On Saturday the girls and I decided to walk the five km to the farmers market in our little town. It is a completely gorgeous walk, I still can’t get over how beautiful and diverse it is here. At the beginning of our walk, we discovered that the wild strawberries are just beginning to ripen and so the girls had their first taste.
Here they found berries that might have graced the banquets of Lucullus, great ambrosial sweetness hanging like rubies to long, rosy stalks. They lifted them by the stalk and ate them from it, uncrushed and virgin, tasting each berry by itself with all its wild fragrance ensphered therein. When Valancy carried any of these berries home that elusive essence escaped and they became nothing more than the common berries of the market-place—very kitchenly good indeed, but not as they would have been, eaten in their birch dell until her fingers were stained as pink as Aurora’s eyelids. ~ L.M. Montgomery The Blue Castle
Well, the strawberries we found weren’t large, they were actually quite tiny, but they had that same amazing flavor that only wild strawberries can produce. We are looking forward to more strawberry trips in the next couple of weeks.
As we continued walking, we noted that the wild blackberries are blooming profusely, promising fruit later this summer. I took note of many wild apple trees, Saskatoon bushes, and choke cherry trees. We already noted in our calendar to hunt for fiddleheads next spring and there are lots of oak trees (did you know that you can eat acorns?). While none of these things are going to produce in mass luscious quantities (my experiences last fall tell me that the wild apples will be horrid), I find it so exciting to add to our diet even in small ways. I like the idea of foraging for some our food in theory even though I know that it doesn’t work quite as well in practice. Mostly I just find it amazing what the earth can provide when cared for well or in some case simply left alone. I know that if everyone around went out and picked every berry or fiddleheads out in the woods that they would cease to grow but I love that they can be enjoyed wisely. I am also thoroughly impressed with some of the woodlots that have been in families here for five or six generations that because of careful practice and respect continue to provide income for those families. The lessons to be learned and shared are endless. It is just amazing to me, really.
And then home to our little farm. Our little flock of hens are laying really well, we are at fourteen eggs daily from fifteen young chickens. It’s a good ratio, I think. I am hoping to sell a couple dozen eggs weekly to offset feed costs. Sadly, our rooster died a few days ago. Possibly from age or maybe some sickness but thankfully our chickens seem to be maintaining their health. We have them pasturing freely in our yard which is fun aside from the poop that they enjoy depositing on our veranda and porches. I also don’t love it when they wonder into our house. Someday we will fence off where we don’t want them to go.
Our goat, Hazel, is producing enough milk to supply our dairy needs. I have made several batches of soft cheese and will make my first batch of yogurt in the next few days. We had to sell our little guy, Rosko, because he was getting into mischief because of boredom. Plus we noticed that the flavor of the milk is better when he isn’t with Hazel. She is a bit of a grumpy thing and makes me really mad sometimes, like when she paws over her water FIVE times in a row because she is annoyed at me leaving her.
Our young bull is enjoying the pasture with his friends across the road and while we haven’t named him and he isn’t a pet, we like to go visit him.
Our good dog Molly is going to be having pups in just a couple of weeks and we are excited. We decided to breed her to another Australian Shepherd because we really love her and want one of her pups before she gets too old. Should she have a few pups, we will sell or trade them to good homes. A couple of pups are already spoken for should she have multiples. And our cats continue to keep the mice down if lack of evidence is any indication. Lots of little things keep popping up to remind me of how much I don’t know and need to learn, for example trimming my goats feet. I could tell that they needed it but had little clue how to go about it so I was thankful that our friend who cared for her for a few days went ahead and did it for me.
And wonder of wonders, I got my garden planted on Saturday! It is definitely the most unplanned I have ever been with it. I normally plan it out to the smallest details of what plants should go together, what plants should avoid, plants to shade others, plants to protect roots or provide nutrients and so on while making it look pretty. Then Dan gets out there and we measure and mark so that we have straight lines. I still kept companion grouping in mind and I do hope that it will look pretty but basically I wanted to beat the rain so hurriedly drew up a plan which I adjusted as I went and eyeballed the lines. Not to mention it will be the first year of planting on lawn turned garden so the soil is in need of a lot of amending. I am hoping to keep the weeds from reaching my waist and I’ll be happy with whatever produce we get.
I think that it is probably obvious that much of what we do and hope to do is to provide for the needs of our family. So it means that animals will come and go; they won’t always be life long pets. We will do our best to care for them well and carefully. We are learning as we go which means that we will make mistakes with our animals as much as we try not to. Our children are learning about reproduction, birth, growth, and life’s end just by watching our animals.
I sometimes get asked if we hope to become self-sustaining and I think that originally I did have a vague thought of that. Over the last few years, I think that I have moved away from that thinking. We should be aware of where our food and needs come from and know how to provide it even but I am not sure that being self-sustaining (taking care of myself) is what I want. I do want to have animals and grow our own food in part but mostly I think that living in community, even for food, is my ideal. We want to work with those around us for what we need. We need to be realistic about what we are able and what we enjoy. For example, we have a spot to raise a beef cow but we don’t have what we need to raise pigs so we are making that trade with friends. Or, we are able to get the boards for our barn from up the father/son mill up the road. We offer what we have in exchange for what we need as we build relationships with people who think similarly.
I guess much of our focus is local but it also applies globally as we think about how, where, and who everything that we consume and use comes from and how we can work and care for others as well. I don’t think that everyone is intended for farming or rural living; we are all so diverse that our life work is also different. I love the quiet, I enjoy mucking out my goats pen, collecting the eggs, or pulling weeds from my garden. I enjoy raising cows with our neighbor, having people drop by unexpectedly for a chat, or asking wiser heads questions about animals but just yesterday we were chatting with my sister in law who is committed to their life in the city and they too are living well. I am glad for our bit of earth here in Nova Scotia and I am thankful that we were able to have it yet I realize that not everyone has that ability and/or desire.
We have lots of dreams and plans for our seven acres, many of which are being tweaked and reworked as we go. We are definitely dreamers so we are learning to balance our dreams with reality and that is good I think because we need both. I think that we are getting a clearer idea all the time of what we want to do as well as what we are able and choosing to accept where we are while slowly chipping away. It’s busy, it’s hard work, and often lots of setbacks, but we’re doing it and we are learning. Even if it doesn’t go like we plan, we have gained much.
Sorry, this was a long post with no pictures but it just kept coming. I would love to hear from you what your dreams and plans are. Is a farm life for you? Or do you love the city? What does community look like for you? How do you learn and teach your children about their food, the world around them, and how you and they relate?
Everyday I’m working toward my dream…a plant nursery and touring garden with a retail area where I can sell my all-natural body products. And, of course, an animal sanctuary where we take in homeless animals like big cats, pigs, horses, etc. and have after-school programs where kids from under-served areas can come and learn about animals and gardening! Nothing too complex (haha).
I’m glad I found your blog, it’s quite fun to read. 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful dream! Thanks for visiting my blog, I checked out yours and I am definitely going to try some of your body product recipes.
Thank you, I’m working at it every day! I’m glad you found some recipes that interest you…enjoy! 🙂
When we were engaged and first married, we made huge plans about living in a rural area and being self sufficient. We’ve now realized we’ll be on our little urban lot for a long time. But we’ve also realized the benefits of just having the awareness. Our 3 year old has a much more intimate connection with his food than most adults. Not only does it make his life richer but I think it helps him be a better steward of all resources.
I am always so impressed at the things that people can do on even a small spot in the city. You are right awareness is so important and is very possible where ever you are.
Same plans here. It’s only 4 acres but it’s our retirement plan. We hope to get goats and pigs again next year. Right now we’re focusing on fruit and the garden.
Small steps at a time, you are wise.
Marissa,
I’m a dreamer too. 🙂 You live in a beautiful corner of the world, girl! I pray the Lord makes your dreams reality in His time. And oh, I would love to eat some of those wild strawberries!
Thanks Melanie,I honestly am often so in awe of the beauty here, it really is incredible.
Our goal is to grow as much of what we can for our own needs.We have been doing very well with this.
Every year we are able to raise beef,pork,chicken,turkey,eggs,vegetables,herbs,fruit and berries.
We are grateful for a milk cow as well who provides not only for us but this year we gave her solely to her calf and a orphan.
Some years we have more then others.
My garden has fallen behind this year for planting but I’m not to late.
It has been a big change for me not to have my greenhouse up and going for the first time since we started farming.
I enjoy starting my own seed,80% certified organic, I felt terrible buying transplants but life changes with a little one.
To us its all about growing our own or supporting who we can with similar just values.
I’m a huge planner and set many goals,looking back on notes from 7 years ago I can say I did it and I’m proud.
That is great that you have been doing so well, I love hearing those stories! It is true that life does change with little ones, I find it a challenge to keep up while my little ones are well…little. I agree with you, it is all about doing it yourself or supporting those who have similar values (and hopefully encouraging others along the way).
Love this, love hearing your dreams expand and refine.
Keith would love to be a full-time farmer. Still hoping that opportunity may open someday. For now we’ve realized that we long to live sustainably, and I like the way you put it with not being self-sufficient but being sufficient within a local community type of thing, and knowing where your food/etc comes from. We long for a pretty little place and some acreage. At the moment our farm is just some chickens and berry bushes and tomato plants all in moveable pots so we can take them along. But someday we hope to have vast amounts of berries and fruit trees along with more chickens, a milk goat, dogs, cats, the works. It’s going to be some years away but I do think it will happen eventually.
Thanks Jamie! I hope that Keith is able to enjoy a farm someday. But for now I think it is great that you are able to have some chickens and a few plants because really that is something special.
I live very far away in Australia up in the mountains near the Yarra Valley. I am surrounded by rich fertile soil and berry farms, wineries and other farms and farmlets.
My husband and I are on a good income BUT we have 5 children (7,5,4,2,1) and I am pregnant again so the “good income”only goes ‘so’ far.
We live off the money we earn so lots of things just wait and wait and well……wait!
Recently our van broke down and cost over 6k to fix! This to me now means ‘nothing’for the next 2 years minimum. 🙁 No new fences, fencing to keep the chickens out of the whole yard, timber to build our veggie garden….it goes on and on and that doesn’t even include house repairs!
However, we will get there one day and in the meantime we will continue to enjoy life and breathe in the beautiful mountain air and I will try my hardest to be grateful!
Wow, you are a blessed mama! When is your next little one due?It’s true that with a family and any unexpected expenses often the dreams and even necessities get put on hold. But with a perspective of living in the present gratefully, dreams are beautifully free. I have to remind myself of that often as I look at all that needs to be done along with all that I want to do.
Wow- good for you. Live those dreams…They could not be more different than mine but I love that we have people like you. I am a town chick…not country enough but not city enough either. Every once in awhile I like the freedom to dip fully into both ends…grab my cowboy hat and jeans and walk by the cow patties, plant my garden and consume organics…and then grab my high heels, sleek label dress, false eyelashes, major make up and go out to the city and consume a steak with wine!I love it all in moderation but mostly I love the middle…quiet town life with community but yet not much noise:) Since you asked… I could never do what you do- it sounds like torture to a person with sensory overload- I just picture the smells and worries about salmonella or poisoning, birthing, illnesses…I have a tough enough time taking care of myself! HOWEVER I wish I could love that kind of life because it is holistic in a completely different way than my holistic life. I love that you love it and it sounds so idyllic for you. How wonderful! We do like to make sure our kiddos are globally contentious and aware of food choices but it is not our passion. Our passion falls in other realms but it is important and I am so glad that many like you have it as a passion! We need that voice too!
Haha, I know lots of people who would see my life as a sort of slow torture. I really loved quiet town life too but I have lived in two busy cities as well and that was sensory overload for me…continually. I enjoy a trip to the city but to be in the bustle constantly was basically more than I could handle. All the noises, smells, and people made me so edgy and overwhelmed. Thanks for commenting!
Your thoughts are very timely as I am trying to set goals and priorities for my family. I have finally found peace with my decision to stay in the city, which was not easy. I struggled forever with whether I should raise my children in the country like I was, or in the city where we now live. I have now chosen a different path than you, but I was able to make peace with myself about it and that was the hardest (and best part). I think I wanted to *want* to live in the country with my kids, but I didn’t actually want to! If that makes sense. More like I felt I should and should is not a way to live one’s life. But it feels very nice to be settled and I hope there is no upheaval in the coming years and we can stay that way (except to finally buy a house at some point!).
I am glad that you feel at peace about where you are, that is important. I think especially when you have grown up a country kid and that is seen as being so positive (and is) it is almost hard to think that a life lived in the city can also be really great and positive as well.
For Stew and I, living a rural life with chickens, a cow, a big garden, etc is something we dream of. We would love to raise our kids in that type of setting. But for us, we feel that our ministry plans/goals/dreams will require us to live in the city, at least for now. So instead we try to be intentional in teaching about where food comes from, visiting farms, buying locally, and planting a small garden. (Our landlords have allowed us to tear up a section of grass for our garden, and I’m so thankful to at least be able to grow a few things!)
It is a fun dream, but not always meant to go beyond that in certain seasons. Life lived intentionally and with awareness is truly valuable as it is totally possible to live a country life with out that.
Jared and I have been working very hard trying to make enough money to eventually buy a 1/4 section of grasslands off some family friends of ours here in kamloops. However im sure you know how Expensive land is here! And although we have played with the idea of moving out east or somewhere where farmland is a lot cheaper we really want to stay close to our family as well. But our desire for our family is to try to live off the land as much as possible and give our children the country life. homeschooling and all. Jared is dreaming of running a yak farm. ( As you know beef is dwindling here, yak is much leaner, they calve slowly all year long, and eat about 1/2 as much as white face) However i have been dreaming of running an organic raw milk farm where we have “cow Shares” as it is still illegal to sell raw milk in B.C. Then we Can help to supply the interior of B.C with healthy whole milk! There is a cow share program in chilliwack right now but for people around here to order milk from there they pay outrageous shipping! Those dreams seem so far off in the distance right now and maybe will never happen but for now we are just working towards saving enough to buy land and get our family out of town and trying to live a more simple life. ( thats why your blog has been so inspiring to me 🙂 ) In order to get there tho it feels like we have been doing the opposite! making life so full and busy! Jared is running his own company and we are building a spec house right now that we will move into for 6 months and then sell to make money for this dream of ours. then hopefully sell our rental house as well and if need be do it again once more…. I HATE change and the idea of moving and living in these big fancy houses that i know i wont feel at home in or comfortable in gives me the chills. But i know for us its really the only option to “get there” and finally live in our forever home that we will raise or children in for the rest of their lives. So a season, maybe, that im not looking forward to at all… but will live in joyfully and with anticipation of those good things to come and trying hard to remember ( like you spoke of in one of your last blog posts) that its not that i will only be “happy” once we get there, but that i AM happy now and am so blessed with the life and roof and family that i Do have!
A yak farm! Wow I would love to hear about that.And it is true, you are blessed in where you are at right now! Thanks for commenting and sharing your dreams, I loved it:)