tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post7769622304294208955..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Feather your Nest Friday, 18 September, 2015.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91523095505936893342015-09-21T06:27:52.145-07:002015-09-21T06:27:52.145-07:00Vickie little steps work very well. Especially whe...Vickie little steps work very well. Especially when we are busy! Well done on the canning. Truly, consistently keeping at it gets great results. Do what you can, when you can. <br />Have a wonderful week! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50059594150505840112015-09-20T15:18:21.299-07:002015-09-20T15:18:21.299-07:00I thought that I was the only one who did just a l...I thought that I was the only one who did just a little bit at a time until it was done! Sometimes all you have is a few moments of time. My accomplishment of the week has been to can mustard greens. I canned two bushel which equal 7 quarts canned-they shrink a lot! Glad I got it done for now. More next week. Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03402367232977896594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60824699166636974732015-09-20T06:50:57.447-07:002015-09-20T06:50:57.447-07:00I really understand feeling good about a clean fri...I really understand feeling good about a clean fridge. I want to do mine this week too, you have egged me on. When it is all shiny and fresh I feel totally virtuous lol. It is a bit of a pain to do but the results are lovely. Well done on getting this job ticked off your list. Have a great week. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14034253579201179152015-09-20T06:47:54.931-07:002015-09-20T06:47:54.931-07:00Thank you Marie! I really appreciate your comment....Thank you Marie! I really appreciate your comment. Have a great new week, love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-66165768160171240262015-09-20T06:09:35.766-07:002015-09-20T06:09:35.766-07:00I have to chuckle at myself for my big "accom...I have to chuckle at myself for my big "accomplishment" of the week. I finally cleaned out my refrigerator. It's not that I had a lot of old food to throw away, because I didn't. Using things up and avoiding waste has been a focus of late. But my shelves needed to be given a good washing, and that's what they finally got. It's so nice to have a dreaded chore out of the way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-41529310813210480862015-09-20T00:28:38.838-07:002015-09-20T00:28:38.838-07:00Dear Mimi.... a kitchen makeover! I love the sound...Dear Mimi.... a kitchen makeover! I love the sound of that and how you show us what you are up to. I love a rearrange, makeover etc!<br />I hope this week is calmer for you. With lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-66122847608156317552015-09-19T22:11:55.172-07:002015-09-19T22:11:55.172-07:00Dear Jane,
That sounds like a good week! Time with...Dear Jane,<br />That sounds like a good week! Time with your daughter is time well spent. And the flowers would have been amazing. Nanna Chel did a blog post about the flower show so I was having a peek. Have a wonderful week this week. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90944019792204941182015-09-19T19:50:12.280-07:002015-09-19T19:50:12.280-07:00I didn't do too much at home this week. I was ...I didn't do too much at home this week. I was lucky and picked up two days of substitute teaching. Money in the bank yeh! I drove to my daughters and spent a couple of days with her. We went to the Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba. If you ever get the opportunity to go, do, it is beautiful! I have come home with some new potted flowers to go into my garden. Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-84952935563057243332015-09-19T18:40:48.129-07:002015-09-19T18:40:48.129-07:00What a lovely week Annabel. Lots happening here so...What a lovely week Annabel. Lots happening here so I had a bit of a crazy week, where I truly was thankful for my pre-prepared Fried Rice, salad, orange cake, home made Greek Yoghurt, and my herb pots. I'm in the middle of a kitchen makeover too, so that's been a good distraction from the crazy...lol. Wonderful posts from everyone. Love, Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76157893069593130692015-09-19T17:42:09.358-07:002015-09-19T17:42:09.358-07:00Dear Debbie,
I have heard someone else say how th...Dear Debbie, <br />I have heard someone else say how they ended up with a lot of amazing food by taking home what was left after a catered event. It was all going to be tossed out! Well done and for helping your Dad also. These are opportunities! What a boost.<br />Thank you for your encouragement. It is just nice to see progress. And weeks like yours are progresss. Things really add up. We just need to keep at it and take opportunities which you certainly are doing. <br />Have a great new week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-67282092211795512772015-09-19T10:51:31.765-07:002015-09-19T10:51:31.765-07:00I finally had some time to catch up checking the b...I finally had some time to catch up checking the blogs I follow. I just love your last post with the pictures of your shop and how you were able to achieve so much in just a year. I continue to think about gaps in my pantry and what I need to add. I love the idea of adding soap to the drawers. <br /><br />I hope your baby birds make it to adulthood!<br /><br />Last week I added quite a bit to my pantry. I brought home lots of leftovers from catered lunches at work. I shared some with my father, ate lots I brought home and still the freezers are full. I am only making meals with what I bring home fresh or what I have in the freezer so I can continue to make room to bring more home. Canned and shelf stable food I'm reserving for emergencies.<br /><br />From the grocery store, I was able to get a free Greek yogurt and 4 cans of seasoned mashed black beans. I also bought a gallon of water for 79cents to added to the pantry - I didn't want to have a problem with the cashier if I paid nothing.<br /><br />I worked a bit in the garden. We have more bananas growing so it's exciting to check on those every day.<br /><br />We celebrated Rosh Hashanah last weekend. I made everything from scratch and served a dairy based meal so no expensive brisket to buy.<br /><br />Have a lovely week - and I'm looking forward to your next posts.Debbie in Floridahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975670057792048052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-11318220859074374552015-09-19T06:07:19.756-07:002015-09-19T06:07:19.756-07:00Dear Wendy,
What a good week! I am about to come ...Dear Wendy, <br />What a good week! I am about to come over and see your pictures as they bring your report to live and I love to see.<br />Broccoli was also a great price here. I was so happy with that and got heaps. <br />I am card making! Just started today. Plus spring cleaning... Oh I will save all this for on your blog! Many thanks, Annabel.xxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35782515222872800272015-09-19T06:02:58.620-07:002015-09-19T06:02:58.620-07:00You had a very busy week but I agree it's a go...You had a very busy week but I agree it's a good feeling getting heaps done! <br />You are very good with your budget. And I like the way you set out your outfits for the week. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43550125399373362292015-09-19T06:00:46.623-07:002015-09-19T06:00:46.623-07:00Dear Debbie,
It is so good to have easy meals to d...Dear Debbie,<br />It is so good to have easy meals to defrost. I have taken to cutting up some of my slices, lasagne etc into individual serving sizes and freezing those. They defrost fast and are just right. Bit of salad on the side and yay! Dinners done! I have whole pies etc too but I need to make some more.<br />You did heaps! I have also had everything open letting fresh air in, airing the mattress etc as I was everything that's not nailed down! <br />I hope you are having a lovely weekend. Today was beautiful here like the kind of day that's perfect for a wedding. It was stunning. Hopefully tomorrow might be the same. Lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27489642612653014782015-09-19T05:56:05.495-07:002015-09-19T05:56:05.495-07:00Dear Lana, I am so glad for you about the work you...Dear Lana, I am so glad for you about the work you are having done. 21 years is a LONG time to hate the wallpaper! I hope you love the results.<br />It is great adding to the gifts. I am trying hard to do that too. It all helps come December.<br />It sounds like autumn is very welcome. The heat is hard on everyone and wearing. Packing a picnic for a concert sounds lovely! I hope you are having a great weekend. With love, and thanks, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-41264111204692119322015-09-19T05:52:26.923-07:002015-09-19T05:52:26.923-07:00Oops I think my reply appears one post down sorry ...Oops I think my reply appears one post down sorry Tania! XxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71819184980823293112015-09-18T18:39:33.530-07:002015-09-18T18:39:33.530-07:00loved your pantry post this week! I discovered tod...loved your pantry post this week! I discovered today there was NO pepper in the house. How on earth did I let that happen?! Here's what I did to save this week:<br />http://bluehousejournal.blogspot.com/2015/09/in-my-home-this-week-looking-for-fresh.htmlterricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-26724887816343478862015-09-18T18:25:25.132-07:002015-09-18T18:25:25.132-07:00Dear Fiona, Thank you! It is important you know we...Dear Fiona, Thank you! It is important you know we were going for the Hawks! Port is my number one team and Hawks no 2. No crows supporters here! So we were happy! lol... football..<br />You have a lovely weekend too. The sun is shining! With love, Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-9550853490719499992015-09-18T18:24:16.342-07:002015-09-18T18:24:16.342-07:00The flowers look lovely Annabel. I love Spring ( ...The flowers look lovely Annabel. I love Spring ( except the hayfever ). I love everything that's happening outside. A wonderful break from Winter.<br /><br />We've had a wonderfully frugal week in the kitchen and around our home. Our garden is coming to life with the fruit trees blooming and growing. So much is happening outside that we need to take regular " tours " to keep up with it all. Here's what else we got up to this week - <br /><br />* Gratefully received some tomatoes. I cooked and froze them into meal sizes for spag bols and pasta bakes. I filled 11 takeaway food containers. Tinned tomatoes were on my shopping list for my Summer stockpile. I've now crossed them off. Very grateful for the saving.<br /> <br />* Baked two banana cakes with bananas given to us. I took one to church on Sunday for morning tea and the other one is in the freezer for a future morning tea.<br /> <br />* Used the lamb bone from a roast to make a big pot of soup in the slow cooker. There was enough soup to feed the four of us for two meals.<br /> <br />* Fed the compost bin very well this week with banana skins, lettuce leaves, and other veggie peelings.<br /> <br />* Defrosted one of our freezers. It's a 120 litre that was given to us as a wedding present and is the only one that isn't frost free. It needs defrosting a few times a year to help it run effectively. I find it helpful in sorting out what's in there and restacking it better.<br /> <br />* Jessica bought a top from the op shop for her Year 12 muck up day. They are dressing as film characters and Jessica is going as a pirate. The top only cost a few dollars but had a rip on a seam which was easy to fix.<br /> <br />* Darren needed a new pair of troussers for work. He found some in the op shop for $8.50. They needed to be taken up so my sewing machine was put to use again.<br /> <br />* Blanched lots of broccoli bought for $1.99 kg. I'm trying to build a small stockpile of broccoli bought cheaply so that when the price goes up, we'll be eating out of the freezer. We try to eat broccoli with most hot meals.<br /> <br />* Started my Summer stockpile by buying extra toiletries and cleaning supplies. I'll be writing a post on this shortly.<br /> <br />* Darren chopped and froze lots of bananas given to us. We'll be using them in smoothies, fruit icecream and banana cakes over Summer.<br /> <br />* Ate freezer meals one night and continued to eat out of the freezer where possible. I'm gradually getting more room.<br /> <br />* Had the heater off for three days and nights in a row.<br /> <br />* Darren baked some Cranberry Hootycreek biscuits for his sister's birthday present. We also gave her a tote bag I made for $2. She loved her presents and I loved how budget friendly it was.<br /> <br />* Gratefully received a plate of sliced cake from a friend.<br /> <br />* Had shorter showers. Saved the washing machine water and dried most of the clothes on clothes horses and the line.<br /> <br />* Juiced and froze a big bowlful of lemons off our tree.<br /> <br />* Picked silverbeet for two meals.<br /> <br />* Froze two single serves of Tuna Pasta Bake.<br /> Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-57428577034688537852015-09-18T15:55:12.500-07:002015-09-18T15:55:12.500-07:00Thankyou Annabel - not Homey Ped, some I have neve...Thankyou Annabel - not Homey Ped, some I have never tried before so I will see how they go next winter - you never know we may have a driveway and footpath in by then and I could have got some more expensive shoes. The lass that served me commented that she had 1 of the pair of shoes that I puchased and they are super comfortable, she wears them all of the time to work so if that is the case and I only get the winter out of them then they are a great bargain.<br /><br />The weather was horrid yesterday but it has fined up this morning even if a tad cool so the wedding should be able to be outside.<br /><br />I am going to be taking notes on this wedding, it is at a function centre that has the full package, I know that you did a lot for Lucy's wedding so am going to be taking interest in everything to see if it is value for money.<br /><br />Sorry that the Crows got beaten last night - my team got knocked out last weekend.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60714303652914975372015-09-18T14:36:09.200-07:002015-09-18T14:36:09.200-07:00Dear Annabel, You have had a busy week as usual an...Dear Annabel, You have had a busy week as usual and got lots done.<br />This week I have <br />Cleaned the sunroom of cobwebs and dust that builds up (especially under lounges)<br />I have opened all the windows up to let fresh air into he house<br />Shopped and stocked up on a few things for my stockpile.<br />I have moved a vegie garden and planted it with beans, onions and lettuce,<br />I also have sown a few different tomato seeds to go in the other bed when they are ready.<br />I cooked a couple of zucchini slices and impossible pies and one of each went in the freezer for days when I am busy.<br />When I look back at all that I think I have done well when I also work 5 days too :)<br />You have a great weekend Annabel xxDebbie Leverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697364796071268775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-31565227627467644622015-09-18T10:05:16.562-07:002015-09-18T10:05:16.562-07:00I do love your posts Annabel. The words resonate ...I do love your posts Annabel. The words resonate with me on all levels and I just love the photos you put up. Praying madly for the gorgeous mudlarks that they get their babies hatched and fledged without any marauding crows or cats.<br />I always look forward to reading what you are up to. Have a great weekend. Fi xx<br />ps sorry about the crows being thrashed by the hawks.<br />Fionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-31476232704999015602015-09-18T09:55:09.057-07:002015-09-18T09:55:09.057-07:00The site I go to for the bears is explore.org. The...The site I go to for the bears is explore.org. Then look for the bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. There are many animals, birds, etc. to enjoy on the explore site. Hope you enjoy it!Mrs. Gillamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291243154053490970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39533465573462723892015-09-18T07:50:32.413-07:002015-09-18T07:50:32.413-07:00The story about the birds made me smile. How deli...The story about the birds made me smile. How delightful. As always, thank you for your encouraging blog!<br />MarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-62277330949286653022015-09-18T07:08:24.039-07:002015-09-18T07:08:24.039-07:00We moved out of our bedroom and the large bonus ro...We moved out of our bedroom and the large bonus room upstairs are in the middle of a huge mess here. We hired some workers to remove the wallpaper in those rooms. Thank goodness! I have loathed the paper on our bedroom for 21 years! With raising five children and getting them through college, etc many things that needed doing were pushed off for later so now we get to have a pretty room! <br /><br />I added to my Christmas gift stash with some great deals online this week and have checked more family members ff my list! One son and his wife want money for their gift so no shopping there and that is always an easy way to go.<br /><br />I added some freezer meals to my freezer so that saves eating out, etc on days I cannot make time to cook.<br /><br />We packed chicken salad sandwiches and went to a free outdoor concert on Thursday night. It was a beautiful night and we so enjoyed it. We are so glad to see the hot weather go!Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.com