Canadian Acres
Farming in the North
Garden Days are Coming…
It’s been awhile since I last posted and I do apologize. Life has become absolutely nutso around the farm and with the summer looming, I fear it will only get worse. I’ve really felt the effect of my crazy schedule this past week and as I attempt to catch my breath, I try to think of the times ahead. And then I had a meltdown because the stupid vacuum wouldn’t work and I didn’t have time to fix it because, really, it’s a brand new f$%#ing vacuum and it should work without having to do anything because I most definitely do not have time to deal with it… thank god Clay carefully turned the knob from “hose” to “vacuum” before I murdered it Office Space/fax machine style…
Anyway, work has been very busy and farm work has been very exhausting and the whole “side-by-side” commute has officially lost its charm. Like, seriously. But with challenge comes accomplishment and I can happily say that a longtime goal is coming to fruition. The garden is going in!!!
This past week Clay, Timber and I have been busy putting in the fence posts and putting up the wire for our 8 foot game fence. We have two sides completed, a third laid out and are taking some down time for travel. Clay is in Southern BC for a conference and I will soon be on my way to Washington DC for my cousin’s wedding, but at least we have it started. Next steps are to install our water source, till the acre, install gates and start forming the planting areas. And then of course, plant the hell out of it. I couldn’t be more excited.
In our spare moments, we’ve been screening our topsoil leftover from our build site to put in the garden beds around the house. Not super fun, but necessary. And cheap. We’ve also been collecting sandstone from the property to use as landscaping rocks in the yard as well as the fire pit. Nothing brings a couple together like slinging rocks. As long as it’s not at each other. I love that we have so many resources right on the farm and that we try to utilize them throughout our designs. Brings a whole new meaning to being grateful for what we have.
In coop news, I candled 31 eggs this weekend after realizing the other girls were sneaking eggs under broody Florence. She looked like one of those cartoon hens sitting atop a pile of eggs, poor dear. She was setting 19 eggs by the time I figured out what was going on! I finally got her down to a dozen and set Miss Josephine (who is broody once again) on 11 eggs I bought from a local farmer. I bought seven Easter Egger eggs (blue) and 4 Sizzle eggs (Frizzly/Silkie cross). I found one broken on the coop floor this morning, but the rest seem to be forming wonderfully. Pretty soon we’ll have more chicks than we know what to do with! I also added a wee little Cream Legbar to the flock whom I named Franny. She will also lay blue eggs and after a rough start with the Peck-a-little gang, she’s feeling a lot more comfortable.
May arrived and with it a freaking snow storm… seriously, this is a neighbors pasture on Wednesday May 6:
But the beauty of the North is – what a difference a day makes. Our farm on Thursday May 7:
I must say, even though I’m more tired than I have ever been in my life, I sure am loving this farm of mine.
~Katy
Canadian Acres 
Thank you for sharing. Love you “way with words” right along with following your progress on the farm!
Thanks Lynn! As you can tell with my (very) delayed reply, things are in full swing this summer! Hoping to get to your house for fire sometime 🙂
So much work!!! So happy for you, great – great blog.
Katy,
I’m not positive replying to this email will reach you, but here goes:
I’ve been enjoying a website for its farming podcasts for a couple of years and thought I’d share with you. It’s theruminant.ca and I believe the guy who created the site is out your way. Not all of the topics covered apply to me, but I enjoy learning about them anyway. I tend to binge listen this time of year when my hands are busy planting seeds or transplanting seedling and while I’m in the gardening mood.
Also a recipe. You mentioned once you had an abundance of eggs these days and I thought I’d share a breakfast dish I would eat five days a week if I had access to reasonably price quality eggs.
Dutch Babies
Turn oven to 425
Put 1/3 cup butter in a 9×13 and place dish in oven to melt butter, but don’t forget about it and burn the butter.
In a bowl: 6 eggs, well beaten 1 1/4 cup milk 1 1/4 cup flour 1/2 t cinnamon 1 t vanilla
Whisk above together very well then pour over melted butter.
Bake 23-25 minutes.
Traditionally served with lemon juice and powdered sugar, but we like it french toast style and eat it with maple syrup.
You could easily eat half of this on your own. If you like it, that is.
You may already know about both of these. In that case, I’m sure you enjoy them as much as I do.
Jess
Hi Jess! I wanted to apologize for taking so long to get back to you but this is all AMAZING info! When you sent this recipe, it was a special moment for me as my Aunt had very recently passed away and she used to make Dutch Babies all of the time. It made me smile and think that she was somehow smiling down on me at that moment, so thank you thank you so much 🙂