Thursday, 5 November 2015

Feather your Nest Friday, 6 November, 2015.

It has been a busy week! Plus we had lots of rain both here in the city and at the farm. This is wonderful. Things are soaked.  Helen said to me once that when it is raining it might as well be raining money. This is true. Our water bill will be way down for a fortnight and the farm will produce. When you grow up on a farm the sound of rain equals happiness! (Dad in a good mood!) At the farm the duck  pond flooded. Can you imagine the good fun time the ducks are having!?

Some of the ways I saved money this week:

I started my "use it up" challenge from the freezer. So I didn't buy the ingredients for two meals and used things from the freezer. This lowered my grocery bill, gets stuff used up, makes room for after Christmas bargains.

I studied the catalogues. Doing this weekly has really been paying off. There are quite a few things over the last weeks I would not have known about without doing this. It is well worth it.

I finished decorating some little jars with rose decals. These are small, like spice jars. I thought I would make sets for my cupboard and for gifts.


Andy is building me a range hood. Or range hood cover might be the right thing to say.  We have a really high ceiling and so this was saving us about $1000 which seems ridiculous.


I finished grouping my gifts to fit my gift list and have presents for everyone. Done! Plus some January birthday gifts too. 




Some ways I feathered my nest are:

Getting chickens! (I think I MAY have mentioned this before...)


When I took this photo I thought of the saying "don't put all your chickens in one basket" then I realized it's "don't put all your EGGS in one basket" so it was alright!
They have settled in and are very docile.



I added bird seed, chook food, sunflower seeds to my stockpile.

Also I dead headed and trimmed the roses. Hopefully this will give me another crop. And I saved all the pink rose petals and am drying them towards my soap making I have planned for next year.

I baby sat so Lucy could have a free afternoon to do Christmas shopping.

So it was a pretty good week. Not huge, just good.

I hope you had a great week! How did you save money and build up your home?
Something I have noticed lately is how much working as a team builds up your home. If we have someone to work with and they are doing their bit and you are doing your bit things really add up. I am lucky with that. Andy is responsible for a whole lot of things and then fixes and makes things all saving a lot of money. I am responsible for a lot of things and save a lot of money there. He just gets on with what he needs to be doing and so do I. We don't even discuss who is going to do what as we know. I am glad that's harmonious too. But however many people you have on your team if everyone is working together you can achieve so much!

This weekend I am planning a use it up from the freezer weekend so that will be a super cheap weekend plus free up some more space!

Have a great weekend! xxx
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41 comments:

  1. patsi @ a working pantry5 November 2015 at 16:48

    Annabel, I'm almost finished with my Christmas gift list too! It feels good to be this near done and before our Thanksgiving holiday too! Your chickens are cute! Ours are just before starting to lay eggs, in fact we've already found one egg that one of them had laid!

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    1. Annabel5 November 2015 at 23:26

      Dear Patsy, it is a good feeling! It puts us ahead too for other expenses and things that crop up.
      Once your chickens start laying you are going to be getting a lot of eggs! What a good thing. Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  2. Mimi5 November 2015 at 17:12

    Dear Annabel, what a truly lovely week for you! Roses, chickens and babysitting, plus compiling all those gorgeous, gorgeous gifts! It doesn't get much better really, does it? I've had a good week too this week. I've shopped in my own 'shop' (stairwell stockpile) for expensive items like dishwasher tablets, body wash, toothpaste and new toothbrushes. I'll replace them with loyalty 'dollars' when they're half price again. I discovered the frozen Barramundi fillets at Aldi, which are really delicious and not too expensive. We eat fish 2-3 times a week so that's a bonus. I stamped lots of butchers paper to use as gift wrap and also to give in gift wrapping bundles to friends who don't have time to be creative. I made 36 miniature feather dusters to gift to teachers, nephew and nieces and others who I may have forgotten. These are really cute! They'll be on my blog tomorrow. I also made lots of little Victoriana folding books, which will be on the blog next week. These are quite adorable and are sort of a card and gift in one. So I added considerably to the home made gift stash, which brought a great sense of relief. I really feel like I'm on top of that now, and can follow in your footsteps and start wrapping. We had a couple of use-it-up type meals...one of vegetarian tacos, and one of soup. It's been wet here too, so soup is always a treat after being out in crazy weather. Like you and Andy, my husband and I work as a partnership. We each know our own strengths and the other persons, and we work in tandem to save lots of money. He builds, repairs and maintains all manner of things, as well as working in the garden. I do what I do. Between us it means we can live a very comfortable existence. It's a good feeling. Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 17:06

      Dear Mimi, I call my supply the shop now thanks to you. It is just like a little shop. How awesome!
      I love that we know what our jobs are and there is never any conflict over who does what. Sometimes something is a joint job ie the rangehood Andy built now I am painting, then he will put it up. Yes, BIG money saver. Also it's sort of a happy thing to get on and do things like this.
      I can't wait to see the folding books, this sounds beautiful. Oh my goodness about the feather dusters! I have to see this.. I will have an endless supply of feathers soon too.... plus there is endless supply of duck feathers at the farm.... can you hear me thinking?
      You had an excellent week. I am inspired just reading it! With lots of love, Annabel.xxxx

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  3. Kathy5 November 2015 at 19:06

    Getting there on Christmas gifts! We are doing an 'eat out of the freezer' month this month as we had a couple of large expenses (property taxes) coming up, sure is nice to be able to do this here and there. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Annabel5 November 2015 at 23:28

      Dear Kathy, you have done very well to be able to have a freezer month. How good that you have this and it is such a help to you. And that is what it is for too... times we really need it!
      You still have plenty of time with gifts too! With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  4. Leslie McKinley5 November 2015 at 19:23

    I love your final comment on working as a team. It has been so true in our house this week. My 17 yr. old son and I have been working on replacing walls in my daughters' room. My husband gives him pointers before he leaves for the day. And I help with the work once school and lunch is over. We start dry-walling tomorrow and painting on Monday! My girls are so excited. And my son is learning some valuable skills.
    Also my girls are helping with peeling apples for applesauce. Yum! We love the homemade: tastes better, costs less, and is healthier.
    Lastly my little ones picked the last of the tomatoes (in November, I know). But because of all the rain and over-cast skies, the tomatoes are slow to ripen. So the Lord led me to use green tomatoes in making a 'Mock Raspberry Jam". This replaces all the blackberry jam that I should have had. The berries were flooded out!

    My chickens are currently molting, so I don't have fresh eggs. I've used all the ones I squirreled away in lard and salt, so I must buy them. For baking only, of course.

    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 16:51

      Dear Leslie,
      Thank you. I love that you have a 17 year old helping you in this way. And as well I am sure knowing that he is being so helpful, contributing, doing something important... all that builds up important things plus the learning new skills factor. It is just excellent.
      How exciting about your renovations!
      Applesauce happening even with renovations is impressive too!
      Hopefully molting is over soon. I cant remember how long that usually is but it is good you have reserve supplies.
      Have a lovely weekend before the painting begins! With love Annabel.xxxx

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  5. tealady5 November 2015 at 20:35

    I also have been working on cleaning and preparing my freezer. I have wanted to clean out my freezer for a while now but it's just been to hot. Now that it's cooler I am defrosting the meats and making freezer meals and cooking meat, making broth and cleaning out some extra's from the pantry to prepare for times when the holiday season get's busy..The freezer went from a jumbled mess, next time I'm getting an upright freezer, to looking all neat and full. I wish I could get my card reader to work.

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    1. Anonymous6 November 2015 at 12:17

      I use to have a chest freezer and because I am short, the only way I could clean it was to get down in the freezer to reach the bottom. When it gave out, I got an upright freezer and I like it but I don't seem to be able to get as much in it without it falling out. (I think I need to get some baskets for it.) I have to clean and rearrange a little more often but LOL I don't have to get in it to clean it.

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  6. ann5 November 2015 at 21:02

    Hi Annabelle,
    I have been reading through all comments and you mentioned "continental knitting" I am curious as to what that is. I would love you to explain what it is if possible. Thanks Ann. I am a slow knitter and anything to speed it up would be great. look forward to the days you post.

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 18:47

      Dear Ann,
      Europeans knit differently to how we do in Australia and also I think America. It is a much faster way. It is just a different way of winding the yarn around the needle which involves less movement of the hand. That makes it quicker and easier on the hands. It is kind of hard to explain. Of course when we are set in one way it can be quite hard to change. But this is worth it as it is maybe twice as quick? (once you get the hang of it of course...) There are good tutorials online and on you tube to get you going. I had a Latvian lady teach me when I was pretty little. It is quite fun to learn too. I hope that helps. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. Anonymous5 November 2015 at 23:02

    Annabel I enjoy reading your weekly roundup - love the chickens they look like wonderful characters.

    I am still getting over the 'flu bug - would have been better if I had it properly for a week rather than the tiredness I have been left with. With still being hot from the bug and our warm weather my knitting has not been happening even though it would have been a perfect time for me to get some done.

    Of course with not being well the Christmas thoughts are all over the place so I am just slowly gathering things when I see them (today I found 5 shallowish glasses perfect to create succulent gardens in for 50 cents each and some pretty lemon lace material (2 meters for $3-00) to make some bags with at op shops following my appointment with the chiropractor this morning.

    Not being well has meant that I have had to stay away from my mother in law - I have heard on the grape vine that her recipe book has had a few copies made of it and I really want to get my hands on one so that I can create some tea towels for the girls in the family (there are a lot) as a keepsake as we are fairly sure that this is my mother in law's last Christmas.

    We have screens being installed soon so once they are done then I can swap things around in the kitchen. I am fairly sure that I have everything needed for my Christmas cooking. Picked up some sugar this morning that I need for making the sugar coated peanuts that have been part of the family tradition since my husband was little.

    Finally had my hair cut - the hairdresser I use to go to has opened her own salon which is so good because she knows my hair (the expensive cut was all wrong) and we get on really well. The op shop near her sometimes has something this time I hit the jackpot with copies of Romantic Homes for 25 cents each - these are about 12 years old but still great for ideas and some of them even have some craft type items in that I am keen to try next year.

    Our daughter has been over most weekends of late redoing her bed - it was scratched (not in an obvious place) and she decided that she wanted to replace her bed - went off and thought about it and decided that she had a good bed that with some sanding, a lick of paint and some varnish will be what she wants - the washed out beach/driftwood look.

    She started redoing her furniture before she left primary school so this is nothing new to us.

    Hope you have a great weekend

    Lynette
    XXXXX

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 18:54

      Dear Lynette,
      I think I have things in common with your daughter. I discovered re painting things etc especially spray paint when I was in school... loved all of that!I am sorry you havent felt well. A bug like that can linger and be so hard to get over. Rest is the only thing.
      Of all your activities the Romantic Homes magazines had my heart leaping. I love those. And Victoria Magazines. If I see either of those in an op shop I would be so excited! Lovely! A very pleasant way to have a little rest reading something like that.
      The recipes and tea towel idea is just lovely. I really like that.
      I hope you get a restful weekend and feel lots better. With lots of love, Annabel.xxxx

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  8. Mel6 November 2015 at 00:57

    Oh My Goodness Annabel those chickens are so cute.

    Feathering my nest has been going well here with the completion of my vegetable garden. It has begun to show fruit on the tomato plants (3 baby tomatoes) and the growth of the zucchini vine, capsicum plants, cucumber vines. It is all shooting up especially after the rain we have had. The three new citrus trees are showing new growth and I have a baby apple on my brand new dwarf apple tree.

    I have chives growing in pots and parsley and for the first time lemon balm. I am planning to make ice lemon tea with this. I have also sprouted a chokko this week which I plan to pot tomorrow and get that vine growing and producing next week.

    I too am eating out of my freezer as it is full to the brim. I have more than enough meat to see out the year I think. I am very new to garden produce self sufficiency and maybe things won't work but I am certainly enjoying trying.

    God Bless and have a good week.

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 16:55

      Dear Mel,
      I am thrilled about your progress! I know you are going to love having a vegie garden. And the rain came at the perfect time!
      Would it be possible for you to have chooks? They go well with a vegie garden as they will eat the scraps plus give you fertilizer. And you get eggs of course!
      It is wonderful that you managed to get to the stage of a full freezer!
      You have made so much progress. Getting a vegie garden established is a big thing, well done!
      Have a wonderful weekend! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  9. JES6 November 2015 at 01:43

    Still drooling over your spice jars! I need to make some soon :) I love the team work effect. My husband is also very handy and helpful and it is such a blessing! I hope you have a wonderful weekend Annabel! Love, JES :)

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 19:37

      Dear Jes, Thank you... little decorated jars make lovely gifts. Or little jars with some of your labels. To me they are a gift that is likely to get kept forever and be useful.
      It is so helpful being able to count on your husband and work together. Two, then, are better than one. With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. KayeB6 November 2015 at 02:17

    Annabel, you have had a really good week again!

    I have been having a re think and overhaul of the budget this week. I do like this new Christmas club you are starting next year! I might just redirect that (current Christmas club) surplus towards any needed supplies for this. It sounds really fabulous! I have absolutely no idea what to buy for some of my family. Have asked them for Christmas lists, as I certainly do not want to be shopping during December! :-)

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 18:41

      Dear Kaye,
      I am looking forward to the Christmas Club too. It will help me and hopefully I can add loads of new ideas.
      Give your family useful money saving things.Things that will help them get ahead, food etc. No dont go shopping in December! I hate that! It will save you a lot of stress to have it all out of the way.
      I love to change money saved in one area to another area that needs it, as you know. I think your plan is great!
      Have a great weekend! With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  11. Anonymous6 November 2015 at 02:39

    Your marriage sounds just wonderful to me. How you two are so harmonious together. It's how I feel about my DH. He just quietly goes about doings jobs for us and our little family, like servicing our cars or fixing the screen door. I bet you had a lovely time with Harper and I bet Harper just loved her time with you. I've been having a lovely, albeit quiet and relaxing week away. Trying to collect gum nuts, shells and crochet some flowers. Lots of love, bridge

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 19:41

      Dear Bridge, I was on my own for a lot of years. And I just got on with it... but I really appreciate that I have so much help and support now plus a hard working husband. It is a lot to be grateful for!
      I am not sure if you are still away... I hope ti was wonderful. I would be collecting gum nuts and shells too! Last year I spray painted a lot of gum nuts and glittered some. oohh glittered is nice!
      There are so many things you can do with crochet flowers! Someone was making garlands of them to hang across their kitchen dresser! I havent done that yet. Also little girls headbands etc.
      I am so glad you got a lovely holiday! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  12. Lana6 November 2015 at 09:06

    How nice to have spoiling time all alone with your granddaughter! My hubby and I are kindred spirits, too. I am so grateful for that.

    I am beginning to stock foods for Thanksgiving as I see good sales. I will be cooking ahead and freezing what I can to lighten the work load that week since we will have family in from out of town. Today I am working on the sweet potato casserole. I would rather visit than cook while family is here!

    More Christmas gifts were purchased this week and some were checked off my list as good deals came along. I only need 6-8 items to finish stocking stuffers. Yay!

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 19:43

      Dear Lana,
      I am glad you are going well on the Christmas presents. I love sweet potato casserole. I love sweet potato anything!
      We dont have thanks giving although I think we should! A celebration of being thankful is a very good one. It is great to get ahead with the cooking and have less to do when everyone is there. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  13. Mrs. Gillam6 November 2015 at 09:19

    Such cute chickens! Our daughter and family got chickens around Christmas last year. They are pets, as well as a source of eggs. We hear stories of adventures of "the girls," and they have to be sure we understand it's the chickens and not their daughters :-).
    I am blessed with a husband who is a wonderful helper, too. I had a medical procedure earlier in the week and wasn't supposed to drive, but wanted to do a big grocery trip. The additional discount was only good that day. I told my husband he could just drop me off, but he insisted on staying and helping me.
    We have been eating down our freezer, too. I got the small chest freezer defrosted and organized. Turkeys came on sale, and I had room for one at what was likely the best price this season.
    Your gifts are lovely! I have been gathering gifts along and have several Christmas and fall birthday gifts ready. Some are yet to be made, but I have the materials and at least know what I want to do.
    Thank you for your encouraging and cheerful blog. I feel as if I have a friend in Australia. Love, Elaine

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 19:49

      Dear Elaine,
      Thank you so much and you do have a friend in Australia. I feel like I am getting to know you quite well. I am really grateful for the friendships I have formed as we are going along.
      A husband who is helpful when you are sick or out of action etc is a big blessing. I always thought it is the test of a man how they are when you are sick and unable to do things! It was lovely that your husband helped you to go get what you had in mind and you didnt miss out.
      I am aiming to do what you did... have room in the freezer when the turkeys come on sale. For us that is usually around new year when they think people have stopped buying turkey. Thats when they mark them down and I buy up.
      Have a lovely weekend! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  14. Anonymous6 November 2015 at 12:37

    What a lovely week you've had! You often write about contentment and having the correct man to share your life is most certainly a huge help. A true partner in every sense does more to help make a nest a home than any feathering or preparedness activity, I think.

    And your chickens/chooks are just darling! Please keep sharing news and pictures of them because I'll have to live through you since our community won't allow them.

    I've been feathering a temporary nest this week since we've taken a short trip to spend time with my husband's family. I've done a bit of Christmas shopping, too. Perhaps the most fun I've had on this trip is taking a little local adventure with my daughter. We try to economize most of the time so we can spend money on activities and making memories when good opportunities present themselves. I've enjoyed our little splurges this week but will be happy to get back to my own nest when we return.

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 16:42

      It is a great help having someone who does their bit plus more. In a previous life I didnt have that. I had 16 years on my own too. So I really notice the difference having someone work towards the same goals etc. It is really good!
      I will add pictures of the chooks. They went outside on the grass for the first time and they were scared of the grass, then they were scared of the wind! Now they like it though. Even this was hugely entertaining lol
      I am glad you had nice family time. I love times like that and I am also glad when I get back home. Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxx

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  15. Anonymous6 November 2015 at 19:26

    Dear Annabel, I just love the pictures of your little chickens in the basket! I'm so glad you were able to get them. This week was very busy for me, most of it being filled with housecleaning. It's fall here, but I did sort of a spring cleaning, with cleaning the ceiling fans, wiping smudges of walls, etc. In the midst of all that, my father-in-law asked me if I would clean his house as well since he is having company this weekend! I always tell him not to, but he insists on paying me, so I am grateful for that, as it will go towards our savings. I planted spinach seeds in my window boxes this week instead of flowers. We have been getting a lot of rain this week as well, so I haven't had to water the yard. That is such a blessing! Living in Texas, I know exactly how you feel about the value of rain, as we're usually in a drought. Rain means happy crops and happy cows. Our electric bill this month was the lowest it's been in a long time due in part to the nice weather allowing me to open the windows, but I have also been hanging my clothes out on the line almost exclusively. That seems to save a bunch. I love what you said about working as a team, too. My husband and I each have duties and responsibilities that, although different, work together to make things absolutely wonderful. We do work on the same task sometimes, of course. One of my favorite things we do together is actually working in the garden. We get to see the literal fruits of our labor, and I love knowing that we did it together. I hope you have a lovely weekend, Annabel! -- Kelsey

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 20:07

      Dear Kelsey,
      I think there are a lot of similarities between Texas and here. You say ranches and we say stations for the same thing. Yes, rain is a celebrated thing! Also heat is a big factor and power bills!
      I think it is very nice your Father in Law wants to pay you for that help. So you added to your savings as well this week which is excellent.
      As we are in spring I have done a lot of spring cleaning the last month. But I also feel that change of seasons is a time that you change things around, have a clean and reorganize and its nice to do that. It freshens things up.
      You got a lot done!
      I am so glad you have a husband that you can work as as team with. What a help in life.
      You had a good week! It is lovely to hear! With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  16. Jen6 November 2015 at 19:47

    Dear Annabel,

    I wanted to let you know that I made your fabulous Christmas cake recipe this week...I got two small loaves, one regular-sized loaf, one small round and one 10 inch round one out of the recipe! Absolutely wonderful...I am planning to give two of the smaller cakes to my father and father-in-law for Christmas. They look and smell divine, though we are being "strong" and waiting until Christmas to taste test! I will still make my regular recipe, which is a darker fruitcake that has a marzipan layer on top, as the two fruitcakes are so different, and my family absolutely LOVES fruitcake!

    I do have one question: do you mix some flour into your fruit mix before you pour on the batter to keep the fruit from sinking? I do that with my usual recipe, but didn't do it with this one and most of the nuts I had arranged on top sank down and were buried in the cake. (I don't usually do the nut-thing, since I always put marzipan on top, so maybe there's another secret I don't know about?) Any tips would be wonderful! No matter for this time around...they will taste great anyway.

    Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!

    Jen in Nova Scotia

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    1. Annabel6 November 2015 at 20:13

      Dear Jen, Sometimes the mixture seems too moist, maybe the fruit hasnt soaked up all the sherry, then I tend to add a little flour. So it depends. I havent had the almonds sink though... so I am hoping things turned out ok for you. You will soon know! Possibly there was more time for them to sink or the oven was slower... cakes are a funny thing as there are so many variables with our oven temperatures etc. Next time feel free to add more flour at the beginning as this wont hurt at all. Cakes make such a good gift and cakes that keep are extra handy as they can be made so far ahead and kept for when needed.
      This cake makes a fine Christmas pudding if warmed and served with custard etc as well. (can be handy)
      Thank you so much for commenting. I make Andy this cake as a birthday cake as it is his favorite and he is fruit cake mad also! Love Annabel.xxxx

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    2. Jen6 November 2015 at 20:31

      Ah, ha...I did actually bake at a lower temperature...that's probably what happened. Next time I will follow your directions to a tee! :) No worries at all...it's all part of the experimentation and learning process. I am just used to my other recipe and used its temperature instead...thinking, I guess, that a slow oven would keep things from browning too fast. The round cakes, interestingly, didn't have the nuts sink as far as the loaves...I don't know if they were that much thinner, or if the shape had something to do with it. There was only one cake where the nuts sank completely out of sight, and that cake we've decided to try with a marzipan layer, just to test that flavour combo! Thanks for the idea of using them as Christmas pudding, too...sounds delish!

      Cheers, Annabel.

      Jenxx

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  17. Wendy Gower7 November 2015 at 19:49

    Beautiful pictures that captured your week. As you know i went to a Cheapskates card making day yesterday. We all talked about your blog more that anything else. Your blog has given a lot of happiness to many people Annabel. xoxo

    Here's my frugal list -

    * Gratefully received some mini Christmas puddings / cake from a friend

    * Made dried bread crumbs out of saved bread crusts. I love free items and no waste.

    * Made wholemeal bread rolls. Some were used for homemade hamburgers.

    * Kept the heater off as much as possible. It would be easier if we had real Spring weather not hot then cold.

    * Saved the bread bags from a charity bbq. Some were use to line the bathroom bins.

    * Picked silverbeet and spinach for a couple of meals.

    * Dried all the washing on clotheshorses and the line. I can't remember the last time i used the dryer. It's still good to have one just in case.

    * Gratefully received some water crackers and chocolates.

    * Diluted the last of the cheap laundry liquid I bought years ago from Sam's Warehouse for 97 cents a bottle. Each bottle gives me about 30 washes. When diluted I get 60. It smells so nice that I save it for when the washing is a little smelly.

    * Bought a huge head of cauliflower for 99 cents. I haven't been able to buy cauliflower for so long as it's been expensive. I also bought a small whole Kent pumpkin for 99 cents a kilo.

    * .Gratefully received about 3 - 4 kilos of strawberries from a friend. I'll be making lots of jam for eating and present giving. Thankyou to my friend. The strawberries are a real blessing xoxo

    * Cut out some rose pictures from wrapping paper. These will be used to decorate gift bags "Annabel style. "

    * Planted out lots of bean seedlings. I also planted more dwarf bean and lettuce seeds. Five minutes later the heavens opened up and down came the rain.

    * Ate out of the freezer two nights this week.

    * Gratefully received some bbq sausages. I made them into a sausage casserole that gave us 10 serves ( 6 for the freezer ).

    * Made a double batch of Anzac biscuit dough for the freezer. I'll be baking some of this on Christmas Eve for presents.

    * Saved the shower warm up water for the garden.

    * Fed the compost and worm farm with kitchen scraps.

    * Picked the first of our strawberries for the season.

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    1. Annabel7 November 2015 at 21:26

      Dear Wendy,
      Thank you for telling me that. I am amazed but also really blessed to hear it!
      Your week was very productive. I was pleased for you about the sausages and strawberries as I know you make the absolute most of these things. What a blessing.
      Your card making afternoon sounds like so much fun. I would really love to be able to come to that! Imagine how much talking we would get done! lol
      I hope you have had a lovely weekend. With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  18. Fiona8 November 2015 at 01:12

    Dear Annabel,
    Love those gorgeous little chickens in the basket. Can I tell you a quick funny story? Back in 1999 I bought 3 little hens, one each for me and the boys. We named them and because they were only a couple weeks old, they lived inside with us. It was a night that the boys were sleeping at their dads. Chickens were inside their box (it was a computer screen box, so quite large) in the laundry. I woke up in the morning and I was lying in bed not daring to move because I had this feeling that I was being watched, I lay there quiet as a mouse, then I looked around once I was properly alert and on the end of the bed there were 2 hens. they'd obviously got lonely. when i did get up and move them, there were little deposits all around the house.

    I did some more crafty things this week and last weekend my lovely man emptied three compost bins into our veggie beds. I had to laugh cos there were 3 dogs picking through the scraps to see if there was anything left to scavenge, they were funny.

    Wrapped up all presents that were finished and the pile looks great.

    That's all from here. Fi xx

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    1. Annabel8 November 2015 at 03:26

      Dear Fiona, I love that story! You should make it into a story to tell your Grandson, he will love it! I can just picture it.
      It is just lovely you have made so many gifts and have them wrapped. What a good feeling! You must be so pleased. I have just started wrapping...
      The chickens have graduated from inside to outside today as it is warm and a warm night. I keep checking on them... with love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Fiona9 November 2015 at 02:45

      Don't worry Annabel, I'm not going to forget that one in a while. My boys who were both just under 10 years of age were so enthralled with the story when they came home the next day. Fancy chickens in your bed mum they said. Can they sleep in our room tonight? Yes, that's what they wanted. I was like, they didn't sleep with me, it was not planned, I just woke up and they were there, their little beady eyes watching me. It shows how social they are. The other chooks I had would chase after me if I moved around in the garden and if I went inside and the door was even slightly open, in they'd come. I hope yours are giving you loads of laughs and companionship. Fi xx

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  19. Rhonda8 November 2015 at 12:07

    Hello Annabel,
    My husband and I have always done things together and now that he is retired, I expect we do even more. That's good because we like each other's company and we are a good team. He is already making some Christmas gifts but I have done nothing for gifts. I guess this year, I will just fly by the seat of my skirt.

    Your jars are so sweet. I expect you will smile every time you open a cabinet and see them :)

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  20. Anonymous12 November 2015 at 16:33

    HI Annabel,
    I often read your lovely blog but do not often comment.:) It really inspires me . Thank you for the time and love you put into your blog. I live in California so I understand about the heat and saving water. Your little hens are so sweet. I had the opportunity to have a chicken last year. I inherited her from my Mom. She was so smart. When the baby next door cried she would make a whinning noise. She was free during the day. One day a young hawk flew over and was going to have her for lunch,she yelled really loud and the hawk flew away. She was over 10 and still laying eggs . What fun she was :) My Mom gave her several water bowls when it was hot she would drink from one and stand in the other one to cool off. This week I finished my Christmas presents. We have a full freezer and lots in the pantry . I am looking for just the deals for baking now.
    Have a blessed week.
    Patti

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    1. Annabel12 November 2015 at 17:18

      Dear Patti, Thank you so much for commenting. I really appreciate it.
      I have been to California and it is very like here. I have been hearing a lot about your drought and also fires. Not good.
      I think your chicken was wonderful! She obviously had a really good life! Would you consider getting another one? I am loving ours. I posted a new picture today on my Friday post.
      Im really glad you commented it is lovely to meet you Patti. Love Annabel.xxx

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