Feather your Nest Friday, 23rd October 2026.
We have one week until November. Once it is November it seems to be full steam ahead to Christmas. I do absolutely love it but the first day of November is like the trigger for me to get going!
I have been working on gifts all year and just now I am making up sets of cards to package for some friends. This is the first set finished. Next week I will show it packaged up. I have lots of cow/farm/chicken loving friends!
Last week I mentioned turning resources into assets. Bay Leaves are a resource I have. It is simple to dry them and every time I sit down with a cup of tea and talk to a friend I package some more. I have about 40 packs now! These are flat enough to go inside Christmas cards. I am always on the look out for gifts that will go in standard mail. I have a heap of little bottles of vanilla extract almost ready to give too. So these also could go together. I have mini tinsel to tie around the bottles.
I had a cook up of Vickys Enchilada sauce and made two meals for myself and four trays.
Chloe's family had some and the rest have topped up my ready meals freezer. I am pleased about this.
This week was Tom's sixth birthday. He was so excited!
As usual Chloe made a beautiful cake and table setting.
It was a beautiful afternoon. And funny. Nana Pat was enjoying all the affection.
Lily is wearing a dress that is about 65 years old. Mum's sister wore this dress (I think) when Mum's sister was a mini flower girl at a debutante ball. It is so pretty.
Then she had Grannies glasses on which she thought was hilarious.
We are not minimalists. lol. Mum had this dress carefully saved and here we are. 💗
For the week I had the cows in the driveway eating it down. The grass got pretty long. So they mow it for me and it feeds them. This is so much fun as they are so friendly and have to see everything you are doing.
They also trim the edges. 😊
There is a lovely spot to sit next to the fig tree in the shade. Last year we picked figs for a couple of months and they were huge. We are really hoping for the same again this summer.
I didn't sew a stitch. I need to get back on track. But seedlings are going pretty well. I try to do SOMETHING each day in the veggie garden. Chooks are laying like crazy and I was able to share four dozen fresh eggs today.
Also today I went to town and to the store. They had tinned Australia tomatoes on a super good price so I added those to the pantry.
How did you build your nest this week? The wise woman builds her home. The foolish woman tears her home down with her own hands. At the moment there is no cure for stupid lol but we can all choose to do our best to be uplifting, encouraging and watchful. What resources do you tink you might have.... that could be turned into something to share, gift, trade....making into Christmas gifts? It might be the thing you never knew what to do with! If you have resources and need ideas.... we are your people.... ask away!
Lets have a lovely weekend and plan our last week of October to be fruitful.xxx
Annabel, what a lovely week you have had. Tom's birthday cake is beautiful, truly the right theme for him. Your enchiladas look so delicious. I love how you are using what most people over look to make beautiful gifts.
ReplyDeleteWe had an excitement since last week, Our Great Granddaughter was born. Truly a blessing as they have been trying for a long time.
Winter is approaching here and it is predicted to be colder and snowier. We have been busy with winter preps, from pantry filling, to yard work, changing linens over to winter, doing a good Fall cleaning in every room. We ordered new tires for the SUV, as husband's work is in the middle of winter in some remote areas. I've washed and put blankets in the vehicles and am working on winter bags of gloves, hats, etc... and food that can handle being frozen.
With cooler weather here I am back to baking, cookies that we shared with the landscapers that work next door, in exchange they dug and placed metal edging around a planting. We took some to the hospital when we visited our new great granddaughter and I made brownies for my grandson's fiance who asked for something chocolate.
With all that is happening world wide and winter approaching here we are doing our best to stock our pantry and have everything in good working order, more than usual.
I need to look through my crocheted items and wrap some up for gifts, I would like to make baskets with dish clothes, pot holders and some home canned preserves. I am also hoping to make bouquets with the hydrangea blossoms and dried roses as gifts.
Congratulations on the birth of your great granddaughter! That is wonderful news. Lots of love, Bridget
DeleteDear Rosanne, To have. Great Granddaughter is just wonderful. Congratulations! Being almost November I need to do the same and go through the things Ive made. Your cooking was beautiful and good to be getting prepared well for winter. These times can sneak up on us! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHappy 6th Birthday to Tom! Chloe makes the most lovely cakes. What a gift to have. It looks like a fun time was had by all. The children are getting so big! Lilly's dress is amazing and Nana Pat looks so pleased.
ReplyDeleteWe've had very bad weather in Arizina's White Mountians, including tornados! One missed us by 1/2 mile, and another missed our son by about 200 yards. We got quite a bit of hail. Thankfully, our berry bushes and cherry bushed made it through without damage. Miraculously there was no significant damage to the house, sheds, or car. We should have several days before the next storm systems pass through.
You mention resources: we have 30 or so Juniper and Cedar trees on our property, as well as a few tall pine trees. Do you suppose there's anything I can make from their storm debris? I've also planted about 30 lilac bushes over the last few years and thought I could root cuttings to pot up as gifts.
About the only real "feathering" of the week is the butcher shop (1/2 hour drive away) had a special on boneless, skinless chicken breasts-a 40 lb. case for $75, 10% discount when you pay cash. Today is pick up day. I'll have to do more freezer rearranding, but couldn't pass on that price. Our son will have some for his freezer, too.
Blessings and safe weather to all the Blubirds, and to you, Annabel. --Elise
Dear Laura,
DeleteI look for your post with the same eagerness I look for Annabel's. You write so clearly with both heartbreak and gratitude. I want you to know that there are prayers being said for you from America, prayers to cover you with protection and blessings and to continue to help you be a blessing to others. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." I pray that you can take comfort from our Lord's words.
Please keep updating us on your life and the fears you have. Please let us know if there is some measure of help we can give/send. Linda, USA
Laura (and others), I want you to know I pray for Ukraine and the Ukrainians every day, and I have since the war started. I pray for you, too, Laura, and the families of soldiers and civilians on both sides. I doubt that many Russian soldiers enlisted or that their families miss them any less when they are gone.
DeleteNot excusing Trump for anything, although I'm a Republican, but don't be surprised if he stops cozying up to Putin after our election. Gas/petrol prices are thought to be a big deal at election time. I find his relationship with Putin disgusting. Lower gas prices do not conflate with loss of lives.
I will keep praying!
--Maxine
Happy Birthday, TOM!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave gentleman and I wish you all the happiness, lots of joy and big health. I send you a big hug all the way from Romania, aka The other part of the world.
I can not believe how big all the kids are! And how beautiful, each and all of them. Dear Nana, that dress on Lilly is wonderful.
I am not really in a good mood and I taught myself to enjoy each and every single colour, person, day, sunrise and sunset as long as there is peace and health and hope. And I try to give a smile, a good word and a helping hand around me, as I suspect many people here feel the same.
- everywhere all the news are very concerning. In Europe, especially. We do receive advice of being prepared, to have food, water and all ready for at least 72 hours after some crisis.
- the midterm elections are on November 3rd. People are expecting a "Democratic tsunami."
- soon, russia may do something previously unimaginable—something that would shatter confidence in NATO, Article 5, and the entire North Atlantic security architecture. By then, it might be too late for some Eastern European countries, including Romania.
- alternatively, Europe—currently beset by internal divisions, people rioting on the streets of big cities in several countries, amplified by hundreds of thousands of russian bots (and orchestrated through social media campaigns leveraging American algorithms)—might still manage to hold together. Together for Ukraine, and for its own security.
- Ukraine is holding its own on the battlefield. For instance, Kostiantynivka was expected to fall to the Russians as early as May. It is likely to remain standing until at least 2027, which would render a russian conquest of the Donbas impossible—at least within the context leading up to the summer of 2026, a time when the U.S. had not yet openly become a partner to russia.
- if Ukraine loses the war, it will be because of the U.S., as well as Europe’s sluggishness and lack of firm resolve. And the surrender of Ukraine would unleash a living hell upon Eastern Europe, including Romania.
- there are places in Ukraine where the humanitarian situation is even more dire than in Somalia or Sudan. In Oleshky, a town 270 km from Romania, people have resorted to eating dogs to avoid starving to death. In Kherson, Nikopol, and other cities along the banks of the Dnieper, Ukrainian civilians are being hunted day and night on the streets by Russian FPV drones. Civilians!!!!
- the coming winter will be brutal. russia’s war of terror will escalate. Millions of people will be left without heat, even as temperatures in Kyiv and northern Ukraine drop to -30 or -35 degrees Celsius at night.
I remain a staunch supporter of Ukraine—if only out of pure self-interest, for it is they who are paying the ultimate price so that I and my family might enjoy an illusory, endless span of peace and democracy. While still, we can hear everyday the alarm setting off across our border.
Slava Ukraini!
Dear Laura, I feel so lucky to read your writing. You write beautifully. And even in times of worry, you always look for the beauty. News here in Australia is very fragmented and it’s hard to get a clear picture on anything. I am so grateful to hear what is going on. Thank you for writing. Lots of love, Bridget
DeleteThank you for this update. I continually think of you and your family as my country changes course in its support of Russia against it's allies. Staunch supporter of Ukraine here, too. Please continue with your updates. Be safe.
DeletePatricia
Laura, I join all the people above who think of you often with prayer and support. You are an inspiration to me. I had my son and husband read your letter because I feel it is so important to know what is going on. I am constantly shocked by our government's actions. I too support Ukraine.
DeleteJudy in Maine.
To sweeten the above, I send you all, Flowers
ReplyDeleteFlowers, by L.E. Bowman
I like it when people brake for squirrels.
When they scoop bugs onto napkins and gently set them outside.
I like it when people put their shopping carts back and smile at strangers and hold open doors.
I like the awkward run, the breathless thank you.
I like it when people share appetizers and good news and book recomandations.
When they get so excited that their hands become actors and their story comes out as a spark.
I like it when people offer these bright, little flowers. These tender, yellow bursts.
Dear Annabel, you feel free to stop publishing my words. It is hard seeing every! Single! Day! children being killed and not talk about it. Or not feeling guilty sometimes that I can laugh with all my heart and they run to save their life. Hard times are coming. And we must all stay with eyes wide open.
Next time I will write about my days, my life, how I did work and can, and mend the bedclothing and gather the harvest and all the little bits – I promise I was as diligent and hardworking as a hedgehog!
But for now, I send you all my love and good wishes from far away,
Laura_s_world from Romania
Laura, I can't speak for Annabel and it is entirely her decision to publish posts but I am grateful for you telling us what is happening in Eastern Europe. My own post later will tell of a very minor brush with this but the people of Ukraine are suffering to protect the rest of Europe and we must not forget them.
DeletePenny in the UK
Dear Laura, Please continue to write and share with us. Our news tells us what it wants, much of it is rubbish. An on the ground report is much more valuable. I watch and try to follow what is happening but that doesn't tell me what it is like. But seeing so much rioting... so much rage in many countries and this is spreading as well as war and as well as a lot of pieces of information ie UKs efforts to get people to prepare... while also the Middle East/fuel/gas/transport and the potential for wider war all affect everyone in the world whether they realise it or not. I agree we all need to have our eyes open. Hearing your information is very valuable but more having your friendship makes me much more aware and care greatly how you are affected. We can easily live under a rock only caring for our own area. But we are all sisters trying to look after our families wherever we live. Winter looks dreadful to me. You have cold we dont know of and I keep seeing people with pellet stoves. All I can think is I bet the pellet factories burn down. Anyone reading this please have back up heating options and get them now before none are available.
DeleteYou are in my prayers every day Laura and your two boys too! With love Annabel.xxx
hi annabel, your grands are so beautiful. we have 26+ assorted grands, natural, adopted and foster. its hard to keep up with how many there are.our oldest daughter just got 2 more foster(age 2 twins). i believe the agency has her number on speed dial. it is her ministry she has said. she is 55. i guess it keeps her young. i 'am just about done with christmas shopping. i make a lot of the gifts i give too. this year i bought several flannel shirts for the men on 50% off, so there's that. also do baskets (purchased at thrift shops) and fill w/homade jams and jellies with a pillowcase set, a couple of wall hangings, using up fabrics from my stash. making a teddybear for a new november baby, and always looking for sales for kids toys( practical toys, not latest fads) found a tinkertoy set in a tin box(remember them).for a 4 year old who likes to build things with his daddy. we are getting ready for winter here, its supposed to be a cold one. our woodpile is waiting. hope you have a great day and your garden grows well. blessings to you and yours. bonnie in southern pa.
ReplyDeleteDear Bonnie, How wonderful to have so many Grandchildren! What a credit to your daughter to be such a hard working foster carer. I can imagine the logistics of getting so many gifts and glad you are almost done!
DeleteI am so happy about a good woodpile ready! Thank you so much! With love Annabel.xxx
What a beautiful post, Annabel! The dress is stunning, and everyone looks so happy to be celebrating the big six year old! Happy birthday to Tom, he is such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my sons are away this weekend on a sports trip. They are staying in the same house as the rest of the team. They will certainly not starve lol. I sent huge trays of Mac and Cheese and pasta bake with them, and cookies and brownies. Everyone is contributing meals to help keep the costs down. Their sports club is a lovely community.
Two supermarkets had three day sales leading into a long weekend here. I got lots of fruit and vegetables, and some treats for Christmas that have been hidden away!
I found a new washcloth crochet pattern that I absolutely love. I’ve made eight, so all the teacher gifts are now complete, I’m not stopping though, I want to make some for us as well. They are so quick and I really like the finish.
Wishing you a lovely weekend and last week of October.
Jen (NZ)
Dear Jen, I can imagine your trays of food heading off with the boys! I am glad they have a great sports club.
DeleteFantastic you got some deals and things to hide away for Christmas! I am just about to go from wool to cotton... if you have time Id love to see this wash cloth, if the pattern is not too hard! I have a heap of lovely cottons to use up! Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, Wow - every photo in this post is amazing. Happy Birthday Tom. I love the photo of your Mum with the littlies the best. I have started to wrap my mind around gifts for birthdays in next few months and Christmas. I am a bit more prepared than I thought which is always awesome to discover and testament to do what you can when you can because I made dish cloths earlier in the year to cover the birthdays and I was never able to get back to it. Our most exciting news is that we harvested our first small crop - which yielded 22 big Rolls of hay. We were really excited about that. We have been able to sell 20 already and this has helped with a big bill we had that I wasn't sure how we would pay. My other lovely news is that a crested pigeon has laid two eggs in a nest in a little tree/shrub near our house and a few branches away there is a little Blue Wren nest with a baby in it. We discovered this when my husband was pruning it back - which he immediately stopped doing, we got worried but both nests are still lovingly tended. Love Clare
ReplyDeleteDear Clare, I know you used your time well when the first surgery was cancelled. Now you are ahead! The crop is just wonderful. The huge rolls of hay are heavy! Using all the land this way was a very good idea.
DeleteI am glad you spotted the nests in time! How gorgeous! I would love seeing those. I just realised tomorrow is the first of November so things are about to get very busy! With much love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteYour cards are adorable! Chloe's cake for Tom is amazing! I love how the 6 dangles from the cable.😄
The antique dress is stunning.
Your cows are so sweet.
And thanks again for sharing photos of your grands.
My week has been full of job hunting, housework, and keeping food from going to waste. I had 3 interviews and the last one seems promising. I had 11/2 loaves of bread that became dried bread crumbs and croutons. I roasted sweet potatoes to have them ready for snacks/quick dinners. They were a hit! So I roasted the remaining sweet potatoes for the weekend. I also made a sheet pan meal of BBQ chicken. Plenty of leftovers to go over pasta or in a wrap. With a smaller, more active household, I meal prep rather than cook. Baking is still needed. Looking forward to making biscuits (scones) for breakfast in the morning.
Due to an unusually wet summer, my tomatoes are rippening slowly.
So I'm canning small batches of tomatoes. Still, a treat to have fresh tomato slices with many meals.
Have a blessed weekend!
Love, Leslie (OH)
Leslie, I hope you find a wonderful job soon.
Delete--Maxine
Dear Leslie, Wow you were so busy and well done on all those good meals. I hope you find a great job! Your week was very productive. I hope the tomatoes keep coming. I am just planting mine!
DeleteThank you for your kind comments! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, happy birthday to Tom. I love the cake. I also love your cards. Seeing the photo of the four siblings together with your Mum is just beautiful, what a gorgeous photo. Great work on the meals. I’m afraid I haven’t done a whole heap on Christmas presents yet, but I think practical items/ food items will be my go to. It will be fun planning it. Lots of love, Bridget
ReplyDeleteDear Bridge, I think baked goods -foodie gifts would be the best thing for most people this year. Last year I found doing things in batches and packaging them up helped a lot. Ingredients being now expensive I got half price packs of nutrigrain and made nuts and bolts and everyone loved those. My friend makes caramel popcorn... it is very delicious and this is another more inexpensive one. I will think on this because we will all be having to consider this! With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHi Annabel and everyone
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Lily in the beautiful dress will raise everyone's spirits ,thank you. What a great cake for Tom and lovely to see your Mum at the heart of the family. I like the animal cards very much too.
A family member often travels to Poland on work trips and was woken in the night by emergency alerts to their mobile saying the Polish air force had been scrambled, Polish air space was closed and they were to stay indoors. The next day their flight was cancelled because air space was still closed and colleagues nearer the border were sent alerts to go to the shelters. We were frightened for their safety ( they are home now) but Ukrainians and other Eastern Europeans like Laura are enduring far worse than this every single day. Madmen are in charge, take care and precautions Bluebirds. We have had serious conversations with our daughters about preparedness. Thank you Annabel for your encouragement.
This week I sowed more seed for spring plants and preserved more tomatoes. We used mint, rosemary and sage from the garden and I cut flowers for the house. I cut seed heads to dry for winter arrangements and to save seed.
I made a big batch of butternut squash soup, apple cinnamon muffins and a Dundee cake for my husband's birthday.
I bought a big pack of chicken breasts on a deal and added to the Christmas goodies.
We have storms at the moment and are hunkered down at home. Best wishes to all Bluebirds.
Penny in the UK
Dear Penny, It is now 31st. Poland has a coup! Yes ... the news tells us little of what is going on! It is extreme! Penny I am glad you do so many things to feather your nest. Do everything you can think of and build up all you can things seem to be getting wild. With much love Annabel.xxx
DeleteHappy Birthday to Tom...what a cake too! Perfect for him. The dress is beautiful and quite the heirloom. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Vickie! xxx
DeleteHappy birthday to Tom!
ReplyDeleteIt has not been the week I planned as I had a bad fall a few days ago, ended up in the ER for a few hours and have been mostly off my feet since! There is nothing broken but the bruising is quite spectacular! I am trying to be patient and rest as that is all that can be done at the moment. It certainly brought home to me the benefits of being prepared. I am fine for food and for medical supplies for wound care (although the ER nurse sent me home with a good supply) so it is just a matter of time to heal.
I did manage to save a pile of veggies this week - we had a funeral reception at the church with lots of leftovers - did my best to disperse them to various programs but there was still a lot of raw veg left. I roasted cauliflower, sauteed carrots & broccoli, froze chopped celery and then made a pot of ratatouille.
I will try to get back on schedule by the end of next week as I now see some more gaps in my pantry. I want a few more just "open & heat" items, snacks/treats and some medical items. Accidents can happen to any of us at any moment and it is so much easier if we are prepared.
I am so sorry you had a fall! Bad bruising is awful but I am very glad nothing was broken. I hope you are healing. And resting.
DeleteWell done on the veggies and not wasting anything!
When you cant do things you can make lists. Yes meals ready on hand are just such a great help! I do hope you are going much better.xxx
I know I already posted, but in light of what Laura shared, I ask a favor.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Nadiia returns to Ukraine tomorrow with her 3 sons. She was a political refugee here in the states for the past few years. But due to government changes and slow processing of her paperwork, she must return to her home country.
She is there to get Ukrainian passports for her 2 older sons, 9 and 11. Then on to Germany.
Please pray for their safety and quick processing of the paperwork.
Love,
Leslie (OH)
I will pray Leslie. Do let us know how she goes. xxx
Delete