Late last night I saw news that the royal family were heading to be with the Queen so something was up. I woke up during the night several times and checked for updates. Then I woke in the early hours and saw the Queen had died. She has been the Queen my entire life. While I knew some day her reign would come to an end I never imagined having a King. So you could say it is a big day. Dad told me about the day the King died and how it was a great shock to all of Australia and how it was one of those moments you remember where you where and what you were doing. I feel it is a time of great uncertainty and the loss of the Queen adds to that feeling even more.
Now for my week. I did manage to preserve or put away food in some way every day. I will save most of the details for Monday on the #everybitcountschallenge which has kept me harvesting greens.
We had a couple of days of good soaking rain. This was after some sunny glorious Spring days. Perfect really!
The cows came up to the garden fence so I ran down with a packet of biscuits to take a photo since I was only talking just the other day about how big Loui is now. My son in law could probably guess his weight but I will just say he is big. He is heavy. And he is very keen on biscuits.
Laffie is very friendly too but more polite about it. The other cows hang back a safe distance.
I love my cows. I can't wait for calves to arrive come March, April and May!
I went to town to meet my friend and we traded eggs for lemons. Yesterday I juiced and froze 20. Today I used another 10 in Lemon Butter. I got 5 jars. There are about 8 left to use up.
While in town I went to two op shops. I had so much luck! I got a stack of lovely cotton fabrics, a lasagne dish, 8 herb jars... my idea was to fill them with my own herbs I dehydrate and make pretty labels as kitchen gifts. Also clothes for the kids... beautiful things that I know will be used and loved. A few items that are larger sizes, I wash and put them away in my Grandkids stash I keep with future gifts and supplies.
The dehydrator ran pretty much full time and I included two bunches of Kale I purchased from a home grower.
I planted more tomatoes so now I have 29. Some of my winter container gardens are overflowing ... this one has beans and chard.
I picked more Celery and was able to give Mum a big jar of dehydrated Celery as she uses it such a lot in soups.
Every day I did some Spring cleaning. I concentrated on the pantry and window sills, giving them a blast with the steam cleaner.
Today I was dragging the chain after not sleeping very well. Each evening we play with the dogs and tell them our problems. 😊. Molly is the most gentle dog ever. She is so funny!
Life is better with dogs. Queen Elizabeth knew this and her dogs never left her side.
How was your week? I hope you found ways to build up your home, pantry and garden.
We have another letter from Laine which I will publish next week on the subject of electricity. Electricity/heating/cooling are affecting us all pretty much world wide. I am so thankful Laine is writing again and wait to read her next letter with the same excitement I did 30 years ago! Amazing! xxx
Oh how I enjoy your photos ! Thank you for Louie and laffy! And Molly! And I agree, life is so much better with dogs ;). Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteDear Hilogene, Thank you! Have a lovely weekend! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteIt's been a busy few weeks so I haven't even had time to comment although I'm still reading everything.
I, too, am greatly saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth. My mom commented again last night that she remembers watching her coronation when she was 10. My British heritage always made her feel special to me as well. An era has truly come to an end.
Molly is a sweetheart. Pets are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. Blessings, Laura
Dear Laura, Mum and Dad also watched the Coronation. Now we will see the Coronation of a King. I was thinking all our money has the Queen on it, now it will change also. I am going to collect coins and notes before the change to keep for my Grandchildren. Have a lovely weekend! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteQueen Elizabeth has been the only ruler over the UK as long as I have lived. Even as an American, it is a sad day. After all, England is our original "Mother Land". I wonder what will become of her beloved Corgis. I know they miss her already :(
ReplyDeleteDear Kathy, Same for me. The dogs are going to live with Andrew. Dont worry I think they will be well cared for but yes they would be missing her terribly. With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel and everyone,
ReplyDeleteThe cows are gorgeous, and so big! I grew up in farm country and love seeing your photos. Your pup is also so sweet. What a good week you had.
Thank you and everyone for your advice and prayers, it means a lot and helps. We appreciate every kindness and prayer.
This week, I did not get a lot done at home, but I unpacked and put away all the things from the hospital and supplies for wound care/colostomy, and made a lot of calls and followups on appointments, medications, and supplies ordering. Everything seems to be sorted out now with things either here or on their way. I also learned how to help with wound/stoma care and have been helping with that. My husband is understandably upset about the colostomy, but he has made strides in caring for it and working toward accepting that it is best for his health right now. He is also liking longer shirts with this change, so I found some nice 100% cotton shirts at a longer length and a good price from our farm store.
To the pantry and for my tiny effort at the challenge, I did a grocery pickup and added tea, protein supplement drinks, first aid items, stoma supplies, and veggies for the freezer. The main food pantry was reorganized a bit, both bathrooms got a good clean, and I did a lot of laundry. Our master bath toilet flush mechanism broke, and since my husband isn't permitted to lift anything at all heavy for several weeks, I actually fixed it myself! It was not a complicated job, but I am a beginner at that kind of thing and was happy I could do it (the supplies were $6.50 - I am sure a plumber would have cost a lot more). We had a little at-home date mid-week with chicken and yummy lemonade, and I'm hoping to convince him to come outside with me for a little gentle fresh air and exercise this weekend. The temperatures have finally dropped enough that I think it would be pleasant to sit out on the patio in the evening.
The veggie seeds still appear to be growing well for autumn, and I got the surprise of the planting season last night - zinnia seeds that I planted in April (!) have finally sent up some lovely big plants. So we may also have flowers this fall.
My mom sent us a big beautiful bouquet (she lives in another state, but wanted to do something) and that has been making the house pretty this week. Annabel, I took your advice and talked with my mom on the phone for about an hour, and it did help my spirit and heart. My aunt very kindly offered up stalls at her home for our horses, should need arise - this was such a generous and kind thought, and it is a comfort to know we can send them there for a while if that's needed.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
<3
Kathy
Dear Kathy, You did well. Appointments, medical needs, supplies ... it is all a big job and being organised will make you feel more on top of it.
DeleteYou should be proud of your fi it bathroom wok! Well done! All the cleaning and catching up was great and I know will make things fell better for you. Very good to do an online order. I think that is so helpful to have stuff delivered and get on with putting it away.
I am very glad you had a big chat with your Mum. You know she would be very worried about you and this would have made her feel better too. That was very kind of your Aunt also. The people that love you and want to help you.. it is very good to be able to talk with them. There can be a thing which is hard to explain but I will try. If we dont talk... so many events and things can occur that it would become just too hard and exhausting to explain the whole story and so we just dont. This can become very isolating. But if we have someone we can tell and they are with us from the beginning they already know most of what is going on then they already understand and we can talk with them when we need to without attempting to explain it all. Well this is a very good thing! And we need this. We are not meant to carry it all within ourselves. It is too much. We can cast our worries to God of course but He made it clear that friendship and fellowship is so very important. It does lighten the load a little bit at least. I am praying for you and think you are doing very well. With much love Annabel.xxx
Thank you Annabel. I can sense the sadness in your post today. What a wonderful and gracious lady our dear queen was. Serving her people to the end. I feel there will be a special message waiting for her, “Well done My good and faithful servant “.
ReplyDeleteMending was on my agenda this week. Socks with worn heals and holes in toes. My husband has big feet. 😉 A cardigan that was coming unravelled at the neckband and several other bits and pieces. I have started making Kombucha again and swapped a scobie for some dehydrated celery leaves. Each week I try to learn or do something to make our home less dependant and more self sustaining and sufficient.
We are growing 3 early tomato plants in our sunroom this year and already there are many little tomatoes appearing.
Have a wonderful week to you and all bluebirds. Blessings.
I love sock farming! Well done! Also the repairs on the cardigan. I really think mending is beautiful. Well done also on the Kombucha I hope it is a success!
DeleteHow nice to have tomatoes already! I hope the new week is going well for you! xxx
I remember when Queen Elizabeth's father, George VI, passed away, although I was so young I don't remember him at all. My best friend's mother was English by birth and I remember her family was very affected by his death. I saw the Queen's coronation on a movie newsreel--we did not have a TV station in our city until a few months later.
ReplyDeleteI always admired HMTQ's wisdom in any situation. Sometimes (when I was younger), she seemed hopelessly old-fashioned, yet in the end, her decisions were nearly always right. As I look back, I see only two mistakes--the decision (and it might not have been hers) that Charles should not marry Camilla and her initial response to Princess Diana's death. I think she handled Prince Andrew's situation and the Sussexes very well. Those are decisions I would not have wanted to make.
I haven't done much of anything this week. My arthritis has been seriously acting up! But enjoying reading your adventures and the comments very much.
Dear Maxine, It is amazing how certain things stick in our memories forever. Princess Dianas funeral is much more recent but the world kind of stood still then.
DeleteSorry about your arthritis giving you trouble. It is not good. I started to get arthritis in my fingers. I was horrified about this and Mum has it. I started eating tinned black cherries every day and I eat no wheat. It has completely disappeared. I dont know if I can keep it at bay forever but hoping! Hope you are having a good week! With love Annabel.xxx
It is indeed a sad time. I don't know what the world will do without our beloved Queen.
ReplyDeleteWe are just at the end of two weeks away at the lake house. While we don't do the usual things here we have picked many deeply discounted sale items to take home and add to the pantry. We enjoyed visits from old friends who came to see us and our oldest son's family.
We noticed this week that the standard bottle of vegetable type oil has gone from 48 ounces to 40. Taking into account the non sale price at the regular grocery store it is nearly 10 cents a Tablespoon! It is best to know these things so we know where to conserve what we have.
Have a good weekend!
Dear Lana,
DeleteI am so glad you had a great stay at the Lake house and found great things to bring home to your pantry!
I think oil is going to be very expensive. Now in Spain the Olive oil production is down because of severe drought. I am stocking up on Olive oil. You will be home and unpacking and getting back to normal now I think. Have a good week! With love Annabel.xxx
Queen Elizabeth was one of the most gracious, humble and dignified ladies that I have ever known. My Grandma used to base her wardrobe and hairstyle around what the Queen was wearing. I used to think that was odd, but now I can see that Grandma had found the most wonderful role model. My Grandma was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a change of seasons here. My Winter garden has gone to seed. As the seeds are collected, the plants are then pulled and given to the chooks or chopped and put in the compost. Compost is then layered on the beds and new seedlings are planted. It means that we have plenty of plants still producing and new plants growing on. More seeds for new plantings, have been placed in punnets in the green house. Garden space is never left empty.
The dehydrator has been busy filled with greens from the garden for the green powder jar, and various herbs for their jars. I now have plenty of dried oregano, rosemary, thyme and also dried celery from the garden.
Bluey picked up more free bananas. What we dont eat or give to Katie for Spencer, will be peeled, vac sealed and put in the freezer. The bananas are then wonderful for baking or for smoothies. Bluey also scored some local honey that a friend was giving away. It does have the odd bee body in it (which is why it was free), but that is not a problem for us.
Spring cleaning is an ongoing process. I was getting overwhelmed by it until I decided to do just one job, finish it properly and then move onto the next. What isnt done today can be done tomorrow or the day after. Now I am feeling much more relaxed and the list of things to be done is gradually getting smaller.
I hope you and all the Bluebirds have a fabulous week.
Dear Jane,
DeleteYou are doing well with the garden and seed saving. Your seasons are so different to ours. We have to work with the season we are in. All the herbs and greens dehydrated and packaged up are valuable. I bet you keep Katie in all these supplies too.
Fantastic on the bananas! So much you can do with them! And honey! That is fantastic. We always had honey straight from the beekeeper and it always had bits in it which we overlooked. This pure honey is probably the best of all really.
Good job on the Spring cleaning! I am doing the same and its so good to get these jobs done. It makes the house fell really good! Hope the week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, I feel so saddened by the news of the Queen. What a beautiful Queen, who served until the end. What an inspiration. It’s the end of the Elizabethan era and it does feel like tumultuous times, even more so now. I remember my grandparents talking of the royal family and I have loved watching the Christmas message. I love how she loved animals too. Your cows are beautiful, they look so healthy. Molly looks so cute! Life is better with dogs.I love how you swapped eggs for lemons. I haven’t thrift shopped this week. You did so well! I love the idea of the dried herbs as gifts and anything for your grandchildren will be a huge help. I am making the most out of our fridge, freezer and pantry in the next week or two. I plan on making a huge vegetable bake to be used as a side. I separated plants and took cuttings and then planted them out in the garden and visited the library. I also took a flask of tea to have with the kids at the beach, lovely. Lots of love, Lily
ReplyDeleteDear Lily,
DeleteA vegetable bake is delicious and a great way to use things up. I find pizza is good too for using up a lot of tomatoes etc. You did well with the garden and taking your tea to the beach. Today it has come in so cold and stormy I can only imagine a day at the beach!
I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous and sweet Molly is! I adore dogs, can not imagine life without them, they offer love and affection and never disappoint or lie. They make me happy.
The passing of Queen Elisabeth generated a sadness all over the globe - what a special person she was!!! What a wonderful homage Sidney paid for her at The Opera House! You are right, in this hard and uncertain times her loss is even greater. She became queen after a world war and left when the world has another war. I am not ashamed to tell I cried when I heard She had passed even if She was not my Queen - but She has all my admiration. And She loved dogs!
My week was another busy one, but I think it is normal at the end of the summer. Everyday I put something in the pantry - pickling, dried fruits and herbs, shopping for the freezer - I managed to purchase some pork meat at a great price and I think it is good to buy pork now, they say African swine fever has arrived near our country and last time they had to kill thousand of swine because of this disease. Obviously the prices were enormous or there was any pork to buy for months. A tragedy for swine farms for sure!
We have a rainy weekend, Thank God, so I will do some more pickling inside to sell to a colleague that does not want to learn how and she likes mine. I think every penny counts and half of it I put away for savings and half I bought sugar for the pantry, sugar has doubled its price and I am still in jam making period with all these fruits in the garden. Consider it a rainy weekend side hustle....
I received a very big bunch of parsley leaves for some mint I gave to be planted in the garden. For some cosmetics from the gift pantry, packed in crochet little bags I received a big bucket of golden pears. Now I have a lot to process....I am very happy about these produces because it is exactly what I do not have and I am glad barter is becoming a new fashion, somehow. But in hard times and between good people miracles can happen.
Wishing all of you, good people, a nice weekend ahead. Love from Laura_s_world from Romania
Dear Laura, The end of summer seems the busiest time of year to me. But if we dont keep up a lot of produce would be wasted. Adding to your stores every day is wonderful! And the pork... that was really good. I think it is great you have someone buying your pickles! Good work!
DeleteYou did some good bartering! Beautiful! Pears are lovely! I know you will put them to good use! You are busy busy but it is with such lovely things! With love Annabel.xx
Hi Annabel I too have some tomato plants soon to go in, & other veg too I pick up on my travels have been so busy with work taking on extra late shifts,with only tomorrow to do some cooking i might try Wendy's jam,I agree it's a very sad time with the loss of a lovely queen we woke up to the news and felt a real loss
ReplyDeleteDear Melissa,
DeleteI will be picking up more seedlings on my travels too as I can. Good job on your extra shifts. That is hard work but it is good to have that extra money! With love Annabel.xxx
hi annabel so sorry to hear of the passing of queen elizabeth. this week has been busy here too. we have gotten quite a bit of rain this week and more to come sunday and monday. finally pulled the last of the tomatoes from the garden and cleaned up the area. processed the tomatoes into catsup and also made cucumber relish for the pantry. cooked up a large pork roast into bbq. my husband is from the south and he loves his pork bbq and brunswick stew. in the sewing room, finished another comforter for the needy and also the last of the little pillowcase dresses for operation christmas child. now i'am going thru my fabric stash, picking out colors for another comforter. maybe pinks and greens. we ask for traveling mercies as we are going to the beach for a week to relax and shop at some different thrift stores and farmers markets. hopefully we will find some deals. blessings to you and all the bluebirds. bonnie
ReplyDeleteDear Bonnie,
DeleteIt is raining here now and I think for the next few days, this is good for us! You added lots to your shelves! The roast sounds beautiful! Well done on the comforter for someone in need! Beautiful work. I love pillowcase dresses! So sweet! They will be loved too! I very much like pinks and greens together so I am voting for that! I hope you have a lovely time away and fantastic luck at the thrift stores and markets! That sounds like my kind of trip! With love Annabel.xxx
I was watching a cooking show last week where the chef showed how to make preserved lemons and how much she loves using them in various dishes she makes. I've wanted to make them for awhile and I decided to make quite a few jars once we get into lemon season again. I still have quite a few jars of the homemade vanilla extract I made last year, they are nice and strong now.
ReplyDeletePreserved lemons look so beautiful in jars. And make lovely gifts too! I would really like to do vanilla extract again. I love it and use it a lot!
DeleteAnnabel, that was my post about preserved lemons. I don't know why it went through as Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteOh thanks Brenda, I just replied and wasnt sure! I am collecting little bottles hoping to make more extracts myself! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel and beautiful bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteI have lost many comments this weekend ,I've been trying to comment on this lost since Friday night but my limited eye sight and being uncoordinated has caused me to Lose comments before i can publish them
Thank you Anbabel for all your encouragement and your inspiring blog ,you work so hard please know it is appreciated.
It was sad to wake on my birthday on Friday to the news that the Queen had passed away early hours of the morning Australian time . I too had seen updates and knew the news was not going to be good.its so sad.
Apart from medical appointments etc ,I have left my home once in a month ,that was to go out for lunch on Friday for my birthday.
My decluttering adventures continue and I am now making use if a piece if furniture which has not been properly used in many years
I'm also doing craft again ,only making basic cards but also doing some scrapbooking again which I started doing over 17 years ago when my eldest niece was born
Take care beautiful bluebirds
Love Barb woodford
Dear Barb,
DeleteThank you for persisting with comments! Thanks so much Barb.
I hope you had a Happy Birthday. I wished you on Facebook but I think I still have your old profile so you may not have seen that.
It is so good your decluttering and getting your flat nice are going so well and that you can be crating again! With love Annabel.xxx
Hello Annabel, and bluebirds, It has been a hard week in many ways, that's for sure. I agree with you Annabel that this time of instability seems all the more worse with the Queen's passing. I wonder what the future will hold under King Charles.
ReplyDeleteWe have still had bugs and germs hanging around our house, and lots of us have missed work and school. It makes it all the harder to get ahead, but I'm so thankful for prepared meals in the freezer and plenty of stock in the pantry!
We caught up with family on Saturday and Sunday which is still a wonderful feeling after the last couple of years. We don't take those visits for granted anymore, especially with ageing parents.
This week I hope to get stuck into more spring cleaning, including curtains and baseboards. I am also hoping to prepare and freeze some more vegetable based meals.
Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to your next posts on the Every bit counts challenge and Laine's Letters.
Blessings,
Kirsty x
Dear Kirsty, I am sorry your household has not been so well. I hope everyone is doing better now. Yes these times it is so good we have what we need on hand to make life easier. I am so glad you could catch up with family.
DeleteI am Spring cleaning too although our weather has gone back to winter! It is so good to get it done though! A new Laine post is up today! With much love Annabelxxx