tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post3972993827347493080..comments2024-03-28T00:27:42.821-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.: Feather your Nest Friday, 8th July, 2022.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-1401512454558348702022-07-15T00:18:45.015-07:002022-07-15T00:18:45.015-07:00Dear Aly, It is hard to change routines but you w...Dear Aly, It is hard to change routines but you will soon get into the swing of it. I think it is fantastic for DD to make a meal on the weekends. She is going to learn so many new skills and feel very proud of her meals. Love it! I hope the inspection went well but I am sure it did! It has been a huge week here! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-90865470357658068672022-07-13T16:49:29.482-07:002022-07-13T16:49:29.482-07:00Hi Annabel
Baby week how exciting
What a week it...Hi Annabel<br /><br />Baby week how exciting<br /><br />What a week it has been here. End of the school holidays, and school was back in on Monday. A few afternoon appointments for DD12 . Getting used to having DP home for a week at a time as he is now on 7 on and 7 off after 8 years of being away so much and getting organised for a house inspection today. Lot's of tidying up that we got done. So much so that here I am on inspection day sitting around with only a few last minute things to get done.<br /><br />We took a day trip to a beautiful secluded area to a beach in the shape of a horseshoe with a lovely cafe looking out over the beach and had lunch and did a little exploring around the town. The views are breathtaking and of course we did not want to leave.<br /><br />DD12 has decided that she would like to start cooking a meal on the weekends and did so last weekend. A delicious easy pork noodle dish. So now I will be looking for easy dishes for her to cook<br /><br />The chicks are so gorgeous...makes me want some <br /><br />Take Care<br />Aly xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-19778704141458354862022-07-12T19:53:45.549-07:002022-07-12T19:53:45.549-07:00Dear Kirsty,
I am grateful for sunny days here too...Dear Kirsty,<br />I am grateful for sunny days here too! Today is pretty good, I get some things done outside. Store bought eggs mostly just seem sad in comparison. My Aunt once described an egg so pale and insipid that she thought the hen had to be depressed lol but its probably true. I love how chooks are so happy with leaves or anything to scratch through, they make me happy watching them!<br />I hope you are doing well on the freezer meals. Some of mine are set to be used in the next weeks and Ill be back to building them up too! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-22173120548036831742022-07-12T16:21:16.511-07:002022-07-12T16:21:16.511-07:00Oh, I know about Covid tests! My husband and I bot...Oh, I know about Covid tests! My husband and I both tested positive over the weekend. Thankfully, we seem to have mild cases.mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-52903407134203920262022-07-11T17:19:55.614-07:002022-07-11T17:19:55.614-07:00Dear Cookie, Oh no.. I cant even imagine the mess ...Dear Cookie, Oh no.. I cant even imagine the mess golf ball sized hail would make! I hope you can replant and still get a late harvest as you say.<br />The Basil will be beautiful. I love how it roots in water and once I discovered this I have perpetual basil! The English Muffins sound beautiful! All your baking is declines! You did a lot! I know how lovely your cards are. The rosettes sound just lovely. A special handmade card is a gift in itself and I have kept the ones you have sent me in my Bible. So they are kept forever! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-50920670954893095022022-07-11T17:16:25.225-07:002022-07-11T17:16:25.225-07:00Dear Heidi, This is a hard one. For smaller thin...Dear Heidi, This is a hard one. For smaller things I am covering them with fine net bags... but Gooseberry bushes I am thinking are too big for that. When I do find caterpillars I like collecting them for the chickens as they go mad over them. Otherwise I would try the neem oil. xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-69041777007095600662022-07-10T07:07:32.206-07:002022-07-10T07:07:32.206-07:00Dear Annabel,
The dish sets are beautiful. How exc...Dear Annabel,<br />The dish sets are beautiful. How exciting that it's baby week. We are sending prayers for Chloe and all those who will be attending her. It has been a busy week here cleaning up after a strong storm that produced golf ball size hail last Saturday night. The hail damaged the chard and sweet potato leaves but we didn't lose them. However we did lose all of the kale. Fortunately we can replant and have a late fall harvest. How I built my garden, freezer and pantry this week. I planted more basil that I had rooted from the stems of the basil that got harvested to make 4 half pints of pesto for the freezer. Harvested chard and froze 4 quarts. Planted more heat resistant lettuce. Planted more zucchini. Harvested zucchini and mad 2 quarts of base for cream of zucchini soup.Made enough stir fried vegetables and fried rice for dinner and an extra meal for the freezer. Made 3 dozen English muffins for my husband, 4 dozen brownies, 2 dozen gluten free shortbread cookies. Baked a dozen and a half gluten free blueberry muffins using coconut flout. We received 2 $5 coupons from Staples and used them to add 2 cases of bottled water to our supplies. The coupons made them free. Received 30 pounds of blueberries and froze most for the winter.Used leftover meatloaf to make a pizza casserole. With my card stock and paper scraps I made rosettes to embellish cards and to give as birthday gifts to my friends who also make cards. Wishing all the Bluebirds a safe and productive week ahead<br />Cookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804113121889739534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-63569903477047789002022-07-10T03:35:12.015-07:002022-07-10T03:35:12.015-07:00Hi Annabel & Bluebirds!
Just wondering if anyo...Hi Annabel & Bluebirds!<br />Just wondering if anyone has had any success here with getting rid of caterpillars eating the leaves of Gooseberry bushes?! I don't really want to sit and pick them off - had read Neem oil may be useful? Has anyone used this? It's disheartening to say the least.<br />Great find with the china set! Have a wonderful week :)<br />Love Heidi xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-46942097985508577062022-07-10T03:29:15.679-07:002022-07-10T03:29:15.679-07:00The man who invented the test said they were never...The man who invented the test said they were never meant for this type of thing I believe? So I am not surprised your test was incorrect.xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-86235947386874324392022-07-10T00:37:30.666-07:002022-07-10T00:37:30.666-07:00Maxine it is Rapid Antigen Test = covid test.xxMaxine it is Rapid Antigen Test = covid test.xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-49029886553399204542022-07-10T00:10:20.756-07:002022-07-10T00:10:20.756-07:00Dear Terri, You do so well with your upholstery pi...Dear Terri, You do so well with your upholstery pieces. Amazing! <br />There are a lot of areas costing more, electricity is a major one for us. Balancing the budget is going to be harder for everyone. Mild weather is the greatest thing for keeping the electricity down if only we could control the weather! So lovely to have Basil to harvest that is one of my favourites. The smell of basil is beautiful. I hope much more continues to grow. The hanging basket will look lovely on your porch. Fresh plants look so nice. I have been messing around with planting all day and we had sunshine too but it is coming in so cold now! I hope you have a good Sunday with love Annabel.xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-58046398147123040542022-07-09T22:54:33.044-07:002022-07-09T22:54:33.044-07:00Hi Annabel you did well with your diesel engine oi...Hi Annabel you did well with your diesel engine oil stocking and yes got to be ahead on looming shortages as they are wide and varied. Your little quail are so cute and glad you could move the chicks out in to the large hen house. What pretty crockery sets and glasses you got at the op shop and glad you are stocked up again. Fantastic you could also fill the freezer with more freezer meals too.<br /><br />In the kitchen -<br />- Baked 2 loaves of wholemeal white bread in the bread making machine saving $6.98 on usual prices.<br />- Cooked all meals from scratch.<br /><br />In the gardens -<br />- Harvested the first ever crop of 1.5 kg of navel oranges off our small tree saving $6.50 on usual organic supermarket prices. We made them into a lovely juice and had some whole.<br /><br />Purchases -<br />- Filled up some empty fuel jerry cans using our 4% off e-gift card and used our 4c per litre rewards fuel vouchers reducing the fuel from $1.965 to $1.837 per litre saving $19.08 on usual prices.<br />- Bought $50.89 in groceries before discounts and used our 5% off e-gift card, bought on half price sale bottles of coca cola, moisturiser on sale, harvest long life tins of meat and vegetables on sale and used our $20 off Rewards dollar to save 56.28% or $45.31 on usual prices.<br />- Bought 2 lamb leg roasts on markdown from Coles bringing them down from $13.50 to $7.72 and then used our $10 off flybuys dollars to bring the cost of the lamb down to $7.79 kg.<br />- From a discount store 70% off closing down sale we purchased 2 packets of C4 25 pack envelopes reduced from $4.99 to $1.50 ea and 7 x packets of 6 blank craft cards and envelopes reduced from $2.50 to 0.75c per pack saving in total $19.23 on usual prices.<br /><br />Hope everyone has a frugal week ahead :).<br /><br /><br />Lorna.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-92223730474482533612022-07-09T22:03:03.195-07:002022-07-09T22:03:03.195-07:00Dear Lily,
Roast turkey is so good and I agree the...Dear Lily,<br />Roast turkey is so good and I agree the cold meat makes the nice wraps etc. My favourite is Turkey, cranberry and cream cheese. I just love this. Or add avocado! You did well at the op shop! Also the bike! That is fantastic. I think a bike is a very good idea. Another idea is to use a meat like bacon or sausage where the flavour is strong and it is more or a garnish or accompaniment. Like BLT sandwiches or fried rice... the meat is really not much but gives a big impression! This is a good trick. I do really appreciate your prayers for Chloe and the baby. With much love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-42401967078331222092022-07-09T21:49:30.705-07:002022-07-09T21:49:30.705-07:00OK, I'll bite--what's a rat test???OK, I'll bite--what's a rat test???mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-30603299050787621532022-07-09T21:38:47.964-07:002022-07-09T21:38:47.964-07:00Thanks so much Nancy! xxxThanks so much Nancy! xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-10106422423379903272022-07-09T21:38:20.671-07:002022-07-09T21:38:20.671-07:00Dear Mrs. Kiwi, Thank you! Some grated carrot, ju...Dear Mrs. Kiwi, Thank you! Some grated carrot, just enough, can extend the sausage mix and add veggies and it isn't noticeable when they are cooked. They are delicious. We like them with some relish. Thanks re baby week! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-69309133724685760952022-07-09T21:33:57.133-07:002022-07-09T21:33:57.133-07:00Dear Jen, Thank you! I have never had so many gi...Dear Jen, Thank you! I have never had so many gifts this time of year. Im pretty thrilled! <br />You are harvesting already! It seems so quick! The cherries sound beautiful and Im glad you got some! <br />All the berries coming in will be fantastic. The Chard sounds good too and so much! I hope the yard sale is a big success! I am working outside a lot today (Sunday) planting lots of free plants! Im hoping to wear myself out so I sleep well tonight as tomorrow is baby day! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-12075537853299903572022-07-09T20:25:48.261-07:002022-07-09T20:25:48.261-07:00Dear Cheryl, I think jerry cans are a great thing ...Dear Cheryl, I think jerry cans are a great thing to have extra. Also tell your husband that Diesel engine oil looks to be a next serious shortage. <br />I am sorry you are so sick! You have worked really hard but now you must rest! The hardwood edging sounds beautiful and it is great how your garden is coming along. But now rest and do all the right things! Old flannelette sheets make the best ever sick days hankies. So so soft. I make them big too. I supply everyone with these. Thank you too for the comment on the ready meals. When we are sick we still need good nutrition, more than ever actually and decent home cooking is the best. I hope you have plenty to get you through now.<br />The pumpkin sounds wonderful! I had a fail with my pumpkins last season but I am working flat out to build up my soil and re try this spring. I just love pumpkin it is so good and so useful.<br />I hope you feel much better soon! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-59075374101041828452022-07-09T20:18:57.615-07:002022-07-09T20:18:57.615-07:00Dear Mandy,
My gift cupboard is full and now I hav...Dear Mandy,<br />My gift cupboard is full and now I have a pile in a ig basket in front of the gift cupboard. First time this ever happened! <br />That was very considerate of your Manager. Probably the weekend came just in time too for you to rest some more. You are going to feel knocked out easily I would think so be careful.<br />Good job on the phone company! Thats a big savings!<br />Today (Sunday) Chloe is heading to Adelaide and Im starting to get a bit antsy... lot of cleaning, gardening and cooking will be happening here today and tomorrow as I need to keep busy! Now Im nervous talking about it. <br />Have a restful Sunday and good new week! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-50015801283094230722022-07-09T20:14:43.048-07:002022-07-09T20:14:43.048-07:00Dear Gail,
I love bone handle cutlery! My Dad lo...Dear Gail, <br />I love bone handle cutlery! My Dad loved it also! What a lovely gift.<br />It is very easy to wonder what on earth we did each week which is why I keep track. I feel better following a bit of a plan then doing a review before the next week. Mostly we do more than we think! You did lots with the freezer cooking and now the pasta sauce. Very good things to have. You sound like me in the evenings stitching away! I think the leftover yarns make the most interesting rugs. I enjoy choosing what colour to do next and keep going to the next colour change! It is hard to put down!<br />Have a lovely Sunday and new week. With love Annabel.xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-67719874252755302052022-07-09T20:08:06.139-07:002022-07-09T20:08:06.139-07:00Dear Jill, I think a Quiche is a great meal to ma...Dear Jill, I think a Quiche is a great meal to make some left over ham or bacon, cheese, tomatoes etc go a long way and is delicious. Donut muffins sound beautiful too!<br />It will be exciting to finish the quilt. So many steps... the binding makes me think of how the edge of a crochet blanket is the last stage to completion. <br />It is great you were able to harvest more Strawberries. Have a lovely Sunday Jill, with love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-71850519830448902162022-07-09T20:05:33.945-07:002022-07-09T20:05:33.945-07:00Dear Rick, This is lovely to hear your print my b...Dear Rick, This is lovely to hear your print my blog for your Mum! I am saying a big hello to her! Warm water is a good idea! Truly get yourself on you tube or on Attic 24 blog. If you can master chain, single and double crochet stitches you can crochet pretty much anything from there! Your youth sounds like fun days. We pop popcorn the old fashioned way also. Thank you for your comment it made my day! Love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-27068380441988901692022-07-09T19:33:14.816-07:002022-07-09T19:33:14.816-07:00Dear Laura, I went and found the photo on instagra...Dear Laura, I went and found the photo on instagram! The chickens are a stunning colour! Just lovely! I am so pleased for you.<br />That is very interesting about what your Grandma told you of past droughts. I know there were unimaginably hard times through and after the war years. I didnt know there was drought there as well. How beautiful to give your work mates plants and seeds! I bet that brightened everyones day! <br />I hope your car can be repaired. As your chickens settle in your egg supply will become steady. A big blessing! With love Annabel.xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-45596576178694734302022-07-09T19:01:59.120-07:002022-07-09T19:01:59.120-07:00I wanted to check back in and advise everyone defi...I wanted to check back in and advise everyone definitely do not trust the rat tests, they are a questionable tool at best I’ve decided! My PCR came back positive for Covid it wasn’t influenza at all, all my rat tests were negative even when I was very symptomatic! <br /><br />Also I never did get to cutting up the old sheets like I thought I might, it was a case of my brain wanting to but my body not willing! 😉Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311533562354140487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-76436749177014615002022-07-09T14:08:45.366-07:002022-07-09T14:08:45.366-07:00Sounds like you have had another eventful yet prod...Sounds like you have had another eventful yet productive week, Annabel! Like you, we keep our hens forever, long past their laying age. As we live in the suburbs this gets hard as there isn't much room for more chooks, but at the moment the two Isa browns have started laying again (they stopped when winter first arrived) and I'm so thankful for their eggs. They're such a generous size and delicious too. Didn't compare when I had to buy eggs for a few weeks. <br />Everyday we have sunshine here I'm so grateful. Cleaning up leaves and giving them to the chooks to scratch through, emptying the garden beds and just enjoying the sun is a blessing. My plan is to get on top of some freezer meals this week - your gorgeous sausage rolls always inspire me!<br />I hope you get a restful weekend before baby week! Blessings to all, Kirsty xKirstyhttps://itsaclassicallife.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com