tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55489401887275441472024-02-20T03:09:13.713-08:00Redbrook farmJoin me and my family on our quest for a simpler way of life. From recipes, to gardening and farming. Share in our experiences, successes and failures, on our journey to turn our 40 acres in Prince Edward Island into a small working farm . All the while striving for sustainability and self sufficiency.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-35040364938819763392014-01-21T04:26:00.000-08:002014-01-21T04:26:16.329-08:00Winter strollIts been really warm here lately, well above freezing. Since we had so much snow, and it all melted so fast, the farm's been a muddy mess these past few weeks. Then, on Saturday night, it snowed. I love it when it snows, nothing makes me happier. This particular snow was made up of huge wet flakes that stuck to everything. When we got up on Sunday morning, we just had to go play and explore before it melted away again. (and it was gone by late afternoon) So, as soon as all the animals were fed and watered, we set out for the forest. Here are some pictures of our Sunday morning stroll<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5522_zpsa598bcdf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5522_zpsa598bcdf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5522_zpsa598bcdf.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5526_zps39dde67e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5526_zps39dde67e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5526_zps39dde67e.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5528_zpsbd050547.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5528_zpsbd050547.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5528_zpsbd050547.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5536_zps780ad1f9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5536_zps780ad1f9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5536_zps780ad1f9.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5531_zps1386c4af.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5531_zps1386c4af.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5531_zps1386c4af.jpg" /></a>
<br />
the horses watching our return threw the trees. (their field extends a long way to the left of this picture. Their amenities are at the other end of the field) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/9083cca8-69d4-47e3-966c-2a4cf5ceb2a1_zpse24cebaa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 9083cca8-69d4-47e3-966c-2a4cf5ceb2a1_zpse24cebaa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/9083cca8-69d4-47e3-966c-2a4cf5ceb2a1_zpse24cebaa.jpg" /></a>
<br />
All tuckered out after the fun Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-62783358636072562072013-12-26T10:41:00.000-08:002013-12-26T10:41:57.174-08:00ChristmasChristmas is now passed, for an other year. And I hope yours was as nice as ours. Good food, good drink, family and presents from Thor. Yes friends, that wasn’t a typo, presents from Thor. <br />
<br />
After we spent the last week or so researching Norse Yule traditions, The kids came to the unavoidable conclusion that Santa is in fact Thor. I mean, Thor flies around in a chariot pulled by flying goats, He played an unknown, but central role in the Yule celebrations, he has an affinity for fire and was known to enter houses threw the chimney, And he lived in a mysterious place, called Northland. So, in light of this the kids insisted on leaving this for Thor instead of milk and cookies<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5484_zps7e220c25.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5484_zps7e220c25.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5484_zps7e220c25.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
We had an idealistic Christmas morning, with soft, large snowflakes falling gently. A world dressed in white. We had coffee/hot chocolate and opened presents. We were supposed to go have a large Christmas dinner with extended family, But Paul has had a really bad cold for the last while and wasn’t feeling up to it. Rather than having dinner without him, we all opted to stay home and I constructed Santas/Thors out of cheese garlic bread as the face, with bacon eyes and mouth, a ham hat and mash potato hair and beard. Later in the evening, Paul's aunt and uncle stopped by with heaping plates of Turkey dinner for all 4 us. We ate them this morning and I'm still stuffed, yum.<br />
<br />
the view out my front door Christmas morning
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5506_zps1eaf052b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5506_zps1eaf052b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5506_zps1eaf052b.jpg" /></a>
Merry Christmas!!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-49574795480681599972013-12-24T10:20:00.000-08:002013-12-24T10:20:37.813-08:00Yule goats day 3 There seems to be a lot of conflicting accounts about how long Yule actually lasted. Every one is in agreement that it started on the Solstice and lasted a while, and culminated with a giant feast, But that’s all we seem to know for sure. Since it starts with the solstice, I would say its safe to assume it had a lot to do with the sun. Since in the north, the sun barely rises at all in the days surrounding the solstice, I bet the return of the sun would have been a pretty big deal, and chances are that is what Yule was about. So how long did the celebration last? Some accounts say it was 12 days (giving us the 12 days of Christmas) and others say not until January 12th. Again, most the accounts agree that in the 10th century AD, King Hákon the Good, who was a Christian, demanded that Yule should be held on the 25th of December in accordance with the continental Christmas celebrations. I could go on and on about the history and myths surrounding Yule. and if you'd like to learn more, <a href="http://freya.theladyofthelabyrinth.com/?page_id=397" target="_blank">This is a great article, that I highly recommend </a><br />
<br />
For today’s Yule goat picture, Here is Iseabail with a big ribbon<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5469_zps119db43e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5469_zps119db43e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5469_zps119db43e.jpg" /></a><br />
We have beautiful weather at the moment, well above freezing and clear. The goats weren’t the only once who took advantage of the day.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5470_zpsf3bc7f52.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5470_zpsf3bc7f52.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5470_zpsf3bc7f52.jpg" /></a>
The chickens could not be persuaded to come outside, but the geese are out even on the nastiest days
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5476_zps011ff89a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5476_zps011ff89a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5476_zps011ff89a.jpg" /></a>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-79586333649063706372013-12-23T15:05:00.001-08:002013-12-23T15:05:59.771-08:00Yule goat, day two
I got it in my head that everyday between the solstice and Yule, I would post a picture of my lovely Yule goats for your holiday enjoyment. But unfortunately, today, we got hard, cold rain all day long and I couldn’t coax the goats out of the barn. So instead, here is a photo of Susann Eklund in Sigtuna, Sweden, December 4th 2011 in her home made, papier-mâché Yule goat costume. She spent the day handing out candy and gingerbread to children on the street while informing passers by of the history of the Yule goat.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/the_yule_goat_by_sakalah-d5b5x1d_zps567e6f54.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/the_yule_goat_by_sakalah-d5b5x1d_zps567e6f54.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo the_yule_goat_by_sakalah-d5b5x1d_zps567e6f54.jpg"/></a>
I don't know who to give photo credits to, so if this is your picture, or you know who took it, please let me know. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-74066198924565738902013-12-22T05:55:00.001-08:002013-12-22T06:32:50.077-08:00yule goats on the solstice Yule goats are one of the oldest Scandinavian Christmas traditions. No one really knows where the idea of celebrating goats on Christmas came from, but the leading theory is that it is connected to the goats that pulled Thor's chariot threw the sky. Many strange (to us now) traditions cropped up threw the years involving the Yule goat. Men dressed up as goats and went door to door singing songs, The family’s oldest living man would dress up as the Yule goat to give presents to the children. More recently, a goat was dressed up as saint Nick and paraded threw the village, For most of December it was common for Children (and kids) to play pranks on everyone. and most well known, a giant goat was made out of straw to look over the village. Its unbelievable how many of our modern day Christmas tradition we owe to the Yule goat. So, this Christmas season, Don't forget our faithful friend the goat
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5440_zps85350de5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5440_zps85350de5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5440_zps85350de5.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5442_zpsd487e7e1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5442_zpsd487e7e1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5442_zpsd487e7e1.jpg"/></a>
We had amazing weather for the solstice this year. It was warm, everything melting. The perfect day to spend outside. We let the goats out of their pen to play. They get so upset when anyone's outside and they're stuck behind a fence. They like to fallow you around like little puppy dogs. The kids built snowmen, and the goats would destroy them. The game went on for hours. So cute!!
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5438_zps3212f84b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5438_zps3212f84b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5438_zps3212f84b.jpg"/></a>
After our awesome solstice feast, I went outside to finish up the chores, and as if right on cue, This huge, unbelievably bright moon came out form behind the clouds to light the yard for me.
Happy Solstice everyone! and have a goaty Christmas.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/98237a38-cb21-4818-bb6a-74839a927a55_zps15922738.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/98237a38-cb21-4818-bb6a-74839a927a55_zps15922738.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 98237a38-cb21-4818-bb6a-74839a927a55_zps15922738.jpg"/></a>
(If your thinking the moon is wrong, that’s because it is. This was taken last week, on the full moon. I did not have my camera with me at chore time last night)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-29717712556699034992013-12-14T13:03:00.000-08:002013-12-14T13:03:16.889-08:00Let it snow<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5421_zpsac23254b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5421_zpsac23254b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5421_zpsac23254b.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5417_zps5af4a40b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5417_zps5af4a40b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5417_zps5af4a40b.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5412_zps89a480c2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5412_zps89a480c2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5412_zps89a480c2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5411_zps073a2838.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5411_zps073a2838.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5411_zps073a2838.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5407_zps8ef0e991.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5407_zps8ef0e991.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5407_zps8ef0e991.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5404_zps9a2eae26.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5404_zps9a2eae26.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5404_zps9a2eae26.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5422_zpsf4654566.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5422_zpsf4654566.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5422_zpsf4654566.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5425_zps9c0e62c2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5425_zps9c0e62c2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5425_zps9c0e62c2.jpg"/></a>
Things have just been speeding along here, there was just too much to do before the ground froze. Not enough hours in the day. But this week, the snow has come. Everything's soft and white, and I have enough time to take some pictures, and do a bit of writing.
We got a new horse. A stunning Gypsy Vanner named Fynn. He's an 11 year old who is the sweetest most cooperative horse I've ever worked with. He gets along great with Star and Rowan, He even taught them to use The large shelter we built for them.
We also got two Oberhasli goats, a mother and daughter. named Iseabail and Sugar. They're a handful, so sweet but always finding a way to get into something they shouldn’t. Well worth it for the milk I'll get from them next year. I can't wait to try my hand at cheese making and yoghurt and butter...not to mention the fresh milk. The Children are really excited to learn to milk and for the birth of our first kids. For now they're just enjoying spending time, bonding with there new friends.
I'm so happy that things will slow down for a bit around here. They're calling for a big snow storm tomorrow and I'm ready. I'm looking forward to hunkering down by the fire, some good reading and snuggling with my little monkeys.
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-23150639882215633402013-10-23T05:31:00.000-07:002013-10-23T05:31:55.937-07:004h HalloweenI'm so happy and proud to say that both my kids share my love of animals, and have an interest in farming. To my absolute joy, they both wanted to join 4h this year. One will be taking horse and pony, the other poultry. In this small town, where everyone knows each other, participating in that kind of community based organization will be great for them for so many reasons. Yesterday evening. our 4h group hosted a Halloween party for its members. It was the first event of the season, and the first ever for my little monkeys. They had a blast. They were so happy to see all the other kids, who live near by and share interests with them. Since they go to French school, they don't know that many neighbourhood kids yet. I'm so excited for them to get to know more local kids, while exploring the possibilities of farming. Here are some pictures of them on the way into the party.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/20131022_182632_zps1161abc7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/20131022_182632_zps1161abc7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20131022_182632_zps1161abc7.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/20131022_182611_zps6c1fcf2d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/20131022_182611_zps6c1fcf2d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20131022_182611_zps6c1fcf2d.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/20131022_182602_zpsfd8fba39.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/20131022_182602_zpsfd8fba39.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20131022_182602_zpsfd8fba39.jpg"/></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-57397409799577439422013-10-21T04:34:00.001-07:002013-10-21T04:34:20.746-07:00Leaves and applesI'm sorry its been so long since I last posted. This Fall has been hecticly busy, and I've been having a hard time keeping up with everything I need to get done. At the forefront of my crazy tasks is still apples. I want to use as many as I can, I hate to waist them. So, I've been trying to make at least one batch of apple preserves a day, may it be apple sauce, apple butter, or some savoy relish or pickle I've come up with. My pantry is filling up nicely. Friends of ours have just offered us use of their cider press too, so I think we'll be experimenting with pressing, and making hard cider next, but that’s a post for another day. I also finished cleaning out the vegetable garden. The pigs are now busy tilling it for me. When they've finished, I'll add a thick layer of compost to leach into it, and brake down over the winter. Then when spring comes, I'll have the pigs turn it once more, and it should be perfect for planting.
The leaves are in there prime, I love the look and feel of fall in the forest. The count down to Halloween has also begun. I can't wait. Halloween is my most favourite holiday. The kids have their costumes picked and ready. The pumpkin to carve has been chosen and sits patiently awaiting its scary face. 10 days to go!! Here are a few pictures of life lately, I will post again soon.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5361_zpsd4881e25.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5361_zpsd4881e25.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5361_zpsd4881e25.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5360_zpsde5a0fa8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5360_zpsde5a0fa8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5360_zpsde5a0fa8.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5357_zps8507cea3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5357_zps8507cea3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5357_zps8507cea3.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5341_zps035dc1b1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5341_zps035dc1b1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5341_zps035dc1b1.jpg"/></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-74158466505375810612013-10-06T09:08:00.001-07:002013-10-06T09:08:39.296-07:00and then there were two...<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5330_zpsc54f60e7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5330_zpsc54f60e7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5330_zpsc54f60e7.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5331_zpsa515ce78.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5331_zpsa515ce78.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5331_zpsa515ce78.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5332_zps34c0db9e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5332_zps34c0db9e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5332_zps34c0db9e.jpg"/></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-30106854519264185532013-10-03T05:19:00.002-07:002013-10-03T05:19:58.506-07:00Fall hustle and bustle Its the busiest time of year around here. The crops are ready and need to be put up for winter, Firewood needs to be split and ready, animal feed needs to be stored. It seems there's just not enough hours in the day. So, here's a quick summary of the goings on.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5121_zps9d627dde.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5121_zps9d627dde.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5121_zps9d627dde.jpg"/></a>
My veggies are ready, and harvest is in full swing.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5299_zpsc205bee9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5299_zpsc205bee9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5299_zpsc205bee9.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5300_zps88c09708.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5300_zps88c09708.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5300_zps88c09708.jpg"/></a>
A fun fall weekend trip to the mainland
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5312_zps297cf39e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5312_zps297cf39e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5312_zps297cf39e.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5316_zps9e3f2baf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5316_zps9e3f2baf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5316_zps9e3f2baf.jpg"/></a>
Our new horse Rowan, is settling in nicely. (we're also getting an other horse on Sunday. Pictures to come)
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5320_zpsb8e019bc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5320_zpsb8e019bc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5320_zpsb8e019bc.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5325_zps032055e8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5325_zps032055e8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5325_zps032055e8.jpg"/></a>
The pigs are growing fast, and have learned to climb over their fence (pigs can climb, who knew?)They've become fast friends with Malice, and have taken to waiting for the kids to get home from school by the end of the driveway, and walking them to the front door.
Sorry for the shortness of this post, but now I have to run. Lots more needs to be done before the frosts come, and snow blankets the ground and we get to rest. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-17128386966611083252013-09-15T08:55:00.000-07:002013-09-15T09:46:02.904-07:00Mushroom walk Its been raining the past few days. Warm, humid and rainy. So, early this morning, when there was a break in the weather, I went strait to the forest to look for mushrooms. I was not disappointed. It seems like every possible mushroom was out, enjoying the warm rain. It was just passed dawn, and everything was still. The damp, spongy ground muffled my footsteps. The forest was completely silent as I crept threw the undergrowth taking pictures. The mushroom diversity is amazing. So many shapes, so many colours.They remind me of delicate flowers that smell of rich, damp earth, and appear as if by magic, with no leaves, or swelling buds to give them away.
I wish I knew more about mushrooms, there are only a select few that I can identify beyond doubt. And Mushrooms are not something I'm willing to take a chance on, so for now, its only pictures. I dream of the day that I know enough to go pick us wild mushrooms for dinner. I've been actively searching for someone to teach me, but so far, no luck. Here are some of the beauties I saw:
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5197_zps6d9dd272.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5197_zps6d9dd272.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5197_zps6d9dd272.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5194_zps33bb90c0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5194_zps33bb90c0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5194_zps33bb90c0.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5190_zpsc374fa80.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5190_zpsc374fa80.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5190_zpsc374fa80.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5187_zpsa5137484.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5187_zpsa5137484.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5187_zpsa5137484.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5184_zps443545f3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5184_zps443545f3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5184_zps443545f3.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5182_zps467be1f7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5182_zps467be1f7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5182_zps467be1f7.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5180_zps71d065bd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5180_zps71d065bd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5180_zps71d065bd.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5178_zps32c53c63.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5178_zps32c53c63.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5178_zps32c53c63.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5177_zps2320160e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5177_zps2320160e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5177_zps2320160e.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5172_zpsdd8251cd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5172_zpsdd8251cd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5172_zpsdd8251cd.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5169_zpsee34bc75.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5169_zpsee34bc75.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5169_zpsee34bc75.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5166_zps944ed18f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5166_zps944ed18f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5166_zps944ed18f.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5159_zpsc161806b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5159_zpsc161806b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5159_zpsc161806b.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5156_zps5df39d2f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5156_zps5df39d2f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5156_zps5df39d2f.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5154_zps6de13c02.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5154_zps6de13c02.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5154_zps6de13c02.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5151_zpsebdca357.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5151_zpsebdca357.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5151_zpsebdca357.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5148_zps262c3589.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5148_zps262c3589.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5148_zps262c3589.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5146_zpsd3287c16.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5146_zpsd3287c16.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5146_zpsd3287c16.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5144_zps8a597866.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5144_zps8a597866.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5144_zps8a597866.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5142_zpsd8f535f9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5142_zpsd8f535f9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5142_zpsd8f535f9.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5141_zps7dc89ddb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5141_zps7dc89ddb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5141_zps7dc89ddb.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5140_zps7811f006.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5140_zps7811f006.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5140_zps7811f006.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5137_zps74053ce5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5137_zps74053ce5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5137_zps74053ce5.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5135_zps311c4b25.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5135_zps311c4b25.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5135_zps311c4b25.jpg"/></a>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-43039320843538474732013-09-12T11:38:00.002-07:002013-09-12T11:38:51.461-07:00Apple time. My favourite time of year is upon us. The morning air is crisp and you need a sweater to do the morning chores. The leaves are starting to change colours, The crops are ready for harvest and the apple trees are heavy with fruit. Its time for the abundance of pies, preserves, and people to share them with. In the warm farmhouse kitchen with a fire crackling in the woodstove and a hot beverage in hand.<br />
I've talk about our orchard before. As the season wears on, more and more of the ancient trees are coming into fruit. Our property was a functioning farm for many generations. Paul's grandmother says she can remember some of the trees being old and covered in fruit when she was a child, and she's now in her 90s. New trees were being added, and the old trees tended until the farm was abandoned in the 70s. The original house is now long gone, and the surrounding forest has claimed many of the fruit trees. But many survive. Some are so choked by the advancing tamarack and spruce that all you can see of them is a gnarled old trunk and a few leaves. Others have faired quit well. We're working to liberate and rejuvenate the old orchard. Clear out the area, plant new trees (old verities only) where none remain, and care for the once that survive. Its a huge undertaking that will take many years, but its so rewarding to see these trees start to recover, and harvest their long forgotten bounty. So far, all we've found is apples but we were told there used to be plums, pears and cherries in abundance as well. It must have been beautiful in its heyday. It still is in a haunting forgotten place kinda way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5016_zps0e1dc701.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5016_zps0e1dc701.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5016_zps0e1dc701.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5073_zps9fc13864.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5073_zps9fc13864.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5073_zps9fc13864.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5074_zps51f20d5c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5074_zps51f20d5c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5074_zps51f20d5c.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5075_zps2a244ed4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5075_zps2a244ed4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5075_zps2a244ed4.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5076_zpsae476276.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5076_zpsae476276.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5076_zpsae476276.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5077_zpsf0eb9f7a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5077_zpsf0eb9f7a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5077_zpsf0eb9f7a.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5078_zpse2b578dd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5078_zpse2b578dd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5078_zpse2b578dd.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5083_zps07a1ce1a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5083_zps07a1ce1a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5083_zps07a1ce1a.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5085_zps92d816d4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5085_zps92d816d4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 106_5085_zps92d816d4.jpg"/></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-43684652777673409222013-08-31T17:26:00.000-07:002013-08-31T17:26:14.665-07:00Building projectWe've been working hard this past week. We had to build a home for the 2 newest members of our farm family. 2 sweet little Berkshire pigs.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5060_zpsb450b335.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5060_zpsb450b335.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5060_zpsb450b335.jpg" /></a>
We did all the work ourselves, starting with cutting down some trees
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5022_zps6511adca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5022_zps6511adca.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5022_zps6511adca.jpg" /></a>
and carting them to the build site
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5025_zpsb25749bf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5025_zpsb25749bf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5025_zpsb25749bf.jpg" /></a>
We hand dug all the fence post holes and put in our posts
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5048_zps95772973.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5048_zps95772973.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5048_zps95772973.jpg" /></a>
and put togeter a round wood building frame
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5049_zps3ca42eaa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5049_zps3ca42eaa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5049_zps3ca42eaa.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5054_zps684e1abf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5054_zps684e1abf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5054_zps684e1abf.jpg" /></a>
We then covered the frame with recycled tin
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5056_zpsf391749e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5056_zpsf391749e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5056_zpsf391749e.jpg" /></a>
The smaller tree limbs became fence rails and a piece of pallet became the gate
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5057_zps3229f031.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5057_zps3229f031.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5057_zps3229f031.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5058_zps574c58c1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5058_zps574c58c1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5058_zps574c58c1.jpg" /></a>
Then, this evening, Paul picked up the pigs from a near by farm. The kids have named them Lucy and Brownie
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5061_zps8d4f42a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5061_zps8d4f42a8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5061_zps8d4f42a8.jpg" /></a>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-9993265915296150092013-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:002013-08-18T08:13:58.613-07:00Talking Chickens I have a flock of approximately 24 chickens, who freerange around our farm. They peck around for worms, dust bathe in our fire pit, eat every scrap I put in our compost bin, and give me a constant supply of eggs. I can't imagine not waking up to crowing in the morning, or watching they're funny antics for hours on end. So, in light of this, I thought I'd introduce some of my flock.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4993_zpsdc2639ec.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4993_zpsdc2639ec.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4993_zpsdc2639ec.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4996_zps000c428f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4996_zps000c428f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4996_zps000c428f.jpg" /></a>
This is Brutus, part Ameraucanna rooster. most of his chicks lay eggs in shades of blue and green
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5003_zps5f302c7a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5003_zps5f302c7a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5003_zps5f302c7a.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5004_zps872b7b85.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5004_zps872b7b85.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5004_zps872b7b85.jpg" /></a>
The red rooster is Iron Man, he's top dog around the coop, and one of the friendlies roos I've ever had. He likes to rub up against my legs like a cat
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_5009_zps1067611c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_5009_zps1067611c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_5009_zps1067611c.jpg" /></a>
My helper feeding them apples
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4991_zps48bb65f0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4991_zps48bb65f0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4991_zps48bb65f0.jpg" /></a>
The chicks we hatched a while back, getting used to the yard, and getting to know the other chickens from the safety of a caged area. (they are part silkie, part gamehen)
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4971_zpsced0e07e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4971_zpsced0e07e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4971_zpsced0e07e.jpg" /></a>
This part Brahma hen named snow just hatched 6 beautiful chicks
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4975_zps1fb889c8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4975_zps1fb889c8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4975_zps1fb889c8.jpg" /></a><br />
and someone was extra thrilled<br />
<br />
<br />
I Hope you enjoyed meeting my chickensJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-57229815398066852222013-08-14T07:39:00.002-07:002013-08-14T07:39:27.559-07:00fair fun and horses Its Old home week in Charlottetown. An annual event that dates back to 1888. Agricultural shows, cart races, and of course rides. We spent the day there yesterday. The kids had a blast. I was sad I missed the poultry show, but it was a fun filled day anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4940_zpsf5f6e78f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4940_zpsf5f6e78f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4940_zpsf5f6e78f.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4946_zpsf3ce8278.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4946_zpsf3ce8278.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4946_zpsf3ce8278.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4948_zps8a7669c9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4948_zps8a7669c9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4948_zps8a7669c9.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4954_zps57f0e7d5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4954_zps57f0e7d5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4954_zps57f0e7d5.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4955_zps569e8cd5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4955_zps569e8cd5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4955_zps569e8cd5.jpg" /></a>
Today, we had planed an early morning trail ride. However, due to one little monkey not feeling well, It became a father daughter activity. They had so much fun, and I look forward to joining them next time.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4958_zps94f46698.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4958_zps94f46698.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4958_zps94f46698.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4964_zps2098a1a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4964_zps2098a1a8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4964_zps2098a1a8.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4965_zps883c1d2e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4965_zps883c1d2e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4965_zps883c1d2e.jpg" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-55272062891660252282013-08-12T07:47:00.000-07:002013-08-12T07:47:15.129-07:00Apples, Apples everywhere Sorry for the radio silence these past few weeks. The kids were in Ontario visiting with their grand parents, and I took a vacation. Paul and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We spent time at the beach, went canoeing, made new trails threw our forest, went fishing, and lots more. It was wonderful to spend so much quality time just the two of us. I can't remember the last time we had that privilege. I missed the kids like crazy though and I'm so happy to have them home again and be back in the normal swing of things.<br />
<br />
We have several very old apple trees on our property. I hope to be able to ID most of them in the next few months. Old apple varieties are so much more diverse and interesting than the new. The first of these is in full fruit right now. According to my research, and confirmed by Paul's grandmother, Its a White transparent. A dessert apple with white skin, white flesh, and a sweet, but sharp flavour. We picked buckets full yesterday and proceeded to preserve them. In syrup, as jam, as apple sauce, plus I made some pies and cobbler. All this, and we've barely scratched the surface. These apples are so soft, they all need to be preserved or eaten within a few days of harvest. I hope some of he other trees will yield good keepers, but ether way, we'll have more apples to preserve than we can possibly eat. So, if you come to visit, expect to be leaving with apples. Any one have suggestions or favourite recipes for preserving apples? <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4918_zpsba394a6a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4918_zpsba394a6a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4918_zpsba394a6a.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4936_zps790397f4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4936_zps790397f4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4936_zps790397f4.jpg" /></a>
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the apples
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4938_zpse59ada5b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4938_zpse59ada5b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4938_zpse59ada5b.jpg" /></a><br />
eating while we pick
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4939_zpsa621c962.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4939_zpsa621c962.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4939_zpsa621c962.jpg" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-15647737704985553062013-07-11T08:16:00.000-07:002013-07-11T08:16:33.176-07:00Lushness of the season<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4875_zps33ef6f49.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4875_zps33ef6f49.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4875_zps33ef6f49.jpg" /></a>
Apples in the old orchard look like they'll be abundant this year
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4874_zps6fd2dd8e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4874_zps6fd2dd8e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4874_zps6fd2dd8e.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4871_zps4a7a7439.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4871_zps4a7a7439.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4871_zps4a7a7439.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4869_zpsc75fa262.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4869_zpsc75fa262.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4869_zpsc75fa262.jpg" /></a><br />
A lady slipper orchid passed its prime, but still beautiful
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4867_zpscfdbe77b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4867_zpscfdbe77b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4867_zpscfdbe77b.jpg" /></a>
Our red brook the farm is named for. Believe it or not, the brook is crystal clear. the bottom is red sand, and that’s why it looks like that
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4864_zps820833ce.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4864_zps820833ce.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4864_zps820833ce.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4863_zps93123fdc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4863_zps93123fdc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4863_zps93123fdc.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4862_zpsee6854de.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4862_zpsee6854de.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4862_zpsee6854de.jpg" /></a>
Wild strawberries are growing in abundance along the paths
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4859_zpsa5ad49bf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4859_zpsa5ad49bf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4859_zpsa5ad49bf.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4857_zpse4d95e59.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4857_zpse4d95e59.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4857_zpse4d95e59.jpg" /></a><br />
Took the dogs for a long hike threw our property yesterday, While I hunted wild roses to make some rose jelly. The forest is so incredible this time of year. The berries are just starting, there's flowers every were, the birds are singing and the air smells sweet. I just had to share the beauty with all of you. I feel so blessed to live here.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4846_zps1f957a06.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4846_zps1f957a06.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4846_zps1f957a06.jpg" /></a>
wild rose
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4884_zpsfb48b03e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4884_zpsfb48b03e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4884_zpsfb48b03e.jpg" /></a>
getting ready to boil<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4890_zpsf648fb6a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4890_zpsf648fb6a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4890_zpsf648fb6a.jpg" /></a><br />
The finished product<br />
<br />
Making rose jelly must be the best smell in the world. Imagine the smell of an old fashioned rose, intensified, and drifting threw the kitchen with the steam. I can't wait till that snowy day when I open a bottle of this summer sunshine, and eat it for breakfast. I intend to experiment with this recipe, over the next few weeks, while the roses are blooming, and make several batches of rose jelly.<br />
<br />
Today, its raining hard. After the heat wave, and weeks of sunshine, its a welcome site. I intend to make a trip to the farmers market this afternoon, to get some local peaches and strawberries and, well what ever else caches my eye. To then spend my evening again, canning. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-29109580945727329372013-07-08T10:05:00.000-07:002013-07-08T10:05:31.534-07:00Quiet Homestead<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/66eb0649-4332-450a-882b-e2880858e0be_zps666491a1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 66eb0649-4332-450a-882b-e2880858e0be_zps666491a1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/66eb0649-4332-450a-882b-e2880858e0be_zps666491a1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/7546e52a-0fa4-411c-9df0-8aea6a1e2af8_zpsd8239eae.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 7546e52a-0fa4-411c-9df0-8aea6a1e2af8_zpsd8239eae.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/7546e52a-0fa4-411c-9df0-8aea6a1e2af8_zpsd8239eae.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/dc48484f-d663-4d72-9349-89ce1fd8900b_zpsee2cbab4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo dc48484f-d663-4d72-9349-89ce1fd8900b_zpsee2cbab4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/dc48484f-d663-4d72-9349-89ce1fd8900b_zpsee2cbab4.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4835_zpsfb060916.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4835_zpsfb060916.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4835_zpsfb060916.jpg" /></a>
Well, Paul and the kids are off to Ontario in our new 04 GMC Envoy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone to watch the critters, so I had to stay behind and hold down the fort. Its strangely quiet with no one else home...I can't remember the last time everyone was gone. I miss the kids already.<br />
I'm taking this time to catch up on the weeding,(this being a new garden, I'll never get them out completely, but the vegetables don't mind the remaining few, so nether do I). The garden is growing beautifully, The Zucchinis are in bloom, the swiss chard is getting huge, Tomatoes have a ways to grow, but I'm dreaming about fresh tomato sandwiches. Its already almost time to plant the fall crops too. I'll be adding some winter greens, (mache and kale) and some turnips. Nothing is better for the soul than gardening. I've been doing some canning too. Made some jams, jellys, and vinegars. I love how it fills the cool evening air with the most wonderful smells. Its like condensing the summer, and putting it in a jar to enjoy when the cold weather comes.<br />
In other news, I finally got a hatch out of my new incubator. It was my 3ird try. It seems the temperature gauge was slightly off. I think I finally have that set correctly, but there's still a problem. I got 5 chicks out of 35 eggs. At least I'm on the right track. Next, I'll try to adjust the turner, I'm not convinced that its turning them adequately.<br />
With the homestead so quiet, I'll probably get lots of extra time to catch up on my writing too, so you all can expect to hear from me a lot in the next week. <br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-28959783001323746532013-07-05T10:53:00.000-07:002013-07-05T10:53:09.256-07:00Lazy, hazy days of summer<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4830_zpsd4251d85.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4830_zpsd4251d85.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4830_zpsd4251d85.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4824_zps1c12105f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4824_zps1c12105f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4824_zps1c12105f.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4821_zpscc281bcb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4821_zpscc281bcb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4821_zpscc281bcb.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4755_zps76b948f4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4755_zps76b948f4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4755_zps76b948f4.jpg" /></a><br />
We're in the middle of a heat wave here, and enjoying the sun. We had planed a family vacation to Ontario this week, but our car died, leaving us scrambling to find a new one, and delaying our departure. No need to say, we've been sticking close to home. I think a few days of quiet relaxation did us all a lot of good, and we'll enjoy our trip even more. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-34721552513181448912013-06-23T05:25:00.003-07:002013-06-23T05:25:25.367-07:00Summer's here!!Its been one of those weekends to remember. So full of fun, and goodness, its perfection. It kicked off with the Solstice on Friday, and what a glorious first day of summer. We drove to the native plant nursery in Orwell and brought home a few treasures to add to our gardens. Some herbs, and witch hazel and a few others. On our way home, we drove down the coast and stopped to gather some wild oysters for our solstice supper. Paul, Wonderful cook that he is, baked them to perfection. We finished the evening roasting marshmallows. As the sun was setting, a big rainbow appeared in the sky.<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4725_zps5c4387a6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4725_zps5c4387a6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4725_zps5c4387a6.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4729_zps677c3182.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4729_zps677c3182.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4729_zps677c3182.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4737_zps7b46a4cf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4737_zps7b46a4cf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4737_zps7b46a4cf.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4739_zps144366c9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4739_zps144366c9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4739_zps144366c9.jpg" /></a><br />
We spent the whole day yesterday at the beach. The kids played, ad gathered shells for crafts, the perfect lazy Saturday. We brought home more Oysters to serve at a birthday party tonight, and some Quahogs to eat last night. On the way home we decided to stop and play some minigolf. Got home late and tiered, but it was well worth it.<br />
<br />
Today will be spent preparing food, and getting the place ready for a birthday gathering this evening. It promises to be one more perfect day, to end this perfect weekend. Hope you're all having a great first weekend of summer as well.
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4743_zps365e5dad.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4743_zps365e5dad.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4743_zps365e5dad.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4748_zpsb70e5a8f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4748_zpsb70e5a8f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4748_zpsb70e5a8f.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4749_zps8ecca4be.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4749_zps8ecca4be.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4749_zps8ecca4be.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4751_zps849961f8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4751_zps849961f8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4751_zps849961f8.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-14474140849848194582013-06-15T04:15:00.000-07:002013-06-15T05:53:59.929-07:00geese<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/85d90bec-e00f-4615-a809-a9f73793457e_zps2274a697.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 85d90bec-e00f-4615-a809-a9f73793457e_zps2274a697.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/85d90bec-e00f-4615-a809-a9f73793457e_zps2274a697.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4628_zps67430fc3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4628_zps67430fc3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4628_zps67430fc3.jpg" /></a><br />
Paul went to Nova Scotia this past week, and he brought me back the most wonderful present, a breeding pair of Pilgrim geese. I've been looking for a good quality, unrelated pair for years! I'm over the moon. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-43606328620979517332013-06-01T11:38:00.002-07:002013-06-01T14:32:01.983-07:00gardening <a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4545_zps301001ee.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4545_zps301001ee.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4545_zps301001ee.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4546_zps6e84c687.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4546_zps6e84c687.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4546_zps6e84c687.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4551_zpsaf8efea4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4551_zpsaf8efea4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4551_zpsaf8efea4.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4554_zps485e01a6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4554_zps485e01a6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4554_zps485e01a6.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4562_zps47f0cf1f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4562_zps47f0cf1f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4562_zps47f0cf1f.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4563_zps6dd735b6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4563_zps6dd735b6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4563_zps6dd735b6.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4566_zps24a51fbd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4566_zps24a51fbd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4566_zps24a51fbd.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4589_zpscbb7018c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4589_zpscbb7018c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4589_zpscbb7018c.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4590_zps0bf881a5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4590_zps0bf881a5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4590_zps0bf881a5.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4594_zps17492a9b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4594_zps17492a9b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4594_zps17492a9b.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4596_zps5608951d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4596_zps5608951d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4596_zps5608951d.jpg" /></a><br />
Things have started to pick up here, and I've been struggling to find the time to write. In the last week, we built a greenhouse out of pallets, took all the seedlings out of the house, stared taking out the tropical plants, ploughed the garden,then tilled it, now this weekend we're getting ready to plant. The weather’s been wonderful too. Warm and sunny, perfect for this burst of outdoor work. I love this time of year.<br />
A little more on the greenhouse...all the pallets were free, picked up from various stores as we could find them. The plastic we used was left over from another project. Making our total project price around 3 dollars for nails. The plants seem to like it, I'm really happy with how it turned out too.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-80179696407753456202013-05-11T06:48:00.000-07:002013-05-11T06:48:00.103-07:00Seafood<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4434_zpsda8afb72.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4434_zpsda8afb72.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4434_zpsda8afb72.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4478_zps48322a22.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4478_zps48322a22.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4478_zps48322a22.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4482_zpsef08b60c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4482_zpsef08b60c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4482_zpsef08b60c.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4490_zpsbf3fcb28.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4490_zpsbf3fcb28.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4490_zpsbf3fcb28.jpg" /></a>
<br />
We had a beautiful week. Warm, summer weather, to be enjoyed and spend time outside. I got to go meet my future goat whom I home to bring home in the next week or so. The very kind people who are selling her, took the time to give me a milking lesson. Now, I have visions of fresh milk, home made cheese, and butter, dancing in my head. <br />
<br />
We also took advantage the weather to go to the beach and dig some clams. The Kids and dogs had a blast playing in the sand and water. getting very dirty, and coming home very tiered. We collected a large bucket full of soft shell clams. Enough to have fried clams one day, and make a huge pot of clam chowder to share with some friends.<br />
<br />
Its also the first week of Lobster season here on the island, and we got a bunch of fresh caught lobsters to enjoy.<br />
<br />
Sadder news, the eggs that I put in the incubator a few weeks back didn’t hatch. I'm not sure what went wrong, I'll have to try again.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-913802247733235492013-04-30T04:43:00.000-07:002013-04-30T04:43:05.930-07:00Bog walk<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4351_zps8ebfb2ea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4351_zps8ebfb2ea.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4351_zps8ebfb2ea.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4355_zpse768c280.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4355_zpse768c280.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4355_zpse768c280.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4360_zpsf0f9e39c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4360_zpsf0f9e39c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4360_zpsf0f9e39c.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4361_zps5b50f313.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4361_zps5b50f313.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4361_zps5b50f313.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4363_zpsaa6bc771.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4363_zpsaa6bc771.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4363_zpsaa6bc771.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4370_zps153d8239.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4370_zps153d8239.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4370_zps153d8239.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4387_zps9bb4e7aa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4387_zps9bb4e7aa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4387_zps9bb4e7aa.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4392_zps0d84e33d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4392_zps0d84e33d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4392_zps0d84e33d.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4393_zps6420a9ae.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4393_zps6420a9ae.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4393_zps6420a9ae.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4396_zpsd18ce8aa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4396_zpsd18ce8aa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4396_zpsd18ce8aa.jpg" /></a>
Yesterday, we decided to go explore a peat bog by our farm. This is the type of bog from witch peat moss is harvested. Peat moss is the layer of decomposed Sphagnum moss that everything in the bog is growing in. It takes hundreds to thousands of years for a peat bog to form. To harvest it, the peat moss is "mined" A proses in witch they scrape off the top, living layer and bale up everything underneath. to read up on this <a href="http://www.naturallifemagazine.com/0712/asknlpeat.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is a good article on peat moss production. <br />
I found the bog to be hauntingly beautiful. covered in a springy white and red carpet of moss. every time you take a careful step forward, seeing how far your foot sinks before putting all your wait on it, the ground springs back up behind you, making it sound as if you were being fallowed. Lots of rare animals and plants grow in there too. there are 3 types of carnivorous plants to be found Pitcher plants, sundews and butterwort. of witch I only spotted pitchers, but it may still be too early in the season for the others. there are also some orchids and bog rosemary as well as endangered birds that call it home. Due to the pour quality of the soil, the trees, pine and spruce that manage to grow amongst the moss are naturally bonsaied. they can be hundreds of years old, and yet, be only a few feet high. <br />
I found this trip to be eye opening, and you can bet, I won't be buying peat moss ever again. I urge all of you to do the same. Use leaf mold, and compost instead. Better for the environment, and healthier for your garden. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548940188727544147.post-66602070191089571052013-04-23T09:29:00.000-07:002013-04-23T09:29:08.825-07:00yellow spotted salamandersWe moved to Price Edward Island from Ontario this past December. The Island is a beautiful place but I found the lack of wildlife very sad. In Ontario, we had black bears, wolves, dear, several kinds of turtles. All in our back yard. Almost every time we went hiking, we saw some wildlife. Here, there are coyotes, and foxes and skunks, that's all. And I haven't actually seen any of them. We do see some Coyote tracks in the forest. But never an actual animal. So imagine my excitement when I came across these little guys while on my hike this morning. A pair of yellow spotted salamanders. Its their breading season right now, and the deep puddles along the path are a perfect place for them to lay their eggs. <a href="http://museum.gov.ns.ca/amphibians/en/salamanders/yellow.asp" target="_blank">Here</a> is a great site with lots of info on them. Sorry about the picture quality, but Its hard to photograph threw water, and I didn't want to disturb them. For the next few weeks, I'll be looking in all the shallow still water I come across, to see if I can spot more, and possibly get some clearer pictures. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4337_zps5df72496.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4337_zps5df72496.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4337_zps5df72496.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s561.photobucket.com/user/juliealley96/media/106_4332_zpsdfa6ee04.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 106_4332_zpsdfa6ee04.jpg" border="0" src="http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/juliealley96/106_4332_zpsdfa6ee04.jpg" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14034556324738271760noreply@blogger.com1