Oh and by the way...

Happy 09-09-09!!!
Will never happen again!

Being Present

This has been on my mind alot lately. "Being Present" in my kids lives. Lately I feel it being so important. With James going off into the world within a year and then the other 2 following close behind how present was I in their lives? When they look back on their childhood what will they remember most?
Where is the balance of building a home and life and a roof over their heads along with putting food on the table without missing out on the important 'little' things in their lives???
We all want our kids to have things, and why is it so important to have the house clean or to get that load of laundry done? Why do we as women put so much pressure on ourselves to be "Super Mom" and do all things for everyone?
As some days are just busy and before I know it the day is over, did I remember to give them a hug or tell them I loved them? What are they going to remember about that day? That the dishes are done or the warmth of a loving hug? Or the floor is swept or conversation over baking or taking the time out to play a game or going for a walk?
Where is that balance of teaching them to be responsible for themselves along the way so that they can look after themselves on their own and have the skills to do so or letting them be kids when they are kids. How do we teach them to be productive members of society but yet allow them to have a childhood?
As a child we were always made to help, in my case it was in the barn as I grew up on a dairy farm. At the time I didn't like it at all but now I see that it instilled a good work ethic within me to try to do a good job in whatever I do. I do hope my kids will have that same ethic as well but how do I teach them that it is not ALL about work?
How do I try to be present in their lives when I feel it is now that they need the guidance the most (even though they don't think so!) along with the daily stresses of bills to pay, housework, farmwork, gardening, work etc?
There is a full time line posted at work, basically yes it would mean a financial boost in my pay but it would also mean that I would rarely be home at the supper hour. Again I have had to struggle with finding that balance of 'yes', the money is always useful but is that more important than dinner conversation with the kids or "being present" when they come home from school and hearing about their days. Even though they don't actually 'need' me to be home how many of those little moments are going to be lost by not being there?
I'm sure most of you moms or dads (especially of teens) out there have had the same thoughts or struggled with these issues, would love to hear how you managed to balance out everything. If not then I just had to get this out there as it has been weighing heavy on my mind lately.

Back to School!

Seriously???? Already???
I can't belive the summer has just flown by and the kids are back to school already!
There is truth to saying that as you get older time just goes by faster and faster!
This year we have James in his last year of high school, Casi going into gr 10 and Brittany into gr 8. Hard to believe James and Brittany are both seniors in their schools. It will be a big gulp in the spring preparing both of them for graduation!

Got down to going some baking yesterday for lunches. We had attempted to make apple crisp the day before...actually the making was fine but in the cooling process Bella decided that the apple crisp was better than her dog food and ate pretty much ALL of the 2 apple crisps we had made.
She has been a little opportunistic lately....so this is something we have to work on ;(

This was Casi's baking...an apple bar it was called.
Chocolate Zucchinni Cake...man this is REALLY good!

Apple Crisp...attempt #2!! Most of our apple trees are ripe so we had picked 2 crate fulls last week.

We got the apple bar recipe and the chocolate zucchinni cake recipe from THIS site. This blog is amazing (thanks for tip Shawna)!

It is a mennonite recipe site and with recipes like the chocolate zucchinni cake, I can't believe they are not 300 lbs!

I am trying their cucumber relish today, will let you know how it turns out! I may try to find an applesauce recipe too to use up the rest of the apples we picked.

We actually have mennonite neighbors. They are great neighbors to have. I admire their way of life. That being said however, I don't think I could do without the internet!!

The Basement Chronicles...cont'd (from a LONG time ago)!

Months ago I posted about a fresh look we were giving to our basement. With the onset of summer and life becoming chaotically busy, I didn't get any time to work on it.

However with the nights becoming cool I had the urge last week to paint. As luck would have it, CT had their paint on sale.

I chose "CobbleStone" for the bathroom and kitchen down there. It is kind of a mix between a green and a brown, in different light it looks either.

This is the only before I have.....

And now....

We added a few towel holders and bars.

I really love the new look. This is by all accounts Brittany's bathroom and she wasn't happy with my choice of colour but oh well. We are finding it has really eased up on the traffic on our main bath upstairs!

I also have been decorating mode for the rec room, as it thus far has nothing on the walls, I found a wall hanging that I had done ages ago. Not sure how it is going to work out but we had some bull rushes growing so I sprayed them with a sealer and added some other decorative grasses and voila...a little touch of home'i'ness to the basement.

Its an oldie...but a goodie...back in my cross-stitch phase....

The painting continues...I am working on the kitchen as well, in the same colour as the bathroom. It seems I need about a 36 hr day to get everything that I want to do! It will be a great feeling once everything is all done! Ok...will that ever happen??

It only took us a month or better....

but the fields are planted....
After several weeks of working the land only to have it just about ready to seed, it would rain and we would have to start over again!
As of last Friday, our 2 back hay fields are seeded, fertilized and rolled.
I knew it would be an undertaking with Dave working full time and everything else that goes on but little by little we managed to git er' done!

Hopefully next spring, our fields will look like this and we will have lots of hay to feed our ever expanding band of animals!

Just to note that we currently had our own hay fields and got our own hay crop but we had a hard winter on our hay last year that killed out most of our fields so we had to replant. We are hoping to buy our own haying equipment within the next year or so, so that we can harvest our own hay instead of paying huge custom work $$$'s for it!

The Goats have arrived!!!

2 weeks ago we made the long trip down to Dalkeith, which is almost to the Quebec border. 5 hrs each way! We did a down and back and wow...was it a long day! We brought our newest members of our farm home. The long awaited fainting goats. For years we had talked about getting these guys and finally now we are owned by 3 of them! We have another little lady coming from Manitoba hopefully the end of September.

They are sweet little girls and already they have captured our hearts! They are inquisitive but shy all at the same time. We have already spent lots of time out there hand feeding them bits and bites of goodies that they love. We were told they like animal crackers or baby cookies and wow...do they ever! It is fun to watch them steal a piece from your hand and back off quickly only to come back and do it again!

From left to right there is Calico Rose, Twinkle Toes and LillyAnna....and yes they were named when we got them!

We have seen them "faint" at different times and it is quite comical. We don't set out to make them faint as that is cruel but sometimes when they get excited or startled over they go! Myself especially have been enjoying learning about them. Even the kids who for the most part do not have any interest in any of the animals in the barn are out there playing with them!

Upcoming Arrivals!!

In the midst of all the bus'y'ness that has been going on around here, Autumn came into season. As she will be 2 in September and 'just' finished her championship, it was a great time to breed her.
I decided to use an outside male this time around. My hope is that there will be a new show hopeful in the works and would be unrelated to my boys that I have here.

I decided to use this little boy. Marshall is an awsome boy and I loved his conformation and colour. Not to mention that he has a really nice head. He also happens to be grandson of Multi BIS, BISS Am/Can Ch. Durrer's Heirloom who is huge right now in the yorkies. Heirloom is 2008 #1 Toy, #1 Yorkshire Terrier, #8 ranking All Breed and the Highest Scoring Yorkie in History.
I feel very fortunate to be able to acquire these bloodlines which will only better my dogs for the future.

So mid October our 'hopefuls' should arrive! Keep your fingers crossed for healthy mom and healthy babies!!!

What to do with...

All this zuchini????
Back in the spring knowing how much a zuchini plant would yield, I purposely only planted 1. Only ONE!!!
Still it is bearing 'fruit' like crazy!

Last nights dinner was zuchini, onion cooked in olive oil with garlic and some tomatoes and peppers. Served over noodles or rice, it is fabulous!

I have trying to use it up, we have been having zuchini omelettes and I have been making banana zuchini loaf and muffins....

Still there are tonnes of zuchini coming....eeeks!

Does anyone have a great use for it? Even a great recipe for more loaf or muffins? The one I found off the internet was kind of heavy.

Surprisingly the kids actually like it! Figuring they would turn their noses up it I kind of tried to hide it in things but when I made the zuchini over noodles, they absolutely loved it! Best part too is there is only vegetables in it and pretty healthy ( would have been better if I used Whole Wheat noodles but...)

I have read too that Zuchini is full of Vitamin C so i guess we have been getting our doses lately!

The Deck - Decorated!

I've been busy trying to 'dress' up our new space outside on the deck. Last week I found this "conversation set" (whatever that means??) on sale at CT. It was $100 off the original price. Actually this time of year has been great for finding deals on outdoor patio stuff!
Anyway....we put up the set, this is where our patio table used to sit. We have found a new spot for that....


I loved these windchimes...which were also on sale...

This is where our patio table sits now!! I am most excited about this change to our deck. A week or so ago I went to Zellers and they had 1 sunshade left, this 10x12. I ended up getting $150 off this baby along with the mosquito netting for $50 off! I felt proud of myself. I love this new area. We have sat outside at night and lit the candles and it is so relaxing just to hear the quiet of the evening with maybe the odd bullfrog. It is the perfect ending to some very busy days we've been having!

In the daytime too, it is nice to sit and watch the dogs play which for me are better entertainment than any ol TV show. Or in the morning having our coffee for a snippit of quiet before the day begins.

I think for now the deck is about perfect! Not too cluttered and just right! We still have to bring some electricity to it and a water tap. However it is looking like these might be next years 'To Do List'..we'll see. Along with the lattice on the bottom and pool deck.

It was definitely worth the 2 years wait (although i didn't agree at the time!) I love the new space, especially where the sunshade is.

Congratulations Sabrina and Eric!

Last Sunday Dave's niece Sabrina welcomed 2 new additions into her family.

6 weeks early her twin baby girls were born.

Phoenix Elizabeth 5 lbs 14 oz

Essence Ava 4 lbs 10 oz

Congratulations to new mom and dad! We look forward to meeting your new little ones!!

Bella and Chad

While we were in Darien Lake, we asked our good friend Lori to watch Bella. As Bella did not fare well while we were out in BC with no one at home the majority of the time to be with her, we figured she again would not do well without 100% human companionship in our absence.

Well Bella flourished at Lori's house, especially with her 5 year son Chad. They bonded instantly and Chad much to his delight found out that Bella would do tricks and commands for him!

Lori told me that Bella would not leave his side and when he went to bed she layed in front of his door. She also greeted him every morning with a big jump on his bed.

I am so pleased that she was a good girl. Lori even said that they missed her when we picked her up! Thanks again for looking after her.

(photos courtesty of Lori!)

In Preparation for.....

These guys..........................

We are in the process of closing in last years attempt at a chicken house, to make a goat shed/barn whatever you want to call it.

We braced it and strapped it and started putting tin on the back of the structure.

Eventually this will house our 4 Myotonic (Fainting) Goats that will be arriving later this month. It really does look better than the picture projects! Will post the finished product when its completed!

We are picking up the 1st three goats pictured from Eastern Ontario later this month and the 4th (black and white girl) will be making her way from Manitoba in September. We have been on a waiting list since February and late spring we made our selections and since then have been waiting for the gals to be weaned from their mommas.

This is a new venture for us and hopefully one that we will enjoy. As the myotonic goat is endandered in Canada I am really looking forward to being part of something that is preserving a breed.

The deck is fini!!!!

This is one post that I am really excited to share! If you remember the post I wrote last month about the deck building that was going on and I promised to let you know when it was finished so here it is!!!
For 2 long years we have discussed this deck project. As with all projects it is a balance of time and money which there never seems to be enough of. Surprisingly it didn't take too long at all. Basically 2 weekends of puttering on it and its pretty much all done! The deck wood is eastern cedar and Dave did a favour for a guy and got the lumber at a great deal.

We still need to cut lattice and put along the ground and in between the new and pool deck.

We have a temporary make shift gate that is blocking access to the pool, so we have to build a gate here yet too.

I just love the new space! I also think it is cool the way there are different levels and corner angle stairs. Does anyone have any ideas of a stain that works with cedar? Over the years I have tried different stains and treatments and non of them stick? I have resorted to just pressure washing the grey away every year. Any ideas??? Anyone??? You can see the difference in colour between the new and old, I would love to keep it looking the new colour....

We have to move the clothes line yet to the far end of the deck so no one gets strangled.....:((

It remains quite bare yet as we finished the deck and left for Darien Lake within 2 days. All I have managed to do it get a few planters to place on it. If the dogs leave them alone they should look quite nice on there! For now the plan is to put a gazebo (sun shade) on there with our dining patio set underneath.

On a grander scale I would like to get some outdoor furniture at some point, like a wicker set or something along those lines. There are so many cool and interesting outdoor pieces out there! I have been surfing kijiji and craigslist for a good used set but nothing has popped up so far. Even grander yet I would like to a 3-4 person hot tub at some point. This is an item that I probably will not buy new as they are grossly expensive and if patient enough you can find a good used one reasonable. I am looking for one of those ones that is just the 110V that you plug in and use, if anyone knows of one.

There are a few finishing details we need to complete on the deck yet but I was too anxious to wait! This is by all accounts phase 3 of our deck project, the 1st being the deck at the front and 2nd the pool deck. Phase 4 and the final phase is a roof over the deck at the front giving the house that ol' country charm of a front porch. I am excited about this one too but Dave has already warned me not to even mention it until next year!!! Stay tuned!!!

One for the team...

A couple of weeks ago, baseball season wrapped up for the year with a 3 day stretch of tournament games.
The tournament is the highlight of the year for the girls and Brittany was really excited to play! She had been a very versatile player this year. Her positions included all the bases , back catcher and pitcher. I think she enjoyed pitching the most.

However she was not meant to pitch at the tournament. The very 1st game they played, 2nd inning Britt was hit by the ball in the hand.
So instead of spending her tournament games with her teammates battling it out for the win, we spent it at our local emergency department getting xrays for a possible broken thumb. Her thumb had the classic look of being broken, the icky purple colour it quickly changed to and the fact that she had a hard time moving it along with the swelling that wasn't long to appear. However after 2 hours of wating the doc said it wasn't broken just badly sprained. He put a splint on it and off we went.
Brittany was determined to play the following day and was able to at least get up to bat if not anything else.......

The girls ended up finishing A division in 2nd place. They had a great year and as always Britt is looking forward to the season again next year.
The thumb??? Turns out it was broken, a week later we recieved a call from the same doctor who seen us in emerg that yes in fact there was a fracture.
So we have bought another splint for it just to protect it so it can heal hopefully properly...
It was a great year for ball and way to go Britt for taking one for your team!!!! Proud of You!!

Road Trip to Darien Lake!

Very spur of the moment....and generally we are not very spur of the moment people we took a 3 day trip down to Darien Lake, NY.
Last minute we found out the Dave could get some time off work and it happened to fall when I had my weekend off so we (and when I say "we" I really mean "I") quickly planned a trip to a place that we had talked about for a couple of years now. It was kind of rush rush, making arrangements for all the animals at home as life on a farm does not mean just pick up and go whenever you want!
Darien Lake is basically the NY version of our Canada's Wonderland except there is camping on site. So passports in hand, off we went!
I was quite surprised, that basically in 3.5 to 4 hr drive we were there.

We decided to rent a trailer there instead of bringing ours with us. Dave calculated that the difference in cost would likely be eaten up in fuel of taking our trailer....personally I think he just wanted me to do all the driving as I usually do! (FYI...I don't drive with big trailers on the back)

This was the view from our trailer door....looking right over into the park!!!

Lots of things to do for thrill seekers!!! The girls went on all the rides multiple times. Not I however, I am a bit of chicken when it comes to heights and prefer to have my feet planted firmly on the ground....

It was a great spot, would love to do it again next year. Hopefully this time with James too. (He had summer school and couldn't miss any time) It was quite relaxing as the girls were occupied and I actually got to read and finish a book that I had started on the plane to BC.

Cost wise it was probably cheaper to do this than to buy tickets for Wonderland for 3 days and stay in a campground.

The evenings were great for campfires and they put on a fireworks plus laser show every night. The show was spectacular and very cool to watch. I totally think we made the right decision to rent a trailer versus staying in the hotel at the park. It was more economical as we could cook our own meals plus camping is just way cooler!

After 3 days of fun and tonnes of roller coasters we were ready to head back home. We stopped at a huge mall in Buffalo and did some shopping. I did some BTS (seriously Back To School shopping already?) and got some great deals. I even found a Bath and Body Works store, I have SO wanted to shop there for ages!
We toured up to the American side of Niagara Falls and checked it out. I am such a terrible Canadian.... We live this close to one of the most phenominal natural wonders of the world and I have not seen the Falls since I was 5 or so and don't even remember it.
We debated which side to see and ended up with the US side figuring that we could always see the Canadian side another time without having the hassle of customs or border crossing.
What a beautiful sight it is and so humbling!!!

We toured a wax museum of all the significant people who had anything to do with the Falls and became quite tourist'y' and walked along all the vendors. Brittany was on the hunt for "I 'heart" NY" T-shirts.

We crossed the border early evening and had dinner at a Tuckers Marketplace in Toronto. We made it home just after 10pm, tired but really happy that we did this trip. It was above all nice to spend some downtime together and also see some interesting sight along the way.

It was a cool road trip....