Feather your Nest Friday, 27th of January, 2023.
It was a wonderful week! I had my Grand daughters come to stay and we had beautiful mild summer days. Just lovely!
Where to start... Andy found me a beautiful nest. My best guess it is a Butcherbird nest. We have Butcherbirds in our garden. It had fallen from a tree and is in perfect condition. I basically collect nests, I love them! Scarlett collected some Quail eggs so we combined the two as they look so beautiful.
I prefer something like this to any ornament you can buy in a shop. At school when I was little we had the nature table. This was my favourite thing about school.
One of my hens hatched ONE chick which was a pretty poor effort but the timing was fantastic as the girls got to see and it is a beautiful little chick.
Another hen has a dozen eggs due to hatch next week. I hope she hatches more than one!
Harper is seven now and well and truly ready to learn to sew. Scarlett is five but wanted to watch but not game to try the sewing machine yet. I set up a little table and chairs with this mini size sewing machine in the longe room. We had a stash of pretty fabric remnants ready to go. To begin I sat with Harper and went over turning on the machine and the light, raising and lowering the foot and so on. Then we began with sewing straight lines. She took to it like a duck to water! Next we got to turning corners and finishing your work with some back and forth stitches. Then we learned how to pin two pieces of fabric together.
Mum came over and she sat with Harper for about an hour and they did seams and made two little bags.
It was wonderful. In the end I could just let her go and she kept practicing. We changed to zig zag and a few different stitches for variety. By the time she left she understood what French seams were. So now we have big plans for next holidays to make pyjama shorts and a pillowcase. With horses. 😊
I had plenty of activities lined up. One was digging for semi precious stones ... these were kits I bought and they loved them!
We make chocolate cakes and decorated them.
We visited Chloe and the boys and the cousins play so well together. Scarlett also played with Chloe's budgie Houdini...
We made cards and note books as presents for just about everyone...
We spent a lot of time outside feeding animals, picking tomatoes, watering and running under the sprinkler. Also endless playing with the dogs and I don't know who loved it more, the kids or the dogs!
I freeze dried more zucchini and I discovered not to do cherry tomatoes. They explode! eek... didn't know this! Luckily I only had one tray of those as an experiment.
We have several motion sensor cameras on our property. These produce a lot of photos of various Wallabies, Kangaroos, cows etc walking past! At the moment we have lots of Corella's and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. This photo shows behind our house just as it is every day.
I picked lots of cherry tomatoes. Some of my garden beds are going well, zucchinis, cucumbers and basil are coming on.
My new pots out the front are doing ok too...
I hope you had a good week too. How did you build up your home, pantry, garden? We love to hear! xxx
I wonder if you could freeze dry the cherry tomatoes if they were cut in half? Just a thought. :)
ReplyDeleteFairy I think I will go back to dehydrating them as they turn out so well! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel and bluebirds ,
ReplyDeleteits been a long but lovely week .i have loved the bluebird on the ground reports and realised how fortunate we are in Australia compared to other countries.
i had some great finds at an op shop in my area.
i got some cookbooks , almost brand new for $2 each and one for $4 . the $4 one was jamie olivers 15 minute meals, going to have a bit more of a look through that on tge weekend and pkan some meals from it .
i bought hand sanitiserfor 20 cents each for 3 smallk bottles and some elastic brand new in pack for 50 cents and some brand new in pack felt pens for $2 , they will comed in handy .i also bought an antique wooden table , a coffee or hall table it is , it was $25 and is gorgeous . im going to use ut in my lounge room i think.
i have had an offer from someone who is going to help me declutter and tidy my unitr and sort out storage solutions .tey ae helping me on their offer and at no ciost to me for their time.
its been a great week.i lobe thde new topics here Annabel, love your photos .the girls have grown so mch since i kast saw photos of them , beautiful girls!.
have a great weekend .
love Barb Woodford
Dear Barb, You had an amazing week! Fantastic bargains! Thank you so much Barb for your kind words. The gift of help is great. Good storage and organisation is such a help! Have a lovely Sunday, Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, gosh it was delightful to hear about your granddaughters' adventures on the farm. Their huge smiles say it all. They truly are little darlings, they just melted my heart! I think Harper and Scarlett have your genes. They are already industrious and so creative and have a fine way with presentation. Those cakes look lovely! It has been still semi-holiday mode here too, so I have been getting some crocheting done. I plan on getting ahead with baked goods and snacks on Sunday and hopefully we will go fishing and do some gardening. Outside time is lovely! Lots of love, Lily
ReplyDeleteDear Lily, Thank you so much! My Grandmothers both sewed beautifully and when my girls were small my Mum sewed them little dresses. Sewing is for sure in the family. I hope you have a good fishing trip and it is Sunday now so you will be baking... very good to get ahead for the week! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! And thanks for the info on the prescription drugs. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Andrea! xxx
DeleteWhen I freeze dried cherry tomatoes I cut them in half. This worked very well. I would show a pic but we've already used them. 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you, this is what I will do next time!xxx
DeleteWhat great photos! I think that was Scout? And the huge flock of birds, how lovely to see. And your grand daughters are so big now! The photo of you mom and granddaughter was the best. Thank you for sharing the photos, they made me smile ;). I also laughed out loud about the news stories carrying items that are completely irrelevant ;). Have a good week next week, Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteDear Hilogene, I will try to have Scout in an upcoming photo. I am also going to demonstrate some dumb news stories to show you how crazy it is! They are daily like a competition to out do each other being dumb and irrelevant! This week has been so busy! I hope it is going well for you! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteThat momma hen is just beautiful!! No wonder her baby is such a cutie!
ReplyDeleteAs for your week with the girls...the pictures warmed me to the cockles of my ❤️. Your grands are all gonna grow up with such a feeling of being loved. I had that when I lived with my grandparents. No better feeling as a kid than to feel loved and valued.
When they go see you, it's like summer camp with all the activities and animals. The dogs probably feel the same with such energetic visitors.
I haven't heard about any med shortages except Amoxicillin. I will ask around though. A couple of family members are on Metformin.
The first real winter gas bills are arriving around the US. That odd sound you hear is probably screaming from the shock. My friend lives in warm Southern Cal and keep their thermostat at 62°. Theirs was 3x the norm, going from a $100 average to over $300. That's ghastly. I'm dreading the arrival of ours. We're in a much colder climate. I can't imagine Minnesota or Ontario.
Thank you so much! Our weather here is more similar to California. For people in freezing conditions and must keep warm the power and gas prices are a real concern. I am already planning our next school holidays activities! xxx
DeleteHello Annabel and lovely Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful and the girls are adorable! Such enthusiasm on Harper*s face and concentration on Scarlet*s face. Also baby fur has a big pretty smile! Your week was wonderful !!! I am thinking of all the precious memories that were built along all the activities.
Among all the usual things we do, something special was going with our teenager son for his first ever dry by car - and his father teaching and advise him. I filmed with my camera from the back seat of the car - there was memory for a lifetime in front of me. And he was like duck to water, (your quote!)
Have a nice week everyone. We have snow and cold days ahead of us. Laura_s_world from Romania
Dear Laura,
DeleteThank you! It is exciting your son is learning to drive! Lots of practice will make him a very good driver. I bet he is happy!
The week has been so busy, I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx
Hubby and I decided that the one chick hen looks pretty proud of herself! What a wonderful week you had! I love the sewing lessons. I was sewing whole garments alone by age nine and I bet she will too!
ReplyDeleteOur news in no more helpful than yours and just all full of politics and bickering. But, in one conservative news feed I did see that Pfizer had plans to mutate the coronavirus to keep their cash cow of the booster shots going. And yet they can not keep needed meds available. Also, a major egg producer made 18 times their normal profit last year and will be investigated for price gouging. I doubt that any money will make it's way back to the consumer though.
Have a great weekend!
Dear Lana, Thank you... I saw this re Pfizer also. I no longer trust or would touch anything they have anything to do with. Pure evil. No, it seems to me when prices go up they usually stay up! We have to work our way around these things! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel, I just discovered yesterday that the Trulicity once a week injection I take for type 2 diabetes is not available! Had a call from my pharmacist that it was back ordered with no date given. I get this at a giant chain store (Costco). People are using this drug as a weight-loss drug, after the Ozempic got sold out. It does not work that way. Minimal weight loss if any. It is manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, I believe. (Eli Lily) I am stressed over this, but glad I have 7 weeks worth left. My doctor just called in a refill for me and that is when the pharmacist called me.
ReplyDeleteLove all the fun activities with your grandchildren. You are the best grandma!
Dear lejmom, I am so glad that drug is made in the USA. I am glad you are seven weeks ahead that is really good and hope you can get your refills. Thank you so much, Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteMy daughter’s co workers are all taking this to loose weight and having terrible side effects. They are RN’s no less. Common Sense is not common.
DeleteHarper and Scarlett are growing up to be lovely young ladies and will have all the skills as their grandmother. I'm so glad they are so interested in those things. So many skills are being forgotten. Funny about the cherry tomatoes - I wonder how they would do if you cut them in half? Thanks for sharing your beautiful life and wisdom with us. I read your blog at my desk at work while eating my breakfast. Shhhh lol
ReplyDeleteDear Kathy,
DeleteYes I think the tomatoes need to be halved. I was hoping they would work whole as they are so small! The chickens got them so at least it wasnt a complete loss!
Thank you for your kind words! With love Annabel.xxx
I absolutely love that your granddaughter Harper is learning to sew. The picture of her and you mum together just melted my heart! My oldest two grandboys are learning to sew from their great grandmother (on their mother's side of the family. She is also teaching her other great grands to sew also. My grandson Isaiah made me a beautiful pot holder that I cherish. My own mother sent a bunch of fabric over for Sandra (the aforementioned great grandmother) to use in her sewing projects with all the great grandkids. My mother and Sandra have become good friends over the years and that is something that I cherish considering that Sandra and I have also become very close also. We are one big family and my grandchildren have greatly benefitted from being surrounded by so many people of different generations who love and teach them things.
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
DeleteHow lovely that your Mum and Grandsons Great Grandma are also good friends! And that all the children are learning to sew. A wonderful collaboration! I agree with you so much, that all the generations involved with the children is a huge benefit. Everyone has something different to offer too. I hope next holidays we will go on with the sewing lessons and new crafts. Thank you so much! With love Annabel.xxx
Your granddaughters are adorable. Our Piper, age 6, is showing an interest in sewing. On my last two blog posts, I shared the problems getting my insulin and how I ended up in the Emergency Room on New Year's Day. I finally got it but only after I contacted the drug company personally. I am learning that with all things medical, they do not work here in the States like they did pre-Covid. I hear that even medications like Children's Tylenol are hard to find on shelves. I looked and couldn't find any so when I do see they have come back in, I plan to get a couple boxes to put back for my little grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry the shortages have made you so sick. This is so serious. I know about the children's Tylenol as some hospitals are even out of it. I am keeping bottles for each of my Grandchildren here so there is always back up. It really worries me. It is wonderful Piper is keen to sew! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely week with the girls. They are beautiful. It's hard to believe so much time has past, as when I first start following your blog Harper was not yet two. I loved reading about all the activities you did with them creating the most wonderful memories of their childhood with their Nana.
It has been a hard week here as my 2 year-old-grandson is in the PICU with RSV and pneumonia. He's been there for over a week. Any prayers for him would be greatly appreciated.
As with everywhere else, grocery and gasoline is going higher and higher. I did find cauliflower for $2.99 and butter for $3.50 a pound. All things considered those were good prices considering two weeks before the cauliflower was $7 and the butter was $5. I was able to get two lamb roasts that went into the freezer. I got a large skein of wool at one of the hobby shops to make beanies and fingerless gloves for the gift closet. I took out all the bits and bobs of leftover vegetables from the freezer and added bone broth to them and then pureed everything in the blender to make a delicious creamy soup for us to have with our dinner one night. I had heard that oatmeal may be very hard to get soon so I stocked up on that and rice which I heard will also be in short supply soon. Oatmeal cookies are one of my son's favorites.
I made "no roll" crackers. I made cards for February birthdays and anniversaries
Wishing all the Bluebirds a healthy and productive week ahead.
Dear Cookie,
DeleteOh no, I only just read this (Thursday!) I am praying as of right now. You must be so worried.
I am glad you did find some deals and also the lamb roasts put into the freezer will be great. The creamy soup sounds really good. I am hearing the same thing about rice...
You are ahead already for the Feb celebrations! That is great. Now I will email you re your Grandson. With love Annabel.xxx
Annabel you are a gem. I'm loving all the posts. I look forward to them. Your granddaughters are so precious. I've been reading your blog since your girls got married and we have babies similar ages. It's fun to watch and see. My husband and 12 year old son are both type 1 diabetics. That means insulin dependent for life. Up until a few years ago my husband's insulin was something we only had just enough of. And there was no way to change it we were told. Well God graciously used our amazing pharmacy to put us on an autofill that allowed us to build a backup. We've also purchased a second fridge to keep it at a constant cool temp to keep it efficacious as long as is possible. My son also has a small build up..I can't tell you what it means to me
ReplyDeleteSo far I've not heard of anyone unable to receive insulin but it is a real fear of ours. Your writings certainly influenced me to be proactive in this area. Thank you again. Love from Pennsylvania. JESSE
Dear Jesse, Yes it is scary how fast these years have gone!! I am so glad you have been able to build up some back up insulin. You are wise. Many people have no "rainy day" plan yet it can be lifesaving! Thank you for your kind words! Also for being with me since the girls married! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteYour granddaughters are so cute and I love that Harper is sewing.
ReplyDelete* I have only had to buy eggs, milk, bread, celery and carrots to add to a bone broth I am making. I pulled out two gallon bags with turkey carcasses from the freezer and am simmering them in my large electric roaster for 48 hours. I will then can it. I have another turkey carcass and a smaller bag of chicken bones, and then a bag of beef bones for beef bone broth. I may just make a broth with the other turkey carcass and can some chicken soup and pot pie base with it. We picked up our venison today so I have over 60 pounds of ground venison, sausage, backstrap, cubed steaks, and two roasts. My husband had a. unch of snack sticks made, it is mixed with cheese and venison. I don't eat them, but he loves them.
* I will cut the stalks off the celery and plant the root end and hopefully grow some more.
* We bought an Excalibur dehydrator and it came yesterday. My husband will make venison jerky, then I want to dehydrate the celery I bought and some mixed vegetables from the freezer.
* So far our electric and gas costs have not risen. We had a severe cold spell in December and so it was a higher bill, but from usage, not rising cost. We tacked up quilts on the windows, and used our fireplace when we were in the family room.
Than you so much! Quilts over the windows will really keep the heat in! How exciting to have such a wonderful dehydrator! Celery is very successful... one of my favourites!
DeleteThe venison would be great. You really built up your freezer supplies!
Your bone broth sounds so good, both broths do. I think broth just has so much goodness. A very good week! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel
ReplyDeleteYou do have a busy month of birthdays in January! The girls have grown so much. These precious days are happy times for making memories and teaching valuable lifelong skills they will use and think always of you and Pat.
I made a big load of apricot jam this week and another batch of tomato chutney. Lucky we have good fruit markets nearby. Finally got a couple of home grown zucchinis after patchy pollination due to cold nights here.
I’ve borrowed a lot of library books to get more ideas on cooking and gardening.
I am finding the around the world Bluebird reports very interesting and sadly downright alarming. More chaos is likely and we can only get busy so we are as ready as can be. Be busy, teach yourself a new skill each month and get fit!
My love to all the Bluebirds
Kate
Dear Kate, Yes Jan is our big month! Apricot jam and tomato chutney both sound beautiful. I have the same with Zucchinis... I got some but many do not form properly.
DeleteGoing through books for new ideas is lovely. When I find something I can use I love it! A bit of inspiration! Yes... the on the ground reports are already building quite a picture. One thing I notice is the Commonwealth countries are all in the same boat. Next week is Germany. Each one is teaching me something and each Bluebird has stepped up with so much information and ideas that have helped there family... many things we can adopt. I agree... use the time well, be very very busy and healthy! With much love Annabel.xxx
Hello dear Annabel and Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post from you Annabel, as always. Your little granddaughters are just gorgeous. What a special time they have at Nana’s farm. Harper is very clever taking to sewing so well and so precious to see your Mum teaching her too.
They will always treasure and remember their special times with you. You surely are a loving and fun Nana. 💕 lots of love, Lorraine. Xxx
Dear Lorraine,
DeleteThank you! I hope next holidays we can continue on with sewing and Mum can come and help Harper some more. Scarlett might start too. I hope the things they learn will stick with them. The things my Nana taught me have stayed with me always so that is encouraging to me! With love Annabel.xxx
Annabel this post is just beautiful! Harper and Scarlett look like they’ve had such a fun week! You’re so thoughtful in the way you prepare for them to come, and they obviously enjoy all of the things you get up to. Happy birthday to Lucy!!
ReplyDeleteExploding tomatoes sounds like a big clean up job 🤦🏻♀️
I’ve done some bedroom ‘resets’ with my children this week, reorganising and decluttering to make sure their rooms are easy to manage as we head into the school year.
I’ve fallen out of routine over the holidays with dinner times, baking days etc so it’s time to get that back on track (we have eaten I promise!)
Have a lovely week
Jen (NZ)
Dear Jen,
DeleteYes I had a clean up job... at least the chickens got to enjoy exploded tomatoes!
Your school year aligns with ours by the sound of it. Getting all organised and ready is great. Getting back to the routine is a bit of a shock at first but a routine is very good to keep it all together! I know you would have all had lovely holidays! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteSo cute that little sewing machine and the industrious little sewist! I am not surprised that she took to that like a duck to water! Sounds like you had a fabulous visit. Things are nice and quiet here, which is allowing me to get some reading done...enjoying that a lot. Went thru my seeds and made a list of what to order for this growing season. Not much for this year, which will be nice. (Usually I have a big year for seeds, and then a smaller one, with plenty of leftovers from the previous season.) Planning on getting some sewing done myself, this week.
The bird's nest with the quail's eggs is gorgeous!
Love, Jen in NS
Dear Jen, I just love the eggs too! Planning the garden is lovely, so is having some quiet winter time before all the hard work begins! The little machine is surprisingly good! Its solid and has a selection of stitches! Now we are planning the next holidays! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI love your nest/egg display! Your granddaughters are just beautiful. It is so nice to see that they want to learn sewing and skills that will help them in life. Too many kids just want to play video games and be on social media. You are setting them up for the future. Thanks for all the news around the world. It is helpful to know what to expect and prepare for. Regards, Julie
ReplyDelete