Join 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.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Building project
We'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.
We did all the work ourselves, starting with cutting down some trees
and carting them to the build site
We hand dug all the fence post holes and put in our posts
and put togeter a round wood building frame
We then covered the frame with recycled tin
The smaller tree limbs became fence rails and a piece of pallet became the gate
Then, this evening, Paul picked up the pigs from a near by farm. The kids have named them Lucy and Brownie
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Talking 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.
This is Brutus, part Ameraucanna rooster. most of his chicks lay eggs in shades of blue and green
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
My helper feeding them apples
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)
This part Brahma hen named snow just hatched 6 beautiful chicks
and someone was extra thrilled
I Hope you enjoyed meeting my chickens
and someone was extra thrilled
I Hope you enjoyed meeting my chickens
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
fair 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.
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.
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.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Apples, 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.
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?
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the apples
eating while we pick
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?
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the apples
eating while we pick
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