November on the Meadow

Inevitably, summer turned to fall; fall to early winter. It seems that every season on the meadow is a busy one. We got a lot accomplished these last few months but updating our blog was apparently not on the list ;) We wake up to frosty mornings now; a frozen creek and the occasional snow fall. Our autumn was spectacular. Sunny and warm and full of colour. The changing skies are a constant source of inspiration.

Our greenhouse is at the tail end of it's year; but we are still enjoying some fresh and oh-so-delicious greens (kale and chard). This years lambs have grown up and out; they are all healthy and happy. The ewes have been bred again and all's right with the world ~ or so 'Mister' our Ram would have us believe. Visitors of the feathered variety appear regularly on the meadow. No pictures yet this season but lots of coyotes around and we saw the tracks of our lone wolf again the other day. Life is good ~ and we, like so many around the world, bask in the promise of hope and change that emanates from the American people and Obama's recent victory.

Simply some late summer snapshots

Cloud mountain over the meadow.

The big rock at the top of the road; The Homestone on a late summer afternoon.

Two of our ram lambs. Aren't they pretty boys?!

And a beaver pond just down the road.

Summer projects and summer skies

Haying the meadows provides winter feed and bedding for the sheep. And winter feed for our neighbours' livestock. It's good stuff :) and the fields are in lovely shape this year. We use our pine (killed by the pine beetle) for firewood of course, and for all sorts of things around the property ~ log fencing particularly. This is one way we tie up the carbon ~ by selectively logging the smaller standing dead pine for fencing, building corrals and outbuildings. Summer project number 127 (or there abouts) is a mile of log fence around the perimeter.

Vincent and his fence! And ohhh, those summer skies.

Hay, bales and the requisite rain

From the last few days; Gordon and his team of Belgians.

Before long, one bay in our hay shed holds a snug 150 bales. Our small flock of sheep dine on the tame hay through the winter. A few low grade bales for bedding and we have what we need.

Gord uses the rest of the hay for his cattle and horses ~

Onto every field a little rain must fall.

It's been perfect haying weather up until today. This spectacular sky last night after a stormy day on the meadow.

doe a deer ...

Coffee break alert. Vince spots big ears on the meadow. David mans the camera. We watch a doe pick her way across the middle field toward the creek as Gordon and his horses cut the hay on the back meadow. The weather is perfect for making hay.

Can't resist those tasty greens ...

"The black bear, considered 75% vegetarian, feeds on the herbs and lush greens of wetlands."

Oh yes he does...

Visit Wetlands of the Cariboo-Chilcotin for an excellent description of our corner of the world. Of the many species mentioned in the article there are very few we don't see here on the meadow. What a great planet!!

Swallows, lilacs and greens

Our greenhouse is brimming with tasty greens; spinach and chard and kale and lettuce ! The swallows are busy gobbling up mosquitos and tending to their young. We are enjoying our first bloom of lilacs at the kitchen window and fields of flowers everywhere! It is June 22nd and we are back to work ~ more or less. Today being a beautiful sunny Sunday with a cool breeze in the air we took a few hours out and cruised down our little river in our wee flat bottomed boat.