tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post6308348330836057570..comments2024-03-29T00:52:41.459-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.: Feather your Nest Friday, 30 July, 2021. Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-66610232153104336332021-08-06T08:08:57.696-07:002021-08-06T08:08:57.696-07:00Everything you share is so lovely and helpful ♥️ t...Everything you share is so lovely and helpful ♥️ thank you for also sharing our Etsy shop link! ♥️ JEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300505126646960374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-28444928016163025092021-08-05T17:17:41.836-07:002021-08-05T17:17:41.836-07:00Believe me, we have censorship here in the US too!...Believe me, we have censorship here in the US too!!!!!!<br /><br />Our new Administration is keen on no one *bucking The Given Line.*<br /><br />But thankfully, they have not been able to silence everyone. <br /><br />So far......<br /><br />🌻🌼💛🌼🌻 Beside a babbling brook...https://www.blogger.com/profile/14230422491225783790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-66086665353406287542021-08-05T17:07:02.838-07:002021-08-05T17:07:02.838-07:00Hello from the Upper North East of the US!
I read...Hello from the Upper North East of the US!<br /><br />I read of your lockdown news, and wanted to hear it, from "right on the ground" as it were. Happily a Dear Reader of mine, gave me your blog link. <br /><br />It is true! -sigh-<br /><br />Yes, it is scary!<br /><br />Courage!<br /><br />Keep doing as you are doing. Maintaining a Deep Pantry, and doing projects, to try to take your mind off of the horrors. For us to worry ourselves into bad health, is not going to help anyone or anything. <br /><br />Know the facts, and then, live the most peaceful life, we can.<br /><br />Gentle hugs,<br />🌻🌼💛🌼🌻 Beside a babbling brook...https://www.blogger.com/profile/14230422491225783790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-17974356181226051142021-08-04T04:43:42.546-07:002021-08-04T04:43:42.546-07:00Hi Nancy, I got those bottles on Amazon. They are...Hi Nancy, I got those bottles on Amazon. They are 100mils bottles. Homemade vanilla essence is beautiful! Its smells so good! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-14917395255276271252021-08-04T04:41:48.772-07:002021-08-04T04:41:48.772-07:00Hi Nancy, I got those bottles on Amazon. They are...Hi Nancy, I got those bottles on Amazon. They are 100mils bottles. Homemade vanilla essence is beautiful! Its smells so good! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-37485398182336031412021-08-04T04:40:07.965-07:002021-08-04T04:40:07.965-07:00Thanks Jackie, We are ok here but Australia isn&#...Thanks Jackie, We are ok here but Australia isn't doing too well. I hope all ok where you are.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-76483174255367210202021-08-04T03:44:51.731-07:002021-08-04T03:44:51.731-07:00Dear Debbie,
It sounds like you are on the west co...Dear Debbie,<br />It sounds like you are on the west coast. I saw about the heat and fires. Also I heard about many crops... and in Brazil is SNOWED so the coffee harvest is affected. I am so happy you have been working on the pantry. It takes time to really build up but I always say take every opportunity! It really does add up! <br />I am sorry about your fibromyalgia. Lucy has fibromyalgia and is just learning what works and what doesn't. A flare up is not good. I hope you feel better and can keep cool. With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-61238078990594762962021-08-04T03:40:11.784-07:002021-08-04T03:40:11.784-07:00Dear Kathy,
I am so glad you liked the baked apple...Dear Kathy,<br />I am so glad you liked the baked apples. They are delicious. I will have them for breakfast even. Actually I have some apples... <br />I had a bone graft after a tooth out. Oh boy that was awful! I was laying there thinking never again!! I am glad this is all over and done with for your husband. You are looking after him well.<br />Im so glad the air con could be fixed! I hate the heat and so that is my worst nightmare.<br />I hope your horse is ok. I know its not the same but cows are hard to tell what is wrong. But if he is eating well that is a good sign.<br />Lovely to have sunflowers! They are in my spring plans! <br />I hope the week is going well! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-88692621498267840362021-08-04T03:35:37.716-07:002021-08-04T03:35:37.716-07:00Dear Jane,
Good job on so much work on the pantry....Dear Jane,<br />Good job on so much work on the pantry. I know its a big job. My pantry is next after I finish the craft room. <br />It was a really industrial sewing job to work on that boat cover! Great trading. The old machines were built so well. You can turn your hand to anything!<br />If Spencer has large feet and hands I would just expect him to grow big! Lucky Katie has you to do alterations as needed. What a help you are to her.<br />The chook run set up sounds good. The more green they can eat the better. It does keep costs down. I have seen some ingenious chook runs that are really like a wire tunnel and people move them down between the rows of veggies, then next day direct it somewhere else. Brilliant! <br />Your garden is producing so much! It is too cold here at the moment but we will kick in once spring is here. Starting to plan now!<br />Hope the week is going well. With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-52622200496213278022021-08-04T03:22:43.878-07:002021-08-04T03:22:43.878-07:00Dear Glenda,
I also have been ordering online with...Dear Glenda,<br />I also have been ordering online with great success! I can manage more this way. I have topped up several areas this week with online ordering.<br />I saw and am following how citizens are restricted and illegal immigrants are not. No, does not make any sense. Well when things dont make sense something isn't true.<br />I am so sorry you have been so unwell. I hope the Prednisone has helped. <br />It will be nice when the kitchen is all painted. <br />I love chalk paint! I like antique finishes. I really like painting too.<br />I hope you are feeling better. One day at a time... With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-64509784666104139332021-08-04T03:18:25.583-07:002021-08-04T03:18:25.583-07:00Dear Laura,
If you can make more space for the gar...Dear Laura,<br />If you can make more space for the garden that will be great. I have found that going up is an amazing way to create space ie fences as trellis and other supports to have things climb upwards. I am glad you are working so hard on self reliance. It has been an interesting week here. Clara on you tube is great, she gives recipes and stories of the Great Depression. Also you might enjoy the war time farm series, if I have the name right. Many tips to learn there! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-89730811648658815582021-08-04T03:13:31.318-07:002021-08-04T03:13:31.318-07:00Dear Maxine,
I am glad you had a nice visit with y...Dear Maxine,<br />I am glad you had a nice visit with your son and daughter in law. <br />Very nice to get a new purse! What a bargain on the dress. I love navy blue! Very good you are harvesting even if the beans arent doing well. Vicky said her garden isn't its usual either. The zucchini parmesan combination sounds really nice. <br />I hope you are having a good week, this one is flying by! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-57324107191028793032021-08-04T03:07:52.190-07:002021-08-04T03:07:52.190-07:00Dear Lesley,
I am so sorry about your husbands job...Dear Lesley,<br />I am so sorry about your husbands job loss. Yes we need to carry on with what we can. And usually that is a lot! It is so good to make broth. I truly thing bone broth and stock are so nutritious. Nothing else like it. A slow cooker is perfect. Long slow cooking is the best. <br />It is a very good idea to have printed photos. I fear a whole generation will end up with none as they think "the cloud" is a safe place! Also photos make very good gifts and making up albums too is very nice. We love to look back over photos. Very precious. <br />Thank you Leslie for your kind words. With love Annabel.xxx<br /><br /><br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-44673436937306796672021-08-02T19:37:24.770-07:002021-08-02T19:37:24.770-07:00Hi Annabel and Bluebirds
It is funny how states d...Hi Annabel and Bluebirds<br /><br />It is funny how states differ. You had storms and hail we had heat as in 31 was our hottest day with no rain in sight and I had to turn on the air con for a while to cool things down.<br /><br />You always seem to get so much done in a week and make the most of the days. I am home now as I had a call from school that DD11 was ill and I was hesitant to go into sewing today but I went. Will try to get some done once she is resting.<br /><br />Things in our state are rapidly changing and whilst we are far away from the lockdown areas it could all change in the blink of an eye. I have heard that someone was in regional QLD who was infected so them being placed on alert then raises our level as the highway between them and us in constantly busy and only a few hours drive. I have not even been into supermarkets to see what state they are in, I could only imagine.<br /><br />Your photos of the animal antics are just beautiful and never cease to amaze me at what they will get up to next. The vanilla essence labels are just gorgeous. Thank you for all your wonderful inspiration. I know over the years that I would not be where I am today if I had not come across you all those years ago and for this I am so grateful.<br /><br />Hope everyone has a wonderful week and stay safe wherever you are<br /><br />Take Care<br />Aly xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-36641402794325169472021-08-02T04:44:47.691-07:002021-08-02T04:44:47.691-07:00Dear Lorna,
Nothing smells as good as bread baking...Dear Lorna,<br />Nothing smells as good as bread baking. Your loaves are saving you such a lot.<br />Great harvests of Silverbeet and Carrots! <br />Very good deals from IGA. I have a chance to check out a couple of supermarkets out of my usual area this week so I am hoping I might find some deals too.<br />Al your produce and gardening were wonderful. Great to get the raised beds topped up. I found as mine broke down and composted I had to keep topping up too. Hope you have a great new week. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-18418414605181822752021-08-02T04:40:58.493-07:002021-08-02T04:40:58.493-07:00Dear Lily,
Im so glad your outdoor work made you f...Dear Lily,<br />Im so glad your outdoor work made you feel better. That works for me too. <br />My Nana always did a Sunday roast! The whole family gathered for it! I loved it. <br />This Spring I am going to plant even more parsley! Its something that grows well here and it is great to be able to give away bunches, barter and then it is good for the goats, chooks... so I will just plant every spare inch with it<br />Lily lots of things make great big planters and pots. But I agree... plant plant plant! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-46951663128705322392021-08-02T04:37:27.815-07:002021-08-02T04:37:27.815-07:00Dear Terri, Well I might be a bit like your daugh...Dear Terri, Well I might be a bit like your daughter and evacuate to air conditioning if I could! I hate the heat. And hate humidity!<br />So sorry you had a double financial hit. I know you will be ingenious to work your way back from these. <br />Probably you will get into a routine with your little Grandson and it is big blessing you can do this for your daughter and for him.<br />I like your inventive baby gate! I hope this week throws no new bills at you! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-8576397049255515302021-08-02T04:33:38.793-07:002021-08-02T04:33:38.793-07:00Hi, Depending what device you are on... but on the...Hi, Depending what device you are on... but on the top left of the blog I have a link to many of the blogs I follow. I need to add some more so I will try to add them over the next few weeks.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-10462758590436407122021-07-31T20:38:06.071-07:002021-07-31T20:38:06.071-07:00Annabel I love the lovely bags you made with the v...Annabel I love the lovely bags you made with the velvet and rose prints and that you have been sorting your craft room out while the rain has been about :) . You have made so much progress in the orchard and I hope the netting helps keep the birds out so you can get lots of lovely fruit and I love the vanilla extract bottle labels.<br /><br />Our Vicky challenge added up to $67.31 in savings last week :).<br /><br />In the kitchen -<br />- Cooked 2 loaves of wholemeal white bread in the bread making machine saving $6.98 over buying them locally.<br />- Made all meals from scratch.<br />- Blanched and froze silverbeet picked from the gardens to make 11 meal sized portions for the freezer and did the same with 5 kg of carrots we purchased from the supermarket. The vegetable freezer is looking a lot fuller and nice to have a good supply of fresh veggies on hand for meal ingredients.<br /><br />Purchases -<br />- From IGA we purchased 6kg of sausages on special for $5.33 kg, 2.04 kg of chicken drumsticks on markdown for $2.33 kg and a 500g of unsalted roasted cashews on special for $4 saving in total $ 15.33 on usual prices.<br /><br />In the gardens - <br />- We harvested 10 bunches of silverbeet from the vegetable gardens saving $45 over buying them locally in the supermarkets.<br />- Topped up 2 more above ground garden beds with more soil and composted grass clippings.<br />- Both of us spent time around the property digging/pulling up large marshmallow weeds and other weeds and putting them in the wheelie bin. The yard is looking much more tidy now :).<br /><br />Hope everyone has had a wonderful week :) .<br /><br /><br />Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-54127857575014149502021-07-31T17:32:17.354-07:002021-07-31T17:32:17.354-07:00Dear Annabel, it is all a bit scary and I have day...Dear Annabel, it is all a bit scary and I have days where I feel a bit panic-y, mostly when I begin to think about it all or watch the news. It seems to trigger me! Well we aren't in lockdown yet, but our state is in trouble again...I am extremely glad for the garden and sunshine. I've fertilised the garden with chicken manure and raked the leaves, planted a couple of cuttings and this has made me feel better already. The oven is warming, ready to put in the roast for a Sunday. I have fond memories of the roast on a Sunday...hopefully we get two dinners from it and some lunch meat. I think our next investment needs to be the garden. We badly need more beds. I went to a farmer's market and it inspired me...I thought I can grow this, I can grow that...bunches of parsley were $3! It all really adds up. Nothing beats your parsley, Annabel. Well done for having a big clean up of the craft room, I love nothing more than a space being sorted out and cleaned up. It often provides inspiration too. I love that you are getting so many eggs....it is the best gift! Sending love. Love, LilyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-84141062731657263282021-07-31T13:21:57.743-07:002021-07-31T13:21:57.743-07:00Murphy's Law here. My daughter's AC went ...Murphy's Law here. My daughter's AC went out Friday evening late and we got a text after we were in bed. She and little boy came to spend the night. Fortunately we were able to get a repair man out but boy oh boy weekend repair prices....As another mentioned, we were heading into some truly hot weather here with lots of humidity and daughter starting a new work at home job...She HAD to have AC! Later in the week, I was brushing my teeth one night before bed when the faucet slowed to a trickle and stopped. Never a good sign when you're on a well! That too turned out to be a minor repair one handled by husband and son. We'd already had a big hard financial thing hit us and that repair bill shot us way over our budget. Sigh.<br />On the better side, I have a fully stocked pantry and freezer and we can manage. I'm going to try shopping only the BEST sales this coming month and possibly stocking up on flour. I'm also going to try and have an eagle eye for bargains we might can use that aren't advertised. <br />Daughter's new job means nursery needed for baby boy but first pay is mid August. It's looking as though I'll be nursery until October or so. Not my ideal. It's very hard to work around an 18mo and his messes and half the house blocked off to keep him out of things but the benefit is seeing his lovely little personality and accomplishments and how hard HE is trying to stay out of places we've said NO to. He really is pretty amazing and a joy to us both.<br />High heat days have meant being on top of pulling shades and curtains on sunny side of house. We'd originally shut doors to parts of house where we didn't want little boy to go but that proved to work the AC far too hard. We now lay a dining chair across the main doorways and that allows us to block off both ends of the house but air circulates. The AC continued to work hard but it also FELT cooler in the house because the flow was better.<br />Lots of plans for some very frugal months ahead, but I know that I can do this!terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-78883245900600580312021-07-31T11:22:13.415-07:002021-07-31T11:22:13.415-07:00Hi Annabel, great post as always! In the comment s...Hi Annabel, great post as always! In the comment section of your last post you mentioned other blogs that you follow, would you care to share? <br />SarahJust Got To Eathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00168415610289825430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-89296677387297248752021-07-31T04:21:10.213-07:002021-07-31T04:21:10.213-07:00Dear Gardenpat, Dave was right! You turn your ba...Dear Gardenpat, Dave was right! You turn your back and more blackberries ripen! <br />You have done well with the Lilacs and the Blackberries. I think you found a little market there. What a good demonstration of how making a wise investment can pack back such great dividends. Both food and profit! With the chickens and the garden you are already quite self reliant. This is my goal also! With love, Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-714399814548053712021-07-31T04:15:59.976-07:002021-07-31T04:15:59.976-07:00Dear Lana, Well yes the massive number of illegal...Dear Lana, Well yes the massive number of illegal immigrants I heard are bused and flown around ... which doesn't make sense with covid does it? But here people cannot have a visitor in their house but you can go to a brothel. So makes no sense. You cant sing in church but you can shout at the football. <br />I hope it cools down for you. Also I hope the new week will be easier! I hope your friend recovers well too. Keep praying and we keep going. Whatever has happened Lana I hope and pray for you. With love and hugs, Annabel.xxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278303894819262604.post-12648606789075037282021-07-31T04:12:06.464-07:002021-07-31T04:12:06.464-07:00Dear Mary,
The media are even censoring people tal...Dear Mary,<br />The media are even censoring people talking about what is happening. Its a shock really as two years ago I would never have imagined any of this. It has escalated lately very fast. So sometimes I have a bit of a panic feeling. I need to keep on top of that. We really have to enjoy the beauty around us, nature, animals and do our best. Mary for some reason I am even worse when a calf dies. Oh boy I will never get used to that. But I have more wins than losses and that keeps me going. <br />Sending love and prayers back to you! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com