BUTTERCUPS, BELLA, BLUE, and BABIES

As the heat of May swings into June the first days of June seem more like what the first days of May should have been. Yes, the weather is CRAZY !!

If you are a farmer in any sense of the word be it a cash cropper, livestock, market gardener, etc... we are all looking for rain !  Update: Since I wrote this we have received a couple of inches of much needed rain.

THANKYOU MOTHER NATURE !

Back to my muliple " B " title.

BUTTERCUPS:  Had the pups out for a walk the other afternoon and coudn't resist this photo-op.

BELLA & BLUE: As promised last blog I will now introduce you to 2 new arrivals at the farm. A team of MULES. 1 and a 1/2 year old BELLA and her 6 month old brother BLUE. They have settled in nicely and hopefully down the road will be a good plow team.

BABIES:  The other arrivals are 2 litters of baby Berkshire Heritage Piglets. Mom Ida had 9 and Mom Lee had 11. Everyone is doing very well and those babies are soooo cute!

The garden and crops continue to grow, some liking the cool weather, some wishing for the return of warmer temps.

Until next time - ENJOY YOUR DAY !

THE MONTH OF MAY IS ALMOST OVER !

Hard to believe that May is indeed almost over. It arrived with a few black flies, the odd mosquito ( more from them as the summer unfolds I'm sure ) cute little yellow lawn flowers ( dandilions - the bees love 'em ),
and soon the lovely aromatic aroma of lilacs ( for some - ACHOO ! ). May really is a delight as the warm rains turn the fields green and lush and the brown earth dark, ready for crops.

The greenhouse continues to flourish with indoor produce. We have enjoyed many a salads; spinach, romaine lettuce, swiss chard and radishes galore.  We wondered if snow pea blossoms would become pollinated to produce and bless the bees and others we are now enjoying stir frys! We also started tomatoes

and will plant them out in main garden when ready. The raised outdoor bed is planted. That is this years experiment as its waist high, NO BENDING !

Kim has had Pete and Jake ( belgians) and Ben and Barney ( white percherons) busy the last few days hauling manure. They have enjoyed the work and are now back out on green pastures awaiting their next adventure. ( the horses - not Kim )

Taking out a full load.

We have two new arrivals on the farm as well as waiting for the arrival of our first ever all Heritage Berkshire Piglets from moms IDA and Lee. Will write of them next blog.

As May moves into June  we wish you HAPPY GARDENING ---MAY YOUR SPRING PLANTING FLOURISH !

TILL NEXT TIME.....

Process in action

Done for the day !

CONGRATULATIONS STIRLING HOCKEYVILLE !!

A job well done !!  What fun to be part of the history of Hockeyville 2012.  The organizers of the 2012 run for KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE have done a fantastic job of bringing the 100,000 dollar prize to the town of Stirling, Ontario.  The money will go a long way to refurbish the Stirling arena and a great tribute to a wonderful man, long time arena manager Barry Wilson who passed away last year.                

Along with some tired fingers and thumbs from many, many, many computer votes our family sent in we decided to participate in the Hockeyville Parade on Saturday.  Even though the horses PETE & JAKE had

hung up their skates for the season, ( they play behind the barn all winter don't ya know) they donned their

hockey gear and  we  hitched them to the wagon and off we went to STIRLING. The great weather, laughter and festive atmoshere were contagious. PETE & JAKE thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED IN THE 2012 HOCKEYVILLE RUN,  OR HELPED IN ANY WAY

YOU HAVE SHOWN GREAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT, WELL DONE !!

WAY TO GO STIRLING !!!!!!!!!     Scroll down for more pictures.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED !!

The past 2 weeks has been unbelieveable for warm weather but shall settle down for a spell to something more seasonal.

This March/April time period always sees the farm receive its delivery of  " wee little chicks."

 The fuzzy little balls of fluff are much adored by big and small alike and their soft gentle chirps are ear pleasing as they explore their world.

As the grass continues to green and the fields dry up thoughts of grass cutting and crop planting fill our heads.

While patiently waiting on these activiities we have begun " Spring Cleaning " of all the barns and have planted the greenhouse ready for the BIG GARDEN.

I have included some SPRING FEVER pictures of  " Wallie" the pony.

Will post again soon.

ENJOY YOUR DAY !  WALLIE IS !!

SPRING IS IN THE AIR !

On the farm spring has always been linked with  " new beginnings."  SEEDS,  PLANTING, BIRTHS.

Well the green house is up and  " growing."  We had spinach with dinner last night picked fresh from within, as well as carrots that I am still digging up " fresh " from the veggie garden that dwelled there all winter. They just get sweeter !  ( If you haven't tried this before we highly recommend it. )

Now, the births.  We no longer have equine foals on the farm anymore as all our horses are fellows. But calves have come this spring as well as 23 little piglets. ( from two different moms ! )

My gosh they are adorable when they're little and of coarse " cute " when bigger.

As the days grow slowly warmer we will keep you posted on the arrival of  the baby chicks that come later in March and then our very first litter of the Heritage Breed  Berkshire piglets that are due in May.

Until then think warmer temps and soft sunshine, gentle rains, and all things green.

WOW ! WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY CAN MAKE !!




The winter, ( and I use the term loosely ) of 2011 / 2012 will go down in weather history as being one of the mildest and snowless in a long time. Here at least. Around the world, not so much.



February 23, 2012



February 24, 2012









Took the Farm Guardians for a run yesterday in the snow and what a beautiful world we found. One of  "snowy lace" and  "laden Boughs."





We may not be out of the woods yet but with a month to go we have had a relatively good winter on the farm.  So far we have only delt with frozen water lines once ( touch wood ) and saved much in fuel by not having to move snow.



However as snow enthusiasts ourselves the cross country skis, snowshoes, toboggans and sleds, not to mention horse drawn sleigh rides have been mostly idle.

 

Skates however  were almost needed just to get us all around with all the ice.







With SPRING approaching, thoughts turn to gentle rains and warm sunshine to help the 2012 crops to grow.

What ever it looks like out your window ----- ENJOY THE DAY !!!





















































NO ! REALLY !! THEY'RE WHITE BELGIANS !!!!

A big welcome to Ben and Barney, 15 and 16 years old respectively. These two friends and workmates have been together since they were 3 and 4 years old.

Ben and Barney are two handsome  " WHITE BELGIANS " that have come to live and work on our farm under semi-retirement from an Amish / Mennonite farm in western Ontario.

Although  they will look different in harness than our " Red Sorrel Belgians," I'm sure they will fit in just fine.

Stay tuned throughout the year for further updates and pictures of this team of "WHITE BELGIANS."

Or as our friends with that  "other breed " say;  "GIVE IT UP ALREADY----THEY'RE PERCHERONS"

" THE HOMESTEADER "

The Homesteader

Further information from our Pennsylvania trip, the re-introduction of the " HOMESTEADER."



Pioneer Equipment from Dalton Ohio was one of the vendors at the 2012 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Draft Horse Sale. They were there with a wide assortment of horse drawn implements, wagons etc...





discs



We had been able to use the proto-type of the Homesteader in 2011.  They (Pioneer Equip.) has since perfected this amazing multi-tasking piece of equipment for use on any Farm Homestead, Sustainable Farm or Market Garden where horses are your power.







scuffler



For further information and more pictures on the Homesteader and other equipment available click on Pioneer Equipment on our BLOG page.







WE`RE BACK FROM PENNSYLVANIA !

We are back from Harrisburg Pennsylvania and grateful for a safe trip to and fro. We left "early" Monday morning to attend the Pennsylvania Draft Horse Sale held at the top notch facility known as The Penn. Farm Show Bldg.  We had sold our Belgian mares a couple of years back but held onto STONEY LAKE EXTREME. A great looking 2yr. old colt at the time. As he wasn`t breeding age yet we kept him home to "grow up" into the handsome fellow he has become.

We consigned him last September and started the paperwork in December, obtaining the coggins and vet certificates needed to cross the border and all the documentation the Americans require to bring an animal into their country.

We arrived in Harrisburg about 4pm and were WOWED. The Farm Show Bldg. is a first rate venue for selling, buying, or just enjoying horses. The facilities and the air quality indoors [very important for man and beast] in this building were fabulous.

Breakfast before sale time.

After unloading horse and all our "stuff" we led Extreme to the big ring to have a run and work out any kinks from his 8 hr. trip.

Tuesday found us caring to Extreme`s needs all day, visiting with friends and aquaintenances old and new and enjoying the Mare Sale in the P.M.

Wednesday a.m. was an early rise as the Stallion Sale started at 9:00a.m. and Extreme  had to be primped and ready to go. Hair done,hoofs blackened, tail bunned and bows attached. Boy he looked GREAT !  Off he went to the sale ring where he did us proud.

As far as we know at this time he topped the sale. He has gone to live the good life with the ladies in the state of Georgia. 

Heading to the Ring

Sale is on !!!

SOLD ! Georgia bound.

                                                                                              

cutting hay

cutting hay in june 2011 with tom/jerry/pete/jake with 75 hp pioneer forecart saving fuel