Feather your Nest Friday, 22nd December 2017.

It has been a busy week so far and I would imagine this is the same for everyone!   It has been a bit of this and a bit of that! 

Some of the things I did this week to save money and build up our home were:

I made my Coconut Ice for my neighbour and a few other gifts.

It made twenty packs and my rose buds went on top.

I picked tomatoes every day and used them in salads most nights.

I had eggs to use up plus lemons that urgently needed using so I made a batch of lemon butter and froze most of it.

Since little cakes are such a hit with Harper I made her chocolate cakes and took them around.  Most went into the freezer for treats for her.

Also I want to keep my sour dough starter healthy so I make something once a week.  This week I made a tray of vegemite and cheese scrolls.  Most of these will go to Luke for on the tractor.  Andy had a couple so he won't die of the no grain diet.  😊

The first part of the week was hot and we went swimming in the evenings.  This helps me sleep really well and my fitness is getting better!

We have yellow Lillies in the garden now that the pink ones have finished.

I decorate for Christmas really simply.   We have white fairy lights over the front gate and arbour.   My front garden angel has a halo...

We have a little Christmas tree and presents underneath.  I have almost finished wrapping! 

Yesterday we gave Harper her present as it is too big to take to the farm and back.  This was the biggest present of all!  I thought Scarlet will also love it when she is a bit bigger and hopefully it will provide years of entertainment.  

We got her a little kitchen.  I ordered it online and it came in ten thousand small pieces!  Andy spent a whole day putting it together! 

I cut up a pink kitchen sponge into little child sized sponges.  She has water in the sink and most of all liked wetting the sponges and wringing them out and wiping everything down.  Plus washing dishes.   It is a massive hit!   I am making kitchen towels and pot holders for it now.   Her Aunty Chloe is giving her a set of pink enable cookware to go with it!  So cute! 

Today is a gorgeous day.  I am trying to make the most of it.  I have all kinds of things to get done... washing, tidying up, wrapping.

Tomorrow I have things to make like Nan's Tomato Bake that I make every year to go with roast meats on Christmas Day.

I will post again probably next Friday. 

Have a wonderful Christmas.  Have a beautiful time with your family.  Do little things to make it magical.

The days after Christmas are my favourite days of the whole year.  A time to collapse.  A time to think over the year that has just been.  I make a list of everything to be grateful for and all we achieved.  Usually I am surprised by this as it is easy to forget all we did!  

Then I start working on my hopes and plans for the new year and the things I want to change or start working on.  I find the opportunity to start again so exciting!  

Usually I change the blog too. I haven't decided what next year will be like!  

Also I total up The Vicky Challenge.  I think it will be good but perhaps not as much as last year as the painting of the house was such a massive saver in 2017.  But it will still be satisfying to know how much I saved! 

Thank you all so much for your friendship and support and all the ways you have helped with comments, photos, recipes, tips, kindness and love.  It has been so wonderful and beyond anything I could have ever imagined! 

xxxxx

🎄