The little
Category: 2018
-
Farm Jam 2018
neighbour boy Jeff does another bang-up job on filming the events via drone. Kids, bikes, dogs,go karts an epic break down. -
2018 Garden
This summer (2018) Some produced…and some didn’t produce
We’ll never plant Tiny Tim tomatoes again. What a nuisance. So many tomato skins to peel off.
Carrots produced a lot!
So did zucchini, pumpkin and beans..of course.
53 pumpkins 
Kelly always manages to get some canning done including this year Kelly and Jeffs Apple Butter/ Jam thanKs to Darsanns apples
Every year we fail at corn and radishes and this year peanuts. 2018 we prevailed with pickled carrots, peppers, zucchini, tomato sauce, salsa, beans. Also with Potatoes, cherries
All saved for seed as well as canned
We’re excited for next year!
-
Remembrance Day 2018
Remembrance: A Couple Who Met During The War
Written by Jan Densmore
In today’s Remembrance celebration, we take the time to think of My Mom (Margret Bissell) and Dad (Gregory Rice) were in their early 20s when they met during WWII. Both army soldiers. Signing up during wartime, can you imagine how scary the future could be for them? Mom was a war bride who landed by boat in Halifax with my brother John and my brother Danny on the way and made the train trip across the country to Vancouver to meet Dad. She left behind her family in Scotland and all that she knew to start her new life in Canada. Do you think they ever dreamed that they would have 10 children?
-
2018 Garden
We had a huge Garden this year!
We also had Tania and Uncle Bruce’s garden. This year we had an abundance of beans (like usual) zucchini, cucumbers, peas, pumpkins, carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes.
52 pumpkins to be exact, which were all given away.The garden failed at producing peanuts- We produced 3 out of 20 plants
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ji4DT89Uub5Sj75m6
We got gallons of carrots. Even though Kelly pickled a lot, we made a lot of tomato sauce and salsa we still had lots to give away (which is why we plant an absurdly large garden every year anyway) There was a lot of canning. There still is more when some of the tomatoes turn. We created a brief Cannitorium.
This year we also had chickens whom we planted chard for them and they loved it!
We like to donate a lot of our garden to friends and some of the outreaches. If you have extra perennials we’ll take them! We want to build cross-pollination. We’ve been having problems with our Raspberries and strawberries. Maybe we need different strains? Give us advice!
-
Farm Jam 2018
Farm Jam 2018 was smaller than usual but more fun than ever!
There was a small group at Farm Jam 2018 this year, but a lot of newcomers! We were happy to see Beth and Laurier(Sp?), Auntie Kate(from South Korea), Billie, Kendra, Cousin Danielle and family, cousin Gerry and family and of course all the regulars. There were a lot of kids which is always fun when the gocart is in action.
We’re always happy to have people out, But nobody took home CHERRIES and/or SWISS CHARD lol. It was a good event. Thank you to everyone who came out. If you have pictures send them!
Read more about what we’re doing in the News
-
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 radiusI 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.
And don’t forget about the farm Jam
-
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
