tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post5249396594625129185..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Pantries and Preparedness. The year in review.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-55203455489746320632018-02-03T10:12:34.596-08:002018-02-03T10:12:34.596-08:00I apologise if this is a double comment as my firs...I apologise if this is a double comment as my first disappeared. Look up Dr Berg on youtube. Dr Eric Berg is amazing and has helped many and has videos on migraines. His website is drberg.com. Feel better. Also, I was in horrible pain and went grain and sugar free with amazing results. Trim Healthy Mama has great healthy sugar substitutes and recipes. All my best, love your blogAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13595817748603674972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53085383425061655212018-01-22T18:22:17.879-08:002018-01-22T18:22:17.879-08:00I saw you make a comment about being sick from a s...I saw you make a comment about being sick from a spider bite. My son was bit and got a Staph infection. The doctor told us Spiders carry staph. Didn’t know that! He was on two antibiotics and it kept spreading. I was taking him in every day to check the progress. The doctor was worried the Staph would get in his joint. Someone told us to put Manuka Honey on it. Raw if possible. I put it on and covered it with Saran Wrap. It was so much better the next day and brought all the infection to the top of the skin. The doctor said he had never seen anything like it before. I kept putting Honey on it till it healed. I now keep a jar for my friends and family. Hope this helps someone else. Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14463546618295548021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2696330096385632952018-01-22T18:21:08.496-08:002018-01-22T18:21:08.496-08:00I saw you make a comment about being sick from a s...I saw you make a comment about being sick from a spider bite. My son was bit and got a Staph infection. The doctor told us Spiders carry staph. Didn’t know that! He was on two antibiotics and it kept spreading. I was taking him in every day to check the progress. The doctor was worried the Staph would get in his joint. Someone told us to put Manuka Honey on it. Raw if possible. I put it on and covered it with Saran Wrap. It was so much better the next day and brought all the infection to the top of the skin. The doctor said he had never seen anything like it before. I kept putting Honey on it till it healed. I now keep a jar for my friends and family. Hope this helps someone else. Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14463546618295548021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-12194930993033707892017-12-19T18:37:11.854-08:002017-12-19T18:37:11.854-08:00Dear Annabel and lovely Bluebirds may you and your...Dear Annabel and lovely Bluebirds may you and your families all have a blessed Christmas season. To those who have struggled this year you will be in our prayers for a better year in 2018.<br /><br />Sewingcreations15. xoxo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59164299934311212612017-12-19T14:34:20.954-08:002017-12-19T14:34:20.954-08:00Dear Annabel and Blue Bird friends just wanted to ...Dear Annabel and Blue Bird friends just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year. <br /><br />Thank you all for sharing your knowledge with us, your families and beautiful craft ideas.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50545162169495461362017-12-19T13:19:52.267-08:002017-12-19T13:19:52.267-08:00Goodness gracious, it's almost a new year!
I ...Goodness gracious, it's almost a new year!<br /> I have had the privilege this year of watching my grandson, who is now 15 months old, three times a week while my daughter works as a nurse. It has been exhausting but oh so fun to be with him as he's learned to crawl, then walk, and discovered the world around him. It really is more fun as a grandparent, as my parents always said.<br /> I will soon be 60 years old, and am recognizing that I won't always be here on earth, so my focus is to bless and encourage as many people as possible before my time is up. Earlier in the year I had an urge to teach some of my skills (canning, preserving, herbal remedies, etc.) to younger folks, but was not able to get going on that. So I began to clean out all the stuff that I've accumulated over the years, and discovered that some of my daughter's friends were delighted to receive it (how many pepper grinders and cookbooks does one really need, LOL?). It's been fun using up some of my fabric stash for baby blankets and other gifts, as well. Who knew getting rid of stuff could be so fun! I've also been getting to know some of our neighbors a little better while taking the baby on daily walks. So my focus next year will be to continue with the clearing out, and who knows, maybe some opportunities to bless the neighbors will crop up.<br /> Following your journey and creativity, as well as that of the other Bluebirds, has been a huge encouragement and blessing to me. Thank you for all you do, and a very blessed and merry Christmas to all!chipmunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01341260129072773457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-25166655416097562392017-12-19T12:37:11.006-08:002017-12-19T12:37:11.006-08:00Thank you Sewingcreations15, for your kind words a...Thank you Sewingcreations15, for your kind words and prayers. I hope next year is better, too. :)<br />Cristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885394458317264217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-11059543725879096292017-12-19T05:47:09.214-08:002017-12-19T05:47:09.214-08:00I am so sorry I missed most your posts this year. ...I am so sorry I missed most your posts this year. I start out to follow someone then boom...off I go on to something else and forget. I am reading through your posts and want to thank you for all the things I am learning. God Bless.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04881770073602889976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-38619093169420677012017-12-19T01:24:22.810-08:002017-12-19T01:24:22.810-08:00Annabel
I have suffered from migraines for 28yrs n...Annabel<br />I have suffered from migraines for 28yrs now and a doctor told me years ago to use magnesium tabs every day and I have found it as helped maybe worth a try<br />Merry Christmas<br /><br />Jenny Palmer [Tasmania}<br />Jenny PalmerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70147368105065920752017-12-19T01:13:39.309-08:002017-12-19T01:13:39.309-08:00Happy Christmas Annabel, and to your family.
Bless...Happy Christmas Annabel, and to your family.<br />Blessings<br />Heidi xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-81327571428571531012017-12-18T19:52:31.229-08:002017-12-18T19:52:31.229-08:00Lana I am so sorry to hear about your husband and ...Lana I am so sorry to hear about your husband and the very difficult time you have had this year. Your husband will gradually improve over time and with physio and yes as an ex nurse it is the hardest thing for anyone to witness. <br /><br />I believe from seeing your posts that we may indeed be of the same faith due to you mentioning missions. Let me tell you as my husband was a ward mission leader and I was the assistant ward mission leader of our previous ward that it is normal during the 1st 6 months or so of anyone's mission for them to feel homesick. Rest assured that like me your daughter will get many reassuring hugs as I gave all of our Sister missionaries when they were down or troubled. Many a time I came home on a Sunday with a wet tear stained shoulder but they all knew that I was available at any time to talk to or listen to them, after all they are my Sisters in the gospel.<br /><br />On to the bread and I agree the bread flour is getting hugely expensive well at least here anyway. Shall give you the reasoning why we do the instructions below is that plain flour simply does not have the protein content of bread flour so by adding more protein in the form of bread improver you essentially turn plain flour into the same protein content as the bread flour which makes it a tougher dough so it rises better.<br /><br />We only make a 750g loaf because it rises enough to make a large loaf using these instructions which are simply double the bread improver, sugar, the yeast, and add an extra 5ml of water to what your bread book recipe says to allow for the extra ingredients you are putting in. You will find that this will give you a beautifully fluffy loaf of bread.<br /><br />Also remember when you are making flavoured or any other breads to include the same amount of bread improver as you put in a normal white loaf. If you buy yeast and bread improver in bulk cheaply as I do it still works out way cheaper than buying bread flour.<br /><br />I hope this helps and have a wonderful Christmas and your family will also be in our thoughts and prayers. May 2018 be a much better year for you and yours.<br /><br />Sewingcreations15.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91849765978635566272017-12-18T19:03:42.032-08:002017-12-18T19:03:42.032-08:00Cristy I am glad that I can offer you some more id...Cristy I am glad that I can offer you some more ideas and send best wishes, thoughts and prayers to your family for this Christmas too. Hoping 2018 will be easier for you and your family financially and in all ways.<br /><br />Sewingcreations15Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-79590074686145387962017-12-18T17:50:45.790-08:002017-12-18T17:50:45.790-08:00Annabel,
You have had such a big year and you have...Annabel,<br />You have had such a big year and you have achieved so much! Big things little things they all add up! Your have such cute granddaughters and I may be blessed with another on come May, but we still don't know yet what the peanut is. The blog has been such a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration that I look forward to another year! I apologize for any absences, but LOL you know why that is. <br />BlueBirds,<br />Every single one of you have done so well and inspiration! It has been such a wonderful year seeing and reading what my fellow bluebird sisters have been up to and saving. I hope everyone is proud of a job well done! <br />XOXO<br />Vicky<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-45420309521222146352017-12-18T15:35:41.219-08:002017-12-18T15:35:41.219-08:00Dear Joy,
It is funny that it is three years for y...Dear Joy,<br />It is funny that it is three years for you also! And I agree we can read so much about being prepared. And being watchful! On a small scale this week once again because I was watchful Scarlett had baby formula.<br />You have done so well and it is fantastic your husband is on board. Working together we can do so much more! <br />this is great about the free fruit! You will be able to do so much with this! I know you will make the most of it! Also I hope you might find great pantry items pre and post Christmas at amazing prices! This year I am doing so much more to take advantage of this! <br />Have a beautiful Christmas. Thank you for being part of this little group we have made. It is like getting together for a chat then we go off and get working and come back later and compare notes! I love it! So blessed! With lots of love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58753532440734903692017-12-18T15:29:23.569-08:002017-12-18T15:29:23.569-08:00Dear Lana,
You have really been through a lot. I ...Dear Lana,<br />You have really been through a lot. I am sorry! I can imagine you are hurting now over your daughter! Im pretty sure it being Christmas doesnt help when apart! <br />I am glad you have something wonderful to celebrate which is just having your husband and having Christmas together. A coma for ten days is so dire... and yet here you are at Christmas! This is like Jane and Bluey! <br />Thank goodness you are debt free too. And have such great and helpful friends! They sound wonderful!<br />Have a very Happy Christmas and I hope 2018 will be much smoother sailing! (for us all!) With lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14370049871423521362017-12-18T15:23:22.962-08:002017-12-18T15:23:22.962-08:00Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much! Together we can do...Dear Kathy,<br />Thank you so much! Together we can do a lot because encouragement means a lot. I find "reporting in" motivates me or I would have nothing to report! Thank you for all your Friday reports as I can see how much you are doing! This in turn inspires others!<br />Looking at your year, your garden beds, rain barrel, water collection, things you did around the house and garden and your knitting and freezing it is all a huge effort! And you are right! The shopping is something to learn that we can get better at! Boy I really have found this! Expanding the places I look and compare and going further afield etc has really made a difference to me. This all adds up enormously!<br />Now I hope you have some great pre and post Christmas finds!<br />Have a very Happy Christmas and great 2018! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70495457649663110702017-12-18T15:17:54.178-08:002017-12-18T15:17:54.178-08:00Thank you Paula! And the same to you! xxxThank you Paula! And the same to you! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90487785705559965152017-12-18T14:47:08.423-08:002017-12-18T14:47:08.423-08:00Merry Christmas Annabel. I hope and pray your new...Merry Christmas Annabel. I hope and pray your new year will be a wonderful one. Paula in KansasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35038914685396346832017-12-18T07:18:50.352-08:002017-12-18T07:18:50.352-08:00sewingcreations15, would you please give us more d...sewingcreations15, would you please give us more detail on how you are making bread in your machine without bread flour? I have had no success with that. ThanksLanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-5597414144609677962017-12-18T07:14:01.727-08:002017-12-18T07:14:01.727-08:00Hi Annabel and everyone,
You have all been so ins...Hi Annabel and everyone,<br /><br />You have all been so inspiring and helpful to me over this past year, I am so grateful to you all for sharing your efforts, and for being so encouraging. Our quality of life and our savings are much the better for all of you. I wish I could give you all a big hug and share a cup of tea.<br /><br />This year, we:<br />- built 2 raised bed gardens for veggies, planted herbs in pots, and learned to root herbs in water for future planting.<br />- purchased a rain barrel for help watering our garden.<br />- had gutters installed around the entire outside of our house.<br />- replaced our garage door and added a new storm door to our home.<br />- put in two large standing pantries for food storage and built up a good supply of canned goods and basics. <br />- removed the front landscaping and replaced it with roses and junipers; put in a small bed of roses and lavender in the backyard; planted echinacea, hyssop, mint, and bee balm.<br />- I learned some new knitting techniques and found some new favorite recipes, especially for items that freeze well. We learned to diligently shop sales and look around for the best prices, saving us literally hundreds of dollars.<br />- My husband made many small repairs throughout our home and also put in extra storage shelves and organizers that have made our lives much easier. <br /><br />I hope everyone has a wonderful new year.<br />KathyKathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-49110842779465562972017-12-18T07:12:42.558-08:002017-12-18T07:12:42.558-08:00Oh how our Mama hearts hurt when our children hurt...Oh how our Mama hearts hurt when our children hurt. I am so sorry to hear of Lucy's migraines. I am hurting over a daughter who is now on the mission field and so homesick.<br /><br />This was the hardest year of my life with almost losing my husband of 39 years to the heart attack and sitting by his bed while he was in a coma for ten days. We have learned to live on half of our previous income but with that I am so thankful that we had not been living on all of it before and we are debt free. We have certainly learned that things are just not important. In the midst of it all we were blessed with new friends who have loved and cared for us all year. What a huge gift.<br /><br />Merry Christmas to you all! Much love to you all!Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6862348271973928142017-12-18T06:55:59.020-08:002017-12-18T06:55:59.020-08:00Annabel, you have a beautiful loving family. You a...Annabel, you have a beautiful loving family. You are blessed (but you know that). Thank you for all your encouragement to the ladies through out the years. I too began seriously 'preparing' about 3 years ago. I had read a few 'thrifting' blogs and then at church one Sunday, the pastor was speaking about the famine in Egypt and he said, "Joseph prepared." I felt that was a confirmation from God for me to continue with my preps. I have not always gotten such great bargains you have, but I keep at it. I have learned many new cooking skills, have found great things on sale, have done some bartering, and just last week I discovered some sources of free fruit for my jelly making next year. My husband has always been thrifty and resourceful, so he is a great companion. Also, he's finally come on board with the preps and has come up with several free water storage barrels and a rain water catchment system. If nothing else, extra everything comes in handy in case of loss of income or illness. It is not silly or strange to prepare for the future. Here's to all the ladies that contribute their fantastic and inspiring ideas on this blog--and to other bloggers who also are a wealth of information on preserving food and obtaining supplies on a free or inexpensive basis. Merry Christmas to you all! Until we all live in the same neighborhood, we'll just have to meet up here at Annabel's! Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15471639876072617577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-84496257109050849632017-12-18T05:19:02.425-08:002017-12-18T05:19:02.425-08:00Annabel, and Bluebirds,
I agree with Jane that th...Annabel, and Bluebirds,<br /><br />I agree with Jane that this year was a tough one for many, and that the reasons to be thankful balance those things we would rather forget. I am very thankful to still have my wonderful husband with me and that he is getting better all the time. I am grateful that the kids still have their wonderful daddy, too. <br /><br />It's been a tough year here. It was tough financially even before the heart attack, but after it ... well, the numbers are staggering. But I hold to My Rock--Jesus. He has seen me through other storms (none this bad), and I know I can trust Him.<br /><br />I am looking forward to a new year and will start thinking about my mission, my goals, my resources, reassessing my preparations for emergencies. I can certainly see a lot of holes in that area now. <br /><br />Thank you for all you do for all of us, Annabel. I write down many things from different posts in a journal that I call "Cornucopia Project". (It's a name from an old magazine article proposing that we work on our food resources and learn more humble ways.) And I go back over it pretty regularly to remind myself of things I *can* do in the face of so many things about which I can do nothing, but pray. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to all and may every one who reads this post have a better year next year than this one, no matter how great your year was this year. :) <br /><br />--CristyCristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885394458317264217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77254247589158308752017-12-18T05:06:48.737-08:002017-12-18T05:06:48.737-08:00Sewingcreations15,
I am always amazed at your lis...Sewingcreations15, <br />I am always amazed at your lists of accomplishments, and many of your things give me ideas for my own frugality. This is a great list. :)<br /><br />Merry Christms, <br />CristyCristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885394458317264217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67074905165595739042017-12-18T04:08:56.011-08:002017-12-18T04:08:56.011-08:00Selina you did so well this year restocking your p...Selina you did so well this year restocking your pantry :) and thank you for your encouragement.<br /><br />We all have skills we know that we are good at but with practice those more difficult tasks become much easier over time. Keep up the great work.<br /><br />Sewingcreations15.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com