The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 7 October, 2016.

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Feather your Nest Friday, 7 October, 2016.

This has been a big week! Lots has been achieved! This is good as I felt I had a lot of hold ups with weather and my painting was a bit behind overall. But not any more!

First of all some of the ways I saved money and feathered my nest include:

I made two lots of snacks that are made from dried fruits, nuts etc. I noticed the health food shop sells these for $1 each. And a local cafe started selling them for even more. Lucy loves them! So I took notice of the ingredients and just copied one. Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity so that's near enough to a recipe.
I substituted a couple of things.
Anyway, the first lot were good.

But the second lot were beautiful! I wrote the ingredients for Lucy so this is kind of the recipe...

They are so yum. Anyway Lucy was highly impressed. I will try some other variations too.

I made a heap of mini quiches for Harper.

Andy fixed a window that had a crack in the frame and I sanded and repainted it. This is in the lounge room and now that whole room is finished. I am very happy as it looks so bright and fresh!
That is another job ticked off the list!

I added to my preparedness with an electric frypan that the generator will run. So now I have the gas BBQ plus this as options. Andy got another gas bottle plus replaced fuel we had used in the storm.

Yesterday I started washing my lounge covers. I have soaked and bleached them and hung them in the sun. Yes we have sun now! I have about four more loads of these to go!

I cleaned the vacuum cleaner and hand help vac... filters etc all washed and dried.

The people installing the new doors cancelled due to a mistake made so that is yet to be rescheduled.

The best thing of the week.... my niece Allie offered to help me with painting. She is nineteen and she teaches rock climbing and adventure sports so she is not afraid of heights... so the two chimneys were the first target!

She has helped me for a day and a half so far and is coming back a bit later... I can tell you this, every hour has been wonderful. The sun has shone. I have painted up to where I can reach which is about 8 or 9 feet and she has painted above that. We have chatted the entire time and the time has gone really fast. I am exhausted honestly! BUT oh my goodness the house is transformed!

By the end of today I think the front of the house will be finished except for the front door! And I am so excited about that front door! But I can certainly manage that over the weekend.
You can see the difference in colour from the first photo to the second photo but next week I will post what it all looks like!

This help caught me up and made a world of difference. What an encouragement this was!
Last night Andy stood out the front for a good ten minutes looking at the house. It looks like a different place! It looks beautiful!

So the nest has actually had a huge makeover!

My 100 Day Challenge has also made up for the days I lost during the storm. Overall it has worked out. I won't list each day as I have already mentioned most things. But it included painting and a lot of spring cleaning. I am so happy to have got so much done and be back on track!

I hope you have had a very good week. How did you build up your nest and save?

It is on my mind that our storm is going to look like a stroll in the park compared to Hurricane Matthew and Patsy is bracing for an impact from that. We are sure getting a lot of reminders to be prepared.

Have a lovely weekend. I know I am going to be really tired but a good tired! xxx

49 comments:

JES6 October 2016 at 17:28
Wow, the paint job looks great and I am in love with the carvings on the outside of your home. Absolutely gorgeous and just my style!! What a blessing your niece is! :)
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Fiona6 October 2016 at 18:10
Hello Annabel and team of dedicated blog readers, I must say thank you to Rachael, Jeanette and Vicky who mentioned my crochet border, it’s nowhere as nice as you say it is but thanks, and Vicky I love love love animal fabric and always get some if I see it. Rachael hope your eye is feeling better and Bluey I do hope that your operation went well, and Jane that you are coping with it all. I reckon the lovely cross stitch and edging you are doing is a good way of taking your mind off things.

Maria the quilts are gorgeous so warm and cozy. Mimi’s pictures are great, in particular the smocking that is stunning. Jen lol that your family have feet therefore need socks, they are too good to stick on the end of your legs and shove into a shoe or boot. They are simply beautiful. So are your socks Janine and the lovely baby clothes.

Susan I love the calendar a lot, the picture is beautiful, but having a bit of a mouse influx at the moment I’m not so attracted to them. But you have made them look gorgeous.

Mary that bread bin is lovely and would look great in Annabel’s kitchen for sure. Kelsey the tags are lovey and very much an Annabel thing also. Christine I love the quilts too, very pretty. Jeanette how clever to take apart lights and turn them into lanterns.

Annabel that is very brave of your niece hanging up there on the roof painting like that, what a great girl she is. And as you say you’ve chatted and the time has passed and the work has been done. Just the glimpses of your house make it look stunning. Will you be posting pictures when it’s done?

The balls look fabulous, great ingredients. Is there enough wetness in the fruit as it’s mixed up to hold the ball shape or is there a binding ingredient in there too? I’m hungry just looking at them.

Have a great weekend. I’ve lashed out and bought a new car and hope to pick it up today. Fi xx
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Debby in KS6 October 2016 at 19:31
I can't wait to see your nest! The architecture I can see in the picture is amazing and now I am so curious to see the rest!

Yes, Matthew is looking to be quite the beast. The pics of Haiti are horrific so I hope everyone keeps those poor people in their prayers.
I hope those in Matthew's path heed the warnings and act accordingly.
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Anonymous6 October 2016 at 21:35
Dear Annabel, I am just enjoying a cup of tea as I read your post , I always make myself a cuppa and read your posts , it has become my tradition or ritual .
Anyway as I sit here I am amazed by the amount of work you and Andy and your niece have been able to get done this week . I am sure your house is looking beautiful .
Your posts are always an inspiration to me Annabel , you show us all that pretty much anything is possible .
I love the energy/ fruit balls and have most of the ingredients in my pantry . I will get the rest of the ingredients I need on shopping day and will definetley make some.

My week has included : buying half price tea bags and saving $16.50 by doing so , I will put $20 into my savings wallet towards Christmas.

I am starting my Christmas card making and will mostly use materials I have here , trying not to buy too much as I have heaps of craft supplies .

I gratefully received a large sized savoury mince and vegetable pie from my parents as well as two serves of bolognese meat sauce and 3 serves of homemade pumpkin soup.
I saved at least $25 on groceries not including my savings on tea bags . On pension day Iwill put away another $25 towards Christmas. I already have $125 saved for Christmas and I have some gifts in my gift cupboard also.
I am making a list of all the things I want to achieve in the next month, my own mini challenge. They are just small things but hopefully they will add up and make a big difference.
I hope Rachel is ok , sending my best wishes to you Rachel , please take care of yourself and allow others to help you if you need assistance.
To Jane and Bluey, I have been thinking of you and hope everything will be ok with you both.please be kind to yourselves .
Have a great weekend Annabel and your readers too.
Love BarbW.
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Jane7 October 2016 at 02:28
Hi Annable and my lovely Bluebird friends. Bluey had surgery that went for eight hours yesterday. He's in ICU today, but is talking and his sense of humour is intact. He told me that he didn't think he would be doing any bull riding or crocodile wrestling in the near future. His road to recovery is a long one and we still need to wait to find out if he will need further treatment to deal with the malignancy. The road might be long but the darkness is lifting. Many thanks for all your thoughts, wishes and prayers.
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Tania7 October 2016 at 03:43
Dear Annabel,

You have been achieving so much, you nearly exhaust me just reading about all you are doing and have done :)

I make those healthy bliss balls, and yes they are delicious!

So glad to hear you had help with your house painting, your house will be looking great!

I haven't been keeping track of my achievements lately, probably because I just get in and do them without thinking.

My nest feathering this week included;

*I have been out in the garden getting things organised. I have planted some seedlings and now just waiting for them to grow. I have in capsicums, two types cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, silver beet, spring onions, chives, strawberries.
*Cooked all meals from scratch.
*Washed laundry in cold water.
*Hung washing in the nice sunlight.
*I was gifted a Bissel carpet cleaner that was only used a couple of times. I am so happy about this as I was about to purchase one of these. I need to clean my cream carpet regularly. Now I can do it myself and save more money :)
*I was also gifted a serving tray, teatowels and chocolates.
*Picked and drying quandongs.
*Drying some lavender.
*Made some greek yoghurt twice this week.
*Picked up fruit bread on special.
*Cleaned the bathrooms using homemade cleaner.
*Still picking mandarins and oranges. These are used for juice in the mornings.
*Made homemade pizzas tonight.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead and Happy Housekeeping!

xTania
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Anonymous7 October 2016 at 03:48
Dear Annabel,
I hope you will share a picture of the entire outside of your house. The architecture is just magnificent. The energy balls look delicious.

It was also good to read the update from Jane as we've been praying for them as well as Rachel.

As for nest feathering it's been a somewhat busy week doing other things, but a little got done. The weather report here keeps changing as to what our state will receive from Matthew, so we've are taking precautionary actions and getting ready to batten down the hatches, so to speak. We're more inland but they're still talking about how it may or may not strike us.

I've added some all-occasion notecards that were made with just things in the craft stash to be given as Christmas gifts and for personal use. Went to Aldi's this week because how could one pass up acorn squashes that were 59 cents apiece, celery that was 69 cents per stalk, onions that were 89 cents for 3 pounds and mushrooms that were 69 cents per box. I just love deals like that, considering that in our regular grocery stores acorn squash is $1.79 a pound, mushrooms are $2.99 a box and onions $3.99 for 3 pounds, and the price of celery just keeps rising. Some of this will be dehydrated and added to the pantry, while some of the squash will get cooked and frozen and some just stored fresh.

That's about it for me. Praying that all who are in Matthew's path remain safe. Blessings. Cookie

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quakerhillfarm7 October 2016 at 04:07
Lovely job! Your are a great inspiration. Have a wonderful week ahead!
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Anonymous7 October 2016 at 04:11
Annabel, your painting looks beautiful! You are doing such a great job. It looks like it really is transforming the house. The detail at the dying of your house is so pretty. Your Neice is so lovely to help, but I bet as much as she is helping you, you are helping her with good advice etc. Those bliss balls look sooooo good! Are they raw cashews? Yum yum! They are so expensive to buy. Maybe a great Christmas gift too? We have been busy here. But we are happy. I felt happy to go to the monthly dollar sake at the op shop and picked up a bag of baby's clothes for $3. I can gift these to a friend. We gave our cars a good clean on the inside and out and this would have saved a lot of money. I'm so grateful for your posts. Love, Bridge
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Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden7 October 2016 at 04:25
What a great niece you have! I love the trim on your house, so pretty. I need to clean our vacuum too-it's amazing how well they will pick up after you do.

Have a great day!
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Anonymous7 October 2016 at 04:41
Hi Annabel and Co.,

I am appreciating all that painting progress that you and your delightful niece have accomplished. I would be like Andy, just appreciating it all, only I would need twice as long - to get the view through one eye!! I'm glad that you've found something good for Lucy to eat, and Harper.

We have been thinking of Bluey ..... dear Bluey and Jane. Appreciating your immense challenge, Bluey and Jane, may you be carried through this time with a strength not your own. May your hearts be warmed, and your days made lighter, with extra little things! May good humour continue to serve you both well. You are cherished!!

For Jane, I'd like to share what made my day yesterday, on our visit down to the emergency ophthalmologists at the Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane. It was a bit of a struggle for me, concerned about whether my injured eye could even open itself, not feeling real strong, and finding the city quite unfriendly. What a nice thing it was when the tea trolley couple visited our waiting room! This was a new experience for me, and a lovely touch! I commented to the lady that she must have a good memory, as she took orders for cups of tea and coffee, at which she laughed and replied that she didn't! She thought it would be interesting for me to hear the conversations over orders back at the tea trolley!! Then, the ophthalmologist that examined my eyes was a thorough, lovely and super gentle lady, who told me that my eye is healing fine, and to expect improvement each day. We had a friendly talk with others in the waiting room, and these things, together, made such a welcome difference. I hope you meet special touches like these, also!

As for Bluey, when he feels ready, Jane, you might tell him that I was preparing to give my husband a haircut the other day when I just had to stop and laugh! I hadn't taken into account my lack of 3D vision (I've been working on one eye) in combination with those pointy scissors! Then I realised that it would be my fingers first in the line of fire, so I got the job done! It's not bad!! Yesterday, I started using two eyes again, for short times. It began as double vision, and has been improving. Today, it was back to one eye until this evening. It takes time!!

To Barb, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I sure have had help! When trying to pour milk into a small bottle to go with a thermos, I managed to pour the milk AROUND the mouth of the bottle, not in it! My husband did that, instead! Also, when walking in Brisbane, being half blind, I was able to hold my husband's arm to negotiate all the rough footpaths, traffic, etc. I've had lots of help! I was admiring my new potato plants today. It is amazing what can come of one eye!!

Thank you to each person who has warmed my heart this week! This includes Jes, whose beautiful, noble work is a sight for sore eyes! I have citrus waiting, and vinegar, and I'm not sure that I'll have enough peels to complete all the projects that await!! ..... and, Fiona, your crochet is that good! Leave it for a while, come back and look with fresh eyes!! All you need is confidence!!

Regards to all,
Rachel Holt
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Rhonda7 October 2016 at 05:22
Good morning Annabel, your Allie is amazing and such a sweetheart to help. I like you a lot but I'm not going to paint your chimney 😄
I'm happy you've got so much done. I've been quiet as I've been busy helping my parents after my dads surgery and my husband was away for 2 weeks helping his parents after his dad's surgery.
Have a wonderful weekend ❤️
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Anonymous7 October 2016 at 06:05
Wow! Your house is looking so nice! I think we all need a rock climber to be in our families so they can do all that kind of high stuff for us! :) What a sweet girl to help out. Love the look of those "sugar plums"! One of our goats is due to kid in a couple of days so we are cleaning a pen today, as well as the usual deck painting, etc. Off to work! xx Jen in NS
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Lana7 October 2016 at 07:53
Hurricane Matthew is passing by Florida right now where most of our family lives. We are waiting word that everyone is okay. We are far inland from our coast that will affected later on. I hate to think of all those big beautiful houses on the battery in Charleston taking a direct hit again.

Can't wait to see pictures of your house!
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Jen7 October 2016 at 16:07
Wow Annabel your house looks fantastic! It must feel so rewarding to see your progress, and what a lovely way to spend time with your niece.

I have been reading back through your preparedness posts from last year from the beginning and it's great to see how you added small amounts regularly and how it built up so quickly. I am really determined to get this area sorted in our house, we have food stored and toiletries etc, but not as much as I would like. And other areas like alternative power sources etc are lacking. So this is something I will really concentrate on.

Our fridge died a sudden death a a fortnight ago and so we have a big new fridge that is much better suited to our large family. And we paid cash! I was really happy with that. We are also receiving a $150 supermarket voucher with it, and armed with your advice I am going to turn that into more like a $300 voucher I hope.

This week we have not had a lot of money to restock the fridge so I have baked biscuits, muffins, lemon loaves, bread, foccacia, and bought heavily discounted meat and diary products to see us through. It has actually been quite fun showing my family just how much food we can make when we appear to have nothing. But I won't lie, I am very much looking forward to having a decent grocery shop next week!

Have a wonderful weekend
Jen
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Anonymous8 October 2016 at 12:55
Annabel,
Your house is beautiful and I am so glad you have some help. it is truly wonderful and appreciated to have an extra set of hands the gift of time can be one of the best gifts given! Your yummies look good! I love coconut and almonds yum! I have to clean my vacuum quite often due to pets. When Rick has the air compressor on I take it outside and blow out all of the filters and the vacuum itself and it has saved me quite a bit over the years not having to buy new filters plus the suction is like new and it picks up better I am one of those dummies that will run over a small piece of lint 20x before I figure out to just bend over and pick it up! Ugh!

Jane you and Bluey are still in our thoughts and prayers I hope you are taking good care of yourself.

Rachel I am so glad your eye is healing and yay you have potatoes!!
XOXO
Vicky
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Grace8 October 2016 at 19:45
Hi Annabel, what a blessing to have your niece to paint the high areas of the house! I can't handle heights at all. Last summer my husband set up scaffolding to paint the back of our house, which is more than two stories high. I tried climbing the scaffold once, but I had to come straight back down as being so high made me feel shaky and queasy. I look forward to see the finished painting of your home - it's a beautiful house. I wish ours was as pretty, but unfortunately 1972 wasn't such a good year for architectural prettiness!
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Anonymous11 October 2016 at 09:18
Dearest Annabel, your home is gorgeous! I love all of the detail work on the outside and you're absolutely right, the white really sets off all of the details very nicely! Your roof line looks very tall and your niece is very brave! I am not fond of heights at all.

Fond Regards, Jeanette
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