Apple Orchard Visits

Preschool adventure had us visiting an apple orchard.   Tractor rides,  picnics in the hay,  chicken chasing,   and apple tasting.   Some much excitement that he wanted to stay and live. 

Cupcake Batter - Yummy!

We were making Oreo Cookie Cupcake.   They were awesome!!  

Nice day to visit a horse

Sunny and 18 degrees celsius.    Perfection!

Apple Pie made with love

My little guy brought home his first apple pie from preschool.   This week they are studying apples.   So they made an apple pie before they head out to see an orchard later this week.    It was pretty yummy if I do say so myself.    He was very pleased with himself.    

28 degree Weather

I think maybe having one last weekend of 28 degree weather took place last weekend.   Since today had very much the feel of fall in the air.   It was chilly, rainy, and all we wanted to do was grab our cozy warm clothes to put on.   So I thought I'd give you a photo of some warmth still.   (well for the people that are having the same cool weather we are having)

Virginia Creeper in the Fall

I'll have to be happy with taking photos of the Virgina Creeper around my house instead of dwelling on the fact that I missed a beautiful day to take photos of combining barley yesterday.    I knew that would happen.  I had been driving past the farm for over a week and just knew my luck would fail.   Had made plans to go away for the weekend with a friend.   Awesome time.   But driving past that combine finishing up that last rows after sun set made my heart sink.   Combining is so rare around this area and spending a plane ticket to Guelph to get my brother and dad combining just isn't in that cards this year.    I hope I can get someone else combining.   Fingers crossed.

Oooh Morning light

Introducing Murphy

This is our newest member in the family.    Murphy a male 4 month old.   He's incredibly calm.   He just loves to laze around sleeping under beds.   

Ducklings

It is overcast and cool today.    So all my ducklings are in warm cozy places today just like these ducklings were a few weeks ago. 

Autumn Beauty

"And the yellow sunflower by the brook, in autumn beauty stood." ~ William Cullen Bryant

Whipsaw Trail near Coalmont, BC

I'm having deja vu.     Didn't I just see some of these roads last weekend?       My husband has been dieing to do the Whipsaw Trail in his 4WD so away we headed.    Drove to Merritt and then to Princeton.    Yes these roads are looking very similar to the ones from last weekend.     The adventure is not at all similar except for maybe the cattle roaming around the campsite.   That might have a little feel to a Farm Tour.    Our morning started with a great breakfast at Billy's in Princeton then 17, 4WD vehicles hit the 100km Whipsaw Trail.    Not too far into our adventure it began to snow.    What!!!    Eventually it stopped,  the sun came out and the adventure was very breathtaking.     Whipsaw Trail go see it if you like 4WDing.  

We're Expecting!!!!!

Gotcha!!!!     We are expecting this new addition to our family on Monday.    No name yet.     We'll let you know. 

BC Farm Writers Association 2011 Fall Tour Day 3

Quilchena Ranch found me sleeping in a loft so the early morning light called my name very easily.    I explored the grasslands and hay fields.    Fell in love with the stone store.   Growing up in farm country in Ontario there are many many stone farm houses.   One of which I slept in my entire childhood.     So seeing one in BC is very rare and makes me homesick.   After a little more exploring it was time for breakfast and a quick pack to get on the bus by 8:30am.    We then continued our journey to Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lilloett www.fortberens.ca.   A little bus problem delayed us for quite some time so we were very late arriving at North Arm Farm  www.northarmfarm.com.   The lunch there was a perfect break from the long bus ride.    We then hopped back into the bus for a few more hours until we reached The Beach House Restaurant and Lounge in West Vancouver www.thebeachhouserestaurant.ca.    Stepping into that restaurant in our less then gorgeous farm tour outfits instantly lifted our travel weary moods and we had an amazing dinner overlooking the evening coastal views of Vancouver.    It was an amazing tour with amazing people and I'm so happy I got to have this experience.

BC Farm Writers Association 2011 Fall Tour Day 2

Sleep.......Do I really need it?   That was the first question I had of the day.   My answer no get up and get out there too much to see!    So out I went to explore the Nk'Mip Resort.    Thank goodness sleep didn't win out.    Our morning started as a group with a lovely breakfast and talk about the Nk'Mip Winery  www.nkmip.com.  Then we were off for a morning walk at the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre to get us energized for the day.    Running behind we hopped onto the bus and off to the Pacific Agriculture Research Centre in Summerland  and a lunch on the shores of Okanagan Lake.    After lunch a tour of Joe Sardinha Orchards where we seemed to be able to squeeze one or two more apples into our tight bellies.    An afternoon nap on the bus as we made our way to Quilchena Ranch www.quilchena.com for an evening tour,  BBQ steak dinner and sleep in the historic hotel near Merritt, BC.   

BC Farm Writers Association 2011 Fall Tour Day 1

I got to go on a Farm Tour with the BC Farm Writers Association this past weekend.   It was very enjoyable,  educational,   and inspiring.    We started our 3 day journey from Vancouver area and proceeded to Abbotsford to tour Bob Randhawa Blueberry Farm.    While there we received a falconry demo and filled our bellies with delicious blueberries.   Off onto the bus again to the Bakerview Eco Dairy www.ecodairy.ca.   If you ever get a chance to stop here do so.   We had a great lunch at the Dairy and then began our journey into the Okanagon.   Stopping at Manning Park for a break and then Crows Nest Vineyards in Cawston for dinner and a tour of the Vineyard and Ambrosia Orchard.    Sorry I have no photos of the amazing dinner and lunches we had (which you'll find a recurring theme) as I was so hungry I just dug right in.   Our final trip was to the Nk'Mip Resort to bed down for the evening.

Is it reallly Fall?

I do love fall it's by far my favourite time of year.   The smells of corn silage,  warm autumn days,  the colours.    But I'm really not ready for it.    I would like one more month of summer or maybe 4 months of warm autumn days before it really decides to turn cold.