It is raining! When I woke up this morning I could hear rain... and it has been gentle most of the day. In truth it would take 12 inches to catch us up but everyone is happy.
It feels like six months since last Friday. The week has been go go go. It has also been up and down so this could be epic. You better get tea. 🍵
Firstly, Mothers Day. It was a gorgeous sunny day. We had a picnic under a big gum tree. It was beautiful.
Chloe made frame pictures for Mum and me... embroidered and with cards to match. Just perfect and so personal!
Lots of blessings that day.
Some things I achieved:
I made feta and garden things bake. Everything except the feta was grown or traded for.
My cook up was sausage rolls.
I gave a tray of them to Chloe to help her out.
Last time I checked sausage rolls were $5 each. Gluten free would be more I guess. And they freeze really well!
I was given the beautiful gift of lids! Finding lids to fit jars is my version of a jigsaw puzzle! These are going to give me so many more complete jars!
I actually had several very thoughtful and useful gifts!
I edged/finished off Mum's second vest for Lily. The flower is because Mum is making a matching hat and this will be added. Next I have a plum flower to make for the same deal with the last vest.
A couple of weeks ago a photo came across my FB feed...
I thought "that's my puppy." The end. Pretty much out of the blue. And indeed she is my puppy and arrived Sunday!
She is tiny! The first day she was quite timid (as above) but now she is a maniac. I absolutely love her! So she is not a "farm dog" like the others she is my little shadow.
The kids came over.... Sparkie was nervous about them and went and hid under the bed when they were noisy. Tom held her and said "she is just like a little Squirrel!" 🩷

God truly works in mysterious ways. She arrived Sunday. Our dear Zackie died yesterday. It was not completely unexpected. She was 18 and she had really slowed down and become deaf. But until the last two weeks she was still active so I still did not know it was imminent.
She arrived to us when my farmer neighbour moved to town and could not take her. I already loved her and she seemed keen on me. So I was the solution to the problem. She got in my car happily and came home. She sat up in the front seat looking out the window like a professional. Andy pretty much said "oh no, not another dog" but soon he and Zackie were best buddies and Zackie adored him.
After Andy died I was just not cutting it in Zackie's opinion although I still got smiles and tail wagging I was clearly number 2. She seemed depressed. Then Zackie loved my helper Andrew and he was very good at giving her extra attention. This way she was much happier again.
So yesterday was very sad and I think because of her connection with Andy I felt a lot of memories and trauma...
We determined that she should go on the hill not too far from Andy and have her own stone and memorial.
She really was an angel as she always went in the ute with Andy, always smiled and was very placid and gentle. She was his companion. So she really was heaven sent.
But God knew I now need a companion and she arrived on Sunday. How amazing is that?
One one hand I feel to be just thankful. She had a long and good life. She was very happy. She filled an important role and was loved.
(Molly supervising trench digging.)
On the other hand with friends and family there have been a series of bad new/low blows and things plus maybe I am just tired... and I feel like I've fallen in a bit of a hole. 🕳 Otherwise known as the pit of boom lol.
I tell you this in the interest of keeping it honest. I try to always be positive! I am positive I will feel better after a decent sleep and a quiet catching up kind of day.
More rain is possible tomorrow. It will be colder so I will light the fire.
The fire creates so much atmosphere and comfort. This will be nice. A pot of soup or a casserole might be a good idea too.
This afternoon for calf feeding Lily was snuggled up. She reminds me of a tele tubby? If that is what they were called?!
So that is my week of ups and downs.
I hope next week we have green grass and I can show how Sparky is now confident and funny!
How was your week? How did you build up your home, garden, pantry... or any other area?
We love to hear. It is truly an encouragement to work along together. We make a good team! xxx
Sorry for the loss of zackie.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times in your life you lose a dog,it doesn't get easier.
Your new baby is adorable!
She will fill the hole in your heart.
Sorry for all the bad things going on around you.
Find safe harbor in the Lord.
Your grand daughter is too cute in her pink snuggle!
Thank you Savannah. Wise words! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about Zackie. Losing pets (even farm dogs!) is so hard, and I'm glad you got your little puppy! It's amazing how much companionship a pet is. It's maybe the time of year for falling into holes/pits??? I'm in a bit of a one myself, and like you say, sometimes you can climb mostly out with a good night's sleep and a catch-up day, so praying for that for you! Everything here seems so topsy-turvy...personally and in the wider sphere...and it gets a little tough, sometimes. As I typed that sentence, I looked up and out the window to see a hummingbird flying around and around...such a beautiful reminder of all that is good.
I meant to post last week to say I love the job you've done on that house's kitchen and your stool from the op shop is divine! I love your comment about watching t.v. versus doing something...you always make me laugh!
Hugs from across the world,
Jen in NS
Dear Jen, Thank you and Im sorry you have also been a bit of a bad spot yourself. I can only imagine that in a colder climate than mine it would be actually quite tough getting through winter. Now I would LOVE to see a real life hummingbird. To me they are like out of a magical fairy story!
DeleteThank you re the house. An amazing thing is when God has given me the push to do something it always turns out there was a reason He was actually organising something down the line and then I see!
I hope this week you are feeling better! With love Annabel.xxx
Sparky is so cute, Annabell. What an amazing gift from God, who knew Zaxie would be crossing the bridge. We have two heelers that are just a few years old. They chased off a large elk buck this morning; with a 6 ft. fence he wasn't a threat, but they let him know to keep his distance! Glad you had such a lovely Mother's Day and that rain has come your way!
ReplyDeleteIllness and age have slowed us down, but all the raised beds are in now, ready to be planted when all danger of frost passes. I've been busy indoors and out. It's going to be a short while yet before we have chickens and I'm very excited for that new experience. Looking forward, too, to the compost they'll provide. Our 20 ft. X 10 ft. covered run will be added soon. Praying for a GOOD week ahead for all. --Elise
Dear Elise,
DeleteIt is bad enough to get a deer in your garden let alone an Elk. it is only more recently that I understood the size of an Elk. Good grief! Dogs are the most excellent perimeter enforcers!
You are going to LOVE chickens. They are just so rewarding and add joy to your life too! And raised beds are just wonderful.
You have fantastic projects going! With love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you’re feeling low. I call it the Blue Meanies. I love that God is watching. He sent green grass and a puppy. How great is that? Sparky is really cute! I got a text this morning about a dog that needs a home. We are currently without a dog. This one is fairly old and not really cute, but I’m feeling kind of “motherly”. My husband is not of the same mind. We shall see.
I am praying for peace and lots of things that make you smile.
Love Mel
Dear Mel, Thank you! Well... I hope the right dog that needs a home comes to you, this one or another. Lots of gorgeous animals need a loving home. I do believe this is an act of charity we can do but also they then bless us more than we do them. Which is quite amazing. And how God works!
DeleteWith much love Annabel.xxx
I'm so sorry to hear about your dear Zackie. It's so hard to lose those furry companions for sure. I hope you are able to get some rest and your days get better - and you have your beautiful grandbabies and new pup to help that along! Praying for you :)
ReplyDeleteDear Kathy, Thank you! Puppies and children are a good combination! Thank you so much, with love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAh, so many happenings and so much of our Father's care. We lost a family member this week and all I could think was what a wasted life she led. We hope we will thought well of when we are gone but I am not sure that ever even occured to her. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI am still glad you have had some rain. And those grandbabies are delightful.
Dear Lana,
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. I'm sorry that your realitive's choices make mourning more frustrating.
Love, Leslie
Dear Lana, I am so sorry for your loss and that it was so sad. Once I read someone say that they were at the end of their life which they realised now they had wasted and squandered their talents. This really hit me, that God gives us each opportunities and gifts/talents and we can use them or not. Very sobering! I am sorry for your week and hope this one is better! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel
ReplyDeleteWhat an emotional week, good and not so good. I'm sorry Zackie isn't with you any longer , this must be difficult because of the companionship with Andy and reminders of past times. No wonder you've been feeling flat, completely natural.
Your photos of your Mum and Lily and Thomas are so precious. And the puppy! We have a Sparky too, a loving Springer Spaniel who is bonkers and brings us great joy, together with our other dog. This puppy has come to you at just the right time, it was meant to be.
The vests for Lily are so nice.
I've had a busy week but not much feathering of the nest, mainly life admin, hair cut etc. We did plant out some runner beans and a new clematis and scented jasmine in the garden. I made a big bowl of potato salad as our contribution to a family lunch and made a cake for my husband. I cut Sweet William flowers for the house and we gave a big bunch to a daughter. We had more bulk compost delivered with free delivery. I bought a couple of picture books in a charity shop for our granddaughter. My stock up this week was disinfectant.
That's about it, we are loving the sunshine, I like wearing summer dresses and sandals and the garden is looking beautiful, mainly due to my husband's hard work.
Good wishes to you Annabel and all Bluebirds. I hope the next week feels easier.
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, Oh we both have a Sparky! Thank you. I am feeling much better.
DeleteI really like your term "Life admin" well that is a true and big thing! Sometimes it never seems to end!
Yay on the compost! And the plantings. Flowers in the housed flowers as a gift are beautiful!
Thinking of you in a summer dress while here it is several layers with the fire going! But I think enjoying the season is lovely. And I hope everything continues to grow for you! With love Annabel.xxx
Annabel
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a week of ups and downs for you. I'm so sorry about Zackie, but if she's with Andy again then she is happy on the other side and that's good. It is a beautiful thing in itself that we feel their loss because they have been loved. And Sparkie is such a cute little thing! God knows our needs many times before do and it's amazing! It will get better.
I am glad you're getting some rain and hope you get more. Yours, Mum's and Chloe's work are so pretty and it's so nice that you all work together.
My clothesline is back up so I've been hanging the laundry outside now instead of by the wood burner. Winter apparel is being put away now. I look forward to seeing what this new season will offer. Will it be an abundance of berries? Maybe a few good trades? More free wood?
The garlic and onions are doing well, but we've not planted anything else yet, soon though. If I have my way the gardens will be a bit smaller this year. There would still be plenty to share which we always do, but either way I can't wait for fresh tomatoes from the garden.
We're adding onto the grape arbor and I've been trimming up bushy things around the property. I still have lots more to do though. I discovered that two of the watering cans had holes in them so I tossed them and will look for replacements.
As always I try to make sure nothing goes to waste from the pantry, fridge or freezer and so far so good! Very little has went to waste. My next use it up will be instant oatmeal packets. I will turn them into muffins.
I've been working on a bridal shower gift and have decided I may not actually attend the shower itself. People just go overboard these days with any kind of event and as I get older I prefer a smaller event instead of one with a room packed full of people. I'll make sure the bride gets her gift though.
I hope everyone has a beautiful week!
XOXO
Vicky
Dear Vicky,
DeleteIt is beautiful to have your clothesline up and dry things in sunshine that is the best. I thought your garlic and onions were looking great.
I know your bridal shower gift is going to be gorgeous! And bridal showers are really fun to go to... maybe just go for a short time and see how you feel?
Your tomatoes always look amazing. I hope all your crops will be a big success. With much love Annabel.xxx
Good morning Annabelle, thank you for sharing your week with us all. It was a delight to see your Mother's Day celebration with your family. Such a beautiful setting, although dry at the time. It truly is the small things that make such a difference, the care taken in the presentation, the home cooked meals and baking, the pets we have. I am so glad for the timing of the arrival of your little Sparky! Pets bring us so much joy. I can see that you have made it intentional to bring beauty into your life and share that with everyone who is touched by your life. What a beautiful blessing for your family and friends. You inspire me! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear Caroline,
DeleteThank you so much! I actually wonder if surrounding ourselves with beauty and comfort are coping mechanisms! Probably! I have known people to be very depressed and when I see the state of their home I understand why they are depressed but I dont know if it's a symptom or the actual cause. It certainly makes a difference to even a gift to make it look beautiful. It is just more special! Thank you for your kind words! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel
ReplyDeleteI’m really sorry to read about Zackie. She definitely had a long and good life and was a beautiful soul but loved pets leave a huge gap. I’m glad Sparkie found you first. Cry those tears and treasure the goodness of Zackie’s influence on your lives.
I’m glad you had Mother’s Day with the family the weather was truly perfect here.
Take care
Love Kate
Dear Kate, You are probably also experiencing these perfect days this week. But boy I hope the weekend brings rain. Thank you for your kind words! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI have not commented for a long time but am always reading along.
I just wanted to say be gentle with yourself and mourn Zackie's loss. As you have already said she was a big connection with Andy so you mourn them both and it can be heart wrenching.
Sparkie is a sweet, sweet little dog and I am sure is a wonderful companion.
Mandy (NZ)
Hi Mandy! Waving! I hope you are doing well! Thank you for your kind comment!xxx
DeleteIt sounds like Zackie was definitely a man's dog. It is fitting that you were able to lay her to rest near her master. No wonder you are down in the dumps. I don't think that will last for long with Sparkie the live wire around though. The picture of her with Tom is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI've been busy in the garden, weather permitting, this week. I've started harvesting rocket and was gifted some more veggie seeds. It is a bit late to plant a lot of them, but I have sown a row of Italian leaves to add to salads. My husband helped out in a friend's shop and came home with his 'wages' of fruit, veg and bread. Some were eaten straight away and some were frozen for future use.
I'll be thinking of you this coming week. x
Dear Tracy, Sorry for the late reply! Thank you so much! I love that the wages were fruit, veggies and bread! Fantastic! And the gift of veggie seeds is wonderful too! I hope they do really well for you. Writing this I just remembered I have veggie seedlings in the car!! I am meant to plant them today and hope for rain tonight! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, I am so sorry for the loss of dear Zackie. Losing Zackie must be very hard especially as he was such great mates with Andy. It would bring it all home again. Go gently on yourself. I am so pleased you have Sparkie now and at such a time. I’m pleased you had rain and seeing Lily is so sweet. What a beautiful girl. I don’t have much to report. It feels like caring for the children and ferrying them to sport, feeding them etc is a pretty big job. If I get a walk in that’s a bonus. Lots of love, Bridget
ReplyDeleteDear Bridget, Thank you! Well I do remember the driving to school and activities and keeping up with everything was a really busy time. But it is very good they are into sport and very occupied. And food is demolished faster than you can make it! When they ar bigger and have friends over then more food disappears in vast quantities! I hope you had a good week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel, I am so sorry about losing Zackie. You won't believe this, but the day you wrote about Andy's passing is the day I saved your blog to Favorites. Thus, every time I open your blog, I see Andy's hands petting Zackie. I find it so comforting that I have left it up all this time and have not changed to your home page. I think burying him near Andy is very fitting.
ReplyDeleteHow adorable is Sparkie! You will still miss Zacky, but this one will keep you busy! There is nothing like a dog in the house when you live alone. Do you know what breed(s) he is and how big he is going to get?
I'm sorry you are in a hole and hope you are able to climb out soon. I had a hard week, too, choosing a place for my husband's ashes and also still having problems with my shoulder that I dislocated 6 months ago. I'm usually a person whose glass is half-full but last week it was absolutely empty. I am feeling pretty good today and hope it lasts. Stress is the worst.
Best wishes to you, Annabel, and to all of the Bluebirds.
--Maxine, aka mikemax
Dear Maxine, Thank you so much. Those photos of Andy with Zackie were some of my last. I ordered a plaque which I will show you when it comes.
DeleteYes Sparkie is gorgeous and makes me very happy so talk about good timing.
Im sorry you had a difficult week too. Pain as well as emotion... not a good combination. I hope you are feeling a lot better now. I am... It is understandable sometimes we have several things at once and it's a bit much! With much love Annabel.xxx
I am deeply sorry about Zackie but I love your idea of burying her near Andy's grave since he was her fella. It's a good way to honor her life on earth.
ReplyDeleteOur week behind was very busy, most unexpectedly so, but it was a good week just the same. We got new back steps which are lovely and easier to go up and down than the old ones.
Several of the fig stems I'm trying to root are looking promising but at least three have actual leaves which means they have 'taken'. I think this is awesome! I planted out like 25 stems. I was fairly confident they'd do good since I know the tree they came from is at least 60 odd years. It's been in my Granny's yard my whole life and heaven knows how long prior to that.
We ran lots of errands. My husband doesn't like to batch errands but I try to sneak in a few extra every time we go out to do one, lol. However, we only had one full day at home this week and I worked really really hard that day.
I'd baked a big 7-8 pound roast chicken for Mother's Day and had all the leftovers to make into fresh meals. In the end we had two roast chicken dinners. I made a Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza and Buffalo Chicken Calzone. I made up a chicken spaghetti recipe I've been making for nearly 50 years now and we still love. That worked into three separate dishes. We had a big pot of chicken and dumplings and I put three quarts of the chicken stew minus the dumplings into the freezer. So I made the most of that bird!
I went into the grocery on Monday to get milk, eggs, and Spam. The Spam was on sale (seldom is) and I like to keep it in my pantry. Today I went into the grocery to pick up milk on sale (I stocked my freezer shelf) and got cans of pork n beans to put on the pantry shelf. I also found a few marked down bargains that helped to stock the freezer a wee bit more.
We've a very busy weekend here, just like the week behind, but I'm hoping come Monday I can look at the majority of my week as an 'at home' week. I've got so many tasks I want to tackle!
Dear Terri, Oh the gig trees do sound promising! and how wonderful to keep your Grandmas tree going!
DeleteThat roast chicken sounds beautiful and getting the extra meals is so nice. A lot of possibilities with a chicken. It is great you got a few bargains to top up the freezer. I absolutely love an at home week.... this is when I get things done! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, sending hugs and prayers from far away. I am sorry for all your sadness. Reading, all I was thinking was how God is there for you - when Andy left He sent you beautiful Lily, when Zackie went to meet Andy, God sent you adorable Sparky. Have a good cry and a good rest. We are all here for you♥️🙏🏻🐾. With much love, Laura_s_world from Romania
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Laura for your kindness!xxx
DeleteHello Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI put my phone down and did grab a cup of tea as you suggested and I’m glad I did! What a week of highs and lows you’ve had!
I’m sorry for the loss of Zackie! I’ve been following your blog for so long that I remember you getting her and how she jumped in the car! Do I remember correctly that she also took off one day to her old home?? 🤔
It will be lovely for you to have a little house companion with Sparkie 🐾
So glad that you got a little rain 🙏 Let’s hope there is more!
Your baking and crafting looks beautiful as always.
Have a lovely week Annabel, I hope you get a chance to slow down and rest for a while.
Love from Cheryl x
Dear Cheryl, Yes! You remember exactly right! She was happy to jump in and come with me but then at night she walked home! So then I did it all over again haha!
DeleteI have balanced this week better so far and there is hope of rain on the weekend... and I have ants. I hope they are right! Thank you Cheryl, with love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI mourn with you over the loss of Zackie. I remember when you adopted her. Thanks for sharing her with us. I must echo what Laura said, the blessings at the times of loss. God is surely good. Thanks for being honest with us about the hole you're in. It's okay to feel that way. I'm so glad Jesus understands. So nice to read the Psalms and realize that God wants to hear our laments. But He's there to pull us out of the pit.🧗
We finished homeschooling for the school year. And I have one more week of babysitting. God has really blessed us with watching this little one. Such joy in our home. Plus some extra $.
I look forward for time to work the garden and to start some jelly making.
Love,
Leslie (Ohio)
Dear Leslie,
DeleteWell done on the homeschooling. I know their school ends mid year, there are summer holidays then you re start. Here the year starts at the end of January and ends mid December. The Christmas holidays are the long summer holidays.
Well done on both taking care of the baby and the extra money! Thank you for your kind words! With love Annabel.xxx
Hello again, Annabel and friends,
ReplyDeleteI am back with an update. A happy update about our election.
After so much hatred and violence, a campaign that will go down in history, last night was the victory of the mathematician over the hooligan, a lesson in the supremacy of reason and decency over instinct and violence. My country remains strong, our economy remains atractive to investors and we remain true to our alliances, especially Ukraine and European Union. I am relieved and proud of my people - there were ques to vote all day long, especially young people who refused lies, open russian manipulations, violent threats. All the foreign news media is covering our elections.
I was terrified and I got involved - you can not cross the street or close your eyes if something bad is happening. What does it mean, concretely, to get involved? It's not just about protests or candidates. It means paying attention. Reading. Asking questions. Making informed choices. Convincing your friends to vote. Not letting manipulation go unpunished. Not keeping quiet. Above all, not keeping quiet.
From tomorrow we start working - we have a country and an economy to re-build.
At home we were working well - my husband has finished a good cabin for the ducks, and I am pleased to say, almost all were recycled materials, like frugal people that we are. And the little babies knew right away it was for them to sleep in, at evening I just had to go and gently close the door, without any problems.
This was my extra report. Thank you for being here. Much love from far away, Laura_s_world from Romania
Thank you for the update, Laura. I am glad that reason prevailed in Romania. My state is having a local elections tomorrow. The most hotly contested race in my community is for the library board. These kind of elections are usually pretty boring, but we have a faction that wants to restrict free speech and ban books. This election means everything!
Delete--Maxine aka mikemax
Dear Laura, I am glad that you feel so much more hopeful and the economy has improved so much! You sound so much better, thank you for this update! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteMy dearest Annabel, losing a dog you love and so close to is never easy ! You must know when I lost my first Bichon Frise (like a very fluffy white poodle called Ruby my ex husband bought me I cried and cried and had a Depo depression. No kids for me she was my baby. I had a dreadful time getting through it all. She now cremated in a mahogany box with angel's wings on it. She was truely a angel. And now sits next to a photo of my late dearest Nana I was so close to. I adopted Daisy the same breed from people who neglected her six years ago and now has a wonderful pampered life with me ! So I am happy you got another dog. The lord works in wonderful ways ! With Love Sonia in Sydney.
ReplyDelete