Feather your Nest Friday, 12th January, 2023.

You might want to get a cup of tea.   It was a long week!   We had every season in the week too!   A huge storm came through.   Lightening came first and two things happened at once.  Molly took off.   Chloe and Lucy saw lightening strike then a plume of smoke came up!   A fire had started.    Luke headed off to the fire station and everyone leapt into action.   Then the rain came down.   It was pouring!   So the fire didn't last long.  A wind storm hit and later we learned we had been on the edge of a mini tornado that left a strip of destruction. 

Then we tried to find Molly.  Hours went by.  I was starting to get really worried she had gone out on to the road.  I drove around again,  shouting her name over and over.   Finally I drove further, down past the cattle yards and called.   Molly appeared from underneath the loading ramp.   That is a little space that trucks back up to for loading.  She was soaking wet.   She would not get into the car!   So I said Molly go home, come on... and I began to head back to the house.   She ran flat out and beat me to the front veranda.   So then we had a reunion party and carry on and now we know at the first sign of a storm we need to get the dogs contained before she takes off again!  

Today, by contrast,  it was pretty warm.  Tom was here and we went and picked tomatoes and they were so hot on the vine!   I made a big bowl of rice salad so that I can have the weekend off and serve cold meat and sides.   This is a favourite family salad.  I love a salad that keeps a few days.  In fact,  it is better the next day...     This is a very flexible recipe.

I cook a cup of rice... (you can do much more I just like less rice and more other ingredients.)  Chop one or two onions and throw into a big bowl.   Then add your cooked rice.   Now throw in...  one or two tins of drained tined corn,  a couple of chopped capsicums,  a tin or two of pineapple pieces (drained) ,  a handful of cashews,  some sultanas,  chopped celery is really good but I didn't have any so left it out.

Now add a cup of so of French Dressing and a spoon of curry powder.  I tend to stir this in and put it in the fridge and stir it a few times.   Then as the day goes on I taste it... if it's bland add some more.  If it's right it will taste delicious!!   It is so fresh and cooling.    This is a crow pleaser,  good with a BBQ.    I gave half to Chloe for their weekend.   The picture is before I gave it a big stir... the curry gives it a slightly yellow colour.   You could chop spring onions, parsley, many variations.   Use what you have!  I am picking capsicums so they were on hand and so fresh and bright. 

I was given a box of apricots.

They needed using right away.   I got them into the sink and washed up.

These came with a box of peaches!   These also needed to be used quickly.... but they were really good.

I was also given giant lemons! 

The number one thing to do with fresh produce is to eat it!  Work the menu plan around it.  Nothing is as healthy as fresh produce.   We lived on apricots and peaches and those that were going to get away from me were stewed and made into jam.   Chloe had both peaches and apricots too.   Tom ate five apricots in a row to her amazement!

Then I lived on stewed fruit and froze some.   I made apricot jam and peach jam.  

Mum was coming so I made a nice batch of scones.

Now we had fresh jam and fresh scones!  

In turn,  Mum made me chocolate cakes with icing and jelly!   They were amazing!  

Andy gave me three beautiful presents...

Also a Mouli and seed starting kits.

Chloe made me a beautiful cheesecake.   With all these deserts I have cut up and frozen a supply of treats!

Yes, it was my birthday, to explain all of these lovely gifts!

I picked basil and made up some Pesto.  Chloe and Luke do not eat nuts so I made a batch that left the nuts out.   Pesto is another very versatile recipe!  

I start with peeling a heap of garlic cloves... I used 8.   Usually I would lightly roast a tray of blanched almonds...   add those,  parmesan cheese, as much basil as you can stuff into the blender... or as much as you have... drizzle with olive oil and blitz.   Keep adding oil and mixing until it is like a thick dip consistency.  That is it.   You can use cashews, pine nuts...   or you can leave out the nuts.   It will be beautiful! 

My garden needed a big tidy up.   This all went to the chickens yesterday...

On Tuesday I went to town and the thrift stores.  I came home with an absolute treasure trove of kids clothes.   For the Aust ladies...  I had ten Country Road items including a coat and a dress and Seed tops.   I have it all washed up... some put away in my chest of drawers where I save things for the kids.    Others are given to be worn right away like these PJ's for Tom.

Chase got some gorgeous summer shorts, also with dinosaurs.

I found beautiful little jars with wooden spoons.   I think with drying herbs and making mixes these could help give me some nice gifts.

I also buy kids classic books when I see them and this time I got Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer for 50c each. 

Our security cameras catch some funny and lovely things...

The rain water tanks were filled.

I will stand and watch the water run in!

My goal for the week was to get my new sewing machine up and running.   I had to watch a video even to figure out how to thread it and fill the bobbin!   But when I started sewing I realised I have been driving an old bomb and now I am driving a Rolls Royce!   I started with the simple job of hemming some panels I had to make tea towels.  

So far so good.  My next goal is to sew something with scalloped edges. 

Tom has taken a shine to Doris.   Tom passes me the apples and Doris is the first cow to the window.   Tom thinks it would be a good idea if Doris goes to live at his house.   He worked out the details,  Dad could bring the trailer over and load her up and drive her home where he would feed her more apples.  😊  

I suggested maybe Doris could have a baby then we might have two cows equally fabulous.  He seems to be thinking about it.  I bet right now Chloe and Luke are hearing all about Doris.  

So that was my week!   I am declaring tomorrow a rest and pretending to not be home. 

Thank you everyone who helped with the Basics Scone post!   💗

How did you build up your home,  pantry or garden this week?   Keep going!  

I only mentioned positive things int his post... but I should add that I went to town to go to the bank and get a medicine from the chemist.   The bank was closed and had been shut down for three days due to internet problems... and the chemist did not have the medicine!  Have a back up. Have a back up to your back up! xxx