The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Thursday 17 October 2019

Feather your Nest Friday, 18th October, 2019.

This was a much better week!  And Andy is feeling well!  I felt tired for a few days but soon farm life was up and running again and I felt a bit caught up.  Then it was eventful!

I got my dried fruits soaking ready to make my Christmas cakes.  October is the time to make them as time makes them better and better.   Also I had a lot of eggs in the fridge so this was an extra good time.  I did 4 batches (two double batches) and got six cakes.



This gives me one for Andy, some gifts and one each for the girls.

I got a batch of Coffee Liqueur going.  Once I bottle it I will show how it looks and put up the recipe.

Mum and I headed off to see the girls.  I took a giant impossible pie.  This meant I used up more eggs. It is just eggs, cream (my 25 c cream) bacon, parsley, pepper, onions, (cook first)  cheese and a cup of flour. I used gluten free flour and twelve eggs.    Everyone loved it and it cost me hardly anything.   So with the cakes then this I used up 32 eggs in two days!


Mum and I were all loaded up and heading off.   At the moment shearing is on so there are trucks and utes driving in and out a lot. Because of this I take less notice of who is coming and going.   On the way out we passed a ute.   It took a second for my brain to register that there was a calf on the back!   I said Mum stop!  We turned back.  Yep, the calf was for me, sent over by a manager of another property.  What timing!    But he is a beautiful boy calf and he drank well right away.  His name is Brady as the lovely young man who delivered him was Brady.



On the weekend it was Chloe and Luke's anniversary.  He got her the best present! Something she has always wanted.  (seriously) 



His name is Paddy.  Luke really did well with this gift!   Paddy loves Chloe from day one.


Alpaca's like company.  He wants to be with Chloe all the time.   So he needs a friend for when Chloe is at work.  Enter Blossom.  If there was ever a lamb that wants to be with you it is her.   Also if there was ever a lamb who doesn't know she is a sheep that is also her! haha!   So Chloe brought over the old farm car and Blossom went for a ride to meet Paddy.   You can't make this stuff up.   So this is Blossom in her ride to Chloe's farm...


Next thing she made friends with Paddy and they were just fine.


Every evening Chloe goes for a walk.   She has a feeling she is being followed...


All this action happened on Wednesday.  So on Thursday it seems God thought "oh no ,Annabel is down one sheep!" and quickly moved to rectify this...


Luke came to the door with a lamb. It isn't even lambing season!   This lamb is far from new born, I think a few weeks old.  I have called him Freddie.    
So one moved out, two moved in this week.   Now I am bottle feeding five!   But Loui is finishing up bottles on the weekend and I think I will only feed Eddie for another week or two. 

In town I picked up a big box of bottles and jars for jams and sauces.  I saw them for free on Facebook local buy swap and sell.   This will help me out in summer!   

My pumpkin seeds failed.  So today I am planting pumpkin seedlings.   And I have hundreds of cherry tomato seedings coming up everywhere so I am moving some and potting up others.

We had rain this week.  This is the most help of all.  

I think that catching up after being away and the trips back and forth to the city etc.  was the biggest thing.   If I am not here things go backwards fast!   It seems to take several days to catch up.
I then decided to get everything out of the present cupboard and go through all I have made over the year.  The Tuesday Afternoon Club has really helped me make more than ever.   It is a joy to go through it all and make up gifts!   I am trying to do fifteen minutes a day on this.  Then I can reclaim my craft room where this is all spread everywhere!

How did you build up your home and get ahead this week?  I hope it was a good week for you! xxx












54 comments:

  1. I just found your wonderful blog and know I will enjoy reading it in the future. I have subscribed via email so looking forward to the next one. I was just thinking yesterday it's time to start soaking the fruit for the Christmas cakes.

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    1. Thank you so much and a big welcome! It is so nice to get the fruit cakes done. I soak mine over night and give them a stir every time I am in the kitchen. They smell good! This is kind of the start of Christmas. Mum does the puddings about now also. Thank you for your comment! xxx

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    2. Hello ‘Happy Retirees Kitchen’, & welcome!

      As far as I am concerned, there is no blog quite like this one in the entire world! I hope you thrive here!

      Rachel

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  2. I am always trying to get ahead. This week I looked after my granddaughter for two ten hour days and I do find it tiring. On the other side it is wonderful gift and privilege and now she is toddler life is moving so fast. We have had some workmen here and I some rain.

    I am trying to use up old stuff in the cupboards and some more holes are appearing. Mum is always complaining about the state of the house. I do try. House work is beyond me and I wake everyone morning I wake to a mess that was not there when I went to bed. I will keep on trying.

    On the positive side we has some much needed rain. How I loved that storm.

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    1. Dear Suzan, I am always trying to get ahead too. Just now it is with Christmas gifts and Christmas related things.
      Ten hours is a long day that is for sure. I would be tired too!
      Is your Mum able to help in any way.... I do not know about her health and abilities... I basically follow FLylady as I find of all things routines help me and the other one is that we can do anything for 5 or 15 minutes and this is how I tackle the really big projects. 15 minutes at a time gets anything done. Currently this is my method in my craft room!
      I am very happy you got some rain! We got a little bit too. Each bit helps!
      Have a lovely weekend! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Dear Suzan!
      Someone once wrote that we should spend twice as much time as we think we should with the children in our care. With that, & just the fact that you are there with them, you are making an invaluable investment!

      Be encouraged! Nobody’s work is ever fully done! Ha ha!!

      Isn’t rain a blessing!! We have some here, too!!


      With lots of interesting things to do,
      Rachel

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  3. Dear Annabel, how wonderful that Andy is feeling better. It is also so lovely that more beautiful animals came to you- they are lucky to have you! Brady and Freddie are so cute. How lovely that Blossom and Paddy hit it off. I love how they followed Chloe. Take it easy, Annabel. You have had a lot on. I can only imagine how it must be to get on top of things again. I feel like if I miss a day's washing, I have so much to catch up on...not to mention cooking and so on. I got a bike with a basket last weekend and we go bbq. I am excited to ride a bike again and hopefully can have fun with the little ones. I am also really liking the idea of easy meals- lots of salads that can be prepared early in the morning...before the heat sets in. Lots of love to you. Love B

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    1. Dear B, What you say is true. Even if we miss one days washing or jobs in general it seems a big job to catch up. It becomes overwhelming pretty quickly! It is fantastic about your bike! I also really appreciate summers simple meals. In the heat we living on cold meat and salads. It is like a holiday from cooking. That and the produce that comes in are my favourite parts of summer! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  4. Annabel you will soon have quite a farm herd! love your blog and yes God works in wonderful but mysterious ways
    carol from Sydney

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    1. Dear Carol, Thank you! When we arrived here we had empty little paddocks and a large empty hen house. I wondered then what we would have as it all seemed empty and MEANT to be full. While I fist bought some chickens after that every animal that has come to use including the dog has just turned up and been free. Now all my little paddocks are full of live. They have added so much joy! With love Annabel.xxx

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  5. Annabel I'm so pleased Andy is feeling better. And that you are feeling back on top of things. Those cakes look fantastic! I've never made a Christmas cake, but do remember everyone getting to stir when Mum used to make them. Chloe looks so happy to have Paddy, how cute that Blossom has made a friend.

    We are in the middle of a couple of very busy weeks, my son is performing in a musical and has had rehearsals every day this week. Performances start tonight, it's very exciting. It has also meant there has been loads of driving, meals at odd times and late nights. It's really important to me to make sure he's eating well so there has been lots of extra cooking.

    I hope you have a lovely weekend!
    Jen in NZ

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    1. Dear Jen,
      Thank you! Oh you would have had a lot of trips into town! But it would be such an experience so it will all be worth it. You will be like me and need a week afterwards to catch up at home!
      Have a wonderful weekend and I hope the musical is a great hit! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  6. Great news that Andy is feeling well. I love reading the stories of the antics of your pets -the alpaca and the sheep friendship is joyful!

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    1. Dear Earthmotherwithin, I am amazed how the animals make friends. I am not convinced they know what they are and they buddy up so quickly. Also size seems no barrier. Eddie and Loui (latest calf in the paddock) and the best friends. And despite huge size differences they have head butting games. Very fun to watch! It does bring me a lot of joy! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. Annabel your Christmas cakes look so lovely,i might get on to mine next weekend for sure,ways i got ahead i have a corn silverside ready to do in the slow cooker most of the meat will be used for lunches during the week,and a meal over the weekend,i have califlower with white sause to go with the meal tomorrow i will go out and buy some tomato seedlings have a great weekend x

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    1. Dear Melissa,
      Left over cold meat is so good. When you look at the price of deli meats this is the way to go. Also the cauliflower with white sauce sounds just beautiful. The tomato seedlings will do well now. I have little self sewn ones I am moving around and potting up and planted some other varieties as well. Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Dear Melissa!

      My heart still goes out to your family! I don’t know if there are children who have lost a mother, but it is a difficult loss, anyway.
      May the God of Jacob be your help! Enjoy the corned silverside (lovely!) & the gardening!

      Praying for you,
      Rachel

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  8. We've had some rain this week too, Annabel, and it's wonderful how quickly things green up again. Hopefully, more will come through over the Summer. This week, we bought a second-hand bed frame. It looked a bit tired but after some new nails to fix the bedhead and lots of elbow grease to polish up the timber we now have a lovely, solid timber frame that is a warm honey colour. It saved us quite a bit of money so very happy with that.

    Meg:)

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    1. Dear Meg,
      I agree... some rain and things look better so fast! We had a bit more now too! I am glad you did get some.
      A solid timber bed would be very nice. Timber comes up so well with a bit of attention. And a very good deal by the sounds of it! Have a great weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  9. your christmas cakes always look good; i buy Lions christmas cakes every year (can't bake to save my life) usually try to get the ones in tins if i can; they are the best bought ones i know of, a friend used to make christmas cakes but she moved to NZ...
    i have been adding to my gift box throughout the year too; we have hand made stalls at our markets & i like to support them as often as i can. i do make anything knitted when i can too, dish cloths, hand towel tops, tea cosies, etc
    loved seeing the baby animals, looks like no holidays for you for awhile, too many mouths to feed. it's lovely that you take on all these little babies.
    great post
    thanx for sharing

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    1. Dear Selina, It sounds like you are a good knitter! I can knit basically but crochet is my thing. But with one skill we can use it to help charities and others and make gifts and so many things.
      Since living here I no long want holidays. This is where I want to be. I have five on the go at the moment though. The only thing though is when they are weaned I would like to stay with the girls now and then over night. That would be fun. That is if no new animals turn up in the meantime! Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. Annabel, I really think you are an energiser bunny :-) You are always on the go. You will have quite a herd soon. I do hope you keep getting some rain as it is so hard for our farmers up here in Queensland with no feed for their animals. Some city folk are taking their working dogs to keep them alive. Have a relaxing weekend and praise God that Andy is well.

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    1. Dear Nanna Chel,
      I had not heard about the working dogs going to the city. Gosh that is heartbreaking but on the other hand so lovely that there are people willing to foster them. It sounds desperate. We are extremely lucky, I know. Thank you so much! You have a good weekend too! With love Annabel.xxx

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  11. I know just how you feel Annabel. I don't think I'll ever catch up after our trip this past weekend. We needed to see his mom though so it was so worth it.
    I'm so glad to hear that Andy is better!
    I love hearing about all your animals. You do a lot of hard work. I bet you miss Blossom. Have a great week.

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    1. Dear Vickie, No one talks about this!! The work that goes into getting ready to leave and things at home taken care of then catching up when you get back! It is a lot! But so glad you got to seen your Mum!
      I only agreed that Blossom could go as I can see her regularly and take her a biscuit and it will mean she will always be a pet and have it good. Spoiled more like! She has been my favourite. She could never drink i.e. suck a bottle so that I guess is why she was an orphan. So the work that went into getting her to live was enormous. But she was worth it! Have a good weekend there! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Yes! It takes us ten days of planning to leave everything done here before we go the lake house and then it is a good ten days catching up when we come back. Sometimes we wonder if it is worth it but then we know it is.

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  12. Annabel,
    Oh how wonderful! Luke hit it out of thee ball park getting the alpaca for Chloe. Blossom definitely does not know she is a sheep.
    You new Brady is adorable.

    I did well this week, husband and I filled 13 lawn bags with the perennials we cut down for the winter, (we aren't done, one more side of the house to do).

    We had a Bomb Cyclone yesterday.day before. The high winds had the rain hitting the house on all sides, the wind itself was so loud. The rain was torrential. We had a river of rainfall going down the side yard. It washed all of husband's seed and hydro-seed away along with the top soil, we have deep ruts in lawn where the rain water ran down, our property slopes down from road through yard down to a large stream.

    Today we will have a truck load of dirt delivered for us to spread in yard to stop some of the erosion.

    This Monday was an exciting day for me and my craft room. I found a sewing cabinet on Facebook Marketplace, it even had a machine in it, not sure yet if the machine works but the cabinet is solid wood and even has a place to store spools on and shelves. I consider it a great win instead of a table. Now to get the boys to carry it down to craft room.

    We are concentrating on winter prep around the house here, we might get snow next week. I haven't even started on the cars.

    You had a wonderful productive week, so glad you were able to go see the girls and were blessed with more new animals.
    Love, Rosanne

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    1. Dear Rosanne, That is exactly what I said to Luke! He was quite proud. And Chloe's reaction was pure delight and joy!
      Yeh I agree Blossom has no idea she is a sheep haha!
      Gosh I didnt realise the severity of your rain and storm!
      I am thrilled about your sewing table. The old machine might be pretty good. Many older ones were built incredibly well and to last.
      It was a week of blessings. It was amazing. And since we have had more rain! I hope you have a lovely weekend and it is restful! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

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  13. Hi Annabel.
    Wonderful to hear Andy is feeling better. No matter how ready we think we might be for times of ill health in our loved ones or oursevels, it is still a shock and stress to cope with. Returning to the farm is your sanctury and the healing place for you and Andy. Wow can't believe Chloe and Luke have had there first anniversary. Congrats to both. Love Chloe's gift. As a horse rider from way back I have always wanted a donkey. These days it's just to much work to have a horse. Finding a place on the outskirts of the city means driving further every year. Plus it is a very expensive sport. I have other priorities these days. I would also love a goat. No chance as we do not have any land for either.
    I am looking forward to a week off in November. This is the first lot of leave I have taken in this job, apart from the business closing for xmas last year. I decided I might struggle to make it to xmas this year if I didn't. I have now been in this job for 15months. The time is flying by. Have a good weekend Annabel and bluebirds.

    Mandy(NZ)

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    1. Dear Mandy, Like you cant believe it is a year since the wedding I cant believe you have been in this job 15 months!
      Good for you taking a week off. I hope you enjoy it and feel rested after.
      Horses are a very expensive hobby. But I think a donkey could be nice! I Am just as happy with Eddie though. I wonder what will come next, that is my big question!
      I agree about health... we take it so for granted until things fail! Have a good weekend and a rest if you can get it. With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  14. My goodness you and your animals!!! I smile and laugh every time you post. I love seeing and hearing about the newest adventures. You sure are becoming the animal 'collector'.

    It looks like Paddy likes his new Momma as well as she liking it. How cute.

    The impossible pie sounds heavenly.

    Glad Andy is feeling much better. I hope you both continue on with good health. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Dear Cheryl, Thank you! Apart from the fist chooks which I bought all animals including the dog have been gifts from God.... they somehow have chosen us. And now I have variety! I am making another pie tomorrow as I have eggs galore, the cream and a ton of spinach and parsley. And it is delicious. And easy!
      Thanks so much Cheryl. Have a good weekend there. With love Annabel.xxx

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  15. Oh my word. I love all the little lambs and calves and now an Alpaca at your daughters house. So much fun. I was raised in the country and as a kid my best friend lived on a huge farm. She started going to auctions with her dad and buying the little black bummer lambs. Oh they were beautiful and we all had to take turns bottle feeding them. I miss those times. So much fun on a farm and ALWAYS something to do. There were 6 kids in their family but through out the year our moms would trade us back and forth for weeks at a time. More fun to help out at someone elses place than your own when you are a kid. lol

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    1. Dear Crystal, Thank you! Personally I think I am needing an Alpaca baby now. haha. Your childhood sounds just lovely! Kids should have space and animals. How beautiful. Yes there is always stuff to do. Always! I have to pace myself and do some outdoor work, indoor work and sitting down work... then start again!
      Have a lovely weekend! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  16. Oh, that alpaca! It makes me want one but I don't think my Homeowners Association would approve! It is an absolute joy and delight to see all these animals and read about how you got them and what you named them. Maybe some day in your spare time, you could write a children's book about them!

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    1. Dear Oldeirandwiser, I often think how this is all a good childrens story. When I see the girls I show them photos of everything and tell them all that has been happening. Well they love it. Scarlett said on the phone can she come to my place to see Eddie. All the little adventures are gorgeous stories!
      Both Brady and Freddie have settled in and doing well. Both started off quite badly and were very skinny and hungry. I can see we are getting somewhere now and the extra time put into them is working.
      Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for your kind comment. With much love Annabel.xxx

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  17. Dear Annabel & Bluebirds!!

    During the week, I had a big day trip! Travelling to the coast, the first task was to pick up an early 1900’s Jacobean lounge suite (with curvy woodwork, & leaf carvings on the arms). It cost $80! It needs restoring! The seller gave me a tour of her garden, chooks, ducks, et cetera AND gave me loofah plants & seeds!! .. Lunch was baked brie, salad & sourdough overlooking the beach! Purchases (with discounts) were made at three op shops at the beach’s Main Street, and the car had to be found to collect the big haul! I bought chairs, frames, glass ware, corks, a basket, a white jug, a silver-coated tray (to be painted!), a white waffle-weave doona cover, ... These are for home projects & for stock to sell! Annabel, you should have seen the mirror I bought! It is heavy!! ... I had a few minutes to walk in the sea water before we headed home at about dark! Ha ha!!
    Thankful for the beach,
    Rachel
    P.S. Barb, have you used Pete’s Lotion for your knee? I have some on my muscles right now. Like using arnica cream, it is wonderful!!

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    1. Dear Rachel,
      Your day trip sounds just lovely! As does the lounge!! And the seller sounds like a kindred spirit I think! Even lunch sounded divine. What a day! Now you can grow Loofah as well!
      And your mirror and good finds all sound beautiful. I should have come with you on this trip it sounds so up my alley! I am very happy to hear you have such a nice day.
      I also love arnica cream. It is extremely soothing and comforting. With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

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  18. I do enjoy your blog so much! I can’t seem to sign in to google correctly to post a comment so will do it this way. Please keep up posting on your new small animals, today I laughed at the new alpaca and Chloe ;). What great photos.
    Hilogene in Arizona.

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    1. Dear Hilogene, Thank you! And thank you for finding a way to reply! I am amazed how soft and adorable the Alpaca is. Also his "hair" is about the same colour as Chloe's like he was custom made. He looks unreal like a teddy bear. And he is so soft it is impossible to describe! Lovely! Enjoy your weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  19. Annabel I am firstly glad that Andy is feeling better :). How wonderful blossom has a companion to keep her company now too. Your eggs are coming in handy for cooking so many scrumptious things for not only yourself but your extended family too.

    Our Vickie challenge added up to $607.11 in savings last week :).

    Grocery stockpiling -
    - With the blessing of supermarket discount vouchers, racq gift cards and weekly specials we were able to stock up on 2 cartons of tinned mangoes and a years supply of shampoo and conditioner on sale.

    Finances -
    - Paid an extra payment off our mortgage saving time and interest off our home loan.

    Purchases -
    - From IGA on clearance we purchased 1kg of strawberries for $2 which was dessert for two nights, 2.07 kg of apples for $3, bananas at a low price of $3 kg, peanuts for $7 kg and value packs of tim tams and mint slices for $2.25 ea saving in total $21.31 on usual prices.
    - Bought 2 logs lifters with peevie hooks and post pullers in one unit for $170 ea saving $512.50 on prices elsewhere we had seen. These are rare as hens teeth to find as they are not commercially made anymore and usually cost a fortune. We were fortunate enough to find them in a tyre repair store where the new owner wanted to liquidate them so we wrangled a good price.
    - Received 200g of swiss cheese & a 8 pack of bolognese Arancini free as a sample as I am a taste tester for a supermarket saving $8.60 over purchasing them.
    - Bought a RACQ gift card for groceries saving 5% or $7.90.
    - Our local supermarket was having a $15 off $160 pick up order promotion so we put in an order. With weekly specials and the supermarket promotion code we were able to save $56.80 on usual prices.

    Home spring cleaning -
    - I damp dusted the whole home.
    - We moved furniture in the lounge room into a better configuration and I damp dusted walls, skirting boards, doors, a buffet and entertainment unit.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead :).

    Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).

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    1. Dear Lorna, You had good savings! Getting ahead by a year on anything is very good. I did this with shampoo and conditioner with flyby points and a huge Coles clearance. I still am using it up in fact it will probably last me another year yet!
      I need to look into these log lifters you mention, boy could we do with log lifers.
      Good idea to take advantage of the $15 off groceries. What a savings there with the specials and promotions. This is why we need to keep an eye on catalogues, store openings and so on. There are now and then massive savings.
      My whole house needs damp dusting. Now the fire is no longer needed I need to do this. When the fire is cleaned ash ends up everywhere no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
      You had very good deals on fresh produce. I am glad you had such a good week!
      It has been a hive of activity here and I am just catching up! Much love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Hi Annabel and thank you for your encouragement :).

      In case you have not worked with log lifters they do what they say and lift the logs off the ground and have cant/peevie hooks on them to go around the logs. It makes the larger logs easier to cut rather than roll them constantly so your chain on your chainsaw doesn't hit the ground and blunt the blades and take chips out of them. The chainsaw chains last a lot longer this way without having to replace them so often which is an expensive exercise, although we get after market chains which are so much cheaper (try eBay and count the number of teeth on the chain, model etc). Don't go for the Chinese brand log lifteres as they are not up to par and bend so friends told us.

      I know what you mean with dust between the drought and the fireplace it gets everywhere and as you say it doesn't matter how careful you are.

      Have a great week ahead :).

      Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).

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  20. I am so pleased to hear that Andy is doing well again! I love Chloe's walks! It is so often the most inexpensive food that everyone loves best. I learned to just feed all the college kids that ours brought home some hot biscuits and mashed potatoes and gravy. It did not matter what else. We are working hard to get ready to be away for ten days at the lake house. We will go on Friday and can hardly wait! Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Dear Lana,
      I hope you have wonderful time away! It should be so peaceful. I agree... simple home cooking is so beautiful, nourishing and comforting. Everyone is happy with this. And it goes a long way!
      What you call biscuits we call scones. They can be sweet or savoury. If I have a crowd this is one of my basics. Very cheap! Have a great time! With love Annabel.xxx

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  21. Dear Annabel, I am so glad Andy and Chloe are better this week. Ohhhh thanks for sharing Chloe's Paddy, how teddy bearish, what a great gift. I finally got my sunflowers in this week. We did a lot of other gardening also. My blue irises are so beautiful, they make me smile when I look at them. We also buried a dear Uncle this week. He was remembered for his warm smile, huggegly hugs and sense of fun. The funeral was really well attended and reminded me you only leave the way you make people feel and reminded me to be kinder, spend more time connecting with the little people in my family and just love everyone. Take care this week everyone, love Clare

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    1. Dear Clare, I am sorry about your Uncle. It sounds like he was very loved and respected.
      I planted more of your sunflowers today! I have about thirty up already and still coming through so I added some more today. The tightest ones are maybe 7 inches.
      Paddy is great. He is so cute and funny. He and Bloss are firm buddies now.
      Time spent will the little ones is so worth it. They thrive on it. They remember everything you teach them too. Your blue irises sound divine! You are a good gardener Clare! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  22. Dear Annabel,

    Never a dull moment with your farm life. There is always something happening or coming or going lol!

    I love alpaca's, they are so cute!

    So great to hear Andy is feeling much better. Hope he continues to improve.

    No rain here, starting to get desperate now. My tank for the veggie garden is getting low and it will need to rain soon to top it up, otherwise I will be back to watering with mains water. More hot weather for us this week.

    Wishing you another wonderful week ahead.

    Lots of love Tania xxx

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    1. Dear Tania,
      I do hope you get rain. We were lucky with some last week. Towns water is a big expense... or else it was in Adelaide. So I hope you dont have to do that. This does scare me what summer could be like. I really dont like summer it is hard on everyone from people, animals and plants!
      Have a very good new week! With love Annabel.xxx

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  23. Dear Annabel,
    Happy to read that Andy and Chloe are on the mend and having a good week. Good on Luke for presenting Chloe with her hearts desire on their first anniversary. Somehow I have visions of that beautiful alpaca fur being hand spun by you into heavenly yarn, along with the wool from the ever growing flock of sheep.

    This past week was a productive one for me using my "handmaidens". Sodium free bread for my husband is $7 a loaf here
    In our breadmaker I made two loaves of raisen bread for him. And since it has a jam function I was able to make 3pints of orange marmalade using some oranges that needed using up. I bought an instant pot for a greatly reduced price and used it to make bone broth and then a huge pot of chicken vegetable soup with items from the dehydrated vegetable pantry. Also, Paleo gluten free chocolate chip cookies were baked using almond flour and maple syrup for the sweetener. Two meat loaves and salmon croquettes were added to the freezer pantry. I hope to try some new and easy recipes I found for the slow cooker, the first of which is Chinese orange chicken. Wishing all the Bluebirds a good weekend.
    Blessings
    Cookie

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    Replies
    1. Dear Cookie,
      I did think it was a beautiful anniversary present. We told him he really smashed it out of the ball park and he seemed quite pleased with himself!
      When I make bread I would never add salt. It is amazing what salt is added to and how much. It is a big saving that you are making it. Now ever with the bread maker it is sounding like you are doing very well. In fact you are sounding like your old self which is so nice! I have had to up my carefulness with diet. It seems soy is a huge trigger for me. It is hidden in everything and I have been caught out a few times. I am just getting over the worst aches that I have had for a few weeks. Being away from home is especially difficult. Anyway now I just pack my won things where possible. I havent really used maple syrup much. I need to try that in more things. I hope you are feeling well and getting in some time to craft too but you did many beautiful things this week. Love the bone broth in the instant pot. Have a good new week Cookie! With much love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Annabel, I am so sorry to hear about you having difficulties with soy now. That is so hard to avoid. I so wish that you could come to my alternative practitioner here so that she could sort all that out. The world is small out here on the internet but still so many miles apart. My food intolerance caused me to almost always carry my own food everywhere I went because it was just not worth getting sick. Hugs to you as you navigate this all.

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    3. Dear Cookie!!

      Fancy meeting you here!! All this kitchen talk makes me feel like baking again - custard tarts & breads!! I’m hungry again!! Ha ha!!

      Loving your kitchen work,
      Rachel

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