Hays in

This year it has rained and then rained some more but finally we have our hay in the barn all 1368 square bales of it and yes we are tired.

Our barn is huge and was built around 1870. Before we bought the place the barn was used to dump garbage in, the roof leaked and the colony of raccoons were happy. Now with a new roof and the critters looking elsewhere for accommodations the barn is starting to "smile" again.

The spring and early summer have been tough on us here. A very close friend unexpectedly died and we also had to euthanize one of our first sheep, Coco who became very ill. Working at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital has its advantages as our animals get the best possible care but still it wasn't enough for him. Coco was our beautiful musket. I have kept his fleece, will have it spun and my mother will knit it up for me.

Speaking of trips to work with the animals, here is Elvis. He is our Silkie rooster who managed to get a sinus infection. Here he is soaking his feet in a warm water bath to clean off. The vet student looking after him became very attached to him. And Elvis is fully recovered and back home with his girls

I supose I am a little daft to take a rooster to the vet.... well maybe!

Introducing Chaucer

This is my Chaucer undeniably the best cat , and everyone who has ever had the pleasure of his company would agree.
Chaucer is about 7 years old and a former pound cat on death row ( why I'll never understand)
He is my shadow everywhere I go. He is also a number one cuddle sleeze
( so named by my good friend Tammy)
This is one of his favorite positions!
P.S. one of my favorite authors is by the way Geoffrey Chaucer (1342 - 1400)

Time passes

Can't believe how fast the time since last posting has passed though winter itself seems to drag on and on. The sheep are less that impresed with the amount of snow we have. Last night my Al went out with the snowthrower and gave them a path and play area. The only one who seems really happy about the snow is of course Milton. We have had 70cm so far this month rther than the usual 20cm, enough is enough.

My Ceili (See picture) is however starting to shed her winter coat, I have seen the return of some blackbirds ( silly gaffers) and if you look close enough you can see the start of buds.

Ceili is my side saddle horse. She is a Missouri Foxtrotter and a very independent sprit who I think would give Parelli grief .
I have been riding side saddle since 1991 and was trained by a recognised side saddle teacher and judge. This is still the only equitation style that I have ever taken lessons in and still the only style I truly feel comfortable with. The habit I made is an authentic reproduction from an 1860's pattern. I am also wearing a period style corset and riding boots. We have ridden at many of Ontario's pionneer villages.

Looking at the picture makes me remember how much I miss the colour green!!!

Happy Holiday Greetings

Happy Holiday Greetings to everyone from all of us here at Earendel farm!
We have plans to spend Christmas Eve by ourselves at home on the farm with a lovely dinner and if the weather holds perhaps a bonfire out back with mulled wine to warm our hands
Christmas day will be with Al's family.
This year I have decorated the house very simply with fresh cut boughs of cedar and pine from the surrounding woods it smells lovely inside, no fairy lights just small electric candles in the windows, it seems to suit the house better.
So to all of you, enjoy the season, drink and eat responsibility, save some chocolates for the new year, forget the resolutions and just enjoy every day on its own merits, remember if you are reading this you are still on the sunny side of the grass and that in itself is reason to be joyful!
Cate and Al

Remember it really IS still Autumn

The past three days have been rain and freezing rain and ice pellets and snow. I cannot help but think of Barbara Gibson who in 1843 left Blantyre Scotland to immigrate to the land where our farm is now. Her and her husband, James ,were not young being both in their late fifties. Poor Barbara really must have wondered what "H" on earth she had come to as she must have sat in her cabin and froze!

The lambs danced in the snow at first but then even that wasn't much fun after a few minutes.

In an answer to a comment about our lambs colours; the black twins have staid black as velvet even to their dark eyes, and Esme's boys are both lovely shades of gray. Then of course there is Rose, spitting image of her mom in every way.

Now this goofy character is Milton he is our livestock guardian. He is about 140 pounds and the size of a small pony ( no really) That's a cow femur in his mouth. Milton is truly about the only one on the farm that loves this weather and delights in rubbing his face in the snow like a kid. He can't understand why the sheep don't share his joy.

Got to love the Snow

So here we are in the great white north and its towards the end of Nov. We have about 6-8 inches on the ground. Enough for my Al to gleefully plow out with his new snow thrower not once but twice!.

(Left is view across the road side field)

The Lambs had their first snow experiance and true to form Foote thought it might be something worth eating.

All work has stopped for the season on the Long Hall but we have the longest wall up and it is looking really sharp.

Al and I are still mulling over what colours to paint the house next spring ( good thing we started to think about the project now, it may take all winter to decide) so far shades of green are in the running , just as a side note last week it was shades of gray so check in for next weeks colour choice!

Where did the summer go?

Ok, so its been a while a long while since my last entry. But time really flies here on the farm and then suddenly its not summer anymore and the snow has started to fall.

The critters and us are all fine, though we sadly lost our beautiful rooster Harry to a hawk a few weeks back. A chicken coop is now in the planning stage. Harry's son Bera now rules the roost ( pardon the pun)

The Anglo-Saxon long house has a floor and roof and is looking great we held our first meeting there last month.

Lady, our percheron now has a small cart and harness that we are getting fixed up for her t0 tug around the farm so that will be fun.

We are starting to batten things down now for winter, the wood pile is stacked and all the summer stuff is packed away and oh yes the pool is finally closed!