tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post8330726498033484761..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Vicky Challenge. Mobilize the troops.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-21808278827206799422016-07-29T14:31:51.080-07:002016-07-29T14:31:51.080-07:00Thank you Annabel, I will check them out in big w....Thank you Annabel, I will check them out in big w. Many thanks. XxFiona.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4854040066556015662016-07-28T18:24:39.986-07:002016-07-28T18:24:39.986-07:00Dear Patti,
This is the link to the lemon butter i...Dear Patti,<br />This is the link to the lemon butter in the microwave. It is much easier and quicker. And no heating the kitchen up...<br />http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/jars-of-sunshine.html<br />Patti your Gran sounds amazing! And I love that as you wrote you had a memory come back! If only everyone was like her! I would loved to have seen her shelves lined with produce! What a hard working woman! You are very blessed to have this wonderful heritage! <br />I would love to see your tutus! You had a really good week! Well done.<br />I truly loved hearing about your Gran and all she did. Very inspiring! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-65678980287495729692016-07-28T18:17:54.143-07:002016-07-28T18:17:54.143-07:00Thanks Patti, I am off to read this! xxxThanks Patti, I am off to read this! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86585863227282514162016-07-28T15:45:45.272-07:002016-07-28T15:45:45.272-07:00Dear Teri,
The skills your kids learned at home wo...Dear Teri,<br />The skills your kids learned at home would have set them up well for the real world. It is also wonderful having a husband who steps in when we are not well. I am lucky with this too Im happy to say.<br />I am converted to dandelions too now after seeing what Mel is making! I hope your week has gone well Teri! with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-18273542590072258782016-07-28T14:01:04.199-07:002016-07-28T14:01:04.199-07:00Just one more quick comment.Georgene over at livin...Just one more quick comment.Georgene over at living On less Money<br />was talking about Titus 2 Hospitality and I believe this is what my GG was practicing and all you lovely ladies that share your life with us.<br />Blessings love PattiPrecious People Preschoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284398084100195331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-41361867860913829612016-07-28T12:13:04.956-07:002016-07-28T12:13:04.956-07:00Dear Annabell and Vicky what wonderful weeks you h...Dear Annabell and Vicky what wonderful weeks you had. Annabel the food is always so lovely.I will make some of your sunshine<br />in a jar in the winter when people have too many lemons. You got a lot done and great savings.Annabell do you have a link to the jam you make in the micro? I think it is a good idea as it has been over 100 with terrible humidity. I have a 2 burner<br />hot plate. I may try canning outside. Vicky the pickles beautiful! I used to help my GG with huge batches like you can.<br />Such a wonderful skill and great memories. She had an entire<br />free standing garage and the wall were lined with her canning.She lived in a small town and it was before food banks.<br />She always had a big pot of soup on the stove for anyone that was hungry.She had a giant garden and lived in the Salinas valley.She never said no to free food. People would come by<br />with case after case of fruit and veggies. She had hundreds of kids come thru her Child care they all came back to visit. Some for a bowl of soup. Some to bring fruits and veggies and<br />some to get their fruit and veggies for the week. I think she fed so many people I do not even know how many. If you took canned food she would always say bring my jars back so I can keep on going. She did this up into her 80's That was hospitality. She always had tons of boxes in her kitchen/living room of food waiting to be processed. She would say sit down and eat and after that we can peel or chop......<br />She rallied the troops. I look back now and she could of not welcomed people in because she had a project going but it was not about her it was about you, She would focus on her company<br />and peel that piece of fruit with great speed. What a lovely<br />heritage that she passed on to the next generation. If money<br />was really tight she would send you with eggs. because she always had chickens. She would send someone younger out to take the scraps to the chickens. On the rare occation she did not have produce you would find her with a crochet hook in her<br />hand. She made wash cloths to room size rugs. Sometimes she would be unraveling a sweater for yarn we all brought outgrown and thrifted sweaters to her. She would say get your bowl of soup and come sit close I will show you how to unravel a sweater. I had forgotten about this until I started typing.<br />Sorry my post is so long today. I had a great savings week<br />a friend sent us a box of food from a recipe club with 3 meals.<br />I made tutus for a baby shower and did some discount grocery<br />shopping at the 99 cents store. I think a savings of 200 dollars.<br />Blessings love Patti<br /><br /> <br />sucPrecious People Preschoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284398084100195331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4135008712499133942016-07-27T14:00:47.616-07:002016-07-27T14:00:47.616-07:00Dear Annabel, You had a very good week-sausage ro...Dear Annabel, You had a very good week-sausage rolls and yummy lemon butter!! I agree to get all involved with household chores, canning, laundry, etc. We did this when our kids were home and they all learned skills. I, also, would like to do everything myself but found out it wasn't helping our kids to learn. Plus, my husband always steps up to the plate, especially if I'm not feeling well. :)<br /><br />Vicky, I love seeing your cucumbers and the jars of pickles!! Beautiful! I can't wait to see your new pantry room and cellar! How exciting to have a whole room for your pantry! <br /><br />Mel, thank you for the information on dandelion salve. (from an earlier post). I will be gathering some when I can find them.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week, all. Love, Teri<br /><br /> Teri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58454502670936149462016-07-27T06:06:19.810-07:002016-07-27T06:06:19.810-07:00Dear Cookie,
I thought it is ages since I made mea...Dear Cookie,<br />I thought it is ages since I made meatloaf so what I will do is next week make some and post the recipes and methods as I do microwave, crockpot or oven. Then you will get the recipe, we will get them for dinner and lunches and it might be handy for someone else too.<br />Thanks for helping me with the turkey recipe. I love turkey best of any meat. With love Annabel. xxx ps we kept having so much rain and wind too! Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-22324018313272340652016-07-27T00:26:04.361-07:002016-07-27T00:26:04.361-07:00Dear Mel,
The family working together plus your ki...Dear Mel,<br />The family working together plus your kitchen being in good shape in the morning are both really good things! Thats a win win Mel!<br />When the girls were home I had a few surprises.... when I had a bad migraine I was really wiped out. I was a do everything myself and for everyone Mum. But in those times I couldn't! Well this kind of had a benefit and that is I offers found out how much more capable the kids were than I thought! and they learned things and stepped up to the plate. So my enforced stepping back overall did them good. I wish I didn't have the migraines but you see what I mean, we do everything and they really only benefit from helping as they learn so much and hopefully will carry those skills with them. <br />So mobilize the troops :) it is a good thing.<br />I hope you have a great week Mel! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23894746375673175472016-07-26T19:33:32.840-07:002016-07-26T19:33:32.840-07:00My problem is I sleep in and loose the hours to do...My problem is I sleep in and loose the hours to do things. Need to change my attitude. Thanks for the posts as it inspires me to try harder.Janine 16https://www.blogger.com/profile/12355965470722258834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32431340579081559402016-07-26T08:51:34.074-07:002016-07-26T08:51:34.074-07:00Cookie,
Thank you! I freeze some and I dehydrate ...Cookie,<br /> Thank you! I freeze some and I dehydrate some. If you like to make vegetable powder it grinds nicely into a powder to add in. <br />XOXO<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91164297751115593912016-07-26T04:51:35.394-07:002016-07-26T04:51:35.394-07:00Hi Rachel,
I wasn't sure where to leave the an...Hi Rachel,<br />I wasn't sure where to leave the answer to your question about the chokoes so I left it under the question. However, if you didn't see it, yes we do grow chokoes here. I googled it and it turned out to be what we call chayote squash. I've bought them at the grocery store but have never grown them. I like them very much as they can take on the flavor of almost anything. I've sliced them up and seasoned them with cinnamon and a little sweetner and sauteed them in butter and they tasted like fried apples. And thanks for your tips on the meat pies. We live in a very small town and so far I haven't been able to locate any puff pastry. Next time we go over to some larger towns I'll look there. Otherwise I may be attempting to make it myself. Blessings. CookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-69154417606675031642016-07-26T04:34:48.593-07:002016-07-26T04:34:48.593-07:00Hi Vicky,
What an incredible week you had. I'm...Hi Vicky,<br />What an incredible week you had. I'm inspired by all that you and your family are accomplishing. Quick question: Do you can or freeze your spinach or do a combination of both? This is my first year growing spinach. Thanks. Warm regards. Cookie <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77028659320125526452016-07-26T04:20:43.468-07:002016-07-26T04:20:43.468-07:00Dear Annabel,
I would love to have your meatloaf ...Dear Annabel,<br /> I would love to have your meatloaf recipes. Thank you. I just usually buy ground turkey meat in bulk, or turkey thighs and grind it myself (that way I have the bones for stock.). You can use any seasoning in the meat but I use McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning as it gives the meat a more "meaty" rather than poultry taste, and a little extra garlic, I sometimes make a batch using sausage seasoning and this endeavor then becomes turkey sausage. All that I really do after that is form them into individual patties weighing about 3-4 ozs each and stack them individually on parchment paper, wrap up bundles and freeze them. When ready to use they can be taken out individually with no need to defrost and cooked inside in a frying pan or on the grill. The patties hold together very well without the use of an egg or other binder, although I'm sure they could be used. I use the turkey sausage in a quick grab and go breakfast, instead of stopping at a fast food place. <br />Another extremely hot day here. We had massive thunderstorms last night with 60mph wind gusts. Hard to believe we are on the other side of the world from you, and in a different season experiencing similar weather. Warmest regards. CookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83879452932332702402016-07-26T02:49:55.660-07:002016-07-26T02:49:55.660-07:00Hi Annabel,
You have made wonderful savings again...Hi Annabel,<br /><br />You have made wonderful savings again! I haven't been keeping a tally every week, but I now really appreciate all the things hubby and I do around the home can save amazing amounts of money. I love the idea of mobilising the troops too, I need to do it more often with mine! But often Mr 10 will help me with chopping bulk vegies for the freezer. Lately we have been getting Mr 14 and Miss 17 to wash, dry and put away the dishes after I've cooked dinner, rather than use the dishwasher. This has been beneficial to us all, with Mr 10 wiping down benches and the table too, while we all chat. The bonus is a clean kitchen ready for the next day!xxMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535442579149449469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-26627604990914540162016-07-26T01:57:53.212-07:002016-07-26T01:57:53.212-07:00Dear Leigh, Yes the age of the troops is important...Dear Leigh, Yes the age of the troops is important! <br />The turkey would have been beautiful. I love turkey! You can make it go so far too as you did with soup etc.<br />I hope the move has gone well Leigh! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-37452533387393476152016-07-26T01:56:12.777-07:002016-07-26T01:56:12.777-07:00Dear Leslie,
I hope your lemon curd turned out won...Dear Leslie,<br />I hope your lemon curd turned out wonderfully! I love it! Its so useful.<br />The way your daughter helped to make the jam inspired me to write about help and getting everyone involved.<br />Well done on all the haircuts! this is a massive saving! Also on building up the medicine cabinet.<br />Scrap metal is surprising. Here we also can save and sell bottles and cans as they are 10c to recycle. A lot of people do very well out of it! My son in law saves copper as he is a plumber and he does well from it.<br />Thanks so much Leslie, with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90962451533787771552016-07-26T01:49:35.098-07:002016-07-26T01:49:35.098-07:00Dear Vicky,
What a week! The cucumbers in this pos...Dear Vicky,<br />What a week! The cucumbers in this post was a lot but what you have done since is huge! Rick is very good on his fixing, bartering and making things. That is such an asset.<br />What good timing to get jars! And four cases of them! They would be worth such a lot here, they are expensive. Anyway I just love jars!<br />Thanks so much for the pictures Vicky everyone has loved seeing them!<br />with love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-36320987463271251682016-07-26T01:47:25.196-07:002016-07-26T01:47:25.196-07:00Dear Ginger,
The blueberry jam sounds beautiful! A...Dear Ginger,<br />The blueberry jam sounds beautiful! And it is lovely to hear about your children helping. Really this is so good all round.<br />I am thinking I bet the cookies were a hit on that canoe trip! <br />The washcloths are a good project and so nice. A lovely project for your daughter too. I think they look really lovely. <br />The help your husband gave you inside was very nice! A good example of what we are talking about with teamwork! <br />This is beautiful to hear. Working as a family and a team is the way to get things done and I think everyone benefits! Well done Ginger. With love Annabel. xxx (thank you for posting too)Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-51250097386207494802016-07-26T01:42:41.321-07:002016-07-26T01:42:41.321-07:00Dear Patsy,
It is good to hear about your harvesti...Dear Patsy,<br />It is good to hear about your harvesting! It is also great you have a longer growing season. That has to make more produce possible. And it is great you and your husband work so well as a team. It is a big help to getting things done and staying on track! I hope this is a good week for you, with love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-722211951377539482016-07-26T01:41:14.916-07:002016-07-26T01:41:14.916-07:00Dear Cookie.
Im glad you saw the recipe. Another c...Dear Cookie.<br />Im glad you saw the recipe. Another cold meat, sandwich/lunch box filling thing I like is meatloaf! That is pretty economical and filling too.<br />I have a lot coming of what Vicky has been doing as theres zero harvesting here unless you count hail stones! And Vicky has had another really big week! I also love to see it. I love all those jars lined up!<br />Well done on the soap! It is so much fun, I agree! They will be gorgeous gifts. I saw homemade soaps this week at really high prices but they looked good. It gave me confidence of the value of ours as gifts.<br />The dehydrating is fantastic and the cooking. I am really interested in the turkey burgers. You can share how you made them anytime!<br />Mum used to make wonderful pate. Such a luxurious thing or it seems like it is so fancy and special.<br />You did heaps! What a good week! Well done Cookie.<br />I will post my super quick way to make meatloaf in the microwave if that would be a handy cold meat. it takes 12 minutes! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60681939915756447732016-07-26T01:32:39.368-07:002016-07-26T01:32:39.368-07:00Dear Jane,
Well done on a good week in spite of y...Dear Jane, <br />Well done on a good week in spite of your medical hold up. And well done on working out how to get that cot in!<br />It sounds like a super special week for you! I am super excited to hear about it! :)<br />As you and Bluey work so well as a team that is really ideal. It is so much better than working alone. And now you have an assistant if needed! Even better!<br />Much love Jane! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60471559459384137382016-07-25T19:46:05.234-07:002016-07-25T19:46:05.234-07:00Dear Fiona,
The tops and onesies have been from Bi...Dear Fiona,<br />The tops and onesies have been from Big W. I got them a few weeks ago and they had been $10 and were half price. They are good quality basics. Lucy has had some going through the wash and they wash up well. I am amazed by this price as I wouldn't make them for that. So I just work designs on them. I did some more this week now need to go onto a bigger size.<br />Yes the year is going... I think once we hit August its down hill to Christmas!<br />I am glad you enjoyed sunshine cake. It is a true winter thing to me as it brightens up dark winter!<br />Well done on the cooking! Have a good week! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-3974521377915466722016-07-25T19:43:09.211-07:002016-07-25T19:43:09.211-07:00Dear Lynette, I am so glad your friend has help. W...Dear Lynette, I am so glad your friend has help. What a relief it would be to have so much clutter and rubbish gone. She will sound better by the day with this and the smell of fresh clean eucalyptus.<br />Well done on the wonderful linen buys! It is good to be ahead with linen.<br />It can be so pricy this is the way to do it.<br />Yes we have had storms again, another big lot of homes without peer. Driving around yesterday Andy said there was no traffic lights either! And a tornado hit one area! Today is not heaps better either!<br />Pumpkin soup sounds like the best thing ever. I need to make a new batch of that. <br />Have a good week Lynette! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74150555140751991032016-07-25T18:18:15.835-07:002016-07-25T18:18:15.835-07:00It's so much easier to rally the troops now th...It's so much easier to rally the troops now that they are a bit older! We're still eating down the freezer and I'm shopping as little as possible so we won't lose much (I hope!) in the move. This week I pulled out a 20-pound turkey and we had lots of delicious meals from it, including our favorite cream of turkey soup, turkey salad, and sandwiches. It made things easy while there's lots going on.<br />Have a lovely week, ladies!<br />Blessings, LeighLeighhttp://achatovercoffee.comnoreply@blogger.com