tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post6550450797073516675..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 12th February, 2016.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14035655621895691632016-02-16T16:11:46.841-08:002016-02-16T16:11:46.841-08:00Hi Rachel, I added cinnamon stick, whole cloves an...Hi Rachel, I added cinnamon stick, whole cloves and a little grated ginger. I took the cinnamon and cloves out when it was cooked.Debbie Leverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697364796071268775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6367195390859535592016-02-15T04:35:01.868-08:002016-02-15T04:35:01.868-08:00Dear Teri,
Thank you! I had a week of all kinds of...Dear Teri,<br />Thank you! I had a week of all kinds of soaps. We will be clean at least!<br />I just love the sound of your pink chairs and the pink rose fabric! That makes me happy just thinking of it. And I would think it fine to mix them together also in fact I think it would look lovely. Well done on doing this!<br />What a great amount of cooking. Yum. So many beautiful things. And trying something new is good too. Especially when it turns out well!<br />That was a great week Teri! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91667884323892268802016-02-15T04:32:28.424-08:002016-02-15T04:32:28.424-08:00Well done Mel on the laundry gel. I am loving mine...Well done Mel on the laundry gel. I am loving mine. And soap making is a bit addictive! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-88202380512044059022016-02-15T04:31:55.106-08:002016-02-15T04:31:55.106-08:00Thank you Nancy! I am so glad to have you here.
W...Thank you Nancy! I am so glad to have you here. <br />Well after my trip to Aldi I am a convert! It was great! Thanks so much, love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-8258964872092601392016-02-14T13:35:00.664-08:002016-02-14T13:35:00.664-08:00Dear Annabel, Happy Valentine's Day!! I love ...Dear Annabel, Happy Valentine's Day!! I love how you displayed your soaps! The glass jars with PINK scoops and beautiful tags are just lovely!! :) The wool wash and liquid clothes wash look too lovely to use! lol <br /><br />Your picture frame is beautiful and looks so nice with the candle display! I'm so glad you were able to go to Aldi's and spent time with Cath and Wendy!<br /><br />We recovered 4 chairs (2 with pink upholstery fabric and 2 with pink rose fabric), all with materials on hand! They look so fresh and pretty, now. I didn't care about them not matching as they are all used in different rooms.<br /><br />I also had a busy baking week. I made cookies, cream puffs with vanilla crème pudding and homemade raspberry pie filling, chocolate zucchini cake, and granola. I made all meals at home including egg foo yong for the first time. It was delicious (I served it with homemade fried rice) and we decided this will become a new to us menu item! :) Everything came out of our pantry store and we have lunch box goodies for the coming week!<br /><br />Have a wonderful week! Love, TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53718411978234313962016-02-13T21:16:41.268-08:002016-02-13T21:16:41.268-08:00Those soaps look fab! I also made a big batch of l...Those soaps look fab! I also made a big batch of laundry gel this week xxMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535442579149449469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67364485690160357482016-02-13T20:06:08.229-08:002016-02-13T20:06:08.229-08:00I have not commented before but have been enjoying...I have not commented before but have been enjoying reading your blog.<br />I love how you make your gifts so feminine and pretty! The bottles and soaps are so pretty. I also shop at our Aldi's! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70321254977780919612016-02-13T19:43:03.769-08:002016-02-13T19:43:03.769-08:00Dear Annabel, You have had a very productive week....Dear Annabel, You have had a very productive week. Your soap is just beautiful and I am really looking forward to Wednesday's tutorial. And what a blessing with all of those figs! <br />This week didn't seem very productive to me, but I did manage to get a few things done. I began cleaning out my closet and setting aside the clothes I never wear, as well as arranging "new" outfits with what I already have.<br /> I cleaned out the chicken coop and added fresh straw to the nesting boxes, bathed the dog, and painted an iron table that was left here by the previous owners. It was red and yellow (ugly to me) and now it is white to match the rocking chairs on my front porch.<br /> We decided to use the free bricks we got from the dump to build a small patio and started working on that.<br /> A new farm and ranch supply store has just opened in our town, which I am very glad about. We live in a small town and have to drive about thirty minutes to get to a similar one, so this will help us quite a bit. This weekend, they had grand opening sales, and my husband bought me a bird feeder, which I have been wanting for a long time. The birds have discovered it and I am enjoying watching them. <br />We took a trip to the city (a rare occurrence) where I was able to purchase several craft items that I need for a few projects I want to get started on. Everything was on sale (I planned the trip around the sales) and even better, paid for almost all of it with gift cards. So I added a lot to my crafting stash for very little. <br />I purchased the hardware to hang my farmhouse window, so I will be working on that this coming week. I also decided what to do with my white shutter and now have it decorated and hanging in one of the bedrooms. I have had to order a new battery for my camera, but as soon as it comes in, I will be able to take pictures :)<br />I am glad you enjoyed ALDI and your visit with Cath and Wendy. I hope your week to come is wonderful too! Love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-1868976735231846452016-02-13T16:00:44.707-08:002016-02-13T16:00:44.707-08:00Dear Elaine,
Happy Valentines Day to you Elaine! ...Dear Elaine,<br />Happy Valentines Day to you Elaine! The lemon bars sound lovely. <br />The soaps were very easy. I think pretty moulds are the key. However they were very inexpensive and you can get anything! Ebay is miles cheaper than soap stores. I am ordering some more to make fancier shapes... I just love them! <br />Many thanks! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63375021990607316902016-02-13T15:56:55.173-08:002016-02-13T15:56:55.173-08:00Dear Melissa, I saw on the news about the cold wea...Dear Melissa, I saw on the news about the cold weather coming in! I have never experienced below zero temperatures so I can't even imagine. I think its quite frightening!<br />It is great to have projects to work on indoors though when weather is bad. Here it is in the heat... and I will sew etc and feel quite content inside.<br />Well done on building your pantry. There will be times when you are so glad you did it! With love Annabel.xxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-22178325970331761432016-02-13T15:54:51.249-08:002016-02-13T15:54:51.249-08:00Dear Terri,
I am switching to Aldi also! I can see...Dear Terri,<br />I am switching to Aldi also! I can see why you did! What a discovery. In our state they only opened a week ago. We have four and another four coming next month plus later in the year I will have one five minutes away. <br />I haven't read your post yet but I will. I have been dealing with two buckets of figs! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-37152444294232774422016-02-13T15:52:19.691-08:002016-02-13T15:52:19.691-08:00Thank you Leigh! I have been following your progre...Thank you Leigh! I have been following your progress on the kitchen! Good on you for taking on this job! When we did our kitchen I plastered a wall. The man at the hardware store told me I couldn't do it and we needed to hire a professional. PFFFT! I learned how to do it (you tube!) and did a pretty good job too! I hope the grout went well and you are proud of yourself! And what a saving! <br />I do like Aldi as much as you! I LOVE it. Friends told me they halved their grocery bills. Now I see how and that it is easily possible. Also everything we have tired so far we have LOVED. I am very excited! This one change could amount to a huge savings per year. <br />Plus it was a really fun night!<br />Well done on all your work! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-62623428518500246742016-02-13T12:08:37.363-08:002016-02-13T12:08:37.363-08:00Dear Annabel,
Your soaps are lovely! I didn't ...Dear Annabel,<br />Your soaps are lovely! I didn't think I was interested in making soap, but you are changing my mind!<br />Some of my seeds are beginning to come up! I'm continuing to plant more seeds and flowers. We bought some new flowers that I have been planting, as well as transplanting and dividing some others. I thought of you when I planted some parsley seeds :-).<br /><br />I made an extra large batch of lemon pie bars and shared a plate with our neighbors who are so generous with their citrus. We ate some, but I managed to put a few in the freezer. I looked up your orange cake recipe, hoping to make that soon.<br /><br />Hope you have a good weekend. Happy Valentine's Day! Elaine<br />Mrs. Gillamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291243154053490970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58744469847636470692016-02-13T05:22:42.205-08:002016-02-13T05:22:42.205-08:00Your soaps look great and I am looking forward to ...Your soaps look great and I am looking forward to the tutorial. I am glad you enjoyed your trip to Aldi too. We are having a blast of extreme cold weather so I am going to spend some time consolidating holiday items in the basement. We had a pretty good week here last week and I've been continuing to build my pantry. Have a great week! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04077585886323518333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-68471000436385786712016-02-13T03:06:32.921-08:002016-02-13T03:06:32.921-08:00Great ideas! Thank you!!! So far we have just made...Great ideas! Thank you!!! So far we have just made fig jam, make fruit/grain bars with the jam and we also flash freeze them on trays to put into smoothies. They are an alkaline food and very good for you (especially to counteract all the acid in that cup of coffee that I love)... Have a lovely weekend! :)JEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300505126646960374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20806500279660975882016-02-13T02:54:41.747-08:002016-02-13T02:54:41.747-08:00Hi Debbie!
Spicy pear paste!! Sounds lovely! One...Hi Debbie!<br /><br />Spicy pear paste!! Sounds lovely! One year, my Dad gave me quinces from his tree, & some cloves to cook them with. It was lovely. Since I am the only one in my household to eat quince, & I wasn't preserving at the time, I had to invite my parents around for date & cinnamon bread along with two types of 'ice cream' - lemon and quince! It was fun, & I still had cooked quince left over. <br /><br />I wonder what spices you pair with pear?!<br /><br />Rachel HoltAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2806580904391251282016-02-12T17:39:45.984-08:002016-02-12T17:39:45.984-08:00I switched to Aldi shopping about three years ago ...I switched to Aldi shopping about three years ago and we are totally converted to them. I can't buy everything there yet, but I'd say we do purchase 85-90% of our grocery there and halved our grocery bill.<br /><br />Had a lovely week. It was one of those, "Oh I've done nothing at all" sorts of weeks in thought but in fact, it was not a bad week and there were savings, some large and some small. http://bluehousejournal.blogspot.com/2016/02/assigning-value-to-what-we-do-mid.htmlterricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-85289860804966278252016-02-12T17:08:40.173-08:002016-02-12T17:08:40.173-08:00Dear Patsy,
I am sorry you have had a rough week. ...Dear Patsy,<br />I am sorry you have had a rough week. I think tooth pain is one of the worst things. <br />The soaps are very very easy. I have a favourite too!... all recipes next week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67203825766117246922016-02-12T17:07:17.946-08:002016-02-12T17:07:17.946-08:00Dear Lynette,
I did love Aldi. I am amazed. The sa...Dear Lynette,<br />I did love Aldi. I am amazed. The savings are HUGE. It was very educational plus a lot of fun!<br />Dividing the plant to end up with lots more is a big saving. Plants are expensive so that is a good project.<br />Well done with your health. Many changes are hard to do but if they pay off in a noticeable way that is very motivating and worth it.<br />The bedside tables will be lovely for your daughter! They look nice but are very practical. Oh the things I keep handy next to me because of my bedside table! Road side find too!<br />It sounds like you achieved heaps. Alone time can be like that, you can just get on with things!<br />I really hope the flu or any bug comes home... hopefully not! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67850714713627678572016-02-12T17:01:40.662-08:002016-02-12T17:01:40.662-08:00Dear Nanna Chel, I do not believe Aldi have had an...Dear Nanna Chel, I do not believe Aldi have had an even like this before, ti was Caths doing. And took a long time to make it happen.<br />Thank you for the tip about online.<br />I had a great time and am shocked how much I can save.... I mailed you... also was wondering if you could pop to Aldi in lunch break or after work for a few minutes as judging by last night if you have the specials brochure the savings are incredible. Or maybe ask a friend to pick you up certain specials. It could be a money saver, I can see the savings are huge now. <br />Have a lovely weekend, love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-26431495227099135752016-02-12T16:57:43.676-08:002016-02-12T16:57:43.676-08:00Dear Sue, These scoops came from Spotlight, they s...Dear Sue, These scoops came from Spotlight, they still have them. There were four per set. I love scoops! Previously Woolies have had heart shaped ones! I wish I had bought more of those! <br />Sue to make some soap. I will post the recipes next week. It is SO easy and fun and such nice gifts. You will enjoy it so much! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24359356469771812542016-02-12T16:54:34.261-08:002016-02-12T16:54:34.261-08:00Thank you! I did enjoy Aldi! Very much! I am amaze...Thank you! I did enjoy Aldi! Very much! I am amazed! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4645703470470722232016-02-12T16:51:51.177-08:002016-02-12T16:51:51.177-08:00Dear Helen,
I loved Aldi! I learned so so much! V...Dear Helen, <br />I loved Aldi! I learned so so much! Very excited!<br />Paint is amazing. I painted a tray and a cake stand and just that things look better this week. Oh and a table. <br />Have a lovely weekend and I hope your pictures turn out nicely. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83539040827010542442016-02-12T16:50:09.930-08:002016-02-12T16:50:09.930-08:00Dear Jes, I love figs. I make fig jam containing b...Dear Jes, I love figs. I make fig jam containing blanched almonds. This is a favourite in the family especially my Dad and Andy. I do roast chicken with roasted figs and vegetables and mashed potato. That is lovely. You only roast the figs at the end i.e. for 15 mins. <br />Also I stuff figs with goats cheese or cream cheese and wrap them in prosciutto then bake. They are divine!!! This is a real treat. There is also a recipe where you boil them in syrup then dry them in the oven and cover them with dark chocolate to make incredible chocolates. I have tasted them they are chewy and delicious!<br />So figs this week... soaps last week! Thanks Jes! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35197130625588576572016-02-12T16:44:00.809-08:002016-02-12T16:44:00.809-08:00Dear Rachel,
Marmalade makes a lovey glaze over a ...Dear Rachel,<br />Marmalade makes a lovey glaze over a cake, I know that much. <br />I had photo frames that were brown and wedding photos to frame. I stuck lace tot he frames to create texture then painted them white. They worked out really nicely for wedding photos!<br />I love such things as the English crochet hooks. I must tell you that last night I saw Wendy as the Aldi night and she wants to earn crochet so I gave her a set of pretty coloured crochet hooks to help her along! A crochet hook has a lot of potential! So we may become a crocket club I think! Have a beautiful weekend! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com