We are almost at the end of March! It is just me or does this year seem to be moving too fast? It has been a pretty good week of this and that.
I finished sewing cushions (or so I thought) and went on to making up pot holders for the gift cupboard. Again I am using fabrics I have and paring them up with trims in my stash. The middle is pure wool from thrift store blankets which I wash up and cut for projects like these. I only use blankets for filling if they have holes and are in bad shape. The good ones I wash up and keep!
I cut out the pattern I am using to make Lily a dress. I hope to show that finished next week.
The last two cushions...
Covering cushions made me realise nice inserts are not cheap.... so when I went to the thrift store and saw two very new looking huge plum pillows I looked at them with fresh eyes.... They were so full and soft. A really large size. And I have plenty of the pink furnishing velvet left... so I bought them and will make these covers up next week also!
Yesterday was my visit to this thrift shop. I made a special trip as it is only half an hour away and for me this is as close as I can get. Allowing this time to have a cup of tea and a browse was bliss! Apart from the giant cushions I found crystal wine glasses, a crystal vase, two gorgeous buckets (seen in the background of the top photo) and a beautiful frame. The frame fits a print I have been meaning to frame for about a year. Oh and the best garlic I ever bought, grown by a local. It was just so enjoyable. It is my version of retail therapy. I had a lovely time, was completely thrilled and came home with luxury goods for so little.
Some velvet with roses was left over from last weeks cushions and I really wanted to make the most of it. I made two large heat packs... one for myself and one for the gift cupboard.
So many seeds have come up in the garden! It has not been without drama. The whole area is in a very bad way and there is no feed in the paddocks. I bought hay to feed my cows. If I am half an hour late with feeding out the cows break out and get into trouble. I want to point out that none of them are hard done by they are all fat. None the less ... several got into the orchard. I don't mind them eating the grass but my trough planters... with new seedlings are in the orchard! I was having a freak out but no they didn't do any damage at all. So thankful.
I planted a dozen broccoli seedlings. These are in my container garden and covered with a fine net. Even though the netting white moths are starting at them but they have grown in a week!
Today I went to the nursery in town and I got some spinach and celery to plant some of my containers that are still vacant.
I also got snow peas seeds. Which reminds me... I will soak these overnight and plant them out tomorrow. I probably have only a couple of pots left to fill. I noted the last two weeks finding any seedlings at all (which in a nursery you expect to be able to!) was very hard. So at least I did get celery this trip.
With it being so dry I can see I am going to run out of hay. Thankfully a farmer I have bought from before still has some... right now hay is a very hot commodity.
While praying for rain I prepared. I hired two young men I know to clean the gutters. They were enthusiastic. Maybe in part because I promised them morning tea and lunch as well as pay! They arrived at 6 30 am Saturday. Their job was a big one. Three houses. The car shed. The work shed. The hay shed. The shearing shed.
All the leaves etc went onto the compost heap.
Each of these surfaces is connected to a huge rain water tank. I want to collect every drop that falls! Getting this done for the season is so good!
When the cows want more hay they come to the fence and give me a moo and the eye.
Tom completed his first maths book. He is so proud.
Any aptitude for maths would be in spite of being related to me and especially amazing! 😊
Overall I am very happy. Work was done, seeds came up, things were planted, sewing projects progressed... the chickens are laying. They went off the boil after the last hot weather but now I am getting quite a few eggs per day. 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚
I hope you had a good week! How did you build up your nest, pantry or garden? Maybe you just got everyone fed and into clean beds which many times is a feat in itself! Small things with great love....xxxx
Annabel and Dear Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, so true, this year is flying by, way to fast. I believe all the information we are receiving also has been so fast and overwhelming at times to keep up with.
I love hearing the stories of your Grandchildren and cows. Tom has to be so proud finishing his math book, Congrats to him.The cows certainly like to let you know when they are hungry, like little children themselves.
I had the most wonderful week. My husband flew off for work, so I have had a few days to myself. My Son is on vacation so he spent 2 days with me. it was wonderful having Mommy/Son Time together. The first day we had lunch out and came back to house and just talked and talked. The second day we went and found a waterfall and took a drive into the country and went out to lunch again. Of course I sent him home both days with a grocery bag full of goodies.
I was also able to bake, I made apple tartlets, apple jelly, segmented oranges, dried orange peel and pectin. I even cut out an apron with hopes to find backing fabric and sew it.
So I feel like it was a vacation for me, back to realty today as I pick husband up from airport, do his laundry and get back into a routine.
God gives us special times and we need to embrace them. I have been thanking Him for time with my Son and time to relax and pray.
Dear Rosanne, Yes I think you are right... things happening rapidly does me a week seem like to fly by!
DeleteI am glad you enjoyed your week to yourself and with your son. One to one time is a very good thing. Conversation is different when it's just "us" I think. Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
What a wonderful week you have had Annabel. Well done to Tom with finishing his first math book and absolutely love the pleading look of the cow for some more hay too. The cushions are absolutely adorable and the print on the velvet just gorgeous. I agree some retail therapy is lovely especially when you can have a nice cuppa, a sit and a chat and also get some wonderful bargains too. Cushion inserts are getting insanely expensive and another option is to buy cheap pillows and sew across them etc to make inserts which I know a lot of friends of mine do as well.
ReplyDeleteWith our grocery shopping today we were in the right place at the right time , being our appointment was only a few doors away from IGA. With meat, bakery and other savings we paid $80.88 and saved near to 56% or $102.59 on full retail prices elsewhere. It seems we were not alone either looking for bargains as there was another couple next to us doing the same thing saying things were so expensive it was nice to get some really good bargains to reduce costs in their household too.
We purchased
5.414kg of chicken maryland on better than half price managers special at $3.50 kg. We left plenty for others and yes most stores in our area charge $9 kg for this.
1.574kg of porterhouse steak marked down to under half price at $13.50kg. Can you believe some are charging $40 - $41kg for this in some other stores in our are.
1.5kg of lean 4 star beef mince marked down half price for $9.50 kg ($15.50kg elsewhere).
800g of low fat beef burger patties on markdown for $4.20 a tray.
480g of beef ranch thin sausages on markdown for $4.20.
4 packets of 6 jumbo hamburger rolls marked down from $3.30 to $1.98 ea.
3 x 680g loaves of multigrain bread marked down from $3 to $1.80 ea.
And finally 3 bottles of schweppes sarsparilla on weekly sale for $1.80ea.
We are happy with that and we got over a months worth of meat for the 2 of us, topped up the meat freezer and bread going forwards for a while too.
On the clothing buying front I bought 6 pair of ponte pants from NoniB on markdown for $8 ea saving $491.94 on their usual retail prices. I will use these for tights under my skirts in winter and also to wear them on their own too.
In the home I am starting to swap my summer wardrobe for winter clothing and incorporate some of the lovely low priced bargains that I have purchased. I am enjoying wearing some of my new outfits to change things up a bit.
We have had lots of rain here and I wish I could send you some Annabel and hope you get rain shortly to green the grass and pastures and fill up your rainwater tanks again. Ours are once again overflowing which is a blessing.
Have a great week ahead everyone.
Lorna.
Dear Lorna, I do the same... when you are in the area already... check to grocery store for deals. And you struck gold! What a great stock up! This is the way to get ahead and fill the freezer too. Amazing on the clothing as well. It was weirdly warm today (Saturday) but I also am swapping out my wardrobe and making up outfits. I really like the cooler months closing wise!
DeleteIt is fantastic your tanks are full! This is my dream now!
I hope you have a lovely weekend too! I will think of you as I get to go to two out of the way supermarkets in the next week due to making trips and will be checking! With love Annabel.xxx
What a poppet Tom is! Congratulations to him:) and what a big job the gutters were, that was a great thing to get done.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know how you work out the measurements to make the round velvet cushions ( talking of maths!) Is it a length of fabric the same as the circumference and as wide as the diameter?
I had wonderful luck recently finding a king sized bed valance by Lexington and a set of really pretty spring duvet covers and pillow cases for “pennies to the pound “ in beautiful condition. A good hot wash and dried on the line in the spring sunshine and they are so lovely on our bed. Gill in Norway.
Dear Gill, Yes... cut the fabric the width of the pillow... and the length of your piece is the circumference... allow a little seam allowance. If you look up one tube tube how to make a round gathered pillow you will find more details. Place your cushion insert inside this round begins careful it is centred and you hand stitch and gather the front and the back and press this gather inward... hence a button or a brooch is a good thing to cover this.
DeleteGill a king sized bed valance would cost a fortune here. So that was a fantastic find! So were the cores and pillow cases. Lovely linen is expensive but also so beautiful. I am a sucker for linens!
Now the gutters are done I am just waiting on rain but there is no sign on the ten day forecast. We are pretty desperate.
Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
What a wonderful week you've had, Annabel! I just love your cushions! Such a good feeling when big projects such as cleaning the gutters is finished! I finally managed to get my sauerkraut made (cabbage was $0.39/lb) and also made some yogurt. Have a fabulous week!
ReplyDeleteLove to read about all you accomplish. My CFS has not been good so don't get much done plus appointments take the time and energy. Have a wonderful weekend.........Nancy
ReplyDeleteSo I’m praying for less rain for Jennifer and more rain for you. Maybe we can ask God if he’d spread it out a little ;). I was wondering how you convince a cow to leave your tender young shoots and return to his or her drier home. Do they like biscuits more than your orchard? I know you’re used to them, but I’d be a bit intimidated getting “the eye” especially if there’s no fence between us!
ReplyDeleteHave fun,
Mel
Dear Mel, Well Tim got a lovely fresh bale on the tractor and put it out on the other side of the fence where the cows are MEANT to be and just like that they figured their way back into the paddock. It's all a matter of bribery basically. They are all huge now so I keep a fence or Im in the ute... between us as even if they were to lean on me Id be in trouble! Yes the fairer distribution of rain would be a big help! Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteBeautiful cushions and hot pads! Congratulations to Tom! So glad he loves learning.
ReplyDeleteWe are also preparing to clean out gutters. My husband is building a platform to mount our tallest ladder on to complete the job. We have a steep roof and one side of the house is difficult to reach. My 16yr.old daughter is a climber and athlete. She will be lending her talents to clean gutters.
My 13 yr old son and I are prepping walls to paint his room. I'm taking a quick break. Then on to painting. My favorite task!
My week was busy with doctor's appointments for my 18 yr old. She has autoimmune issues and we were so close to a diagnosis. On to the rheumatologist, now.
So thankful for my bartering friend. She gifted me with allot of frozen strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. Perfect for smoothies! My indoor seeds are started. And my potatoes are planted. We've had rain and sunshine. Now if the temperatures would warm up. 😊
Lord bless you all,
Leslie (Ohio)
Great finds at the charity shop Annabel, beautiful velvet cushions and pot holders. Very sensible to maximise every bit of water you can collect for the hot weather.
ReplyDeleteWe planted peas and nasturtium seeds this week and had a bulk order of compost delivered. The compost is delivered by an old friend at ' mates rates'.This supplements our homemade compost.
My batch cooking was butternut squash and cannellini bean curry and cottage pie. Friends came for morning coffee and I made chocolate chip cake. I made portions of pureed butternut squash for my granddaughter and put some in the freezer.
I found a couple of almost new children's board books in the charity shop. Beef mince has become crazy expensive so I bought pork mince which is half the price and with plenty of seasoning was just as good in the recipe. Instead of stocking the larder with lots of one item I bought one extra of several different things, I'll keep doing this over the next few weeks and build up stocks.
A friend's employer gave her several pairs of curtains she no longer wanted, good quality heavy fabric , a bit faded on the outer edges.. She has passed some on to me to make into dog bed covers for our dogs. Just need to find some time now!
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, your cooking sounds delicious! I love how your friends had coffee and cake in your home, this is a lovely thing to do. Lots of love, Bridget
DeleteThanks Bridget, I think I need to do this more rather than meeting out in a coffee shop.
DeleteI wish the thrift shops near me had such lovely items. Every so often I've found a treasure. Twice I found quilts kits that cost over $100 for $10. Those will eventually be gifts.
ReplyDeleteI'm making jam and cookies etc for an upcoming visit with my brothers. I feel like Annabel getting my gifts ready for my trip to see them! I will be putting together gift baskets for them.
Dear Annabel, Tom looks very proud, how cute! I love the cushions and the heat pack is lovely. Well done on getting the gutters cleaned. I am well over this heat and rain here. I so look forward to cooler days. I froze lots of bananas today, more tomorrow. The left over went into the compost. I will give some bananas away if I can. I am trying to stretch meals and we are eating only at home now, except for a rare treat/birthday. Then we appreciate it too. I look forward to cooler days in the garden. It is muddy and everything is messy and over grown. Some things can survive well, but even some things have perished with too much . Lots of love, Bridget
ReplyDeleteDear Bridget, It is wonderful about the bananas! The school/kindergarten or swap group might be a good place if you are overwhelmed with bananas. I am so over the weather as yesterday (Sunday) was so warm... nothing is surviving being so dry. Once things dry out a bit you will tackle the garden bit by bit! I do a little outside everyday and it soon adds up to seeing the difference. Sometimes it's daunting! Have a great week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteWhy do you soak seeds? How long? All seeds or just some?
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, Our soil is very dry from drought but I find bigger seeds soaked overnight seem to germinate better and faster. I seem to get more overall. The you see the water they take up over night its amazing! It is too hard and fiddly to do it with tiny seeds! xxx
DeleteHi Annabel
ReplyDeleteYour sewing is lovely, it must feel good to use up fabric and brooches you have and turn them into such beautiful and practical cushions. Go Tom!!! That’s great that he’s so happy to be learning.
This week I got rid of all the boxes from the move, as well as returning some items we’d borrowed while waiting for our furniture to be delivered. So now we can move around the house more easily! It also meant I could ‘finish’ some rooms including hanging pictures. Which starts to make it all feel a bit more like home.
I’ve continued to hunt down bargains to fill the freezer with, and want to add to this with baking.
We’ve had lots of sunshine this week so I’ve washed all bedding, including mattress protectors before our cold weather starts.
Just two weeks left of the first school term! I can’t wait for the holidays, especially as we have a new area to explore.
Hoping you are blessed with some rain soon.
Jen (NZ)
I spent the week inventorying my food supplies, attending to mending that I'd forgotten as the pile was hidden under another pile, altering the new grommet topped curtains into rod pocket ones, making meals at home, getting creative with leftovers, etc. Probably my biggest savings was that I am committed to waiting 14 days (more or less) between shopping trips rather than head in as a matter of course. This month I have a good portion of my monthly budget left. I gave myself a pedicure, now that it's turning into sandal weather here in my area. I've been puttering about house and yard just doing whatever things I see may need doing. I find being occupied at home is probably the very best therapy for most ailments, be they mental, emotional, or physical.
ReplyDeleteHi Annabel. Please can you give an update on Ricky and possibly a photo? Thanks x
ReplyDeleteHi! Ricky is great and happy! He has a friend. His friend talks! xxx
DeleteOh The potholders are just the cutest! Yay for Tom and his math skills! You've had a productive week!
ReplyDeleteMost of my week has been filled with normal work. I am hemming three pairs of husband's pants. And looking for good lunch box meals for him. I also sourced my favorite tea blend nearby. I'm working on a few quilt patterns for my shop as well! All good things, but a full week. Maybe it's best to stay busy!
Wishing you a good week ahead!
Stacy in Virginia