Come find us at humblebee-farm.blogspot.com and see what we've been up to.
Kindest Wishes!
Elizabeth
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Lambs!
Well, the groundhog predicts another 6 weeks of winter. We're in Canada and it's the beginning of February so what do we really expect? That said, one of the most joyful signs of Spring arrived at our farm last night, our first lambs. Born to our big white ewe that we were sure was having triplets, were 2 lovely lambs yet to be named and sexed. Mum and babies are doing well and we'll get pics for you today too.
Tomorrow is a big day. The calves are doing fine again after the attack of bloat and tomorrow they're getting banded (castrated using an elastrator) and tetanus shots as well as worming. It'll take Deanna, myself and Steve to do it so it should be an interesting few hours. Afterwards we'll get them in a clean stall then let them eat until they feel better. They're ready to be outside now so since the weather is so amazingly nice this winter we'll get some fence up and build a 3 sided shed for them.
More later.
Tomorrow is a big day. The calves are doing fine again after the attack of bloat and tomorrow they're getting banded (castrated using an elastrator) and tetanus shots as well as worming. It'll take Deanna, myself and Steve to do it so it should be an interesting few hours. Afterwards we'll get them in a clean stall then let them eat until they feel better. They're ready to be outside now so since the weather is so amazingly nice this winter we'll get some fence up and build a 3 sided shed for them.
More later.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Who's In The Barn
Well, first there are the chickens. Layers and a few meat birds who aren't doing so well. I think that raising them on pasture during the warmer months is definitely the way to go. Layer chicks though are doing great and will start laying by Easter or sooner.
Then come the calves. Yes you heard me right...I finally got my cows! No, they're not dairy calves, they're boys so just for eating unless Steve gets his way about having a pair of oxen. We have 4 calves we got for free and we bought them home from the dairy farm where they were the end of season stragglers, in the back of the van. Now they're growing like weeds, must be all that calf milk replacer they drank from bottles for 8 weeks. They're weaned now and eating grain and alfalfa hay. Drinking lots of water too. Their names are Spot, Hamburger, Chris, and Baby (aka Corry).They're Holstein boys which are not really a meat breed but hey, the price was right and the experience has been invaluable.
Next come the goats. 3 Nigerian Dwarf Goats. A billy and 2 does.. Yes they've got horns, they're little, but they are great milkers so I'm told. We got our billy goat to them in December so late spring should herald the arrival of kids and the start of milking. That should be another adventure.
Speaking of babies, our 4 katahdin sheep are here in the barn, owing to an escape attempt last week. They are in a double stall, bedded down with lots of good hay and water. The biggest girl and unquestioned leader of the flock bagged up last week, that is, her udder began to swell, which is a sign of impending motherhood. We would normally breed our sheep so as to be having lambs in the warmer weather but these girls came to us already bred. They are nice sheep, shedding so no shearing is necessary, and have twin lambs frequently. Katahdin sheep are a meat breed.
So, that's a who's who in the barn. As you can see, things are progressing nicely.
Elizabeth
Then come the calves. Yes you heard me right...I finally got my cows! No, they're not dairy calves, they're boys so just for eating unless Steve gets his way about having a pair of oxen. We have 4 calves we got for free and we bought them home from the dairy farm where they were the end of season stragglers, in the back of the van. Now they're growing like weeds, must be all that calf milk replacer they drank from bottles for 8 weeks. They're weaned now and eating grain and alfalfa hay. Drinking lots of water too. Their names are Spot, Hamburger, Chris, and Baby (aka Corry).They're Holstein boys which are not really a meat breed but hey, the price was right and the experience has been invaluable.
Next come the goats. 3 Nigerian Dwarf Goats. A billy and 2 does.. Yes they've got horns, they're little, but they are great milkers so I'm told. We got our billy goat to them in December so late spring should herald the arrival of kids and the start of milking. That should be another adventure.
Speaking of babies, our 4 katahdin sheep are here in the barn, owing to an escape attempt last week. They are in a double stall, bedded down with lots of good hay and water. The biggest girl and unquestioned leader of the flock bagged up last week, that is, her udder began to swell, which is a sign of impending motherhood. We would normally breed our sheep so as to be having lambs in the warmer weather but these girls came to us already bred. They are nice sheep, shedding so no shearing is necessary, and have twin lambs frequently. Katahdin sheep are a meat breed.
So, that's a who's who in the barn. As you can see, things are progressing nicely.
Elizabeth
A New Beginning
Yes, it's been a while.
Here are the latest updates:
We're moved! Now in Hilliers, BC near Qualicum Beach.
Still Renting
Still doing Appliance Repair
Still raising kids...
And more animals! Details to follow tonight! And goodness, I must get some pics posted!
Here are the latest updates:
We're moved! Now in Hilliers, BC near Qualicum Beach.
Still Renting
Still doing Appliance Repair
Still raising kids...
And more animals! Details to follow tonight! And goodness, I must get some pics posted!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fall in all her splendor
We've had a busy month canning, picking, freezing and getting things ready for winter. It's also been the forst time in a long time that I've not had children at home during the day. Somehow though the days just continue to fly by. I've got paperwork to get caught up and of course every mothers nightmare...the laundry mountain!
We're planning on moving some time in the next 6 months so the beginnings of organizing outgrown clothes and unused items is beginning. The plan is to rent the local community hall in November or December and have a whopping garage sale, and I mean the sale to end all sales! It's going to take a lot of prep work though and the time to start is now. I'm sorting each load as it comes out of the dryer and hopefully it will mean better organized drawers and closets in the near future.
One of our Silkie hens hatched a chick, yes, just 1. So a little fuzzy ball is cheeping and following mama all over the yard. He's so cute and we named him Chicklet.
Our meat birds are scheduled for the chop on Oct 13th, seems like an ominous day doesn't it :) and we'll take in our excess roosters at the same time. That's if Steve can let them go, he's gotten quite attached to them. This should give us approx. 18 chickens for the freezer and 6 to sell. Or there abouts. I'm toying with the idea of raising one more batch before we move but honestly I think it might be time to concentrate on other things.
We're looking at buying a house in Whiskey Creek with our mothers. We'd have the basement and half the yard so it would give us about a half acre to play with and also a greenhouse and a workshop. It's got 2 wells and also a greenbelt behind the property with a creek running through it so Steve is happy. Now we have to work on the financing end of it and get jobs for Mum or Joan so that they can sell their house in Calgary and buy here.
Read a good quote on the Mormon Messages channel on YouTube I'd like to share with you:
"The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy".
Just a thought for this cool and beautiful Sunday.
The garden needs cleaning up quite badly and the winter veggies are of course still in. I'm planting the seedlings into the greenhouse today.
We're planning on moving some time in the next 6 months so the beginnings of organizing outgrown clothes and unused items is beginning. The plan is to rent the local community hall in November or December and have a whopping garage sale, and I mean the sale to end all sales! It's going to take a lot of prep work though and the time to start is now. I'm sorting each load as it comes out of the dryer and hopefully it will mean better organized drawers and closets in the near future.
One of our Silkie hens hatched a chick, yes, just 1. So a little fuzzy ball is cheeping and following mama all over the yard. He's so cute and we named him Chicklet.
Our meat birds are scheduled for the chop on Oct 13th, seems like an ominous day doesn't it :) and we'll take in our excess roosters at the same time. That's if Steve can let them go, he's gotten quite attached to them. This should give us approx. 18 chickens for the freezer and 6 to sell. Or there abouts. I'm toying with the idea of raising one more batch before we move but honestly I think it might be time to concentrate on other things.
We're looking at buying a house in Whiskey Creek with our mothers. We'd have the basement and half the yard so it would give us about a half acre to play with and also a greenhouse and a workshop. It's got 2 wells and also a greenbelt behind the property with a creek running through it so Steve is happy. Now we have to work on the financing end of it and get jobs for Mum or Joan so that they can sell their house in Calgary and buy here.
Read a good quote on the Mormon Messages channel on YouTube I'd like to share with you:
"The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy".
Just a thought for this cool and beautiful Sunday.
The garden needs cleaning up quite badly and the winter veggies are of course still in. I'm planting the seedlings into the greenhouse today.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Chicks and Beans
Yes, it's that time again! Chicken time! That is...time to raise a few more meat birds for our winter meals and time to think seriously about the roosters that are wandering around the yard. Their days are numbered...to about 9 or 10 weeks.
Kiwis and grapes are starting to swell in the garden and it's about time to get more winter veggies in the ground so today we're heading into town to finish pulling up the beans that are finished and plant peas and other cool weather veggies in their places. I'm on the look for some turnip seeds too. The owners of the place where we have our garden have told us we're okay to have it for the rest of the year and into the Spring so now comes our planning for winter meals and we're very grateful!
I promise pictures will be coming soon!
Work is picking up at Nova Appliance so that's good. Still lots of family time. The boys are working on building a boat so I'll have to get more info for you later...but now off to pick beans and re-plant! The weather is now cool so much more pleasant working in the garden! That week of 40 degree weather was killer!
Also heading into town to do some back to school shopping (yuck!)
Check out the appliance repair advice and tips at novaappliance.blogspot.com or visit our website at novaappliance.com
Kiwis and grapes are starting to swell in the garden and it's about time to get more winter veggies in the ground so today we're heading into town to finish pulling up the beans that are finished and plant peas and other cool weather veggies in their places. I'm on the look for some turnip seeds too. The owners of the place where we have our garden have told us we're okay to have it for the rest of the year and into the Spring so now comes our planning for winter meals and we're very grateful!
I promise pictures will be coming soon!
Work is picking up at Nova Appliance so that's good. Still lots of family time. The boys are working on building a boat so I'll have to get more info for you later...but now off to pick beans and re-plant! The weather is now cool so much more pleasant working in the garden! That week of 40 degree weather was killer!
Also heading into town to do some back to school shopping (yuck!)
Check out the appliance repair advice and tips at novaappliance.blogspot.com or visit our website at novaappliance.com
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Recipes for Zucchini
It's that time of year again....Zucchini time! Yes I can hear some of you groaning!
This is the time of year when your friends and neighbours say things like, 'you can come over as long as you don't bring anything green with you'. Or, when you get a knock at the door and when you answer it there's nobody in sight but a beautiful zucchini is waiting for you on the step. Does any of this sound familiar?
Would you believe I actually don't have this problem?
Here's the number one tip for having less zucchini.....GROW LESS! Yes indeed, if you don't need much then 1 plant is all you should grow. Now granted, the 1 plant I've got growing in town has gone nuts. It's about 5 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide and is currently producing 3-5 large fruits a week. Yes that's right, from flower to fruit in 7 days and we're not talking little fruits either. I do have other plants at home and in the greenhouse but I limited their root space by planting in pots so they bear more slowly and fewer fruits.
Still, if you find yourself with a glut here are some ideas:
Easy Choc. Zucchini Muffins- Grate finely one medium zucchini with the skin on. Prepare a choc. cake mix but leave out all the oil/butter and add the grated zucchini instead. Mix well, bake as usual, freeze or eat within a few days (not a problem in my house).
Fried Zucchini- wash a zucchini and slice into 1/2 inch thick slices. Heat some oil/butter in a pan and add zucchini. Sprinkle with any of the following: garlic, pepper, salt, chili powder. Fry until brown underneath then flip over and continue cooking for a few more minutes until both sides are done. Serve hot as a side dish.
Relish. I won't list the recipes here as everyone has a favourite and there are hundreds online but relish is easy to make, quite inexpensive if you already have the zucchini, onions and spices on hand, and is a good way of storing your harvest into the winter. It will keep for at least a couple fo years in a dry, dark, cool storage room if you properly process and seal the jars. Oh, one note, if you're going to be canning this year and I assume you are, remember to check all your jars a couple of days and a week after storing them just to make sure that the seals are still good. If nto you'll have to put the offenders in the fridge and eat right away. Just a hint that seals can sometimes hold for a week or so and then give out so it's always a good idea to check the lids periodically to avoid surprises. :)
Marinated Zucchini Salad
Stuffed Zucchini Easy
This recipe is good for any size zucchini, especially that monster you just discovered hidden under a leaf. Cut a zucchini in half lengthways and clean out the seeds, leaving a nice empty spot for your stuffing. Use your own recipe or make up 2 packets of cornbread stuffing mix. Place into zucchini mounding it so the top will fit over. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect. Wrap in foul and bake for 1 hour at 350 or wrap in plastic wrap and microwave for 10 minutes. Zucchini should be fork tender when done. Unwrap, slice and serve.
There you go. A few ideas to get you started.
There are loads of delicious recipes for zucchini. You can use it lasagna and mousakka. Parmesan cheese seems to be very complimentary as do many of the spice blends you can buy in the store like 'garlic plus' and Mrs. Dash sort of things. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you go to recipezaar.com and type in zucchini you'll find loads of fantastic recipes. So enjoy your green harvest and maybe look upon your neighbours as actuallt giving you a gift worth having. And you can always repay them with one of your jars of relish.
Well, I'm off. My son is getting back from Pioneer Trek today and we have to go to Port Alberni to collect him and his friend Corry. Also trying to find my stash of diapers for a friend in need and think my sister has them...hmmm. Time to tidy out my closet you think? Also work continues slow. Hopefully there will be response to the advertising we are doing for Nova Appliance.
What are you up to?
Elizabeth
This is the time of year when your friends and neighbours say things like, 'you can come over as long as you don't bring anything green with you'. Or, when you get a knock at the door and when you answer it there's nobody in sight but a beautiful zucchini is waiting for you on the step. Does any of this sound familiar?
Would you believe I actually don't have this problem?
Here's the number one tip for having less zucchini.....GROW LESS! Yes indeed, if you don't need much then 1 plant is all you should grow. Now granted, the 1 plant I've got growing in town has gone nuts. It's about 5 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide and is currently producing 3-5 large fruits a week. Yes that's right, from flower to fruit in 7 days and we're not talking little fruits either. I do have other plants at home and in the greenhouse but I limited their root space by planting in pots so they bear more slowly and fewer fruits.
Still, if you find yourself with a glut here are some ideas:
Easy Choc. Zucchini Muffins- Grate finely one medium zucchini with the skin on. Prepare a choc. cake mix but leave out all the oil/butter and add the grated zucchini instead. Mix well, bake as usual, freeze or eat within a few days (not a problem in my house).
Fried Zucchini- wash a zucchini and slice into 1/2 inch thick slices. Heat some oil/butter in a pan and add zucchini. Sprinkle with any of the following: garlic, pepper, salt, chili powder. Fry until brown underneath then flip over and continue cooking for a few more minutes until both sides are done. Serve hot as a side dish.
Relish. I won't list the recipes here as everyone has a favourite and there are hundreds online but relish is easy to make, quite inexpensive if you already have the zucchini, onions and spices on hand, and is a good way of storing your harvest into the winter. It will keep for at least a couple fo years in a dry, dark, cool storage room if you properly process and seal the jars. Oh, one note, if you're going to be canning this year and I assume you are, remember to check all your jars a couple of days and a week after storing them just to make sure that the seals are still good. If nto you'll have to put the offenders in the fridge and eat right away. Just a hint that seals can sometimes hold for a week or so and then give out so it's always a good idea to check the lids periodically to avoid surprises. :)
Marinated Zucchini Salad
- 1 lb zucchini, washed, sliced paper thin (or comparable squash such as crookneck or pattypan)
- 1 large lemon, juice of, more to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed and cut in half
- 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- fresh ground black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil or fresh parsley, chopped
It is your choice to peel or not peel the zucchini, I personally like the extra vitamins and minerals. Toss the thinly sliced zucchini with the lemon juice, garlic halves, olive oil; salt and pepper to taste. (If I think about it, sometimes I add a bit of finely grated lemon zest, too.) Remember to use a non-reactive bowl for marinating ie. glass. Cover bowl and refrigerate 4-8 hours, stirring occasionally.Once you are ready to serve the salad, remove the garlic cloves. Save one garlic clove, finely minced and toss back into the salad along with the fresh herb of choice. *Important*: stir in the fresh herbs with the zucchini mixture just before serving and no before.
Stuffed Zucchini Easy
This recipe is good for any size zucchini, especially that monster you just discovered hidden under a leaf. Cut a zucchini in half lengthways and clean out the seeds, leaving a nice empty spot for your stuffing. Use your own recipe or make up 2 packets of cornbread stuffing mix. Place into zucchini mounding it so the top will fit over. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect. Wrap in foul and bake for 1 hour at 350 or wrap in plastic wrap and microwave for 10 minutes. Zucchini should be fork tender when done. Unwrap, slice and serve.
There you go. A few ideas to get you started.
There are loads of delicious recipes for zucchini. You can use it lasagna and mousakka. Parmesan cheese seems to be very complimentary as do many of the spice blends you can buy in the store like 'garlic plus' and Mrs. Dash sort of things. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you go to recipezaar.com and type in zucchini you'll find loads of fantastic recipes. So enjoy your green harvest and maybe look upon your neighbours as actuallt giving you a gift worth having. And you can always repay them with one of your jars of relish.
Well, I'm off. My son is getting back from Pioneer Trek today and we have to go to Port Alberni to collect him and his friend Corry. Also trying to find my stash of diapers for a friend in need and think my sister has them...hmmm. Time to tidy out my closet you think? Also work continues slow. Hopefully there will be response to the advertising we are doing for Nova Appliance.
What are you up to?
Elizabeth
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