We have a huge storm which has gone all day. Last night I ended up using ear plugs... as much as I love the sound of rain it reached the point of ridiculous and I could not go back to sleep. Today... so much wind, hail, branches down... but it all does not matter, what is most important is the rain!
Into this I storm I ventured today... wondering if this was a good choice! But I had commitments so off I went. I had parcels to collect, the post office, chemist and such fun things as the department of motor vehicles. They wanted to know the engine number of Andy's old ute. I don't know. Several men were in the line so I asked "do any of you guys know how to find the engine number on a Ford?" A young bloke said "yes, I think I do" and he came with me outside and popped the bonnet and proceeded. But he couldn't find it. This made me feel kind of better because I wasn't the only one with no idea and he worked in tyres apparently! Then he said if we had another number there is an app where it will tell you your engine number for $2. I had this number, yay! So.... he does this on his phone and we get the needed number. He would not even let me pay him back the $2. He also lost his place in the queue helping me. What a nice guy. We just got back inside and it began to hail...
One of the fun things I did get to do was to choose a new fridge/freezer! I went armed with measurements and a tape measure. It was not too hard to choose and I got that ordered as I hate stainless steel and wanted white. This will be so exciting to set up and organise! Seriously... it will be revolutionary!
Each day of the week I tried to do something toward the #everybitcountschallenge. I turned the cream into butter! The first batch I was not prepared for the minute the butter forms a ball it splashes the whey everywhere like a blender without a lid.
The second batch I knew better and saved the whey and later made it into scones.
I patted my butter into a rectangle muffin tray. These hold about 200 grams. I got eight!
I had to take a photo of them with my new (from op shop) butter dish!
From my veggie boxes I still had capsicums to I processed those.
Next... the cauliflower needed to be cooked along with some broccoli. I made a huge cheese sauce....
Everything is good doused with cheese sauce. Easy!
Then I made the red onions into Frugale Tabithas pickled onions. This is so easy! They look so pretty!
And... lemons and eggs that I made into lemon butter last week became a desert pie. This went to Chloe's house.
I got back on track and made my next quilt block. I really like this one. In the pic are some sewing notions from the thrift store.
Then ... I launched into a plan to put shelves in an old wardrobe... and organise it with fabrics, mainly sheeting. To do this I had to empty the cupboard. You know how you get in a much worse mess before you get things into order? Well, yes, stuff everywhere.... BUT at the bottom of that wardrobe I found many items I had forgotten about and a whole heap of Christmas presents. I am not even sure how many yet. Oh the rewards of going through things and organisation! I hope next week I can show my order from chaos! I want to get this project complete before the new fridge/freezer arrives as that also will be a big mess before success kind of task. By the time I get both of these done I think it will be time to start Spring cleaning!
Meantime... if this rain keeps up I might get my little river that goes through the property flowing. After a drought this would be so exciting!
Sparkie doesn't think very much of the cold, wind, hail or thunder. So she is in bed. She has her own hot pack. 😊 I say "do you want to get up and come outside?" She gives a clear "no way" look.
I hope you had a good week with many opportunities to feather your nest. The month is almost over. Winter here has two days left! The change of season is coming. But for now I am going to aim for a quiet and warm weekend. Nothing is nicer! xxx
Annabel, what a full week you have had and so many beautiful food items, I love the quilt square. I don't blame Sparkie for not wanting to go out.
ReplyDeleteI had a slow week, recovering from injuring my ankle. I had started the cleaning reorganizing the storage room in basement and a tote hot my ankle, lets just say I wasn't walking for awhile.
I was able to go to a doctor's appointment which was good as I was able to get a lot of prescriptions refilled, well 3 really. My husband did the grocery shopping, he sort of followed the list. Unfortunately the cashier messed up a few things and I need to go in and get them straightened out.
I was able to use up some leftover crushed pineapple in cottage cheese pineapple muffins, they came out so light and fluffy, delicious.
Now that I am doing a bit better on my feet I will be back in basement cleaning and organizing.
Oh, like you Annabel I have found some treasures I had forgotten about, I found my hummingbird feeders, so next Spring they will go up. I also was able to organize some of the canning supplies, I was thrilled to find I had a good supply of lids. It's like Christmas going through all the totes and organizing.
We are having the floor redone in our bathroom, in the process husband has replaced metal shelves with wooden ones he made, and I was able to finally get matching baskets to hold items in. Lets say I am excited over matching organization.
Prayers for all the Bluebirds.
I’m so pleased the butter turned out well Annabel! The butter dish is lovely. It will be exciting when your new fridge arrives. How fun to find Christmas presents you forgot you had!
ReplyDeleteI found some good bargains on chicken, sausages and vegetable soup mixes today so was able to restock the freezer.
I also bought a waffle maker for $30. I’ve been meaning to get one for ages and at 70% off today was the day. I made GF waffles for dessert along with caramel sauce. I can see it’s going to get a lot of use!
I bought a box of cotton yarn, it worked out at $3 per 80g ball. The colours are lovely.
I’ve extended my work contract until the end of the year, it’s a lot to manage but I really enjoy the job and we have some pretty good routines in place now. I had the day off today and I went for a drive to pick up the cotton, treated myself to sushi for lunch and had a lovely relaxing day.
Stay warm and have a lovely weekend!
Jen (NZ)
Dear Annabel and lovely Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteThe month of August is almost over, I feel the chil of Autumn in the mornings when I got my chores in the garden and in the chickens run before going to work and it is darkening earlier in the evenings. In our area we have hundreds of storks, each year they come back to their nests in Spring, raise their babies on the bounty offered by our three rivers and clean land, then leave at the end of Summer with a whole ceremony. There is one stork, the leader, who gather them in a big group then, at a signal, they all got up in the air and fly in several circles above as saying their goodbyes from the places and the people. It is bitter sweet to witness - after that we know Autumn is around the corner.
You had a great week! Rain is the best of it but also butter, cooking, organizing things. Christmas is coming in 4 months so perfect timing for all those presents found in the old wardrobe...I love the quilted star - those little flowers look so elegant. Sparky is a smart dog - why would she go out of bed in such weather???? My Charlie is a bit afraid of thunders now, altough he did not pay attention to them when he was a baby.
I still managed to do something daily for everybitcountschalenge, but with a twist. One day I made a batch of plum jam, the other I did dehidrate tomatoes, green beans and various herbs for winter, and some days I picked nettles and put them to air dry - it will be made in powder (ish) and give to the chickens in the cold months.
Every day I harvested something and weeded in small patches so everyday my chicks and ducks had greenery snacks with joyous cackles - it is so funny how they greet me when I come home, exactly like my dogs, excited that Laura is home. I really am happy at home.
I count everylittlebitchalenge the findings at the grocery or the local market at a good price - or even for free. I always ask for the leaves or for the sorry looking fruits and vegetables and almost always I can take them home for free. Exactly like the leftovers from work - usually there is some from my coleagues so I take that, too. Going through days with your pantry eyes open - you, Ladies, were very right!
Thank you all for being here, for encouragement, learning and chatting.
Sending many good wishes for the weekend from far away
Laura_s_world from Romania
Hi Annabel
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Sparkie is so sweet, why would she get out of bed when she has her own hot pack?!! The rain was a blessing but not the wind etc.
Your photos are so good, the butter looks great, so does the cauli cheese, quilt blocks etc, your challenge week was really good.
For the challenge I processed and froze more runner beans and French beans and froze leftover garlic butter I made for a family BBQ. We were given some almost out of date cream which I froze. I made sugar free fruit muffins and frozen some, these are mainly for our granddaughter. I froze leftover vegetable and black bean curry for another meal. We picked and stored more cooking apples and my husband lifted and stored the last of the early potatoes and all of the main crop potatoes.
We picked tomatoes, cucumber and pulled carrots from the garden. A gardening client gave us pears, figs, eating apples.
In the charity shops I found a new, boxed toy for my granddaughter which I've put away for Christmas and some ankle weights for strength training for me. A friend offered me some 'chums' ,I said I didn't know what they were and they turned out to be wild cherry plums, both red and yellow. They are delicious and I know where there is a tree I can pick from next year now I know what they are.
I really want to get some sewing done but the garden produce is keeping us very busy so we'll see. Mustn't complain about fresh organic food.
Looking forward to reading Bluebirds comments.
Penny in the UK
So nice of the young man to help you at the motor vehicles! You had a wonderfully productive week. Thanks for sharing your week and Sparkie with us! God blessed you with rain. So wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMy week was full of extra cleaning and adding to the pantry. Besides loads of applesauce, I made elderberry syrup. We have railroad tracks near us, where wild elderberries grow. Such a blessing! And the apples we picked were free as well.
My bartering friend blessed me with lots of fresh button mushrooms and rainbow carrots. Can't wait to roast both!
Blessings to all you Bluebirds,
Leslie in Ohio
P.S. please pray for my youngest 3 children, private school did not go well.