Feather your nest Friday, 21st April, 2024.
It has been a busy, busy, busy week! We are racing towards May... already!
We had the girls staying for a few days and we did a lot! Where to start?
The girls are good tree climbers and we had a couple of big apple picking sessions. They loved it. I ended up with four giant baskets like this. They also took apples home to eat and we gave some to Chloe and Nana as well.
Any damaged apples went into a basket for the goats and cows.
Mum came over and helped Harper progress with her sewing. This was the first actual "making something" project. Last time it was all learning how to use the machine, sew straight, finish off and so on. Now it was time for construction.
A pillowcase was her first completed project. She is very proud of it!
I got lots of jobs done while Mum helped Harper and Scarlett helped me! She patiently washed and packed 30 eggs.
One of our activities was looking for interesting rocks and crystals (which they are both very big on) and I had made up boxes full of sand and rocks with some treasures mixed in. They had to excavate them! Well they LOVED this and it took HOURS. I had little paint brushes, bowls of water to wash anything interesting and a container for treasures found.
This was all set up on the outside table.
You could do this with bones and call it an archeological dig. Anyway it was a success.
We have a kind of quarry/rocky spot on the farm. We headed off there to search for interesting rocks. This was spiced up a bit with some carefully hidden Geodes. 😊
Andy was in charge of cracking open anything of interest.
The goggles were for when Andy smashed anything, to keep eyes safe.
Cracking some Geodes revealed crystals inside and there was a lot of amazement and excitement!
It was really a lot of fun. Once home there was endless washing of rocks and displaying them.
Mum knitted the girls warm hats. Chloe made the roses.
We had an outing to Chloe's to play with their little cousins. We picked figs and as Chloe and Luke are babysitting a horse we were able to feed it apples.
I saw two ads on FB buy, swap and sell. One was a stall of potted up succulents being sold by two boys saving up for camp. I dropped past them when I went through town and supported their cause. They were very inexpensive and so nice!
Lots of different varieties!
Happy Happy Happy!
The other.... a lady posted that she had succulents and needed them to be gone and was giving them away. This was not too far from me. The photo showed half a dozen pots. So off I headed. When I got there she gave me a tour of the backyard which had pots everywhere, all types of succulents.... and she wanted me to take them all! Ok! It became a challenge to get them all into the car. Her little boy was about 8 or 10 I am guessing. He had a wheel barrow loaded up to take the first lot to the car. I told him I would pay him pocket money to help me get them all in. He sprang to life and because of him I ended up with so many more plants.... he found plants that were tipped over and cuttings and on and on it went.
The back of my car looked like this...
The backseat, front seat and floor looked the same! (Lucky my car wasn't clean so mess didn't bother me!) I have so much planting to do! It is going to take a while!
We had someone stay in the cabin last weekend and he brought me a tray of produce.
My friend was at a garage sale and rang me up. She said she had to tell me their were chandeliers and door knobs and all kinds of Annabel things. To further convince me she was sending photos. I ended up with a box of beautiful door and cupboard knobs... also two chandeliers which I will clean and photograph sometime soon!
The same friend was at a sale today and rang me up again! I was thinking oh.. no... I don't need anything else until she showed me crystal and etched glassware.... crystal sweets jars.... oh my gosh, heavenly things and the most expensive lead crystal item was $10. I have wanted crystal to make candles in for my present cupboard. They will look a million dollars!!
Since the girls went home I have a lot of catching up to do especially with processing food. Yesterday I made a big pot of chicken and vegetable soup. I gave Chloe some today, with a couple of slabs of her sourdough bread she will have an easy dinner.
Today I had figs cooking down in the slow cooker to make fig paste. It is almost finished now, I will pour it into a tin before going to bed.
I made two chocolate cakes to feed visitors and one for the freezer.
So it was truly a big week. No new calves.... but the four we have all are doing well. We have until the end of May for a few more to arrive.
I am worn out, in bed with a cup of tea and a hot pack. We need the weekend to take a break but the slow cooker will be working again filled with apples tomorrow!
How did you build up your home or pantry this week? I hope it was a good week for you. xxx
I truly enjoy your weekly summaries. And the cutest little girls with their goggles and rocks ;). Thank you. Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteDear Hilogene, Yes they looked like mad scientists haha. So keen. Thank you.... the week summary really helps me see the good in the week and sep back for a little while. Have a great new week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteHarper and Scarlet are precious. They will have such wonderful memories of you and your mum. Please tell Harper, from us, that she did a beautiful job on her sewing project.
Your week of gifted plants and purchased beautiful treasures was very beneficial. The food that your guest brought and the apples are a blessing, for sure.
It was a slow week as I am still battling the flare-up and an infection, but I managed to get a bit of sewing done and some chickens roasted. Today, I will make two crockpots of chicken bone broth to freeze.
I am out of, both, chicken bone broth and beef bone broth, so that is my main focus for production. The two roasted organic chickens were divided into six pyrex containers of meat for the freezer.
We placed a Vitacost order to amp up our food storage, while the sale was on this past week. The Frontier organic bulk herbs were on sale, so I purchased what I felt was a sufficient amount to round out our supply for 18 months. I grow many culinary and a few medicinal herbs. The one's I purchase are, primarily, grown elsewhere and won't grow here.
I vacuum seal them to extend the freshness. Last week, I opened up a jar of pumpkin spice that I vacuum sealed in 2015, and it was as fresh as the day it was sealed. Our food storage room maintains a temperature of 60 degrees year around and is pitch dark and dry. There is no heater or windows in the room. This has been a huge benefit to prolonging food.
We had a food storage room with windows, in the past, so John cut large pieces of thick styrofoam to fit in the windows to block the light and any heat, plus I put up room darkening and weather blocking curtains. That worked quite well, also.
I hope that all Bluebirds have a blessed and restful weekend.
Love and hugs,
Glenda
Dear Glenda, Thank you so much. I will tell Harper. You did well to get some sewing and cooking done. I am sorry you are battling a flare up.
DeleteI think the vac sealing, steady temperature, darkness... all give a long food shelf life. It is worth doing things properly. I know you grow a lot... but there are always things that dont suit our climate and we need to buy those. It is great you did a stock up order.
Have a lovely Sunday, I hope you feel much better and we have a good week ahead! With much love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabelle I was given a bag of figs today. How do you mahpke your fog paste in the slow cooker please.
ReplyDeleteDear Sharyn, After lots of tries making fig or quince paste.... I found out really it is jam taken further to be set solid. BUT it you go to far it can turn to toffee! I have a newer slow cooker that once it brings things to a boil if I remove the lid it will keep bubbling. You could use the stove top or the microwave. I do half figs and half sugar (or a little less) the juice of half a lemon. Let that all go until it is very cooked and use a stick blender to blend it smooth. Carefully as it is like lava! Let it continue until it has reduced down and it is very thick and gooey. It is better to stop too soon than go too far as once it is toffee its unusable. Pour it into a lined loaf tin or into small containers. Let it set. I did a loaf tin.. if it slices today then yay it looks beautiful and I will give away some slices. If it hasn't set so well I will put it into small containers.... and use it like you would pate from a container on to crackers and cheese. It is completely delicious with cheese. I put mine on yesterday about 9 am.... it was about three kilos of figs. I turned it off about 8 pm last night. A smaller amount wouldn't take as long. I hope this helps! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, what a big week! The girls are beautiful, I especially love their hair cut - so French CHIC! The pictures with your Mum teaching Scarlet is precious! So many memories were built this week for all of you.
ReplyDeleteWhen my boy was about that age we did a big archeological activity like yours - but we had some dinosaurs eggs all over in a sand place and special tools in a kit - as you said, endless hours of fun and sparkling eyes....
The succulents are a treasure that only you can find as well as the treasures from the garage sale - I like very much etched glassware .
We finally enjoying some warm weather and the flower garden and the vegetable garden is slowly starting. Still cold at night so everything is planted at the right time. Yellow and red onions, a few potatoes, nasturtium flowers, alphaalpha grass, wild flowers, red clovers and white and red gooseberries are planted. Washed and dried on outside clothesline several times this week, before some rainy days are forecast for next days.
I needed some slow days to recover after a busy tiresome period. I have enjoyed time with family, take it easy and take in all the Spring beauty around us.
Sending love from far away, Laura)_s_world from Romania
Dear Laura, Thank you! I love the dinosaur egg idea!! I am saving that one up!
DeleteYou have a lot planted already! I am glad the weather is warming. Line dried washing is the best! I hope you are having a very restful weekend as that is what you need. With much love Annabel.xxx
What a fun post! I love all your activities. Crystals and geodes are so interesting. My mom lived in the Mojave Desert in California and knew where to find beautiful treasures. And some were big! Like cantaloupe sized. Purple inside.
ReplyDeleteLove the hats and pillow!
Dear Debby, How fantastic to find giant Geodes. That sounds just wonderful. Enjoy a lovely Sunday, with love Annabel.xxx
DeleteYour week sounds so wonderful!💚🌷💚
ReplyDeleteThank you! xxx
DeleteSo much fun! You have given me tons of ideas for when our grands come to visit at the lake house in a few weeks. It is fun to watch those girls grow up in your posts. What a blessing to have al those apples to store away. When I was in elementary school we lived in my grandparents house where Dad grew up and he would climb up into the old apple trees and shake the tree and the apples would come raining down. Then we would be peeling apples for days and weeks on end.
ReplyDeleteWe canned 13 jars of beef cubes this week. Beef just keeps going up so it is good to have these stored away. There is a good sale on ground beef this weekend so I am going to get meatloaves mixed up and frozen for future use as well. I restocked the freezer with baked goods for quick meals and desserts. A few months ago we caned pork carnitas but had not tasted them yet so Monday was the day. It was a delicious meal with perfect seasonings so we will work to get more jars of those on the shelf when we see a sale on pork loin. I feel that we must keep stocking as the world is just such an unstable place and we just do not know what tomorrow holds.
Have a lovely weekend!
Dear Lana,
DeleteThe lake house would have some great possibilities for adventures! It must be a thing that kids love being up trees as I loved it too and my Nan and Pa had an orchard of big old trees to climb.
Well done on the beef! Very good to have on your shelves. It is great your pork recipe turned out so nicely. I think you nailed it... unstable is a good word to describe things. It is as if something has to give. So many things happening all at one time. I had a restful weekend and am ready to be up and running tomorrow! Have a good week! With love Annabel.xxx
Annabelle,
ReplyDeleteHow quickly the girls have grown!! They are beautiful! So blessed to have you and your family teaching and them learning life skills. What a wonderful life!
Thank you so much! xxx
DeleteHi Annabel and everyone,
ReplyDeleteThe girls are so beautiful and the excavation boxes and rock exploring trip were such great ideas, I love it! Great finds on the succulents and those pretty cabinet knobs - I so want to see the crystal!
Still my super-busy time at work, so home things are getting away from me a bit, but I did two main things this week. One was work on the garden/yard - I picked up broccoli, squash, and strawberry seedlings/starts, a fragrant Sitting Pretty rose, a variety of lavender I have never seen before and a lavender tree, a basil tower, some good garden soil (we have terrible red clay as the native soil here), and potted up petunias, a hanging basket and one for the patio table. We had a huge thunderstorm last night, so I won't have to water for a few days. I thought my Brandy rose had died this winter, but it is started to leaf up again, so fingers crossed. I also had a baking day (bread, pizza scrolls, muffins, fruit crumble) and did the floors while things were baking. Finally, it was time for a new mattress, so the bedroom furniture got a good cleaning with oil soap and a bit of a re-arrange. (I had the bed frame we are using now in storage - it is a sleigh bed and so pretty. Since it's a bit smaller than the old one, I added all of the pretty cotton sheets in the larger size to my crafts closet.)
It was a chemo week for my husband. His scans showed things are still considered stable (less than 5% change) and labwork was ok. Next scan in 2 months. I am thankful nothing dramatic is happening and physically he is pretty well - he went with me to the garden center on the weekend. His spirits are quite low and that is a bit alarming, but there are calls in to his doctors. Thank you everyone who is praying for him, it means a lot.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
<3
Kathy
Dear Cathy, I thought I had two chandeliers but when I unpacked the box I had three! I need to do a lot of repairs.. but they will be beautiful!
DeleteEven though you were so busy at work you still managed a lot. Garden time is very nice. I always feel better for garden time! And your baking day helps the rest of the week!
The new bed sounds great. A freshened up bed and bedroom is lovely.
I am glad your husband could go to the garden centre. Nice outings would be very good. I am sorry his spirits are low. I will pray on that. It must be very hard for you both. You are amazing and achieve a lot each week and keep things so nice! With much love Annabel.xxx
Annabel I think this might honestly be the loveliest post ever! What a beautiful time the girls had. I love the thought and effort you put in to making their visit memorable. And what a week for adding to your garden, pantry and house!! No wonder you need an early night lol. This was truly beautiful to read.
ReplyDeleteI added lots of Dove soap to our supplies this week. I got it for $0.75 a bar instead of $1.30 so ordered lots. And there was also cooking oil on sale so I bought several bottles of that. I was able to get cabbages for $2 each at our local greengrocer, these can be more like $6 at the supermarket so I was happy with that!
May is going to be a really big month for us with three birthdays including one we have to travel for, so I’m trying to plan for those as well as enjoy the calm before the storm! We’ve had some rain in the last few days and it’s been really nice.
Have a lovely restful weekend!
Jen (NZ)
Thank you! I love Dove soaps! They smell so good. I store them with my linens and even with knitted items put away. That was a fantastic price.
DeleteThe cabbage was a very good price also. We have been eating cabbage also lately.
Birthdays seem to come in groups... they do in our family! I am betting you are prepared well ahead! With much love Annabel.xxx
I'm exhausted just reading all you've done!
ReplyDeleteI swear the best stuff finds it's way to you. I love the knobs.
Looking forward to seeing the
Chandeliers.
Your granddaughter's are so adorable.
Thanks Savannah, I unpacked the chandeliers, I thought there were two but there are three! I am beginning some repairs on them then will get some photos. I just love anything sparkly! xxx
DeleteAnnabel, I love how you make things fun AND educational for your grandchildren! This puts them so far ahead of most children their age who don't have these experiences! I also think it helps teach common sense. Good for you and your mother for putting out your knowledge and experiences for future generations! And I meant generations to be plural. Fifty years from now, I can see Scarlett and Harper teaching these things to THEIR grandchildren. I don't blame you for being tired, either.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maxine. I agree with you that lots of experiences and doing practical things are really important. Being capable is important. Lots of life skills add up to a successful life. I think next visit we will do some more cooking. I hope you are having a good week! xxx
DeleteAnnabel you weren't lying when you said you had had a busy, busy week. Oh mu goodness I need a cup of tea and a lie down after reading all that you got up to.
ReplyDeleteHarper's pillow case is a wonderful first sewn item. She has done such a great job. How wonderful Nan Nan Pat was able to help her get this done. I bet this is used and used, until it is completely worn out. Miss Harper will be learning so many new skills with every visit.
The little boy earned his money getting the back of your car so full with all the plants. Your garden is going to be a show stopper. The boys saving for camp would have also appreciated your stopping by.
I bet Andy has almost as much fun as the little girls when he was in charge of cracking open geodes. The girls looked very proud of their safety eye wear.
I was helping Katie a couple of days this week. Each day I came home exhausted but I know I was able to help Katie get things done. I get requests for playdough for Spencer and take this around.
Our little Toby had his six week needles yesterday. I am hoping that he had a good night. I find out later this morning. The family come around for Spencer's second breakfast. I make pancakes for them. I make extra that go home for tomorrows breakfast as well.
Bluey has baked up a quiche for the family to take home. I have a bag of salad mix I have picked out of the garden this morning. Katie will get the night off cooking tonight.
I had best get up and get a few more things done before the family arrive. Have a wonderful week.
Dear Jane, Thank you. You also had a very busy time with your Grand daughters! Then its clean up and recovery!
DeleteThe Geodes were really fun. We both loved it too! Each one was different.
Spencer must love their Saturday morning visits! All of your help will have really helped Katie get off to a good start with Toby. Very valuable. This week is going so fast but we got a lot done in the garden today and I am most happy! Hope things are going along well for you too! With love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel wow a wonderful happy post ,your two grand daughters had a ball at your place,it is lovely seeing them have so much fun ,helping you and also learning new things. I love your blog and enjoy your content ,thankyou for sharing and hope you have a lovely weekend 🌹🤍🌹
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Pink Rose! Already a new week is flying by! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteThe Harper and Scarlett are beautiful. Harper did such a great job on her pillow case. The picture with your Mum with Harper is beautiful and brought back some sweet memories of how I learned to sew with my Grandmother. My grandparents owned a cleaning and alterations shop She was a seamstress and my grandfather was a tailor.
It has been busy here. Firstly, our stove who's automatic igniters did cannot be fixed. The repairman finally got here only to have him tell us the company who makes the stove no longer makes the part that was needed. I guess that's to be expected as the stove is 20 years old. We had the chimney and flue cleaned out form the pellet stove. We pre-ordered our propane for next heating season. If you order early there is a huge discount.
I feathered our nest by making 3 ingredient no roll cracker; mayonnaise, gluten free tigernut flour cookies, 4 meat loaves -- one we had for dinner and 3 went into the freezer, cooked a turkey breast in the airfryer -- came out juicy and delicious. The meat loaves were made in the air fryer as well. Made stir fry for dinner one night and made enough to put two containers in the freezer. We did a big stock up this week at the grocery store with things that I have read will be in short supply and grossly expensive such as flour, sugar, and rice. I noticed that at this store buying two five pound bags of flour was less expensive by several dollars than buying a 10 pound bag. Always be sure to check prices as quite often it's cheaper to buy 2 of the smaller size than one of the larger size. I made seed tape, planted a lot of seeds that are growing in the greenhouse window in the kitchen and worked on Mother's Day cards. And in the evenings have been knitting beanies for the gift closet. I would love to have your Mum's pattern if that's possible. I think that's it for me. Cookie
Dear Cookie,
DeleteThank you! You did such a lot. The meat loaves in the freezer will be very handy. I love meatloaf! It is great to get the propane ahead and the discount is just an added bonus! Thanks for the tip re the prices of bags of things. We do mostly assume it will be cheaper to go with the larger size! I am getting the pattern for you! Will email! With love Annabel.xxx