Feather your Nest Friday, 13th December, 2024.
We are so close to Christmas! I literally am making lists and checking them twice! Today I delivered two of my fruit cakes and they seemed to go over well! Now is the time that stuff we prepared earlier is paying off!
This week needed to make the most of the basil that has been going well. Pruning it back makes the next round even better. First of all I made a batch for Chloe's family without any nuts. It still tastes lovely.
Then I lightly roasted a tray of blanched almonds and picked more basil.
The only bugs in it were Lady bugs!
Every time I found one I took it outside back to the veggie patch.
Justice hit the 5 week mark. She is breaking down barriers. Literally. Tonight she was mooing to be fed. I called her and she jumped the fence!! Ok, so guess she is doing well! She always has a dirty face and have given up hoping she might have a clean face for a photo. This is her authentic self lol.
From when she was so starving, hollow and battling to feed to now is quite a journey!
One of my doves has made nest and laid three eggs.
I tried to get her to let me look at the eggs but nope.
My pumpkin and zucchini patch is taking off and heading in all directions.
I am harvesting beautiful zucchini with many more coming on.
And I have baby pumpkins!! I am thrilled every time I spot a new one!
My cucumbers are going really well too. It is going to be hot Sunday so tomorrow I will be out doing extra watering trying to get ahead. It will be 38... which is about 100. This isn't actually hot for us. Hot for us is 45. Which is 113 and now and then more. But I have lost my heat tolerance and this is hot enough!
My cook up was rice, chicken kebabs and stir fried veggies x 6. I got two dinners and Chloe's family are having this for dinner tonight. Her boys can really eat, they will mow this down.
A friend told me her daughter would love the makeup/face cleaning pads so I made a set of three in her favourite colour. That takes care of another present.
I kept working on cotton wash cloths/cleaning cloths.
My helpers usually come three times a week. I made them morning tea and lunch. I try to keep it nice and interesting. They seem to like it. This week though I realised I had too much ham so I had ham and salad for dinner one night. But still I thought I needed to use it up as I don't like cold meat to sit around more than a few days. I bought a dozen nice fresh rolls from the bakery and made up twelve ham and cheese rolls and frozen them. Thawing these out when needed and warming them in the oven will very very handy sometime.
Doing this with sandwiches is also awesome as they can go straight into the sandwich press. Usually with roast meat I plate up extra full roast meals... but any other left over roast meat I made up sandwiches and rolls. For Andy I used to add mustard. They froze perfectly.
I have been wrapping, wrapping and posting. And I'm done! Next week I am going to be baking treats and foodie gifts. Now 2024 has not been a stellar year. For many of us. Many of us (and this is only the ones I know about!) have been in the trenches. A fair few people have told me they can't feel "christmassy" and celebrate. There are families that don't even know how they will stay warm this winter, Denise even told me there is a song about it on You tube called "Freezing this Christmas." I just listened to it and it's an absolute disgrace. Well, back to my point. The point is we need to celebrate Christmas MORE, not less, just maybe in simpler more heartfelt ways. The things I loved when I was little were the sparkly lights, the carols, the joy, the excitement... I barely remember gifts. It was the feeling of Christmas that is "bring a tear to your eye" love and beauty. The real reason we are celebrating.
It is the year to forget about dust collecting gifts and help someone with their power bill, some baking, some pantry staples.... maybe the gift of help.
I hope you had a good week full of opportunities to build up your home and fill it with all the joy possible.xxx
Dear Annabel and Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteOh, I have to say it had to be shocking seeing Justice leap a fence to come to you. Oh, how she loves you and her feedings. Your garden is coming along so well, I am so happy for you and congrats on the dove laying eggs.
I had a busy week looking back on it. Husband was able to get the front of our house decorated and lights up on our deck railing. I was able to get the Christmas tree set up in the sun room. With the pumpkin we had purchased for decoration I decided it was time to roast it and came out with 11 cups of puree that I froze. I also froze 5 cups of leftover sweet potato casserole. I also made 2 bottles of apple cinnamon syrup using the apple peelings.
I have been able to keep up with the gift wrapping, but behind on ribbon making. Still waiting on 3 gifts that we ordered. Husband's came, an air fryer, so he has been experimentally cooking in it, so far chicken wings and tater tots, bacon and toast.
My next project is getting the family room all looking like Christmas. Once that is done I will enjoy sitting in the light of the tree and seeing the nativity set up. Then I know in my heart it is Christmas. Christmas isn't Christmas without the Nativity.
Dear Rosanne, The front of your house looks so pretty especially set in snow. I love a nativity too. When I was little we made a nativity in a box every year at school. It was my favourite thing ever! Always a star at the top. Great work on the pumpkin! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, just pop in to say what a lovely, calm and positive vibe I have reading your post.
ReplyDeleteI plan to have a quiet, beautiful and perfectly imperfect Christmas. The simple pleasures are the best, and we don*t forget what Christmas really represents. Jesus, love, family, modesty and hope.
With much love from far away, Laura_s_world from Romania
Dear Laura, Thank you! Yes Christmas can be very simple and beautiful remembering the true meaning. Have a beautiful week, I know you are working hard and hope at Christmas there are a few days off to relax and enjoy, with much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteWow Annabel your garden is thriving! I need to try growing basil because I love it and would be thrilled to be able to make pesto. I’ve got other herbs growing happily so I’ll have to give basil another go.
ReplyDeleteCould you remind please of where you learned how to make the washcloths? They are turning out beautifully and I have some cotton that would be pretty using that pattern I think.
School has finished for the year! What a busy last week. So many lovely things happening but I am pleased it’s all stopped now. It will be nice to bake for us instead of just to give it away!! For one of the teachers who is coeliac I made some vanilla and berry cupcakes. It is one of my favourite recipes and she was so thrilled to have someone bake for her. Food gifts are lovely and I think maybe even more appreciated by people with some kind of food intolerance/allergy.
I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for those of you who have had such a challenging year. I’ve found it truly inspiring reading about how you have learned to live with the difficult situations you’ve faced or are facing. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas.
Thank you for your lovely blog Annabel.
Jen (NZ)
Dear Jen, Basil likes sun and hot weather. And once you have it going you can endlessly propagate it.
DeleteThe you tube challenge is creative Grandma. My favourite pattern so far is called Splash. Ive tried I think four different ones. From the Tues club now they are four of us posting together how they are turning out. Seeing each persons variations is so much fun! They are really easy, she is a good teacher.
I know the teacher would have loved the GF baking and appreciated that very much. And yay for the school holidays! The kids are probably tired to begin with but excited about Christmas. What a great time of year to be a kid! :) Thanks for your kind words Jen! A very happy Christmas to you too! With love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely encouraging post, thank you. The chicken kebabs look delicious and the frozen rolls will be so useful.
We collected our Christmas tree ready to put up this weekend. I gave presents to friends, pots of iris I had planted up in the autumn.
I attended a Christmas bingo fundraiser which was good fun and won several prizes ( they had been given so many nice things for prizes) , some of which went straight into the gift store at home.
My sewing group does Secret Santa and a friend rang to say she was worried an elderly lady might have forgotten, did I have an extra to bring just in case? Gift store in my bedroom to the rescue!
I batch cooked mince pies and put some in the freezer. We are trying to eat down the freezer a bit ready for leftovers at Christmas.
Hope you and all Bluebirds enjoy the lovely simple things of Christmas, thank you for your positivity.
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, Now your Christmas tree would be up! The potted Iris would be a lovely present. And to win prizes and already be restocking your present cupboard is great! Having extra to fill in for someone was so good too! Yes the present cupboard is one of the best things!
DeleteBatch cooking is also the way to go! Today I am doing my Coconut ice. The wrapping and decorating takes longer than the actual making but I get so many gifts from this!
Thank you for your kind words Penny! With love Annabel.xxx
What a beautiful white dove!
ReplyDeleteI’m glad Justice is thriving. And the vegetable garden too! Blessings from God for sure.
You absolutely! hit the nail on the head re offering Practical Gifts and perhaps Help in times as these!
Today I taught a girl crochet techniques. It might be of use for her — and others through her later on.
Prayers for you
and the other Bluebirds.
Esther (The Neth.)
Esther I am so glad you could pass on some crochet knowledge! Learning these things when you and then adding new skills as I go along has been a huge joy for me! Thank you for your kind words!
Deletexxx
I listened to the song you mentioned, "Freezing this Christmas"! How sad! I was trying to think if I knew anyone that couldn't afford heat and I couldn't. But, I know my husband and I have been talking about how we will heat next winter. This winter we had wood left but we are both nearing 70 and it's getting harder for him to lift the wood with his back issues. My hands and feet are cold all the time but I am thankful to have an electric blanket on our bed.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking you dont live in England or Australia for sure! As we get older smaller logs for the fire are easier. A wood fire is still the nicest heating of all I think and this is what I have. A heat pack on your feet is very nice and you can make little ones to go in pockets to warm your hands. I love these! I am very grateful I can never run out of wood and do not face heating costs I cant afford or live somewhere with sub zero temperatures. I think the freezing weather is terrifying as we normally dont have much below zero and that is at night not during the day! xxx
DeleteWishing you a Merry Christmas!! So grateful that you take the time to encourage and uplift all of us around the world. Thank you for sharing all the good things life gives us. Deanna in Michigan USA
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Deanna and I hope you have a beautiful Christmas too!xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, thank you for your beautiful post. You are such an inspiration. You give everything so selflessly and help all of us. Thank you. I had not been feeling Christmas-sy. I think just a little worn out. But I am feeling much better, because I am remembering what it really is about. Singing hymns is lovely. I love your chicken and veggies and how you help the family. The beautiful pesto. I love the white dove, how amazing over Christmas. And Justice too. Beautiful. I would love to try those wash cloths. I’m still going on the blanket, so hopefully I can try some new things in 2025. I really think big gifts are unnecessary now, a true helping hand of a power bill, a meal, or something made, is beautiful. Last night some residents nearby in our neighbourhood had a street party. It was lovely to see the kids playing. Lots of love
ReplyDeleteDear Bridge, A street partly is lovely! And the kids playing and even getting to know neighbours better is a good thing. I am hoping the school holidays will mean you get a bit more rest, even though school holidays are busy too! Have a very Merry Christmas! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteLittle Justice giving you the stink-eye. Cracked me up. Sassy lil thing for sure!
ReplyDeleteYes I am getting some cheeky attitude. Maybe she has hit cow teenage stage! lolxxx
DeleteDearest Annabel, what a beautiful week you've had ! You are such a good cook , maker etc . I got a lovely surprise from your little package today ! How did you find my address or maybe I have given it to you before ?!I don't have yours can you please forward it to me at Sonia.mckel@gmail.com I loved it ! Love Sonia Mackellar
ReplyDeleteSydney
Dear Sonia, I am so glad! Yes you did and email address too though it was a long time ago! I just emailed you now, with love Annabel.xxx
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