tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post6489519969625372327..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 17 November, 2017.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-48802522640911650462017-11-19T19:47:19.258-08:002017-11-19T19:47:19.258-08:00I am always blessed by what you share, even if it&...I am always blessed by what you share, even if it's just rejoicing over your accomplishments. This custard recipe will help me use up my eggs too. Thanks for reminding us about using the crockpot for more. How elegant those custards look in the tea cups!<br /><br />My savings came mostly from several home haircuts and not attending a benefit concert (husband's job was slow). We were blessed by leftovers from a friend's church potluck. They knew the 11 of us would make short work of a green bean casserole and mashed potatoes (served with meatloaf). The leftover potatoes were turned into potato cakes the next day and served with jam. Yum! God is good! We were even blessed on Friday when we stopped in to the public library and they served us cake! It was leftover from their anniversary celebration the night before. Wow! We are blessed every week by our Provider! Sometimes it is just a reprieve from a difficult person. ;)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />LeslieLeslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-84431974654679405052017-11-19T15:11:23.453-08:002017-11-19T15:11:23.453-08:00Dear Tanya, Thank you for sharing this for Patsy! ...Dear Tanya, Thank you for sharing this for Patsy! Much Love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35578158830162152322017-11-18T19:59:35.165-08:002017-11-18T19:59:35.165-08:00Dear Sewingcreations, A husband that is a good iro...Dear Sewingcreations, A husband that is a good ironer and irons your dresses! This is pretty good! It sound like you made a lot of progress with sorting clothes and organising things.<br />I loveto pot up seedlings that come up. I have good luck with cherry tomatoes and ours are looking really healthy and have lots of little green tomatoes so far...<br />Your local church top shop sounds very good. So many people are saying how expensive op shops have become but the country ones can still be wonderful! <br />All the mulching and composting is so good. This would help the garden so much. I would truly love to see your garden! <br />Have a good new week! There tends to be a lot to do as we get closer to Christmas, the shops tend to be busier too. I am having a catching up and planning day! With lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76819577213642539932017-11-18T19:53:59.229-08:002017-11-18T19:53:59.229-08:00Dear Megs, Getting your baking supplies on sale is...Dear Megs, Getting your baking supplies on sale is the way to go! I love to feel stocked up with these. I am working on my Christmas cooking too... usually I do shortbread, coconut ice, gingerbread... not sure what else this year! <br />Have a great new week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63536307669838836882017-11-18T19:51:56.117-08:002017-11-18T19:51:56.117-08:00Dear Maria,
I love all things rosy as you know. I...Dear Maria,<br />I love all things rosy as you know. I would have adored your Mums tea set oh that sounds so beautiful.<br />I hope you have had a restful weekend! With lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91804954877254830502017-11-18T19:50:33.229-08:002017-11-18T19:50:33.229-08:00Dear Cookie, A quilt is a wonderful prints for a ...Dear Cookie, A quilt is a wonderful prints for a baby show! I know this was special too! How exciting. I hope we get to see it! Plus the baby things that will follow too!<br />I LOVE turkey I could live on it. We get more now but it used to ba Christmas only thing. I want to get some in the freezer if I can.<br />Monday is more on grain free. If you could possibly share the blogs this would be great. I am finding more and more that are helping. It is getting easier and easier too.<br />Shabby art Boutique has fabulous free patterns and things to print. I love her! I saw the book pages crafts and thought music sheets would also be stunning especially old rustic ones!<br />I love the stockings made this way! I really like brown paper full stop and save it all!<br />We say Pegs, for clothes pins. Jane just did some too. I think they have so many uses! I have little bird ones I did and they keep my cheese packets and all sorts of things shut.<br />Have a wonderful new week! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-82815054137751781302017-11-18T17:17:21.893-08:002017-11-18T17:17:21.893-08:00Dear Patsy,
Jane shared her recipe for Toilet fizz...Dear Patsy,<br />Jane shared her recipe for Toilet fizzies with me just before Bluey got sick. I am sure she wouldn't mind me posting it here:<br />This was adapted from an email she sent me;<br /><br />Jane’s Toilet Fizzes<br />Toilet fizzies are something I started using years ago. They are little cleaners of one part citric acid to two parts bicarb soda. Using your favourite essential oil blend, I use Sweet Orange, Lavender and Patchouli, one drop of each in a couple of teaspoons of water. I then carefully mix the wet in small amounts to the dry. Don't add too much at once or the whole lots starts fizzing. When crumbly but will hold together, I push into a small silicone icecube or chocolate moulds. They're $2 at Kmart or 50c at the op shop. <br />I throw one of these fizzing tablets into the toilet bowl when some lovely person has left some skiddies on the bowl. The fizzing action helps to soften things up and can help the skiddies move on with a flush if you're lucky. They smell nice and are septic friendly. I also gave these to a friend when her little boys were starting to use the toilet like big boys. It gave them something to aim at. Amazing how much better the boys are when they're shooting at something. I also find these left to just fizz in the bowl help to keep the urine ring, that can develop, at bay.<br /><br />Tanya<br />Mum-2-8https://www.blogger.com/profile/09505864809544914111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58921804505099687112017-11-18T17:14:32.142-08:002017-11-18T17:14:32.142-08:00Dear Patsi, I am just now adding the recipe in to ...Dear Patsi, I am just now adding the recipe in to the post. Little cups are so nice and make things seem a bit special. Thank you! Have a great new week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50744484103856107572017-11-18T17:14:05.340-08:002017-11-18T17:14:05.340-08:00Dear Terry
I have a good bundle of yarn we could m...Dear Terry<br />I have a good bundle of yarn we could maybe trade on the next swap? And also Bella Coco has some great You Tube videos to teach you to crochet.<br />TanyaMum-2-8https://www.blogger.com/profile/09505864809544914111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23281302417309132452017-11-18T17:13:25.931-08:002017-11-18T17:13:25.931-08:00Hi Tootles, Thank you! I am just adding this reci...Hi Tootles, Thank you! I am just adding this recipe to the post as Ive had several requests! It is so easy... anything in a water bath is so good in the crockpot. I will do that now... With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76803141321844400972017-11-18T17:12:20.725-08:002017-11-18T17:12:20.725-08:00Dear Glenda, Well done on making curtains! I like...Dear Glenda, Well done on making curtains! I like your word Putzed. I am going to sue that!<br />Patterns at that price are amazing! Patterns here are very expensive. I got a shock!<br />Have a wonderful new week! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-8046527240609466042017-11-18T11:32:57.172-08:002017-11-18T11:32:57.172-08:00Dear Annabel,
Very pretty cups full of custard....Dear Annabel,<br /> Very pretty cups full of custard. You are very creative - always.<br /> Last week, I finished curtains for the laundry room and they are waiting to be hung. I did some rearranging in rooms this week and putzed around as usual. Due to some dietary changes and trying to get menu's sorted out, I didn't get much else done.<br /> We saved $332.10, off the regular price, this week on sale items. Natural Grocers has a good sale right now on products we normally purchase and Hobby Lobby had a good .99 pattern sale. All in all I saved around $300 off the retail cost of the clothing patterns, for 15 patterns.<br /> Have a wonderful weekend.<br />Love and hugs,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-12631226120666410202017-11-17T22:48:21.891-08:002017-11-17T22:48:21.891-08:00Dear Lana,
Yes we do have devilled eggs! Same nam...Dear Lana,<br />Yes we do have devilled eggs! Same name even! <br />Wow you had a great week! How nice to have a new car and new tyres! <br />Also what great bargains you found! This has all added up to be a huge week!<br />Thanks for this too fro Cristy, I am making sure she sees this. With lots of love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78764627834340722942017-11-17T22:45:27.100-08:002017-11-17T22:45:27.100-08:00Dear Cheryl, I think of chocolate mousse, little b...Dear Cheryl, I think of chocolate mousse, little breakfasts of berries and yoghurt... all kinds of nice things would be good in cups. I really love them and may times too there are odd cups where there is no longer a set anymore so this is good for those!<br />I hope you are having a good weekend! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-49486701593750256742017-11-17T21:39:34.808-08:002017-11-17T21:39:34.808-08:00Dear Kathy,
My quote for the home painting was aro...Dear Kathy,<br />My quote for the home painting was around $25,000. I did it myself for under $3000. Mind you I think I wrecked my arm for life lol but still if you attack a section at a time we can totally do it! And for that money well it is good pay! I even did the front and back fences too! I love moulding so I love the idea for the mirror! <br />Your lace shawl sounds beautiful. Also it is lovely you taught someone to knit! You might have started many years of happiness for her!<br />I think the photography is a really good gift. What an asset to have a good photographer in the house! <br />Your cooking all sounds wonderful. These things all add up so fast. I am glad you use the crockpot to help you, truly that is a helper I cant imagine life without! <br />Having a re arrange plus your new furniture, things must be looking lovely. You must be so pleased. And all in time for Christmas too! Have a good weekend! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78717493828731464592017-11-17T20:16:39.194-08:002017-11-17T20:16:39.194-08:00Dear Elaine, I love some of the expressions. One o...Dear Elaine, I love some of the expressions. One of my favourite US ones is "put up" as in put up something in the pantry. I actually use that one now.<br />It sounds like you will be getting lots done before the surgery. Good idea. Keep it very easy after that! The savings are huge! What a great neighbour to help you like that!<br />Your planters and roses sound lovely! I am in the middle of my present cupboard now and yes I have also found many surprises! This is the best bit! Have a lovely weekend, with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-75279680707669847022017-11-17T17:15:48.345-08:002017-11-17T17:15:48.345-08:00Dear Barb, I am lucky I can have eggs for sure. I...Dear Barb, I am lucky I can have eggs for sure. I like creamy things so custard is good for me. I do have a crockpot series.... you will find them in the index on the right. I could add a lot more to that now. The crockpot to me is just so useful and helpful. I even make my cheesecake in it. Anything that needs a water bath is ideal in it too.<br />Having someone to drive you and go out is going to be a big help. If you plan your errands this could save you all or most taxi fares. That would be quite a lot I think as Taxis add up pretty fast these days. Also it is just fun to get out and go somewhere nice!<br />You had great savings! They add up to a lot! That was a really good week! <br />We are both feeling heaps better thank you! Have a lovely weekend! with love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24062749692848244812017-11-17T17:08:31.616-08:002017-11-17T17:08:31.616-08:00Dear Terri, You had a big week and it sounds like ...Dear Terri, You had a big week and it sounds like very big week next week!<br />But you sound organised. When things quieten down I think you will LOVE crochet. It is quite addictive and I think knitting or crochet is very calming and satisfying. I love it. And the possibilities are endless! Next Wednesday for our bulk making post I will include some crochet projects. <br />Being able to make slip covers is impressive they are not easy! <br />Thanks for sharing your week Terri! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-37717276671267655922017-11-17T15:34:00.518-08:002017-11-17T15:34:00.518-08:00It really isn't a savings week here in my home...It really isn't a savings week here in my home, at least not much savings. I did some shopping, but I tried to make it count by using swagbucks or looking for promo codes or watching for sales or better prices on things. I'm putting together a Thanksgiving meal for up to 20 people next Thursday and we are meant to possibly have company stay as well. So I sorted out the guest room save one task I will attend to on Monday or Tuesday. It will take just a few moments and doesn't require a load of work. Then that is all done. <br />My shopping this week included some things for Christmas, not gifts but for decorating. A few years ago I threw away every tatty bit and found I was left with pretty much nothing, so I've been rebuilding my stores of décor since then. This year's color scheme is playing out lovely with new pillow covers for the living room ($4 for 4!) and a new wreath that I found that cost 1/3 what it did another place and two cast aluminum reindeer which cost the same as a pair of resin ones at another store that were broken! I am over the moon about all the pretty things and am well pleased. Now I've everything I could have wanted to decorate with and I haven't spent hardly the cost of the one wreath I initially looked at.<br />I really enjoyed the prior posts for this week as well. I said last year that I was finally at the age and stage of savings where there was 'nothing new under the sun' unless I learned new skills. So this year I made my first successful jelly and brushed up on my sewing skills to make a proper slip cover for a chair and went back to old skills of bread making and pastry making and yogurt making. I improved my yard a little and stayed fairly busy all year long. I'm looking forward to next year. I hope to learn to crochet. I have the needles just must get some yarn and now that I have unlimited data I can employ YouTube to teach me how.terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-41329968937439361562017-11-17T12:15:15.706-08:002017-11-17T12:15:15.706-08:00Like Holley, "crook" was unknown to me, ...Like Holley, "crook" was unknown to me, as was "seedy," although I guessed their meaning from context. It's fun learning new expressions! Our daughter-in-law used to confuse me when she said our granddaughter was "I'll." I thought she meant sick, when she actually meant grumpy or I'll-tempered. She's from Alabama, US, but some of their expressions are different and new to us. <br />Your baking and gifts from the swap are beautiful!<br />I've started checking through the items I have on hand for Christmas gifts and stockings. Some of them were a nice surprise for me since I had forgotten them. I need to have everything pretty well set up because I am scheduled for knee replacement surgery December 19 and am not sure if I will be up to much for a bit after that.<br />My husband spent most of the day yesterday working on treating our property for termites and is still working on it. Thankfully, one of our good neighbors had thoroughly researched the necessary process and helped him get things set up and started. I think we will save about $800!<br />My mending finally got done--hemming and/or elastic replacement on 4 pair of sweatpants, a pair of shorts and a sleep mask for my husband.<br />Our planters of flowers and vegetables are beginning to fill out. I am transplanting some of the seedlings that have come up on their own, as well as some that needed thinning. The roses are blooming and looking better after struggling through the summer. I think they are enjoying the cooler weather, too!<br />Wishing you and the other Bluebirds a lovely weekend!<br />Love from Arizona,<br />ElaineMrs. Gillamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291243154053490970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74767026564740616232017-11-17T09:17:43.030-08:002017-11-17T09:17:43.030-08:00I just love how you elevate the ordinary to extrao...I just love how you elevate the ordinary to extraordinary !! The dusting of powder sugar makes the breads look even better!<br />The custard cups are darling !! Will you please share the recipe for making the custard cups and how to do in crockpot?<br />Thanks and blessings<br />So inspiring!<br />tootleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655166617910203480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-87982430738656449802017-11-17T07:47:27.412-08:002017-11-17T07:47:27.412-08:00Hi Annabel and everyone,
Beautiful cards from the...Hi Annabel and everyone,<br /><br />Beautiful cards from the swap and those flowers and the baking are so nice to see. :) I hope you both are feeling better soon. <br /><br />This week's efforts:<br /><br />Cooking and food: I cooked ahead for the week: pot roast and vegetables, chicken and brown rice, crockpot applesauce, a double-batch of pumpkin bread. Breakfasts & dinners all eaten at home this week - we had a busy night last night and were glad to pull something tasty from the freezer for dinner. All work lunches were packed and brought from home ($150). I had extra tomato sauce from another dish so I packaged it up and froze it for later.<br /><br />Household: I re-arranged the living room furniture and moved some artwork around - it opened up the space and is a better arrangement of the new furniture - and cost nothing!<br /><br />My husband and I also spent some time planning and discussing some projects for next year, mostly cosmetic. We were shocked at the cost of having someone in to paint the interior of a house. ($17,000! We do not have a large house, or that kind of money to spend on painting!) At $30 a gallon for very nice paint, we decided to do it ourselves one room at a time, with the master bath first, and add a frame to the mirror in the master bath like this resourceful lady did: http://www.momtastic.com/diy/128900-how-to-frame-a-bathroom-mirror/#/slide/1 and add crown molding. My husband has the necessary tools, so the costs for that will be in lumber and caulk. Thank goodness doing one's research costs nothing. <br /><br />Shopping: Butter was on sale for $2.29/pound, so I bought several pounds to freeze for my holiday baking. Our preferred brand of turkey was on great special for the holiday next week, so we purchased an extra one for our Xmas dinner and into the freezer it went. <br /><br />Personal care: I gave myself a manicure and pedicure ($50) and dyed my hair at home ($75).<br /><br />Crafts/gifts: <br />I made progress knitting a shawl with lace sections, and organized my stitchy stash to better prepare for stitching ornaments for gifts. And, I taught a work-friend to knit! She is doing a wonderful job! I also brought her some cross-stitch supplies and she is getting excited about doing that, too. Thank you Annabel for being such a wonderful example of sharing our skills!<br /><br />It was kind of a week of food gifts. I made a big crockpot full of meatballs and sauce and brought this with some nice bread and cookies to the barn show; this was lunch for the volunteers and also part of the concession table. Everyone loved it and it was much less expensive than purchasing deli items or bringing take-out. (The leftovers are in my freezer for another day.)<br /><br />My husband took photographs for all of the children at a horse show at our friend's stable; he enjoys doing this and it costs nothing but time, as he gives them the digital images to print themselves. The parents always like having them and it is a fun and simple thing we can do to make their day brighter. He also took the photos for a friend's baby shower. Sometimes I think time can be the best gift. <br /><br />I hope everyone has a great weekend, and that the US families have a nice holiday next week.<br />KathyKathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78694972876210234602017-11-17T07:12:27.861-08:002017-11-17T07:12:27.861-08:00Hope you are both feeling much better.
I love the ...Hope you are both feeling much better.<br />I love the idea of using the pretty tea cups for custard (or even pudding). What a lovely sweet treat.<br /><br />Glad to hear Christy's hubby is doing better.<br />Have a lovely weekendCheryl Kimbleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485771676254429681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-3992310843109312272017-11-17T06:32:39.335-08:002017-11-17T06:32:39.335-08:00The tea cup custards are enchanting! Do you eat d...The tea cup custards are enchanting! Do you eat deviled eggs in Australia? That is one of my ways to use up lots of eggs. I am sure Harper will love her little cakes when she visits. Weeks of feeling bad are just awful. I had a bad headache in the night and my husband said to just think of my new to us car sitting in the driveway and it did help some.<br /><br />We had a big savings week. We canned 16 pints, 9 pint and a half jars and 7 quarts of green beans for a total of $20. Eggs were a crazy .21 a dozen, We paid cash for a new vehicle from our savings for that purpose for a savings of $6000 because we had cash. My husband got his last set of free tires from his employer since he had credit for them and we wanted to get them before he is terminated. Savings $850. They will go on the new vehicle as he only wants that expensive brand on our cars after working for them for so long. I won a coupon for free ice cream cake so that will be for our grandson's 8th birthday while he is visiting over Thanksgiving next week. Savings $25. We stocked up on large boxes of Kleenex for .60 a box saving $1.19 each. I have baked a lot of bread and cubed it for our Thanksgiving stuffing. This saves a lot of money. We bought jars of salsa verde that I use in many recipes for .39 a jar saving $2.60 each. My favorite coffee creamer was on sale BOGO and I had BOGO coupons so that means I paid the price of two and got 8.<br /><br />Cristy, I am glad your husband is doing well. I continue to pray for you both. One thing that happened with our bills was that the hospital kept sending bills and asking for large amounts of money and offering a discount if we sent it in with in a deadline. But, they had not even filed with the insurance so they were just guessing. By the time their bill actually came after the insurance had paid we did not owe them anything since all the other bills had met the out of pocket maximum. I was so glad we had not given them any money since it would have taken a long time to get it back. Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63098740904214829062017-11-17T05:34:15.280-08:002017-11-17T05:34:15.280-08:00Annabel, I'm sorry that you and Andy have been...Annabel, I'm sorry that you and Andy have been sick and hope that you both have a much better week going forward. Can you share your recipe for your egg custard? That is a great idea to do them in the crock-pot in the pretty tea cups, I would have never thought of that! Your shopping bag is beautiful and the cards are so pretty ... another beautiful post in lots of ways!patsi @ a working pantryhttp://aworkingpantry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com