tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post7828273526261492761..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday. 1st of May, 2015.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74054160808665630862015-05-03T18:13:09.157-07:002015-05-03T18:13:09.157-07:00What a huge and good week! No grass growing under ...What a huge and good week! No grass growing under your feet Mimi. Helen says this and I love that expression!<br />I like the tip about crumbing the steaks to bulk them out plus they would be so tasty.<br />I am nearly there on Chloe's blanket. Maybe a week to go or so... so it did not take the 25 years I predicted! <br />Have another great week. It is very satisfying to get so much done and save so much. Just to get ahead.<br />Many thanks and lots of love. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2949255003640433282015-05-03T18:08:19.257-07:002015-05-03T18:08:19.257-07:00Thanks Mimi! I am happy about the Royal family too...Thanks Mimi! I am happy about the Royal family too, i think they are lovely. And Price George is adorable! Now waiting on the name! Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60544710586529673922015-05-03T17:34:58.110-07:002015-05-03T17:34:58.110-07:00Thank you Teri! Yes it was a big week! Now we are ...Thank you Teri! Yes it was a big week! Now we are embarking on a new week and I am hoping it is a good one too.<br />It is a huge job moving house. I am sure your daughter would have appreciated your help so much. <br />I adore Lilacs! How beautiful. I can see and smell them just thinking about this.<br />Have a wonderful week. We are on the countdown, 10 days until the baby arrives!<br />xxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86958010912187855482015-05-03T17:30:31.955-07:002015-05-03T17:30:31.955-07:00That was a great week Colette! I think knowing how...That was a great week Colette! I think knowing how busy things have been plus how stressful saying no to a few things so that you can get some days at home would be perfectly justifiable. I hope you can get this time home. I need that so badly myself. I feel so much better and on top of things if I am at home enough. <br />Tell Kristian that Chippy is good. He is very chatty. In fact he seldom stops talking! Chloe has a budgie called Houdini who we baby sit often. When he is here the two of them are just nuts! Houdi sits in my chandelier and then flies down and lands in your hair! These two are mild in comparison to Ricky the parrot who has a bell that he rings when he wants attention. It is a loud bell! What a circus!<br />When your zucchini come on Patsy at A Working Pantry has a free download of all kinds of things to do with zucchini which would be handy. Also if you have heaps mention it as I have a great fritter recipe!<br />It is so good how your garden is growing! <br />Thank you for the good wishes re all our big things last week! Lucy has only 10 days to go till due date! <br />Have a wonderful week! With lots of love, xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-25754671584040840082015-05-03T17:13:13.700-07:002015-05-03T17:13:13.700-07:00Oh and Happy Birthday to Andy, and many congratula...Oh and Happy Birthday to Andy, and many congratulations on the new job. Happy Anniversary to you both as well. Holding my breath for baby news. Isn't it exciting that we have a new Royal Princess? I wonder if you'll also be blessed with a Princess? Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-81006762954937272782015-05-03T16:48:39.965-07:002015-05-03T16:48:39.965-07:00Hello Annabel and friends. What truly lovely and i...Hello Annabel and friends. What truly lovely and inspiring posts. I've been deliberately off-line for a few days, in order to have more 'doing' and less 'talking about doing'....lol! I had a really productive week last week. I shopped frugally and found lots of lovely inexpensive but good produce at the fruit market. I spent enough there to get a 1 kg bag of mandarins and a dozen eggs, for free. From that produce I was able to make the equivalent of 10 bought containers of Eggplant and Roasted Pumpkin Baba Ghanoush (recipe on my blog later today), 6 jars of lemon butter, 10 prepared and portioned ziplock bags of vegetables (celery, broccoli, zucchini, capsicum, beans), several trays of roasted tomato and roasted capsicum, roasted two trays of snake beans with chilli and salt..these are a delicious snack, made ten snack bags with veges and chicken slivers, and crumbed some veal steaks with GF crumbs made from the crust ends of the loaves. This makes a small portion of meat really big and satisfying. I add grated parmesan to the crumbs for a nice robust flavour. This is where those little 'luxury' items like parmesan cheese, really make the meal. I made and froze lentil and vegetable soup with all the endy bits of veg that were on the way out, and made peanut butter cookies with Teff flour I found in the pantry (a random GF purchase), sandwiching them with cinnamon icing. They were a success, but we all agreed we weren't that fond of the flavour of the Teff flour, so I'll have to find another way to use the rest of it up. It was expensive so I don't really want to just toss it. I recall buying it to make a pastry I found in a book, so perhaps I need to unearth that book! I planted herb seedlings out, including basil, coriander, garlic chives and some shallot ends...the green things that is...they will of course grow from the end white bit with the roots dangling off it. I started crocheting fringe for my version of the Moroccan Wedding Blanket, and starting stitching sequins to the bed cover I'm using for that project, which I've had for about thirty years! I also made lentil burgers one night, baking the GF bread rolls myself...scrummy....and baked four loaves of GF bread, which is so much nicer than the awful spongy stuff you buy. So a really good week for me, and the reason not much happened with my blog all week....lol! Still...doing is better than writing about doing....Love, Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-12866498304692806712015-05-03T13:42:34.508-07:002015-05-03T13:42:34.508-07:00Mel, Just wanted to say I'm so happy for you ...Mel, Just wanted to say I'm so happy for you finding a job!! I always enjoy your comments! TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20702295499808314682015-05-03T13:41:28.501-07:002015-05-03T13:41:28.501-07:00Dear Annabel,
I am thrilled at Andy's new work...Dear Annabel,<br />I am thrilled at Andy's new work! Congratulations to him, I am so happy to hear it. Birthday, Anniversary, and New Job OH MY! Not to mention it's the month your first grandbaby is due. What a bunch of good things to enjoy and be thankful for. It's actually Sunday and here I finally am, reading everyone's week and loving it. The post is lovely, the corn muffins and soup especially, YUM. Your flowers are gorgeous and the cake looks yummy, too. <br /><br />Here's how it went this week:<br /><br />~Had a much needed crafting day, made several cards and bookmarks :)<br />~made Curry and froze some<br />~washed floors<br />~collected three new recipes<br />~found the perfect jar for my sister's SOS Christmas gift! YAY!<br />~made our savings goals in all categories, thank you Lord<br />~built my pantry by stocking cans from a 50 cent/can sale. Petite diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, butter beans, black beans. Sidenote: I don't generally buy soda. Water is our primary drink other than tea and milk, and the rare occasion of juice. But the kid's birthdays are in July, August, Sept, with the twins in Dec. So I've been stocking 2-liter soda bottles from a sale, plus a coupon, final price 50 cents per 2-liter bottle. So the kids will be thrilled to have a few sodas this summer, and of course at their birthday parties.<br />~all my regular housecleaning, deep cleaned the master bath<br />~keeping up with garden-I have awesome zucchinis coming in and the basil really took off! Tomatoes are starting, so little green and cute I'm excited! The squash looks wonderful as well.<br />~Today we are cleaning the garage. Several boxes for the domestic violence thrift shop. They turn these items into dollars that 100% help women and children.<br />~Selling a few items on the local Craigslist, and the money will pay down debt<br />~making a batch of muffins this afternoon, fresh blackberries on sale .88 cents/6 oz, and going to sub the blackberries for raspberries to make Wendy's White Chocolate Muffin recipe<br />~made Cream of Potato soup from a 5 lb bag of russets on sale .98 cents. I had all other ingredients on hand. I have plenty in the freezer now, we have to prep for the hot summer coming. I love soup all year but do not like to cook it when it is 114 degrees outside!<br /><br />A good week. Still have a lot going on with the legal stuff but it is at a dull roar (for now) so I actually had a decent week and caught up a bit. I would just love a whole week of NOTHING but being at home, organizing, cooking, cleaning, decluttering, and being with my family in the evenings. Only a few weeks before school lets out for the summer and I'm trying to rearrange my schedule to make that goal a reality. It requires saying NO to lots of others things. I'm ready to say no because I need to feel on track here.<br /><br />By the way Annabel, Kristian would like me to ask how Chippy is doing?<br /><br />Thank you everyone for all of your posts and updates. I love to hear what everyone is doing, this is my go-to place for inspiration and camaraderie! Thank you, Annabel. Love, Colette xxxColettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495414615748577448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-75120200709720901972015-05-03T13:41:10.408-07:002015-05-03T13:41:10.408-07:00Annabel, What a wonderful week for you!! Happy An...Annabel, What a wonderful week for you!! Happy Anniversary!! Happy Birthday, Andy!!! And new job!! How exciting!! <br /><br />This week was busy but didn't get all my "to do" list done. lol Helped my daughter move, got to play with grandkids, and did a small amount of cooking. I did spend one day at home trying to organize my crafts and find items to use for cards, tags, etc. I use old cookie cutters for shapes of tags and finally "found" my bag, so I'm making progress! :)<br /><br />I love your pictures, Annabel!! The flowers are beautiful! And the muffins so yummy looking! I told my husband about using creamed corn in corn muffins and he thought that was a lovely idea!! Today I cut apple blossoms and lilacs for a pretty bouquet.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week! TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-88638739370389639062015-05-03T03:23:12.363-07:002015-05-03T03:23:12.363-07:00Mel, that's wonderful nes about the job trial...Mel, that's wonderful nes about the job trial. I've been praying for you xoxo. The gift card will be great for restocking your pantry, fridge and freezer with essential items. What a blessing. Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20562230986201925522015-05-02T17:25:05.526-07:002015-05-02T17:25:05.526-07:00Thank you Terri, I like the outfits you made up! L...Thank you Terri, I like the outfits you made up! Lovely for Spring. It is a lovely day here so I am making the most of the sunshine.<br />Have a great weekend and new week! xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-16575362238833255672015-05-02T11:08:10.521-07:002015-05-02T11:08:10.521-07:00Hi Annabelle! It's my blog reading day...I ha...Hi Annabelle! It's my blog reading day...I have to just say I love the always upbeat tone of your posts. I believe it does me as much good as reading your inspiring savings each week. I've been having fun in my home, putting together outfits with clothing I already have, trying out my new sewing machine, planning a dozen and twenty projects, lol. Here's what I did this week: http://bluehousejournal.blogspot.com/2015/05/this-week-in-my-home-savings.htmlterricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-82876824174917052312015-05-02T06:46:53.118-07:002015-05-02T06:46:53.118-07:00Sheila Escanaba looks like a beautiful place to be...Sheila Escanaba looks like a beautiful place to be. Congratulations on your sons graduation how wonderful!<br />There are so many words that are different... I think you say sweater and we say jumper.<br />My parents are sheep and cattle farmers. So lamb is part of the diet since I was little. Also they have deer on the property as they have scrub (wilderness, trees...) and so I have eaten plenty of venison and am ok with cooking it. I think it is very healthy as it is so lean.<br />Have a safe trip and congratulations to your son that is a great achievement. Thank you for commenting and helping me understand the gardens after the snow! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-26021248189286550692015-05-02T05:54:13.780-07:002015-05-02T05:54:13.780-07:00I try not to dry my socks and undies in the dryer....I try not to dry my socks and undies in the dryer. Last about 3 years that way vs 6 months. I also get a better brand of sock that has been more durable. Even with line drying the old cheap ones barely made it a year. The inital increased cost therefore is worth it and I am often able to get them on sale.<br />SheilaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50072570224215826622015-05-02T05:45:28.468-07:002015-05-02T05:45:28.468-07:00Look up Escanaba, Michigan USA. We don't get a...Look up Escanaba, Michigan USA. We don't get as much snow as others around us. Our frost dates end about the end of May and start again in Sept. Snow starts in Nov and usually done in early April. I will leave a few onions in the ground over winter. They will grow larger more for cooking than eating. My 16 yr old grabs handfulls and chops and mixes them with sour cream. Used as a side dish or over potatoes. Can't really winter over much. Short growing season here obviously. My crocuses are done. Daffodils just starting. Lawn is trying to be green. Need more rain. My uncle has his large flower pots on wheels so he can enjoy them longer when the weather is warm enough. He wheels them into the garage if threat of frost or high wind.<br />Enjoy you handy men. My father and brother are great like that. My husband is not and doesn't try to learn. Some things I can do. Others I must hire out. <br />This is going to be an expensive week. Road trip to Montana to see son graduate with his Dr. In Chemistry. No room for cooler with 5 people and lugage in a mini van. Eating out....... Sick of it already. We do have fruit and snacks. I worked overtime to cover it all. Fortunate as a nurse to be able to do that.<br />Really enjoy your blog. Interesting how my Scotland born mother in law uses many of your terms so I am familiar with most of them. When she told me she knitted my first born son a "jumper" I am sure I looked shocked. In America a jumper is a sleeveless dress that goes over a blouse - a for girls. :). <br />I grew up in the country with a huge garden and a freezer of venison ( whitetailed deer.) i have never eaten lamb. It is rare to even find it. <br />SheilaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-29373161221919167152015-05-02T00:34:51.801-07:002015-05-02T00:34:51.801-07:00Thank you Karen! A lot of relief around here.
You ...Thank you Karen! A lot of relief around here.<br />You did well. new recipes that suit the family are always good.<br />Awesome on the clothes and furniture too. Quite a bonus as these things are all usually expensive things.<br />Have a great weekend and week yourself. Many thanks,xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-75342825107242569232015-05-01T23:41:39.211-07:002015-05-01T23:41:39.211-07:00Hi Annabel wonderful news on the new job for Andy,...Hi Annabel wonderful news on the new job for Andy, he sure deserves fair pay for his effort! What an exciting week at your house, looking to be a great month.<br /><br />This week I was given some clothes for my boys & a piece of furniture for my sons room, which is in realiy good condition.<br /><br />I made all our meals & tried 2 new recipes which both worked well, even the one I made up. <br /><br />I rode my bike to town 2 days for small errands or shopping that wold fit in the back pack.<br /><br />I made Anzac & choc chip bickies also.<br /><br />Have another good week!<br /><br />Karen Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13514458242678896136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-38831764877221149802015-05-01T23:35:15.753-07:002015-05-01T23:35:15.753-07:00That is true... when we stay home we are not spend...That is true... when we stay home we are not spending and we are using what we have. This helps me a lot. Plus I get on top of my work! <br />I hope you got heaps of yard work done. good tools are a great help. it is good exercise too!<br />This is an great time of year to eye what supplies in the craft room could be turned into Christmas presents. For us being autumn the nights are dark and long. So I get a heap of crafts done through autumn and winter... where as in spring and summer it is light at night and I am in the garden watering etc. I have been going through my craft room as I have been using up stuff, turning it into presents and making a little nursery. Big job. You should have seen it. (hangs head in shame!) But now it is almost done. I have a sweet little cot and the room is looking pretty good. Plus I have a lot of things to use for present making. So kind of a win/win.<br />I hope you are having a good weekend! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-47879227188285514902015-05-01T20:55:56.075-07:002015-05-01T20:55:56.075-07:00Thank you Lana. I have never fully understood what...Thank you Lana. I have never fully understood what happens when it snows as in what is still alive after it all thaws out? I cannot imagine it as Ive never lived it. Our garden goes through autumn with a lot of leaves then it is just cold damp and wet but nothing dies unless we have a bad frost then sometimes leaves are burned... thats about it. Then when spring comes it all grows like crazy. I think your trolley system is great. That would make it easier and geraniums are quick to recover and love a good cutback. <br />Your Geranium pots will be wonderful gifts! I have some cuttings that I need to plant too... palest pink ones so I am hoping they go ok. I have a lot of shade which isnt so good for Geraniums. <br />Have a great weekend! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61215652019068265712015-05-01T20:50:40.687-07:002015-05-01T20:50:40.687-07:00Dear Patsi, Yes I think the ross will be fine and ...Dear Patsi, Yes I think the ross will be fine and that is a good price! Many years of joy in a rose bush!<br />It was a good week! I hope we can repeat the performance next week and I hope so for you too! Lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-87532234443862879252015-05-01T20:48:54.814-07:002015-05-01T20:48:54.814-07:00Wendy I love the way you say "what could be b...Wendy I love the way you say "what could be better than that?" that makes me happy too. You are right! What could be better? The week was great and so many good things. I am so glad we stop and take a minute to consider all the good things of the week and all the blessings.<br />I hope you do well from the sale of muffins. In the shops many are $4 each or so. $2 each would be a bargain.. it is amazing how this adds up. I do these mental calculations ie I made 24 cornbread muffins and a loaf as well.... I wonder what that would be in the shops? All the bread you were given is amazing. So many things to do with that.<br />Have a great weekend and a bit of a rest! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-47311955595745277522015-05-01T20:43:56.388-07:002015-05-01T20:43:56.388-07:00Mel that is so fantastic! You did very well and th...Mel that is so fantastic! You did very well and the gift card for groceries would be such a big help. But getting a job is the best news of all! I am sure you will do well in your trail. I think trails are just a thing they do now as insurance. I think you will be fine!<br />You did an incredible job on the meals and budget. <br />It is such an answer to prayers and for us too with Andys job. And a relief!<br />Have a great weekend! I hope to hear the job went well and is your solution! Lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-22970684957285404002015-05-01T20:17:58.100-07:002015-05-01T20:17:58.100-07:00Lovely post Annabel
I spent most of this week in ...Lovely post Annabel<br /><br />I spent most of this week in looking for work, which thankfully has been rewarded and start a trial next week.<br />All meals were cooked at home and we have kept the grocery spend to an average of $15-88 for four weeks<br />I saved a book that was destined for the landfill to make cards.<br />I planted cuttings and then saved some seeds from flowers to grow next Spring.<br />I made Anzac biscuits<br />Soup served us for nearly all main meals this past week.<br />Op-shopped for work clothes<br />Received 2 loaves of bread and half a rockmelon free<br />Was gifted $160 on a gift card for groceries but I am going to try and make it last a few weeks at least.<br /><br />Looking forward to Monday's postMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017438973165858980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-11576818352621636022015-05-01T19:11:05.771-07:002015-05-01T19:11:05.771-07:00Praise the Lord for the job! Awesome!Praise the Lord for the job! Awesome!Mrs. Chrissy Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516870555452352931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-5890207979607177072015-05-01T18:53:26.682-07:002015-05-01T18:53:26.682-07:00Dear Sherri, I hope your seeds havent washed away....Dear Sherri, I hope your seeds havent washed away. 120 ml is crazy! (almost 5 inches for the US ladies) If they are still there lets say they are well watered in!<br />Thank you for pointing out Stephanie's blog post. I had not read this latest one. What a good tip. I will put up a link to this on Mondays post. <br />You had a great week! Very productive. Plus I love Passionfruit butter! <br />Have a wonderful baking day. I am making a big lot of pizzas... I need to get the dough started! Many thanks, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com