Feather your Nest Friday, 7th April, 2023.

Wow what a week!   Firstly, I want to say I feel bad about not posting Monday and Tuesday.    I like to be faithful with my commitments but days have just not been long enough as you will see...

Yesterday I was driving home from Chloe's and saw the hugest black clouds to the north of us.  They looked quite spectacular and like a giant mushroom ... and coming our way.   I came in the driveway at about 3 30 and things were getting very dark.   I quickly fed the dogs and the chickens before coming inside.   Soon the thunder  and lightening started and then pouring rain.   It was incredible.   I think it was the biggest electrical storm I have experienced - ever!  Some of the lightening close to us sounded like a bomb going off.   It was still going late last night when I finally gave up to go to sleep.   This morning the outside world looked like it has been pelted with heavy rain,  we had over an inch!  Soon the farm will be green again!

Where to begin...  I finished packing up cards and note books to put away into my present cupboard.

I love adding to the present cupboard!

Two or three times a day we check the cows (because they are calving) and now we also check the calves! The first calf born is just mischief.   He got through the fence within one day of being born!  He is always running around with his tail in the air and never stays still.    Laffie's calf is also a boy.   Cows are known for parking their calf in the grass somewhere and going off to graze and have a good time.   We had four days we did not see this calf and we really began to worry.   We both drove up and down paddocks looking for him.   The thing is Laffie was not worried.   She seemed completely relaxed.... and if something had happened to her calf she wouldn't be,  she would be agitated and bellowing.  But still no sign of the calf ...     After days of this I couldn't take it anymore and I decided to try something different.   Right on dark I drove out into the paddock (very slowly and carefully watching the ground in front of me) to try and find both Laffie and her calf.    I am out there in my nightie and slippers haha with the headlights on... I was just about to give up and as I turned the car to come home the lights moved across a cow!   Yes, it was Laffie AND right next to her was her calf!   Incredibly she was not at all frightened about the whole night time driving and headlights and came to the window for a biscuit!   

I need night vision googles!  Everything seemed ok with the calf.   What a relief!   I came home and was so excited to tell Andy I found our little vanishing act calf.

On Tuesday I went into town to meet my friend Wendy.  We did our usual trading.   I took Wendy pears and eggs and she brought me celery and a fantastic big basket!   I put that basket into use right away and have been using it ever since.  It has a flat bottom so it is good for carrying cooking.   Thank you Wendy! 

As I headed out that day I saw a cow had come away from the mob and was standing under a tree on her own.  I thought mmm I bet she is having her calf today. 

In town I did a grocery stock up,  especially meat.   In the op shop I found two huge old Fowler jars.   I already have lids and clips that will fit these.

I also found a heap of beautiful childrens clothes.  Two items are too big so they have been washed and added to my chest of drawers that I keep things for the Grandchildren.   The rest mostly will fit Chase.   Several were Ralph Lauren tops and then Country Road shorts.  Chloe was most pleased!    It was a great day and as I drove back into the driveway I saw that cow was still standing (where she had been earlier)  so I opened the gate and headed over to her.  Standing next to her was the tiniest calf!   It had just been born!   So now we have three! 

Each day I have worked on fruit.    We are eating our own tomatoes and cucumbers and today I picked a basket of Basil and made a double batch of Pesto.

Tomorrow I am taking some to Lucy and the rest I will make into meals over the next week.

Chloe asked me if I would like to come and pick figs.   In the city I saw figs were $1.50 EACH!   Little Tom helped and I came home with two full baskets.

With this lot (there will be more next week) I made six jars of jam...

The rest (3 kilos) I simmered in syrup... now they are drying in the dehydrator... next they are dipped in chocolate.  My friend once gave us these candied figs in chocolate and they were amazing!   She gave me the recipe to try.   The fig is chewy.   I hope this works out!

I visited Mum with warm scones.  She has been knitting little hats and this one was finished off with one of the roses I made last year.   

I thought the result was gorgeous!   Mum keeps knitting so I need to make some more flowers!

Mum also gave me some Agave plants that she had growing in a bowl of water.     

These will be added to my rock garden.    All the rocks are in place now!   We spent all of Wednesday on it then Andy finished it with the tractor on Thursday.  It was a huge job but it has transformed the garden and except for time and effort the cost was zero.    (Ok... there were fuel costs.)   But otherwise it was all our own rocks plus cuttings and things I was able to collect.

In Australia one of our main banks has decided some branches will no longer have any cash.   Their service and social policies are already terrible and they have gradually closed down country town branches and the ones that remain have limited hours.   Changing things is time consuming (and drains the life out of you) but I took the time to open a new bank account with a new bank that still has 1. A branch within 100 kms of me,  2. Service and 3.  Money.   

Tomorrow we are going to see Lucy and her family for Easter.  I made the kids each a tin of Honey Gingerbread. 

I stocked up on batteries in all sizes on a great deal.  

My lambs have one more week of bottles.   They roam (eating constantly) a big paddock but if I call they come running over the hill! 

I want to wish you all a very blessed Easter.  Friday afternoon and evening are very sombre and must have felt utterly devastating and hopeless to the family,  friends and followers of Jesus.   They must have felt completely defeated,  exhausted ....   but God was doing something and by Sunday morning EVERYTHING would have changed.   So there you go, when things seem grim the mighty power of God is working! 

How did you build up your nest, your pantry or garden?   Lets take an Easter break, rest and re evaluate ready to begin again next week! xxx