tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post5505569505856919140..comments2024-03-28T13:12:03.794-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.: Feather your Nest Friday, 1st April, 2022.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-87958729662963722082023-03-17T06:25:56.189-07:002023-03-17T06:25:56.189-07:00Actually, Shirley was considered a "boy's...Actually, Shirley was considered a "boy's" name before 1849! So give a nod to the past and name your Silky Bantam rooster Shirley with confidence! Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806666755044240033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-64766581913932859612022-04-04T19:57:45.956-07:002022-04-04T19:57:45.956-07:00Annabel and Laura--I bought the same apple peeler ...Annabel and Laura--I bought the same apple peeler at a thrift store for $3! However, it seems to remove a lot of apple along with the peel. Do you (or anyone else here) know of a way to adjust the thickness that is removed? Thank you!mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-15372555876818482512022-04-04T10:45:39.999-07:002022-04-04T10:45:39.999-07:00Hi Laura,
I was so happy to read your post today....Hi Laura,<br /><br />I was so happy to read your post today. Your raspberry bushes and orchard sound amazing! Keeping you and your family in my heart and thoughts.<br /><br /><3<br />KathyKathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-31089430597360032032022-04-03T21:29:21.790-07:002022-04-03T21:29:21.790-07:00I can't vouch for this, but Wendy at My Abunda...I can't vouch for this, but Wendy at My Abundant Life posted last week that the trick for freezing leftovers lies in the thawing. She said to thaw the food in the fridge and add a little bit of water when reheating. Wendy freezes all of her leftovers as single serves. TBH, I've never found that cooked food I have frozen and reheated is as good as fresh cooked, so I'm anxious to give this a try.<br /><br />mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-24700091054554622212022-04-03T20:56:11.807-07:002022-04-03T20:56:11.807-07:00Annabel, our homeowners' association does not ...Annabel, our homeowners' association does not permit clotheslines. Their stand is that they are "unsightly." I've had clotheslines at all of our other houses, so I've had a hard time wrapping my arms around this. I use a drying rack on my patio in nice weather--can't be seen because it is lower than my fence. I also have compost bins tucked behind my fence, but don't tell anyone, LOL.<br /><br />HOAs are a pain when you want to do something that is not permitted. I also have a problem with people ratting out their neighbors...although this does not often happen. However, I've owned 6 houses in 52 years, and I can tell you that neighborhoods with HOAs look a lot better, and hold their value much better, than non-HOA neighborhoods. I also think that when there are actual rules, there are probably fewer disagreements among neighbors. This is the first home I've owned with a homeowners' association and I'm OK with it...clotheslines notwithstanding! mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-70072506556810075432022-04-03T20:36:41.695-07:002022-04-03T20:36:41.695-07:00How about Verne and Shirley?How about Verne and Shirley?mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-23370770114606163182022-04-03T18:28:39.459-07:002022-04-03T18:28:39.459-07:00Dear Terri,
I agree that roast meats are miles bet...Dear Terri,<br />I agree that roast meats are miles better than deli meats. So these can actually be the left overs made into sandwiches! And they do go further in sandwiches which is a bonus.<br />When the dogs end up with food it is still now a waste at least! Nothing is wasted.<br />Have a very good new week! With love, Annabel.xxx<br /><br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-53728871793782640652022-04-03T18:21:36.603-07:002022-04-03T18:21:36.603-07:00Yes I will, I will try to include how to use... wi...Yes I will, I will try to include how to use... with the cherry tomatoes I do not rehydrate them. I just drop them into my quiche mix and bake my quiche. When cooked the tomatoes are just lovely so they rehydrate sufficiently in the mixture/cooking. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-89012062889313585692022-04-03T18:19:20.785-07:002022-04-03T18:19:20.785-07:00Thank you Pink Rose! Love your name!
A dehydrator...Thank you Pink Rose! Love your name!<br />A dehydrator is amazing. Once you get going it is addictive. I am so pleased to have so much in jars for future use! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-23620036293501096782022-04-03T18:17:27.990-07:002022-04-03T18:17:27.990-07:00Dear Mandy,
Your weather and drive with your paren...Dear Mandy,<br />Your weather and drive with your parents would have been so lovely! That is my kind of drive! <br />Mum is doing well. She still lives at the homestead where people come and go everyday so she is kind of in the hub of activity which she likes. I went over yesterday with warm scones. <br />Good that you stocked up on the flours etc. I have never heard of date syrup! That sounds so good! <br />Have a really good new week! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-12644984210880380272022-04-03T18:10:36.809-07:002022-04-03T18:10:36.809-07:00Dear Pam, I was the same with Laine's blog. I ...Dear Pam, I was the same with Laine's blog. I read one and then read them all!<br />I hope you hatch lots of chickens! That will be awesome! <br />Gardening is hard work and great exercise. Not to mention fresh air and sunshine! You are doing really well! You sound like me in the kitchen... it is amazing how it adds up when we use everything we can. <br />Pam... I have been preparing for years now but only in the last three or so weeks have I felt an absolute sense of urgency. Several friends have told me the same, one said she didnt know what was wrong with her she feels she has to hurry and in a panic almost. Another said similar... It is not just you that is for sure. Oh and then on You tube... the channels I have followed, several of them said the same! <br />I hope you have a good week and can keep on with all you are doing. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-78785796183818589582022-04-03T08:44:04.643-07:002022-04-03T08:44:04.643-07:00Annebell - can you do a post about how to use dehy...Annebell - can you do a post about how to use dehydrated foods? Do you have to rehydrate before use, etc.?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311724842318538031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-33550931213329042422022-04-03T00:54:56.715-07:002022-04-03T00:54:56.715-07:00Dear Nana,
I am glad you have found me again. Th...Dear Nana, <br />I am glad you have found me again. Thank you for such a kind comment! And also for praying for Laine! With love, AnnabelxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-36796835731700166542022-04-02T20:17:21.323-07:002022-04-02T20:17:21.323-07:00Dear Lorna,
When it is that wet I think it is grea...Dear Lorna,<br />When it is that wet I think it is great you have inside work to go on with. At least the rain water tanks are full! Good job on the deep cleaning. This stuff is like a workout. I need to do the tops of my fridges... Things looks so fresh and nice when done.<br />We must be thinking alike as I was in a hardware store and I saw jerry cans... I invested in another to add to ours. Then Andy took them to town and filled them all! We have seen when everyone needed them and none were available. I think they are a very important thing to have.<br />You did well with the specials... I think the large chickens will make many meals. Good value for money. We also got the pork! It must have been an Australia wide special! I thought I can get a lot of meals from a roast so we went for that too! <br />I dont know what the weather looks like yet but have a very good new week! With love, Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-25769669295940834322022-04-02T20:10:32.756-07:002022-04-02T20:10:32.756-07:00Dear Laura,
You are doing so well. In scary circu...Dear Laura,<br />You are doing so well. In scary circumstances you are an inspiration! I saw your beautiful blanket and I am so glad you had more orders for knitting come in too as yes there are things you can do with that extra money.<br />Ask around family and friends about a dehydrator. A lot of people here seem to have one in the back of the cupboard... you never know! It is very good to put up all kinds of things with very little space.<br />We had a news headline here this week "Worth more than Gold" about groceries and prices. I have always said this... and re your decisions with your finances.. there is a Bible verse that says men will throw silver into the streets as it is worthless and will not fill bellies. This is true. There are times money in the bank will not help. But a well stocked pantry will.<br />It would be very difficult being a teenager at this time so your son sounds like a mature young man!<br />The raspberry bushes are a great addition!! You achieved a lot! <br />I think of you every day Laura and you are in my prayers. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-88665287398499828922022-04-02T19:24:50.960-07:002022-04-02T19:24:50.960-07:00I often feel I do very little compared to you when...I often feel I do very little compared to you when it comes to provisions. And it's truth that I don't do as much but every little bit counts, doesn't it?<br />This week I made bagels and pizza dough and bread. <br />My goal each week is that we eat every bite of every meal we make. I didn't quite manage that this week. One was a casserole that is super tasty made fresh but I'd frozen it in two portions and discovered with the first that the freezing changes the texture so that it's unpleasant to eat. I fed the second casserole to the dogs. At least someone in the household was able to get good out of it! <br />I doubled the sloppy joes I made earlier this week and put some into the freezer for a future meal.<br />Like Lana, I found ground beef for $1.99 a pound and put up half as pre-formed burgers and portioned the other half to use later. We picked up two chuck roasts which were a bargain now at $4.99/pound as well. I am torn these days between snagging these really good buys and sticking to the food budget. I console myself that these days when we're over it's real honest to goodness food and not splurge items coming into the house!<br /><br />John addressed the issue of eating leftovers the other day and mentioned he'd like to see more sandwiches on the menu, especially for lunches. He thinks, truly he does, that he's saving me work but he also truly likes sandwiches. I've decided I'd serve less leftovers, put more prepared entree into the freezer and I will make him sandwich fillings. I seldom buy lunch/deli type meats. I splurge buy deli all beef bologna only occasionally but for the last few years I've made sandwich fillings from chicken, corned beef, roasts, eggs, and cheese. These are far less expensive per pound than deli sliced meats.<br /><br />Laine continues in my prayers. terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-13216963314831946702022-04-02T19:02:36.374-07:002022-04-02T19:02:36.374-07:00Please see Three Rivers Homestead on You Tube. Sh...Please see Three Rivers Homestead on You Tube. She uses apple peels and cores to make homemade vinegar. I did this last year and it works! I need to start a new batch. Imagine making your own vinegar for home use each year. I also use cores and apples to make jelly and juice.terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-81874633364591291762022-04-02T18:07:26.873-07:002022-04-02T18:07:26.873-07:00Dear Su,
I hope you are feeling much better soon. ...Dear Su,<br />I hope you are feeling much better soon. Rest up. The apple peeler new was $25 I think but secondhand was $5. So good! It is like having a helper in the kitchen! I hope you can take it easy over the weekend! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-9103117853016922862022-04-02T18:03:56.697-07:002022-04-02T18:03:56.697-07:00Dear Su, I hope you are feeling better very soon....Dear Su, I hope you are feeling better very soon. Rest up. Ask around for an apple peeler you never know! I think my new one was around $25 but it has earned its price. Many times over! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-75422599571996689802022-04-02T09:43:05.893-07:002022-04-02T09:43:05.893-07:00Annebelle, I am so glad to get and see your articl...Annebelle, I am so glad to get and see your articles again. For a while I could not get them and missed them dearly. Thank you for sharing all this information with us even though I am on the other side of the pond. I treasure your knowledge and caring ways. Many thanks for that. <br />For Laine I am sending love and prayers ❤️Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15778742969241818682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-18035340794619304782022-04-02T04:07:14.635-07:002022-04-02T04:07:14.635-07:00Dear Debby, I love the names Zsa Zsa and Eva. I ...Dear Debby, I love the names Zsa Zsa and Eva. I used to love watching Greenacres. I loved that show! I often think of it as I am doing mad things with chickens! <br />I think the dehydrator has freed up a lot of freezer space for me. So for that alone it is worth it. It is amazing space wise. <br />I love that you are working on Christmas gifts! Me too! <br />Thank you for praying for Laine also. She really appreciates all this prayerful support. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-66488263951141542402022-04-02T03:29:26.367-07:002022-04-02T03:29:26.367-07:00Annabel your Silkies are just beautiful and I love...Annabel your Silkies are just beautiful and I love the little chicken pens that they are in and that you have a spare for new chicks that hatch and their mothers :) . So much you have got done with processing all those pears and dehydrating lots of things for your pantry.<br /><br />We have had so much rain here that it was impossible to get out into the gardens at all so we turned our attention to deep cleaning inside the home :).<br /><br />Deep cleaning -<br />- We cleaned all the outside of all the fridges, freezers, kitchen cupboards, cleaned the glass in our kitchen cabinets and I wiped over all the walls in there. Whilst we had everything off the top of the pantry cupboards we also wiped down all the air tight containers to get them clean before putting them back up and cleaned all the venetian blinds. This took quite a few days to do on and off and while I was at it I refilled all the empty containers with staples.<br /><br />In the kitchen -<br />- We baked 4 loaves of wholemeal white bread in the bread making machine saving $ 13.96 over buying them locally.<br />- We cooked all meals and bread from scratch.<br /><br />Grocery purchases ( when we finally got out and the floodwaters receded and the roads were open) - I bought 8 tins of long life meat and veg harvest for $3 each from IGA on a 32% off sale saving $11.20 on usual prices.<br />- We bought 3 more fuel jerry cans from Bunnings and filled them up with 95 fuel coupling our 3% off RACQ Wish e-gift card and using our 4c per litre off Rewards to save $6.40 on usual prices.<br />- On specials at Woolworths we purchased 2 x large Steggles family roast chickens reduced from $6kg to $4 kg and one boneless pork leg roast reduced from $11kg to $9 kg and coupled our 4% off discount with our WW e-gift card with $10 off rewards dollars to save 46.68% or $27.04 on usual prices.<br /><br />Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead :).<br /><br /><br />Lorna.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-79640208947437268922022-04-02T01:36:33.876-07:002022-04-02T01:36:33.876-07:00Hello Annabel and dear Bluebirds friends,
Prayer...Hello Annabel and dear Bluebirds friends, <br /><br />Prayers for Laine and her family - this is such a hard time, hope they will go through easilly.<br /><br />My week was productive, but that was no surprise as I plan to be very busy in order not to think of bad things happening around me. I choose to see God, love, hope, energy, good vibes, faith, home, family - otherwise the news, the war, the scare and sadness is too much. <br />I finished the comisioned knitted jumper and got another order for two more, so here I am again. But extra money in is always welcome. Also finished the crocheted baby blanket with sleeping animal applique and a beautiful baby girl will be napping with it - posted the pictures on my Insta - laura_s_world. <br />My husband and my son have planted last Saturday 29 raspberry bushes and pruned the vineyard, the apple trees and in the flower garden the roses and the hydrangeas. We cleaned the gardens and the yard in very nice warm weather but now the cold is back, with welcomed rain and possible some snow forecast. <br />I hunt bargains and discount prices at the shops, with high prices and shortages, cook from scratch and double check my pantry, freezer and basement/cellar. So far so good. We changed our budget plans because of the actual state of the world - every month we put a certain amount to the retirement fund (as it will be very low in our country) and to medical care but now we choose to buy food and other necessities at good prices being certain that prices will go up and no bank can give you that amount of interest rate. So having things in the home is like having gold.<br /><br />It is not easy to talk with a child about financial rules, war problems, trouble in the world but I am very proud about my teenager son and the way he is coping with all these. A work in progress....<br /><br />Dear Annabel, I love your chicken and chicken coops and after reading all the bluebirds posts I have a dehydrator on my wish list. I think until the autumn bounty we should buy it. <br /><br />Love for everyone - always a joy coming here for learning new things and got encouragement. <br />Thank you, dear friends. Laura_s_world from Romania<br /><br />Laura Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01824208472067159186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-14744494385651857112022-04-02T00:22:22.561-07:002022-04-02T00:22:22.561-07:00Dear Kate,
I am right behind you with your kitchen...Dear Kate,<br />I am right behind you with your kitchen garden! A good investment of time and resources I think!<br />Mmmm I had not considered a thermomix in this way. Please report on this!<br />Lovely jars are always welcome! Mushrooms are just fantastic dehydrated. They add flavour but also in a dish with too much liquid they soak it up like little sponges! Very handy! Also what a deal you got! <br />I add flowers everywhere and they help bring in the bees too. Win win! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-72231316405852530222022-04-02T00:18:41.081-07:002022-04-02T00:18:41.081-07:00Dear Clare,
I am so sorry Covid has hit your house...Dear Clare,<br />I am so sorry Covid has hit your household and hope M is improving daily. I hope you dont get it! <br />Many people raise meat rabbits. I heard that rabbits have been quite expensive to buy in the city butchers. Here we can get rabbits wild as they are basically running around everywhere! <br />Those Quinces may well be still there! Well done on having all you needed food and medicine wise on hand! That is just awesome! Your husband is working hard and great work on the vehicle! <br />Thank you for such kindness Clare. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com