Feather your Nest Friday, 7th November, 2025.

We are in November and already the first week is gone!  I am happy to report some things but I am not at my usual pace as I am still having trouble with my leg.  I got some treatment this week which helped my back but also it is painful for a few days!   Anyway we do what we can, when we can!  

Since I was very little I always loved birds, nests and eggs.   As a lot of work has been happening up at the shearing shed we are quite friendly with a pair of Shrike Thrush.   They sing so beautifully.   Mum has them at her place too.   They prefer a building any day over a tree.  I knew they had a nest,  it was just a matter of finding it!    And it was found!   

Many years ago someone had nailed this tin to a wooden beam and look at the nest neatly made in it! 

This is not up very high,  we can look right in.

How beautiful!   We are giving them little bits of cheese as snacks.  You have to admire their choices,  in a big shed, out of the weather,  in a secure tin!  Then work they put into a nest then the faithful sitting on the eggs.   I explained to Tom that if she leaves the nest for too long all her efforts will have been wasted and the eggs will go cold.  Thinking about this reminds me of keeping the home fires burning.  Do not let them go out.  

At the same time I have a dove sitting,  a pair of doves live in the hen house.  

It rained several times which saved me a lot of work.  Also with both rain and sunshine things have grown like crazy! 

I was given two beautiful tomato plants and I had two big pots ready for them.  (This is before being planted out.)

I went to two thrift stores and found five beautiful RB Sellers work shirts for boys.   Two were brand new.  I have the next couple of years covered.   They love these skirts.  They feel like real farmers in them plus they are thick and warm.

Tom came for his afternoon while the little kids slept.  This time we filled the chicken nesting boxes with shredded paper.   I had three big bags to use.  Nesting was a bit of a theme this week!   So... I said the paper needs to be really thick so the hens can make it comfy and it will keep the eggs safe from being broken and also clean....

It was funny because as fast as he put the paper in a chicken would jump in and claim it.   They were very keen! 

This was good as Tom could see he was doing a good job and his work was appreciated!  

Now... I have had a hen that got out several months ago.  Amazingly it has not been taken by a fox but I just could not catch it and having a sore leg well,  I just could not do it.    It is a beautiful hen too, a speckled one.  

This week a friend caught her for me!!  I feel like I won the chook raffle!  She is safely back in the hen house and I should get one more egg per day.  I am very happy about this!  

Sparkie now has a collar.  It's a bit flash. 

Another project with Tom ... I cheated and bought a pavlova base.   While I whipped cream Tom sliced  bananas and I showed him how you need lemon juice to keep the banana looking fresh.  I slapped the cream on top and he spread it around in a thick layer.    With blueberries and bananas on hand I asked if he wanted to throw them all on top or make a pattern?   He wanted to make a pattern and for me to show him how.   So I made a circle or blueberries then started a circle of banana slices.   He got the idea.  I could leave it to him.   

He worked on this for ages!  Then he thought it would be a good idea to "smoosh" the fruit into the cream. lol.   Then he dusted it with icing sugar.  And more icing sugar.

Finally it went into the fridge to take home.   He carried it in on a tray very proudly.  Apparently it was demolished.

I was given a lovely lot of jars including some smaller ones that match.   These will be perfect for jam as gifts.  

Also bottles.... it is almost time I get my annual batch of  Coffee Liqueur going.... this is a great Christmas present that depends on screw top lid bottles.  

Everyone pretty much everywhere is talking about the price of food.  Homemade baked goods, preserves, dried herbs, shortbread,  slices.... whatever you make would be beautiful gifts.  I have been collecting baskets, tins, jars and bottles... packaging material and labels.   I can add bunches of fresh Bay Leaves and Rosemary.  This is my plan...

I hope you had a good week.  What have you been doing to feather your nest and get ready for Christmas?xxxx