Hubby has also been working at tearing apart the bathroom in the basement. We plan to make the basement our family space, and the bathroom is our priority as the one on the main floor does not have a shower/tub.
TALES FROM AN ASPIRING FARMER: The adventures of becoming a new mother and the proprietor of a guesthouse in a 19th century home, on the family farm.
Monday, January 30, 2012
This winter's renovations
One of the many projects on the go:
We have known for some time that we were going to have to do some fairly extensive renovations to the south side of the house this winter. Due to years of leaking from the verandah into the basement, and old rotten windows that didn't open, it was about time to do something about it. The one unexpected surprise (because obviously there always has to be one) was the state of the post at the top of the cement stairs. Rotten. So, that will have to be replaced.
Hubby has also been working at tearing apart the bathroom in the basement. We plan to make the basement our family space, and the bathroom is our priority as the one on the main floor does not have a shower/tub.
Hubby has also been working at tearing apart the bathroom in the basement. We plan to make the basement our family space, and the bathroom is our priority as the one on the main floor does not have a shower/tub.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It's not Christmas unless ....
the buffalo are out.
In true form, while gathered as a family around the Christmas tree, we were alerted to our young milkers on the front lawn. I have never seen a room vacate so fast.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hubs and I are supposed to be out socializing this evening, and while "socializing" is something that hubby partakes in from time to time, it's quite a rare event for me. However, baby has decided that he gets to make the plans tonight. Rather than our plan of putting him to bed by 7pm, and have him asleep by 7:15pm, and then leaving J to listen for him while we sneak out for a few hours, he has decided to scream as he did in our early days of sleeping training (6 weeks a go). I think the little blighter could be getting closer to cutting that first tooth since he has been showing signs of teething for a couple of months. Hubby thinks he wants attention. Either way, baby isn't sleeping and it has become a waiting game of whether we go out or stay in.
On a brighter note: We introduced Mason to Santa on the weekend, at a mall in Nanaimo (and by the way, I hadn't been to a mall in probably well over a year, except once for maternity clothes, and of all days, I chose the busiest Christmas shopping day to go!), and it went pretty well. Mason is a people person and extremely observant, so, face to face with a big white beard was quite interesting to him.
We chose this photo over the one of him looking at the camera. We can get pictures of him looking at the camera anytime, but this one was just so classic.
On a brighter note: We introduced Mason to Santa on the weekend, at a mall in Nanaimo (and by the way, I hadn't been to a mall in probably well over a year, except once for maternity clothes, and of all days, I chose the busiest Christmas shopping day to go!), and it went pretty well. Mason is a people person and extremely observant, so, face to face with a big white beard was quite interesting to him.
We chose this photo over the one of him looking at the camera. We can get pictures of him looking at the camera anytime, but this one was just so classic.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sometimes I just need that reminder ...
When I lived in Victoria several years ago, I would occasionally fall into these deep slumps which in turn would make me into an emotional disaster. It was finally revealed through self-discovery, that, although I didn't hate my life in Victoria, I needed to get out from the city lights and return to the family farm.
As you know, I did just that.
Ever since our move from our condo in Victoria, to our three bedroom home in Duncan, to our large manor (manor has a better ring to it than farmhouse, don't you think?) in the country, the appearance of these "emotional episodes" decreased so that they would only show up when aggravated by negative energies (certain people), or triggered by pregnancy hormones when told that my choice of paint colour was unsatisfactory (keep in mind, I was very very tired and we were doing huge renovations).
Recently, as recent as three days ago, one of these moods snuck up on me and I let it try to beat my dreams and optimism out of me. Winters aren't the best time of year for me- I wouldn't say I suffer from depression or SAD, or anything like that, but sometimes this season is just simply my enemy. Although the weather is fantastic right now, the days are so short. The house is so cold that we keep our blinds shut to cut back on the drafts, and the cave-like interior does not help. I have been so exhausted, still am ... so why am I still up, writing this post?
It's like this. I had two days of angst and depression, and I let it not only affect me, but those around me. I said I wanted to leave the farm.
When I am in these "moods", I say things that I do not mean. Of course I don't want to leave the farm! This is me!
Tonight as I did the last check of the animals, I took the time to reflect ... to feel.
Although I had the head lamp around my head, there was no need for the light. The dark evening was lit by the moon- the stars were bright- the air crisp but not at all unpleasant. I had my dog at my side. I had peace.
In the big barn, I snuggled into the clean sawdust bed next to Paula, and she rested her (very) heavy head in my lap and closed her eyes. Had I not been propped uncomfortably on top of one of the free stall bars, I was considering staying there for the night. At the next barn, I leaned against the wall as I waited for the water tough to fill, and in no time at all, Allie had licked the entire front of my coat.
This is the life. I am happy.
Do not listen if I try to tell you otherwise.
As you know, I did just that.
Ever since our move from our condo in Victoria, to our three bedroom home in Duncan, to our large manor (manor has a better ring to it than farmhouse, don't you think?) in the country, the appearance of these "emotional episodes" decreased so that they would only show up when aggravated by negative energies (certain people), or triggered by pregnancy hormones when told that my choice of paint colour was unsatisfactory (keep in mind, I was very very tired and we were doing huge renovations).
Recently, as recent as three days ago, one of these moods snuck up on me and I let it try to beat my dreams and optimism out of me. Winters aren't the best time of year for me- I wouldn't say I suffer from depression or SAD, or anything like that, but sometimes this season is just simply my enemy. Although the weather is fantastic right now, the days are so short. The house is so cold that we keep our blinds shut to cut back on the drafts, and the cave-like interior does not help. I have been so exhausted, still am ... so why am I still up, writing this post?
It's like this. I had two days of angst and depression, and I let it not only affect me, but those around me. I said I wanted to leave the farm.
When I am in these "moods", I say things that I do not mean. Of course I don't want to leave the farm! This is me!
Tonight as I did the last check of the animals, I took the time to reflect ... to feel.
Although I had the head lamp around my head, there was no need for the light. The dark evening was lit by the moon- the stars were bright- the air crisp but not at all unpleasant. I had my dog at my side. I had peace.
In the big barn, I snuggled into the clean sawdust bed next to Paula, and she rested her (very) heavy head in my lap and closed her eyes. Had I not been propped uncomfortably on top of one of the free stall bars, I was considering staying there for the night. At the next barn, I leaned against the wall as I waited for the water tough to fill, and in no time at all, Allie had licked the entire front of my coat.
This is the life. I am happy.
Do not listen if I try to tell you otherwise.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Giving things up
Every so often I enter a phase where I try to improve the quality of life by removing something that I don't need but I use because of the times we live in. Is this ever successful? Um, not really, but I can try.
I am not the most technically advanced, nor ever been gadget inclined. I have never owned an Ipod, Ipad, Iphone, in fact, I don't think I've ever owned an "I" anything! When I purchased my cell phone, I was excited that it came with an MP3 player, AND a QWERTY keyboard. Well, I don't download music (or really even listen to it unless I am in the car), so other than downloading an audio book, which I never made it through, I've never used the MP3 player. As for the keyboard, it is useful for the 5 texts I send a year.
My 3 year contract on my cell phone just ended, and instead of upgrading to something "smart" I chose to keep the phone, and decided to go with Pay As You Go. Now I'm not paying for minutes I never even use. It made sense.
Since our move to the farm, we've given up television. Initially, this was to be temporary just over the summer. The fall arrived and suddenly it was another bill to be paid, and by this point we were adjusting quite well (the internet provides me with enough access to the couple shows I watch). Of course this means I'm not following the Canucks as closely as past years- our internet connection doesn't work well for streaming the CBC games, and unless I'm listening online, the AM radio channel has terrible reception here.
So, no smart phone or television, what else would I give up (or avoid)?
During a recent conversation with my brother's girlfriend, I discovered that she is a perfectly functioning human without a microwave. Sure, I'd heard of people not owning a microwave but it had never occurred to me that I, too, could be a perfectly functioning human without a microwave. This conversation took place about 7 days a go, and I have not used a microwave since. It turns out that heating up left over food on stove top tastes way better! For my lasagna, that was a bit more challenging. Rather than turning on the big oven for a little lasagna, I pulled out my little toaster oven and used that. Okay, so it took much longer than anticipated so I ended up eating it cold but at least the attempt was there. I've also had a close call softening butter in the oven by forgetting about it when I turned the oven on for baking. Twice.
Hubby has yet to join me in the world as a perfectly functioning human without a microwave, and he also has his food heated by the time I have the flame lit beneath the frying pan. At least mine tastes better.
Oh, and hot showers. Apparently I've given up hot showers.
I am not the most technically advanced, nor ever been gadget inclined. I have never owned an Ipod, Ipad, Iphone, in fact, I don't think I've ever owned an "I" anything! When I purchased my cell phone, I was excited that it came with an MP3 player, AND a QWERTY keyboard. Well, I don't download music (or really even listen to it unless I am in the car), so other than downloading an audio book, which I never made it through, I've never used the MP3 player. As for the keyboard, it is useful for the 5 texts I send a year.
My 3 year contract on my cell phone just ended, and instead of upgrading to something "smart" I chose to keep the phone, and decided to go with Pay As You Go. Now I'm not paying for minutes I never even use. It made sense.
Since our move to the farm, we've given up television. Initially, this was to be temporary just over the summer. The fall arrived and suddenly it was another bill to be paid, and by this point we were adjusting quite well (the internet provides me with enough access to the couple shows I watch). Of course this means I'm not following the Canucks as closely as past years- our internet connection doesn't work well for streaming the CBC games, and unless I'm listening online, the AM radio channel has terrible reception here.
So, no smart phone or television, what else would I give up (or avoid)?
During a recent conversation with my brother's girlfriend, I discovered that she is a perfectly functioning human without a microwave. Sure, I'd heard of people not owning a microwave but it had never occurred to me that I, too, could be a perfectly functioning human without a microwave. This conversation took place about 7 days a go, and I have not used a microwave since. It turns out that heating up left over food on stove top tastes way better! For my lasagna, that was a bit more challenging. Rather than turning on the big oven for a little lasagna, I pulled out my little toaster oven and used that. Okay, so it took much longer than anticipated so I ended up eating it cold but at least the attempt was there. I've also had a close call softening butter in the oven by forgetting about it when I turned the oven on for baking. Twice.
Hubby has yet to join me in the world as a perfectly functioning human without a microwave, and he also has his food heated by the time I have the flame lit beneath the frying pan. At least mine tastes better.
Oh, and hot showers. Apparently I've given up hot showers.
Monday, November 7, 2011
At least she is ...
In the new barn, on the side with the fresh cows, we have free stalls. This means that the buffs get their very own individual sawdust bed to sleep in. In theory.
Some of them still choose to lie out on the cement, but I'm sure in time they will make their way into a stall. Another one is halfway there, lying partially in the sawdust while her back half is out in the alley.
And then there's Paula; let me tell you about Paula.
Paula is what you'd probably call a "cute ugly"- she's short and squat, has a lumpy udder, one horn is just a stub (one is curled), and she's dreadfully slow at times. Sometimes it takes three people and a lot of patience to get her out of her milking stall. With those she knows, she is super sweet, and after she was separated from her calf this year, she took to following some of us around. When the veterinarian, or "strangers" come near, she's the one jumping around at the fence, tossing her head, snorting through her nose, and coming across as slightly intimidating; the calm trusting side, the following you around the barn to rest her head on your shoulder side, no longer detectable.
One of Paula's "quirks" was her continuous habit of getting the barn's gate chain wrapped around her curled horn. We would find her in the morning, standing at the gate tangled in the chain, a pile of poo behind her (indicating that she would be like this for hours during the night), waiting patiently for someone to unwind the chain to free her.
Now that she is in the new barn, and we do not have chains on the gates, one would think the barn was fairly "Paula-proofed" ...
Yes, one would think.
As it turns out, Paula does like the free stalls, but she seems to lack the skill to get out of one. She simply cannot fathom how to get her back legs to step into the gutter. Twice daily, we have to lift one leg over the edge, and it is only then that she will back out. That's a heavy leg to lift! But we do it ... because we have no choice.
Obviously she is not the brightest buffalo in the herd.
And she's not the prettiest.
But, she's one of our best milkers. And she makes us laugh.
Moving day
Moving day, for the buffalo, took place last week. Because the barn is so modern and vast, we can pretty near fit all 45+ buffs into the one barn and still keep the three separate groupings. One one side, with their very own free stalls running down the middle, we have the milking herd- all 18 of them (three others are in the old barn), and Emanuel. On the other side of the barn, divided by three wires, are the dry pregnant cows, and then the pregnant heifers, and four yearlings. It's fancy ... it's modern.
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| Fresh side |
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| Dry side |
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| Curtains! |
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