Anyone who works in agriculture can arguably attest to the fact that there is a high probability of having to work alongside family, specifically if you’re working on a farm. Many farms are operated by a variety of family members, and my own family and our farm are no exception to this likelihood. I started … More The reality of working with family
As much as my family and I anticipate Winter and the slower pace it presents here on our farm, we simultaneously dread it in the sense that we are aware that the time is approaching during which we must say our goodbyes to our migrant workers. Some people might read that sentence and find it … More Adios Amigos
Anyone who knows me personally can attest to the fact that I am not the best person to have around when it comes to panic situations. I’m working to improve upon it, but, in essence, whenever I find myself in a situation in which shit has certainly hit the fan, I seem to lose all … More The importance of keepin a cool head in panic situations
I have to share a personal little tale with all of you before we delve into the subject matter of all things pigs. I had just started on a draft of this post and left my laptop open with my blog page on the screen. All I had written was the title, which reads “How … More How much do you know about pigs? (part one)
Allow me to stipulate that I used a short form in my title if you’re pondering what in the heck The Royal is. The Royal in question refers to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair that takes place annually in Toronto, Ontario, and it has been something my family and I have frequented since my sister … More Have you been to The Royal?
If you aren’t terribly familiar with the term ‘wrangler,’ please do not stress. In fact, there is a strong probability you do, in fact, know what this term encompasses, and instead have simply heard it being called by another name that is synonymous with its meaning, which is ranching. I think I recall hearing or … More Wondering about wrangling? Read this
Agriculture, like any other sector of the business world, has its highs and lows. Regardless if you’re a cash cropper or involved with livestock, you’re going to have days that are great, and you’re inevitably going to have days that are pure shit. Sometimes I can’t help but speculate as to whether or not the … More The importance of challenging agricultural misconceptions
Over the weekend, Blaine and I went to The Keg to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. We had a nice dinner and we both enjoy The Keg anytime we visit; we only go for special occasions and celebrations, and we figured it would be a great choice for our anniversary. We both had steak, and … More The ultimate satisfaction of reaping what you sow
In the rare case I haven’t yet mentioned this here on my blog, I will now, and proudly so; Blaine, my husband, is a beef farmer, and a damn great one at that. I thought I would use this post as an opportunity to discuss how phenomenal he is with raising beef cattle for consumption, … More Perks of being married to a cattle farmer
Whenever I hear the term ‘cowboy beans,’ I can’t help but chuckle a little bit. I’m not certain, but given my background in agriculture, I think the use of the word cowboy is intended to signify that the dish in question is hearty, filling and sustaining – cowboys need to eat well in order to … More Let’s make some hearty Cowboy Beans
A few weeks ago, in an attempt to formulate a topic idea for a blog post, I found myself Googling absolutely arbitrary things to provoke some inspiration. Eventually, and not surprisingly, I started looking up some farming facts and statistics, and believe me or not when I say I truly had no clue how dangerous … More Do you know just how dangerous farming can be?
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has a special place in my family’s heart. We have been going for years, since my sister and I were babies, and have kept the tradition going strong for many years. I will admit that I haven’t been to The Royal in a hot minute – my mom and sister … More Have you been to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair?
When I was trying to find some inspiration for today’s post, I found myself visiting a mental note I made earlier in the day regarding the fact that I am out of face wipes at our chicken barn. I use these wipes to clean my face and respirator each and every time I visit the … More Farm girl hacks 101
I sat down to write this post just prior to leaving to attend this year’s Harvest Party. If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘Harvest Party,’ I certainly would not be surprised. It is a term that is arguably used and well-known within farm families, and it is a get-together with all of the individuals … More Thank you, temporary foreign workers
For as long as I can remember, my parents have had a small plaque on one of the dressers in their bedroom reading what is commonly known as ‘A Farmer’s Prayer.’ I used to read it just about each time I was in my parents room when I was a child; the only bathroom on … More Are you familiar with ‘A Farmer’s Prayer’?
When I sat down to write today’s post, I probably stared at my blinking cursor on a blank slate of a page for 20 minutes, at least. I asked Blaine for inspiration, but as he wasn’t overly helpful, I decided to hit up Google and see what sort of inspiration I could curate. One of … More No, you’re not behind on your life path
I have to begin this post by acknowledging my dad – this one is for him, and any other dads out there who raised their daughters to be firm and stand their ground. If my previous sentence didn’t give it away, I consider myself a strong woman. By strong, I mean physically, to an extent; … More Understanding strong, assertive women
Yesterday’s post discussing ginseng hopefully provided anyone who read it with a firmer understanding of how exactly it is produced. I didn’t mention each and every step involved in the complete process of growing ginseng, from start to finish, but I did provide you with the gist of the method. For today’s post, I thought … More What health benefits does ginseng offer?
I recently had a tutoring session with a client I have been working with for quite a while now. My client and I, in working together for almost two years, have become good friends, despite not having the opportunity to meet in person as they are not local to me. During our last session, they … More Let’s talk about ginseng
I’ve been working alongside my Dad on our family farm for a few years now. I’ve always worked with him/for him, but in the last five years or so, I’ve become more involved with the operation, and in doing so, I’ve found myself spending a lot more time with him. I love my dad something … More Dislike versus misunderstanding: a fickle concept
This past weekend, Blaine and I and his mom and dad attended a lovely wedding in Flamborough, Ontario. The groom is a friend and co-worker of Blaine’s, as well as Blaine’s dad, and we had been looking forward to the celebration since our invitation arrived in the mail. The now newlyweds chose The Earth to … More Looking for a wedding venue? Read this
I can say with confidence that my appreciation for rice has increased exponentially since marrying Blaine. I realize that’s a somewhat odd proclamation, but allow me to explain; Blaine loves rice and could arguably eat it every single day. I’ve always liked rice, don’t get me wrong, and seeing as I am preparing meals for … More Let’s hear it for rice
I’ve made mention of my family’s farming operation here on my blog many times, and I will probably mention it many more times still. Farming is a central component of my own life, my family’s, and our ancestors, so it is arguably something I’m going to discuss here and there. Our farm produces tobacco, ginseng, … More Do you know where your chicken comes from?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness of any sort is arguably aware of the countless frustrations that accompany it. Chronic illness can occur in a variety of forms and diagnoses, both in a mental and physical sense, and while different types of chronic illness do differ in regard to their severity, one … More Navigating through chronic illness
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but in case I haven’t, allow me this opportunity to inform you all that Blaine works on his family’s cattle farm. It’s a beef operation, meaning the cattle aren’t exclusively Holstein for producing milk; rather, these cows are a variety of breeds and are raised for consumption. Being … More Let’s make homemade hamburgers
Temporary foreign migrant workers are an absolutely essential component of the Canadian economy and our supply and demand chain when it comes to agriculture. Workers from various geographical locations travel to a foreign country annually for a significant duration of time to assist with farm work and the agricultural industry, and truthfully, we would not … More Another year, another goodbye
I think it is safe to say that I’ve been on a bit of an animal roll as of late, but I’m quite content covering this material. Animals are truly wonderful beings, and I think more of us could benefit from learning about specific creatures from time to time to broaden our minds and knowledge … More Get your pig on
I love cows, and, to be fair, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who isn’t a fan of these gentle beasts. I’ve always liked cows, but my appreciation for them definitely increased once I met Blaine as he happens to be a beef farmer. I’ve learned a shit load about cattle through Blaine, and I’ve … More Let’s talk about cows
Chickens have been in my life for quite some time now. When my sister and I were younger, one of our responsibilities on our family farm was to collect eggs from our laying hens, provide them with feed and water, and muck out their coop when needed. We had laying hens for a few years, … More How well do you know chickens?
A few days ago, I slept in. This happens to the best of us, but because I could literally sleep through a bloody hurricane, it tends to happen to me more often than I would like it to. One of my responsibilities with the farm is work affiliated with our poultry barn, which includes walking … More The consequences of projecting
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