We did it. Finally I had the courage to ask my co-workers at work. Well I asked more than 10 people and only 1 responded. But, it is a start 🙂 For $3, you can get a dozen farm fresh (well, less than 5 days old), free range, no hormone, no mediation eggs.
All posts by Derek
Seeds for this year
This year so far we have purchased 5 blueberry plants from Strawberry Tyme Farms. We have put peat moss and sulphur since May last year so the pH should be good.
We have bought some seeds from Agrestal:
- Early Moonbeam Watermelon – This is purely a test because the earliest we can harvest the fruit in Canada would be August. In May, the supermarket would be flooded with watermelons from US and Mexico.
- Nates Scarlet Carrot.
- Ashworth Corn. We are going to try the Native Indian Three Sisters planting system: corn, bean and squash.
- Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard. We tried swiss chard last year at a farmer’s market and it tastes sooooo good. So we are going to plant it ourselves this year.
- Marketmore 76 Cucumber. The seeds we got from PC were pickel/canning cucumber but we want fresh eating ones.
We are going to buy some Chinese vegetables seeds too. We have never seen organic Chinese vegtables in Chinese supermarkets, so this is going to be a trial to see if our soil is good for Chinese vegetables. Afterall, we are Chinese 🙂
Skating on the pond
The weather has been -10°C for a week now so the pond should be good. We gave it a try and bingo! It is good for skating. I shoveled about 1/3 of the snow aside and we were skating on the pnod for the first time our life. It was fun!
All Sick
First it was Sonia, then Viviana, then Tiffany, then Odelia and now Kay and me. The cold has been dragging for more than 10 days now. Thank God nothing serious, but mild fever, sneezing and coughing. Herb, garlic, giner, cinnamon, lemon are all we take. NO DRUGS, NO COUGH SYRUP.
Hope God can restore our health for Christmas.
Attic Insulation
Recently the ceiling of our garage-turned-studyroom show sign of condensation and mold. I installed a turbine thinking if it is ventilation problem. Then check each soffit vent too. Upon investigation I found there is no insulation above the gymsum board along the exterior wall. Bought 3 bags of R-31 fiberglass and fill those holes. Also double up existing insulation because there is only 1 layer of 6″ fiberglass. Thank the Lord there is no mold, condensation in the attic. No sign of decay of roof plywood.
First Snow Storm
We just had our first snow storm and winter has not officially arrived yet.
Thank God that we had a snow thrower and it does speed things up.
Our garage ceiling is leaking water and don’t know if it is condensation or roof leaking. Hopefully the contractor can fix it soon.
The water for chicken is frozen everyday and I really wonder if I should turn on the heat, but the chickens look fine and still laying.
Sometimes I don’t know if I have made the correct move to a farm because of so much trouble. Machines break down, water pump needs replacing, long driveway to shovel snow. Not to mention the time to cut grass and gardening in spring to fall. I feel overwhelmed that it seems like I am the only person doing everything (outside). So I think we should wait upon the Lord to give us the right time to move, especially when we still have debt for living here. Maybe His will is for us to stay in city for a while until we can afford to be debt free. And after moving to the farm, initially I thought “This is it, this is a dream comes true.” But then, after 1 year living here, because of lack of knowledge in farming, carpentary, mechanics, etc…. I am so tired. I asked myself, did I make the right move?
I believe God has put into my heart to move to the country. But maybe later, maybe when my girls are older. But most importantly, when a problem came up, I did not pray about it and asked God for help and direction. I just simply looked up books, asked neighbours, searched the Internet. It is time that I focus back to God and ask Him:
I did not wait upon you and made the move, and now I am tired and burnt out. Please forgive me.
Please show me your will and ways to glorify you. If it is your will for us to stay here at the farm, help me to cope with difficulties. If it is your will for us to move, let us know. Please help us to repay the mortage as soon as possible.
You see, I believe if I have a content heart and focus back to God, those problems will be much easier to handle because God will be with me there. And I will thank Him for the opportunity to learn.
Frost arrives
There was light frost 2 days ago and the weather will be -3°C this week. We have removed the remaining potatoes, harvest the spinach and the kids have helped us put out a layer of straw on each bed, except the ones with oats. Hopefully the strawberry can survive.
The eggs are still laying almost 1 day an egg and we thank God for wonderful chickens and eggs.
Total eggs in October
is 138!. As shown in the photos. The larger egg is double yolk and thus the size.
In another photo, a hen is laying in the nest box.
Pale Eggs
We have several pale eggs the other day. It might due to stress because I accidently shut the coop door for several hours leaving the hens outside. The colour comes back the next day. We are getting on average 5-8 eggs everyday. Don’t know when they will stop laying, may be when the weather is cold enough. We try to give them something green everyday.
Taking out Garbage
Today is my first time bring my second daugther to take out the garbage. We have a medium size driveway, long enough to park 12 cars head to tail. I always remember to take them whereever and whenever possible at least one of my children with me. This way, they get to know things work around them in everyday life. They also feel good about themselves helping us doing the chores. They feel they are needed and they are now “big and strong” to do something that they cannot do when they are small.
My wife also asked our oldest to gather eggs alone. And she did a good job.
You see, if kids were sent to school, they missed out all these opportunities