Feather your Nest Friday, 3rd July. 2026.
A new month! And the second half of the year!
I had one set of plans that were changed and I had to pivot, take a leaf out of Clare's book, and get on with plan B. I did it too and it worked! I got stuck into a series of home projects. This was the thing to do as it rained and rained and rained. I decided to pray it would rain enough for my little farm creek to run. That has only run twice since I lived here. To me if it ran it would be a big blessing. And it kept on raining. And I kept on cleaning. 🌧
I also got on with making the most of produce I have.
The broccoli was my second harvest from my garden. It is so nice!
I made Lemon Cordial... my electric citrus juicer was doing most of the work!
Now it smells of vanilla and every time I open it I am happy!
Then... I emptied the cutlery drawer, washed it out, replaced the divider and culled a lot of random things that had accumulated. This drawer also needed a repair ... that was done too.
This all was ridiculously satisfying. Do you find getting things in order in the home has an uplifting effect? Even if it is one drawer, one surface. I think it makes me feel as though I am winning, as opposed to losing lol.
One night I just couldn't sleep. I was thinking about my last kitchen and the great island I had. It was 1.30 am. It struck me. Why don't I have a kitchen island here? The one I had before and loved was from Ikea. I got online and ordered one. When I finally slept and woke up I wondered if that was a dream or real? I had an email that said your IKEA order will be delivered Friday! Oh goodness! This is going to be a game changer for my kitchen!
My cook up was meatballs and cherry tomatoes from summer (from freezer) and capsicums and onions from a friend.
This was so delicious and fed the whole tribe including myself.
I made some date loaves. I gave one to Mum and sliced up the rest for the freezer. This way I always have a piece of cake when I really feel like one but it is not out looking at me either.
(Water is added to the pan before baking.)
Tom came over. One of our projects was to pot up some broccoli seedlings. First we made the brown paper pots.
Well, ask and you shall receive! A very nice man opened the door. He has a dog like Sparkie. He was most happy for us to pick the oranges. We both picked as many as we could carry and it made no impact at all. They are ripe and smell gorgeous.
So while you are winning why not keep going? We asked if we could return with a ladder? Picking sticks? The whole nine yards. He said sure! I said well what can I bring him... I thought of cake, jams... and I remembered my broccoli seedlings. He was very keen on getting broccoli. I said ok I will bring you a tray of broccoli seedlings next week. A deal was made.
If we picked half of this tree... it would be bags and bags of oranges. We truly hit the jackpot. We felt as if we had won the lottery.
And... my creek began to slowly come in today. Like JUST. It was not there last night. It was not there early this morning. Just before lunch the trickle began. So far it is just a little bit. It's not much of a creek but it is my creek! I think in a few days it will be flowing properly. I am planning to have boat or rubber ducky races with the kids.
I also have wetlands and soon the water birds will arrive!
When I got home my Ikea packages were in the shed. So that is the next project and I can't wait!
Going through everything and all my pantry work had produced lots of donations to the thrift store and my pantry is so much better. I know will know exactly how many I have of each category. But I am still going. I just keep doing something every day.
Because I am in organise and clean mode I am loving Hannah's Happy Home. She is like vitamin pills for cleaning and sorting. So lovely and so motivating. I am building such a nice selection. What I appreciate is all of this glorious edifying content.
Have a wonderful weekend.xxx
You have been very productive Annabel. Chuffed about your creek. God really does give us the desires of our heart, doesn't He? Can't wait to see your kitchen island and also pics of the grandkids having their races in the creek! Have a lovely weekend Annabel, regards Robyn S.A.
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn! Thank you! I hope you have been getting this rain. I am excited to get a bit further this week and get my island set up. The next lot of rain looks to be next weekend... I hope so. Yes God is so good.xxx
DeleteAnnabel and Bluebirds, Good Day to all.
ReplyDeleteAnnabel what a wonderful week you have had, the trade for picking the oranges was amazing and your little creek looks adorable running through the pasture.
You have achieved so much this eek, so very happy for you.
I had a full week, so much so i don't know where it disappeared to. I had purchased peaches and turned them into 3 batches of preserves and 3 bottles of syrup, using the peels and pits to make the syrup, it turned out a beautiful rose color. I also made homemade peach shortcakes for dessert 2 nights.
I had a half gallon of apple cider that has been sitting in frig forever it seemed, so I boiled it down half way and now have boiled apple cider for flavoring in baking.
I used the milk in frig to make baked custard and the leftover cooked carrots for muffins. So every little bit got used this week.
I am still crocheting granny squares when I can for the blanket i hope to finish for mommy and baby this Fall.
I also was able to take 2 potholders and 2 dish clothes to the receptionists at my PT office, just to brighten up their day.
Not much other than normal housework was achieved this week, hoping to get back into deep cleaning and organizing next week.
We did do well shopping, picking up specials to add to our pantries.
Prayers for all bluebirds!
Dear Rosanne, All your peach goodies looked gorgeous! I love peaches! I also really love baked custard. Yum. I think I will put that on my list for this week! Have a wonderful new week! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a chilly, rainy and windy week here. I am grateful for our little wood heater. Our water tanks are full and overflowing which is great as we were very low. Our dam is also full. The trees my husband planted last weekend have had a great start with the rain. I agree that cleaning can be satisfying. One of my jobs was my fridge this week too (and I also used Vanilla Fridge spray). The photo of yours is amazing. I did mine in stages. I have been also working on my End of Financial Year paperwork which is really boring but I am feeling good getting it done. I sometimes get up and clean something for a break!
Your photos are always so beautiful and inspiring. Have a great week everyone, love Clare
Dear Clare, Well done on getting end of the financial year organised. I also break morning jobs up! And I love vanilla fridge spray, the scent really lasts.
DeleteThe dam and tanks being full is a big blessing! The tree planting was perfectly timed. I hope the crop is going well too! Yes it is satisfying! I feel really good conquering stuff on the list. I hope this will be a good week for you and they also reschedule you for a time you feel good with. With much love Annabel.xxx
Be careful climbing that ladder. Monday I was on a ladder I've used for years but in the early morning I misstepped off backwards onto a concrete floor and hit my head. I spent 3 hours in the ER at our hospital. I am okay, taking it easy, just some minor dizziness, no broken bones. Accidents happen fast!
ReplyDeleteDear Gretchen, A few years ago in the last house I was up a ladder painting the very top of my kitchen wall. The house had a very high ceiling. The floor was slate. I was home alone. I forgot I was up a ladder and stepped off into air. I felt myself falling... on the way down my side hit the kitchen island. One the ground I lay still thinking is anything broken. I moved very slowly. Nothing was broken! But I was black, had my body for a week. I am now sworn off ladders. I cant believe what I did! I hope you are ok. I think you better swear off ladders too! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel
ReplyDeleteSo exciting that your creek is flowing, I hope it continues and becomes a proper stream. There is nothing more precious. The orange tree was cropping heavily! What a blessing and great that the owner wants some broccoli seedlings, everyone wins!
Well it's been a glamorous week here. I had a minor health issue, not helped by the heat and now I remember why we keep a good range of first aid/ medicines at home. I looked after myself and didn't need to visit the doctor in the heat. A successful 'pantry'.
When I felt better I decided to ensure all the external drains and the sinks in the house( 10 of them!) would continue to run properly and I used my 'pantry' of drain clearing gel followed by kettles of boiling water , then I descaled all the shower heads too. Absurdly satisfying!
We picked / dug potatoes, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, radishes, lettuce , carrots, sweet peas and dahlia. I froze some soft fruit.
I used vouchers for free kefir yoghurt, a big chocolate bar and a pastry for my husband.
I needed a new handheld electric mixer and found one I liked with a £9 reduction on full price.
A client gave my husband some bearded iris rhizomes she didn't want so he has split them up into smaller pieces and planted them out.
We gave a friend two plants we've propagated that she admired, she gave us vegetable seedlings in the spring.
Fair exchange.
Hope you and all Bluebirds have good weeks, keep up the 'pantries' everyone, I needed mine this week.
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, I love your glamorous week. I appreciate the satisfaction of all these jobs! Plus additions to your garden!
DeleteI hope your health issue is resolved and the heat has subsided! I hope we both have equally good and productive new weeks! With love Annabel.xxx
So glad to read about the rain - I know how important it is for you and your farm! What great news about the orange tree - that is a really big tree!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment it is well over 30C in Toronto and by 2pm it is supposed to feel like 42C - it's been like this for a couple of days and due to stick around for a few more before it gets back to the mid 20's. Apparently it is supposed to be like this for much of the Summer - scorching hot & humid, followed by a few days of cooler weather - rinse and repeat - oh, and add in a good few thunderstorms - it is going to be a crazy Summer.
When it is like this I get up at 6am to do any food prep or cleaning - I have A/C in the bedroom but just fans in the living area - plus my apt. faces west so by about noon I am done! Luckily almost all public spaces, offices and even buses & subway trains etc. are all air-conditioned so it is easy to get some relief. So far today I've cooked shrimp to add to some crab meat to make a seafood salad, then I steamed some broccoli and added it to cherry tomatoes and chickpeas in a vinaigrette for another salad and I emptied the veggie drawer and chopped cucumber, peppers and carrots for easy to reach snacks. I already cooked porkloin, ground pork and chicken thighs so they are all parcelled up into individual sized servings and into the freezer. There will be a lot of cold plates in my future.
Dear Margie, It is a good idea to avoid the heat and get things done early. I wish they would stay "feels like" and stick to the facts as I think maybe they make people feel worse! Your meals sound lovely! I hope things have cooled down for you! I also live on cold meals in summer and love them! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteThat was a serious orange haul! So glad that you asked.
ReplyDeleteYou had a wonderful week, my friend. That date bread looks delicious.
Tom's sweet face always makes me smile. He is so cute and very helpful.
Have a nice weekend.
Love, Glenda
Dear Glenda, Thank you! Wait until you see what we got next! I love the date loaf... it's a favourite. Tom was here today (Thursday) and it was another lovely day. This week is going very fast! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel I couldn’t agree with you more when you say you feel like you’re winning by getting tasks done! Especially those pesky little jobs that seem bigger in our heads lol. That’s so lovely that you met a nice man who was happy for you take oranges. Rubber duck races down the creek sounds so fun.
ReplyDeleteWe have made it to the school holidays! It has been such a busy term, with lots of great things happening. But boy is everyone ready for a break! I did a huge shop yesterday, I’m hoping to avoid the supermarket as much as possible in the next two weeks. My fridge and pantry also need a good clean.
I can’t wait to get some crafting done, and some early nights! There will be lots of baking and soup making etc.
Have a lovely weekend, enjoy your new kitchen island!
Jen (NZ)
Dear Jen, Im so glad the holidays are here. All the kids need the break, let alone the parents! So many schedules are very exhausting. I consider some rest and quiet time good immune system building. We had some sunny days so far this week and a lot of orange juice... both of these I think are just the thing for winter too.
DeleteAlso Im a fan of early nights. With a hot pack... which is the case for me tonight. I am not sure if Lemon and orange trees are common there but if they are and no one seems to be picking them go and ask! Wait until you see what we got! Also kids are good at picking fruit and climbing trees! With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, I loved reading this week’s post. It really resonated with me, especially all the organising and getting the house back into order. I remember feeling exactly the same when I was working through my own decluttering earlier this year. There is something so satisfying about each drawer, shelf or cupboard that gets sorted. It really does feel like you’re winning!
ReplyDeleteThe oranges were an incredible find too. I had to laugh at your comment about at least going together if you got murdered knocking on the door! 😂 What a lovely exchange to swap broccoli seedlings for oranges.
I hope your creek keeps flowing and that the children get those rubber ducky races. Enjoy putting your new island together - I have a feeling it’s going to be a wonderful addition to your kitchen xox
Thank you Stephanie! My island is in today! When you see the next lot of oranges you will laugh. The week is going too fast though! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDeath by oranges! Your story had me laughing. That would be me!
ReplyDeleteDear Margaret, Yes well I will probably die by misadventure climbing a fence or something. I cant resist! It's too good to be true getting this much fruit! WIth love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHello Annabel. What a wonderful week of productivity and blessing your home. I love the oranges! That was a good barter!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrissy! Wait until you see how many oranges we ended up with. You will probably laugh!xxx
DeleteAnnabel,
ReplyDeleteHaha I am so glad you made it out of your fridge and didn't get murdered picking oranges. Good use of the buddy system! But what a fantastic haul! It never hurts to ask. And a great barter happened too. Fresh orange juice or lemonade I would never pass up haha if you would like to send me a glass.
We have a ditch that is sort of like a creek, but the vegetation makes it more of a chore because it's hard to mow or burn off.
Your cordials and baking look so good and oh Tom had the sweetest little face.
The gardens are going nicely and thankfully after days of high temperatures we got a storm and everything got watered really well.
I cleaned the mudroom and swept the steps going downstairs and organized my baking dishes and crockpots that I have in a big cupboard in the pantry room. And the drawer that is at the bottom of the stove needed wiped out really good so that's done.
Next I need to tackle the utensil drawers.i have gotten some new things so I will get rid of some of the older ones.
I have been freezing our fruit scraps so I can make fruit punch concentrate this year.
The produce lady is coming over this week to trade. She doesn't care about any boo boos I make sewing haha.
I have some simple dresses done for my great nieces.
I sorted through some of my clothes and Rick took the bag I filled to a family we know.
I baked oatmeal cookies and a blueberry loaf.
It is very satisfying to get things done even if they aren't big jobs.
This next week I will be in the gardens quite a bit weeding.
I hope everyone has a beautiful week!
XOXO
Vicky
Dear Vicky, Vegetation is eaten here. Feed for livestock so no mowing necessary. A goat or a cow maybe. Fruit pun concentrate sounds beautiful!
DeleteYes it is so nice to get jobs done from the list! Everyone is good! It sounds like your garden is growing super fast. Your hard work is paying off!1 With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel and Bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand week you have had. Congratulations on scoring so many oranges. I think many of us are encouraged to approach scary looking houses now. ☺️
Well done on the spinach seedlings. Tom is learning so many skills at such a young age! He should be able to run your place by the time he's 8.
I'm so inspired by Vicky and Rosanne. I will be keeping my fruit peelings for making juices and simple syrups. I can't wait to finish reading all the comments.
My week has been full of parties! A high school graduation, Fourth of July celebration, and my eldest daughter turned 25. I saved money by making everything from scratch and catching some sales.
Sadly, our electric bill will be high due to the extreme heat wave. We had no choice but to turn our AC on. Usually, we keep the house cool with fans and open windows. Plus we have many mature trees around our home that helps. We faced the hottest day in 12 years on Tuesday. 92°F but with the heat index it felt like 102°F. And we live in Northern Ohio! But rain came Friday and more expected early Sunday.
Stay cool to those in the northern hemisphere. Enjoy the rain to those down under. And 250th Happy Birthday to my country!
Praying for all Bluebirds,
Leslie
Dear Leslie, I have a party tomorrow for Chase who will be 4! I am sorry about the electric bill but I think in extreme heat I think you just have to make it more comfortable inside. It is very exhausting. Having lovely tress around you is a benefit though. Yes the use of peels and scraps to make jellies and syrups is brilliant! I am inspired too! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteFirst of the month and a new grocery month. I went out and shopped on Wednesday, going into three different stores and last stop was the nearest peach shed. OMGoodness, I do love peaches! I am not putting peaches up this year simple because I have so many in the freezer from last year, but I must have fresh peaches.
ReplyDeleteOne of the grocery stores I went into always has marked down produce at the back of the produce department. You might see one item in a package has gone bad, but it's never gross stuff and the savings is unbelievable. 75c for a pint of cherry tomatoes, 75c for a half dozen Anjou pears...that sort of thing. I got strawberries, green onions, a lettuce and a few other items. Also picked up some pretty coleus varieties and a geranium to go on my back porch. Their plants are well priced at that store as well.
I totted up my finances for the third fiscal quarter and found I'd gained no ground and lost no ground either. This is not a bad thing! I've paid medical bills, purchased necessary items for the home, work done on my car, repaid end of life expenses, paid off a credit card (and then charged it up with more car repairs!)...So I was not upset in the least feeling that if I must do all these things and still end where I started then I'm doing all right overall. It means I didn't spend more than I brought in.
On Friday I had a Mommy/Daughter date with my youngest girl. I wanted to get a second piercing in my ears since I have the loveliest small diamonds that John gifted me ages ago but I always seem to wear the hoops he gave me. I thought the diamonds would be a pretty feminine touch with the hoops and my short hair. We had lunch together and then I brought two of the grandchildren home with me to stay overnight.
Yesterday we celebrated the big 250th birthday of our country. I took the children back to Katie's and we cooked out with her father-in-law and besties. Truth we are all family to one another and I enjoyed my time. I took watermelon, baked beans, and a key lime pie. They made smoked ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob and squash that I'd brought over from my younger son's garden. It was delicious and lovely. I got a text from my younger son asking if I'd come to his house to eat grilled burgers with them. I had a second key lime pie in the freezer, so brought it out and let it thaw. Sam was very happy over that.
It was a big day for me and I ate too much, but it was lovely.
Late last week to celebrate doing so well with my finances over the past quarter, I took my personal spending money I'd set aside and bought a rug, lamps, a table and curtains for my new study (made from the old music room). I had more than enough funds left to buy an additional worktable and paint for the walls. I was very pleased about that, too!
Sam gave me a huge bag of squash, zucchini and cucumbers. I can't eat the cucumbers because they don't like me (neither does watermelon) but I love squash and zucchini! I was very pleased to get that fresh produce.
Dear Terri, Well if you have diamonds you have to wear them! Absolutely lovely! Well done on the budget and tracking it. You are doing well. It is a big adjustment being on your own. mYour new study sounds lovely! Good for you!
DeleteYour fourth of July celebrations sound wonderful too. I saw lots of fireworks and watched quite a bit. A big milestone! With much love Annabel.xxx
Annabel, I know exactly how you felt about cleaning your refrigerator. Mine looked like a science project when I finally dove into it. Now I smile every time I open the door. It makes the rest of my kitchen look bad by comparison.
ReplyDeleteMy BF was here for 4 days over the 4th of July. The first thing he did was to reprogram my thermostat so the air conditioning comes on at the right time. We visited friends of his who live about 100 miles from me and came away with 4 dozen eggs from their flock. I traded them a couple of dozen canning jars and some unopened packages of lids.
Then we went to a 4th of July barbecue so he could reconnect with friends from high school. They all went to a small military dependents' school in Tripoli, Libya, in the early 1960s. Meeting them at the same barbecue last year led to Dennis and myself getting back together after 60 years. (We dated our whole freshman year of college and I've known him since the 8th grade).
I found a butt half of ham in my freezer, baked and sliced it and took to the barbecue. I still have leftovers to break down into single servings. Also, at midnight Saturday night, I baked a cherry pie for Dennis. He has always loved cherry pie. Since his wife died 12 years ago and now being diabetic, he hasn't had one in a very long time. I used the recipe on the back of the can of sour cherries, substituting monk fruit for the sugar. It didn't taste exactly the same, but it was good! No aftertaste. Also, it didn't raise his blood sugar. We ate the whole thing Sunday and before he left today!
Loved your story about the oranges and the pictures of Tom, as always. If you are going to be murdered, it's always nice to have a friend along!
Best wishes to all of the Bluebirds and especially to my fellow Americans who celebrated the Fourth of July. It was a great weekend for me!
Dear Maxine, Well this is true. One pristine area means you have to keep going. The cherry pie sounds beautiful! That would be spectacular! Wait until you see how many oranges we finally ended up with! I watched a lot of fourth of July celebrations and it was great! With much love Annabel.xxx
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