Kelly Spence, Author at Small Prairie Farm

The Little Neighbour Boy Gets a Surprise Swarm

The surprise swarm that took Jeffs grainery by storm!

In just 2 days honey bees had created a swarm on Jeffs exterior wall of his grainery. This isn’t the first time bees have been around before but never a swarm like this. This time it was more of an adventure.

Wanting to get rid of the invasive swarm he got Shawn Maskwa a seasoned beekeeper to come out and asses the situation. The first day he came out the clouds were overcast.

*Fact- Bees are grouchy when the clouds are overcast

So, we waited until the next day. The goal was to find the queen and transfer the swarm. We suited up. We started out trying to use a vacuum bucket. The swarm was too big and thick and was clogging the vacuum hose. So Shawn scooped the bees with his hands and moved them into the beehive.

*Fact- The swarm would have come from anywhere in a 6-mile radius

I got to “bee” a beekeeper for an hour or so until I got so hungry I had to leave. Never been stung by a bee before I didn’t know if I was allergic. Good thing Shawn keeps an EpiPen on hand. Dad (Malcolm) was nowhere to be seen because of his irrational fear of bees and wasps. Mom (Diane), Jeff, and Drew were standing on the sidelines.

After a few hours of scooping, vacuuming and pulling boards off the side of buildings most of the bees were removed! The bees were surprisingly docile. Shawn was able to remove the main honeycomb. Although we didn’t get to see the queen he was pretty sure we got her because the bees were content in their new hive and all the ones not transferred were trying to get into it.

After a lot of work by Shawn and Jeff, the bees were contained and were transported to Shawn’s farm (after quarantine) where they can hang out with the rest of his bees. They will be well taken care of and producing honey, not so close to Jeffs tools.

**Update** The queen has been found. The beekeeper will leave them alone for 2 weeks to see how they settle

Cousin Weekend 2018

Cousins Weekend Was Filled Sunshine, Drama and Food!

We camped out at Uncle Malcolm’s for the cousins long weekend! Mathew and Emmy joined us from the East coast, along with Terra and the girls(this includes Andrew). The invitation was also extended to our parents this year! Everyone packed up their tents, campers, games, footballs, baseballs, kites, pets, food, booze, kids, sunscreen, swimming trunks, and brought their partners????! Tania set up a Scavenger Hunt! There were water balloons and water gun fights. We picked berries, roasted marshmallows and more.

Not one child went without a dirty face at least once during the weekend. Jennifer got an early morning (afternoon) wake up to Oh Canada and Andrew took the kids on quad rides. People took part in signing on stage at night.

And don’t forget about the farm Jam

See all the photos, posts and comments on the Facebook Cousins Weekend thread.

We Have Chickens!

We finally have our chickens!

We drove to Chamberlin, Saskatchewan to get chickens and they stunk the whole drive back. I (Kelly) honestly didn’t realize they smelled so bad and all they do is poop!

They have just finished molting So they look like garbage. We’ll see how the dogs get along with them.

The Eggs

May 30th- So far we’ve been getting 5 a day. 2-3 in the roost and 1-2 in the feeder and 1 behind the water dish.

We haven’t been able to find someone to get last years straw from so we’ve been using paper. They don’t seem to mind.

Prairie Fires Are Raging This Year- 2018

Prairie Fires in Kannata Valley are Rampant

It’s only May and the Prairie Fires have already started in Southern Saskatchewan. There are Fire bans in a lot of the RMs and most people are doing their due diligence to take care not to put their land at risk.

Wascana Trails Fire – April 23

About 12 hectares of land was burned, crews sprayed fire for hours

Two fire trucks were called to the fire near the Wascana Valley Trails at around 4 p.m. CST.

Dallas Valley Fire- April 26

Crews battled a grass fire in the Lumsden Valley on Thursday, but by late evening, Lumsden’s fire department said the flames were under control.
The fire traveled east of the town along the valley.

People driving along Highway 11 reported seeing smoke for kilometers.
Dallas Valley Ranch Camp had to move its horses and human members to safety.

Kannata Valley- May 7

RBFD was dispatched as mutual aid to help the Lumsden Fire department. Along with Craven Fire department and Regina fire department, the grass fire was contained. The use of Mutual aid is beneficial to all departments and helps with protecting our communities.

6:30pm Update: Please stay off main roads at Kannata Valley unless you’rewater truck

8:23 Update: We received confirmation 68, 70, 72 have burnt down on Lake Shore Drive in Kannata Valley

Find Out Where the Wildfires are in Saskatchewan Here

Read more about what we’re doing in the News

May 8, 2018

April 28- First weekend at the farm

April 28th Kelly’s first weekend at the farm

During the nights I’m still am running 2 heaters and the wind howls fiercely in the night shaking the camper. I’ve taken an interest in the local abandoned scenery.

The first house is located at the top of the hill on the turkey trail, dad had said he had always wanted to go see it. so when the fence was open I (Kelly) and Jeff went exploring (Jeff was not impressed). We went in the house and into the upstairs. The floors did not fall through. Walking back to the truck we found dead cow bones, so of course, I had to take them home.

The second house Jeff didn’t want to stop at, but I still snapped a couple pictures.

The next stop was the old school house. We were too afraid to go in the basement, because of raccoons.

When we got back to the farm I wanted to do something with the cow bones. So I went Mad Max style and made mobiles.

April 29, 2018

Spring 2018

First weekend at the farm. Our dugout is down several feet. So everything froze including the fish and frogs. There were even a few trout left! Jeff and I also found some random bones.

The was a wildfire at Wascana Trails and we went to explore an abandoned house.

April 27, 2018

Farm Jam 2018- Be There Or Be Square!

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS YEAR’S FARM JAM?

Hey friends and family, this year’s Farm Jam news.It will be the weekend of Saturday, July 28 of 2018.

Our focus is jamming in the Quonset. No skill required but will be appreciated. Come up and play with our ad-hoc band. Bring your instruments or borrow ours. Beginners to rock stars welcome. Kids and adults, sing or play.

Will supply power, outhouse, outdoor barrel shower water, hot dogs and burgers on Saturday supper, BYOB, Feel free to pick from the fruit trees in the garden. 30 cherry trees should be very ripe by then.

Bring your campers or tents out. Set up on Friday if you like and leave Sunday if you like. You may just come out on Saturday evening. Visit with family and friends.

We are located 10 minutes west of Lumsden, We have a map that can be viewed on smallprairiefarm.com web page under location. You can see the video of last years camping.

See you there,
Malcolm

Let Malcolm or Diane know if you’re coming so they know how much meat to buy.
Also if you will be wanting a spot in tent alley

March 15, 2018

Make your own firefly grill

Don’t spend all your money on an expensive camping grill!

Or just get a griddle…

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February 27, 2018

Malcolm’s Books

Bet you didn’t know Malcolm writes books!

Four books to be exact. Robinson Street Concern Committee, The Wreck of the Penny, My Turn To Be King, and American Shadow. Click on them to read more.

The Robinson Street Concern Committee

This is the tale of nosey neighbors. Prejudice and misunderstandings confuse the residents of small crimes in their suburb. It can happen anywhere and generally does.

The Wreck of the Penny

One man stranded on an island with two women. Everyman’s dream becomes his nightmare. How two survivors become rescued weeks before the third, comes to light in a Vancouver courtroom.

My Turn To Be King

A prairie boy learns to come out of the shadow of his legendary father. The small town learns that he is his own man after he faces a series of challenges.

American Shadow

A Vietnam war story. Trying to save an important officer from a fragging turns out to be a tricky proposition. The needs and wants of the higher staff echelon differ from those of the grunts on the ground.

February 13, 2018