tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post6936014612987167886..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Vicky Challenge, 2020. Week 1 report. Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-64922605300819411022020-02-03T02:42:56.183-08:002020-02-03T02:42:56.183-08:00Dear Margaret!
It is a wonderful opportunity for ...Dear Margaret!<br /><br />It is a wonderful opportunity for us all to see a little of your work at home! It is beautiful, in fact, and your hesitation in sending out your original invitations only shows how much you care! You are remarkable in your work!!<br /><br />I hope that we can see more of your home industry!<br /><br />Thank you from us all!<br /><br />Rachel<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-89145685398357067942020-02-03T02:38:45.468-08:002020-02-03T02:38:45.468-08:00Dear Farm Quilter!
It is amazing what we can find...Dear Farm Quilter!<br /><br />It is amazing what we can find to do to save when we are not in our usual environment! You are doing well to be doing all that cooking, plus coming up with a way of air drying your clothes!! You are a clever shopper, and your rug for your bathroom at home sounds lovely!<br />Thank you!<br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20437572030882250012020-02-03T02:35:24.786-08:002020-02-03T02:35:24.786-08:00Dear Tania!
I agree with you - the Vicky Challeng...Dear Tania!<br /><br />I agree with you - the Vicky Challenge episodes are exciting!! (Good on you, ladies!)<br /><br />What a shock about your hairdressing bill! It’s worth the effort of learning to do things ourselves with prices like that! Phew!!<br /><br />Margaret’s beautiful catering for her craft and bible study groups leaves us with an inviting picture that is now a rarity!!<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Rachel<br />P.S. Our heat is now being calmed with some soothing rain!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46344866509912346622020-02-03T02:29:58.297-08:002020-02-03T02:29:58.297-08:00It’s nice to see that you stopped by, tealady!
Ra...It’s nice to see that you stopped by, tealady!<br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74272168673101571162020-02-03T02:29:01.647-08:002020-02-03T02:29:01.647-08:00Dear Suzan!
Your passionfruit are a blessing! Thi...Dear Suzan!<br /><br />Your passionfruit are a blessing! This gives one of the most beautiful flavours to be had in the world! It’s a good time for tomatoes, too!<br /><br />I hope you inspire yourself with what can be achieved from your own craft stash, and your own methods of organisation!! Well done!<br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90617987179869394022020-02-03T02:26:27.635-08:002020-02-03T02:26:27.635-08:00Dear Jen!
It is a real blessing to have Annabel, ...Dear Jen!<br /><br />It is a real blessing to have Annabel, Vicky and Margaret supplying this savings topic this week! The subject of eating out, and the pressures involved, are real, and Margaret’s encouragement offers a lovely alternative!<br /><br />I think that, just because we don’t get paid for our work at home, we shouldn’t be valued any less than someone who works professionally. We can learn to upgrade our skills to professional levels, or find that what we do is worth much more than can be found in the marketplace! Your childcare falls in the latter!!<br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53940063647877764682020-02-03T02:20:53.668-08:002020-02-03T02:20:53.668-08:00Dear Rosanne!
We’re so glad that you’re in on the...Dear Rosanne!<br /><br />We’re so glad that you’re in on the famous Vicky Challenge!<br /><br />I like that your saving made you apple crisp! Here, we would think of apple crumble!<br /><br />It will be interesting to see how different people save money, and value their work! It is a fine incentive, I think!<br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-40471004518225413442020-02-03T02:17:38.573-08:002020-02-03T02:17:38.573-08:00Dear Cookie!!
We might catch up with replies, yet...Dear Cookie!!<br /><br />We might catch up with replies, yet!!<br /><br />As I write, the rain is hitting the roof, after just a bit too much summer heat! I have a wet cloth around my neck, since I haven’t made any cool ties yet!<br /><br />I am so glad that you were able to divert needing to pay for those appliance repairs! This is such a relief, even to hear! The Almighty prepares the way for His sheep.<br />You are certainly saving with your baking, and fuel conservation.<br />Wasn’t it lovely to see Margaret’s morning teas!! Isn’t it lovely to see your beautiful one-stroke painting on glass jars and cards, and my paints and paintbrushes are patiently waiting!! You have brought richness to many!<br /><br />Thank you,<br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32851187075807524962020-01-30T01:57:21.870-08:002020-01-30T01:57:21.870-08:00Dear Patsy, Scrap booking would be lovely to do w...Dear Patsy, Scrap booking would be lovely to do with a friend. Thanks so much I hope the series gives you lots of new ideas! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4615232576906011162020-01-30T01:56:05.054-08:002020-01-30T01:56:05.054-08:00Dear Vicky,
It is thanks to you we have The Vicky ...Dear Vicky,<br />It is thanks to you we have The Vicky Challenge! Do you know six dozen eggs here would be worth at least $30 but because of free range more like $40. <br />I have not bought a newspaper in many years so if I did coupons I would be doing what you are! <br />Pallets are handy for many projects! They will be useful! I hope this week your savings have been good! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61765556064410939102020-01-30T01:52:58.804-08:002020-01-30T01:52:58.804-08:00Dear Mandy, It was so hot here today and there yo...Dear Mandy, It was so hot here today and there you are in the cold! Hard to even imagine! How I would enjoy your stitch club and I love that you had competitions and prizes!!<br />Mandy the internet is so wonderful for when you cant get out much! True good friendships still can form online. You can join in with challenges and groups. If you could grow your herbs even that would be beautiful. I did this at my old hose with four pots stacked on top of each other... large one on the bottom and going up in smaller and smaller pots. This tower grew the most amazing amount! I got all the pots from the side of the road too! <br />Thank you for joining in Mandy, consider us your friends here. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-56109180539355397062020-01-30T01:47:35.747-08:002020-01-30T01:47:35.747-08:00Dear Pam, You had lots of great savings! With pla...Dear Pam, You had lots of great savings! With plants and potting up especially for gifts etc I have seen so many ideas I like like old teapots and tureens and so on. Some of these look just beautiful! So now I am on continuous look out for plants, cuttings etc and things to use as planters.<br />My pantry could do with a re arrange... I think if I do this I can fit more in there. A no waste challenge is a very good idea! I hope the week has been good for you! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-455066290688196982020-01-30T01:44:38.945-08:002020-01-30T01:44:38.945-08:00Dear Lynette, Meeting someone local with good gard...Dear Lynette, Meeting someone local with good gardening knowledge could be such a help to you. Also getting cuttings for friends will be such a help. It is exciting to be thinking about these plans now!<br />I have always had a lot of older friends. I have been the younger one asking so many questions! Now I am also getting to be the older woman so some of the younger ones!<br />I hope you have continued on with your putting back together projects! This is exciting too after all the stops you have been through! Enjoy! With much love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-68001037158876863312020-01-29T01:51:05.023-08:002020-01-29T01:51:05.023-08:00Dear Jen,
I hope you hd your crafting time. I am...Dear Jen, <br />I hope you hd your crafting time. I am seeing quite a lot of knitting and crochet groups forming both online and in real life! I think in a Church group a knitting group and learn to knit group would be so nice... but I know you are so busy already. Seriously though so many would benefit from learning to can, grow things, mend... I could think of a long list. I love sharing and friendship online so much and I am challenging myself to expand my "on the ground" network too! I am glad you had some sunshine! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-72020183467820841812020-01-29T01:47:44.947-08:002020-01-29T01:47:44.947-08:00Dear Lesley, Thank you so much! Oh I hope you have...Dear Lesley, Thank you so much! Oh I hope you have your tea time! I think this could be a very valuable form of ministry! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-19134493453273118112020-01-28T12:56:00.125-08:002020-01-28T12:56:00.125-08:00So blessed by this post! Blessings to all the Blue...So blessed by this post! Blessings to all the Bluebirds. I don't always have a chance to comment but God is challenging to have a tea time for the ladies in my church. I treasure this site. <br /><br />Blessings, <br />Leslie <br />(had my b-day on the 9th- Happy late Birthday wishes, Annabel)Leslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-42798052009565870892020-01-27T05:48:24.574-08:002020-01-27T05:48:24.574-08:00Well done on the dishwasher repair! It feels grea...Well done on the dishwasher repair! It feels great, doesn't it? I love all the pictures of Margaret's teas and the stories around the gatherings. We all seem to be much less social than previous generations used to be...we're all chattering online, but not as much "face to face"...at least, that's how it is here. I think you're right, though...if you want a group like that, may as well start it up yourself! :) I think I reported most stuff on Friday, so will wait for the next report next weekend. I have lots of laundry and some crafting to do, today, while hubby bottles a batch of beer. And it's sunny!! Life is good.<br /><br />xx Jen in NSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76412002521671849122020-01-27T04:42:10.923-08:002020-01-27T04:42:10.923-08:00Dear Kay,
Well done on greats savings! I am a big...Dear Kay,<br />Well done on greats savings! I am a big believer in plants inside and how they clear the air. And they do! NASA has a wonderful article on it. You found some great deals! I hope you are able to get your seeds started successfully. We are coming to the end of our planting season... I have added a few last minute things! Well done on a good week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14225577364574562512020-01-25T20:52:56.449-08:002020-01-25T20:52:56.449-08:00Ladies I always deduct my costs from any savings. ...Ladies I always deduct my costs from any savings. I went back to the very first post and I did indeed mention it I thought I had been remiss. I will count something like the cost of a meal out or pizza minus my ingredients cost if I am really close to caving and ordering a pizza or getting fast food, at one time I would have just hopped in the truck to go get it. I also have savings in my book which is the how much we've saved by whatever means and a earnings part in my book which is things like gift cards I earned, money from scrap metal, any cash I might have made by earning or selling something, found money and anything that equals cash in hand. And the same with saving it doesn't matter if it's big or small, but I like to see how we do. <br />XOXO<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-45873445130511388522020-01-25T18:56:52.578-08:002020-01-25T18:56:52.578-08:00Pat you and your husband do such a great job! When...Pat you and your husband do such a great job! When we decided to pay off debt the first year we paid off $16 thousand and just kept going. <br />XOXO<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71974001816314950972020-01-25T18:33:09.881-08:002020-01-25T18:33:09.881-08:00Annabelle,
Please let me thank you again for doin...Annabelle, <br />Please let me thank you again for doing the Vicky Challenge. I'm probably forgetting a few things along the way and I can't be as frugal as I'd like because then Farmer feels "pinched." But I'm doing what I can and recording the great deals and savings. <br />So far this month I've recorded almost $600.00 (USD) alone!! This week's savings that made me especially smile were 75% off spring bulbs at the farm store. I recorded $15 for the 2 bags I got. I hope the poor things survive. It's mid-winter here in Nebraska with 4 inches of snow on the ground. Some of the bulbs are starting to sprout so I'm going to find a way to plant them in a pots for early spring blossoms. Daffodils are my favorite!<br />And at the same farm store, they had their holiday toys on clearance. Farmer got a tractor & hay wagon (just like he used to have) for his collection. Marked down $30.00<br />I found a Lazar Tag-type game for also $30 off for a young friend's birthday later this year. <br />On top of these great deals, we had a rewards promotion of an extra 10% off. <br />I found my cardboard seed cells for when I start my bedding plants in a couple of months. I also want to try milk jug seed starting. <br />Final savings at the best price (FREE) are having plants in my office and big west-facing windows. My $5.00 clearance-priced Orchid from a few years ago is going to bloom for the 3rd time. My boss' wife has all her plants from home there. They are BIG plants. They clean the air and make me happy. I have a big pot of the plants I got for my dad's funeral 3 years ago. They are happily growing. And recently she brought in another plant that needs some TLC. I moved it closer to the sunny door, talk to it alot and send loving thoughts to it. Corny yes, but I figure if they have documented a plant "feels" when someone cuts it, it may "feel" loving gestures as well. Who knows. LOLKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633912756265339462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90048429190405655432020-01-25T16:45:37.006-08:002020-01-25T16:45:37.006-08:00Good morning Annabel and Bluebirds
We have had hot...Good morning Annabel and Bluebirds<br />We have had hot humid weather for over a week now with no let up at night. I do not do well in this sort of weather. I did, however, venture out to a garden club meeting - my first. Not sure if it is for me because it seemed a bit ad hock and no information about anything. I did meet an older lady who has only been living here a few months who has kindly offered me some Leopard Lilies when I am ready. <br /><br />This lady has a good knowledge of what grows up here (I am use to what grows down south) and seemed quite nice so I am thinking of cultivating this and growing a friendship. <br /><br />We have a holiday house next door that belongs to a lady in her 80's that has become a real mess since her grandson and family left (he was supposed to be maintaining the yard). He planted bananas and lemon grass, both of which, if they are not kept on top of will take over. He also left a lemon tree in a pot. We are going to rescue the lemon tree and my husband is going to go in later with the whipper snipper and cut back the overgrown grass and have a good look at what else needs to be done. It is a real shame because the owner has no idea of just how bad things are. Because we get snakes around here it is an issue as well. <br /><br />The lady I work with at Montville has also offered me cuttings once I start on the garden so my garden will be grown from cuttings unless it is something that I cannot obtain this way like fruit trees. <br /><br />My husband takes his lunch to work every day bar one - he has gone from ham and cheese sandwiches to ham and cheese bread rolls. I found that the Queensland owned supermarket has hamburger rolls that look like regular rolls at a good price and they stand up to being taken to work in a brown paper bag in a back pack. <br /><br />I have a busy couple of weeks coming up, I did a top up shop so that I wasn't racing in to pick up a couple of items and walking out with more than intended. <br /><br />I have hair that is hard to cut so there is no way that I can do it myself - I keep it short or I end up overheating. My hairdresser gives me the 'seniors discount' it saves a few dollars which over the course of the year adds up. <br /><br />I don't colour my hair so I have no idea of how much she would charge for anything like that. I do know that her prices for haircuts are not over the top, she is always busy and people come from miles away so she must be good. <br /><br />I have a group of older lady friends - we meet up for a chat and a coffee on the first Tuesday of the month. I am the baby of the group. We have discussed so many things such as moving into a retirement village, fees and extras, moving a family member from one nursing home to another and if I should sell up because my daughter wants me to, to where the best bargains are and everything in between. It sure keeps the grey matter working. <br /><br />I have found that the majority of my friends these days are much older than me, they have a wealth of information and they are willing to share. <br /><br />We are finally able to start putting heavy items on the floors so this weekend it begins. The fridges and freezer are being moved today now that the painting where they need to go has been done by my husband. (I would hate to cost out how much his doing the painting has saved us over the years). I use to use a system where the fortnight's food would be in the freezer on top of the 'fridge and there was no need to delve into the large freezer. This system worked well but over the past 8 years my husband has decided that it isn't how he wants things to work and it has created absolute mayhem with me not knowing where anything was let alone what I had to cook with. Having the freezer was to save trips to the shop and money but it just hasn't been so. <br /><br />Time to get serious. <br /><br />Looking forward to the next weeks information.<br /><br /><br />LynetteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58222400503823855282020-01-25T15:25:31.494-08:002020-01-25T15:25:31.494-08:00Annabelle, you did great with that washing machine...Annabelle, you did great with that washing machine repair. Youtube is just a wonderful source of knowledge when it comes to home repairs. I also use it to listen to my favorite music which gets me moving in the morning :D. Here are a few ways I saved money this past week:<br />1. Finished sewing replacement pillow protectors using an extra sheet I had on hand plus the zippers from the old protectors...$24<br />2. Altered 4 tops that were too large.........................$20<br />3. Used spot cleaner and a hand steamer to "dry-clean" several<br />items instead of using our local dry cleaners..................$24<br />4. Bought a large container of mixed greens for salads, etc., <br />as it was 50% off. It was more than we could use so I <br />dehydrated the extra for healthy powder to use in soups, etc...$ 3<br />5. I baked pumpkin bread for our quilting group (there are<br />only three of us) instead of buying donuts or other bakery<br />goods. (can of pumpkin .50 cents & free pecans)...............$ 3<br />6. Extra savings on groceries according to my receipts<br />(the first thing I do when I begin shopping is check out<br />the sales racks for mark-downs, discontinued items, etc).......$11<br />I also re-potted an orchid which may or may not survive. <br />Prices on potted plants have also gone up here and so have<br />plant containers so I'm looking to do some recycling in that<br />department. I don't use my dehydrator as often as I should<br />just because it is stored in an inconvenient spot (out in<br />our shop). I am on a "no waste" quest when it comes to fresh veggies. So I plan to clear out a spot in the pantry where I<br />can use it any time. There is an outlet already there so it's<br />just a matter of re-arranging. <br />Love everyone's good tips and Margaret, your table settings and<br />food are incredible! pamintexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943782786934325023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-38027336296282450482020-01-25T13:04:25.767-08:002020-01-25T13:04:25.767-08:00Hello Annabel from a cold England, a friend and I ...Hello Annabel from a cold England, a friend and I used to run a cross stitch club from my house, we used to run competitions and give little prizes, this morphed into full blown embroidery classes including silk ribbon, sometimes I would design for the girls. It was great fun. I would love to go to Margaret's tea and craft or Bible study groups. I miss it all so much. I have not made many close friends here, since we moved from South Africa. The main reason is my health, I've almost become a shut-in, I can't walk far nowadays and we don't have our car on the road at the moment as my hubby is working on it. As we live on a limited income I don't think we can make much more savings than we do already. But I would love to start a container garden in our postage stamp sized paved back yard, it's got to be built high enough so I don't have to bend too much. I'm particularly interested in herbs and veggies. I love your blog and am certainly getting new ideas from your Vicki Challenge. Thank you very much. Regards Mandy xxMandy Curriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17909834568522726579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4793937273936406822020-01-25T11:04:29.287-08:002020-01-25T11:04:29.287-08:00Annabel I love the simple things too. Line dried l...Annabel I love the simple things too. Line dried linens,growing veggies and picking berries. <br />Margaret your tea table is so lovely and how nice it is to have fellowship! <br />Winter is a slower time for us as far as saving, but we are still diligent. <br />This week was a mix. My carpets needed cleaned badly doing it by hand just didn't cut it. I had a coupon for a carpet cleaning service and was going to use it. Instead the hubby found a carpet machine for less than the cost of the service. <br />The boy loves donuts from a certain place that sends out a truck to sell them. They cost $13 a dozen. He asked if I could make them. So I did and now I have something I no longer have to buy at the stores even if we only get them a few times a year and also would make great gifts. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. <br />Our ladies gave us 6 dozen eggs. $12<br />I got a free pouch of baby food to review. $1.25<br />We haven't filled the fuel oil tank for heating this saves us $600 a month.<br />I was sent a full sized face cleanser plus some other samples and I looked up the cost of the face cleanser and it costs $20.<br />Only getting out once a month has equaled lots of no spend days and using what I have on hand. <br />We received 3 grocery bags of newspaper and I pulled out all of the coupons that are not expired. To others this may seem silly, but we no longer pay for newspapers and besides the coupons we use them in the wood burner if needed, the chicken coop to cut back on the amount of straw and make cleaning what I call the poop boards under the roost easy peasy, then it goes to the garden for fertilizer and paper breaks down into nitrogen which the plants need, also shredded paper in the garden if we are having a bit of a drought to help keep the soil moist. <br />Rick also brought home 6 pallets. $12 they sell for $2 each here so getting them free is a savings. We use them for many things. <br />XOXO<br />Vicky<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com