Thursday 31 December 2015

The other side of farming...


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The last day of the year for us is busy... no, there are no fancy New Year's bashes for us, our time is spent counting... 

Counting our inventory on hand, both live and frozen :) and finalizing the farm's accounts for the year. 

It's a hard slog but boy does it feel good when its done!

Happy New Year to all of you! May 2016 be full of local, sustainable, nourishing food grown by friendly farmers! 

Energy saving...

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If there is a way to save some time and energy... we farmers will figure it out. 

With the help of some old cross country skis, Farmer Phil has rigged up a handy wood sled! 


Tuesday 29 December 2015

Well glad that's done...

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Well after 104 days, countless worry and a good deal of time and energy (not to mention money), Avery's leg has healed. 

Today the pin was taken out of her leg and the vet told us he didn't want to see us again... "unless she does something stupid!"

While her activity level will still have to be controlled, and it will take months to re-build muscle mass... no more casts, cones or sedatives! Yay! 


Monday 28 December 2015

Fire in the sky, ice on the ground


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Fire in the sky, ice on the ground. Somehow the sunsets are always more stunning when the weather is bitter cold! 

Sunday 27 December 2015

Snowy stroll...

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The fresh snow makes the daily visits to the barn a bit more challenging until the tractor blows the way clear...

Saturday 26 December 2015

Turkey 2.0


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Today was spent turning leftover Christmas turkey into soup, pies and empanadas. 


Friday 25 December 2015

Blessings for everyone...

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Feeling blessed and grateful for all things big and small today. Even Avery discovered a little something for herself this morning.

Hope this message finds you surrounded by love and gratitude. Count your blessings folks! 

Thursday 24 December 2015

A hot mess

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Christmas Eve on the farm is always a bit of a hot mess! A mixture of excitement, stress, preparation, relief and usually a few surprises! 

Whatever traditions you keep at this time of year, we hope that you get some time away from the usual routines to count your blessings, hug your loved ones and plan for an awesome 2016! 


Wednesday 23 December 2015

Heroes in the dark...

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On snowy days, we rely on the speed plow operators to come by in order to get out of our road! 

Until you hear that familiar sound and see the near tornado of snow and lights, you are often sitting... biding your time until you can head for the city. 

This morning our hero in the dark came by at 7:35 a.m., just in time.... A big thank you to "Highway Rod"! 

Tuesday 22 December 2015

....and on to spring!

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Happy Solstice everyone! I'm cheered by the thought that every day now will be a little bit longer, brighter and closer to spring! 

"No winter lasts forever... no spring skips its turn" ~ Hal Borland

Monday 21 December 2015

The heart of any home...

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Noel made this huge beautiful kitchen table for us! 

We always seem to have extra mouths to feed and like most homes... our kitchen is the centre of all activity. The table sits twelve comfortably! 

It's gorgeous! 


Sunday 20 December 2015

Come and sit awhile...


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It's like winter has prepared a comfy seat for us all to come and sit awhile... 

Saturday 19 December 2015

Farmcation..


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This weekend we are hosting several smaller beings for a 'farmcation'... love seeing the world again through the eyes of a young child! 

Friday 18 December 2015

Homemade goodness



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When the weather is cold and windy outside, we like to experiment in the kitchen.

Here are some multi-grain, garlic naan bread that we made. Turned out rather well...

Thursday 17 December 2015

Traditions...


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Must be all the snow.. but I'm starting to feel that familiar magic of the season! 

Hoping tonight that no matter what your traditions at this time of year, that they move you to share generously with others who are in need, reach out to those experiencing social isolation and to tell someone how much you care.

I think those are traditions that we could all agree on!  

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Snow... glorious snow!

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We are finally getting some snow... and while driving is terrible and there will likely be school closures and chaos tomorrow... everyone, both two and four legged, on the farm seems to have an extra spring in their step! 

Avery particularly was almost purring with contentment as she rolls in the snow! 


Tuesday 15 December 2015

Farmer fuel....

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These days I've been spending my time filling the freezer full of farmer fuel.... aka cookies!

Monday 14 December 2015

Double-double!


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This is the real Canadian farmer's double-double!

Sunday 13 December 2015

Misleading...


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These three eggs are all from hens who are roughly the same age.... what's ironic is that the huge white eggs is from the smallest chicken in the barn! 


Saturday 12 December 2015

Horizons...


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On the Prairies sometimes it's hard to tell where the land ends and the sky begins!

Friday 11 December 2015

Tis the season!

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Tis the season of holiday parties and our homegrown farmer sausage is a life saver! 


Thursday 10 December 2015

Say cheese!


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One of our favorite indoor activities is making cheese! Here we are straining our fresh goat's milk yogurt to make a soft yogurt cheese. You end up with a spreadable, tangy cheese that is great with crackers or veggies! 

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Cast away!

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Super excited for Avery (dog) who got her cast off after 12 weeks! She is still hobbling around but it's great to see some progress! 

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Kidding around!

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Lily is a Nubian goat who along with her barn-mate Chocolate is due to kid (give birth) this winter. We are busy trying to ensure that the barn is cozy and warm for them. 

Lily is a first time mom but Chocolate has had several kids. We are looking forward to having babies again on the farm! 

Monday 7 December 2015

Recycle everywhere!

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We believe in recycling and re-using on the farm. 

We needed to find a way to reduce the amount of hay that the goats and cattle were wasting, so we re-used the cage around a tree root along with some stucco wire to create a hanging hay feeder! 
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We believe in recycling and re-using on the farm. 

We needed to find a way to reduce the amount of hay that the goats and cattle were wasting, so we re-used the cage around a tree root along with some stucco wire to create a hanging hay feeder! 

Sunday 6 December 2015

Determination

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The weather has been beautiful and the snow barely covers the ground. 

Our violas are confused and are still blooming! 

Saturday 5 December 2015

Sun kissed!



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Even though all our garden fresh tomatoes are done for the season, we get a taste of sunny goodness in our sun-dried tomatoes. I swear they taste like a sunny summer afternoon!

We dry our tomatoes on racks in the sun and finish them off in the dehydrator. They re-hydrate pretty easy in most recipes. #sunkissed

Friday 4 December 2015

You looking at me?

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Caesar the rooster continues to rule over his harem of hens in his reserved corner of the chicken coop. 

The minute you come in to the coop he begins to crow, fluff up his feathers and generally strut his stuff like we are competition for their attention.

Thursday 3 December 2015

4H - Learn to do by Doing

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Thursday nights are 4-H night on the farm when we host kids who live in a nearby town to learn about how to humanely raise animals. 

I love watching them learn and experience the realities of caring for animals in all types of weather and conditions. 

Wednesday 2 December 2015

Poor Pup Part Five

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The saga of our poor pup continues... Avery's leg is healing but very slowly. 

She's moved from a full cast to a splint (which she chewed through in short order). The cone has been 90% successful in keeping her from doing so again! 

Next vet visit we are hopeful that she will graduate to a soft bandage! Our poor pup! 

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Night out with the girls!


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Sometimes on the farm, a night out with the girls involves hauling water! #farmersknowhowtohavefun

Monday 30 November 2015

There is always one...

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There is always one... one hen that refuses to be caught... who hides each night in some outbuilding on the farm and won't join the rest of the hens inside... there is always one!

Sunday 29 November 2015

Crisp & Clean


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Beautiful day with sunshine, hoar frost and gentle breezes. 

Birthday bash


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Tonight we celebrated Farmer Phil's birthday (one day early). Fine cheese and a growler full of craft beer was his request. #yum

Friday 27 November 2015

Farmer Friday Game Night Fun!


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Even when we take a night off to play some board games... they still involve farm animals!? 

Thursday 26 November 2015

Just because...


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Baby goats... just because! 

This is Merry born a few summers back. She has such a pretty face!

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Pig play...


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The pigs are loving the snow and can often be found rolling, digging and generally frolicking in the drifts. 

Tuesday 24 November 2015

Better together...


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Today was spent inside, talking to other small scale farmers about the value of collaboration and cooperation. 

I always enjoy spending time talking to others who get what we do and why we do it about how to do it better...


Monday 23 November 2015

Curry cravings

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With a cold storage room full of squash, we are finding all kinds of creative ways to use them! 

Tonight I'm mixing up some curried butternut squash to add to tomorrow's supper of Butternut and Lentil Bobotie! 

Sunday 22 November 2015

Snowy days


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What a difference a week can make! Last Sunday, we were working outside without jackets! 

... and today I had to dig out the pig's feed dishes from the snow!  

Saturday 21 November 2015

The winter coop!


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The winter coop is warm and snug and the girls seem to be adjusting well to the move inside. 

While I'm sure like all of us that they would prefer to out in the field and sunshine scrounging for bugs (well I'm good without that last part...), they seem to be happy enough scratching in the leaves and straw that we use for bedding in the coop. 

They sure have lots to say anyway.... #cluckinghens

Friday 20 November 2015

The great silence begins...


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I'm always struck by the shroud of silence that seems to descend on the  world along with the first snow. 

The snow muffles the land and sends critters burrowing underground. #silentwinter

Thursday 19 November 2015

It's that kind of night...


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The wind and snow continue to swirl... A quick tour of the chicken coop to collect the eggs, throw a bale of hay to the goats and cow and it's a cookie baking kind of night....

Wednesday 18 November 2015

In with a bang...

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Winter has arrived with a bang! Sitting here in the dark, listening to the wind roar and howl. #electricityisunderrated

Tuesday 17 November 2015

Playful pair

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This pair of playful pigs are a new breed for us. They are a cross between a Longrace Duroc and Berkshire. (We typically do purebred Berkshire)

The Duroc produces a long body, different colouring and smaller eyes than the Berkshire.

This pair are curious, vocal and very aware of what is going on around them. There is no sneaking up on them!

Monday 16 November 2015

Puppy pose


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The saga of our poor pooch continues... Avery has been recovering from a broken leg for over two months now. At the last vet visit, they ordered 4 more weeks of cast and confinement. 

We are running out of sweatshirts to put on her (they keep her from chewing her cast off..) but it is all good for a giggle once in a while. #puppypose

Sunday 15 November 2015

Fair weather helpers!


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Hard to believe that it is the middle of November! This weekend, we planted a new row of raspberries in the back field (merci notre cousin, Adelard!)

As you can see I had lots of help planting #nonotreally #chickensdontcount

Saturday 14 November 2015

If you give a pig a pumpkin...

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Our pigs are happy Hallowe'en is over as they are enjoying everyone's leftover jack-o-lanterns! 

Friday 13 November 2015

Thursday 12 November 2015

Love at the end of the day...



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At the end of a long day full of stress, strain and struggles, its so wonderful to bask in the simple love and acceptance that only a dog can give.... well as long as I keep scratching her ears!