Feather your Nest Friday, 6th March, 2026.
It feels like a month since last Friday and our first week of March is almost over!
I started the week with lots of very ripe tomatoes and two capsicum that I had been given. There is a box of onions in the kitchen and basil in the garden ... a stray zucchini in the fridge. So I lined three baking trays with all of these chopped up ready for roasting. To one I added a block of feta and to the others little meatballs. These baked into a lot of meals.
There were 32 meatballs in this tray and the kids went back for thirds and there was nothing left. It feels so good to turn what you have into many meals.
We had been warned that a "weather event" was on the way with lots of rain. It was kind of too much to hope for but it arrived! We had so much rain (for us) and it was also one noisy thunderstorm that went on and on. Birds were coming up to the veranda soaking wet to try and dry off.
In the end we had about an inch and a half. The rain water tanks are full again.
Very quickly we had green grass. The pear trees and the figs trees looked amazing. Everything does.
So... we went and checked the pears. Most of them are ready and Tom helped me pick a fair few. I think we picked out 20 kilos. He had to load his wheel barrow up.
I have pears spread out on towels waiting for them to finish ripening and I think we can pick about this many again.... then go on to tree number two... then go on to figs.
We planted some fig trees into the orchard and hope they will take in these good conditions.
Of course we need rain to come again sometime soon or this grass will die off. But last night I noticed ants and now I see there is one rainy day next week. If we get that it will be amazing!
Meanwhile we've had a couple of very foggy mornings after which everything is dripping wet. This must help as well as mild days. It is truly beautiful Autumn!
Today is Lily's second Birthday. Of course Chloe made a cake.
It was beautiful from all angles. Lily blew out the candles and was very pleased with herself.
My gift to Lily was a baby in a pusher. (Stroller.) The baby has bottles and a dummy etc and she took to pushing it around very proudly taking her baby for a walk. Chase was very big on helping and changing nappies.
Lily has five Grandmas which included two Great Grandmas. Another Nana gave her a boy baby so she is going to have her hands full and was giving a bottle to both.
Nana Pat made a pink blanket for Lily's big bed... (she is soon going into a big bed soon) two winter vests and two winter hats.
The second hat isn't pictured as it was on her head.
I was also given beautiful apples. These are good eating apples so I will mainly eat them fresh.
FINALLY I completed my last quilt block. Now I can begin to sew my quilt together!!
I am about three quarters through Ike's blanket. To keep my balls of wool away from Sparkie I've had wool stacked in all kinds of places and I am nearly surrounded by a potential avalanche. I had the idea to turn this laundry storage into my project stash. Sparkie can't reach any of it and it's on wheels.
I am still filling it up and will have just the current project set up in this and I love it!
The chicken house had a fancy Grecian spa type upgrade. My helpers did this and the chickens and ducks think it's fantastic.
The water is automatic and they love the rocks to climb on. It's pretty flash.
I got to see the Blood Moon. It is hard to capture but at first it was a huge moon. I drove around the cows while I was watching it.
The cows and calves all come up to the ute to see what I'm doing and the calves have a sniff and a lick. Did I mention I love cows? haha
In the thrift store I found a beautiful doll for Lily when she is older and a fine pure lambswool jumper in perfect condition.
I was given a lovely Crap Apple tree, a jar of jam and a big tin of ground egg shells.
Today the cows were laying around and couldn't be bothered getting up. It was siesta time.
I was asking them "are you alive" and they would move their ears but nope not going to get up.
I don't know why I find this so funny but none of them had any care factor.
It was really a beautiful day. And it was a week of produce and getting stuff done. I was thinking today how easy it is to add joy to someones day. We all came home from the party with a cake and party pies etc for dinner. Everyone was the same... how nice not to have to think about cooking and just collapse this Friday evening.
How did you build up your nest this week? Keeping the home fires burning and a calm and steady household is a great gift.xxx

Dear Annabel
ReplyDeleteGoodness Miss Lily is 2 already! She is a picture of a well loved child, as they all are. Blue very much suits her. It’s a lovely party dress.
The rain was so appreciated. We had 20mm of gentle steady rain to soften the ground.
That would be a crabapple tree 😂
Love
Kate
Opps now I have to go back and check what I said! It's doing well anyway! And some of the figs have buds... so maybe they will take!
DeleteThank you re Lily. You know I see kids that dont look loved or cared for. It is heart breaking. We need some follow up rain which was on the forecast and now nothing.... so hoping anyway!xxx
I am a city girl but your life is so idyllic! This post made me wish I'd raised my boys to be able to pick a wheelbarrow full of pears. So lovely, thank you for sharing - this post made my day
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! So very kind! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wonderful week! Happy birthday to Lily! Unbelievable that she is already 2. So sweet that Chase is helping her. And of course, sturdy Tom harvesting like the farmer he is. Farmer Boy!
Ooh, and Chloe's cake is amazing!
Congratulations on the rain! Growing up in a dry country makes you appreciate rain. I really cherish the green where I now live.
Here in Ohio, we have enjoyed both spring and winter, sometimes in the same day!
I've been cleaning out the chicken house and using the debris to mulch my flower beds. So looking forward to rhubarb and daffodils.🌱
Oh, there is so much to clean up outside. Winter storms have brought down many seed pods from the trees. And I neglected to put the garden to bed for the winter. So, many dead stalks that need to be cleared out. Fortunately, I was getting tomatoes into November.
My husband and I are making Spring plans. Moving shelves for better storage. Painting the dining room as it is in need of a spruce. Getting wheelbarrows and the garden wagon in working order. Plus tidying up the front porch.
But this week was full of baking, washing curtains, and mopping floors. Plus some sewing and tending the sick.
Blessings to you all!
Love, Leslie
Dear Leslie, You had a busy week! I took seem to be cleaning and washing endlessly! I hope everyone is well again. You will convert the garden to lovely and planted up week by week. Also you have good plans in place! I have the book Farmer Boy, I will give that to Tom when he is older!! Have a good new week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteEvery single picture that you post is beautiful, Annabel. The chickens and cows look very content and happy. Brilliant idea about the laundry cart.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your grandchildren and it was a treat to see Chloe. Lily's dress was so pretty. Did you make that?
You are such a blessing to everyone by cooking for them.The meal's are always healthy and appetizing.
Have a blessed weekend.
With love,
Glenda
Dear Glenda, Thank you so much. No I bought Lily's dress on Etsy as Chloe loves to put her in big collars and I love her in blue. It is beautifully hand made. It is getting a bit short on her but it fits her on top so I am thinking to add a blue hem to lengthen it. She got some new winter dresses for her birthday too! Have a lovely week, with love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHappy second birthday to Lily! It looks like a lovely party. My measure of a good kids party is when you don’t have to cook dinner afterwards lol!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve had such a great week, the pears are amazing! Love your knee storage for crochet. How exciting to be ready to start sewing quilt blocks together.
This week was expected to be busy due to three late nights of meetings, but became extra busy with every one of my children having to stay home at least one day due to sickness. Thankfully, the older ones were able to look after the younger ones during the day. We’ll be having a very quiet weekend!
It was a good reminder to have the supplies in hand for easy meals. I was able to do pulled pork’s buns with coleslaw, spaghetti bolognese and chilli in the slow cooker in the busy nights and it was so good to know that dinner would be taken care of no matter what time I got home.
I planted some rosemary and a new house plant last weekend, and my son planted a lemon tree.
We found four cushions that fit a window seat perfectly for 75% off. Very happy with that!
I hope you have a beautiful weekend with some more rain.
Jen (NZ)
Dear Jen, Oh goodness what a week. I hope everyone is better. You still achieved a lot and ate well! I hope you did get a restful weekend! Getting the cushions was great! We just got a little bit of rain, enough to keep things going! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteLooks like a great week! That Farmer Tom!!!! He always makes my week! Lily is such a beautiful girl and Chase is growing to be a handsome young man! You all must be so proud!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Matty! We have some rain and some pear picking again this week! I hope you have a good week there! xxx
DeleteHello Annabel and Bluebirds
ReplyDeleteYou had a great week of cooking, quilting, harvesting etc. What a fabulous cake for Lily and I love her pretty dress.
The chicken spa was inspired, hope they appreciate it and give you lots of eggs.
This is for two weeks of nest fluffing-
I sowed two seed trays of flowers which are good for cutting and weeded and cleared the herb beds. I emptied several big pots of herbs, they have got too woody. We need to replace the herbs in due course.
I used parsnips from the garden for spicy parsnip soup and tomatoes from the freezer for soup. I baked cheesy biscuits for a gathering of friends. I picked daffodils for the house and made a little posy of sweet violets surrounded by their heart shaped leaves as a tiny hostess gift. I gave a jar of homemade medlar jelly as a present.
I found beef mince reduced by a third and bought extra. I used vouchers for a free bottle of raspberry lemonade and free muffin.
Our electric kettle died and couldn't be fixed and I found one on a deal at half price.
I turned out two more drawers as part of the organising challenge.
I repurposed an unused fluffy mattress topper from my late mother as a dog bed.
I've had great finds in charity shops! I found a new, unworn tunic for summer in one and two shirt/ tunics in another. These were brand new and I'm pretty sure had been donated by a shop two doors up from the charity shop. I'm definitely keeping an eye on this charity shop!
My husband has a lot of neckties and they've filled his tie hanger. I found a hanging scarf holder for 75 pence in the charity shop and it's ideal for holding his extra ties, knotted through each slot for scarves.
The oil situation is worrying already and will probably get worse with international events so I'm thinking about ways to use up every last bit of food/ resources and reduce my use of the car.
Good luck to all Bluebirds, yet again we need to think smart.
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, Sorry this reply is into the next week! Flowers just for cutting is a lovely idea. I should do more of this! I really love parsnips. A cafe we used to go to served pear and parsnip soup. It sounds odd or did to me but was gorgeous. I might see if I can find a recipe as I have pears!
DeleteThe mattress topper will be a luxurious dog bed! Good idea. So think and warm.
You had a very productive week and yes... I will be making less trips re fuel as well. Things havent got any better I note.... With love Annabel.xxx
Your posts are so beautiful & full of Joy Annabel. I just love seeing Tom helping you - he reminds me so much of a farmer the way he dresses, always in his braces & his jeans & work boots - just so precious. I cannot believe Lily is two - it seems just yesterday she was born. Her cake is, as always, stunning - what a lucky little girl she is. Her present from you will be well treasured I am sure. It is autumn here in rural New Zealand & we have some foggy mornings followed by stunning days. Thanks for all you share Annabel. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Julie! Now Lily has pink braces and it's the funniest thing ever. I love foggy mornings and they usually do mean a lovely afternoon. Autumn is my favourite. Thank you for such kind words! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHello Annabel (and everyone),
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful Lily is, and her dress is so sweet! Tom is such a good little helper. I love seeing how green and pretty everything is becoming. Your chickens definitely have the fanciest spa - I don't think you can call it a coop anymore, it is now a chicken estate! This may be my favorite quilt block of all - such pretty fabric.
This week started with a cook-up (spaghetti sauce & pasta, beef burgers with sides, blueberry muffins that were shared with Dad), and saw some knitting and stitching. Sweet Wing Studio had an idea to put one thread a day into a stitched piece during busy times, so I am trying it - and it is satisfying! I was surprised that you can see progress with just one thread a day. Seeds were started for Lavender Lady gomphrena and Beaconsfield pansies, and some of those veggies & flowers started last week begin to peep their little green heads out of the trays. The fridge and freezer got a good clean, and a few dinners were frozen for future busy nights.
While I've been awful about remembering to keep track of my Vicky challenge, I did manage to save a whopping $12,000 with a few phone calls. A doctor's visit in a different health network in December resulted in a shocking letter - it turned out this hospital billed the wrong insurance for my visit! It got straightened out in a few calls and that is wonderful, but it really was a stressful surprise. Always worth it to call them! I saved a little money by cutting open my scented lotion container and decanting what was left into a small jar. Amazing how much was hiding inside the opaque tube, enough for a couple of weeks! Finally, I won a pair of theatre tickets ($100) and will take my Dad to the performance this weekend.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
<3
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
DeleteI wonder how many medical bills are wrong and people pay them!? I am so glad you sorted that out! I am amazed what's in a tube when you cut it open. I do it too. There are a lot of ways to save! Your cooking sounds all so good and yes, even a little a day adds up with any project really, it amazes me.
Sorry this was such a slow reply, I am catching up! With love Annabel.xxx
I just love your grey cows! They look like velvet. Lily's cake is so pretty as well. What a talent your daughter has. To feather our nest this past week I made some more individual pot pies for the freezer. I had digital coupons for a free box of crackers and a free jar of peanuts. I found some discounted pork chops for the freezer and a loaf of whole wheat bread marked down, as well. I cooked ahead some chicken legs and hamburger and onions and froze both for future meals. I have taken a full time substitute job for the remainder of the year so these will come in handy. I am only buying what we need or what is truly on sale. An important feathering of my nest has been to establish a place for me to do my Bible study. I have been wanting to do this for years and finally figured out a solution. The weather has turned to spring, thank heavens. We may still get one more cold snap before the month is over but for now I will enjoy the beautiful weather while working in my garden. I send many blessings to all the Bluebirds! Marley in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia
ReplyDeleteDear Marley, Thank you! They do look like velvet and I always loved velvet! I am loving the individual pot pies idea. A whole meal in one unit frozen... I think I might do this. Today I am doing pasties which is kind of similar. You are going to be busy but honestly with everything basically going up the extra income will be good. I am glad you found a space for quiet and Bible study. This helps me also. If I am trying to pray and remember and stay on track I find it helps if I light a candle. Then every time I see the candle I go oh yes... keep praying!
DeleteI can only imagine how beautiful Spring would be in the Appalachian Mountains! With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, I can’t believe Miss Lily is two! She is such a pretty picture in her gorgeous blue dress. Chloe has outdone herself again with a beautiful cake. Mum’s knitting is next level gorgeous and I love her knitted vests and matching hats. I’m sure the pink blanket for her bed is just as beautiful. I could only see a sneak peek of it. Farmer Tom is such a great help and having all those pears ripening is truly a blessing. To have the figs coming soon will also be a busy time for you to get them all preserved. For me, this week has been focusing on organising the pantry more and fine tuning everything we have stored away. I love it when everything is in their right place, such a joy to see don’t you think? You have had another wonderful week xox
ReplyDeleteDear Stephanie, Sorry for a very belated reply. Some of the pears are just starting to ripen. I am going to make lots of baby food for one thing.
DeleteSince you got your freeze drier you have never stopped! Your jars lined up and seeing it all would be very satisfying! I think you could be a Harvest Right ambassador or something! I still have not done meat but I have done eggs... which are very good. With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, what a great week! Lily is cute as a button, she looks lovely in her blue dress. Chloe looks beautiful too! She is amazing…what a party and what a cake! I love how Nana Pat made those vests, hats and blanket for Lily’s birthday present. These are beautiful gifts. You have gorgeous grandchildren and they are clearly loved and cherished 😊 I love that you had rain and the chicken spa is heavenly. Lots of love, Bridget
ReplyDeleteDear Bridge,
DeleteThis is a very late reply, sorry! We are getting rain now! Just in time to keep the grass growing (Mon 16th) so this is good. Also... very nice for my seedlings! With much love Annabel.xxx
Annabel
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful week full of good things! Your grandchildren are so adorable. Lily's dress is so cute! Tom and Chase are such good helpers too. They all always look so busy and happy as kids should be. Chloe always does such perfect cakes for each occasion, what a wonderful skill to have!
I love your photos each week because your place is just so peaceful looking. The cows lazing the day away reminds me of a painting. I hope you get as much rain as you need.
You always make such good use of everything.
And I love how you have your yarn and squares stored so Sparkie can get them. That's so clever!
Our weather is at the stage where it's back and forth. Cold, warm or rainy. I just go with it. On cold days I bake , warm days I do a little outside and rainy days I catch up on different things.
Now that I'm finally over whatever was going around, which I caught from my grandkids, I've sent out some happy mail and I'm working on some fabric bunnies.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
XOXO
Vicky
Dear Vicky,
DeleteI forgot to ask you if you have started seedlings indoors or when you do that. Once true Spring arrives I know you will be very busy outside. Im glad you are feeling better. Happy mail is beautiful and I really love your bunnies. I want to see a photo of them all lined up with their ribbons! (Please!) With love Annabel.xxx
You've had so many good things to report this week! Your big cooking looks delicious and your grandbabies are delightful! Happy birds and cows round out the mix. I had to reread the part about the calves licking your ute several times because it made me laugh so! Thank you for all the wonderful encouragement! I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful quilt blocks put together!
ReplyDeleteMy week has been good. I cut out a dress that I'm sewing. I'm a beginner garment maker, so wish me luck! I found a few good sales on meat and used all the things that needed using in the fridge and pantry. As always, I have a quilt going too that is fun to work on! I finished a block this week! It's good to have fun things to report!
Wishing you all well!
Stacy in Virginia
Dear Stacy, I love having good things to report! It makes me appreciate things more for sure.
DeleteCows are very curious. They have to know what you are doing and investigate things, it is very funny.
You may have finished the dress now as I am so slow replying! Very good on finding meat sales! They are getting rare whatever country we live in it seems.
I am up to assembling my quilt blocks... but this will probably take ages lol however a quilt is lovely to work on I agree. With much love Annabel.xxx
I popped open your blog today to check on your very pregnant cow and didn't find anything. Has she birthed yet? Are she and the baby(ies) OK? Did I miss something?
ReplyDeleteWhat a party Chloe put on for Lily's birthday. She and Tom (all your grandchildren, actually) are all adorable. I've been meaning to tell you that! Those kids have the BEST grandma!
My daughter has been living in the certified family home for a week now and it's going very, very well. She was home for this weekend. I'm living alone and doing all right except for eating. She and I went to Weight Watchers yesterday and I've gained 1.2 lbs in the last month. Doesn't sound like much but it goes on easily and comes off hard and it all adds up. I've decided to use this time of cooking only for one to really get into WW and lose those last 2-3 lbs and maintain and to continue for the rest of my life. Well...it is a lofty goal.
I've decided not to garden this year due to age, aches and pains, but I'm expecting a bumper crop of tomato volunteers (due to not cleaning up the garden last fall) so I'll probably have tomatoes, and then I might as well plant butternut squash because it grows so well and also freezes. Oh, right--I wasn't going to garden! I'm actually thinking about growing pansies from seed. I like the Swiss Giants...the ones with little faces. They make me happy.
Annabel, I wish you and all of the Bluebirds a happy and productive week. Three cheers for the rain!
Dear Maxine, The calf finally arrived yesterday (Wednesday 11th) and was one huge calf! But all went well. It was the longest wait! What a relief!
DeleteThank you for your kind and encouraging words! I am so glad your daughter is doing well in the family home. That is great.
I love Pansies! They are very cheerful to me too!
Many thanks Maxine, with love Annabel.xxx
Hello!!! Wow, what a beautiful cake! It is a piece of art!!!! She incredibly talented. I loved this post so much. It made me smile all the way as I read. :) Blessings to you! Happy Birthday, Lilly!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Chrissy that is so kind!xxx
Delete