Canadian Acres
Farming in the North
The Month of May
Hello all,
My oh my, how time flies when you are working working working having fun! The month of May has been full of sunshine, laughter and hard work. Summer is off to a wonderful start and we are busier than ever.
The chickens finally (FINALLY!) moved out of the house and are loving their new coop. They aren’t 100% sure on how and when to get in and out to enjoy their outdoor run, but we are working on it. Once they do get outside, they are happy and so funny to watch. Group dust bathing is my favorite activity. I finished painting the exterior and am working on some final touches before I post photos (alas, my work never seems to be done). One thing I’ve learned is that when you finish one project, there are 10+ more added to the list.
My father-in-law Timber finished the fencing for the horses a few weeks ago and literally the day after it was done, horses started to arrive at Canadian Acres. I guess it is true, if you build it, they will come. Clay’s Aunt and Uncle graciously let us borrow two riding horses as they needed some miles put on them. Their names are Ranger and Rover and they are such dolls. Maynard just loves to give them kisses. Clay and I went riding one rainy evening and explored the property on horseback… what an amazing feeling to actually do something you’ve dreamed of since the beginning. A few days later, some friends dropped off their horses to stay for the summer, and a few days after that, our new range stud showed up with Timber’s new horse… I’m in horse heaven!
Photo credit: Tyler Chamberlin
Apparently, so is Wyatt. He’s been trampled only once (the very first meeting), but comes close to it almost daily. He’s also learned a new trick called rolling-in-fresh-horse-poop-so-Mom-can-bath-me-with-the-hose-daily. This new habit is in battle for “best things Wyatt does” with finding random animal parts to chew on. Oh what fun to be had. Life as a farm dog is pretty tough.
The new range stud is so adorable and sweet I’m not sure I can keep him “wild” enough until he has to go to his new job with the wild horses across the river. He’s only a yearling, so he has some time to grow into it. He came without a name and I’m pretty sure he’s a Thor. What do you think? He’s a Percheron Fjord cross and has lovely coloring and markings. Did I mention I’m in love?
Yesterday I finally took a moment (in between building my hugelkultur flower bed and finishing painting the power shed…what can I say, I’m an excellent multitasker) to hike down to our game cam and grab the photos. It’s been un-checked for about a month and I was anxious to see what summer would bring to our game highway. Apparently, a lot of things! Lots of elk and deer, a moose, a coyote, a dirt biker (hmmmm… they must have missed our blatant No Trespassing signs), a porcupine and a gorgeous but wily looking wolf. What a very busy month it has been.
Today is cold and rainy/snowy so we are taking some time to organize our indoor lives since that seems to get ignored when the weather is nice. I am excited to get some plants planted and work on the landscaping as we have company coming at the end of the month. Looks like life won’t be slowing down any time soon – proof that the homesteading life fits us just right.
Here’s hoping your summers are all off to a busy and beautiful start, and if you get a chance, lounge in the sun for me!
~Katy
Canadian Acres 
Little house on the prairie way better
I bet you sleep well after a day working on the farm.
Great job you two! Beautiful!
Beautiful pics and writings – thanx for letting us share !