The Seeding Time...She Comes.

     What a strange spring we are having this year.  I guess that's what happens when the whole world weather starts to change.
     I am planning a pretty big garden this year.  The last few years I haven't done very much, and I ALWAYS like to try new things, which hardly ever work out the way I was hoping.  Sigh.  I still do it though.  It's fun to try something new.   I won't go into what I am planning for this year yet, so you will have to stay tuned. 
      This weekend I started my tomato and pepper seeds.

     All my seeds I ordered through Bowseed here in Alberta.  They are a great Company, certified non GM (genetically modified), and everything gets sent right to your door.  I love getting packages. 
     I usually spend around $20 for all the little seed pots etc. to get this stuff stared, but this year I was looking at the gardening section on Pintrest and saw a cool pin on how to make your own newspaper seed pots.  They are free, easy to do, safe for the environment, and better for you little seedlings as there is no need to disturb the roots when you trans-plant them.  I thought I would give you a quick look at how it's done.
    
     First you need to gather what you need.  Newspaper, masking tape, and a soup can.

     Then you open up one full sheet of newspaper and rip it down the middle.

Fold the piece in half the long way

     Then on the open end, fold down two times, about a half-to- one inch each time, depending on the size of paper you are using.  This gives the pot a bit more structure.

     Now you are ready to roll your little pot.  You may want to get a couple of little pieces of tape ready now.  Place the soup can on your paper, roll up and fasten with a small piece of tape.

     Then, flip over, fold in bottom, and tape again.

     There you have it!  Little plant pots that are super easy to make.

     When your little plants are ready to go out into the garden, simply take off both pieces of tape, open up the bottom on the pot, and place the entire pot into the hole.  The newspaper will degrade on it's own, and the roots will be undisturbed. 

SPRING IS ON THE WAY

     Today is another grey day here in Alberta.  You know those kind...when the sky is the same all day.  Well, I guess it's not really grey here, more a dull white.  These are the kind of days that I find very hard to cope with.  I usually don't get very much accomplished either.  Even though the temperature is warming up a little every day now, and the birds are starting to sing their hearts out, it can still feel a bit depressing. 

     But I really feel it now that Spring is truly on the way.  Every day, more and more snow melts away and more little muddy rivers take it's place.  Every day, I see more dry grass on the yard, and more mud in the driveway.  It will be here soon, and then I will be busy outside once again.  Right now the sun is trying so hard to break through all those grey clouds.  I hope it makes it.  Here in Alberta, 5-6 months of winter is the norm.  But for some reason this winter seemed to be the longest (even though is was just normal).  I am longing for green once again.

It has been whispering to me like a long lost love "Soon, my dear, soon..."  So until it arrives in all it's glory, I will take one day at a time, and enjoy each one for what it is.  A true and wonderful blessing from the Lord.

  I hope you can remeber to count your blessings each day as well.

Spring Cleaning ~why is it so hard to start?~

     OK, I do NOT like cleaning.  I know, I know, nobody does.  True.  I have read so many different types of books and blogs on how to keep your house clean.  I understand all those concepts and know they work.  I just don't do them.  Why is this?  Why do I put it off for so long and then go crazy in one day and clean the whole house?  Why, when I am finished this mad cleaning frenzy, do I always say to myself, "This wasn't so bad.  You should just keep it up now."  But I never do.     There is probably some deep physcological reason for this, and I could find it if I searched deep enough, but honestly I don't want to.  I am fine if the house is dirty and unorganised. (to a certain extent)  I don't feel bad if there are dirty dishes in the sink, or dirty clothes on the floor in the bathroom.  I refuse to put all my self worth into this house and the current state of cleanliness it is in. 

So, with spring just around the corner, the urge to purge is strong.  That's ok.  I am willing and more than able to tackle this giant and take him down a few pegs.  Will I get everything done that I want to get done?  No.  Will I be disapointed because of this?  Well, maybe a little bit.  Will I let it affect my self worth?  No way.  There is so much more to life than a shiny bathtub.  Good thing my kid's birthdays are spread out through the year.  I always get the most done when I have the least amount of time.  And I am fine with that!

OOPPS, why have'nt I been blogging?

So, I said I wanted to try blogging here three time a week.  Guess that didn't work.  This will be attempt number 2 on that.  I may not do 3 a week, but will try for 1 for sure. (lol)  I do have a lot of things I want to write about, it just seems that when I have the time for it, then I just don't feel like it.  Oh well.

The Jurassic Forest

So, last Friday my Husband took a day off work and we went for a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Jurassic Forest, North of Edmonton.  You can check out their web site here.  It was a beautiful day and we had a pretty good time.  It was a bit expensive for what you get, but it was very well put together, and the dinosaurs looked awesome.  The place was very clean with a shady picnic area and a large playground for the kids.  I would have liked to see more equipment at the playground, but still good.

(This video from youtube, it takes WAY too long for my computer to download)

This is not a museum, but an outdoor exhibit.  Very nice pathways and everything was in excellent repair.
If you get a chance to go, it is worth the trip!

First Cut Hay



Ryan running the square baler


Haying is a very busy time for us.  Since it completely depends on the weather, it can also be a stressful time.  This year we were pretty lucky.  All the rain earlier this spring really helped the hay crop.  The rain stopped, and we were able to cut.  Some nice wind and warm temps. made for a good harvest.  It's so nice that the boys are now old enough to really help with all the work.



Stacked and covered



About 1,500 square bales so far.  Still about half the field left.  So hopefully the rain stays away for a while yet.



Square bale wagon.



Hay Rake, for flipping hay over.  Helps to dry it faster.

The food of summer...

What is your favorite food of summer?  There are so many good things that we just can't get any other time of the year.  I hope to keep adding on to this throughtout the summer.  Here is my first favorite:
July 4th

CHERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Bunnies

This little bunny was born abut 2 weeks ago.  Not sure of the exact date, but they almost have their eyes open all the way.  They are still in their nest, and I felt four for sure in there.  This one is really cute with a bit of brown on it.  The mom and dad are both white, so this is a bit of a surprise.  In another couple of weeks, they will be big enough to find a new home.  So sweet!

New Life on the Farm

All of our baby lambs are supposed to be born in May.  However, last fall we left the rams in for too long and most of the sheep lambed in January.  (oops) There were a couple who missed the boat the first time (so to speak) and stayed on the right schedule.  There was even a surprise from a yearling who wasn't anywhere near the rams.  She turned out to be a great mom though. 

There is one ewe who is getting so big, and so ready to pop that she can hardly walk around.  Her bag is so big and tight that her back legs are spread out and she has trouble keeping up with the others as they graze.  I tried to get a good picture of her but it was kind of hard to get the angle right.

I have been telling the kids that she is not going to give birth, but explode and there will be baby lambs shooting out all over.  This makes them laugh.

My thoughts put to paper

Of course we are hoping for a happy ending with mother and babies all safe.

*(no sheep were hurt in the making of this blog)

The start of something

     For anyone who has ever dreamed about just taking you car and smashing it, this is for you! 

     My two oldest, Ryan and Austin, got to live out that dream.  For $250.  They purchased a second hand car, 1993 Buick Skylark, and proceeded to tear it apart!

So remember, if you need some body work done on your car, find a reputable shop...LOL

Sarah and Quincy

     My daughter Sarah has been learning how to work with her horse Quincy.  A very dear friend (my brother-in- law's mother-in-law) has graciously offer her help in teaching my daughter. 
     First she started with some basic ground work with him.  He was on the lunge line and Sarah had to tell him to walk, jog, and lope.  He had to respond to her words and do what he was told.  This is a great way for the two of them to bond, and learn to trust each other.
     She has progressed a bit now and is riding him all alone in the corral.  They are doing great!!!  Quincy is so good with kids, he even likes giving rides to our 'city' family members!  Sarah is very anxious to keep going, and her goal is to take him out to the pasture by herself.  By the end of summer I am sure she will have the confidence to do that. 


bareback is best



learning how to neck rein



now with the saddle

Soooo Itchy!!!!

Well, all that snow we had this winter, melted into many areas of standing water, has really increased the mosquito population this year.  And they are HUNGRY!!!  Not too bad for people, but much worse for the animals.  Our horse, Quincy, was covered with them.  Poor guy.  But luckily we have some special spray for horses as well, and it works for a couple of days.

Can't really see them here in the picture, but his neck, shoulders, and rump were grey with the little blood suckers.  He could hardly stand still they were bugging him so much.  He wanted to get scratched so bad. 



Here you can see all his bites.



After he go sprayed, he felt much better. 



So where ever you may be, make sure you are protected against mosquitos!

15 Years Together!

Mark, Every Year

Every year that I'm with you
Has been better than before;
It's hard for me to even think
How I could love you more.

Every year you've graced my life
Has been full of happiness;
I love your caring face, your voice,
Your tender, sweet caress.

Every year when this day comes,
I'm filled with love and pleasure;
Happy Anniversary, Love,
My joy, my delight, my treasure. Love always, Chris

Straw Bale Garden

     I have a HUGE garden spot here on the farm.  Most people say 'WOW', but I say 'YIKES!'.  This is the reason.  Sometimes in the country, you have low water pressure due to the type of system you have.  All our water comes from a well system, so the only pressure is from the tank in the house.  This tank is about a zillion years old.  (Carbon dating is still not in yet) So low pressure.  I have one outside tap on the house on the north side.  The garden spot in about 200 feet south of my house.  I think you are getting the idea.  By the time I connect various lengths of hose, the water coming out the end is a slow trickle.  So, no sprinklers, no watering with the hose, no nothin'!  I even tried a soaker hose in hopes of success.  It worked no too bad at the start of the hose, but at the end, again nothin'.
     In the past I have tried to use water from rain barrels and hand watering cans.  That gets old REAL fast!  So I have just been letting nature take it's course.  If something grows, then it grows.  If not, then it was never ment to be, right?   This has been successful in two ways.  First, weeds grow no matter how dry and hot, or cool and wet the summer gets, and second, I have had very poor harvests.  Sigh.
     That being said, earlier this year I was searching the web looking for plans and info on raised garden beds when I came across something strange.  People were planting in old straw bales. 
     'What a bunch of nut cakes!'  I said to myself. 
     'What's wrong with dirt?'  But being from the country it intrigued me and I started reading up on it.  Needless to say, I wanted to try it.
     I won't go into here how you get started.  You just have to search  'straw bale gardening' and you will find plenty to keep your reading for a while. 
     I used the straw bale that we had for our winter dog house.  They were already starting to decompose.


The winter dog house.

     Now I just had to get them from here over to the house.  They have to be close to a water source, as you have to water them twice a day, every day.

Good thing I have lots of help!



All ready

Then you have to water twice a day for 2 weeks

After two weeks of watering, they are ready to plant in.  Small plants can be put directly in the bales.

Here I have planted pumpkins.

     To plant seeds, you need to put some topsoil or potting soil on the bale first.  This is just to help hold the seeds in place.

I planted green beans in these bales

    So, that is basically it.  I will post more pictures as things start growing.  You can even plant things in the sides of the bales.  I might put some flowers in the sides.  First I want to see how it goes with the top.  Here is all the stuff I want to plant this year.  I think the cat is satisfied with my choices.

Also planted pumpkins and cucumbers.