Feather your Nest 20th September, 2024.
I think I squeezed a week and a half into this week! It may be more pictures than words I am so tired tonight!
Where to start!? Chloe was here and as you know she is known for her beautiful cakes. She told me she tried to buy Orange Extract from the supermarket and they didn't have it. Then she went online and found it was very expensive. I jumped in that I could make it as it is not any different than making Vanilla Extract. By the end of the evening I had several bottles started. I did Lemon Extract as well while I was at it. By the next day the Vodka was already turning a very pretty colour.
I was able to make it right away because over the weekend friends called in with citrus for me. This had been grown in their garden so I knew no sprays or anything ever touched them.
The secret is to use a veggie peeler with a light touch and just get steps of peel without any white which is bitter. Then slice those thinly, lengthwise. Really there is nothing to it!
The next day I had lemons and oranges without peels on my counter top so I made Lemon Butter with 8 lemons and 2 oranges.
With some of this I made jar deserts which I delivered to Chloe's family.
I am out of vases and using large canning jars! Today I got so many more. I have filled three jars like this and have a whole table covered in flowers outside. Over the weekend I will begin to make up some bunches.
Yesterday I met friends in a small town. We had lunch and went to the thrift shop. It was fantastic! I found this cup and saucer set for $3.
With one eye on world events I started thinking about how could I increase my veggie growing space? I was already thinking about what would I try with my pumpkins this year as the last couple of years failed.
My helpers installed a large cement trough in the driveway for when sheep or cattle come in and eat this area down. Previously I had an old bath tub for the job. Also we put in all cement troughs and a spare plastic trough was unused. I realised these would be my new planters! I don't know why I didn't think of it before.
When my helpers arrived Monday I explained my plan. I am sure they live in fear of my next plan. But still they jumped in and the tractor brought the bath and the trough down to the orchard. The orchard has a rabbit proof fence so this is the best place.
To end my day my beautiful friend made me dinner. It was just delicious and there are some left overs for tomorrow. AND I arrived home to giant puddles in the driveway as it had rained!
I am in bed with cup of tea, a hot pack and I am not moving! 😊
Dearest Annabel. I look forward to Friday nights, for I get to “catch up” with you and the week you’ve had. I love the pictures you post and your beautiful love for family and the farm.
ReplyDeletePlease will you consider a potholder sewing tutorial? I’m in need of some new ones. Thank you my dear and hope you get some rest and relaxation this weekend xx Kim
Annabel, What a full week you have had, many new lives on the farm, the baby calf is adorable, prayers all your new eggs will hatch. Your pear tree looks so beautiful with all the blossoms on it. Amazing work with your kitchen items, love the dish towels and pot holders. I know Chloe will be happy with the lemon extract.
ReplyDeleteI had a full week, it seemed to be on and off. We spent Sunday going to nurseries. More than half a day was driving around. I was blessed to find perennial Chrysanthemums at a better price than annual ones. We also were able to get 7 black lace elderberries at half off. We are having major work done on side of house with a retaining wall and drainage, so we were looking for bushes to plant in the area. The mums all went in front of the house where other plants had died.
I was able to start a batch of cough medicine for the winter here. A few more days and I can decanter it and add the honey to it. I crocheted 2 potholders and an oven mitt with leftover yarns and 5 more facial scrubbies, so I felt good using more of my little bits, though husband does wish for another oven mitt. So I will start that soon.
I worked a little more in basement trying to get it all organized, it seems I need some storage containers. It is work but rewarding as things are getting better organized.
We have also stopped at grocery stores on our trips out to check for markdowns. They are getting few and far between. Sales are mostly on junk food, so just buying essentials has gone up tremendously. I watched my husband as we walked through the store, he has his path all mapped out and it is so adorable watching him look fr markdown tags in departments, I was so proud of him, as before we met he would never do that.
We continue to prepare for winter here, husband just filled another propane tank for the grill, (never know when we might need to use it with power outages.) I am busy with preparing medicines for winter and getting bedrooms ready, with warmer blankets and sheets.) One big job left is to power wash the house before winter sets in.
Prayers for all bluebirds, may all be blessed with pantries that will cover them through the coming months