We are noticing the evenings drawing in here on the farm, less time to get the chores done each evening and the animal lock up time is getting earlier each week. Last night, as the sun began to sink, we watched the mist spill over from our neighbour’s field and into ours like a small waterfall spilling over the fence. We all walked into the thickening dusk, letting the dog run ahead and the boys get out their last shouty…
One of the things I’m just beginning to get to grips with is the abundant wild harvest that is available here on our land. While the concept of foraging isn’t new to me a lot of the flora is, variations are different here than back home and I admit to being desperately terrified of making a mistake. Luckily we made contact with Amber Westfall through our homeschool group and her herb identification walks really put a fire under me. She…
I can be found over at Playful Learning today with a recipe for lovely, calming oat baths. Pop on over and take a peek!
Though we’re not in full honey extraction mode we are definitely bang smack in the middle on honey season, and there really isn’t a better season than that. While he was checking on the bees (who have had a great summer feasting on the wildflowers in our fields) he decided to give them some extra room and moved on the racks out forcing us (forcing I tell you!) to make big boxes of honey comb. Life is hard on the…
Ever wondered how you can create a bond with a feathered friend? Feel like something is missing from your chicken/owner relationship? Want to feel the deep joy and love only an avian pal can provide? Well here is your answer! Yep, melon is the key. We had a real heat spike here midweek, the temperature hit 39C which is not nice for woman nor beast, I was worried about my feathered friends dehydrating so went and got a big bag…
This year has not been a great gardening year, I’m sure we’re not the only people to be saying that after the early summer of rain most of us had. A combination of rain, rocky soil and more rain (oh and a bit of rain for good measure) rotted seeds in the earth or bled the goodness from plants leaving little yellow stumps behind. So we did what any gardeners would do, we started again. We replanted and put out…
This morning the mist was right up against the bedroom window when it was time to get up and head out for the morning chores. Everything was cloaked, hidden in the glow of the early sunshine that had not yet burned off the moisture made heavy by the cool temperatures last night. As the sun crested the trees the mist lit up, magnifying each droplet into a glowing lamp of golden light. The chickens seemed unaware of the firey display…
Yesterday, as I was just beginning to make dinner, there was a knock at the door. The dog was going crazy, the kids were running around me as I opened the door a crack to stop Winnie bolting out and crashing into whomever was on the other side in a blur white floof and massive paws. Our neighbour was there smiling at me and announced he had our cows with him! In a moment any worry or stress I’d had…