Feather your Nest Friday, 28th August, 2026.

This week it seems a month (at least) since last Friday!   We only have three days of winter left and I am sad to see it go because I have loved the cosy nights, cooking, sewing, crochet and things I've kept busy with.  And for the first winter ever I had produce continue to come in all the way through.  

Last Saturday I was tired and slept in.  I got up and made a cup of tea and went back to bed.  I was feeling a bit gloomy to be honest.  Then the dogs started barking and I knew someone was coming.  I grabbed my dressing gown and brushed my hair and that is as far as I got when there was a knock at the door.   The farmer who uses some of my land was there and he asked me if I would like twins.  I knew he meant twin lambs.  I have trained myself to always say yes then figure it out later.  So I said YES!   He grinned and went back to the ute and returned with one under each arm.  They were in good condition and maybe 3 or 4 days old.  So they had colostrum and feeds which is a huge advantage.

Thanks to my animal pantry I had bottles, teats and formula.    I said thank you so much and got cracking!

Isn't God good.  I love twins. I am always wishing for twins!   They are a boy and a girl!  Even better.  A week ago I was in the orchard noticing the high thick and green grass and thinking oh boy I wish I had lambs or a calf to be eating all of this feed!  That would be perfect!    And just like that now I do.

For the first feed I tied a ribbon around the neck of one lamb so I did not feed it twice.   They both drank a bottle right away with no battle. Easy!    This is when I realised one was a girl and one was a boy so I could keep track.

I kept them in my back porch area until my helper was here and he moved a good lock up shelter into the orchard for me.

The first day outside I put them in a little triangle paddock near the house.  I had not had them for 24 hours.  Well they escaped within 15 minutes and were looking in the back door crying.    Now since I only just got them it is amazing that they know where I live and which door I go in and out.   If the door had been open they would have come in.  

Anyway.... the orchard has a better fence and Andy had put this door on an old water tank to make a good animal shelter so we started again!

This exactly did the trick.   During the day they run around and sit in the sun but at night I lock them safely away.

This is to keep them warm and dry if it rains but also because I am worried about foxes. 

They are on three bottles a day for three more days then they go to two bottles per day.

I sent a photo and thank you text to the farmer.  He said he loved the bow.  😊

This week I STILL was given produce!  This time two big baskets of potatoes.   

I am keeping this basket and sharing the rest.

Chloe picked her Parsley and I freeze dried it for her.

This came out beautifully.    

Then I decided to go pick my parsley as in one pot it was huge and perfect.   I had it planned and thought I would do it tomorrow.   I went out with a basket and scissors and it was GONE.  Completely gone except for a small leafless stump.  I just stood there stunned.  

This is in an enclosed yard so it could not be a rabbit, wallaby, kangaroo.... or deer.   

It could be a rat or a possum?  

I don't think it could be caterpillars as I've never had a caterpillars that big or that many.

I suspect possum as Chloe gets them and she is only a few kilometres away.

Anyway I have learned my lesson.  I always admire my ready herbs and veggies and put off picking them.  This time one days difference meant I got nothing.  I will be more diligent from now on!  I was just kicking myself.

While I was there with a basket and scissors I decided fine I will pick my first celery of the season.

I put this into the freeze drier instead.

It is so green!  It came out beautifully and the big jar is for Mum as this is one of her staples.

I also freeze dried some cabbage which was the last of the produce the men in the cabin gave me.

Today was beautiful, sunny and still.  A real glimpse of Spring.   Earlier in the week we had another perfect outside day.

In this weather we make sure we are out there in it!

Today the boys came over and we worked on a big construction project.  They also fed the lambs and Tom just wanted to play with them.  I said to go ahead and open the gate and play.   So the kids, the lambs and the dogs were running around the lawn laughing and leaping in the sunshine.

My bake up was two trays of tomatoes and capsicums (from the freezer) and meatballs.

And I cooked up a heap of beef and onions then made up trays of veggies.   Chloe's family got a huge meal and I got three.

I made two date loaves and froze most.

Tomorrow I am making the no butter tea loaf everyone wants this recipe.   I will take photos of the steps and post the recipe next week.

Earlier in the week there were two rainy days.  I went around to play with the kids with an activity.  I had play dough and glitter, pebbles etc.   We made portraits of family members in play doh.  These were hilarious.   Lily though just kept on adding glitter and building it up.   They loved it and I left knowing this would see them entertained for a few days.

I finished my pram rug.   A lovely friend had a baby boy this week and she can choose from the two boy blanket sets.

Mum is knitting a matching hat for this blanket also.

I started blanket stitching around a piece of wool blanketing.  Then I will do a crochet border around it. 

And I started a new blanket in pinks, mauves and dusty blue. 

Sparkie has a love hate relationship with this bird.  If she runs it swoops her.   Otherwise they just sit together.

The weekend looks sunny and lovely and some top up rain is coming next week which is perfect!   I have eggs, potatoes and celery to work on plus the new blanket.

How did you build up your home this week?  Are you beginning to think about Christmas?   I have been buying dried fruit and things I cook with in December as I see them on special.   The #everybitcountschallenge has helped me add to the pantry even though I had to miss a few days.  I think that is ok, do what you can, when you can! xxx