tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58797953859720454182024-03-06T12:00:18.550-08:00The Bluebirds are Nesting...Creating a happy home with what you have and a little organisation!
Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger984125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-57435505695531555552020-09-24T20:56:00.001-07:002020-09-24T20:56:37.245-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 25th September. 2020.<p> Come with me....</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://thebluebirdsarenestingonthefarm.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.</a><br /></p>Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-18677114051464458512020-09-17T18:49:00.012-07:002020-09-17T19:15:44.411-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 18th September, 2020.It was a good week. I just kept on doing what I can. I feel to build the pantry and garden. I keep getting the same hint where ever I turn. In fact one of the blogs I follow (Jenny of Elephantz found here <a href="http://www.elefantz.com"></a>) hit me (very nicely!) with the same message again. I was praying on this subject and the next morning the first thing I thought was to get everything we would need for Christmas. And so that is what I am doing. And next I see Cath's video on You Tube. (The Cheapskate Club. "I'm NOT dreaming of a COVID normal Christmas.') Jenny and Cath would be the two most level headed ladies you could know! So I took this as a bit of confirmation I am on the right track.
Now, not everyone does! Cath has had abuse, trolls, threats... for posting about food storage, possible shorages and down to earth practical help. A good friend who also blogs shares so much about food preservation, gardening and every wholesome thing and her heart was so hurt over an absolutely terrible comment on her blog. When someone wants yo belittle you it says much more about them than you. Many young Mothers have this to go through if they stay home and care for their children. Do not buy these lies. Your work is going to have an impact beyond measure on your children and several coming generations! Your love and work is worth more then Rubies.
I am telling you because... do not let anyone discourage you or belittle you for taking care of your family and your families needs. Rather wonder WHY would anyone want to discourage you? Wonder WHY does it bother someone so much that you are working hard and "looking well to the ways of your household"?
Do what you feel to do. Never ignore your deep down feeling. I have done that before with grim results!
So we continue to build up our homees and feather our nests as we can and make the most of very opportunity to do so!
Some of the things I can report this week are:
My Uncle gave me a bag of canning lids!! Thank you to him.
I planted out several basil plants I started from cuttings.
My plan has been to vacuume seal my jars that are full of dehydrated goods. After a bit of reserach I purchased a Lasting Freshness set of cannisters from Amazon. They has a manual pump to suck out the air. I followed the instructions on Oak Hill Farmstead Blog to vacuume seal almost any ordinary jar. And I tested it out a good few times before I decided yes it works!
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Amazingly if you place a jar in a vac seal cannister and remove the air then you vac seal the jar.
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With a shortage of jars and canning lids this might help someone. I have mentioned before that Heidi on Rain Country (you tube) has been my dehyraing teacher.
And I have more to do! There is a lot of Silverbeet, Spinach and Swiss Chard in the garden. I am trying to use it in everyway..
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I started cooking for the next "baby week" and made a big pot of Spaghetti sauce and two pasta bakes. This made a heap of meals. I shared some with Lucy's family and froze a pasta bake for when Chloe has her baby. And it fed us a few times too.
Mum and I were able to go to see the girls and the baby! Mum made a quiche and I made a cake. And off we went.
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It was a beautiful day. And the cake went over well.
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We had a day of bonfires. We need to do this before the weather warms up. We had 12 in total.
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I made a cake for Chloe and Luke. Lots of this would have been sliced and frozen for Luke's lunches.
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Recently I got a new (old) freezer. I cleaned it up but it had some marks on the front. I used a "cover anything" white paint and roller to paint it. Now it looks perfect and brand new! If I didn't have this paint I would have used chalk board paint and written lists on it.
I potted up a heap of veggie seeds in little pots to start them off. A friend send me a great variety of herb and veggie seeds!
Mum gave me some chook food.
We picked up the last thing needed to furnish the cottage. An old leather lounge. A massive bargain found on Buy Swap and Sell. I have everything now!
Lastly, I painted the chest of drawers. I have more to do on this but it is a lovely project. I hope to show the finied result soon.
I hope you will be encouaged. Keep good company and "whatever is true, whatever is noble. whatever is right. whatever is pure. whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--- think about such things." (Phil 4:8)
How did you do this week? I hope things are ok for you in your area. We might live far and wide but we are all affected by a pretty disastrous year all round! Some of us are feeling pretty isolated or have suffered losses of different kinds. So we need encouagement.
Everything you do to build up your family and home matters. xxx
Jess (of Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth Blog) posted something on Instagram. It just grabbed me! This is it, in part...
"I don't want to get adjusted to this world..
I don't want to get adjusted to this culture. I don't want to look like everyone else nor do I want to walk like everyone else..."
And there you go, she nailed it! xxx
Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43802668060261985892020-09-11T05:08:00.001-07:002020-09-11T05:08:05.891-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 11th September, 2020.I am not confident about this post as Blogger have changed things and my computer doesn't like it. But I will try.
The weather has a real Spring feel to it. And it has me Spring cleaning any chance I get! The orchard trees are beginning to blossom.
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I have been going through photos and catching up on the last two years of albums. I found some lovely frames for some photos of Dad.
Some of the ways I built up our home included:
I potted up more plants.
Mum gave me chicken feed.
I made a big Butter Chicken and sides and this fed us and also Lucy and family... as I went to visit them and spend a night!
On the way I went to a favourite country op shop (thrift store) and had so much luck. I found beautiful little books for a baby farm boy... stories about shearers and tractors and chickens! Perfect!
I also found lots of nice bottles, perfect for making sauce in summer.
A project I had sitting on the sewing table is finished off. I had found bed linen in a pure cotton waffle weave. It was $4. After a wash up I cut it up and made kitchen towels. Then I used up some odds and ends from my box of trims.
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Last Sunday I asked Mum to come over and made some Gluten Free Scones. I made a batch of regular ones too. Chloe and Luke came over as well. Everyone went home with a basket of scones.
Tonight the cows came over to say hello. If I call they moo back. Laffie is big now. Who knows what she would weigh!? But she is just as affectionate and will chase you for biscuits.
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Cow portraiture is my new calling! haha!
Someone else tried to get in on the act. Someone who needs a hair cut...
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Just now it has started to rain. We need rain badly! So I pray it keeps coming!
Every week I try to share and encourage in all things to do with building up our homes. To be ahead where we can and to continually learn and build our skills. Having a good pantry is sensible as it is going to help every situation from sickness to job loss.
No one could have imagined what 2020 would hold. I have never seen empty supermarket shelves before in my life. Nor have I ever experienced any kind of rationing.
But these things are now minor compared to what came next. And what is happening now. The loss of jobs and whole business, maybe even whole industries... the loss of freedom, the loss of rights and free speech.
If anyone isn't sure what I am talking about look up the events in Victoria and Queensland this week. There are curfews, people have lost the right to go outside, go to work, be with their dying parents or go to their funerals. If you are criminals, a sports or TV star you are let go but if you a peaceful and law abiding citizen you really cannot assume any rights. To me there is a straight out battle now of good and evil. World wide.
Just like that everything has changed. Australia doesn't feel like Australia anymore.
Sometime the economic tsunami is coming. There is already a feeling... a feeling of sadness and shame. I am hearing of desperate situations and I am not in the worst affected state by any means. We have mostly been affected by having family in the border community. This is when I discovered how it is to be suddenly not treated like Australians anymore.
So whatever you are experiencing in your state or country I think it would be fair to say we are living in unprecedented times.
It might be wise to up our preparedness in every way we can. It soon may be time to not be on social media or share our preparedness either. We have seen arrests here now for social media posts so everything is watched apparently.
It is a challenge to be prudent and think straight when under pressure and when you feel in a state disbelief. I actually feel that some of what I am seeing cannot be real. But it is.
Our home being a sanctuary is vial. For ourselves and families. And our efforts to build up our pantries, freezers, gardens etc are very important. And perhaps even more so... our efforts to build up our family and friends, support network, people we can barter with... all kinds of support we can find! We will need to help each other more and watch out for each other.
Times have changed enough to reassess everything.
How did you manage to build up your home, pantry and garden this week? Our efforts DO make a difference. Big one! xxx
Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50093714818019926952020-09-04T20:29:00.002-07:002020-09-04T20:29:56.826-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 4th September, 2020.I am late with my post but I am going to make it a much happier one. Very much happier.<br />
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I have had to take things day by day. Probably that applies to us all. Have a plan and do your best day by day.<br />
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Some of the ways I was able to build up the home, pantry and garden were:<br />
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I was given more lovely lemons.<br />
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I found the softest flannelette sheet in the op shop. I am thinking it would make lovely pyjama pants for the girls. I do a kind of easy pyjama set by using a very soft t shirt/or long sleeve version for the top and then make pants out of something very soft for the bottom. This is a kind of Peter Alexander copy. So easy!<br />
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Mum gave me wheat for my chickens.<br />
I was also given corn so I am ahead for chicken food.<br />
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I made up a dozen ham and cheese rolls for the freezer and gave my son in law half.<br />
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On the road side I found two Rosemary bushes that are sprawling out over the ground. I have had my eye on them for a while! I stopped and lifted up some of the rosemary across the bottom on the ground and sure enough it had root systems. The first time I got five bits and potted them up to get the root systems further established.<br />
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Yesterday I got 14 more little plants ready to go. I am so pleased. I have many gaps I can fill with Rosemary as it does well here. I can give the girls some for their gardens. And maybe use some as gifts or as a swap.</div>
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I was on the road yesterday as I got to see Lucy and the kids. It was a wonderful day. Sidney has grown, the girls were so excited. I was able to catch up with them all.</div>
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Also a long day! I shopped and ran errands on the way home and dug up my rosemary! It was dark when I got back.</div>
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Now I get to tell you (finally) other good news....</div>
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Chloe and Luke are expecting a baby NEXT MONTH!</div>
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Dad of course knew about this and he was so happy. Chloe has always wanted lots of babies.</div>
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Ok back to my list...</div>
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I was given bags of shredded paper and also three old crates. Combined I now have three new nesting boxes for the chickens full of soft texting material. I think they like it.</div>
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I cut Andy's hair. </div>
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There were apples that needed using up. I used some with a roast and froze some portions.</div>
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My pantry really grew. This was Dad providing again. He travelled with extensive kits of shelf stable foods. Most to that is now in my emergency pantry. He said his aim was to throw the stone down the road. Should this food be needed in a crisis he will have done that again.</div>
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I owe lots of people correspondence and replies and I am gradually getting there. I am so appreciate of all the kindness and love. Thank you so much. </div>
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With everything that happened I was unable to get my baby goats. The lady was lovely and allowed me to wait and pick from the next ones born which is really soon. So I am excited that I can still go ahead and this is lovely to look forward to.</div>
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We also had rain. This is always good news and everyone is pleased. My lambs are doing well. They are not interested in bottles and are eating. I have a big yard of beautiful green grass so they munch away happily all day. </div>
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How did you manage to feather your nest this week? I hope you were able to add to your pantry and I know many are harvesting... while we are just in Spring and soon will be planting. I think next week I can begin planting up my raised garden beds. And they are full and ready! So working away bit by bit gets things done. I never thought those beds would be full! </div>
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Have a lovely weekend.xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-89605835378134360652020-08-28T00:56:00.000-07:002020-08-28T17:24:37.743-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 28th August, 2020.Thank you for all of your beautiful and kind messages, emails, comments... everything. I have truly felt supported by prayer. Here, a week later, we are upright and the whole family has been wonderful and helped each other. I have stayed several nights with Mum and I liked being there, at the farm, with things are they always were... so familiar and comforting.<br />
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It is a case of getting every thing you ever wanted and every prayer answered and still being sad.<br />
But you can be grateful and sad at the same time.<br />
Twenty three years ago we nearly lost Dad and we prayed and prayed to keep him here. He got to see the girls grow up and be so close to them. All those bonus years!! Then this time last year we nearly lost him and he had a pacemaker put in. And he had a whole extra year! And boy did he use it!<br />
Next I was praying he would get to see Sidney born. And he did! I was the one to tell him of the arrival and when I rang him it was the happiest I have ever heard him. He was so so over the moon with the births of the other Great Grandchildren. This phone call was probably the happiest I have ever heard him! He just kept saying "oh that's marvellous, oh that is marvellous, who wouldn't think this is marvellous..?" haha! And then when I told him that Sidney's second name was Thomas (after him) he was just about off- the- planet -thrilled. He said "they didn't have to do that" but added something like but he honoured that they did! Oh, that was a beautiful phone call. <br />
Next thing I was praying he would get to see Sidney... and he did! And I was so grateful and have photos of that beautiful meeting with Dad's arm around Lucy and them both beaming. <br />
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More recently we had wonderful talks and visits. I had chance to ask him everything I could think of. He was so very happy with me being here, how he could come anytime and sit at my kitchen table and I would sit down and talk with him. I knew to stop and spend that time. I always thanked him for coming. He would stop and inspect the veggie garden on the way out, usually carrying a carton of eggs. Then he would cast his eye around the garden and the paddocks happily. His great plan had come together to the extend that all his children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren are securely living on parts of the farm. <br />
He was a planner and a thinker. He knew what needed doing and he made a way.<br />
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Only in the last two weeks I had a change. I stopped asking for extensions and for the first time I asked that Dad would get his wish to go suddenly and quickly which would be home on the farm. He didn't want any more hospital stays. He didn't want to stop working and sit around. He couldn't stand it. He didn't want to get too old...or unable. So I prayed he would get things how he wanted them.<br />
And he did. <br />
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I got everything I ever wanted and prayed for and it comes with a mix of gratitude and sadness.<br />
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The last thing Dad would want is everyone sitting around moping. He would be thrilled how the family has been. He would be thrilled Lucy got to come to the farm and Sidney gained so much weight this week! He would want us to thrive and help each other. He would want the Great Grandkids to be doing well. <br />
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Dad and Mum created an amazing home over the years. Staying there is so nice. I am hoping some of my pictures give you an impression. In bed at night the sound of frogs is so loud and continuous! Like a chorus. This is how it sounds during the day... turn the sound up. This pond is out my bedroom window by about 50 yards.<br />
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The birds at the farm are beautiful. Blue Wrens are my favourite but they are tiny and jumpy! But I don't need a special camera, the bigger birds are so friendly I can just use my iPhone for a photo.<br />
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This is one of the Grey Shrike Thrush sitting on a friends foot in Mum's garden...(up with the volume again.)</div>
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I will report what I can as far as home and pantry building goes. I picked Bay Leaves and Lavender and have them drying near the fire. </div>
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And as there can never be a dull moment I have two new lambs. They are not tiny babies but three or four weeks old. This makes them harder to get feeding... although I will not have to feed them for very long. And they run away until they settle in so you can see this one is on a lead. Hopefully by tomorrow this won't be needed anymore but I can't chase them around the paddock to catch them as they are too fast! </div>
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My story shows that the work we do in our homes and for our families affects many generations greatly. The Great Grand childrens' children will be reaping the benefits of Dad's love, work and planning for them as I will be for the rest of my life. So much gratitude. </div>
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Be encouraged. In these times we face many challenges! It is not easy. But our God is a Way Maker. Dad was a way maker... and so determined. And prayer makes a difference. Dad left a note about God being with the patient. Working with out head and our hands. And how God helps those who help themselves. Hence he was a worker. He was the hardest worker I have ever known. </div>
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Please tell me about your week. I hope you found ways to get ahead, build up your pantry, preparedness and garden.xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59946528106274309232020-08-20T17:39:00.000-07:002020-08-20T17:39:19.761-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 20th August, 2020.It was a better week. Or I coped better. I was very humbled by many replies, messages, emails, hand written letters and calls and the things some of you are going through due to lockdowns and quarantines etc. I have no words to express how sorry I am for those separated from loved ones especially the sick and dying. It turns out this is more common that I would have thought. So this makes our situation look minor. As for our situation... thank you to everyone who had suggestions. All week the family worked on finding ways to keep Lucy and family safe and able to get medical help if needed. And feel supported. Dad came to see me. He kept saying "don't worry, don't worry." But he didn't say what he was doing... I really can't go into that here but some of you were on the right track with your suggestions. To further dishearten Lucy two of her farming neighbours moved out this week. They cannot stay and continue to farm and have their children educated and have medical access so they left. There are a lot of farmers in a desperate situation as of midnight tonight.<br />
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I decided to do all I could and pray hard. We made the most of the opportunity presented this week to still see Lucy, the girls and Sidney. I travelled down with two cold packs full of cooking. The day before I made two big pots of spaghetti sauce then two large lasagnas. <br />
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I did a tray bake of sausages and veggies and a potato bake. </div>
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And cup cakes of course.</div>
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We had a beautiful time together. Now to hope we find a way to do this next week. </div>
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I did have days where worry and nerves got me. I am hearing of just so many businesses closing. Due to the border closures even a key medical clinic had to close. The vet for many cannot go to the farms. The local hospital is short of staff as nurses can't get to work. I could just go on and on... I think is this Australia?</div>
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Now is the time for the full armour of God. To pray more. To really be thoughtful and prudent. To use the skills we have learned and learn new ones! When stuck I still think of Elizabeth Elliot's "do the next thing." Yes... just do the next thing and then the next. This stops me from being frozen and not knowing which direction to go. </div>
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Some of the other ways I found to build up the home and our preparedness were:</div>
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In "buy swap and sell" I noticed a beautiful antique chest of drawers with the curved front. I would call this Baroque style maybe but not sure if that is right. I have always loved them. It was $150. Compared to what I have seen this wasn't too bad however I wouldn't pay that. Then I noticed that add said "and also a Kelvinator Upright Freezer" and the price was for them BOTH. Now I was interested! But you never know if an electrical appliance is any good and working.... so we went to inspect and when we arrived I knew the man selling it! He was someone very nice from my old home town. So I had no worries with buying it! </div>
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Now I have another freezer in my "collection." Freezers have been very hard to get. Many have searched for freezers and they are a rare species like caning lids and all things now so sought after. </div>
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The drawers need some work and I have a plan...</div>
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I had to think fast about where to put this freezer. There was no obvious place. But I found one. It involved moving a set of shelves out of the kitchen. I unloaded that and re homed everything. Once you start on a project like this it seems endless. The shelves have become much better shelving for my laundry... where I also had to take everything apart, get the shelves in and re do it all. But now I have a much better system and know everything I have (and how much) in the laundry.</div>
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Beautiful free little succulents came my way. I am thrilled with them. For now I quickly potted them up so they get root systems. </div>
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I used paper cups to have enough small pots.</div>
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I put a big pice of corned beef in the slow cooker for the day. It was so big it didn't fit so I cut it in half and made it fit! Later I rolled one piece in cracked pepper and olive oil. I then baked it. Then you have Pastrami. Andy loved it. I stood and make a dozen man sized rolls with cheese and corned beef or cheese and Pastrami. These went into the new freezer. I use the plastic bag the rolls came in with a paper towel between each one. These are so handy!</div>
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While the fire is still going I continued dehydrating herbs and veggies. I am building a collection in my special cupboard.</div>
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We had rain. Tuesday night we had a whole inch! We woke up to a lake out the front! We knew that the front paddocks can become wetlands in a good year. But I have never seen this until now! From the kitchen and lounge room windows we now see water and ducks. I hope to show some photos next week. And it is still raining!</div>
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I was given some lemons.</div>
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I wrote up my week early as I had a day of appointments today. But last night before 10 pm my brother rang. He was at Mum and Dad's and Dad had died. It was sudden and I don't think he suffered any pain. I knew this day would come and I knew it might be soon.</div>
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Last week Danny on Deep South Homestead had his Dad in hospital and he said he just doesn't want his Dad to suffer. His words leapt out to me over and over all week I thought of that. I don't want Dad to suffer. Dad would never want to be incapacitated, stuck at home, unable... that would be suffering to him. So I kept these words with me. And I knew it was coming. And Dad did not suffer. He also had said, in a more recent near miss, that he wanted to die at home. </div>
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He was also very happy. He was over the moon with the birth of Sidney. He got to see him. He was so happy he completed his plan to provide for us all, for myself and Chloe and Lucy who he set up on properties to become theirs. He wanted his Great Grandchildren to be secure. He worked all his life beginning when he was about 11 and kicked out of school for being left handed and called stupid. He taught himself to read and became the most widely read person I have ever known. He helped many people in a private way so no one ever knew. Some of these stories may come out now.</div>
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I have been incredibly blessed and my girls have been incredibly blessed as he was like their own Dad as well as mine. I just could not have been luckier. Dad was an overcomer. </div>
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When Dad left from his visit he was confident he found a way to give Lucy and family access to medical help and all they need. When he left I thanked him for coming. I always thanked him for coming. We always sat at the kitchen table (which he insisted I had to have) and drank from his special huge cup and saucer. As he drove off he hung his arm out the ute window and waved. I had a feeling then it might have been a wave goodbye. So again I thought of "I do not want my Dad to suffer."</div>
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Another thing that has been with me all week is God is a way maker. When there isn't a way it doesn't matter as God is a way maker. I felt like some readers may need to hear that.</div>
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xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com144tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-55893794995923239882020-08-13T21:14:00.000-07:002020-08-13T21:14:13.380-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 14th August, 2020.I would love to say it has been a much easier week! But if I did I would be lying! On Wednesday night we had news that another batch of new rules are coming into place. This lot will cut Lucy and her family off from us completely and also cut them off from school, Doctors, hospital, baby weigh ins.... everything. The minute I found out it was a true head in hands, I am going to be sick moment. <br />
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Since then we have worked to find out if there are any exceptions and what are our options? The property Lucy lives on had land on both sides of the border but the driveway in Victoria. As it is turning out many essential workers like nurses and school teachers (and others) will also be now unable to go to work. So as far as I can see things are collapsing.<br />
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The news last night had a headline and when I see some of these I take a photo of the TV with my phone. It was "Food Shortage and Price Hike Warnings." And there sure will be. If people cannot work, goods cannot be moved, processing plants are shut or cut to minimal productive, even some supermarkets are shut, then yes there are going to be big problems. Basics may soon become luxuries.<br />
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Lucy's neighbours are evacuating. They cannot live with being cut off from their work, school etc so they are moving and have to be gone by next Friday. Lucy and family cannot evacuate to here, they won't let them come this far. Since there are no covid cases in the border community it makes you wonder. So our time and energy has gone on this and sleep has not been easy.<br />
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I have a chance to meet with Lucy on Monday and then when this comes into place next week this may be the last time. There is a lot of talk that this could last two years. We are not accepting that. But it could be my last change to do anything to help for a while so I am baking flat out and taking as many ready frozen meals as I can make. Today is Lasagne and Spaghetti sauce bulk cooking day.<br />
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If you live in Australia you know the situation keeps changing. It happens fast. Be ready. <br />
If you are overseas then I am seeing a lot to be concerned about in the USA and the UK just declared a recession with GDP dropping 21% between April and June, which is a nose dive!<br />
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I knew I was preparing for SOMETHING. I knew SOMETHING was coming. I still think this is not it. Another round of businesses will give up because of this and another tsunami of unemployed will be added. As of next week our state requires Hotels, Cafes etc to employ an additional person to be a Marshal to oversee social distancing etc. Most of them are already really struggling. This will finish many more. You can comply and do all the right things but it still means open, close, open close, lose business, new rules, new expenses... sometime most will give up. And another tsunami of job losses. So I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't think this will be a recession it will be a depression. <br />
Obviously this is my opinion and I would be thrilled to be wrong. <br />
Sorry to be so depressing. Our family is being torn apart but we are going to fight on.<br />
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We are not going to give up. In this time I have seen tremendous kindness. People from the Doctor to the school teachers have reached out to Lucy in tremendous ways. I have to say the worse things are the more an act of kindness or offer of help is like a shining star. <br />
We are beginning to see levels of desperation I have not ever seen in my lifetime. Nothing new to generations before me. But we had it very good growing up. We never knew a shortage of anything. We were never stopped from being with our own family. If something broke out sick people were quarantined. Now well people are quarantined. This is different.<br />
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Ok change of subject! (Then I need to get cooking!)<br />
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This week I kept dehydrating and rearranged the pantry so I have a nice cool and dark cupboard to keep my dehydrated goods. I also ordered a jar vacuum sealer so that I can seal them properly and get the maximum life for the goods inside.<br />
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Because it is still winter here the fire is always on. At all times something is dehydrating. <br />
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I now save the ends of the gluten free bread and dry those. Later they can be GF breadcrumbs or croutons.</div>
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This was a whole head of celery. Once day it filled one medium jar. </div>
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I am a member of a fair few pantry and canning groups. From these I am seeing a huge number of people struggling to get jars, lids, seals etc. Canning equipment is the new toilet paper, chickens or freezers! Dehydrating is a very good alternative! I still feel Rain Country on You Tube is a good place to learn all about Dehydrating.<br />
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I make Lemon Curd and froze it all for future cakes and pie fillings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDMUPVzQ52FWQaukuDtcLktFqgC3LD4yLvGKGr2YX-P6fMABvUyTo5qVa9z7RvE1x3tNgeflMuSZFD3uUl7czIK4T3RoCy52wDZlkbXncUs_vl5eg0jNqDdH0mBlN5Qh578YjDyKyaOw/s1600/117596005_3870640819631526_6989535998054796001_n-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDMUPVzQ52FWQaukuDtcLktFqgC3LD4yLvGKGr2YX-P6fMABvUyTo5qVa9z7RvE1x3tNgeflMuSZFD3uUl7czIK4T3RoCy52wDZlkbXncUs_vl5eg0jNqDdH0mBlN5Qh578YjDyKyaOw/s320/117596005_3870640819631526_6989535998054796001_n-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added 94 Australian organic garlic cloves to me dehydrated goods. I purchased these from a home grown company.<br />
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This week I was able to go to two op shops (thrift stores) and I make the most of them. They were closed for months but now open. I will never take them for granted again. I am stocking up on fabrics, cottons, wool yarn. This time I got two Queen size pure wool (Onkaparinga) blankets for my Dad. He wants some as he saw mine. He doesn't like modern quilts. I prayed to find some since I haven't seen them lately. There they were, a pair and in Dad's favourite green. Also one in red and black which is a car blanket. Beautiful condition. During the week these have all taken a turn drying in the lounge room after being washed with my homemade wool wash. They smell beautiful and come up so soft.<br />
The op shop also had a bucket (yes bucket!) full of Fowlers brand new canning lids. Fowlers is to Australia what Ball is to America in canning goods. To top it off I got a heap of pure cottons in various florals, some gingham and a remnant of pure wool It was my lucky day that is for sure.<br />
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I did a stock up shop. Then I made up 18 ham and cheese rolls and froze those. <br />
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Each day there is the normal stuff. I try and do some weeding, the housework, take greens to the chickens and collect the eggs... If I get everything done I can do some sewing.<br />
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I needed a nice gift for my Uncle. He us unwell so getting the virus would be a disaster. I made him some face masks. I covered a box I had. I used a card I made. I made the masks from remnants of other projects. So the whole gift may have cost $2? But it is a good gift! (well I think so!)<br />
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He likes dogs so he got a Collie mask in there!</div>
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I also made extra masks for myself. I already made some for Mum, Lucy, Chloe and my Aunt.</div>
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Now I am attempting to use remnants and make up masks that I can use as gifts and to barter. I think I made 16 this week. For gifts and bartering I package them up individually.</div>
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Now I am on to some manly ones. <br />
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I also finished up making bibs. I made ten. <br />
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So that is my week. Veggies are drying on the fire now, I have masks cut out. I need to go collect the eggs then get my spaghetti sauce going. I like it to cook three hours then some will go to lasagne and some will be portioned out to freeze.<br />
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It is not an option for Sidney not to see his paediatrician so please pray and we will continue to fight. We won't be giving up. To go the other way is a long distance and would put Lucy and the baby right into covid infected areas. Which would be stupid!<br />
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When things get really worrying my nervous system isn't the best. It would be a fair guess that many people are feeling nervous, stressed, depressed. But we can't give up, we may have a long way to go. We might have years to go. <br />
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How did you do this week? Were you able to add to your pantry or the garden? Are you harvesting at the moment? I know lots of the USA ladies are. The little things we do daily add up to such a lot. Please be encouraged to keep going and taking every opportunity.xxx<br />
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-41159688880694798822020-08-06T22:51:00.000-07:002020-08-06T22:51:12.015-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 7th August, 2020.I can give a better report than last week! That is something!<br />
My Dad is doing better, thank you to everyone who has prayed for him.<br />
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There is so much going on it is hard to keep track of. Everyone in Australia knows and anyone from overseas might have seen the Victorian situation in the news. Things have pretty much got a bit worse daily. This is our neighbouring state and my daughter lives just over the border.<br />
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We cannot go to Lucy's home, however, we could meet in her nearest town and so that is what we did. Chloe and I headed off loaded up with cooking and all kinds of things for the girls and the baby.<br />
We had a little lunch together and made it seem like a little party for the girls. <br />
I took cup cakes as usual!<br />
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Sidney is now a month old. Already!</div>
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So this was a good and beautiful day.</div>
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I went to Aldi but there was not much on the shelves.... </div>
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We had news headlines forecasting likely food shortages nation wide. Since they rarely admit such things this was interesting. And you can see why. The port of Melbourne is where most imports enter Australia. The meat processing plants are operating at reduced rates and many industries are closed down altogether. </div>
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I went into town to do a stock up. I did things like fill every prescription, buy Vitamin C, Zinc, cough medicine and so on. One supermarket was quite well stocked. The other was very low on meat and quite a lot of empty shelves. </div>
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This town is around 20 minutes from the border. I heard several reports of cars with Victorian number plates being attacked, scratched and notes left on them. Now people are afraid of anyone coming over the border. This is a pretty sleepy, nice little town normally. It frightens me to see how quickly people become agitated and this becomes aggression.... actually it is a shock. And a warning really as if things go too much further south then honestly you do not want to be out and about, you need to be home.</div>
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My stock up was considerable and I have still been putting away things this morning. I think I have finally done it! </div>
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For ladies in other states... the decline with Victoria been just a disaster to watch. Things can happen quickly. So please be very watchful.</div>
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I found some beautiful jars in the op shop plus brand new canning lids! I will take some photos when I get the jars all washed up.</div>
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All week I have had the fire going... it is cold here! At all times I have had something dehydrating. Thanks to Patsy I joined an Instagram challenge called #everybitcountschallenge and I have been dehydrating and storing up fresh things, things from the garden and frozen veggies as I need to clear some freezer room. I have been learning a lot about dehydrating from Heidi at Rain Country on You tube. She is very helpful. And inspiring! </div>
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I have onions going today in one tray and peas in two others. Then I will be slicing about some capsicum to do next. I am amazed at the fresh bright colours and the small amount of space things reduce down to. I write on each jar "one whole head of celery" so I remember as it looks like a small amount but to put it back in use I would use a small amount to add to a chicken soup. </div>
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There have been times this week I felt a sense of panic and worry. I try to reel that in but it isn't always easy. However I have seen some answers to prayer and been very blessed. </div>
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Sometimes you feel too upset and wonky to feel like you can pray. Or that your wonky prayers are not good enough. These are good times to ask someone to pray for you. But just as it doesn't matter what language you pray in I don't think it matters if prayers are disjointed, confused or all over the place. Sometimes we don't even know WHAT to pray for. We just know we need help. Lord please help me is a perfectly fine prayer...</div>
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Anyway, some of my prayers have been answered in wonderful ways. This has made me feel so much better and reminded me to just keep praying!</div>
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On the weekend my brother rang me up and asked if I would be home and if I would like some good soil for my garden? He turned up with his truck...</div>
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This is volcanic black soil with broken down manure mixed in. It is beautiful! It was the best gift ever. I was so excited! I have the raised garden beds to finish filling, bathtubs coming, my pumpkin patches to build up, the whole herb and veggie patch can get a few inches of this on top. All the fruit trees and have some of this around them to form a little water holding moat and they will get the nutrients as I water. I have begun moving it one barrow at a time!</div>
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I hope my Aunt is reading this. She will be thrilled!</div>
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I was given more bags of shredded paper. These went into chicken nesting boxes for nice fresh bedding.</div>
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I used two large pumpkins (from the pumpkins I grew) to make a big pot of soup.</div>
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In the sewing room I continued making bibs. This second batch are larger ones...</div>
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We really really need rain. It is meant to be on the way. I really hope so. </div>
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How did you manage to keep going, add to your pantry, preparedness or garden? I managed to do some work in all three of these areas. There are the first signs Spring is not too far way. I want my garden beds ready to plant by then! </div>
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If you would like further reading this is a good article from Brandy at <a href="https://theprudenthomemaker.com/how-to-prepare-now-to-weather-the-recession/">The Prudent Homemaker.</a> I like to read things that give you constructive things to do rather than just information to worry about.</div>
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I am hoping for a rainy weekend, warm meals (as the slow cooker is on) crochet and sewing. We need some time to rest and plan. Some time to think. I think as well... now is a good time to put your health first and build up your families health. Stress is really draining. We probably need extra nutrition and good sleep. These things are valuable too.xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-37523431454715703502020-07-31T21:59:00.000-07:002020-07-31T21:59:04.294-07:00A Ray of Sunshine.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It wouldn't surprise me if I am not the only one who has hit a spot of crisis fatigue. Some days have been exhausting. Some days my nerves have felt shot. There must be many of us feeling the same. Vicky and I were talking about this. Vicky is a person who makes the best out of every situation and is always cheerful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Years ago I realised that circumstances and cheerfulness are not necessarily related. We have all known people who have every blessing and resource yet they are always miserable and complaining. Not only that they do nothing to help others. And we all know people who have it tough in life (or with their health) yet are always cheerful and helping others. So go figure...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have spoken before about my Nan's good friends who taught me this. One was Mrs. Smith who had Polio when she was young and lived her whole live on crutches. She was so cheerful and sewed both my babies beautiful clothes and gifts. She just did what she could to help everyone! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And there was Mrs. Mann who was in a wheelchair with both legs amputated. She was another happy and generous person. She knitted stunning outfits for all the babies and I still have some she gave me to this day. Both these ladies were rays of sunshine. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There was also Mrs. Birze. She and her family escaped (in a dramatic and desperate way) from WW2 Europe and came to Australia. They become Nan's neighbours. The horrors they had been though... They knew almost no English so Nan began to teach them and they became life long friends. She was a person who was another absolute ray of sunshine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So how do we overcome our worries and be like them? And how do we nurture ourselves so that we keep up our own strength, spirits and faith? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well over to Vicky, this is what she wrote...</span></span><br />
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How do we feel at peace these days when it seems everyday is filled with something new that is bad news? A pandemic, riots, restrictions, job losses and shortages. Is this all temporary or is this the new norm? I have a feeling it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Annabel's conversation with the older gentleman and his saying there will be another depression struck a chord in so many of us. Could this actually happen? </div>
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Many of us have had feelings that we need to prepare and are either starting or continuing in those efforts so that we can stay ahead and hopefully ride out anything coming, but I have also spoken to some who feel overwhelmed and panicked from the Covid virus and are really riding the edge of being depressed and just too stressed out from it. </div>
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This got me thinking. I remember my great grandmother telling me that even though they had to work hard and had very little that some of her happiest times were coming home after church and just sitting on the porch with tea. </div>
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The Bible says tribulation gives rise to patience and also "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer" </div>
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I think we are all learning patience, but being of good cheer can be a bit harder when it's getting harder on us to navigate through what was our normal routines or something that should be easy like getting groceries or seeing the doctor. </div>
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In times like these we need to embrace simplicity and the joy we can get from it, letting the small things fill our hearts with happiness as we go about our work of preparedness and stocking our pantries, trying to stay ahead and taking care of home and hearth. </div>
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When my granddaughter comes to stay she reminds me to do this. That child finds so many things I take for granted delightful and wonderous! The things I have tucked away are brought out and enjoyed, from her little tea set and a small pitcher that is just her size so she can serve lemonade and small colander of strawberries she picked herself. </div>
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We need to do this for ourselves as well. Do we really need a special occasion to use the things we may have tucked away and love? When the world is so chaotic it's easy to get pulled along with it, but if we strive for a bit more simplicity we can find patience and good cheer both. Appreciate the small things as we go about our days and we are better able to deal with the big things that come our way. </div>
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That being said here is what I have been up to:</div>
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I have been collecting pinecones to use for fire starts and decoration. They are so small this year!</div>
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I weeded under one of the pine trees to move some blueberry bushes under there for my granddaughter and found a raspberry bush start growing among the weeds. This makes me happy because I want lots of berries growing here and one day a bumper crop will give more options with food storage. </div>
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We planted a Victory garden this year and I'm usually out there everyday tending to this and that. This week I pruned and tied up most of the tomato plants. It's coming along nicely and with around 200 tomato plants I am sure I'll have enough to can and share as well. </div>
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And I started making little bags of fabric softener beads to use as gifts. I cut some brown paper into squares and glued on flowers I cut from a magazine and zipped them through my sewing machine. I'll fill them with store bought softener beads and glue them shut. I love taking just ordinary things and embellishing them a bit. They will just need to be torn open to use, but to me it's prettier than a plastic bottle and can be added into a basket with some clothes pegs, etc. for a nice little gift. </div>
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XOXO</div>
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Vicky<br />
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Every day Vicky and I chat online. Our conversations are always made up of some dumb thing we find hilarious, what we have been doing at home, the garden and the pantry... and we encourage each other. It reminds me of the verse in Luke where the woman finds her lost coin and calls her friends to tell them and celebrate! We need that. Someone to celebrate our small victories. Someone to tell! <br />
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I try to make this a place like that as we might not have a neighbour or friend interested in our progress and achievements. They might not see what we do as an achievement at all.<br />
But each thing we do to build up our home, manage our economy and care for our family is an achievement! <br />
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I am a person who needs some alone time and quiet time. I need to be able to think. I am better if I write things down. I need sunshine and plenty of sleep. The garden, nature and outdoors do me good. I find crochet or stitching calming. If I am nervous or worried I will clean and bake... and channel my nerves into action. <br />
A cup of tea and climbing into my comfy bed with clean sheets, a bubble bath and a heat pack on my neck are my go dos when I need to feel better.<br />
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Happily many things that are just beautiful and nourishing for bodies and souls are easy and inexpensive. There are ways to spread happiness and joy for ourselves and others that make a world of difference.<br />
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Vicky used old pyjamas that she cut up to make the prettiest cleaning cloths above. I feel happy just looking at them!<br />
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I brought out a fresh chocolate cake from the oven for afternoon tea. Same effect ... a little ray of sunshine in the afternoon.<br />
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Sometimes I can pick free flowers and this works every time for me. Playing with flowers is just beautiful.<br />
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Simple foods are a hit. A bowl of soup and a toasted cheese sandwich is thrilling when you are hungry and tired. I make a Bread and Butter Pudding from left over bread and jam. it is so divine yet made of stuff many people throw out. </div>
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Having your table set nicely is cheerful. Things don't have to be fancy to be lovely.</div>
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For children an extra story at bedtime or time together is beautiful. When I was little my Great Aunt used to brush and braid my hair for me. I would sit there, at her feet, for any amount of time as I loved the dreamy feeling of my hair being done. She would plait it tightly and it would last ages. </div>
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Nan would tuck me into my bed at her house. Her sheets were crisp and you were tucked in so tightly your liver could barely function but it was somehow so nice and secure. The sheets smelled of sunshine. The bed had been warmed by a hot water bottle.</div>
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So you see many things that are nurturing cost nothing at all. We need them for our families and ourselves.</div>
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What are some ways you can take care of yourself when under extra stress and worry? </div>
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Do you have ideas or memories of things that are good for children or others in the household that make a difference? </div>
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Something encouraging to me has been the number of times I have heard people say they grew up in hard times, the war, a family who had very little... just they never realised until much later! They just never knew as life was good and happy! </div>
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So that is what I am thinking on. There is a lot to think about. Today is a beautiful day and I have had some time to think and plan. This helps me. I am sure Vicky's words will help you tooxxx </div>
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Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-87479972533102455142020-07-30T21:06:00.000-07:002020-07-30T21:06:07.671-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 31 July, 2020Where do I even start? So much can happen in a week. The gist of it is this was my second week of quarantine and Dad was very sick and hospitalised. So it was all bad enough and I couldn't go to see him. On top of that he had never seen Sidney and I thought maybe now he never would.<br />
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So now we start layering the "on top of that's"...<br />
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On top of that things in our neighbouring state got much much worse and lockdowns and restrictions increased again. My daughters family are border community. They literally live right on the border. We cannot go to see them but they can get to their town for school, doctor and so on. Dad ended up in the hospital in this bigger town but Lucy was not allowed to go to the hospital either. <br />
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On top of that Dad signed himself out of hospital when he was no better and he was determined to go home. :(<br />
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There were good things... Mum got to see Lucy and the girls (on our side of the border) and, for the first time, hold Sidney.<br />
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And Lucy was determined.... so when Mum went to pick up Dad Lucy drove her car to the hospital car park and parked near Mum's car. When Dad came out he was greeted by Lucy, the girls and Sidney. He was just delighted and this was very special. I am so grateful for these moments. I got to see photos so I could see what a success it was.<br />
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I could keep saying "on top of that" but I think you get the idea. Some mornings bad news came so thick and fast I felt like I was going to panic. At this moment Dad is doing ok but Lucy and family are fairly well cut off.<br />
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I know our situation is nothing compared to what some families are going through. I have seen finance figures come in, here and overseas, and the commentary is very grim, mostly comparing the numbers to the Great Depression and in some instances worse.<br />
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Most days I tried to keep things as normal as possible. And to keep busy. I would go nuts if I didn't.<br />
I added lots to my raised garden beds. They are getting close to full now but as the hay etc breaks down I will need to keep adding.<br />
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I made an impossible pie to use up some eggs and garden herbs. <br />
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Also a double batch of Miracle Cleaner. I save spray pumps from commercial products and match them to glass bottles. Then I make up my dilution for surface cleaning. </div>
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If you make your own cleaners you eliminate a lot of things you have to buy. You also never need to buy scented sprays etc (most of which are very unhealthy) as your home truly smells so clean and fresh. </div>
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Our local Facebook Buy Swap and Sell is really quite good. I found three very old and very shabby white wooden chairs. To me they are beautiful. $5 each! I couldn't pick them up but the lady was lovely and she delivered them for me to somewhere I can pick them up next week. So pleased! I was needing two but three is better!</div>
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I tried to continue to sew each day. Even a short time each day produces more than you think! I finished up 12 bandana style bibs. </div>
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I enjoyed these so much! They have a velcro fastening. Very easy.</div>
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Now I have moved on to a bigger style feeding bib. </div>
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I made a chocolate cake. It was mostly sliced and frozen and gave us a nice afternoon tea.</div>
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I was given some nice big juicy lemons.</div>
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We are needing rain now but the paddocks have been looking green and everyone has grown! </div>
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Some time ago I put in an order for two miniature goats. This week I had the chance to pick two from photos. This is the little girl...</div>
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We get them in about a month. I am so excited! Name suggestions are welcome! </div>
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Each day I did some weeding and gardening. One thing I did was moved things that clearly were not doing well where they were. A couple of things I rescued and potted up instead. I hope this works. I took cuttings and pruned and repotted two huge Fiddle Leaf Figs that out grew the house but they are not happy at all outside. Over the week this amounted to a lot! </div>
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Then I pressure cleaned the whole deck and patio areas as they were a mess. And did the windows. </div>
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I slept well those nights which is a good thing! </div>
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For my pantry... this week I cleared out more cupboards that can be part of my pantry. I have two days of quarantine left so then I can get out and do some stocking. </div>
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So that was my week. I hope things are ok in your area and your family are doing well. Most of us have had to adapt in some way. In light of this Vicky and I have a special post this weekend. </div>
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How did you manage to build up your home and get ahead with your pantry or garden? I hope you had opportunities come your way. I am glad I had routine and loads to do. I planned to use my lockdown to get ahead at home and I have done that. So the two weeks have gone really fast! I am really thankful for a garden, animals and wide open spaces we have here. I am hoping to have a bit of a restful weekend and work on my crochet blanket. I hope you have a good weekend too.xxx</div>
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Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83243511646517398912020-07-23T23:10:00.000-07:002020-07-23T23:10:07.092-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 24 July, 2020.Not an average week! I headed down to help with the new baby, loaded up with home cooked meals and eggs. I knew I would be going through a checkpoint where there are police and army personnel as Lucy lives a stones throw over the border. When I grocery shop this town too is not far from the border however still in South Australia.<div>
When I stopped to talk to the officers I was able to point to Lucy's house and say it is six paddocks "that way." And they let me go on my way. </div>
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I had a lovely couple of days with the girls and the baby. It was go, go, go but very good and so sweet! I made dinner the nights I was there. I took cup cakes filled with last weeks Lemon Butter.</div>
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On Monday it was time to head home. This time I was heading into South Australia from Victoria which has a shocking virus outbreak. So from the border I am now in quarantine for 14 days and need to have corona virus testing. I did the first test on the way home. So now I have a taste of what some people are going through. I do not care at all about isolating except not seeing Lucy, the girls and the baby for over two weeks. (And the prospect of it only being fortnightly and a life of quarantine each time I come back in.) </div>
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At home I had a mountain of catching up to do and unpacking. It had all been worth it and so I set about figuring out a new plan. Sometimes you have to digest things a bit. </div>
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I decided to use my fourteen days to catch up here at home, bake and put up as many meals as I can in the freezer and get into the sewing room. I have continued to re arrange cupboards and make a lot more room for pantry extensions. I am going to use this fortnight for all the good I can.</div>
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I began cutting out, using a purchased bandana bib as my template. My first project is to make a series of these for Sidney. </div>
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I have farm themed fabrics and I love them! When these are done I will make a series of larger bibs as well for early feeding days. </div>
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So some of the ways I feathered my nest were:</div>
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I lined a whole drawer with lovely soaps. Mel S told a story of how her Great Grandmother did this on the advice of her new Mother in Law at the end of WW1. Well, her soaps helped the family through the Great Depression. She had also stored fabrics and sugar. I have already seen a time this year when NO SOAP of any kind was a available. Suddenly, just like a hundred years ago, soap was so sought after. </div>
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Next I made up a big batch of laundry liquid. I love how it smells, I add a tiny amount of soap making colour to it, just for the joy. </div>
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You can find the recipe here on <a href="http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com/2019/08/how-to-beat-rising-prices-or-shortages.html">How to beat rising prices in the laundry like Nana did.</a> Jane uses this recipe and that is how I got started.</div>
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While the soap making pot was out I made up two batches of soap in new moulds I have. I got these on Ebay... also the same as Jane!! Also I have found a few moulds in the op shops. I have a bit of a collection now. But I was so happy to try these new flower ones. It was so much fun. </div>
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The recipes I used were... the darker soap is Wendy's recipe and the lighter one is Nana Chel's recipe. </div>
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Oops... my photo is only showing the lighter one. Lots of photos will be up on Tuesday in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/469231433481678/">The Tuesday Afternoon Club.</a></div>
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Both are excellent and simple recipes. Soap making is easy and not intimidating at all. Just follow the instructions!! I have 23 of these pretty soaps drying. I love them!! </div>
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These will go into another drawer and be available for gifting or trading in the future.</div>
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I had several blessings... Mum gave me some beautiful pure wool yarn and some Arnica cream. </div>
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I am attempting to strike basil cuttings in the window sill. </div>
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Hay and manure have been added to the raised garden beds. One bed is full to the top... the other two are getting there.</div>
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Each day the news seems to have been worse as our neighbouring state isn't doing well and the Prime Minister and Finance Minister announced budget figures and unemployment figures etc. The Treasures said such things as "two world wars and a depression didn't bring Australia to it's knees and COVID won't either." But the comparison is there... over and over the Great Depression is mentioned and compared to. </div>
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And now this afternoon more news. I will not be able to go see the girls even if I do quarantine for two weeks afterwards. That is going to be out too. As things get worse the rules change. I don't think this will be improving for a long time. The army guys and the police both seemed to expect to be at the border for a long time... like months. One said to me it could be six months, they don't know. </div>
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So as things unfold reality begins to hit. I am thinking that I do have a way to send cooking in to the girls and the mail is also still running... time to get creative. I am not complaining. I know many are having a much, much harder time than this. </div>
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How are things where you are located? I hope you found ways to build up your home, pantry and garden. I feel we need to think about spreading our eggs amongst many baskets. And working to be self reliant in what we can and producing things too. Where possible anticipate what is coming next in your area. Not always easy though! A year ago we would never have imagined any of this! </div>
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Several times already this year I have found myself thinking "that escalated quickly." I have been talking about preparedness for years now. At this point I am pretty much reviewing everything but I am determined to use my time at home to do all I can. xxx</div>
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Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86756567911342819182020-07-16T21:29:00.000-07:002020-07-16T21:29:01.356-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 17th July, 2020.It was a big week. The biggest thing was Lucy and Sidney came home from hospital and met the girls. Because of the virus restrictions they were not allowed to go to the hospital. So this was very exciting. There were some truely gorgeous moments! Anyway now they are old hands at babies and Scarlett thinks she is in charge.<br />
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From the start Scarlett was ready to run off with Sidney and I thought ok they are going to have to watch out! </div>
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Harper is older and she asks first! The expressions on their faces tell the story.</div>
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They are besotted with him and it is lovely.</div>
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Some of the things I have been making are in use now. I made a heap of softest flannel wraps in cute prints. Here Sidney is snug in a doggie one I made months ago.</div>
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I have lots of beautiful farm and baby farm animal fabrics lined up. Now I need time to sew them! </div>
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Most of the crafts and making is posted over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/469231433481678/">The Afternoon Club</a> where we share what we are making, reusing, putting to good use, baking and so on. This is a strictly uplifting place, which is what we all need right now...</div>
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So some of the ways I feathered my nest were:</div>
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I added heaps to the raised garden beds. I am surprised how it adds up. I was given more bags of shredded paper. I squashed cardboard boxes, added chicken manure from the coop, crushed egg shells and coffee grinds. </div>
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I participated in A Working Pantry Challenge which was to add free things to your pantry. This caused me to focus on all my various free resources and harvest what I could.</div>
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It inspired me to start a note book and list resources. Some are things that are around all the time. We have endless firewood, rabbits, pinecones etc. Some are seasonal so I set up months of the year... like apples in March and April. It really got me thinking. I started then to list things I could do with those assets. i.e. the wood we cut up... we use it for our fire. We could sell or gift loads of wood. We could save the hollow logs and sell to people with aviaries .... and so on. I am still thinking of things!</div>
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In the thrift store I found another Elsa dress for Harper. Perfect condition and different! The last one I bought her she has just lived in it. To her it is a dress for all occasions, around the home, in the paddock, to town. When she is not wearing it she is wearing an older Frozen dress (as above) so now she will have another!</div>
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I also found a box of beautiful jars. One is a vintage one that I particularly collect and keep my dry goods in. Others are newer jars but good with lids.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEO3hg7qHTx77cwo1hlYEMiXgKgyDwJlkdtOwye-fl0PLFgi14MRjuFTMtdiK3SECSvw10OMRzlKVDTZVvmvVmFwrWZVkgCuzsEc6Ko0t2TMHMb15NpI6elX0CUZPym9-AvdsTev_BEA/s1600/109526062_1158313067858434_2212556912438248761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEO3hg7qHTx77cwo1hlYEMiXgKgyDwJlkdtOwye-fl0PLFgi14MRjuFTMtdiK3SECSvw10OMRzlKVDTZVvmvVmFwrWZVkgCuzsEc6Ko0t2TMHMb15NpI6elX0CUZPym9-AvdsTev_BEA/s400/109526062_1158313067858434_2212556912438248761_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were 7 of the smaller jars. Six of them are full now of Lemon Butter I made from the lemons and eggs I had. </div>
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Some of this is filling cup cakes today. Some jars went into the freezer. </div>
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Andy invested in a wood splitter. It is amazing. It cuts through big stumps like butter, splitting them into useable bits. Our woodpile has greatly increased because of this. </div>
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I planted some garlic that sprouted. </div>
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I dried some left over mushrooms near the fire and added them to a jar. </div>
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This week I did a pretty decent pantry stock up. The atmosphere in the supermarket was kind of frantic. There were a lot of unavailable items but not restrictions on how many of each item you could buy. Each day the news has got a bit worse not a bit better. Today it is worse again. This is mainly in the area of numbers of new infections and restrictions and lockdowns. But they affect everything don't they... confidence, how hospitals are managing, travel restrictions, supply chains....</div>
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I continued on my pantry work. New shelves I added behind the pantry door are full now. There were the right width for cartons of long life milk so as I filled them, this made space and neatened up my actual pantry shelves. Also some left over strawberries became jam. </div>
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We had a good, full of garlic and goodness, chicken soup. I keep everything on hand to make this. Some chicken in the freezer, most everything else in the pantry. As long as I have bay leaves, onion, garlic etc I am happy to use the veggies I have on hand.</div>
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The cottage progressed as now I have a double bed ensemble from Buy Swap and Sell in as new condition for $50. Now I have all the beds needed. </div>
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I feel pleased with the week. It is a fine balance to keep the home a safe haven and sanctuary when there is a crisis outside. I was discussing this with someone yesterday and how things are at home is so important. I wrote a series (which is in the index) called "The world within your walls." There is so much we can do to create a safe and cozy atmosphere. Routine helps. Having lovely projects to keep your mind busy helps. I cannot sit and do nothing but think. This is a bad formula for me. I have a new blanket I am working on for Sidney. In the evening I work on that. Stitching (of any kind) is calming and peaceful. Great contentment comes from putting your heart into something and keeping your hands busy. And learning a new skill or new stitch is so much fun. </div>
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On the other hand we don't want to be off with the fairies either. We need to keep tabs with reality and where possible anticipate smartly and be ahead. While ignorance is bliss is won't keep your family fed. We really have the power very often to avert trouble. "A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." Proverbs 22:3 It grieves me when it is the small children and Grandchildren of those who don't have their eyes open that suffer. </div>
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In order to be prudent we need some knowledge of our local situation and the world more generally. This group has helped me be ahead as many times the northern countries will experience something slightly before Australia... so this can be a handy tip off! </div>
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I hope you found many ways to add to your pantry, preparedness and garden and many ways to bless your family this week. Sharing your week with us is a big encouragement to others and all information and tips are welcome! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-60313938392114184842020-07-09T22:31:00.000-07:002020-07-09T22:31:51.206-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 10th July, 2020.It was a big week! Lucy and Kato welcomed a baby boy. His name is Sidney and his second name is Thomas after Dad (Granddad and Great Granddad) and the joy in Dad's voice as I got to tell him! ♡♡♡<br />
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He is also names after Kato's dear Grandpa. So this is very special. </div>
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I headed down to stay and look after the girls on Tuesday night. Sidney was born Wednesday morning. Well we think he is beautiful and the girls are so excited. They are truly going to lose their minds when they see him. There is no visiting for children now due to the corona virus. So I think this will be tomorrow. </div>
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So I was very lucky to be able to go in. I am in love obviously! </div>
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I took photos of the girls and said what do you think about having a baby brother? I took a series but I thought this one was a classic...</div>
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I showed the girls photos of Sidney. Scarlett said "is that our baby?" I said "yes that is your baby!" </div>
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We did some normal things.... before Tuesday anyway.</div>
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I got 12 more chickens. These ones are 18 months old x egg farm chickens. I have bought these before. They come a bit worn out looking. However within weeks they look brand new. It feels nice to rehabilitate chickens and give them a happy life. And they lay for a long time. It is also a very economical way to add to your flock.</div>
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I had to drive to a meeting point in a little town to pick them up. I went with boxes and newspaper. </div>
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Most of them have laid every day since. I need to make some additional nesting boxes, hopefully next week.</div>
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A patch of garden was dug up as we are putting down a cement slab for a generator. Andy salvaged a big lot of Agapanthus plants. </div>
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The cottage is painted now. I planted these around the outside in strategic spots to look lovely against the white paint. Blue and green will look beautiful. I think I planted about thirty out. A big boost to the look of the outside.</div>
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I made scones. </div>
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I was able to work on my pantry. I now have behind the door shelves. There are Rubbermaid brand over the back of a door shelving systems. This blank space is now shelving! I haven't had any time to actually fill them yet though.</div>
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I made up some essential oil gifts.</div>
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From the trip I came home with three big bags of chook food. Household scraps, thistles and bread. They are getting stuck into that right now. </div>
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The girls and I picked lemons. There are old fruit trees on their farm. I have lots of lemons to work on next week.</div>
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So what a week! We are very blessed. I was able to shop at a supermarket on the way home. People are everywhere clearly buying up big time. Our neighbour state (Victoria) has a huge virus outbreak. This is close by. People are worried. The little bit of the news I have seen is not good. We need to think clearly and be really prudent. This is hard when really tired! </div>
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I fell into bed last night and slept in this morning. Now I have a lot of catching up to do! </div>
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How are things where you live? Did you manage to build up your home, pantry, emergency fund or garden this week? Take every opportunity! </div>
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Pray for opportunities. Pray for eyes to see opportunities and pray for the energy to make the most of them! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com94tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-82439264089918611962020-07-02T18:30:00.002-07:002020-07-04T01:03:14.937-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 3 July, 2020.This week has been cold and wet! We now have had enough rain that water is laying in the paddocks and some places become wetlands. This is good! <br />
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Some of the ways I managed to get ahead and build up the pantry and garden were:<br />
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If the rain stopped I ran outside and did all I could. I managed to add some wheelbarrows of hay into my raised garden beds in these times.<br />
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We had a working bee on the cottage. It is painted outside now!! Soon I will put up some before and after photos. I made up morning tea and lunches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHIrk3iCGjAdh0MTc2aZbjCyPgu0TPOYt7J8l5-mOrldZrJDfBMARgxnDvya3qTa1PBfTf-HVGA3kNOHWatySb7OKC4PqhEKqDQ22LlmXvLTv1oaapWoqVHSG5wdM-sKCOr73ySbw3u0/s1600/106483124_909932042845392_6396724301383316019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHIrk3iCGjAdh0MTc2aZbjCyPgu0TPOYt7J8l5-mOrldZrJDfBMARgxnDvya3qTa1PBfTf-HVGA3kNOHWatySb7OKC4PqhEKqDQ22LlmXvLTv1oaapWoqVHSG5wdM-sKCOr73ySbw3u0/s400/106483124_909932042845392_6396724301383316019_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To do the stuff I can't manage I hired three local young men. They seemed to feel it was great fun and had a good day. One of them had a spray painting set up so the outside of the house and the shed were painted so quickly. It looked dumpy. Now it looks fresh and new.<br />
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I have cupboards to clean and a wooden floor to restore as it was covered in a nasty glue. But we are really getting there on this project!</div>
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I continued to work on my pantry. Over the last few weeks I have organised, re homed, added shelving and anything I can. I turned some household cupboards into a pantry extension. This week I added a little shelf in a blank space. It is just right for all the cake decorating bits and pieces. So now I also have a free basket for something else. It will be cute as the girls will be able to stand on the steps and pick their sprinkles! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wkWYqqniVcCXOF5SN6-pd2qjY6HHhA02MPxVwJZrUtr5H-_8VtFFpJxo8Y2iof1qTRol3CpVhwOWbljte39-dsOxmwc-ch0WnvFgDhRP6ouSMZ5OGicO7UFLKKYq7xnDmHCN_sehPok/s1600/106500565_199927691346535_7944057651604496962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wkWYqqniVcCXOF5SN6-pd2qjY6HHhA02MPxVwJZrUtr5H-_8VtFFpJxo8Y2iof1qTRol3CpVhwOWbljte39-dsOxmwc-ch0WnvFgDhRP6ouSMZ5OGicO7UFLKKYq7xnDmHCN_sehPok/s640/106500565_199927691346535_7944057651604496962_n.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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The little shelf was from the cheap shop. Many things for my pantry have been from the op shop (thrift store) or the cheap shop. Also I use free food grade buckets. Many restaurants and cafes throw these away!</div>
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I made up some baked rice custard. I worked out if I do it in smaller containers and fill them up with my cups... there is less hot water to splash around. So this is how I do it now.</div>
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I like cinnamon as you can tell. This is a great way to use up eggs, milk and left over cooked rice! </div>
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I participated in The Working Pantry challenge for the week. It was simply to add an extra or extras of anything we were buying. So these were my extras.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1-8Uuk9Qkl_aLxi8TF4u-LKw19w78Tr9-v0SO5dCdtIeJH70XuDPut2U4LMAtT_UmVJ8PENbvSAaeCtVu6-2KKpK7jbNYqfQe6VCawR0_zbdIQG2liAyFdY2UMmt9TOtUohmGR4hEXU/s1600/106337689_960556884404264_3861881340288181566_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1536" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1-8Uuk9Qkl_aLxi8TF4u-LKw19w78Tr9-v0SO5dCdtIeJH70XuDPut2U4LMAtT_UmVJ8PENbvSAaeCtVu6-2KKpK7jbNYqfQe6VCawR0_zbdIQG2liAyFdY2UMmt9TOtUohmGR4hEXU/s400/106337689_960556884404264_3861881340288181566_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I put as much into it as I could as getting ahead with my pantry is a big focus right now. </div>
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I did find a few good deals at the stores including marked down apples and pears. </div>
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There are a couple of ladies I look to for wisdom. Most people are aware of their local situation. Some people are aware of their countries situation. Not many people are aware of the world situation. I get strong feelings about what I need to be doing. And I am glad that when a few years ago I felt to begin to stock up and LEARN that I did put it into action. As 2019 went along I felt it with great urgency. Several of these ladies told me they felt a great urgency to prepare around Christmas and New Year. Well, they weren't wrong! Now I am so thankful I had so much confirmation to get on with it. Because of this we even added generators, freezers, chickens... I can't even list all we have been doing. Oh, lol, I should mention we actually felt to move out of the city and to the farm and we did that! </div>
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So I was discussing with my trusted friends and older ladies the subject of where are we now and want to do next?!</div>
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One of my most trusted long term friends lives in California. She wrote to me early in the week and she told me something that shocked me. She said people she knows there feel that the first half of 2020 was "The CALM before the storm" This is from the person I think most highly of. mmm</div>
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I discussed this with another friend who said she believes this could be true. So I prayed and prayed about this. We can't know the future but we need to be watchful, prudent and do what is needed. This is part of why the Proverbs 31 woman is not afraid of the future! Apart from faith she has wisdom and action. For a whole evening I prayed and though on it.</div>
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The next day I went into town. I needed to go to the post office and I got there and the doors were shut!! An old man was waiting and he told me it would re open in ten minutes. He said "the world is upside down now, you know." I said "yes I know!" </div>
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I decided to wait. He turned to me and said "I lived through the Great Depression you know, I've seen it all before." This hit me like a bolt given my prayers the night before. So we talked. He said that he lived through the depression, actually in an area of our state where my Grandmothers family lived. He said he believed we are going into a depression and he said "there will be no food you know." I asked him how on earth do you know when you have gone from a recession to a depression? Like where is that line? He said "oh you know. It is not a gradual thing. It is a day. One day you get up and everything is shut. Everyone knows. It is like a collapse." And so I used this ten minutes to ask him everything I could think of remembering last night I had prayed for answers. </div>
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As the Post Office re opened I thanked him so much for talking to me and sharing his knowledge and experience. He was just lovely. </div>
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Later I thought !!! I prayed for guidance. I got this!!</div>
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Still I doubt myself and wonder did God line him up for me to get the message through my thick head?</div>
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The next night I turned on the TV for the news. There was our Prime Minister. He looked pretty sombre. He was making announcements and he said how the world is looking increasingly like the world looked in the 1930s. He repeated the 1930's two or three times. So here we go again. </div>
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So by now I accept and believe that I can't get away from the same answer over and over.</div>
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If you are younger go read up on the 1930's. </div>
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Our neighbouring state has a major outbreak of the virus and they seem to have gone from bad to worse. This is all too close for comfort and Lucy has 5 days to go to "baby day!" I feel it is a race against the clock.</div>
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When we have some information coming in, life seems upside down, the news stations are not reliable and even try and inflame situations, everyone has an opinion... we just want things to go back to normal... it is very easy to get battle fatigue and switch off. But I encourage you to be awake and watchful and to pray. If I can find it I am going to re post a story from Mel who shared how her Grandmother listened to her mother in law and prepared. It is the most wonderful story that is very motivating. What we do now makes a difference. What we do now affects several generations! (at least!) </div>
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How did your week go? Were you able to add to your pantry or garden and build up your home?</div>
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What are you seeing in your state or town? I am about to go into our town so I will soon find out. I know restrictions are back on what you can buy. </div>
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Please pray that Lucy and Kato's baby can arrive safely in a covid free hospital. xxx</div>
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I found Mel's family story. I hope this blesses you. </div>
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One story that I have shared with <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1586366836&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARD1TM8TlkEkimY2ClKW1z8FDP81-kAMuiAYZcbcR4wUXsM89bZ3FzvClzdQ8-DNoEi2_j0dC7hJT8Em%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A469231433481678%2C%22dti%22%3A469231433481678%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group_dialog%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/annabel.smith.716?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARD1TM8TlkEkimY2ClKW1z8FDP81-kAMuiAYZcbcR4wUXsM89bZ3FzvClzdQ8-DNoEi2_j0dC7hJT8Em&dti=469231433481678&hc_location=group_dialog" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" title="Annabel Smith">Annabel</a> and would like to pass on to you. It sits with me because I needed to learn this lesson. I have often found it hard to take advice, on some fronts. As I have grown older I am eager to learn from others but as a young Mother I was prideful and did not always listen to others seeking not advice but wallowing in my ignorance. </div>
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This is why I am so amazed by the actions taken by my grandmother when she was a young woman. As I have mentioned before both my grandparents were very frugal and did not spend unnecessarily. Despite their limited income they did put away for the rainy day. So as a young woman and new mother my Grandmother no doubt was caught up in daily life and not overly interested in current events but her Mother and Father in law had lived through WW1 and no doubt feared what was coming in the early 1930’s. My great Grandfather was an ANZAC and my great Grandmother had been home with young children on her own. </div>
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When they feared the coming war my great Grandmother advised my Grandmother on what had become in short supply during WW1 and what to stock up on. Namely soap and other toiletries, sugar, fabric, wool, first aid goods and luxury items such as stockings etc. Now with plenty of other things to spend their money on my Grandparents took this advice. My mother tells me all their clothes were taken out of their drawers and a layer of cakes of soap was laid down and then their clothes put back on top. This happened in every room (this also deters moths). Then my grandmother bought a barrel of sugar and old jumpers second hand from the markets to unpick. She also stocked up on cottons and went into overdrive in canning her home grown goods.</div>
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There were other things they did like finish off everything needed doing in the house and prepare their garden. It is great to grow fruit trees but we all know they often take a few years to take off. Vegetable garden was increased and Golden syrup stocked up on. As well my Grandmother had a stockpile of sheets and towels. Now we know how helpful extra sheets used for fabric or bandages or many other uses can be but at her age it would not have been my first thought.</div>
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During the war my mother and her sister were always clean. Soap was grated to wash clothes, and for bathing. My Grandmother made pulled candy and all the local kids got a few pieces on their birthday during the war and when sugar was rationed. My grandmother was able to feed and clothe her family simply because she listened and took in this advice which I must say I might have shrugged off in her position. Six years is a long time to struggle thro ugh without many basics and also rationing went on for a while after simply because many things were in such short supply.</div>
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Today I read:<br />Proverbs 19:20<br />Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-8726317838447215572020-06-25T20:24:00.002-07:002020-06-25T20:24:53.636-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 2020.Last weekend I had Scarlett come to stay so we were busy for a few days. She is just happy to do everything along with me. Lucy has less than two weeks before the baby arrives. She isn't sleeping and could do with some prayers.<br />
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Of course we had to go visit Aunty Chloe and see Paddy...</div>
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Paddy was so dirty from rolling in mud! 🙄 <br />
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At home we made Honey Crackles. It is so many years since I made them. I had to dig out my old recipe. Being easy Scarlett pretty much filled all the cup cake liners herself and it was a case of eat a bit, put some in the pan, but she loved it.<br />
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I told the girls how Mummy and Chloe used to take these to school. Anyway, they loved them so honey crackles are back! I love how many of the old recipes are so good. Nan used to make Rock Cakes. This is another one I would like to resurrect!<br />
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I finally finished my rug for the lounge. A rug in Australia is a blanket, or a badly concealed coupe. haha. The things that go on the floor are mats. I learned to say this because in The Tuesday Club it was very funny as people were wondering why I would put this on the floor! So it is to be on my lounge, in the cold months, to be warm and snuggly. It took forever!<br />
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It is all pure wool and I have left overs so now I am working to use those up.<br />
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My A Working Pantry assignment for the week was to add meals to the freezer. I made several Shepherds Pies. I cook them a little under so when they are recooked they will not be too dark on top. So they look a little pale. We had one for dinner and it was beautiful. Meals added to the freezer is a good thing!<br />
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I also stood and made up ham and cheese rolls and croissants to freeze. Both rolls and croissants were half price. Made up rolls are so handy. I warm them up quickly and they are like fresh. </div>
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If I ever have ham or roast meat left over (that is not enough for a meal) I usually make up rolls to freeze. </div>
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I added to my raised garden beds. In went squashed cardboard boxes, manure and a dead rabbit. I think Andy might wonder if I am the only person alive who can be pleased about a dead rabbit. </div>
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Buddy has been promoted to the orchard paddock. He is a month old today. And a very good little eater. He has a morning and evening bottle now. </div>
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We have underground water and rain water. Most of the time the house is on rain water and the garden on bore water. Rain water is beautiful but gets gum leaves in it sometimes and this affects my white linens. I decided to give up on so many whites and dyed two sets of cotton sheets. They turned out wonderfully and look fresh and new. Not quite white looks dingy so this was my solution.</div>
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I made a cake to take over to Chloe and one for us and some slices for the freezer.</div>
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Things have been pretty good, supply wise, at our local supermarket. But now our neighbouring state is experiencing empty shelves again. This has come about because the virus has taken off there again and they really do not look like they have it contained. While the shelves have been good I restocked everything we needed and we have even been able to get hand sanitiser, masks and many things that were impossible to get a couple of months ago. They will all probably disappear again. I got ahead with towels and linen also. I keep working on my pantry. Gradually (after lots of sorting out cupboards and re arranging) I have re homed things like canning supplies to other cupboards. This has given me more room in the pantry for actual food. When I stocked up fast a lot of things were put in funny places. Now I have things so I can actually see how much pasta do I have? How much rice? And so on. All my jars are topped up. Keeping a well stocked pantry is kind of an endless job but so important. I have dried parsley to add to a jar today. </div>
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With so many things going on and changes to our normal lives we need to think differently. While we need to be awake and watchful we don't want to be fearful. Being prepared takes a whole lot of pressure off. The wise woman is not afraid of the winter. It is true. Prudence and ingenuity might be the words for the second half of 2020!</div>
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How did you manage to build up your home, pantry or garden? It all counts! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-14707089082450440772020-06-18T22:03:00.001-07:002020-06-18T22:03:28.256-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 19th June, 2020.It has been a busy but good week! Today I think the week has over taken me and I am not keeping up! So I will try and slow down and look at what WAS achieved. It is good to do this. Consider how far we came, rather than just look at the list ahead. Things really do add up even if it is a little each day. This is how I tackle most big things... a bit each day.<br />
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Some of the ways I got ahead this week and built up our home were:<br />
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I sorted through the linen cupboard. I matched up sheet sets and retired some that had suddenly hit the too thin and worn to mend stage! I also retired two bath towels (old linen is kept and towels become animal bedding etc) and bought a couple of new towels. I noticed our store, which is Target, had almost no towels and rows and rows of empty shelves. The lady in the store told me she doesn't even know when more might come and said they don't know what they will do.<br />
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I made Gingerbread biscuits and Pumpkin Scones...<br />
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On Monday I went to the local town north of us to meet my friend Wendy and also to see if the op shops were open. That was a wonderful day. Wendy had beautiful velvet fabric, velvet ribbon and two pure wool blankets for me (op shop) and I was thrilled!<br />
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At the op shops I found some pure wool yard, soap moulds, space vac bags for $2 and several craft items. <br />
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While in one op shop a lady came in with a box of jars. They were the good coffee ones with a wonderful glass lid that seals. But the op shop lady said they had too many jars and didn't want them. When I went to the car this lady was still parked out the front. I asked her if I could offer her something for those jars? She said "no, you can have them" and handed me the box. It was a big box of great jars! yay!<br />
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On Tuesday I went to the town south of us to pick up six new chickens. Because chickens are harder to get now I put my name down in two places. It looks like I might end up with both. But that is a good thing. These are at the late teenager scrawny stage. They will be good laying birds...<br />
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Of course while I was there I went to the op shops in this town. I got a beautiful Sheridan Queen bedspread for $5. The Australian ladies will know this is a really expensive brand. It has had a big soak and wash and came up beautifully and it is GORGEOUS.</div>
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Also found some childrens classic books. I buy these for the girls for when they are older. Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty... Plus a bag of pink satin ribbons. </div>
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I found a brand new, in the box, Sylvanian Families House. The girls played with these when they were little and they were just lovely. I kept the little mice. So now I have a house! The girls will love to play with this here...</div>
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What luck! </div>
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I also got some brand new books that were prefect subjects for people on my list. These went straight into the gift cupboard. </div>
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I took part in Patsy's Pantry Challenge. Her website is on my side bar... A Working Pantry. This week the task was to find all the loose change you could in the car, old purses and so on and turn it into items for the pantry. I found a heap of change and a whole jar I keep. I found a full purse of change I usually would have used for op shopping but it was building up as the shops had been closed for months. I managed to convert it into all of this:</div>
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After this I still had change. I counted it up into $5 envelopes. It got me bags of manure for the raised garden beds! </div>
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All the light bags are manure. The black ones are full of free shredded paper. It added a lot to the raised beds! </div>
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So that was a good challenge.</div>
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The cottage project continued and we now have a fridge. Also a pressure cleaned roof that looks like new! </div>
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In the pantry I kept organising to create room. I also sat a big bucket of honey near the fire for a few days and then poured it into jars so it is much easier to handle. Look at the colour! This is honey from here on the farm. The farm naturally has Manuka growing so our honey is at least in part Manuka honey. </div>
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I made two chocolate cakes. I took one over to Chloe and Luke. </div>
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This gets me to today! Mum and I are going to see the girls tomorrow. Scarlett is coming back with us for her turn to stay over. So I am getting ready!</div>
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I hope you had a good week. We can't say much has settled down around us! So we do what we can. In many cases that is a lot extra, maybe home schooling, maybe isolating and possibly trying to cope with much more expensive groceries and other challenges. We are not in it alone that is for sure. There has been loss of life, livelihoods, homes, businesses, peace and confidence... all around. It really is a time to take stock, watch out for others and do what you can with what you have. We can think outside the square and see new ways to do things, new things to cook and ways to save. </div>
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I have good news too, Jess from Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth is blogging again. If you would like encouragement drop in there. She has endless resources on canning, all things pantry related, crafts and homemaking. </div>
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How did you manage this week? Were you able to build up your pantry or garden?</div>
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Have a good weekend.xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83678756312118641922020-06-11T18:35:00.000-07:002020-06-11T18:35:21.338-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 12th June, 2020.This week was busy and good. I had Harper come to stay for a couple of nights and she was my little helper. We have a lot of fun but I also try to teach her things. At this age they remember everything. She knows to use a spatular to get one extra cup cake from the mix! <br />
Luckily the things I do everyday are exciting for her and she enjoys them all. Harper took over the feeding of Buddy...<br />
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Speaking of Buddy.... he is very energetic but if I hold him and stroke his face he is asleep in under a minute. It is so funny that it is irresistible to do. He will wriggle then he calms down then I hear his breathing goes slow and his body goes limp. Then he has a little snore. It is so funny. Andy watches with amazement and he took a couple of photos...<br />
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If I dare take my hand off his head he wakes up instantly! Anyway this cracks me up! Harper could hear his little snore and she thought it was so cute.</div>
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Of course we visited all the animals (with biscuits) and we took these pictures for Harper to take to Kindy.</div>
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We made cup cakes to take home and I left the icing to Harper after lining up things she could use to decorate them. She was happy working on this for ages.</div>
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She was so proud of them. Certain colours and combinations were for certain people. Scarlett likes yellow so you can spot hers!</div>
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Another good part of the week was I got to go op shopping! After months of no op shops (thrift stores) one was open! I found Harper a perfect winter Frozen themed dress. I washed it up and gave it to her. Well, best $3 I ever spent!</div>
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It has a skirt that swirls. All important.</div>
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Some of the ways I built up my pantry, saved and got ahead...</div>
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My "no mans land" area in the pantry was behind the door which was an empty space where I hid anything I didn't know what to do with. I found some shelves that were only 4 inches deep and totally tidied this area up. Now it holds some of my spare bottles and jars. I love it! And I ordered similar shallow shelves to go on the back of the pantry door for more storage. My pantry is getting better every week! Each time storage is better I gain more space.</div>
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Looking around I realise that these days there is a storage solution for every odd sized gap, space, door... which is wonderful really and can really help. If you have a similar "no mans land" area get onto Pinterst and find some ideas. </div>
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I almost have my box raised garden bed full. I also added a bucket of ash from the fire when I cleaned it out this week. All the ash now gets used for one thing or another. Chickens also love ash.</div>
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I made my pumpkins into a big bach of soup. It is delicious and I have some to share.</div>
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Lucy gave me a coffee table for the cottage. </div>
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I work each day on mulching ... now each fruit tree is mulched and most of the flower garden.</div>
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Mum had given me some venison. I cooked some up and it was beautiful.</div>
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I made yoghurt then coated chicken pieces in it and then dipped them in gluten free bread crumbs. Baked until golden this is the easiest and yummies crumbed chicken ever. </div>
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I found beautiful old window. I am thinking I will use it as a picture frame. </div>
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Andy is working on the raised garden beds. I will have pictures next week. They are going to look so nice. We need to go back and collect those baths too. I have been studying up how to turn an old bath tub into a worm farm... so this might be why I use one for. If you have a worm farm let me know how it helps your garden?</div>
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I have a baking day today as we are going to see the girls tomorrow. And a change is coming. Each day was beautiful, sunny and perfect. The nights were cold. Now a change is coming in. That is ok, we want the rain! But I will change from so much outdoor work back to maybe some sewing. I go by the weather. If the weather is nice I try to get as much done as I can outside. I want my garden beds ready to plant in spring. </div>
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Last week we joked about how 2020 is too unbelievable to be a movie plot. In the week since I have seen that, nope, things did not quieten down. Now these seems to be complete anarchy across many nations, tearing down historical statues, attacking police buildings, talk of defending the police departments, the modern version of book burning... removing classic books and movies from libraries and online. Many many Bluebirds have written to me they have not felt safe at home with protestors and or rioters close to their house. Many letters on the subject of food availability and some shocking prices. Also the madness of things like you can only have 10 people at a funeral but you can have 10,000 if you call it a protest... as corona virus apparently spreads worse at funerals and not at mass gatherings. .. And so 2020 hasn't exactly settled down. </div>
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I get my own opinions and sometimes strong feelings on things. But my confirmation will come from the ladies that I trust and respect and look to. They are all building their pantries and planting their gardens like there is no tomorrow. When you feel to do something I consider most times that is a whisper from God. Trust and do.</div>
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How did you keep your home a haven, build up your pantry or garden this week? I hope many opportunities came your way. Now opportunities are a funny thing. Many people will not notice them and pass them by. Pray to have your eyes open to opportunities. </div>
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I want to mention one more thing. Do not be discouraged. As things go downhill in the world there will be plenty of people who want to tear you down. Nothing upsets some people like a woman happy at home. They can't stand it. Ok nothing except a woman at home who is canning and preserving and enjoying it. Yes this really upsets some and they don't mind telling you. Well, don't take any notice! A wise woman builds her home! You will find sisters that will come along side you and encourage you! These are the ones you can share with, trade with, learn from! </div>
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Have a wonderful weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-81064353005440392322020-06-04T05:59:00.001-07:002020-06-04T05:59:38.743-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 5th June, 2020.Winter has started here. We had rain and then a couple of beautiful sunny days. This all has made everything so green and gorgeous! I love it!<br />
I read somewhere "2020 the movie... Produced by Steven Spielberg. Directed by Quentin Tarantino."<br />
Well, even they would have trouble coming up with the script for this year so far. The farm is a beautiful place I am glad to be. I appreciate it so much. It is so beautiful. I am amazed the journey we have been on to get here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozC0-yAgZCFNsJ23V2cKfp2hfvAmGD9Kt-F9mZKhUW-GV4WUJL_DsSb_xDz-Y0ogO9pMBueq96mpb40VVn8fHzTApc9jvKGchJr1nLNwUdwnwIsm9xVz7vLJOS9i8lXnKB2x4ZSgWb3k/s1600/101343334_305466143805695_6762253603269771264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozC0-yAgZCFNsJ23V2cKfp2hfvAmGD9Kt-F9mZKhUW-GV4WUJL_DsSb_xDz-Y0ogO9pMBueq96mpb40VVn8fHzTApc9jvKGchJr1nLNwUdwnwIsm9xVz7vLJOS9i8lXnKB2x4ZSgWb3k/s640/101343334_305466143805695_6762253603269771264_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Scout is pretty sure it is part of her job to keep an eye on everyone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaUkLk444Qpd9aD0bRxjv_hx6TKRKsT3qmljtt6Czv6XPPjQP2Ex4u7hE94KC4mjFg4nGtQsy8M79W9xHRwFp-GfS0Lpn2OrKi0-D1M7RnfCUzck5jTVBiNugywFnXUQ5z7-hdENnSuc/s1600/101751383_185987699393578_2192340466828050432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaUkLk444Qpd9aD0bRxjv_hx6TKRKsT3qmljtt6Czv6XPPjQP2Ex4u7hE94KC4mjFg4nGtQsy8M79W9xHRwFp-GfS0Lpn2OrKi0-D1M7RnfCUzck5jTVBiNugywFnXUQ5z7-hdENnSuc/s640/101751383_185987699393578_2192340466828050432_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I continued to mulch the garden beds, fill the raised bed, dig greens for the chickens and ducks and get the tennis court ready for the big conversion to an animal yard. We have four weeks until the new chickens arrive.</div>
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We headed off to collect more wood for our new raised garden beds and to get the old windows we found. These are becoming covers on some of the beds (that can be removed) to make a greenhouse like effect. I picked more stinging nettles and used these in my compost. We were quite loaded up so another day we will head back as there is an old bath tub in the shed that I thought would make an awesome duck pond. </div>
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Every time we take this trip I explore a bit more. As we do this the setting is a lake and Emus and cows together grazing between us and the water. </div>
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So I walked further and there are old stock yards. In the middle of these I found something that really made me smile. Another bath tub. But this one is pink!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILQQ6ubfXvZ6iI8xFoobOKM_KPFA_XUgpAKA4Hh0Jvk15GyLe-o9kM5YfJrbfbnPpqvYExtd6j7CRD_4sBjbj_NE38VCi0daH0tzPmhyphenhyphen45c4n2Zh5U2a9WcGHzK_yyYqITKMF7ebQZ8/s1600/101953524_2665834093695603_5089991465048735744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1536" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILQQ6ubfXvZ6iI8xFoobOKM_KPFA_XUgpAKA4Hh0Jvk15GyLe-o9kM5YfJrbfbnPpqvYExtd6j7CRD_4sBjbj_NE38VCi0daH0tzPmhyphenhyphen45c4n2Zh5U2a9WcGHzK_yyYqITKMF7ebQZ8/s320/101953524_2665834093695603_5089991465048735744_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It comes with free dirty water!! haha! So now I have a pink trough from my goats. Seriously, what could be better?</div>
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Oh, I know what!! We were driving home on a dirt road and I was looking out the window at the scenery. Suddenly Andy braked and I thought of the windows in the trailer and assumed it would be a Kangaroo on the road. I looked ahead and there on a crest, right in the middle of the road, was a newborn lamb. We had to stop or we would have hit it. It was just standing there. I got out and picked it up. It was in good condition, still damp from birth and had either a deformed or broken tail... it still wags but it is at a right angle from about halfway down! It was just so out of place and unusual. We went up and down the road sides to find the mother. Then we went up and down the fence lines to look in paddocks on each side. Nothing. So that was it. It was a mystery. We couldn't leave him there. So now I have another lamb, the first of the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN4O8B8OYR59quVvAjMxPAgOm0YL-cx7Sya_gZW5GIJDv8gEjxXLwi_OR8zRKb9_bTIz0aoP3YbFLqp44us9Wtl0RqjbM1fXYNprb6Md_w6NVXKtfAMsTzFoDfXmxqkEZgrbCWh-BSMA/s1600/101197908_3153406444718790_610031586783526912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1292" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN4O8B8OYR59quVvAjMxPAgOm0YL-cx7Sya_gZW5GIJDv8gEjxXLwi_OR8zRKb9_bTIz0aoP3YbFLqp44us9Wtl0RqjbM1fXYNprb6Md_w6NVXKtfAMsTzFoDfXmxqkEZgrbCWh-BSMA/s640/101197908_3153406444718790_610031586783526912_n.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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His name is Buddy. He is the loudest and hungriest lamb I ever had. I made him a little jumper. </div>
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So when we arrived home we were truly loaded up with timber, windows and livestock haha! </div>
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In our cottage renovation we took down an old water tank on a tower. Andy cut a hole in it and later I filled it with hay to make Buddy an apartment.</div>
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I made peanut butter cookies, tuna mornay and a big batch of Vicky's Enchilada sauce. This is delicious.</div>
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My pot had 5 chicken breasts cut up... the sauce... (minus the stock and flour, I just use chicken stock cubes and more tomato ...) For this amount I quadrupled the recipe. I let it simmer for ages. Anyway this sauce in a jar from the store is expensive and I like to make a big lot so it is a huge saving and better than store bought.</div>
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I did lots more work on the pantry. I found a better home for my soap making supplies and so this made more pantry space and never should have been in there in the first place. It is amazing the space you can find with cleaning and organising though. </div>
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We are getting more Kangaroos and Deer on the property. Andy took this photo...</div>
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So that was my week. It was lovely and felt normal even though the week was another 2020 shocker for many. </div>
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My mind spends a lot of time on thinking about how we can produce more, make more and be ready for whatever happens next. With this in mind I am considering getting a greenhouse. I have a lot of research to do on that!</div>
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How did you make your home a safe haven, build up your pantry or get ahead in anyway? </div>
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I hope you have a lovely and peaceful weekend! xxx</div>
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I am publishing early as tomorrow is an early morning off to see the girls and bring back Harper for the weekend.xx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-68661933373938399602020-05-30T01:45:00.000-07:002020-05-30T01:45:00.912-07:00Pantries and Preparedness. Pantry meals and expectations.For many reasons, all added together, our meals have become much simpler. They are usually delicious and nutritious but overall I have completely let go of some past expectations. We have all been impacted by so many things in a short time.... not being able to shop, shortages, rations, price rises and more. On days when someone isn't well or in a storm I have always thought a toasted sandwich and soup are a fine achievement. Now I just think this more often! <br />
One of my very favourite You Tube channels is Roots and Refuge Farm. Jess was talking about how if you have a homestead dream you should act like a homesteader right now. She says normal consumers dream up what they feel like eating and plan a menu and go out and buy the stuff to make it. Or they just buy it ready made. A homesteader, gardener, budgeter ... will see what they have and figure out what on earth they can do with it that will feed the family. Big difference. Many of us may have become better at this while the supermarkets haven't had usual choice or while we are staying home and eating what we have. And this is a good thing. This is a skill and a skill worth practicing. Like in some cooking shows they give them a mystery box and they have to use just what they have. Well our pantry, garden, fridge, freezer and what we might have found on a good deal are out mystery box. <br />
When we were kids (and when my parents were kids) no one asked "what do you feel like for dinner?" It just wasn't a thing. Mum or Grandma put a meal on the table using what she had and usually it was something really good. They didn't cook 19 different meals either they made it up and my Nan would set it out on the table in a serve yourself fashion mostly. It was usually a meat dish with a lot of vegetable sides. But on our own (rather than with everyone there) it was very often soup and toast. I loved Nan's soup. And we were happy and grateful for Nan's cooking.<br />
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Vicky wrote me on this and here is part of her letter:<br />
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Life has certainly been a bit different these days, but once again if we look to our foremothers there is still lessons we can learn from them. And I always look for ways to draw upon their experience and knowledge. I also wonder if some peoples' mindset have changed during this pandemic? Not long ago I was told gardening and canning is for old ladies who don't know how to eat organic! And the statement was made of who wants jars of gross looking food sitting around? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I guess for some seeing what's in a jar is off putting and gross, but the same thing in a can is fine. That really isn't my issue, but the fact that so many overlook the resources right in front of them. We are lucky that we can politely or not snub ingredients, but that wasn't always the case. Again looking back to the Great Depression, WW1, WW11 and even beyond to the Civil War here in the states and the first peoples to settle our countries they couldn't be as choosy and persevered through way more than we can imagine. </div>
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A few weeks ago while I was at the post office I overheard a conversation that got me thinking. Well having to stand 6 feet apart it's kind of hard not to hear a conversation haha! </div>
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One woman said she didn't have much to make meals and the other said her problem was they had a lot of food, but nothing to eat. What?!</div>
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I think now is a good time to take a good look at the versatility of the ingredients we have on hand or are able to get. Not only to prevent waste, but also to realize that if things get harder we may still be able to do more with what we have should our ingredients get on the slim side. </div>
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Some of the stories I've read at times the only meat available in some cities were hot dogs, bologna or Spam. And of course we know about sugar and butter shortages among other things that happened back then. </div>
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What constitutes a meal? Or a treat? Is it a table full of food or just the blessing to have something to put on a plate or in a bowl? I would have to say right now is the time for us to think on this.</div>
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And I am learning. I made a cake that was way too crumbly and impossible to eat since it fell apart so much. Well a little research and a ration recipe came to my rescue. That cake became a whole new cake using those crumbs, a little flour, etc. </div>
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Stale cake was steamed a bit and served with a toffee sauce.</div>
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Self rising flour and milk, yogurt or sour cream became little drop donuts. Two ingredients became a treat and let me tell you they are good! <br />
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Also like Annabel's pizza base plus dinner rolls and so on variety from stemming from one basic ingredient.</div>
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Vegetables whipped or pureed can be added to scones or biscuits for a bit of variety in flavor. Pumpkin or squash is especially nice. </div>
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Herbs can be used in salads, teas or herbal drinks, freshening the home etc. and have many, many health benefits. </div>
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Well I could go on and on, but if things get worse before they get better I want us all to realize that we can do so much even with a limited pantry as most ingredients can be very versatile. </div>
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XOXO</div>
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As Vicky is saying I have changed a bit on what constitutes a meal. Right now a lot of people are struggling. There are also some pretty significant meat shortages and restrictions in some places. </div>
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I thought what Vicky said about all that food and nothing to cook is like when we have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear! haha! We might need to get better at some more adventurous mixing and matching!<br />
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I have heard people who have been away on a swanky holiday saying they just couldn't wait to get home for some mashed potatoes and home food. haha! I understand this! At the end of the day really I have to admit in the same way I would overall rather stay at home, I would rather lots of vegetables, veggie bakes, a roast, tuna mornay, fried rice, scones, pancakes, soup, a toasted sandwich... stuff like that! If you have visitors I have noticed home style food like a roast, gravy and veggies seems more thrilling to them than something "fancy." To those that never get a home cooked meal this is really actually positively thrilling. You don't need a 95 step recipe... just a few basic ingredients. My go to is if I have a guest the fruit cake comes out, I made scones and put out homemade jam. Everyone loves it and it is actually so cheap it is hardly worth counting. Many soups made from what we have that needs using up are just about free meals too.<br />
Tonight we are having mashed potatoes, carrots and broccoli as they are what I have and sausages I dug out of the freezer. I have some venison so tomorrow I will make a stew using that and every vegetable I can find. It will be beautiful and I am blessed to be given venison!<br />
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I have read things on social media that make your eyes water. Like young Mums working out how they can buy enough school snacks for their children. The amount they budget would make several hundred pikelets, cookies and other homemade snacks and they are genuinely struggling but they just don't know snacks do not have to come in a packet! We really need to help and teach each other the simple basics.<br />
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The old cookbooks are wonderful. They don't use fancy and expensive ingredients. Whatever you have you can look it up and there will be recipes! <br />
Knowing your substitutions is a help.<br />
Knowing you can halve (or less) your meat and double your veggies and sides is a help. <br />
We have talked about this subject in different ways over time. But now this is an area we really need to be happy to get back to basics.<br />
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If you have any family recipes that make something good out of nothing please share them! For Mum's with hungry teenagers, toddlers and babies... if you have tips please share.<br />
For those packing their husbands and or school lunches please share your ideas.<br />
What about those with kids who walk through the door at the end of the day ready to inhale the whole contents of the fridge? <br />
How about recipes that just use pantry ingredients?<br />
I will add some recipes in the comments. <br />
It is ok to be basic and it is ok to be simple. Simple is good. At the end of the day single ingredients are better anyway, we know what is in them! <br />
If you have a question or struggle in this area ask away and let the Bluebirds help you! We love to help! xxx<br />
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Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63407366319714954512020-05-29T03:47:00.000-07:002020-05-29T07:55:08.820-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 29th May, 2020.I would say we have some rain coming as the internet isn't working too well for me! It has been another pretty productive week. I am glad to take some time to look back over it.<br />
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Each day I work on my ongoing projects. My standard way to tackle lots of work is to do some every day until I get there! So each day I move one wheel barrow load of mulch on to my garden beds. Each day I add one wheelbarrow of manure to my raised garden bed... as I go about my routine I add in habits. On the way to feed the chickens I push the wheel barrow up the hill. I use the fork to dig up several huge clumps of grass to give the chickens and the ducks. I have my bucket of scraps I have collected in the kitchen plus any other weeds I might find on the way. This supplements the chickens food a lot. Due to foxes I cannot let the chickens free range. They wouldn't last a day. But their coop has a huge yard and they get a lot of greens everyday and have a big area to scratch around.<br />
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I collect the eggs and bring them back to the house and put them into cartons. If things are going well I get twelve eggs.<br />
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On the way down the hill from the chicken shed I collect sticks and pinecones. These go into baskets for kindling. There are pine tress and the pinecones are never ending so I will never run out!<br />
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My other big project I am chipping away at is the cubby house (play house). For anyone who missed this, my brother gave me a huge wooden box. Inside was another box! The small one is now a raised garden bed... the large one I am making into a cubby house for the Grandkids.<br />
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I am ready to show a little of what I have done so far. It is not finished and doesn't even had a roof yet. We salvaged windows from the old shed where we found the timber for the new raised garden beds.</div>
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I began by painting tree trunks. Then I cut out kitchen sponges into leaf shapes and stamped on leaves. I cut out paper napkins with nests on them and decoupaged them on. </div>
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The theme is nature, maybe a nature lodge! I am sticking to things that are found here on the farm. For the animals I bought some nursery decals which I have varnished over to water proof them.</div>
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A fox isn't a native animal to us but we sure do have them! Same with deer.</div>
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We have owls so I included those. </div>
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This is the back which is on a fence line...</div>
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I am really enjoying it. I just do a bit each day as I can. Then I look at it for a while (as it is outside a window I sit in front of) and plan what to do next. </div>
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Because of being in plain sight I thought I better make it something that I enjoy seeing every day as well as thinking of the kids. I have some old telephones so it will have an inside and outside phone on the walls. (To report wildlife sightings, of course.)</div>
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One bird I really want to include are the black Cockatoos. I found a decal to use! This one has not arrived yet but I can't wait as these are really a feature on this property.</div>
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We made progress too on the cottage project. Some progress on the new raised garden beds... I am so excited about those!</div>
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I made three large dark fruit cakes. One is for my Dad's Birthday. One will go away as these keep for at least a year. One is for Andy as he loves them.</div>
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During the week I also made scones, apple sauce, little cakes, baked rice custard and the usual meals of course.</div>
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I am trying to rotate what is in the freezer and organise it as I go. </div>
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After making lots of little bird cards with envelopes I packaged them up into sets of five. These are now in my gift cupboard for future gifts. </div>
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I did an experiment in the garden. In each row of seedlings I used a large upturned jar over one plant. After a week these ones were slightly bigger than the others in the row. After two weeks they were noticeably bigger. Since this was taken they are almost at the top of the jar and more than twice the size of the non covered seedlings. So now I will use many more. Lucky I have a lot of jars! </div>
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This week I did another trade. This time was four dozen eggs for a little hall table. Yes a very good deal! </div>
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Each week I am trying to increase my network and be able to barter more. </div>
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It is an exciting time as I am working towards the new chickens coming and baby miniature goats! And having raised garden beds ready to plant in spring! </div>
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How did you build up your home, pantry or garden this week? Keep your eyes open for opportunities! Have a wonderful weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78255274615807461002020-05-21T19:40:00.000-07:002020-05-21T19:40:24.934-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 22nd May, 2020.It has been another good week! I made progress on some of my projects and we had rain which is wonderful.<br />
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Some of the ways we got ahead and built up our home included:<br />
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I made progress on the cubby house (play house) I am making from the big box. I hope next week I might be up to a stage I can show you! But not yet! <br />
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The smaller box is now set up and in position as my first raised garden bed. I painted it with a weather proof paint and sealer. We lined it with thick plastic that was in the hay shed to hopefully stop the walls from rotting over time. There are big drainage holes in the bottom. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sFswgO4KeTLIzvao4f6Jncf81gMIQTItpBpPifktpbWnDHbeNmktGofw8iMOnI0UBMl1RIVhLw8TNrcNCUZJRsK-UEKylVai3TzOCIifmw_H2kO5AMzbmlyHC23X799-Z8_HI-rZnZk/s1600/97142140_274447103734116_2803885930799169536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sFswgO4KeTLIzvao4f6Jncf81gMIQTItpBpPifktpbWnDHbeNmktGofw8iMOnI0UBMl1RIVhLw8TNrcNCUZJRsK-UEKylVai3TzOCIifmw_H2kO5AMzbmlyHC23X799-Z8_HI-rZnZk/s400/97142140_274447103734116_2803885930799169536_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This thing was heavy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJAlH6JnUHYXxSI17NVad5wHEzleGq9nPWOexEgRTtef98gw-2wsUnHwd6YREmcG75CP5MxGzO_uRSsEvX4WPFFmtgBAVMwlW4cmLlXtHRXLtcZRQ9PwwKAjdN_jL6lreqggQBz7gMXg/s1600/97791255_524544724886861_1657134120943222784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJAlH6JnUHYXxSI17NVad5wHEzleGq9nPWOexEgRTtef98gw-2wsUnHwd6YREmcG75CP5MxGzO_uRSsEvX4WPFFmtgBAVMwlW4cmLlXtHRXLtcZRQ9PwwKAjdN_jL6lreqggQBz7gMXg/s400/97791255_524544724886861_1657134120943222784_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Once in position (down in the orchard near the tap) I began to fill it each day adding something. It is surprisingly huge to fill! I began with logs and branches and since have added shredded paper, hay and sheep manure. I am about half way on that. The goal is be ready to plant in Spring. Our soil here is quite sandy. So this will give me rich soil to plant in. </div>
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I let everyone know I am collecting shredded paper and received four more bags full! Some went in to the chicken house and I am finding a thick layer of this in the nesting boxes is meaning clean eggs plus the eggs sink down and semi disappear. This would be very good for anyone who gets any broken eggs or has chooks that eat them if they get a chance as you can hardly see they are there.</div>
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The other bags of shredded paper are in the shed ready for my next raised garden beds. This is a case of having a resource I didn't know I had. Now I have realised I am putting it all to good use! If you have access to shredded paper you can make wonderful compost with it! </div>
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So.... this week we went off on a bit of an adventure to see if the wood was still in the old shed and if so the plan was to bring what we could home for garden beds we are making out the front.</div>
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I packed a little picnic and off we went. And the timber was still there!!! It is old and heavy and some of the planks are about one foot wide. Perfect! </div>
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This might look like junk to some but not to me! </div>
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We cut the wood to a size that we could fit on the trailer and lift! Boy some of this was heavy! So the length we cut was 3 m. And this decided the length of the garden beds!</div>
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Of course I snooped around heaps and there is so much more wood, there are old windows with wooden frames and there is an old bath tub. Also there are patches of stinging nettles...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugdMutAdSrxAW_29jgig-X7OJzJdYZCesStYSiF85aJzUV0h2IxiEq6zC32xqzzvh5oFXPA9hTvENHYKbYFGR1N7ePsppnBBGlO5SnBuwZy5K6Nh7Fcb2lv-WXWAlvAJqFm8VwU9JAFo/s1600/98119667_241801450445746_2265631773041885184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugdMutAdSrxAW_29jgig-X7OJzJdYZCesStYSiF85aJzUV0h2IxiEq6zC32xqzzvh5oFXPA9hTvENHYKbYFGR1N7ePsppnBBGlO5SnBuwZy5K6Nh7Fcb2lv-WXWAlvAJqFm8VwU9JAFo/s400/98119667_241801450445746_2265631773041885184_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is another resource I once would have over looked. I have one bagful to use to dye some wool. Nan did this and it makes a very beautiful soft green dye. Another bagful I am making liquid garden fertiliser. But I have more... if you use stinging nettles will you tell me what you do with it?</div>
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In the evening after all of this I started to think about the other wood, the windows and the bath tub and what we could make from all of this!! The things I need most are a new chicken house (for the 12 new chickens that are coming) and little goat shelters (for the two miniature goats I ordered entirely by accident 😊) and nesting boxes. I spent the night on Pinterest and found so many ideas. So it looks like we will build a chicken house with a big window on one side... nesting boxes, a goat play ground, goat shelters and nesting boxes.... and possibly a greenhouse from old windows! </div>
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Just collecting all these materials will take us a while but our next trip to do so will be Sunday or Monday. Andy is being shown a lot of helpful and inspiring pictures! </div>
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During the week I made a use -everything- up Quiche.</div>
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I made Fig and Almond jam from the figs I picked last week...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nWI3lwR0R76In5vCzynhkccWwaLyjdANSondcDFSn0qeth8kVlYuu-pxtE-hRn6QIAFK-vti7pM4918XhFH7ISGEhnlFmW47TfpWNDNFI0rasgf8vQzmDp4ISYtV5LWWM5aiYsA-uC4/s1600/99120480_172183877530841_4873984962593816576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nWI3lwR0R76In5vCzynhkccWwaLyjdANSondcDFSn0qeth8kVlYuu-pxtE-hRn6QIAFK-vti7pM4918XhFH7ISGEhnlFmW47TfpWNDNFI0rasgf8vQzmDp4ISYtV5LWWM5aiYsA-uC4/s400/99120480_172183877530841_4873984962593816576_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made yoghurt and used some of this to coat chicken pieces then crumb them. For some reason this turns out to be so delicious. You can do them on a baking tray, I do them in the air frier.</div>
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I had lots of little bird pictures. In the cheap shop I found tiny little cards and envelopes. Perfect! I have been making them up then packaging them into little packs of five to use as gifts.</div>
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Now for some animal pictures. Most days I go to check on everyone and usually I take biscuits. So as soon as they see me coming they come running. Laffie is a size now that having her jumping and galloping towards you could scare the pants off someone. haha! Maybe she can be installed as an additional security measure? </div>
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I cannot imagine life without animals. Every day Scout takes toys to Eddie. Every day Eddie doesn't play with them. But they horse around endlessly and I managed to capture a moment of this...</div>
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This is Scout going "I have a toy and you can't get it!" and Eddie, master of the leaping head butt, in action. This does on all day...</div>
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In the background is day one of my painting... the beginnings of trees.</div>
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So that is my week more or less. Of course I do all the usual stuff we all do... clean and wash and housework and meals that is all a part of daily life. Sometimes that is all I do in a day. Sometimes I don't even get to the end of that and meal on the table is good enough! But overall I am working and "making hay while the sun shines" on ways to get ahead, become more self sufficient in any way that we can. </div>
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With the situation in the world and with the virus we (especially here in South Australia) have a lull and even pretty well stocked supermarket shelves. There are even some things like antibacterial hand wipes, masks, antic bacterial sprays etc available now. </div>
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Many are thinking "thank goodness that is over" and becoming very casual about it all. Many are not being careful and I see people shopping in groups as an outing and general unnecessary stuff. While I hope they are right it is all over, I don't think they are. </div>
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I think we are all battle weary and our brains are fried from the media and also trying to discern what is true and what is not. Also when there are inconsistencies that do not make sense you start to wonder... for instance being able to crowd in public transport shoulder to shoulder but not be allowed to go to Church. I always think that when things don't make any sense they are either not true or there is information missing. </div>
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When the big mobs are telling you complete rubbish it means you have to use your own common sense and you need to be very watchful. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "there is no evidence of community transmission" (remember that? When even we knew and could read this was not true!) I could build a chook house better than the Taj Mahal. </div>
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My point is when we are tired and over it this is a dangerous time. We need to try and focus and be more watchful than ever. I pray that God will lead me to be doing the things we need to be doing. And there is so much we can do! Maybe you are like me and have resources you didn't even realise were resources!</div>
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Just now I have apples simmering and cakes to make. It is a day of genre rain and mist and the fire is going. </div>
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How did you build up your home, pantry or garden this week? What do you feel to do at this time? Do you have projects and goals on the go? </div>
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Have a wonderful weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2330365729981177452020-05-15T03:32:00.000-07:002020-05-15T03:32:16.869-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 15th May, 2020.I am happy to say it was another good week! We had rain and today is sunny and beautiful. So everything will be growing!<br />
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This week Harper turned 5. It was just a beautiful family day. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It was a such a special day and so was her birthday yesterday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM6b8MghiwgVIFzpGzGYOv5myDeuRcX1mlxp9hi6-TyzIMCS-wDGqycZ07sJhiF4PyBb0QFZy258_hYpSylSCmJ7Ew0PIz4k8mkIESi7WoyNwvJEqdXEfVPKpBUGA8GZGyE3JklPo8xY/s1600/97599064_242144223889203_5184336121126977536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM6b8MghiwgVIFzpGzGYOv5myDeuRcX1mlxp9hi6-TyzIMCS-wDGqycZ07sJhiF4PyBb0QFZy258_hYpSylSCmJ7Ew0PIz4k8mkIESi7WoyNwvJEqdXEfVPKpBUGA8GZGyE3JklPo8xY/s640/97599064_242144223889203_5184336121126977536_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This week I was able to pick another bucket of figs. I also used up apples and make puree which I shared and froze. I made a kind of cheats Samosa by using puff pastry and the sandwich maker to cook them. They turned out well! Completely non authentic but tasty and fast.</div>
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On Sunday Mum came over for afternoon tea for Mothers Day. For some reason my scones (gluten free) turned out to be the best ones ever. For anyone interested I never could make scones. They were terrible. My Nan stood over me and watched (as she made great ones) and they still didn't work. She couldn't believe it! After about 40 years of this I decided the conventional scone making advice wasn't working and to do something else. So.... I ignored advice to handle them gently and made them in the mix master. I added a bit extra baking powder. I added an egg as eggs encourage rising, right? I cut them thickly and I melted the butter. So I did EVERYTHING wrong. And ta dah! There were amazing. </div>
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I use gluten free SR Flour. However you can use regular flour just the same. It is 4 cups flour, a big bit of melted butter... (say 100gs or a couple of big spoonfuls) 2 cups milk, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, one egg. Mix in the mixer until it is a lovely smooth dough. Adjust if it is too sticky. You want a really moist dough that you can handle. I dip my cutter into flour and cut each one thickly. Add cheese or pumpkin if you want savoury. Add sultanas or dates if you want fancier sweet ones. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOvcH6bBN7-_kOq1t1XTOnGmr7zGUId4GaD8HIloV1dtlcSrgPPXvrXO5Ftqdjcq7uvmziZl3Wl5AsVF1axPFuIqzkiSvpcQDvBAoeZJd-nqCQUMxHKtJJrqq0_X3ATO6NZR8C0V4h6U/s1600/97974404_2905676156215522_6366108175191506944_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOvcH6bBN7-_kOq1t1XTOnGmr7zGUId4GaD8HIloV1dtlcSrgPPXvrXO5Ftqdjcq7uvmziZl3Wl5AsVF1axPFuIqzkiSvpcQDvBAoeZJd-nqCQUMxHKtJJrqq0_X3ATO6NZR8C0V4h6U/s640/97974404_2905676156215522_6366108175191506944_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anyway these were the nicest ones ever! Mum loved them and I sent her home with some. </div>
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Chloe gave me beautiful Mothers Day flowers...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R7mEcng4d0EevquM33CbQBGlsYFu1QDHYz5W8rsD8fsCHnzgPW5QoeFNYIq25Gp5v1LMXcM69oRSmRcrsolCGaxjjqqh97DqNmKjZjEmgbLMXqhnTxVpaRW8rKOaUO4Yf2qkTJue_08/s1600/96737872_564469234202737_8179561187105570816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R7mEcng4d0EevquM33CbQBGlsYFu1QDHYz5W8rsD8fsCHnzgPW5QoeFNYIq25Gp5v1LMXcM69oRSmRcrsolCGaxjjqqh97DqNmKjZjEmgbLMXqhnTxVpaRW8rKOaUO4Yf2qkTJue_08/s640/96737872_564469234202737_8179561187105570816_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I put a gift together for my Uncle who isn't well. I was able to include some of my homemade little soaps to take around with him and used a little tin for them.</div>
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We are taking measures to improve our security. I had a series of prompts to do this. Several people I really trust and respect told me how much they were increasing their own security. Then we heard of a local burglary on a farm. Next we heard of trailer loads of animals being stolen over the border. Since then someone said to me that they have had intruders on their land and to please take every precaution. This will all enough for me to get the message. We made a list of things to do. One small step was to revamp a sign in our driveway is meant to get cars to slow down. But the writing was faded and unclear. I revived it and added a Beware of the Dog sign.</div>
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All week we have added some conventional and some sneaky security measures. </div>
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I made up trays of Enchiladas. They freeze really well so I added a tray to the freezer for "baby week." </div>
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There was some progress on the cubby house. Finally it is in position thanks to my son in laws help.</div>
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We had no way of unloading it as it was so heavy. It was even heavier as inside the big box was another box! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F9ADMcG_Pz0_SyaAMgmduCK58V_muuKquWaeaWLlPXoVu0VC96aTaUgCANlN8eXamZzC9s6YmvwlInlEAqxvbk6DlU4vudEkPdn_g4NaE3z0RlVWe5wYpSQEWBuWybSTKFD52KLH9FQ/s1600/97459564_246271189791130_2861348581720195072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F9ADMcG_Pz0_SyaAMgmduCK58V_muuKquWaeaWLlPXoVu0VC96aTaUgCANlN8eXamZzC9s6YmvwlInlEAqxvbk6DlU4vudEkPdn_g4NaE3z0RlVWe5wYpSQEWBuWybSTKFD52KLH9FQ/s400/97459564_246271189791130_2861348581720195072_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The box inside is pretty big but low and squat. I had been thinking dog kennel, goat house... until I saw it. Then I realised it is a perfect raised garden bed!! </div>
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By the evening I had painted the cubby house box with an undercoat of a weather sealant. So it is painted white now. The raised garden bed is next. I am lining that with thick plastic also to keep the wood from rotting. I started to study up and things to fill a raised garden bed since I am hoping to have a series if them. Also I was reading up on compost and material for chicken bedding. For some reason I have always thought shredded paper would be messy and was not really suitable. But I was wrong! And this is the best thing ever as I have access to ridiculous amounts of shredded paper. </div>
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So now I have several bags of this ready for my garden beds and several bags are already in the texting boxes for the chickens. The eggs are perfectly clean everyday. When this breaks down it will be compost I can also add to my garden beds. I had a resource I wasn't even using. </div>
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Today I worked a little on the cubby house. It now has trees. Leaves are next. It is going to be covered in trees and the animals we have here on the farm. Andy is adding a tin roof and cutting out the door and windows. </div>
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On the way home from Lucy's we go through some pine forests. I saw a new huge Wedge Tailed Eagle nest. It is hard to guess the size but it must be five feet wide. And several feet deep...</div>
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I love these nests!! The chickens look like white fluffy chickens (Silky Bantams) not that I saw them on this occasion but I have been lucky enough to in the past. </div>
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Our stores have returned to almost normal. Not quite... but much better. A good deal is harder to come by. I am noticing a big demand in everything to do with self sufficiency from seeds to caning lids. And from chickens to guinea pigs! Yes Guinea Pigs... suddenly everyone wants them. I put this down to quite a few You Tube gardeners and articles suggest that for manure for your garden small animals like chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs are great to keep. Many people can keep small animals whereas large livestock might be out of the question. </div>
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I was so happy I already had my gardens set up and my chickens established when lock downs and shortages began. But I decided if I had a chance to get more chickens I would. I put my name down on two waiting lists. This week I got a call! These are x battery hen chickens.... $6 each. I have had these before. They arrive sad and sorry. But they respond to love and care and lay for a good couple of years at least. The going rate for chickens is $20 to $25 each here and this is for ordinary laying hens and not fancy breeds which can be much more. So I ordered 12. Chicken maths is a known formula for anything to do with hens. A few plus a couple extra and a back up = 12. Anyway I am so exited and I have about a month to wait.</div>
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So overall I am very happy. We had two special occasions, I found a resource I didn't know I had and set it to good use. The cubby house is underway. The first raised garden bed is nearly ready to set up. I have seedlings coming along in the garden and seeds sprouting. I am mulching all the garden beds day by day until they are all done. I even nearly used up all the apples! And we had rain! </div>
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I hope you had a good week. Did you find ways to add to your pantry or garden? There are lots of little ways to get ahead. They really do all add up. Sometimes we see things in a fresh new way and see possibilities we didn't see before. As we learn more we can put new things into action. This is what is going to help now as many of us face new challenges. Added helpfulness and kindness is needed too. We can actually help each other so much! Tell me about your week and what you are doing to build up your home and family?</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-68367937115219777762020-05-07T21:50:00.000-07:002020-05-07T21:50:04.005-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 8th May, 2020.It was a good week! We started off with a big weekend. I hired a plumber to work on the cottage and he asked if his mate could come, so I said yes. Then he messaged later and asked if another mate could come and I said yes! So I had three helpers and so much was done that soon the inside will be finished and I can put in furniture and decor. It was so exciting to have this working bee. <br />
My policy is to always, always feed the workers. I put out a big morning tea and then lunch was sausage rolls. It was a cold day so a hot lunch was good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH8nBW1049pVSFrd45cCVax88AFmQaAs-BQ8upfWwfy5AI7t_Xvh2E0pgn4YXvnfhIszNvvm3tolGJymf9MEh4rYTAft99LsQEBsaFKhVQs23TCk3s3Rbr2sgkAYTGxJM4W-CNzRWtS0/s1600/96760107_176454196911004_8477335380020953088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH8nBW1049pVSFrd45cCVax88AFmQaAs-BQ8upfWwfy5AI7t_Xvh2E0pgn4YXvnfhIszNvvm3tolGJymf9MEh4rYTAft99LsQEBsaFKhVQs23TCk3s3Rbr2sgkAYTGxJM4W-CNzRWtS0/s400/96760107_176454196911004_8477335380020953088_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I wrapped them up like I would scones to keep them warm. They were a hit! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHUYXgeH5NJGMPEcWI5pXbVn7M-BqSl50rlZFp1RFxJuwOaLFuTwTFiRm_IMXj8tYGqMGapfNHF3bKcxS0I3Mc6i6sghxyQ4oIQAQEFMJlH6I__XhR5GrCOHEeQXgn00zPgM294aYJPs/s1600/96140654_537090250339703_5753790523345207296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHUYXgeH5NJGMPEcWI5pXbVn7M-BqSl50rlZFp1RFxJuwOaLFuTwTFiRm_IMXj8tYGqMGapfNHF3bKcxS0I3Mc6i6sghxyQ4oIQAQEFMJlH6I__XhR5GrCOHEeQXgn00zPgM294aYJPs/s400/96140654_537090250339703_5753790523345207296_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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In the evening I went on until I made four dozen. This helped to build up my freezer and I gave some to both the girls. </div>
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I had two sheets of puff pastry over. As usual I had apples so I made an apple pie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TgzjEjuZ4z7HovC1dA5RO-J5gmLZF7jPYwQULlExk5Z1r0xpOYWkWyKRTYa-xfVEziyJxdo9n9eoCqshloL0LJdEKKT52QkzQtfAu5xb760irwhL91tvh5ccHmXjY2F_hfnoRpdG-VY/s1600/95656955_246574813071889_1134441398498492416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TgzjEjuZ4z7HovC1dA5RO-J5gmLZF7jPYwQULlExk5Z1r0xpOYWkWyKRTYa-xfVEziyJxdo9n9eoCqshloL0LJdEKKT52QkzQtfAu5xb760irwhL91tvh5ccHmXjY2F_hfnoRpdG-VY/s400/95656955_246574813071889_1134441398498492416_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Luckily anything that goes wrong with a pie can just be called rustic and delicious! </div>
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Back to the weekend... with the helpers around I grabbed this chance to get all the stinky old carpet hauled onto a big bonfire. It was disgusting! (Not exaggerating it was mouldy, full of dead flies and bees and who know what else..)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXmSljfA7NRY04US4cOGxiadN2og0SFzffOGbV8i5RcZQsFTt90tcOmO7c33kduvqYfLxyKhVXlMprZhixivK-i7TXLtIddYlCVoe-CR_45DIWI9FSdnpR_zakZ6PhSpY6KD18u6bcrI/s1600/95766635_229317318501987_1186146001514135552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXmSljfA7NRY04US4cOGxiadN2og0SFzffOGbV8i5RcZQsFTt90tcOmO7c33kduvqYfLxyKhVXlMprZhixivK-i7TXLtIddYlCVoe-CR_45DIWI9FSdnpR_zakZ6PhSpY6KD18u6bcrI/s320/95766635_229317318501987_1186146001514135552_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It was so satisfying to see the end of this!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3UF-bUVvFYwLUf16kL_KQ0-eZo_CaQb6JUd1-wt33-VRVIFJ7z5_xyyEyUae3aLQjE2L_Rlrw4cI_mkd59c69NJQdit0G-4WWpVkqRWlN_OGBA5nvrXjfFA22kLtk-DXX-soPshvfG0/s1600/95849844_616641045865630_8804076773705777152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3UF-bUVvFYwLUf16kL_KQ0-eZo_CaQb6JUd1-wt33-VRVIFJ7z5_xyyEyUae3aLQjE2L_Rlrw4cI_mkd59c69NJQdit0G-4WWpVkqRWlN_OGBA5nvrXjfFA22kLtk-DXX-soPshvfG0/s400/95849844_616641045865630_8804076773705777152_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I love a good fire. I had an old cardboard box in the chook house and various things so I ran around and threw these all on too. Instant clean up!</div>
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During the week Mum and I went to see the girls with a food delivery. I made cup cakes...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Ul2EAg3NkLOd4R15T3XIH4c5H6V68Op1aNohw_LnsbuYs-DZzQ54hyphenhyphengwJt5uEf3plACyAA8KUjNha8eZtWzXa_eVukxQa5T1d0qxLFRU7B8nFsJXKZyzZpvffLGDQrolvsaFaJAjgk/s1600/95837050_903643030062520_7856549495775952896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Ul2EAg3NkLOd4R15T3XIH4c5H6V68Op1aNohw_LnsbuYs-DZzQ54hyphenhyphengwJt5uEf3plACyAA8KUjNha8eZtWzXa_eVukxQa5T1d0qxLFRU7B8nFsJXKZyzZpvffLGDQrolvsaFaJAjgk/s400/95837050_903643030062520_7856549495775952896_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Tuna mornay (I made two so we had one also.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnrJGCZaAJfETQ33DaygijDHMOWFAKPGc91nkS0vtdfDk39RmMX-Gh-l2AGKMFNSuoGOVHr5_qaBN7TZhmfAYfloDVTB6rdvpn0rperzzVCoqDuJTAFayCijZqOCsKHEqwb22owxmlKk/s1600/96254346_243728933542988_7028671653001297920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnrJGCZaAJfETQ33DaygijDHMOWFAKPGc91nkS0vtdfDk39RmMX-Gh-l2AGKMFNSuoGOVHr5_qaBN7TZhmfAYfloDVTB6rdvpn0rperzzVCoqDuJTAFayCijZqOCsKHEqwb22owxmlKk/s400/96254346_243728933542988_7028671653001297920_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Apple puree and some of the sausage rolls went too.</div>
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I planted into the garden Rainbow Chard and Broccoli that I grew from seeds (quite proud lol) and then Spinach. They are all little but look sprightly and good. We have had showers of rain at just the right time too.</div>
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I bartered a tray of Gingerbread and I made them into deer (ok Mooose) ...</div>
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We had rain and it looks like there is more coming over the weekend. This will be wonderful. When it is like this I get more cooking and sewing etc done. </div>
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For almost five years now I have talked about building up our pantries, to take every opportunity to get ahead, build an emergency fund, meals in the freezer and so on. Now I am going to add more. Now I feel the same way about adding food to the garden, skills to preserve food and the equipment to do it, items you can produce to sell, barter, gift. We cannot really be self sufficient in all things but we need to be self sufficient in some things. I am trying to increase the number of things we can produce ourselves and do ourselves. </div>
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I have a few things in mind. Ok, I have a lot of projects! I have things going on wherever you look! </div>
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The pumpkin patch is getting built up with layers and layers of hay and manure and anything I can think of. I am working to build up a second area that was my extra pumpkin patch but it needs a lot more better soil. I want to build some raised garden beds. The materials were my hold up... but now I have found timber (in an old shed) that is thick and heavy! It is too heavy to shift so we will have to cut it up on site and then load it onto the trailer. But it is perfect. Then I thought of all the paper shredders in the family and have secured bags and bags of shredded paper. I have hay and I have sheep manure. </div>
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Seriously, keep your eyes out for ways and means. God is good and if you are willing to do the work pray for what you need! </div>
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So on that I will finish and go collect the eggs and feed the chickens. </div>
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How was your week? How did you keep things going in these times of lockdowns, rationing, shortages and stress? Did you find ways to add to your pantry or garden? </div>
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Have a good weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-52655524755824817732020-04-30T17:25:00.000-07:002020-04-30T17:25:19.723-07:00Feather your Nest Friday, 1st May, 2020.Welcome to May! This year is going fast with so many things happening. It was a really good week. The more I am home the better. I get so much more done and can think and plan much better. Today I do have to go to town but I had the whole week home otherwise and it has been lovely.<br />
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We have had lots of rain. Everything outside is done quickly between showers. I see a gap in the clouds and I run and feed the chooks. Another gap and I move the goat and this is how it goes...<br />
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Our state has had no new Corona Virus cases reported in a week. This is so good. I will find out today how the shops are...<br />
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I did some bartering this week. Increasing my bartering has been a gaol and we have a lot going on!<br />
My niece came over and she cleaned the house gutters and cleaned the flue on our fireplace. This was just hours before the rain hit! I lit the fire and it is so cozy and lovely. I paid my niece in Lasagne and Chocolate cake and we had lunch together. This was wonderful. Lasagne is her "currency" and she had at least four dinners worth. While I was at it I made four. One made meals for us, one for Allie, one for Lucy's family and one for the freezer. I am all for extra meals ready to go in the freezer. This is one way to get ahead.<br />
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I started seeds in little pots and egg cartons. I have trays of seeds in my sunroom which is kind of a closed in porch. To my amazement the Broccoli came up in two days! </div>
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I also have Rainbow Chard and Spinach up. I never thought I was great at growing from seeds. I have usually purchased seedlings. But now I am determined to get good at this! And it is fun and going well. While it is cold outside now this room gets some warmth if the sun is out at all or if the tumble drier is on. </div>
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In the supermarket we were allowed to buy as much bread as we wanted and they had a heap out marketed down for 39c!!! I got 8 and left a whole load still for others.</div>
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Still working on apples... I made apple puree... both girls love it and so I keep two daughters in apple and I made three apple crumble (crisps) but I make them gluten free. They are yum and I froze some.</div>
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The weather is cool enough for soup and I made my first batch using pumpkins I picked last week. I roast a tray of pumpkin, an onion, an apple and some garlic. Then it goes into stock and is blended. This is Matt Preston's recipe, more or less. I make it really thick. Well, it is so good!</div>
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Before the rain I took this photo of Scout guarding everything (in comfort of course) and watching me at the same time. This was such a normal day photo complete with my soap hardening in the lounge room.</div>
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Another photo of normal life was this one taken yesterday. I was in Andy's ute. The gang are like "does anyone have any biscuits?" </div>
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The sheep put their feet on the kick board fully willing to get in the car and we say no no! haha!</div>
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Last week I showed I had made small soaps with the idea for them to go in little tins in our handbags. As I cut them out cookie cutter style I had left over soap in odd shapes. I put it into a pot of water and boiled it and blended. Then I added some germ busting essential oils. </div>
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I didn't add too much water at first and let it cool. It was a bit too thick so I added more water and blended again. Then I got a good thick nice consistency and filled my household pump soap packs. It is soo nice! It smells good, feels good and does a good job. I then filled any bottles I had ...</div>
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It is also pretty, lustrous and pearlescent which was a complete fluke.</div>
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With so much rain I was able to do more indoors and I sat near the fire and made cards. I made lots! Mostly I put crafts on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/469231433481678/">The Tuesday Afternoon Club.</a> Here is a sample... these are zero skill involved cards.... just an image from an old book slapped onto a card! However every time you do this you save around $8 to $10! </div>
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I also made up some laundry liquid. I love to make this and it smells beautiful. After the soap I am running low on bottles! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZHxY2WA30V52LnJty5IELFdr-M0KOQ_ef_XobNSdEsQHYOeXKqoton6uUm4qr1UooBKfmRWm35JjDz09NC26fpmQlc4R8hFpNdDKJOHV9IB0awLL7yiJg0dbXUlIPQBrURxtIVCoeoY/s1600/95472323_721621341908923_8959779384114282496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZHxY2WA30V52LnJty5IELFdr-M0KOQ_ef_XobNSdEsQHYOeXKqoton6uUm4qr1UooBKfmRWm35JjDz09NC26fpmQlc4R8hFpNdDKJOHV9IB0awLL7yiJg0dbXUlIPQBrURxtIVCoeoY/s640/95472323_721621341908923_8959779384114282496_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This recipe is for 10 litres. I love to get out my soap making pot. It has had a work out lately! </div>
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The recipe is <a href="http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com/2019/08/how-to-beat-rising-prices-or-shortages.html">here.</a> This is an earlier post on beating costs like Nana did.</div>
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My seedlings sprouting has me planning. I have spaces to plant them and those areas are mulched. I am finding myself planning ahead more and have started building up the soil where the pumpkin patch was. First mulch then manure and whatever I can add to build it back up. Chook poo is next as there is plenty of that. I am on the watch out for things I might be able to use for raised garden beds and things to fill them. By Spring I hope to have expanded my spaces for herbs and veggies. The soil here is quite sandy. Now I look at everything and think of how I might use it to improve the garden. I had some garlic starting to shoot so this has been planted. </div>
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I hope you had a good week. How did you build up your home or get ahead in any way? How are things in your area and are you experiencing shortages or rationing? Have you seen any major price rises? I have a Pantries and Preparedness Post coming up on ways to manage some of these issues. Meanwhile my shopping today will be interesting, I have no idea what to expect! </div>
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Have a lovely weekend! xxx</div>
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<br />Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-30722875286758172632020-04-24T22:27:00.001-07:002020-04-24T22:27:52.119-07:00Pantries and Preparedness, Victory in the veggie garden. As the weeks pass by we are all noticing different shortages or items that are either limited/rationed or not on the shelves at all. Not much has changed at our local supermarkets, the same things apply with limits of one or two items in so many categories. But now the limits and hard to get items have extended to the plant nursery. I found this at our local nursery and they said three companies that supply them say they will have no seeds for the rest of the year and the fourth company doesn't even answer the phone anymore. And seedlings were not much better. I placed my name on a waiting list however and this led to some success! Like finding flour I was over the moon excited to get seedlings!<br />
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Now we have many seed savers in the group (and too many to mention) but SewingCreations and Jane have both inspired me to save seeds. And when you have gardening friends seeds are a good gift! Like soap and face masks seeds are now worth more than gold!<br />
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Many things will grow from a cutting, some things propagate themselves. I once had a Lavender bush that had babies come up all around it year after year. I dug them up and potted them continually! So now we can think of ways to get some food growing in any way we can.<br />
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Vicky and I were talking about how to creatively get around the seed issue and she wrote....<br />
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Food shortages, seed shortages and basic supplies being hard to find or sold out before we get to them makes it stressful right now, but again if we look at what we have on hand or even what someone else may be tossing we may just be able to eek along and add to our pantry or meal table or save a little when prices are increasing. In lean times even just a handful of this or that can be so satisfying. From just adding a bit of flavor to possibly becoming an actual harvest it really is time to take a second look at things.</div>
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I have heard that some places are having seed shortages right now. If you have bought produce then you more than likely have a resource right at your fingertips you can use. Most have seeds in them or can be regrown easily. Instead of tossing them out consider saving the seeds and drying them until it's time for you to start them or if it's time to plant in your area get them sprouting to plant. After having talks with the produce managers at the stores I have found that many of the veggies I buy are actually heirloom, but not advertised as such. For example California Wonder peppers which most stores sell here are actually an heirloom veggie. I have started many things from store bought veggies just to see what they would be and I have not so far had any that didn't produce something. And something is better than nothing. </div>
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Celery and lettuce root ends will continue to grow and produce new, onions and potatoes, garlic and carrot tops that sprout can be planted to regrow. Just don't hurry them along. </div>
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Dried beans from store bought bags I've planted before by soaking them overnight first. You need to look at the bag though to see if it says irradiated. That is done so they will not sprout. Bags of sprouty beans on a store shelf wouldn't be wonderful. </div>
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And the beauty of this is other than some time we are out nothing really. Looking at food differently helps too. Someone else may look and see a few small potatoes that grew I look and see what I can actually make with those few small potatoes! It is all a matter of perspective. </div>
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I am currently starting celery which I will put in pots in a few weeks. I have tomatoes starting from a store bought tomato that wasn't good when the hubby brought it home, onions that are sprouting which I will trim and plant and potatoes that are sprouting. </div>
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So don't get discouraged use what you may have on hand or can get someone to save for you this is another example of using our resources to our advantage!</div>
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XOXO</div>
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Vicky</div>
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We have all had plants come up when we didn't expect them too, especially if you put things in the compost or garden. This does prove many store bought veggies and herbs do still produce viable seeds. I certainly have had tomatoes grow and produce this way. I now save any sprouting potatoes and plant them. Suddenly I look at everything for potential!<br />
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My own garden right now is pretty much starting over. I did get a lot of tomatoes, spinach, parsley, zucchini and basil over summer. But things are quiet now and I am rebuilding.<br />
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My make shift fence to keep the dog out is so far working!<br />
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I have some things on my side... access to sheep and chicken poo, good water (we have a bore) a fairly sheltered spot that is protected from the wind, space for other gardens if I want to extend... this space gave me somewhere I could just let pumpkins sprawl everywhere and I am so happy I planted them! <br />
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We have only been here a year and a half. It seems like much longer! So everything with the garden is trial and error. I would dearly love to add some raised garden beds. </div>
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I am admiring how many people share garden spaces or have an allotment like in England where you garden a patch in a big garden, I presume you rent or lease this plot. And the good use of space in a tiny garden where everything is growing upwards. Up is the way to go when space is short. I have been reading how in the war years and depression people formed clubs. There were things like chicken clubs and pig clubs... where one person might house them on their property but the feeding and caring for them was a group task... at the end the produce was shared. We have had a lesser version of this when others saved their household scraps for our chickens and we return the favour with fresh eggs. </div>
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Two families could agree that one will raise chickens and another will garden and eggs will be swapped for veggies. We don't have to do everything we need some things that we can produce to be self sufficient in and able to sell or barter with. Something is better than nothing! Because of this I grow a lot of the things that grow well. I had about thirty feet of lush Parsley and none was wasted. I was able to use, dry, give away bunches and feed chickens, cows and sheep with it. Then I harvested the seeds and packaged them. I got so much from it! So now I have a huge amount planted again and it is just coming up.</div>
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I want to do more and I want to do better. If you have suggestions for how to multiply and propagate, save seeds, grow from cuttings and any tips at all please share them! There is so much to learn. One of my newer discoveries is how in Europe many use all kinds of things to fill a raised garden bed... including fallen logs. They will after all break down eventually. What a saving this would be! You do not need to purchase heaps of expensive soil as most of your garden beds can be filled with found and salvaged things. If this is interesting to you look up Hugelkultur method for raised beds. Amazing! One thing we have is plenty of fallen logs! </div>
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Another is to look at potential containers for raised beds. I have my eye on some large wooden boxes that the farm has had pumps arrive in... they look like garden beds to me! </div>
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Each year Vicky calls her garden The Victory Garden. So then her pantry became Vicky's Victory Pantry. I love this! The less we depend on the store the more victorious I feel. </div>
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My niece has been here cleaning our gutters.... now I have some more compost material for the garden! So I am off to spread this around and water my seedlings.xxx</div>
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Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com57