Feather your Nest Friday, 17th October, 2025.
Spring kicked in this week with some sunny days. This was good timing as I began planting up all my new (yet old!) raised beds. In between we had some rain... which was also lovely on my seedlings!
Some of the ways I built up my next this week were:-
I had lemons that needed to be used and heaps of eggs so a batch of Lemon Butter seemed to be a good idea. I filled a pie for Chloe's family.
Next week I want to make jar deserts with meringue, cream, berries and lemon curd. Yoghurt, berries and lemon curd is a gorgeous summery breakfast.
The other part of Chloe's meal was good old sausages and mashed potatoes. The kids love this. But so do the adults. The old favourites are really as popular as the fancier things. This week her kitchen has been ripped out! Improvements are being made and now she will have a good pantry. Well, I am thrilled about this. And she said to me she is making a medical pantry. I am really happy as the more each family member is prepared the better.
My dinner tonight is some of this meal I sat aside for myself. Yay, no cooking!
I made two Date Loaves during the week for a GF desert.
I decided to begin to put together gifts from my present cupboard. Most things I have made many multiples of. I need to take a lot more photos but so far I have:-
Sets of dish cloths with scrubbing brushes.
It's tough but someone has to do it.
Two of my friends had nasty falls this week. We need to form some kind of club. It is hard when plans are sidelined by pain. But this is why we get ahead when we can.
Keep building up your home, pantry and garden. Even if you are putting the garden to sleep right now while I am planting! There are always new things to do according to the season. Actually I am finding this season to be going by very quickly! I hope to work on Christmas some more next week and have a quilt block to show! xxx
Annabel and Dear Bluebirds, Good day to all.
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, you had so much accomplished this week. I know your feathered girls are going to be happy with the addition to their home. Your lemon curd pie looks delicious and your meal sounds so warming and welcoming.
I feel like I shopped all week, a stop here and a stop there whenever we were out. It was worth it as my pantry had some good additions. I even convinced my husband to do 2 separate carts at the grocery store so we could get doubles on specials. They limit their specials to one per person and with flour, sugar and eggs on that list, I truly preferred to get doubles. I felt God's blessing unpacking our shopping bags.
Husband has been going around with caulk, sealing spots on outside of house for the winter. I switched our bed to flannel sheets and a heavy comforter, we have already had temperatures drop to freezing. We need a good hard freeze before I can collect my rose hips.
I baked a pumpkin cheesecake braid to use up pumpkin puree that had defrosted when freezer door was left open, I convinced husband to put a lock on it so that it didn't happen again. I shared half the braid with my Physical Therapist, she was happy. I then made dinner and sandwich rolls with more of the pumpkin puree. I have more puree left, so I plan on cinnamon raisin bread with it.
I added another row of squares to my afghan and have another half row crocheted, so possibly will have it completed by Christmas. I need to go through my present pantry and see what I have and what I need, I would like to have Christmas completed around Thanksgiving.
May all have a blessed week.
Dear Rosanne, It was great you could stock up on many items! I love the sound of getting ready for winter and flannel sheets!
DeleteI love my freezers but one going out or being left open is a nightmare. I am glad you didnt lose too much.
I am sure your blanket will be finished for Christmas, you are on the home stretch now! With love Annabel.xxx
All your gifts are just gorgeous! Do you have a pattern for the round cloths? Ty they are so pretty! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you! Each was from Crochet Grandma on You tube. I follow along with her as I am no good at reading a pattern. She has a great variety. I enjoyed making these so much. Plus they use up left over bits!xxx
DeleteFirst off if your grandson gets any cuter it's going to kill me!!
ReplyDeleteHe is so adorable! With his little
little garden tools!
He's growing so fast.
Sparkle is too sweet .
I look at all you do in a week
and it motivated me to get going!
I pulled out the annual flowers from the garden beds and saved the seeds for next year.
I harvested lots of herbs and dried them for winter.
We planted carrots and broccoli
for winter the garden.
My husband is preparing the garden for planting potatoes,garlic and onions.
He is also building another green house from windows purchased from a yard sale for 3 dollars each. It's coming along quickly.
I have trays of flowers I grew from cuttings to put in the green houses
For next year.
I did shopping for pantry staples yesterday and got excellent deals.
So today I am putting the dry goods flours,oats in canning jars and sealing them.
I am also repairing and refinishing an old heavy wood garden bench .
I'm old so that's a lot for us!
I enjoy your blog so much.
It's a wonderful place for
Its such a positive experience to visit. God's blessings on your family.
Dear Savannah,
DeleteThank you so much! Well done on saving the seeds! You did a lot! Both harvesting and planting! I love this way to make a greenhouse! That will be an asset!
The bench will be lovely. Having places to sit in the garden is beautiful. Thank you for your kind words! With much love Annabel.xxx
The second Sparkie photo made my day ;). Thank you. Hilogene in Az.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thank you Hilogene, it cracks me up as she looks like a rabbit or a rat or something. But she is dead to the world sleeping happily! xxx
DeleteAnother productive week for you and Sparkie. Thank goodness you had such a good helper in your grandson. I am certain he helped Nanna get more done. I had a busy week as well. I was able to cook and freeze some meals, clean up the garden for the winter, make chicken broth for the freezer, and organize a few things. I did a pantry stock up. Our local Walmart had their canned green beans for .50/can so I bought 10 cans. They also had the boxed macaroni and cheese for .58/box. I bought 6 of those. These are items I can donate to the food bank. I will keep a couple of each for the pantry as my grandkids enjoy these items for lunch. I always add another 1/4-1/3 cup of extra macaroni when I make a box to stretch the meal. I was able to get a really good deal on some cans of tuna as well this week. I bought 3 extra cans to give to my neighbor as the brand is her favorite and she does so much for us. I found some clearance clothing items to donate to a local shelter. Fall has definitely arrived here in the mountains of Virginia. The trees are gorgeous with their reds, yellows, and oranges. The view from my kitchen window of the mountains is a constant reminder of God's glory and love. Blessings, Marley in the Mountains of Virginia
ReplyDeleteDear Marley, Thank you! Wow what good prices the canned veggies were! You stocked up a lot! I got tuna as well. I would love to see the Autumn colours! I love Autumn but I think you would have more deciduous trees by far. Having a view like that from your kitchen window would be absolutely gorgeous! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, Oh that Tom and Sparkie - such joy evoking photos - thankyou for sharing. This week I had a few days away near the beach with my husband and daughter courtesy a Charity called Otis. It was a lovely time together. We had some good belly laughs - including after a seagull stole my whole crab stick before I could eat any of it. My daughter accidentally videoed the whole incident and we have laughed a lot over it, the shocked look on my face and a squeal I wouldn't have thought I'd do. Your presents look so beautiful - and so satisfying. Happily I can report that I got to 150 dish cloths finished and yesterday wrapped some and labelled others ready for Christmas. Time is FLYING and I have some extra things coming up that will steal my time so I feel really HAPPY to have this done. I nearly had to abandon the idea - gosh it feels so good to see them all there. I put my overlooker away so that I can concentrate on other projects now. Another little funny, joyful incident occurred outside my kitchen window yesterday. I saw a baby Kookaburra (Australian native bird) with a dried out whole corn cob (must have stolen from my neighbor's chook pen). He/she was holding it in it's beak and beating it against my garden edging (hard timber), like they do if they have caught a lizard. It would drop it, pick it up, do it again. It finally flew into a tree and dropped it. Two other older Kookaburra's flew up into the tree to sit beside the baby and they all had a good laugh about Baby's mistake. (Kookaburra's are known for "laughing"). Take care, love Clare
ReplyDeleteDear Clare, I am so glad you had a beach holiday! How beautiful! And 150 dish cloths! That is amazing. Well done! I would love to have seen the baby kookaburra. Maybe he was practising the beating things to death lol! This would have made a good film! You sound good Clare. I know your year has been a long haul, I am so happy you got a special holiday! With much love Annabel.xxx
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ReplyDeleteHi Annabel,
It was lovely reading your aspirational blog as always. I'm so glad to hear you are doing well. You are incredibly lucky to have Tom helping out. I adore him. Chloe must be so proud of him. He is thoughtful, capable and such a wonderful helper for someone so young.
Thank you for sharing those gorgeous seedling photos. I’ve started planting mine too, and your updates always give me that extra push to keep going. Your garden energy is contagious in the best way.
I hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way. It is just a gentle observation. I usually keep my metal tools covered to avoid rust from rain and sun, and I wondered if hanging them on the fence might cause wear over time.
You absolutely don’t need to publish this. I simply wanted to share the thought. Tools are expensive, and I’m quite protective of mine, whether for the kitchen, craft room, or garden. Please note, I’m sharing this with care and respect, hoping it lands gently. I’ve learned so much from all of you ladies and would never intend to be rude or cause discomfort.
Wishing you all the best with your gardening and everything else you’ve got planned!
Lots of love!
Millie
Dear Millie, Thank you so much! You are right about the tools. I didnt think of it. I might have a routine to put them away in the shed off season. I have a love of tools... more generally the farm tools and they are all indoors and also locked up. I think maybe as my garden tools are old I am a bit casual with them. Mind you I notice Toms new spade and fork are in the shed. No I am not offended at all it's a good point! Things are growing... I have plenty of manure and even stinging nettle tea brewing to water things. Tomorrow is town day. I hope to get some more seedlings and a couple of fruit trees. It feels more Spring like today too. With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel you got so much done and your lemon curd and pie look just delicious as does the meals you have made for Chloe. How wonderful Chloe is getting her kitchen redone and is setting up a medical cupboard too, it is so handy when you live in the country away from things. Your Christmas gift cupboard is doing so well and you have made such lovely handmade items and picked up lovely essentials kitchen items to go with them. Great you have also cleared up the area in the chook pen where you went for the mud slide to prevent further incidences.
ReplyDeleteI have been commenting for a few weeks but unfortunately my comments don't seem to be going through so here's hoping it does this time.
This week was all about preparing to paint the window sills of the home along with 3 appointments we had in town.
We managed to scrape off peeling paint from the window sills on two sides of the home or 7 windows in total, sand them, pressure wash one side of the home, I scrubbed and cleaned 4 flyscreens, cleaned 4 outside windows after DH pressure washed the side of the home. So far we have managed to paint the windowsills on one side of the home and all the rest of the window sills we will undercoat and paint in one go. Still have one side of the home to pressure clean along with paths around the home and we will be ready to paint.
I have not done much grocery shopping of late at all with all that we are doing with the painting but I will keep an eye out for any good specials I see on items we use in town when we are there.
Hope everyone has a wonderfully productive week ahead.
Lorna.
Dear Lorna,
DeleteThank you so much! Thank you for not giving up on commenting! I dont know what it is. But I am grateful you tried again!
I think a medical pantry is really important. So I am encouraging all of this as you can imagine!
As it turns out pressure washing happened at my house today too. Prep work is the worst part of painting but in my opinion doing that properly it is then a pleasure to paint and it makes such a different. I always think paint is such a preservative!
You worked really hard and I hope the next steps go well. Nothing looks nicer than a fresh paint job! With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, that pie looks amazing well done as usual your talents are amazing ! Isn't tom so clever to know how to put those tools of his away ! I am astounded a young boy can do this !
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Chloe loved the pie and all the food you made her for dinner ! A economical and filling dinner for them ! And you ! I also like to make a piece of corn beef it's also economical to have with salads,.sandwiches and veggies. Lasts ages too in the fridge and not pricey. My Nana made here with carrot onion bay leaf, brown malt vinegar and some brown sugar.
Lots of love, Sonia in Sydney
Dear Sonia, Mum does corned beef a lot. Andy and Dad both loved it but now she makes it for Chloe's family. They love it too. It does make good sandwiches if there are left overs! I hope you are having a very good week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel,
ReplyDeleteTom is so cute with his little tools and to be such a big help when so many kids are sitting in front of a TV or game device as a babysitter. We have a little spade that Asa uses when he's here. Digging garlic or potatoes is his favorite garden chore. The spade I bought when Todd was little.
Your pie and loaf cakes and cooking look delicious! Many happy meals there!
And Sparkie is just adorable. Seeing her sleeping like that makes me miss my beagle Piggy.
It's so great when family prepared too and not living close to the stores it's wise. Good for Chloe! I hope she loves it as we do ours.
And I'm so glad you hopefully won't have any more sliding adventures! Lol I think we had better leave that to the kids.
Rain is so wonderful after planting seedlings. They get such a great start.
I picked peppers and cabbages from the garden for us and we had 5 people come and pick so the extra didn't go to waste. Usually we do the picking and deliver the veggies, but couldn't this time.
I found loaves of bread marked down to .49 each so I bought 5. And a small ham that was a really good price. I'll bake it on a really cool day and if there is enough juice from it to make gravy I'll take some to my grandson. He can eat probably a gallon by himself haha.
I'm not sure what the next few weeks will look like, but I'll keep my hands busy doing something.
XOXO
Vicky
Dear Vicky, Digging up stuff is the best fun! Yes the rain does so much good on seedlings! They have taken off like rockets!
DeleteGiving away the excess veggies was so nice. Im sure people were blessed.
Great buy on the bread! I love a baked ham. That is so delicious. I know you are flat out busy, you did well! With love Annabel.xxx
Hello Bluebirds! This blog is such a great place to visit.😊
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, I love your round wash cloths and your hot pads. I think we all love to see Tom's adventures and Sparkie's poses. Happy to hear that Chloe and Luke are getting a new kitchen and pantry. So kind of you to help with meals during their reno.
I appreciate hearing about Savannah & her husband building a greenhouse. So inspiring! And Roseanne's prepping for winter and baking so many pumpkin treats. That is helping me with ideas. Marley, I admire your desire to help others especially as winter approaches. Lorna, your pressure washing and painting will be time well spent.
I saved this week by giving home haircuts to my husband and son. Lots of baking. My son took over the cookie making. He did a great job. I enjoyed a long nature walk with my son that the city parks offered. And I had a craft day with my 19 year old daughter. (She was on Fall break for college). My husband and I had a date to a new book store in our area. While there, I found a lovely book, on discount, for my niece. And I did well with bartering eggs for a box of food. Much savings there. I harvested the last of my cabbage from the garden. I dried herbs I grew in pots on my porch.
Blessings to you all,
Leslie in Ohio USA
Dear Leslie, You had a nice week! Your son making the cookies ad trading the eggs for the food goodies. Going to the new book store also sounds lovely.
DeleteThank you for commenting too and encouraging others! I am glad you still got some more from the garden before the season is too late. Cabbage are good
Having a crafting day with your daughter would also have been just a lovely time! With much love Annabel.xxx
Lovely report and photos!!! The pie looks 😋😋. How is your leg? Hopefully less painful.
ReplyDeleteI made pumpkin soup and have plans for more soup (potatoes - garlic - leek // lentils - carrot - ginger). Esther🌷
Dear Esther, Thank you! My leg is much better! Thank you for asking. It really drove me crazy for a few weeks but pretty good now. Soup is beautiful. In winter I can almost live off soup. Yours sounds delicious! Pumpkin is my favourite. I have planted pumpkins in hope... With love Annabel.xxx
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