February was confusing, but March is...March!

We had a rather crazy month of February, including some days that were warm enough for us to don sweaters when working outside, a warm wind that truly smelled of spring, and the ladybugs in the walls of our 137 year-old house woke up and clamoured to the windows hoping to get out into the garden and begin their year! There was lots of rain, which thankfully evacuated the 2-foot coating of snow and ice attached to the roofs of our house and garage, There were also very cold days that were unmistakably wintery and February-ish. And then came March. The first half was quite blustery, with maybe one warmer day. We are going through firewood like crazy! The weather is completely inconsistent as it goes up and down. It will be warm and the snow will melt, but then it will rapidly freeze and the pathways turn to glare ice. Not a pleasurable aspect to barn chores, I assure you! The major maple syrup producers in our area went ahead with their sap collection in February, but we did ours at the end of the month. We are farther north than the central operations so our seasons always come in a bit later than the "norm".
Each year is an adventure in itself, waiting with baited breath for nature's cues to take on certain tasks. We know better than to get excited when the warm breeze flows in during April and May and to wait until the last week of May to even consider planting our precious spring seeds and seedlings! Currently, Jason built a raised hot compost bed to be used inside the greenhouse, which will warm the seedlings during our frigid spring evenings. An exciting project! I love that about homesteading; how each and every year is peppered with bran-new ideas and building projects (or the acquisition of new barnyard flock members~!) Ahhh, spring, we are ready for you!

Here are a few pictures of our March adventures!

Still lots of good stuff in the pantry!

Brothers, piled up :)

Always going

Jude loves to take things apart, trying to figure out how they work

Ollie reading

and Jude reading!

Jude is silly!

us three

We all got a nasty cold. Poor Ollie felt so awful that he fell asleep on top of a lego bin, toy house, and a log!

We are so ready for green

A trusting little friend on our morning walk :)

New painting!

Another new painting! I have been loving ravens this past winter

Always, I have friends with me when I work upstairs in my studio

A delightful picture Jude drew of Ollie and us as happy pirates dancing!

the beginnings of sap flowing..

Jason waiting for the sap to drip

Maple syrup time!

It was warm on this particular day, which you can see by Jude's wearing no winter coat!

Grandma-Jude came to visit :)

Cozy tea parties by the fire every day

Jason feeding the rocket stove, making the sacred maple syrup

One of hens had a nasty injury, so she lived in the house with us for 5 days

Here she is after her bath

Jude's awesome new 'do'!

Matilda was less than impressed that a chicken was in the house

Ollie as a pirate

Pirates doing pirate things in my kitchen!

With a pretty new apron to keep her (much improved) wound covered, our hen was easily reintroduced back into her flock. She was so happy to be running around with her buddies outside again!

And last but not least, marathon cooking! On this day I made butternut squash soup, chile, and rice pudding.

Summertime art showings

My summer was busy! VERY, very busy!
The good news is that much of the busy-ness involved homesteading and art-creating, which is what life is all about, or at least we aim it in that direction :)

In June I took part in Montana Jones' Lifestock; a fundraising effort to help support her and raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt with their legal fees after years of bullying by the CFIA, and also to celebrate homesteading, eco-friendly farming and living practices, heritage livestock animals, natural foods etc.. If you know anything about earth-friendly farming practices then you have likely heard of Joel Salatin. He came as well to join in solidarity with Montana and Michael and they each made their way up to the bandstand to make a powerful speech about the importance of good, safe, healthy food, and a healthy planet. Jason, Ollie, Jude and I spent the day there enjoying the music of wonderful local folk musicians and meeting wonderful, warm, open-minded people. I sold many paintings, prints and other handmade goods and it was a delightful experience all around!

Next, I opened my doors for the Highlands East Studio Tour for two weekends in August. It's lovely to have people stop by our home. Often we get talking about all the things we are up to (sheep, chickens, gardens, permaculture, creativity, etc. etc. etc.), and wind up strolling through the gardens, or visiting all the animals down by the barn, and in that way it is shown to be very cohesive, this life of ours, and all the parts that intertwine to build the whole package:)

And then, in September I sold my wares in the "Artisan's Market" at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival in Grafton, Ontario. I enjoyed three days of folk music goodness whilst selling my artwork and handmades. It was wonderful!!

Here are some pictures from Lifestock:

And here are a few of my own little studio :)

Ollie was busy for weeks painting alongside me! He generated quite a collection of paintings and sold four!!

Yes, it was a joyful and creative time for me - long deserved! I had been putting my creative needs on the backburner for years while I focused on the kids, the animals, the homestead etc..but then, I just couldn't wait anymore. My spirit NEEDED this, to paint! Happy!

June goodness

Rhubarb Crisp in the makings. It was sooooo good.

My woolies!

Jason and I went canoeing with the boys.

...and Isabella took out the kayak.

Jason made masks with the boys one afternoon. Here is Jude's.

And here is Ollie's! What a long face for a four year old!

Chicken aprons in the works.

We spotted this lady-turtle laying eggs on our friend's beach.

And this rabbit was in the yard!

Our days have been filled with kids and gardens, chickens, sheep, and the making of food. We are tired as we are every spring and summer, the busiest times of the year, but it is a good tiredness; A satisfied, long-day-spent-working-at-something-you-love kind of tiredness!

For me

For my birthday in November, Jason built me this gorgeous wall mounted coat hanging rack! 

Using only salvaged materials he gathered himself (barn board, railroad spikes, old rusty nails, even the handle from an antique iron) he whipped it up for me and had it on the wall the same day. I LOVE it! Instantly, our mudroom looked more cozy and welcoming :) I will gladly take a handmade gift over store-bought any day!