Feather your Nest Friday, 27th September, 2024.
It is already the end of September. I can hardly believe it! We are having some beautiful perfect Spring days.
I spent some time making the most of the wildflowers. Vases in the house are full and then I began to make up bunches ready to give away.
In the evenings I worked on crochet edges and a wash cloth for a baby gift.
Also more pot holders for the present cupboard. Next week my basics post will be how to make them. They are quick and easy, everyone needs them, fresh pot holders brighten up the kitchen... so they are a good basic.
A friend sent me some preserving jars so I sent her a bunch of flowers. Then she sent me card making supplies!
My own garden is coming out with more and more flowers. It took a lot of planting and failures to finally having a sea of flowers... from completely empty spaces when we moved here.
My friend who advised me to put a rock anywhere 1./ nothing will grow and 2./ where dogs dig a hole... (which in my case meant I needed hundreds of rocks...) was right and it worked!
Each day I check the cows and calves. Yesterday I found calf number six... and then calf number seven, which had just been born moments before I got there! Two in one day!
Laffie had her calf... and she still came up to the window for a nose pat and I said "good girl Laffie what a beautiful baby!"
Doris is still pregnant... I can't wait for her to have her calf as she should still be super friendly too.
I bought new beds for the girls. The old beds were sentimental as Chloe and Lucy had them but they were rusting really badly. So I faced up to getting new ones. Because I promote reading I chose these beds with a library bed head and I stocked each with age (and reading level )appropriate books ready for when they come on Sunday.
They each have a special bookmark waiting on their pillow.
Chloe cut a basket of Parsley (with Chase's help) and I ran it through the freeze drier for her.
I have some to dry as well and nice snap lock craft bags that have clear windows to pack it into. These will add to my pantry themed gifts.
On Sunday Mum and I are going to pick up the girls and bring them back for a few days. I have a lot planned! This could mean my basics post is a few days late... I will see how I go!
I came home from town with Zucchini and Basil plants to add to my garden tomorrow.
Also... the dried fruit and glazed cherries I need for Christmas cakes.
Also... stickers to dress up the envelopes when I sent out my Christmas cards. 😊🎄
I hope it has been a good week for you. How did you build up your home, pantry or garden? Are you working on your gift cupboard? In a couple of weeks I am going to haul everything out and review what I have and what I need... I find this to be so much fun! Starting in January pays off. Little bits add up! xxx
Anabel, What a lovely week you have had, the girls are going to be so exciting when they arrive to see the new chickens and calves and their room.
ReplyDeleteI had a more than full week, for most of the days. We trimmed our rose bushes/hedge 35 feet of roses. Winter is coming and they needed to be cut back, my husband helped me cut the tiny blossoms off and the spent blossoms along with all the rose hips. He set my dehydrator up in the garage and I was able to dry everything, including the 6 pounds of rose hips.
I was able to make a batch of cough medicine, I was happy to see I had 3 - 16 oz bottles, cough medicine here comes in 3 to 4 oz bottles and run nearly $20.
Then I also took my soap scraps and filled 17 - 12 oz bottles with homemade body wash/hand soap, these now run $16.99 each here, so another good savings, I had saved shampoo and conditioner bottles to use and the soap scraps were all dove and neutrogena soap.
I was able to also able to use up some tiny yarn scraps, to small for anything to be made with them, so I tied them together and was able to get 2 pot holders made from it all. I also made 5 more facial scrubbies with yarn scraps.
My husband mentioned that with all my crocheting i could make him an oven mitt, so with scraps I made him one that was reversible. He mentioned it needed a partner, I didn't have any matching yarn left so I used some yarn I had on a cone, he now has an additional matching set of oven mitts and a pot holder to match.
So I felt a bit accomplished getting these things done. Adding to my medical pantry with the elderberry elixir I made the previous week, I feel having it well stocked for our winter weather is important.
I was also happy I was able to add to my gift pantry. So all in all a good week here.
Since our seasons are the opposite of yours, we are starting to head in to Autumn. Temperatures are decreasing, we’ve had some very welcome rain (although we could use much more) andi have been like a pack rat finding and storing things for the winter that will definitely come. On a discount buying app (Flashfood), I was able to buy bananas for 25 cents/bunch. I weighed them afterwards and I got 20 pounds for $2.25! I’ve already made cupcakes using our favorite recipe and will be freezing many to replenish my supply! I was sent a coupon from FF for $10 off a $12 purchase for a particular store nearby, so I bought 4 bags of granola for a total of $2! It is a cinnamon raisin variety, but before I put it into a large storage container, I added some of my dehydrated strawberries and bananas.
ReplyDeleteI am currently quilting up a Use-it-Up scrappy quilt I made earlier. I found a perfect piece of backing that I use a pleasant fabric to expand the size and I cobbled 3 scraps of batting for it as well. I will finish the quilting and binding and donate it and another one of my use-it-up quilts to a local charity. It is such a blessing to be able to share from our abundance! Still getting over a massive bout of arthritis in my right hand and wrist and discovered what my right hand does for me. Pretty much everything!!! 😱😱😵💫 So much of this week has been cooling my heels, wearing a wrist brace! 😢
I did make biscuits from scratch to make breakfast biscuits to freeze for later. Not as much done as I would have liked, but still some progress.
Dear Pat, What a price on Bananas! I would love to have Flashfood. You are getting so many deals! Donating a beautiful quilt to charity is wonderful. It is a truly scrappy quilt when even the batting is joined together!
DeleteSo sorry about your right hand. I dont know if it will help but Mum finds great relief eating black tinned cherries for her arthritis and it is seriously amazing the difference it makes. You still did absolutely heaps! With love Annabel.xxx
Thank you for the heads up on the potential longshoreman strike. The news never covers the important things.
Delete@GardenPat I find a warm compress made from a “steeped tea” made from grated fresh ginger & black peppercorns very soothing when my hands ache and swell from osteo arthritis. I usually wrap my hands in a wrung-out tea towel but with really bad flare ups (like after squeezing the excess water out of a dozen grated ginormous zuchinni clubs) I’ll put the ginger itself (after steeping) against my skin held on with a bruised cabbage leaf then wrapped in a warm tea towel. Sounds strange but the ginger increases blood flow, black pepper helps your body absorb nutrients (orally and skin) and cabbage leaves are anti-inflammatory. This trick helped a lot when my grown daughter twisted her knee jumping down from the truck tailgate, when my neighbor got his hand stuck between foundation and a shed being moved, and works well on engorged breasts/mastitis in nursing mamas. ~Lace Faerie aka Karen from Washington state, USA
DeleteEverything that you touch is absolutely gorgeous, Annabel. You have a real eye for color, texture and beauty. The potholders and crocheted edging is so special. The new beds are lovely. Your farm is so peaceful and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOur hot water tank started leaking at the beginning of the week, but the plumber was not able to get here until today, Friday. Hopefully, everything will be up and running by late the afternoon.
It did, however, create a situation where I used quite a few water saving techniques and thought of items our preps are lacking. We had hot water on and off as we turned it off to stop the running from the leak, but turned it on for laundry, showers and dishwashing by hand. After a couple of days the hot water pressure wasn't high enough for using the hot water for the washing machine, so we had to switch to cold water.
Then, due to the volatility of the nation, at this time, I decided I needed a notebook of how to handle "what if's" for all possible supply train failures.
I have been assessing all of our preps and how we use items and how often. Years ago, I took a week and wrote down 20 meals we would eat regularly and the ingredients and amounts we needed to store for a year. Our dietary needs have changed so it is time to do some redo. Plus, I added in amounts for family and neighbors in need.
I pray that all Bluebirds are safe. Have a lovely weekend.
With much love,
Glenda
Dear Glenda, I am watching as close as I can and as the election gets closer it looks to be more and more volatile. I admired the FBI agent who made a statement that went viral. (Before a committee) I thought he was heroic in what he said.
DeleteI hope the hot water is sorted out. Updating the meal list is a good idea. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, lovely post. The calves are adorable and the Spring flowers are beautiful. I loved seeing Chase - so big, handsome and serious and the girls* beds - you put a lot of attention towards all the details.
ReplyDeleteMy pantry grew quite nicely this week, mostly with fruits and vegetables from the garden -( I have plums in the dehydrator right now and next will be apples ) but we have found some good sales in the supermarket, too. Especially at Lidl, where I had a gift and 10% off with their app because of my birthday.
Today, 27th of September, is my birthday. It is a very special day for me, my wedding was on that day 26 years ago and my Mother died on that day, 11 years ago. A full, complete circle, with a whirlpool of emotions. Such is life, hard and beautiful.
Sending all my good wishes to everyone out there, and Annabel, have fun with the girls and your Mum. Lots of love, Laura_s_world from Romania
Happy birthday, Laura. I am imagining that today is full of mixed emotions. I hope you get to feel comforted, peaceful and loved X
DeleteHappy Birthday Laura and wedding anniversary! I am sorry it is also the anniversary of your Mums passing away. I have not faced it yet but Andy died on Lucys birthday. I dont know how I will go with that.
DeleteI am so glad you were able to add so much to your pantry! Good work! You are making hay while the sun shines!! With much love Annabel.xxx
Laura and Annabel, my mum also died on my birthday and one of the grandchildren’s birthday. Time makes it easier and celebrating your memories. We carry so much of who we have loved in our thoughts and actions so they are never far away. Xx Barb
DeleteHello Annabel and everyone,
ReplyDeleteThose crochet edges and dried flower bouquets are beautiful! They will make wonderful gifts. The library headboards for the girls are such a good idea, too. I loved seeing the new calves! What a nice week.
Work has been so busy and Lorand's birthday was last week, so I feel a bit like a duck paddling hard to stay afloat in one spot, and trying to do just one extra thing a day. This week I started the autumn garden cleanup (pulling up spent plants & saving seeds); mowed front and back; rearranged the guest bedroom to make it cozier; made a big batch of pasta & spaghetti sauce for me & dad; and washed linens, so 5/7. This weekend I'm hoping for a baking day and a trip to Aldi to stock up. It looks like a bunch of peppers are nearly ready to harvest from the Greenstalks, which is super exciting to me.
One fun thing was I took my dad to the symphony for opening night - he is a musician and hadn't been since he moved here to OK from NY. He loved it! I cooked dinner beforehand and we had such a nice time together. Definitely will do this again in the spring.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
<3
Kathy
Dear Kathy, you continue to be In my prayers. It would have been hard being Lorand's birthday this week. Going to the symphony with your Dad sounds like a beautiful night. Love, Bridget
DeleteDear Bridget,
DeleteThank you so much, that means a lot to me. We had a lovely time at the symphony, and I am really thankful to have my dad close.
<3
Kathy
Ohhh, congratulations! So much life at your farm. And so much beauty, Annabel. Can't wait for your hot pad tutorial.
ReplyDeleteWe have been blessed with a ton of squash... butternut, acorn, and spaghetti. These are seconds that a farmer friend gets from a neighbor. My middle daughter and I picked 4 buckets of apples at my mother in law's. These are very large Granny Smiths. They will be excellent in pies and crisps. I made a quick applesauce and served it hot at dinner. Tart, but yummy. 🍏
I finished crocheting a winter hat for my youngest daughter. It will go in her Christmas stocking. That makes 3 handmade gifts ready for Christmas. I have other gifts in my pantry for Christmas as well.
There has been lots of bartering and blessings around here. My husband calls it my ministry! A friend blessed us with clothes for the teens. And what we couldn't use we passed on to several others. Then my bartering lady passed on food she couldn't use to me. And I was told of a family in need, so I passed on a box of food and $ to them. Then a man at church handed me $ to help us (my husband lost his job in May). This covered the $ we gave to the struggling family! God is so Good! Our car broke down and we had a huge tow bill as I was on my way to the big city 2 hours away. My husband did some driving and was paid enough to cover the tow bill. We were forced to scrap our broken down car. But my daughter is selling her car to us as she needs something more dependable. I love how God works!
Praying for each Bluebird,
Leslie in Ohio
Lucky little girls with a fabulous grandma.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love the new beds with bookshelves. That would have been my dream as a child..
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love the new beds with bookshelves. That would have been my dream as a child..
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so beautiful, Annabel. You certainly have your Grandma's floral touch!! (I know you blogged before about one of your grandmothers being "famous" for her flower arrangements.) The girls' beds look so nice, and I love their nightstands.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe it's only 3 months to Christmas, but so it is! We've actually had to have the fire going a couple of mornings this week, and today it's been on all day. That certainly brings it home that we're on the year's countdown!
This week I've still been preserving...canned grape juice, beans, tomatoes, froze more beans (!!!), we sent some chickens to freezer camp (with more to do tomorrow...fun job), and I dried some zucchini. I also decorated for fall, which was fun, and am slowly starting to clear up the preserving equipment piles. There are still a few more things to get to, but I think the constant push is almost over. I am thankful for all the produce, but I am ready to move on to gearing up for Christmas with my gift making! I did get a pair of socks finished, which are blocking, and have been going over my lists and my stash to see what's what...even that in itself is lots of fun, so I bet you are looking forward to going thru your gift cupboard!
Hooray for all the baby calves, and your flower bed is gorgeous! Have a great time with the girls and your Mom.
xx Jen in Ns
Dear Annabel, oh wow these pictures are all so lovely. I love the calves, don't they look healthy!! I also love the flower bed. How beautiful. Well done on making up some gorgeous floral arrangements. I love the pot holders. I also LOVE the beds. Goodness, that would have been my dream bed as a child, it is so lovely. I love the photo of Chase with the parsley, how sweet is that. I have bought some some things at the thrift store, a couple of dvds and cds. I also bought some cotton fabric. I hope to make some kitchen towels. I also bought a book of old fashioned ways to 'amuse a child', paper planes, paper dolls that sort of thing. One of my children is interested in the World Wars and the olden days, so a scrap book might be a good idea. Today I am going to crochet. I'm about half way with the blanket. I ordered one book that I had borrowed from the library, about gardening. It is for this area. As it says if you don't have luck gardening in Summer, you are planting the wrongs things. So I am trying to learn about this area. There is one more book that I may buy. I made banana bread this week and gave some to my Mum and her friend that she volunteers with, also some neighbours that were moving. I think these things help me too. Lots of love, B
ReplyDeleteB, you didn't say how old is your child that is interested in WW2, but if s/he is an adult, a really great Christmas gift would be a used DVD of Burns' "The War." It is very good and puts all of the events into chronological order. I was born right after the war and didn't pay much attention to what my parents said about it--as a child, every conversation began with "Before the war," "During the war" and "After the war." But I had no idea of the actual battles and the chronological order. I also just bought the 80th anniversary edition of the Time or Life (I forget which) book on D-Day, which I found fascinating. (You should be able to find this used, too). We have been to Normandy and this kind of brought at all home and I understand WW2 so much better and how it shaped the world.
DeleteAnnabel, it is all just beautiful--just beautiful. The only thing the girls' beds are lacking are flashlights hidden in the bookshelves so they can continue reading after Lights Out. I was famous for that, LOL! Such good memories.
I had Covid last week. Actually, I've had it for two weeks. Most of my symptoms were mild and only lasted two days, but I have been majorly fatigued since then. I had a good day Thursday and canned 5 more pints of tomatoes, for a total of 25, and used up the last of my pint jars. Depending on when we get our first frost, I'm still expecting tomatoes and I am hoping to make tomato sauce (to freeze) and tomato juice to can for homemade tomato soup.
Our daughter is still living with us. She is better, but not 100%. Our family doc (a nurse practitioner) recommended a psych nurse practitioner that accepts her insurance. (Insurance coverage has been a huge problem). She diagnosed Colleen with obsessive compulsive disorder, possibly as the root cause of her anxiety, and prescribed a medication that we hope will help. We are in the process of changing from one med to the other. This meltdown been going on now since May and we desperately want to get her (and us) some help. The psych NP has been a huge blessing!
So good to read Annabel's post and the comments of all of the Bluebirds. I look forward to you all every week.
What a lovely week Annabel. The calves are beautiful! And so is everything you made and I love your rock and flower garden.
ReplyDeleteMy boys had the exact same beds except theirs werent white. Todd's was full of dinosaur books because he loved everything with dinosaurs and Cotys was outdoor books about hunting and fishing.
My work this week was canning kraut , I made a small batch of tomato sauce , sold some face scrubbies that I crocheted and I crocheted a baby sweater, slippers and a hat for a baby shower gift for my nephew and his wife's first baby.
I received a free bottle of lotion to try and a few other goodies.
I'm still waiting on the beans but they're looking good and I still have peppers in the garden, they're a little small though.
So 159 countries have dropped the American dollar and the longshoremen are supposed to strike on the 1st. Most are not paying attention to this but it could have dire consequences. Our dollars could become worthless. With migration and foreign aid packages going out in large sums out economy won't sustain. Most here are feeling squeezed with higher prices that keep increasing. Since the garden was so productive we helped as many people as we could and I hope this enabled them to buy a little extra at the grocery store by not having to purchase produce.
My schedule will change for the next couple of months as I will be getting the grandkids off to school when my son gets his chemo treatments.
Our weather is feeling like Autumn now but it's starting off rainy. I appreciate not being all sweaty , but everything is wet. Now is the time I'll really go over things and see what we need or need to do for winter.
XOXO
Vicky
What a lovely fabric for the tea towels and the potholders!! They are like paintings. The calves are so sweet. The beds for your granddaughters with the ‘bookcases’ behind, wow! How lovely to have good, uplifting ‘friends’ so close … ❤️. Have a blessed weekend. Esther
ReplyDeleteI’m so excited to hear Laffie has another baby. I’m in love with that cow and I’ve never even met her! 😂
ReplyDeleteYour rockery looks amazing Annabel, well done 👍🏼
I love the girls new beds, and I love how much thought and care you put into caring for others. The books. The linens. The book marks. I am learning a lot about hospitality and thoughtfulness through you 🙏
My week has been heavy to say the least. An unexpected event occurred and my husband and are are somewhat in a tail spin and still trying to find the right path to move forward. This to say just getting the basics done has filled my week 😔
I am working at my paid job full time next week as extra income, so I expect a quiet week on the home front, as always I look forward to hearing about your accomplishments, they never fail to motivate me!
From Cheryl 🪺
I just love the pictures of the cows and the farm! So glad to hear all the calves are healthy.
ReplyDeleteThis week was busy with preserving. I canned more pears and applesauce making another 16 pints for the pantry. We planted an apple tree to round out our pear and peach tree. So far they are looking good!
Fall is starting to show its face here, morning temps are much cooler. Our big purchase this week is getting a quote to add security doors to our home. This will not only provide another layer of security but also allow us to have the doors open so the fall breeze can flow through the house.
Thank you to Vicky for mentioning the potential longshoreman strike. I hope that gets resolved as it will certainly have an impact. I appreciate when people mention things that are going on as our news just doesn't cover it.
Amy in Phx
Just found the D-Day book! The actual name is D-Day: 24 Hours that Changed the World, and was published by Time. As I said, you should be able to find it used. My favorite site is bookfinder dot com.
ReplyDelete