A Walk On A Late Summer Eve

Grizzly Bear up front, Scamp in the lane, the goats
and a few chickens in the background.

Little Scamp on the safety of the compost pile!

It's been a gorgeous run of weather this week.  Hot in the day and, typical of a Prairie fall, cool in the evenings.  After our usual crazy busy Friday/Saturday, with two Farmers Markets in two days, we had a relaxing evening and a light dinner.  We know the animals get a little neglected on Friday and Saturday, and heaven knows they all love a little (okay, a lot of) attention!  So we decided to take the dogs for a walk and thought we'd take the goats for a frolic with us.  On our way to the goats' pasture, we cross through the chickens' pasture and a number of the Hens and Chicks started to follow us, hoping for treats, undoubtedly.  As we came out onto the lane beside the hoop house, some of the barn cats were playing, and the friendly little Scamp decided to come along for a walk, too!  Quite the procession!

It's never a long walk with this crowd.  The Hens and the Chicks soon get distracted by new pastures to peck, and fall out of line.  The Bears hassled poor Scamp for a minute until sternly corrected, but by then the little barn cat had fled to the top of last years compost pile and decided to stay there.  Two of the goats, Chocolate and Mabel, became engrossed in some of the weeds growing on the compost pile and stayed to browse.  So Farmer Man, myself, the dogs and Goldie the goat strolled around the windbreak separating the top field.

As we returned to our starting point, Farmer Man noticed the two goatlings left behind were ambling over to the watermelon patch.  A quick grab of some willow branches and he got the attention of all three goats and led them back to their pasture.  The Hens and The Chicks returned to their usual stomping grounds, the barn cats disappeared and the dogs were all heading for the house, looking for a drink.  Just a typical stroll on a gorgeous evening here at Aagaard Farms!

Catching Up!

I've been away having a wee holiday with my two sisters. Great to be able to spend time with my big sisters without the interruption of kids, animals, phones and all the stuff of daily life. We've never done that before, and it was a delight! Poor Farmer Man was left here on the farm because, well, he's not a sister. He's been babysitting chickens, dogs and kitties. And, he's been starting seeds. The first peppers got planted this past week, and they are already popping up. Quite a chore to empty and clean the sun room, find and set-up all the equipment including tray racks, heating mats and grow lights. And all in a week of frigid temperatures with wind chills of -40C. While I was lounging by a pool, shopping madly and admiring the oranges on the trees. Now, it's time to get very, very busy! We're working on upgrading the website, we've got to get new brochures for the coming season, we've got a lot more seeds to start and we're already getting calls from people interested in garden rentals, CSA and farmers' markets! Here we go for another season!

The Festive Farmer

What does a Farmer do when there's a foot of snow, no Farmers' Markets and just a few sales off the farm? When he still wants to download new jazz from iTunes? He sells Christmas trees! This is the sixth year that Farmer Man has worked the Christmas Tree Lot at Dairy Queen for Stream n' Wood. He's getting really, really good at it! I worked the busy weekend with him and he has lots of return customers that say he always picks out the perfect tree for them. He can just tell....even when the tree is still in the wrap. Since he started at the end of November, the weather has been not bad: only a couple of super cold, windy days. And it's not a bad gig; there are worse things than selling Christmas trees to excited families!

Is Winter Here to Stay?

For the first day of December we got a good blanket of snow. It's actually a little late for us this year (we're not counting the freak snow earlier this fall!) But everything is clean and white, very pretty! Driving is a little hazardous but our truck has four wheel drive, so we're okay. Plus, Farmer Man grew up around here - he's very comfortable driving in snow and snow storms! This is the day we know the gardens are finally put to bed for the winter. It's a little funny catching up on my blog reading this morning: at Green Frieda she's planting her winter garden of lettuce, radish and other goodies! When we start seeds, after Christmas, we usually start a flat of lettuce for our own use. May have to start that flat early this year!

What Does a Farmer Do in December?

Sell Christmas trees! A farmer is the perfect candidate for the job! Available (not a whole lot else going on), known to be hardworking and reliable (ask the chickens - Farmer Man gets it done every day at about the same time)! Not looking for a long term position, decent pay - nothing extravagant. He's perfect for the job! Good with people, generally happy and helpful. Keeps him out of trouble for a month!

Farmer Boy Becomes Farmer Man???

On the eve of Farmer Boy's birthday, he decided to give The Berks a late dinner. The Berks will be going away tomorrow, and Farmer Boy is a little sad. He has enjoyed this little herd; The Berks are curious and lively creatures, and he has spent a lot of time caring for them. Tomorrow will be a hard day. So, he went out in the darkness to give them a late little treat. And took a nosedive right into the muck! He tucked his head just in time to land on his hat and not his face! Mud up his arms, over his gloves, down his front, covering his legs! And smell.........!!!!! Baptism by pig poop as he starts his next decade! Happy Birthday, Farmer Man!