ALGONQUIN PARK

 Fall has returned and so have we. It's been good to take a break from writing every day but now that we have family scattered around the world it's time to stay in touch and this blog helps.

I won't be writing every day but I will write every week. Thanks for keeping an eye on us and for being patient.

Fall is the best time to be living in Northern Ontario. The days are cooler, no bugs and the leaves are starting to show their best colours. If you are thinking of viewing the fall colours, this weekend would be  a good time to head north.

Yesterday we spent the day in Algonquin Park. Penny enjoyed herself and was well behaved on our hikes. She is such a good dog.

The highway 60 corridor is the most popular way to see the colours in Algonquin Park.  I was surprised how busy it was mid-week and parking spots were hard to find at the most popular hiking trails If you are  coming up for a visit it's best to book your day pass ahead of time through the internet

Thanks again  for keeping an eye on us and stay safe everyone

WE ARE TAKING A HOLIDAY

 

Summer has arrived and we are enjoying time with family and friends. We both have been vaccinated against Covid-19 so we are confident that we can gather in small groups once again.

Owen and Kate have been here the past two weeks and go home tomorrow. I'm sure they will be back before summer disappears.

Yesterday, Tyler came to service the generator. We've had it for nine years and have only needed to change the oil and filters. Yesterday, Tyler adjusted the valves and it is working like new once again.

I think we will take a break from weekly posting until the fall or until something special occurs.

Enjoy the holidays and stay safe everyone.

Thanks for keeping an eye on us.

ANOTHER TANK

 

We have expanded our gardens and need to have more water available Yesterday I installed this tank before it got too hot to work outside

The tank holds 1000 liters and sits on a base of building blocks left over from our construction days

This simple gate valve from a RV holding tank directs the water to the tank or to the ground

It's been  above 30*C the past few days and we need the rain desperately

Time to do a rain dance and see what happens

Stay safe and well everyone and thanks for stopping by

GARDEN UPDATE JUNE 7TH

 

Our gardens are in full production now. Every day we are able to harvest enough greens for my smoothie and our salads. 

Mary planted cabbage and broccoli in the garden and it has already grown over the top.

Yesterday we covered the bed with this shade cloth to give the plants room to grow and keep the cabbage moths out of the garden. It is a simple step to modify our gardens to accompany the growth of our plants as well as the changing weather.

No idea when we will be harvesting cabbage but the plants do look healthy.

Our regular potato patch is full of garlic this year so we are using these bags for potatoes. As the plants grow, Mary adds soil to give the tubers room to grow

Our peanut plants are well protected from the chipmunks and squirrels This hardware cloth allows the rain and sun in  while keeping the critters out

Thanks for keeping  eye on us and stay safe everyone

UNINVITED COMPANY

 

We  never know who will drop by for supper This guy showed up just after 8 last week.

He didn't stay long but we did get a few pictures  It was rather exiting  for all of us

Stay safe and well everyone.

INVASION

 

Our chickens are very happy in their new home Unfortunately we have night  critters who are  always looking for a free lunch

The perimeter fence was breached last night in the one spot where we didn't install hardware cloth

They then  attempted to dig their way into the coop without success. We covered the coop with hardware cloth this spring and that project kept our birds safe.

Kate discovered the hole when she took food down to the chickens this morning.  She is a big help feeding the birds and collecting their eggs.

Time to make another repair and secure the perimeter with more hardware cloth.

MARY'S GARDENS

 

We are starting to see more green in our forest these days. The buds have popped and the leaves are beginning to show. 

Mary's gardens are producing too. WE hope to be eating salads from the gardens by the end o the week

The spinach still has some growing to do, but it is looking healthy and productive. We should be picking and freezing spinach well into October.

Not every plant can tolerate our cold nights so these tomato plants will stay indoors for a few more weeks.

Our meat birds are finally out of the house YEA!!! and I'll post their pictures soon.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and healthy.