Feather your Nest Friday, 1st November, 2024.
Yes it's November! Firstly I want to thank you for so many comments last week after we buried Andy's ashes. I was on auto pilot a little bit for a few days. So thank you for such kindness.
I did make some progress this week! Currently I am not doing any back to basics posts as I am putting my full effort into participating in Patsy's Circling the Wagons class. If you don't know about that see last Friday's post as it is not too late to join! We would LOVE to have you!
Progress was made on "The Shop." Chloe made me a sign! It will go above the doorway as you go in.
This really makes it official!
AND my dear friend gave me a cupboard... I didn't measure anything 😅 and take a look at this...
It needs some cleaning up, repairs and lining but the height and fit were like it was custom made!! So this gives me a whole wall of "shop." It is such a beautiful gift. 💗
That left a small corner and a cupboard that is very old and belonged to my Uncle has gone there.
It has lovely shelves that I will line with my pretty paper. So this is pretty good progress for the week I think.
Today my Grandson Sidney had a Grandparents day in his classroom. He was very excited.
Since it started at 9 30 I would have had to leave at 7 30 this morning. Nope, so I went yesterday and stayed. It was a lovely morning and I went to Aldi and ran several errands on the way home.
When I got back a man (who has stayed in the cabin quite a few times) had arrived for the weekend.
He gave me a beautiful haul of fruit and veggies and extras!
I have started planning! This is all just beautiful.
My friend also gave me a huge head of Broccoli that she grew! It is a giant, about the size of a cauliflower.
Some old shelves in a shed were moved and turned into nesting boxes. There are seven in the row. They are great!
I made Mum gluten free scones. They were a bit on the rustic side but tasted good!
Tomorrow is going to be quite warm. I need to get out there in the morning and water my seedlings.
I really hope you had a good week and opportunities came your way. xxxx
Hello Annabel and bluebirds 🪺
ReplyDeleteThe sign that Chloe made is so gorgeous! There’s so much talent in your family!! The “shop” is looking wonderful, what an asset!
I too have been throwing myself into the Circle the wagons challenge, straight up I identified water was our weakest link! We are on town water BUT the scenario says no water available and that made me aware of just how vulnerable we are, on the back of this I “canned” 10L of water this week! It’s not earth shattering but it will get us out of a pickle!
I had a really productive week. I kept a list so I could remember! I baked all our bread. I picked fresh Bazil from my garden and made pesto. Fresh zucchini was harvested and I made fritters for a meal. I scored FREE banana plants off marketplace and got them planted! I “made” free mulch by trimming my hedge and mowing the trimmings to mulch them and mixing with crumbled cow manure before spreading it under all my orchard trees. I planted seeds of coriander, carrots and spring onions and finally I made a small batch of mulberry jam from homegrown frozen mulberries!
I feel so motivated right now!! I credit YOU with that Annabel. May God bless you and your family.
Love from Cheryl 🪺
Dear Cheryl, If you can get a rain water tank, even a small one, that is something that makes a huge difference. Water is absolutely most peoples biggest problem since we need it for so many things other than just drinking! Thank you for your encouraging words! And for keeping a list! Getting the banana plants in, and the mulch! With your jam, planting, bread, pesto... fritters (I love fritters and we loved them as kids!) you really achieved a lot! When we see progress it is very motivating! You are doing a good job! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI love the sign. It is beautiful! The cupboards look perfect. I am always inspired by you! It was so nice to see you with your grandson. He is precious! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs White, Thank you! I will get my sign up and some things into my cupboards next week. Thanks for your encouragement! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, lovely week! Sidney is so big and handsome! I love the shop, like it was meant to be there. I am currently waiting at the doctor's office for more investigations - and this stress, you know it- turned out in doing lots of cleaning, windows washing, crocheting on a baby blanket and cooking. I think the global economic and political news added to that, I can believe there is so much hate and insult and lies in one person, and I do not understand people who do not see that. Humans lose humanity. Yesterday appeared all over media the news - Europe's citizens should be prepared with food, water and special necessitties for 72 hours for crisis like chemical, natural or nuclear events. First that gives you a chill on the back then you round up the sleeves and get to work! A nice thing this week was the arrival of a surprise letter from David Popovici, the olimpic swimming champion, as a thank you for my small donation for building a house for 11 homeless children. I did that donation as a present to me on my birthday last month, thinking of my son. Hope you all have a beautiful weekend, sending good thoughts from far away, Laura_s_world from Romania
ReplyDeleteDear Laura, What a project to build a home for homeless children and what a beautiful thing to do on your birthday! Well I turn stress into cleaning and also cooking. Just busy busy. I do hope your medical investigations show nothing serious!
DeleteI saw this about the stocking up/preparedness warning. I thought that is telling us something. Now you have been working a long time to get ahead, stock up, garden, the chickens... now even hatching chicks! Some things also happened for me this week which were a lightbulb moment. Yes we have been working but also there is more to do and to sue the time.
I think it is lovely you got that thank you letter and also that it is a sports champion doing this good work! With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabelle and beautiful bluebirds
ReplyDeleteWow what a beautiful week you’ve had Annabel
I’m sorry I didn’t comment about you burying Andy’s ashes. I have been very unwell and I’m in hospital again , I should be going home on Monday all being well
I have had to buy a new phone as my old phone finally gave up after having issues for awhile
My dad went out and got the phone since I’m in hospital and guess what colour he chose me ( you’d lie it Annabel)
It’s going to take me awhile to get used to such wonderful technology but it’s good knowing I can easily pay for the phone in instalments to my parents on their choosing
They wanted me to have a good phone
My emergency fund is looking a bit brighter and I have paid a lot of debt off in the last few months
Last week after many months of investigation I was told there was an error with one of my debts and I gad been paying too much
So I got about $850 years mediates wiped off my debt which I was owed
It looks like I will be debt free much sooner than I thought or a bit sooner
I’ve changed the way I do my groceries after eeeing the lovely Wendy on tv
I always shop fairly savvy but I made a few changes to the way I shopped , one change was I bought a one kg block of cheese for the first time in years @ $9.50 a kg instead of paying up to $20 a kg for seperate grated cheese and slices of cheese
I’ve also started boiling a full kettle in the mornings again and filling a thermos . These little changes all add up !
I hope everyone is going ok Sidney looked very happy to have you at his school Annabel , proud manna moment
Have a good weekend love Barb
Dear Barb, I am really sorry you are in hospital! I hope you are improving and on track to get home. I am guessing your phone is purple or pink! Either would be beautiful! And yes a good phone is great you can do so much! Getting so much debt paid off due to their error was amazing! Wendys segment was great! You can freeze cheese if it is too much but under $10 is my price per kilo too. Some things like slices are many times that.
DeleteKeeping a thermos is good too. I think tea tastes better maybe because it brewed longer? Thank you re the photo. Get well soon Barb! With love Annabel.xxx
Annabel, What a lovely week you have had.
ReplyDeleteSidney must have been in heave having you there for Grandparents day. The joy is all over his face. He seems to be such a happy child.
The sign that Chloe made for you is perfectly you. Your cupboards are gorgeous, it is wonderful how you have them being such a great match.
I am so happy you had a great week to show you the joy in life.
Here the week has been appointments after appointments and next week the same. So little is getting done otherwise. I also caught the virus that is going around and dealing with that. So not accomplishing much at home. When I feel well enough I did crochet some squares, finishing off a skein of yarn. So slowly but surely I hope to have an afghan made this winter.
Prayers for all bluebirds!
Dear Rosanne, I am really sorry you've been sick. I am sorry about your appointments too they take up so much time. I hope you are feeling better and good work on the afghan! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteThe cabinets are made to go together! Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl, It is lovely having this nice project to do.xxx
DeleteOh, Annabel, I just love your new Pantry Store. Such beautiful cabinets, and it will be so much fun to arrange storage and just look at it lol. I think Andy would approve :). Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kathy. I think Andy would approve too. I hope to make some more progress this week! xxx
DeleteOh Annabelle the cupboards are gorgeous!!! God is so so good and He truly knows the desires of the heart of each of His beloved children. He is showing you over and over that He is your provider. So perfect they are. So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask you if you could do a post about your freeze dryer, what you freeze dry, how it works, etc. I've even read that breast milk can be freeze dried. I was thinking you might be able to freeze dry your excess goat milk?
Thank you for considering doing a post. ,
Susan
Dear Susan, Thank you! This is so true and has happened so many times... God has sent me things I didnt even pray for but always wanted. Yes I will do a post on freeze drying, good idea! It might not be for a little while but I will do it. I dont have goats milk sadly but would love to. I have done eggs. They are really good. It is running flat out at the moment! With love and thanks for the suggestion! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteLittle Sidney is a darling✨Love the movies he’s getting from his Grammy.
ReplyDeleteYour new pantry cabinets are gorgeous! I love it when a plan works out that I didn’t plan (How the pantries fit).
What gorgeous fruit and vegetables you were given😀and all the goodies with purchase—wow!
Love and prayers,
Mary
Dear Mary, Thank you! Yes it amazes me how things come together. I didnt have a centimetre to spare but perfect fit. I have got to work on the fresh produce! This was an amazing gift! Have a great new week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteYour shop already looks amazing and the sign is perfect! I can only imagine having that space to fill!
ReplyDeleteI have put a few more things into the pantry - more little treat items and some extras like sauces and pickles and chutneys.
My non-food items are pretty much set for the next six months - just one or two small things to add - but nothing desperate.
I am not on facebook but I am following the "Circle the Wagons" blog posts - very useful.
We had a power outage last night - just a few hours but I could put my hands on my flashlights, battery powered fan and hand cranked radio right away so no issues.
Dear Margie, Well done on adding to your pantry! Yes you can follow on Patsys blog! It is going well! I am glad you had your flashlights handy! A fan is so good and the radio lets us know what's going on. Well done! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI love your sign! Way to go, Chloe! Your shop will be so lovely. What a great opportunity to spend time with Sidney...wonderful that you were able to go.
ReplyDeleteI've managed to get most of the garden cleaned out...just one or two more rows left, and that will be tidied up for winter. I've just spent time this afternoon chopping up leftover Jack o' Lanterns for pumpkin marmalade and cooking for puree. The marmalade sits overnight to juice up and will be cooked tomorrow, and if the weather is nice, I will get outside and work on that garden. The new hens are moved into the hen house for the winter from out in the portable pen. Just a few more chores to be ready for the snow to fly: moving over the rest of the wood to stack and cleaning up a few more roofing shingles from a new section of roof this fall. We're getting there! Getting excited about diving into the spirit of the Christmas season. This weekend we move the clocks back, so it will really seem like winter is arriving!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Love, Jen in Ns
Dear Jen, I am glad you use the pumpkins. Years ago I first realised that a lot of pumpkins are thrown away which I thought was terrible! So good your new hens are in the hen house. You are doing a lot getting ready for winter. It is only a couple of weeks since we moved our clocks forward! Have a great week Jen! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI can't believe those cupboards! They are so gorgeous and old fashioned! Absolutely dreamy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!xxx
Deletehello annabel, those cabinets are so pretty. will you paint or stain them? it will be fun figuring out what will go where. the last few days have been beautiful here, in the high 70's. strange for november, but it is so dry and today very windy. most leaves are down so now we must rake some. a few days ago i canned sausage kale soup and tomorrow i will attempt to can some butter as i got it at a good price and i believe it will only be going up in price. i believe that's it for the canning this year, unless the power would be out for an extended time and the freezer thawed, then we would have to can meat outside on firering. i've been following patsi's circuling the wagons too. sure gets you trying to prepare. hope you all have a productive too. bonnie in pa.
ReplyDeleteDear Bonnie, My whole house is pale/white but I think this room will be natural as it is with a lot of baskets and flowers. Also pretty pink linings. Great work on the canning and thank you so much for taking part in the class With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDears Annabel, you are so amazing! Your love and care for your family shines through with everything that you do. Those cupboards are so beautiful and the honey tones match your lovely floorboards. That sign that Chloe made is so you and could grace a bougie boutique. So much talent in one family. Your monument for Andy is truly stunning. When you first mentioned it, I imagined something like a rough boulder, but it is a beautiful piece of stone masonry, and a fitting memorial for one so beloved. I will miss your Monday Basics post, but will really be looking forward to Friday’s! Thank you for sharing, Jennie🖤🖤
ReplyDeleteDear Jennie,
DeleteThank you so much! Yes the floorboards are a similar tone so I will keep the room natural wood with pretty linings and baskets of flowers. Very old style. Thank you re the monument. It was found cut like this here in the scrub. Someone at some time cut it and left it. So there it was! I hope to have a good amount to report on Friday, the class and other life things are keeping me a bit too busy but in the new year I will start a new series. With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, your shop is coming up a treat! I love Chloe’s sign. I love those cupboards. How wonderful is that box of produce! You will put it to good use, it looks beautiful. I think Sidney is so sweet. How lovely that he was so excited, it makes my heart melt. What a lovely little boy. I got done baking done today! And they had 50% off at a local thrift/op store. Lots of love, Bridget
ReplyDeleteDear Bridget, Thank you! Oh 50% off at the op shop is great. Some have got expensive but sale times are good. Also well done on your baking I am sure nothing lasts long with growing boys! Chloe's sign is up over the door now, progress! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, What a lovely pantry store you shall have. And how well it all fit together!
ReplyDeleteOf late, my greatest accomplishment is in NOT going to the grocery store. I do take advantage of great sales and such but those are fewer and further between than in ages past. Fortunately, we've got a good supply of things in the house and I find some really great deals on things when I do go. But what a savings to NOT go...It reminds me that I have plenty here and don't have to buy out of fear. I think that is the greatest enemy I have, fear that if I don't continually spend there won't be enough. Well truth is that there won't be nearly enough if I keep on spending!
I am now looking ahead and what we might do to make ourselves more independent in case of emergency. We have a small generator but need a way to store gasoline. We also need a means of getting water without electricity, so a rain barrel or two makes the most sense. Those are my first two priorities. My husband wants a fan or something we can use when it's hot if power should go out. And we need a means of charging phones. So that shall be my next priorities.
How beautiful and stunning the Memorial stone for Andy is.
How lovely to get to see Sidney at school. It's wonderful you made the trip so that you could visit him at school. John and I visited our grandkids at school back in September and it was really heartbreaking to see the little kids who anxiously were waiting for a grandparent to appear but didn't/couldn't come.
Hello, Annabel & Bluebirds,
DeleteThanks for sharing your busy week. So excited for your "shop". What beautiful produce! So good to see Sydney. Glad you had a special day.
God continues to provide for our family despite my husband's job loss. And He convinced my husband to allow me to return to the workforce. So I had a job interview this week. I hope to work nights at a retirement home. We are waiting on God's plan.
I saved allot through baking, cooking from home, home haircuts. And I received gorgeous apples for eggs from my bartering friend.
Blessings to all!
Love, Leslie in Ohio
Dear Terri, Rain barrels are a big big advantage. Also the bigger the better. If gasoline is rotated it is good to keep a supply. We made sure each was rotated within a year. Solar chargers are fantastic and so are battery fans! Although there are probably also solar battery fans too! These would be good Christmas presents! Hint hint around! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Leslie, I hope your husband finds a new job quickly! You are already so busy but you would be an asset to a retirement home for sure!
DeleteApples and eggs are a huge help! With much love and prayers, Annabel.xxx
I'm confused about "The Shop". Are you going to start selling things?
ReplyDeleteHi Anne! The last couple of weeks a friend inspired me with her whole room pantry. It is so beautiful, like a shop. I thought wow I wish I had a room like that. Then it suddenly dawned on me I do. Andys office I had left as it was even his computers were still on. I decided now as his ashes were being buried to turn the office into "the shop" and told me friends my plans. Hence cupboards were given to me and I began to make the change. It is a project I am so excited about. But it is an at home whole room pantry just named "The Shop." I did sell things for many years but now I am flat out keeping up with the farm and home and family. I hope that explains! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDid you get the message from Art about Laine? I couldn’t find a private email for you.
DeleteAnnabel, I wanted to let you know that our dear Laine passed away on Tuesday night, and is now in the presence of the Savior she loved so much and served so faithfully. Please pray for her husband Art, their children and grandchildren during this difficult time. Thank you!
ReplyDelete