tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post4296993548198113383..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 19 October, 2018.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83025081698100944072018-10-23T03:19:06.828-07:002018-10-23T03:19:06.828-07:00Dear Phyllis, I have had very minimal neat garden...Dear Phyllis, I have had very minimal neat garden but in no time I have turned them into cottage gardens even if I dont intend to as I always have to find room for this or that... and soon it is all over the place!! So now I just go for it and hope for the best. I never have the heart to pull anything out either!<br />My fitness has improved a lot with all of this move etc. After the wedding tiredness hit me though! <br />I hope your week is going well! I have a lot to report on Friday already! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-55346827203790136362018-10-23T03:16:46.781-07:002018-10-23T03:16:46.781-07:00Dear Lyn, Thank you re the wedding! It is lovely ...Dear Lyn, Thank you re the wedding! It is lovely you have read my Aunts books. One of them ends with "Annabel" saying grace at the Christmas table. This is my moment of fame! <br />I love gardening more and more. I think it is such a thing of beauty and also health. Physical and mental health! I feel so much better for being in the garden. I am loving this garden so much. It is so much fun. Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67291386440580773622018-10-23T03:14:06.417-07:002018-10-23T03:14:06.417-07:00Dear Kelsey, Thank you! Well I wouldnt be surpris...Dear Kelsey, Thank you! Well I wouldnt be surprised if some of your seeds still come up. I have found with mine some even in the same batch take days longer than others. So I hope more come up for you.<br />In any instance it is wonderful you have a garden! Every little bit you do really adds up!<br />I am glad the car did not catch fire with John in it, this is scary. It is very good the place you bought it will replace it. Thank goodness for that!<br />I am watching your shop! I will be very very keen on the recipe cards!!! I am so excited about this! Everything is lovely... and this is so good for me as I can send USA gifts without all the terrible post costs! <br />Kelsey you timed the shop well to be so well established in time for Christmas! You have already achieved many good things this year! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-40099462256721739682018-10-22T08:37:04.354-07:002018-10-22T08:37:04.354-07:00Annabel, I love most gardens, but a cottage garden...Annabel, I love most gardens, but a cottage garden is my favorite. Your aunt's garden is perfectly lovely, just the kind I admire. Looking forward to seeing your garden when you get it all in.<br />You have the most energy! Wedding, moving, gardening, baking...and then sharing it all with us!<br /><br />Thanks,<br />PhyllisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-75130253391702078872018-10-22T03:26:50.659-07:002018-10-22T03:26:50.659-07:00Dear Lana, I was amazed how there could be one hu...Dear Lana, I was amazed how there could be one hurricane right on top of the other. I feel so sorry for the clean up and devastation.<br />I heard about this polio like disease... I am not sure if it is actually polio or similar... but that is frightening. I have knows two polio sufferers all my life and how it affected their whole lives. <br />I wont go anywhere without my oils either. I can figure out how I got by without them. <br />Have a wonderful time away! Enjoy every minute! With much love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-840541326869532742018-10-21T21:23:29.562-07:002018-10-21T21:23:29.562-07:00Dear Cassandra, Thank you for the comments about ...Dear Cassandra, Thank you for the comments about Chloe! I am thinking about a journal... I do write down each day what I did and where things came from but just in my general planner. <br />I am glad you did well out of the strawberry specials. I never saw any of the cheap prices at all and missed out completely!<br />I am really sorry your year has been so hard. When you are going through hell keep going... things will get better. I have had some times like this. I thought it wouldnt ever end and things wouldnt get better but bit by bit life came back together. When nothing else was possible I did things like sit in the sun, get sleep, try to eat healthy etc. Then I tried to go out and be with uplifting friends that encouraged me. It was sort of an improvement to a better life in one tiny step at a time... so I hope whatever it is this can happen for you!<br />With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-28217613646855015642018-10-21T21:00:07.884-07:002018-10-21T21:00:07.884-07:00Dear Patsy,
Thanks.... well I am on the watch out ...Dear Patsy,<br />Thanks.... well I am on the watch out for extra wheel barrow now myself!<br />The one I have I need for collecting loads of sheep manure! It is doing some miles too!<br />My garden test will be getting it to survive summer. I dont think it is going to be easy. I cant wait to just get through to Autumn! <br />I hope you have a back to more normal week! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58198076425177232632018-10-21T19:31:56.865-07:002018-10-21T19:31:56.865-07:00Dear Annabel, The wedding looked amazing and how ...Dear Annabel, The wedding looked amazing and how all your hard work is paying off in the garden. I have read a number of your aunt's books and "A Fig at the Gate' is my favourite. I lent it to another friend of mine to enjoy, as we both like to garden and we are your aunt's age.Thank you for sharing, LynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58626293245831362102018-10-21T19:07:24.729-07:002018-10-21T19:07:24.729-07:00Dear Elaine, Thank you so much for your kind words...Dear Elaine, Thank you so much for your kind words. You did great on the appliances! Also with your husband doing so much that is a huge saving. <br />I also use my coupons or vouchers like this... make them go much further and use them on specials etc. You can really do well this way!<br />Elaine I just love autumn. I look forward to it so much as I know summer here will be the hardest season. And I love autumn anyway it has always been my favourite.<br />Have a great new week! I am gardening too and doing some cooking. With love Annabel.xxx<br /><br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53196982209420123072018-10-21T19:00:25.899-07:002018-10-21T19:00:25.899-07:00Dear Jen, Thanks so much! Well done on such a bea...Dear Jen, Thanks so much! Well done on such a beautiful gift for your parents law. Just wonderful and so personal. I am sure they will love everything. I have seen your napkins before so I can try to imagine but I would love to have seen how you did the cake! <br />I have started on Christmas. I have fruit for cakes soaking in brandy! I am going through the gift cupboard now making lists of who I have gifts for and who I need to organise. Then I need some supplies that are still at the other house I just realised I have all my gift wrap still there. I know I have enough ribbons etc that I dont need to buy anything like that. I think my wrapping theme will be "use it up" lol<br />Have a good new week. I will certainly pray for Janet. What an awful shock. But I have seen such amazing healing in recent years I will hold a lot of hope. With much love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-31246396333451301102018-10-21T18:36:31.253-07:002018-10-21T18:36:31.253-07:00Dear Kathy, It sounds like you had a lot of enjoym...Dear Kathy, It sounds like you had a lot of enjoyment last week! It is great you had such a good time and did so well.<br />The gift of help or time is a wonderful thing. I think we can get this going and it works both ways. This is one of the big benefits of a supportive community. Also people then tend to rally around when needed to help each other. Terribly important.<br />I hope you did your big weekend cook up! I did some of the same! Have a good new week! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-57497285268019251302018-10-21T18:34:21.559-07:002018-10-21T18:34:21.559-07:00Dear Annabel,
First, congratulations to Chloe and...Dear Annabel,<br /> First, congratulations to Chloe and Luke! The wedding looked beautiful! And Luke and Chloe both looked so happy. <br /> Your Aunt (and her garden) look absolutely fabulous. I know your garden will be beautiful too. These past couple of week we added to our garden as well, but only about 50% of our seeds actually germinated. They are rather old so at least now we know what seeds to rotate and order for the spring. We are both just so happy about having a garden again. Does anyone know about storing seeds in the freezer? We also have had lots and lots of rain. This has been great for the garden but it has also resulted in the hatching of hoards of army worms. They have been destroying hay fields, yards, gardens, etc. So it has been a battle for us keeping things going. I go out and check several times a day to pull off worms and I keep it sprayed with an organic worm killer. I also keep it sprinkled with diatomaceous earth. And I pray! <br /> Well, we had a little incident with our brand new vehicle. We started down our driveway and didn't get far before the car filled with electrical smoke!! Of course I jumped out and grabbed John as fast as I could. None of us were hurt, thankfully. Apparently we got a lemon. The placed we purchased the vehicle from is letting us pick out a different vehicle. Now I'm just a little paranoid and have daydreams about bailing out of a smoking car. I don't like driving as it is and now I am dealing with trust issues.<br /> We had our first real cold spell, at least for our area. The rain and cold kept us inside for a few days, so I got some extra cleaning projects done. It was a little difficult keeping John occupied and happy as he is such an outdoor boy.<br /> I also ordered a few new craft supplies for the shop. I'll be adding recipe cards and food packaging very soon. I can't wait to get my things in the mail! I have also been educating myself more about the way Etsy works. I think about what you say about always learning new things. This has been fun but I have also learned so much. <br />Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! Your posts are always so inspiring and full of beauty. Have a lovely week everyone! <br />With love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6377597358704946372018-10-21T18:22:35.061-07:002018-10-21T18:22:35.061-07:00Dear Sheila, I think you would say our growing pe...Dear Sheila, I think you would say our growing period here is long. I read of in the USA people putting their garden to bed... we never do this here. Things slow down for sure but nothing dies over winter or rarely. We can have frosts.<br />I love the whole idea of edible landscaping and it seems so wise to me yet still beautiful!<br />I am on the look out for spare wheel barrows as I also want to use this side! Many thanks, have a wonderful week! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27655493200893524982018-10-20T22:53:04.670-07:002018-10-20T22:53:04.670-07:00Yes I do know it. Beautiful farming country. Good ...Yes I do know it. Beautiful farming country. Good wine country too.Not often I miss SA but the sounds and the gardens have struck a chord.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15965442541526986072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-57501256750885982922018-10-20T19:40:58.926-07:002018-10-20T19:40:58.926-07:00Dear Annabel,
I hardly know where to start. The we...Dear Annabel,<br />I hardly know where to start. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous! I am so happy it all went well and the rain held off. The flowers were so beautiful, and to think you were able to just pick them rather than purchasing from a florist...wow! You did a wonderful job arranging them! Harper is such a cutie. (Our oldest granddaughter has naturally curly hair, too.) <br /><br />Your gardens are really coming together. I'm glad you have been able to get so many plants. Your aunt's garden is lovely. It will be fun knowing that some of your plants came from your beautiful aunt and her garden.<br /><br />We have been working on a bit of a remodel or update in our kitchen. We found a new dishwasher and oven/glass cooktop for an unbelievable 75% off. They were both reduced because of small dents, but dents are in areas not visible in our kitchen. Although we didn't get quite such a fabulous deal on the refrigerator, we got a decent price and replaced it, too. Next, we have refinished the cupboards and will be painting. My husband has done most of the work, but I've helped where I could. We are both enjoying the new appliances and fresh look a lot!<br /><br />I've used quite a few good coupons and sales at the grocery stores and drugstores, such as $10 off $50 and several free items. My biggest savings there was accumulating $50 worth of points at the drugstore. I chose the day there was a 20% senior discount on regular prices to redeem my points and also bought sale items and used coupons to stretch that $50 as far as I could.<br /><br />Our plants are beginning to perk up now that we have cooler weather and have even had some good rains. I've been planting lettuce, spinach and tomato seeds and transplanting vinca and lettuce seedlings A couple pots have nasturtiums coming up from self-seeding. I found a pretty chrysanthemum plant with lots of buds on it reduced to $2 from $10. It's now in a pot sitting by the front door. I think it looks as pretty as some I saw at the nursery for $25. My sweet potato plants are blooming and provided pretty green vines throughout the heat of summer. Now, we're looking forward to harvesting some sweet potatoes.<br /><br />I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend and have been able to relax a bit. <br /><br />With love from Arizona, <br />ElaineMrs. Gillamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291243154053490970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-62201872044693015562018-10-20T16:15:09.326-07:002018-10-20T16:15:09.326-07:00Dear Annabel,
We have family visiting, so I am ha...Dear Annabel,<br /><br />We have family visiting, so I am hardly on the computer, but I wanted to dash in and say that Chloe looked like Titania, the Fairy Queen at her wedding! How beautiful and personalized everything seemed...what a wonderful celebration! Also, your Aunt!!!!!! It is the folks that have so many lovely things going on that last the longest, as they are so interested and busy in life! I love her idea of the seedlings in the wheelbarrow...that is ingenious! You definitely have the magic touch for beauty running in your family genes on both sides!!<br /><br />Our dear neighbor two doors down just called me today in tears to tell me she has just been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I am in shock and would love if any Bluebirders could pray for her. She is such a lovely woman, and her faith is strong, but she does need prayers for healing...her name is Janet. Thank you!!!!!! <br /><br />Love to all your family and all Bluebirders here.<br /><br />xx Jen in NS<br /><br />P.S. I forgot to take pictures of a 50th wedding anniversary fruitcake and embroidered monogrammed napkins we just sent off to my hubby's parents. I hope the cake makes it in one piece as we coated it in marzipan and then royal icing to make it fancy!!!! (Also, I should have taken pictures so I could show them what it looked like when we sent it, since it might be in crumbles when it gets there!!:)) I agree...it's finally time to start thinking about Christmas!!<br /><br />Love, Jen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-72474887478517997392018-10-20T03:15:23.838-07:002018-10-20T03:15:23.838-07:00Annabel you are so right that we are truly blessed...Annabel you are so right that we are truly blessed and it was meant to be indeed. I had been keeping an eye out on this particular property for 4 - 6 months but previously it was too dear. Many times I said to myself "well if the price comes down on that then I would love to look at it". Funny how you just know isn't it, when looking at something it just feels right.<br /><br />Fortunately we can still use our 4 cylinder smaller car but for being out of town to tow with we needed something a little more robust as we will be towing things far further.<br /><br />So glad all of the bean seeds came up for you and way to go on getting free bales of hay. The hay is getting expensive everywhere.<br /><br />I will definitely be sharing some photos with you about our journey. It will probably take us a while to get gardens things up and running again but this time it will be ours which will make it all the more special.<br /><br />Sewingcreations15.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-34846885660140785472018-10-20T02:41:04.937-07:002018-10-20T02:41:04.937-07:00Dear Tania,
I am sorry about the rain. I know even...Dear Tania,<br />I am sorry about the rain. I know even north of here and Lameroo etc are very dry. I truly count every time it rains as such a blessing. I do not take it for granted thats for sure. I do hope you get some.<br />My front garden will be very similar. I have a kind of rockery surround so I want things that will drape and fall down the rock wall. It is growing now as I have planted everything I came home with.<br />I will be able to make so much with this giant book. Once I had an old fridge and I painted it and decoupaged it with giant roses. I loved it! I will do some giant pin up boards I think. I love roses... they make me happy!<br />I am following your veggie patch makeover it is looking really good! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-42000427907585664932018-10-20T02:37:20.031-07:002018-10-20T02:37:20.031-07:00Dear Sewingcreations, It was meant to be! Your d...Dear Sewingcreations, It was meant to be! Your deposit is such a significant percentage that is so excellent and a tribute to what you both have been doing for so long. Also the wonderful price you got it all for is amazing. You are blessed! Now it is so exciting to be getting ready to move.<br />I really hope once you are there you will share some photos! I just can imagine how things will be after a year or so and you have all your gardens going there.<br />Well done on the new car also. We had this issue... my city car not at all suitable for here, the roads etc.<br />I hope there will be stacks you can transplant to your new garden? <br />I have scored some bales of hay for mine which is a bonus on top of the plants! <br />The beans you sent me are all up! So happy!<br />Enjoy your weekend and reflecting on so many wonderful things! <br />With much love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-12889469008214542772018-10-20T02:10:00.613-07:002018-10-20T02:10:00.613-07:00Dear Glenda, A garden is so uplifting. She has a ...Dear Glenda, A garden is so uplifting. She has a bird nesting in a hanging basket too which was lovely. I have been out planting planting planting and it is all in! Things are quite filled in now. I am amazed as when I began it was so daunting and empty!<br />I hope you have a lovely weekend! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23176799169752777602018-10-19T23:38:26.191-07:002018-10-19T23:38:26.191-07:00Thank you Margaret for your encouragement :).
Sew...Thank you Margaret for your encouragement :).<br /><br />Sewingcreations15.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59447134077301221622018-10-19T21:45:36.823-07:002018-10-19T21:45:36.823-07:00Dear Jane, Yes this is the bike riding Aunt. She n...Dear Jane, Yes this is the bike riding Aunt. She never has had a car. She rides to get her groceries etc.<br />Her hat is stylish. Hat and pearls!<br />The sunflowers are up! Plus beans! Looking good too! <br />You grew coffee? This is interesting... I never thought of that!<br />The baking is wonderful. I love this... how we can start with a few unexciting ingredients that dont seem like much and end up with beautiful things. Its wonderful really. <br />I cant wait to see the little handbags! This would appeal to me as Harper is now into bags. What a good gift these would be.<br />I need to seriously review my own Christmas cupboard. Will do this new week. Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76865964897247165972018-10-19T21:34:50.384-07:002018-10-19T21:34:50.384-07:00Dear Mimi, I saw the tortoiseshell and it looks re...Dear Mimi, I saw the tortoiseshell and it looks real! Good job! If it looks real then its a massive success! <br />Chloe and Luke are shearing! Monday was start of shearing and we are surrounded by shearers, thousands of sheep bleating and activity. <br />I am on the look out now for old wheelbarrows as I need my main one as my "push up the hill to get manure barrow" as I keep getting more. Its paying off too stuff is really growing.<br />I cant wait to see your shed! How exciting! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46055478837431297832018-10-19T21:29:01.911-07:002018-10-19T21:29:01.911-07:00Dear Cath, Honestly I think cooking is one of the ...Dear Cath, Honestly I think cooking is one of the nicest gifts and making someone a cake is just lovely. Even more just for being kind and sharing that is beautiful.<br />Yes the rain kept coming and I planted loads late yesterday and it was all rained on. Today (Saturday) is clear and fine though. I am starting my Christmas cakes tomorrow with soaking as first I am making my Mum some GF little cakes and pancakes. This reminds me I need to check that I have enough pineapple as I put a tin of pineapple in my fruit mix.<br />The choice brownies sound so good! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-64006570382314723242018-10-19T21:25:43.570-07:002018-10-19T21:25:43.570-07:00Dear Barb, We are in the South East near Padthawa...Dear Barb, We are in the South East near Padthaway. I can imagine it looking familiar to you if you lived here. Today we drove to near Mundulla. It was just soo pretty and so green it was glorious.<br />I have most of my plants in now. It will be quite similar to my Aunts garden as I just fill up bits that need filling, no straight lines lol<br />Have a good weekend, with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com