Fall has come to the farm. The colours on the trees are spectacular, and it’s been lovely to hike around the farm and spend time outside.
The fall fair is an important tradition in rural communities. Ellie planned for the past year to enter a cake in the baking competition. We baked. We decorated. We competed… We won! (Ours was the only cake entered.) Our girl was so, so excited to see the first-prize ribbon on her cake, and she now has the ribbon proudly displayed in her room.
Here are some other highlights from the past month.
“There comes a time in every chicken coop’s life when you’ve got to be finished.” Good wisdom from Beau Miles. (I also have plans to use some scrap metal we have hanging around.)
This ranch home is so full of personality. I love the powder room vanity and living room fabrics
“Every day we get to make a choice between trying to do something for what might be the last time or not trying at all. That’s what it is to age. I might never be able to do again what I did yesterday, but I’m going to keep trying… Time matters most when time is running out.”
Over the last week, there have been three car accidents around the farm. We’ve come home to flashing lights and closed roads. Less than a week ago, we watched from the dining room window as a helicopter landed on the road to airlift someone to the hospital.
Today, Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be here. To be healthy. To be with my family.
This is what matters.
Hold your loved ones close. Take time to be with them. Take care as you go through the world. Care for yourself and for others. Care for your physical well-being as well as your mental and emotional wellness.
Be kind. Careful. Polite. Patient. Respectful. In the store, at work, around the dinner table, on the road and online.
September has felt like a really long month to me. As I’m writing this update, I’m amazed with everything that has happened.
Ellie started school (a new school with a bus ride and lots of new experiences, including an awesome ice cream shop up the road, which means we’ve become regulars on Friday afternoons). I started school (second year teaching, so I’m enjoying making the courses more my own and seeing if the changes I’ve made are working for the students. First assignments came in last week, and I’m impressed with what they’ve done. So far, so good).
Cigo met a porcupine and a skunk. Ellie fell off her bike and broke her arm (2 1/2 weeks to go until the cast comes off).
I celebrated my birthday (met up with some friends, had a lunch with Matt’s Dad, two of his aunts and one cousin, and had a dinner with my family too). We went to Ellie’s first concert, a local cider house, our favourite playground and a treetop adventure course.
I’m also working away on the coop and the barn cleanout (donned a mask and tackled a big squirrel nest last week, which is as much fun as you might guess… and smells like you might guess too).
Whew.
Life is very full. But life is good. Ellie is enjoying school, thriving with the lessons, and has made friends. She has done so well with her arm and multiple visits to the hospital. She is a confident, capable, caring person, and it’s so special to see her grow. I feel confident in what I’m doing (teaching, parenting, DIYing, householding). Cigo rolls with it all and makes things fun (mostly). It’s a juggle, but we do our best to find the balance that works for us and take time to just be, just us.
Here are some of the other things that have filled this month for us.
This barn/house blew me away. The reclaimed elements, the space, the nooks, the balconies, the beams. What an amazing space.
I’ve done a good amount of sewing this summer, including two skirts based on my go-to skirt pattern. I’ve probably sewed this pattern at least a dozen times. It’s easily customizable with lining, pockets, side zipper, bias fabric, wider waistband, pegged skirt, gathers… pretty much whatever you can dream up.
Julia Turshen is a new-to-me chef. I checked every one of her cookbooks out of the library and made something from each of them. My Mom bought me this one for my birthday, so I can have it in my own collection. I love cookbooks. I love Julia’s messages around social justice and consciousness. Bonus points for her name.
Ellie became obsessed with playing cards this summer, and she shows no signs of stopping. Bicycle cards has been a great source of new games for us to try. (And for playing cards with kids, the skills of one game build for another. Ellie is now up to Euchre and Blackjack. Great lessons for strategy, memory, math, winning, losing and so much more. Plus a great way to fill the time during long waits at the hospital. Thank goodness for kind staff who will track down a deck of cards late on a Friday night.)
I don’t know much about Emily Carr, so this book was illuminating (and I want to see more of her art). The Indigenous peoples’ experience described was an even more powerful story than Emily’s journey.
“It’s a dying culture anyway.” He spit over the rail, as if to dismiss her and her purpose and the poles. “No, it’s being killed. Hacked to pieces. There’s a difference,” she retorted.
We have one day left of September, and I’m hoping to max it out with Matt’s Dad, his chainsaw, some more coop work and maybe even check a couple of things off my fall to-do list.
How has September been for you? Did the month feel long, short, regular? What highs or lows have you had? (Hopefully no broken bones, porcupines or skunks.)
Fall officially arrived yesterday morning. That means I’m thinking about the things I have to do to prepare for winter.
Most of my fall to-do list is the usual maintenance things. I’m not adding any big tasks or special projects. My priorities for the last few months have been the coop and the barn cleanout, and I really want to continue with them. If I can wrap them up by the end of the year, I will be very happy.
But along with the coop and the cleanout, there are a few things I have to do. Sharing them here is a good way to get them out of my head and hold myself accountable.
Put away outdoor furniture – Warm weather is hanging around, and Ellie and I had breakfast, lunch, dinner and Monopoly outside over the weekend. We’ll max out the patio as long as we can, but if someone shows up who can give me a lift our big table is going into the barn. (Friends and family are used to being recruited to help with various tasks when they come to visit.)
Clean eavestroughs – I clean the gutters several times a year due to the number of trees around our house. Once the leaves are off the trees, I will do it again.
Pump out septic tank – We have the septic pumped every 2-3 years. It’s been 3 years since our last pump out, so it’s time to have it done again.
Sweep the chimney – Never mind. I did this on the weekend.
Clean heat pump filter – Like most HVAC, our heat pump is happier with a clean filter. I like to power wash it twice a year to make sure it’s really clean and then I’ll vacuum it through the winter. The power washing should happen before I turn on the heat–and before I turn off the outdoor water.
Turn off outdoor water – Turn off the water, drain the pipes, put the hoses away.
Mulch brush – I’ll be putting our chipper to work again to clean up two brush piles so that they don’t become multi-year mountains, like we’ve had in the past.
Little tasks (including one already done), but they are all important and they all take time. I will be tackling each of these throughout the next few months, and hopefully by the time colder temperatures arrive we’ll be ready to light the fire and relax (a bit) in our cozy house.
What’s on your fall to-do list? Do you have any big projects you’re trying to wrap up? Or are you tackling a bunch of little tasks too?
The smell of fresh cut hay filled my room on Friday night. As I lay there, I felt like the bed was rocking under me, taking me back to my hours in a boat last week during our annual cottage getaway. It was like I was in two places. My body home at the farm, yet my mind still on vacation.
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through summer already. The cottage week with my family is the highlight of my year. All of our kids have embraced cottaging as much as my siblings and me. Watching them play together, swim and ski–and push themselves to try new things and master new skills–is so meaningful. Plus getting to ski myself, play with the kids, and hang out with my family is special too.
Writer Nicole Ziza Bauer mirrored some of my feelings about summer in the latest issue of Magnolia.
“Summer beckons us to remember. How it felt when our days stretched out in freedom–when a sense of wonder drew us outdoors and the world wasn’t something to keep up with but to create for ourselves… A few years might have passed but summer’s welcome return can be an invitation to retrace those well-worn paths.”
We’ve had lots of special moments so far this summer–both here and away, on new and well-worn paths. And we have more to come. I’m going to take a holiday from the blog for the next few weeks and focus on summer.
Here are some of the things that have been part of our summer so far.
I love fish tacos, and I finally made them at home. This recipe was tasty and easy.
This chocolate peanut butter pie was so good I made it twice this month. (Bonus it’s vegan and gluten free.)
I bought new bathing suits for the cottage (an upgrade from my 5-year-old suits). This one is my favourite. This was Ellie’s choice.
“I want to light the Olympic torch,” Ellie said as I tucked her into bed on Friday night. Watching the opening ceremonies with her was so much fun. My highlights were the light show on the Eiffel Tower, the torch run through the streets of Paris and Celine singing from the Tower.
I’m still deep in summer mode, but I’ve been saving some back to school tips from my favourite parenting account.
“Running had prepared me for this moment. It taught me to pay attention to goodness. It gave me the tools of resilience and gratitude, of awe and optimism. And even without running, these were with me. Views could still inspire me, gratitude would always fill me. The positive approach that contributed to my running was ready to strengthen any passion or pursuit.”
Haying is an experience that is always special and fun for us, even after 13 years of harvests. This year, haying has been hard. We’ve had lots of rainy days (and some torrential days most recently). More than enough to make the grass grow like crazy, but not enough time in between for our farmers to cut, dry and bale.
Our farmer cut our first field at the start of June. They finally pulled the last hay wagon away at the end of the month. In between we watched them battle equipment, race the rain, bring on more help, and work very, very hard.
Ellie and I have measured the grass, speculated when it might be cut and then when it might be baled, assessed whether the hay is dry, sympathized with and appreciated our farmers, climbed on hay bales and then jumped off, watched the tractors, balers and wagons, been grateful for this land, and soaked up the experience.
What harvests have you been watching where you live? Anyone else having a wet summer?
Today is Canada Day. Eleven years ago, I was so excited to be flying the Canadian flag at the farm on July 1. Over the years, my attitude has changed, and this year I feel even more conflicted.
The flag is about my identification as Canadian and my pride in my country. But this year, I feel less connected to Canada’s current direction and less pride.
Growing up, I was taught that Canada is a great place to live, a place of diversity and acceptance, a champion for human rights. Those things are true, but only to a certain extent.
Over the last several years, I have learned more about Canada’s struggles with inequality, intolerance and injustice. At our country’s worse, it devolves to discrimination and abuse.
The ongoing treatment of Indigenous peoples and the awful situations so many are living in do not reflect the Canada that I want to identify with. I recently read Garbs Chief Sheila North’s memoire. She wrote, “Our country and all Canadians have learned the same views from generation to generation, creating systemic and institutional racism everywhere.” Centuries of abuse have damaged generations of people, and the government shows little willingness to change its course.
The government’s response to Israel’s attacks on Palestinians does not demonstrate respect for human rights and equality. I identify as Canadian, yet I don’t recognize myself in my government’s stance. Palestinians and Jews deserve to live. They deserve to be safe in their homes.
I teach my child to respect others, be kind, not hurt people and not take what doesn’t belong to her. I also teach her that people are different, but that doesn’t change how we treat them.
Throughout the protests during Covid-19, I felt uncomfortable with the flag in front of our house. What if people thought we were one of “those” people? Those people who seemed so intolerant and who had co-opted the flag. I refused to take it down, but I let it get very tattered, perhaps a representation of my feelings at the time.
Paul Litt, a history professor at Carleton University, talked about some of my feelings. “Where there’s evidence that maybe Canada means something different than what you imagined it to be — an extension of yourself — that has great potential for dissonance.”
Canada is a place of goodness. But we have a long way ago to ensure that goodness is universal. It is up to each of us to be open, speak up, vote, learn, teach and listen.
North talked about the “Seven Teachings that many Indigenous people adhere to: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, Truth.” These are values that represent the Canada that I want to live in.
Summer is underway here, and it’s been so much fun already. Ellie is finished school. We’ve had ice cream, a heatwave, water fights and a campout. We’ve gone swimming, strawberry picking and to the zoo. We’ve also done some work on the coop, mowed the grass and tackled the usual household chores. In all, it’s been just what we like–a good mix.
I wrote an article for our community newsletter about my summer philosophy. I’m going to share part of it here in the hopes that it encourages you to “do” summer.
“A few years ago, I made the decision to “do” summer. That meant saying yes to opportunities that came along, soaking up the great weather, being a bit flexible on the schedule, and spending time outside. Nothing was overly complicated or expensive, yet we had the best time.
How to “do” summer
Summer should be relaxing and fun, and our activities should help to achieve that. Eat meals outside instead of in the house. If a friend invites you to go swimming, say yes. Notice the animals, insects, birds, flowers that share our environment. Maybe have a campout in the backyard or stay at the park a bit later. Enjoy some farm fresh or homegrown food. Find simple moments to experience the fun of the season.”
As we begin summer, here are some of the things that I have my eye on.
The transformation of Bluestone Cottage has been incredible to watch. Daniel’s style is one of a kind.
I had a terrible crick in my neck last week. I’m hoping this pillow will help.
I love a furniture makeover. Repurposing a hutch into a gardening station is something I never considered, but I love the idea. And my Mom has the perfect hutch in her basement…
“To save wild places and wildlife in Canada’s North, we must also save them in Canada’s south… Natural areas on our doorsteps remind us of our connection to those vast, untrodden wild places that lie beyond the horizon.”
We’re ending the month with our first summer getaway this week. I’m also anticipating at least two ice cream cones. I hope that you will consider “doing” summer, whatever that means for your family. Have fun and embrace the season.
Firewood is Matt’s Dad’s thing. He heats their house with wood and has a huge, carefully constructed, diligently managed, well-sheltered woodpile. He also has all of the saws, axes, sledgehammers, wedges, and a wood splitter to prepare that firewood–and the experience to use them.
When we ran out of firewood this spring, he immediately committed to restocking us. (He might have been a bit horrified.)
All of the firewood we have ever had at the farm has come from Matt’s Dad’s efforts (and ours). In fact, on our second day of owning the farm he cut his first tree here and one month into the farm we had our first woodpile. There have been lots and lots of trees and cutting and splitting and piling since then.
A few weeks ago, Matt’s Dad and I had a big firewood restocking day. I have always been the gopher when it comes to cutting wood. He saws. I carry, hold, split and stack. He’s offered at various points to teach me to chainsaw, but I haven’t taken him up on it. I finally did.
At first I was uncomfortable. I am very conscious of how dangerous chainsaws are. The saw was also super heavy and felt awkward for me. (Side note: He is much stronger than I realized.) But Matt’s Dad was patient and thorough, and he set me up and gave me the confidence to stick with it.
We started with three smaller trees that had died or blown down. Then he spotted a huge dead ash tree. As I kept cutting the smaller trees, stopping now and then to load the trailer, he went for the big one.
It ended up being a full day of cutting–for both of us. Three trailer loads and some very, very big pieces of wood. It was one of the best days I’ve ever had with Matt’s Dad.
Last weekend, he came back and finished the job, splitting all of the big pieces while I stacked the logs in the woodpile. We are now fully restocked with enough firewood to last for probably two years.
For Father’s Day, I want to celebrate Matt’s Dad. He does so much for us. Just like Dad’s are supposed to. He watches out for us, considers us, helps us, makes sure we have what we need, teaches us and spends time with us. I am very grateful to have him in our lives.
I feel like I’ve been going full speed ahead this month. My main focus has been the barn cleanout I mentioned last month (hence my office, above). It’s not been the most fun project. It’s a bunch of stuff Matt had that he enjoyed, but it’s not something I’m interested in.
There’s baggage because it’s Matt’s and he should still be enjoying this. There’s also baggage because it’s a tonne of stuff (and some it is a pretty big mess).
But one of Matt’s friends whom I’ve not heard from since Matt died and that I had no idea how to contact reached out to me just as I started to sort through things. He immediately offered to help, so while I’m counting and organizing, he’s cold calling and trying to find people who might be interested in this stuff.
I feel like Matt had some influence on his friend, so it’s nice to know he’s with me, doing as much as he can for us.
The cleanout has felt all consuming, but I am making progress. I’ve also had some time to get lumber for the coop, work with Matt’s Dad to continue to rebuild our firewood, celebrate Matt’s Dad’s birthday, chip up a whole tonne of brush, plant some trees with Ellie, join a community clean-up to pick litter out of ditches, do a bit of gardening, have a few work meetings, and do a bunch of other things. I won’t say there’s balance this month, but there’s productivity.
Here’s some other things I’ve been up to.
We had our best asparagus harvest yet! This tart and this pizza were excellent ways to enjoy it (Smitten Kitchen never lets me down).
I’m considering buying a ceiling fan for our front hall to help regulate the temperature between upstairs and down, but I’m not sure how much of a difference it will make. Any advice?
I’m finishing off the month with… you guessed it… more time in the barn. I’m hoping to make some really good progress this week. I also have a special project for one of my clients, lunch with one of Matt’s Mom’s friends and Cigo’s annual vet check-up. I also really need to mow the grass. It’s getting hard to distinguish between our lawns and the hayfields.
Who else is going full speed ahead? Has anyone achieved “balance” this month? Any other asparagus fans out there? What was the highlight of May for you?
Home on 129 Acres 