.  

It is always a lovely drive.  Always something to see.  Once we are in the Forrests there are always Emus and Kangaroos.

On the way home, after picking apples and checking trees,  I stopped at a little town to get a few groceries. They had some meat.  I grabbed some needed items.  The lady there told me the week before they had no meat at all.   By chatting to her I found out a few things, where their meat comes from which meant even local butchers had run out.   

Finally I stopped at the plant nursery.   I was tired by this time but stopping breaks up the drive too.  I took this chance... having the ute,  (Andys vehicle) and space,  I took the opportunity to get fruit trees and seedlings.  Normally if I go to town the car is full of the shopping and parcels and animal feed etc.  I just run out of space.  So this was my chance.   I bought five wonderful looking fruit trees.   I was glad to get a second Quince tree.   Then lots of seedlings, Eggplant, Broccoli, spinach and more.

When I got home it was 6 pm and I ran out of day!  But it was a wonderful  and set me up for a good week.

Monday I began planting.  I wanted to get the fruit trees in asap.  Andy dug the holes for me.  That helped so much.  Everything was in and watered in, including all the seedlings, by the end of Tuesday.   

My basil cuttings from when I made Pesto all had root systems so I added them to my newer stack planter. 

I fertilised all my citrus trees.  One of my Lemon Trees has really grown and taken off.  I was told to always plant a lemon tree behind a fence, wall or shed.  They don't like wind at all. This seems to have worked.

Thank you to everyone who helped me with when to pick the pears and what to do.   One side of one tree are mostly ready.  I pick all the ones that break off easily.    I am weighing each basket I bring in, just out of curiosity to see how many kilos I get! 

As I bring them in I lay them on a blanket on the spare room floor, I pulled the blind down to make the room dark.  Andy was wondering what on earth I have going on in that room?  

Today as I brought in pears, eggs and tomatoes I realised I need a trolley or maybe an old pram or something with wheels.   Each day I am bringing in so much!   It is quite exciting!  

The second pear tree has much larger and rounder pears but they are hanging on tight so maybe still not quite ready.   The apples are turning a beautiful pink so they are very close.  

I did a swap with my friend Wendy.  She gave me beautiful old Fowlers Canning jars and I gave her 6 dozen fresh eggs.

While in town I went to two op shops.  I found beautiful as new cook books and some vintage mixing bowls. 

A hen went broody.  As soon as I realised I did a fast switcheroo,  taking away six infertile eggs and adding 14 fertile eggs.   She is in a good nesting box and safe... maybe I will get more chicks!! 

I made Peanut Butter Biscuits.

In the evenings I finished some crochet hand towel and makeup remover pad sets.

I feel the happiest about planting so much more into my kitchen garden.  And all the produce.  And the broody hen.  Ok, I am happy about everything!

You know I always say make hay while the sun shines.  The sun was shining this week!   

How did you build up your home or add to your pantry?   I hope you had many opportunities! xxx