Feather your Nest Friday, 24th February, 2023.

We had a couple of really hot days this week and we are waiting on a cool change right now.  I cannot really complain as it has all been under 40 degrees and it is perfectly normal to be well into the 40s this time of year.  I have worked through all the watering and animal jobs in short bursts and stayed in the cool as much as possible.    We might even get some rain with the cool change which would be wonderful! 

We have to work with the season and weather we have.   Less outdoor work means some more sewing and also painting.   I set a goal to sew two kitchen towels per day from my recycled linens.   In the evenings I worked on the edges.   Because of the fabric being sheets any imperfect ones became new kitchen towels for my own kitchen and the perfect ones got the crochet finish. 

Some pillowcases might be next when I get sick of kitchen towels and have enough in my present cupboard. 

I also started on some hand towels and face washers.

I keep an eye on Buy, Swap and Sell and saw six dining room chairs for $160 (for all) and they were located really close by!   This was the photo in the ad....

Pale blue VELVET!  They are beautifully carved.... which doesn't stand out in the photo because dark colours recede... which is why I am waiting them so the details stand out.  I am up to number 3, it is a long process but I have them inside and am painting in air conditioned comfort.   I have not had a set of matching dining room chairs so I am very excited. 

This week some of the apples and pears were ready to pick!  We went in under the nets to inspect properly.  One lot of pears fall off in your hand so are ready.     Some apples are ready but most still have a way to go.   They are a good size too!    Thank goodness they are at different stages as this helps spread out the harvest. 

The whole tree is heavy and drooping down with the weight of hundreds and hundreds of pears.   We picked two huge baskets full but really made no dent.   It has a very slow running hose underneath and as soon as this change comes in we will be picking the rest.

The apple tree is the same...  there are hundreds but most are still several weeks from ready.   Just some on the sunny side and outside of the tree were ripe so we picked those.

I saved a tin in my Christmas cupboard to fill it with homemade biscuits (cookies) come December.  All year I watch for containers for baking and hamper style gifts.  

It was my brothers birthday and Chloe rose to the challenge and made him a deer themed cake.  I show the Tuesday girls all Chloe's cake and homeschooling ideas etc.   I have to show you this one..

The little cakes were Gluten Free for Mum and me.  The main cake was chocolate.

My big cook up was a pot of spaghetti meat sauce.   A really large zucchini was grated and added,  also a heap of cherry tomatoes from the garden.   This cooked down into a delicious sauce.  

More zucchini was shredded and became two large cakes.  These were sliced and frozen.  I also froze a bag of shredded zucchini. 

I was asked for photos of Scout.   Late afternoons we spend about an hour playing with the dogs,  throwing Scout's frisbee etc.  We cannot be one minute late because she waits next to the door with her frisbee in her mouth or next to her on the mat.   Waiting, waiting....

In the mornings Andy checks the solar pump.  It is Scout's job to go with him on that drive.   Zackie gets to go on other drives and Scout flat refuses to go in the car at all! 

I added a spaghetti meat sauce to the freezer for an emergency meal.

That was my week.   I have a million things I want to say and can't find the words.  But this came to me "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of Blessing."  (Galatians 6:9)   Don't get discouraged.  Hang in there.  Small things add up to great things.   Small things do make a big difference.   Mother Teresa said "If you want to change the world go home and love your family."   It is true. xxx