Feather your Nest Friday, 13th January, 2023.

Thank you to everyone who supported Denise and thanked her for her report from Bedford,  England.   I saw a lot of similarities between England and Canada from the two reports.   And there is a lot in common with Australia but we do not have way below zero temperatures to get through.   My hope it that we all learn something and glean things we can do to place our own household in a better position.   That is the whole point... that we all will be better prepared/forewarned...  

The drug shortages are starting to hit here.   I feel I have reported on a lot of the things we are seeing in Australia but also maybe I should include an Australian report or two from someone other than myself.    I will get working on that! 

So, my week...    As you already know we had a fire.  It was on Chloe and Lukes but it was closer to our house than theirs.   It was two paddocks and a dirt road from our house... I could see it from the kitchen window!   We were very lucky it was not hotter, it was not windy,  Andy saw it and got over there with our fire trailer and called for help.   We had quite a few fire trucks and farmers helping.   Actually the community is amazing and impressive.    I think it hit me today as today I feel like going on strike and doing nothing.   I can't though as there is garden to water,  animals to feed and so on.  But I can do just what must be done and be on strike for the rest!

My first photo is of the Birthday cake Chloe made me on Tuesday.   This was after having to evacuate on Monday!  She still made a special afternoon tea for me.

A bluebird!  On Tuesday morning I posted about using what we have, natural elements etc and meanwhile over the hill Chloe had decorated with gum leaves from a tree outside...

Mum also got to enjoy afternoon tea.   It was a very nice change of pace from the day before! 

I am picking tomatoes every day now.   They ripened very late this year.   But that is ok they are coming in steadily. 

I finished preserving the bargain tomatoes from last week.   Lots of full tomato pasta sauce and also relish.

Zucchini are also still coming in and I know I have another few that will be ready in the next couple of days.  

I met my friend Wendy in town and she gave me a lovely set of vintage spice jars.   I also had great luck at the op shop and found some nice velvet fabric and also a heap of beautiful kids clothes.  They have been washed and distributed and some put away to grow in to.

I made a Date Loaf to share with Mum. 

Each day I have made some progress on sewing projects.   I wanted to make some big carry all tote bags.  The first one is almost finished.  And I have other smaller projects lined up. 

This week I got a beautiful box of peaches.   So far we are just living off them fresh.  If I need to I will make a crumble .... oven baked peach is one of the most delicious things on earth.

Tomorrow is going to be hot.   We have hit the weather where outdoor work is done in short bursts and quiet activities inside are best.    I have some sewing to work on and some notebooks I want to cover and decorate.   The main thing is no more fires! 

A lot of us are having severe weather,  in some cases hot and in some cases freezing!  Either way this leaves us largely stuck inside laying low.  These are the times I update the photo albums,  make some cards,  go through my recipe books...  I am participating in the #threeriverschallenge with Jessica from Three Rivers Homestead.  This means I am going through my freezers,  using things up,  reorganising and making room for new produce.   It is good weather to have my head in the freezer anyway!

How did you build up your home, add to your pantry or garden this week?  I hope a lot of opportunities came your way! xxx