tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post8739852022289685701..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 8 January 2016.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73480471897446509252016-01-14T22:09:47.370-08:002016-01-14T22:09:47.370-08:00Wendy, the shortbread in the cellophane bags with ...Wendy, the shortbread in the cellophane bags with pretty ribbon sounds beautiful! Such a clever idea! I love this community you have created Annabel. <br /><br />Thank you Annabel for your recipe. I was so excited to make it and that it turned out. My DH said to me can you please make that again soon?! It was a real winner! Yes, that's exactly what it did, it was sticky, but now I realise it was because it was a hot Summer day. Thank you xoxo Love, BridgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-36290589047508875712016-01-11T03:57:26.361-08:002016-01-11T03:57:26.361-08:00Dear Bridge,
Sorry for a slow reply. I was thinkin...Dear Bridge,<br />Sorry for a slow reply. I was thinking about what you had said and then thought !!! I havent replied!<br />I am glad you got on well with the shortbread. I always do it at Christmas but really you can use other shapes and do it any time.It is a nice gift. Sometimes I cut a glazed cherry and put in the middle, this is nice. If you have a heart shape cutter they are nice for Valentines Day (pop in the lunch box!) re the mixing... I think just get it nice and smooth so it rolls out well. With butter things vary ie on a hot day it will all be stickier. So think play doh!<br />Small changes do add up. I hope you have a great new week! xxx<br /><br />To Wendy above, thank you! Cellophane bags look so neat and crisp. I love them! Thank you I am glad they worked out. I just said to Bridge that butter will differ ie on a warm day be sticky. You can put it all in the fridge for a bit and let it firm up then roll. I have needed to do this on hot days. Hope that helps! <br />Love Annabel.xxx<br /><br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-387518486596244192016-01-11T03:47:26.971-08:002016-01-11T03:47:26.971-08:00Dear Kelsey, Sorry for very late reply. I bet ever...Dear Kelsey, Sorry for very late reply. I bet everything looked lovely after all of that. I think it makes things look and feel fresh and nice. And you did all this and spent 10c! Well done! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-17764879301392224122016-01-10T15:01:05.452-08:002016-01-10T15:01:05.452-08:00Dear Jen,
That was an amazing week! Well done on m...Dear Jen,<br />That was an amazing week! Well done on making the wedding cake! I think probably these days the average cost is well above $300 too. It was a wonderful thing to do! And now you are on to another cake! <br />Your deal on the platters is amazing! I got three cake stands for $5 each and was thrilled. I think nine platters for $3 is even better! How fantastic!<br />Jen you must be totally transforming your home by paining then revealing beautiful floors. Very exciting!<br />I love that you will take on tasks that are very creative... I want to see these cakes some time. I hope your son has a wonderful day! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-7333316923440643732016-01-10T10:56:22.877-08:002016-01-10T10:56:22.877-08:00Wow that basil Annabel!! It must smell amazing. I ...Wow that basil Annabel!! It must smell amazing. I am so happy for you that your floorboards are so lovely, we have gradually been pulling up our carpets as we have finished painting rooms and they are just beautiful. I love wooden floors in bedrooms with a nice rug, and apparently they are a great option if anyone in the house suffers from dust mite allergies (my son does). <br /><br />This week I made a two-tiered wedding cake for some friends, I find it quite daunting to do that sort of thing, but am very happy with how it turned out. And that it's finished! It cost me $50 in ingredients for a large cake that I imagine would have cost around $300 to buy. So that was our gift to them and they were really grateful. <br /><br />That pretty much consumed me for the week, though I found an amazing bargain at a department store which got my present box restocked a bit. I bought nine platters for $3 each, original price $40 each! And the best part is that I actually picked them up because i really liked them, not because they were on sale! So I may keep a couple, but for the others I think I will fill them with treats at Christmas time. Stoked! <br /><br />Today is my son's birthday so am making another cake, a wrestling ring this time lol. I sewed him a wrestling mask yesterday too. <br /><br />Have a great week, looking forward to the challenges starting!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00588810044069936285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-11131891461204775252016-01-10T04:45:19.499-08:002016-01-10T04:45:19.499-08:00Dear Lynette,
You have lots going on! Sometimes A...Dear Lynette, <br />You have lots going on! Sometimes Andy works at home and I understand just what you mean about that and routine.<br />I think I would love to come to your knitting group. I really like seeing what people are making and I need to improve my knitting.<br />I love the idea of the herbs in the wheelbarrow. That would be beautiful. I want to do that now!<br />Have a great week. The weekend flew by! <br />With lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-16925019958668476832016-01-10T04:41:03.867-08:002016-01-10T04:41:03.867-08:00Dear Rachel, Thank you what a kind comment!
I am ...Dear Rachel, Thank you what a kind comment! <br />I am also amazed at Vicky and her husband. He is very inventive. I thought with that there is always an income as people always need wood. It is a basic. Very clever.<br />I had many years on my own with the girls. So I extra appreciate a man who makes things, fixes things etc. It is great! <br />I hope I get to hear about your marathon project!<br />Thank you so much for your encouragement! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-21078570425538791462016-01-10T04:37:38.242-08:002016-01-10T04:37:38.242-08:00Dear Fiona,
I have never seen Hydrangeas that size...Dear Fiona,<br />I have never seen Hydrangeas that size! Dried Hydrangeas were $2 each to buy and that was years ago. I would dry everyone. They are stunning! You must take photos as these sound amazing!<br />No eggs yet. And two roosters. This is bad as we have to exchange the roosters... which is tomorrow. We knew the odds were half and half. So I will do a chicken report soon. We really love them actually.<br />I hope the herb garden grows well so it is worth the dash. I love herbs and pick so many. By the sounds of it your soil there is beautiful. Hope you had a good weekend and have a good week ahead! with love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46783259885461089072016-01-10T04:32:50.082-08:002016-01-10T04:32:50.082-08:00Dear Mel,
I have heard that about the nails also. ...Dear Mel,<br />I have heard that about the nails also. I found out some hydrangeas readily change colours depending on the soil and another wont change. Our white ones out the front stay white no matter what but our blue our the back get more blue or more pink depending on the soil. Either way they are pretty though!<br />I love dried roses also. I hope to use some on my soaps this year. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70807297944498227562016-01-09T18:57:41.453-08:002016-01-09T18:57:41.453-08:00re the shortbread thank you for the recipe too. I ...re the shortbread thank you for the recipe too. I successfully made a huge mess in the kitchen and the floor whilst making the shortbread for Christmas gifts(the mixture kept sticking to the rolling pin despite adding more flour) lol BUT the end result tasted delicious. The shortbread biscuits also looked lovely wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with some gorgeous ribbon I'd bought at the op shop.Thank you too Annabel for the brilliant and lovely ideas/pictures re packaging. greatly appreciated.<br />WendyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14980999533661726872016-01-09T15:59:55.324-08:002016-01-09T15:59:55.324-08:00Good morning Annabel and everyone else, love the f...Good morning Annabel and everyone else, love the flowers and sneak peak into the garden.<br /><br />This week has been all about getting my huband back into work mode, he works from home which impacts on me, even more so if he isn't fully into work mode.<br /><br />We have had the drainage hooked up so the backyard should not flood, the electrician has been in and looked at the job, now we wait for the quote and when he can do it. The old shed will hopefully be removed this week - it was part payment to the fellow doing the drainage. <br /><br />Once the shed has gone I will have a concrete pad to have the clothes line set up nearby, our Colebrookdale outside setting (it is one of those really heavy metal tables and chair settings) will have a spot in the yard and I will have a place for the pot with my lemon tree in (when I get the lemon tree). Perhaps the old wheelbarrow will also fit into the area and I can pop some herbs in it?<br /><br />We have been and measured up the bathroom at our rental and spoken to the builder - work starts Feb 1st so I need to get everything here for then. Tiles look like they may be a problem - the wall ones are OK but the floor is the problem, I want tiles that are 200 x 200 but that is not fashionable so of course the larger size is going to require extra cuts for drainage etc so we are stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment.<br /><br />Earlier in the week my husband picked up a small desk that was left out the front of the house next door but one to us. It is not very wide, needs a new top and a freshen up but will work in this space when I make the move to a lap top rather than the old system I currently use.<br /><br />Currently he is working on the front hall way - the condition is on par with this room and the front sitting room so will take lots of weekends of work to get it done, even though it is not a very large area.<br /><br />I have worked out a couple of things that I will do outside the home - one is the Red Hat Ladies, it is a nice social meeting and for the cost of a hot drink it is a great couple of hours. The other is a once a month meeting that I can drop of anything ready for the knitting group I belong to. Again, apart from petrol it is a cheap social morning. I did look into the Wednesday craft group but that is $10- per term and $5- each week. As Annabel has said there are lots of tutorials on the internet and on previous experience with classes I have found that the teacher doesn't always make sure that everyone is up to speed.<br /><br />Hope everyone is having a great weekend<br /><br />Love <br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXX<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6896104564212479472016-01-09T15:05:34.249-08:002016-01-09T15:05:34.249-08:00Hello Annabel, how I look forward to your posts. I...Hello Annabel, how I look forward to your posts. I love sitting down with a cuppa and having some quiet time. It's a joy in the week. I love your flowers, they are displayed magnificently. I also love your cushions. I love your method of writing lists and then writing down what you did each day. So empowering. I love how you utilise your time, like you say 10 minutes here and there adds up. We have had a great week. My DH has been home on holidays and it has been so lovely. We haven't saved too much, but have been able to do a lot more because of our savings. We evev had a little family getaway. It didn't cost too much extra, we took our own food and did lots of cheap things like swimming in lakes and walks etc. I made baby food and used cloth nappies. I also finally made your shortbread, DIVINE!!! My first time of making shortbread ever and it was a success. I have to ask- with the mixing and the kneading, how do you know when you have done it enough? Any golden rules? I plan on eagerly joining on the Vicky Challenge. I love this. Even for us it is making small changes, we love going out, so this week when we met friends we shared a pizza. A lot cheaper than two main meals. So I guess it is thinking outside the square. Thank you to you Annabel for your generosity and encouragement and to all the lovely ladies that contribute. It's so delightful to be on here. Love, BridgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60892296242275264292016-01-09T14:16:01.612-08:002016-01-09T14:16:01.612-08:00Hi Annabel!!
You're wonderful!!
I am quite a...Hi Annabel!!<br /><br />You're wonderful!!<br /><br />I am quite aware that the old Australian "tall poppy syndrome" still exists, so want to make sure that you know that I have appreciated the way you have thrown yourself into your new and continuing challenges. While I consider that the most important thing about my own mother is that she was always at home for us, I also love to see others doing well!! Take Vicky & her husband - that log splitter & the trees it splits is awe inspiring. So is the way my husband can pull down an engine & get it all back together again. The way you & Andy work as a team is wonderful, too. Added all together, they nearly equal the value of the tiniest birds (and the sweet relaxation they provide us!), homegrown flowers & the way animals make us laugh!!<br /><br />That inspiring encouragement you generously gave prompted me, in a busy day, to spend time on a marathon project, & pick up a musical instrument at the end of the day!! Now I know I can do a little of these each day to achieve my goals.<br /><br />"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;". Psalm 19:7<br /><br />Have a good day.<br /><br />With warm regards,<br />Rachel HoltAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-81193710809359500432016-01-08T20:27:00.874-08:002016-01-08T20:27:00.874-08:00Dear Ginger,
You had a big week. Being from a farm...Dear Ginger,<br />You had a big week. Being from a farm I know the work involved in packing away meat etc. Many whole days spent on that. But how fantastic to have full freezers of home grown produce. I know it saves a huge amount of money too. <br />Also the deep cleaning is time consuming so you have been working hard. I hope you get a restful weekend. It is so good to get the year started well. Thanks so much Ginger, Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-17234990297310318262016-01-08T20:23:36.864-08:002016-01-08T20:23:36.864-08:00Dear Elaine,
How fantastic to have all that fruit!...Dear Elaine,<br />How fantastic to have all that fruit! I really love citrus in winter. We tend to get a lot of oranges in winter and its a lot of good vitamin c! Also I make my Sunshine cake which in winter is really lovely and bright.<br />Well done on the savings. I cant wait to hear. I am adding everything into the challenge and yesterday found a major saving I am very excited about! <br />Decluttering and organizing is good work. I also love being able to donate goods or pass them to someone who can use them. I always feel the things we do need come to us as well as if it is a giving circle.<br />Wednesday I have lots of things to make with fabric bits and pieces so I hope this will help. It is great you have supplies! Have a good weekend, with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20088207192494837202016-01-08T20:11:31.451-08:002016-01-08T20:11:31.451-08:00Dear Patsy,
I love what you are making! I hope you...Dear Patsy,<br />I love what you are making! I hope you will show them in a blog post. Very nice gift too. <br />Thank you so much! I think we have got the year off to a good and positive start! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61433924212432831412016-01-08T20:09:27.570-08:002016-01-08T20:09:27.570-08:00Dear Joy, This is Mimi's which is really good,...Dear Joy, This is Mimi's which is really good, easy and uses almonds. Pesto is often made with pinenuts which are very expensive. Also it is good with rocket and basil...<br />http://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/christmas-on-budgetgift-what-you-have.html<br />I love it as a pizza topping or as a dip with crusty bread and cheese. Its beautiful!<br />Hope that helps! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73816517858937646422016-01-08T19:23:25.560-08:002016-01-08T19:23:25.560-08:00Dear Teri,
I have never shoveled snow I can only t...Dear Teri,<br />I have never shoveled snow I can only think it must be very hard work! And right now it is really hot so it even hard to imagine! <br />Staying home certainly is a saving. No spend days are good. I hope your organising is going well. A bit each day works! With lots of love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6179369359303894052016-01-08T19:21:29.580-08:002016-01-08T19:21:29.580-08:00Dear Terri,
You are off to a good start! it is bus...Dear Terri,<br />You are off to a good start! it is busy and time does fly. At the farm we have deer and in the area...it is terrible to hit one (for everyone including the deer!) but I am glad no one was hurt.It does a lot of damage. <br />I have been re arranging and tidying too and its so good. It feels like a new lounge room and bedroom so far.<br />Have a lovely weekend! Thank you so much for your kind words! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76617284064853012542016-01-08T18:39:52.817-08:002016-01-08T18:39:52.817-08:00I had a good week with a good bit of savings all t...I had a good week with a good bit of savings all through the week. It does seem this first week slid by awfully fast! Still for the first week of January I've a new look in my living room, the dining room is freshened and the master bedroom will soon be completed with a mini makeover. There's so much to do that I can hardly think where to start! Here's my post which includes some of my Vicky Challenge items as well: http://bluehousejournal.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-year-of-savings-giving-value-to-what.htmlterricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73841631088678015742016-01-08T18:30:37.436-08:002016-01-08T18:30:37.436-08:00Vicky, we gave up our couch years ago. Our living...Vicky, we gave up our couch years ago. Our living room is small and we have four comfortable chairs. I'd love to squeeze in two more but I need the chairs first anyway, lol. Still, a living room can be quite cozy without a couch. It was not uncommon in my great grandmother's era to have nothing but rocking chairs in the main room.terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6918371358878494182016-01-08T17:58:30.172-08:002016-01-08T17:58:30.172-08:00Dear Annabel, I too love your cushions! My couches...Dear Annabel, I too love your cushions! My couches are a light green ticking material and I have been keeping my eye out for floral material to make into pillows for it.<br /> The beginning of the week my husband had to travel for work, so I took the opportunity to do some light decorating, rearrange pictures, and do general fluffing. I also gave the bedroom a good clean, mowed the yard, moved some furniture around, dehydrated orange slices, and put some leftovers in the freezer. I managed to spend only 10 cents the whole week. I'll share my savings on Monday :)<br />I hope you have a lovely weekend. Love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77345120182672450642016-01-08T17:44:04.615-08:002016-01-08T17:44:04.615-08:00I love the new cushions Annabel. They are SO you ...I love the new cushions Annabel. They are SO you xoxo<br /><br />Here's our frugal list for the week -<br /><br /><br />* Saved more tissue paper, ribbon, gift boxes and gift bags from some Christmas presents I've put to use.<br /> <br />* Picked lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and beans to use in our meals.<br /> <br />* Dried all washing on the line. Saved the washing machine water for each next load.<br /> <br />* Used the shower warm up water to water all our potted plants / fruit bushes.<br /> <br />* Made dried bread crumbs from saved crusts. They seem to multiply so quickly. Oh well, much better than throwing them out.<br /> <br />* Tied up the tomato plants with old cut up socks.<br /> <br />* Sewed 8 more hand towels with some Christmas material. I'm trying to build a stockpile of hand made presents just in case extra birthdays come up. I love them so much I think I'll keep some to use in my kitchen next Christmas.<br /> <br />* Darren picked a couple of beautiful pink roses from the garden. He placed them on my bedside table as a suprise.<br /> <br />* Bought a Boysenberry plant from Bunnings to add to my collection of fruit plants. I repotted it into a larger pot we already had.<br /> <br />* Had the evap cooling off for a few days. I love the in between weather when you don't need heating or cooling. Just the fresh air from outside.<br /> <br />* Made pizza using pita bread and bits and pieces in the fridge. The rest of the pita breads from the packet were made into pita chips.<br /> <br />* Planted more bean and lettuce seeds for continual picking.<br /> <br />* Baked four loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.<br /> <br />* Megan went through her school book list and found we had all the stationery on hand in our stationery box. I always buy a few extra binder books and pens when they are on sale in Big W each year.<br /> <br />* Darren has painted both girl's bedrooms over the last week and a half. He was able to get a good price on the paint and used some equipment he already had on hand. This gave the girls a perfect opportunity to sort through everything in their rooms. From Jessica's room I reclaimed a pair of green and pink curtains. I'm not sure if I'll keep them to put back up when she gets married and moves out or if I'll use them for craft projects. I also reclaimed a plastic tub with lid. Darren will use this in his car to bring home coffee grounds from work..From Megan's room I reclaimed some stationery, a book light, a torch and other useful items.<br /> <br />* I gave Megan a haircut..<br /> <br />* I ripped up lots of Jessica's old school papers to use as note paper. I think I'm set for the next few years.<br /> <br />* Made a batch of soap using my fancy moulds. I put a a photo of the finished product next week.<br /> Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76976780769034471052016-01-08T17:08:17.731-08:002016-01-08T17:08:17.731-08:00Annabel your blog never fails, I just love reading...Annabel your blog never fails, I just love reading it. You haven't mentioned the hens for a while, are they laying for you yet? Whilst I recover, I have been decluttering. I try to do this after Christmas especially and then during the year. I have been ruthless. I have a big stripey bag, it's knee high and about 60cm wide as well, almost full and all good things that the op shops will love. I"ve culled each room of the house, it feels great. My lovely man has recently made a nice herb bed for me in the garden (I hate it lol). Previously I had pots around the laundry door, easy to get to when cooking, especially in the dark. Now I've got a traipse of about 100 feet. Not far in the scheme of things but no longer a convenient easy option. <br />The photos you use in your blog are beautiful too. I have hydrangeas the size I've never seen before, must love the country soil. He cut them back twice over the year and they are still well over six feet tall. Maybe I should cut some and dry them too. I'd hate to get to your project and go oh bother why didn't I do that too.<br />Can't wait for Monday's post. Fi xxFionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14512270551131332262016-01-08T17:07:20.521-08:002016-01-08T17:07:20.521-08:00Dear Paula,
There is only so much we can do in a d...Dear Paula,<br />There is only so much we can do in a day. I find many things I end up doing a few minutes at a time and over a week or two it gets done. It is wonderful you have a week off! I hope you both enjoy it and achieve the things you want to.<br />Well done on starting your gift making. I have something lovely you might like coming up for the knitted or crocheted gifts... I just have to put it together first but it makes gifts look so professional! I need that for the things I crochet.<br />Thank you so much for your kind comment! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com