Ann’s Weblog

This afternoon I made jams: Saskatoonberry, Blueberry, Apricot, and Mango. I lost track of how much jam I sold this weekend, as I went to both the McBride and Dunster Farmer’s Markets, and sold some to the Beanery (coffee shop) also, at least 5 dozen. Also for the Markets, I’ve made packages of “mixed” vegetables as they become ready: cauliflower, broccoli, onions, kohlrabi, carrots and peas, and people seem to appreciate those.

Gary’s garlic has been selling well also: about 200 heads so far. Just today he harvested the last of the hard-neck garlic. People have been putting in “orders” of all sizes, up to 20 pounds, because they know it keeps very well. Some heads of that garlic won first prize in our Town Fair this weekend.

Gary asked me a couple of weeks ago if I was going to have enough jars for the season, for jams and jellies. I chirped, “Oh, sure…” and now… I am completely out of my “signature” jars, a 9 oz hexagon from a wholesaler. I hate to pay the freight on another bunch of jars, but don’t know when I’d get to Calgary or Edmonton to get more. I can use standard Bernardin mason jars, but they are more difficult to label, and are not the shape that people look for when returning to buy more jam. Because the Beanery 2 Bistro is another outlet, I can now make and sell jam throughout the winters as well.

The four-legged population at the Pet Hostel is back down to a dull roar… just Duke and Duchess, Smudge, Tika and Scruffy. The Tika who is staying with us this weekend is a different one than the Tika who has boarded often; this Tika is an elderly labrador cross who is a real sweetheart. Today Casey, Teddy, Missy, Sam, Toohey and Remus went home, and a little chihuahua was brought just for toenail clipping. This is Chiquita (’Kita), that canine friend, during a stay at the Pet Hostel:

I went to a yard/moving sale today and scored some more vases (I like to give a bouquet without wanting the vase back), some DVDs, and miscellaneous good junk. I need to have another yard sale of my own to share MY stuff.

We went out last night to a nearby Bed & Breakfast, which was hosting a music session featuring some friends who sing, and play guitars and fiddles. I think I was overtired as I found it difficult to sit still and the vocals seemed too loud; I appreciate others’ talent, but I had to get up and walk around the farm as I listened.

At the Market in McBride this Friday, I was delighted when a couple stopped at my table and ask if I was Ann who has the Pet Hostel. Although they were strangers to me, they reported that they have been reading my blog for months! Goes to remind me that I never know who reads this weblog; I know from a couple of mistakes I’ve made that I need to be very careful what I write here (or alternatively, not give a rip…). Anyway… a SPECIAL hello to new residents of the Robson Valley!

Must go, am nodding off in front of the computer. Love you guys for reading my blog. HUGS ~ Ann

Hubby just emailed this link to me.

Twin Baby Moose and Sprinkler

If this doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you’re so cold! I’ll never think of moose the same way, nor the love song accompanying the video. We have moose nearby always, in the Robson Valley, but I have not seen anything like THIS.

~ Ann

I can’t believe that so many weeks of the summer, and the local farmer’s market, have gone by. I haven’t tired of it, though some Friday mornings I think the Market makes my life too hectic. On the other hand, it has been quite a few years since I’ve missed, as a vendor, even one.

Because of new health regulations, or old regulations now being enforced, sellers such as I can’t sell most “lunch” items. Some foods are not allowed even if prepared in a commercial kitchen. For about 9 years, I sold spanakopita and cheesecake in individual portions, often making an extra hundred dollars at each Farmer’s Market in McBride, and another few dollars when I went to Dunster Market. Sometimes I made ice cream on site, another forbidden practice now. Last year I sold bunwiches occasionally, which were made from my home baked buns and filled with homegrown tomatoes and lettuce, and cheese… however, I realize that they are not allowed either. Patrons of the farmer’s markets are complaining that there is no “lunch” served any more. There are many beautiful items of baking, and most weeks a veritable cornucopia of produce, and more, just not exactly “lunch”. I have my jams and jellies there, samples of which have been tested and certified “safe”.

Pictured here are some of my friends who are fellow vendors:

That’s Carol, pictured at her own table, and Joyce, Rose and Barb at Joyce’s table with quilts, knitted items, baked goods and preserves. We are some of the “mainstays” at the McBride Market, and there are a few other regulars as well. Anyone with homemade or homegrown crafts or food is allowed, subject to the “regulations” of course.

For a few days I have been checking on Jennifer and David’s farm. You have met some of their menagerie in previous posts labelled “Jennifer’s Motley Crew”. Upon arrival, I found that my friends had got back from their travels.

Here are a few pics that I took on my vist to their farm this morning.

As always… click on a photo to get “the bigger picture”.

That is the handsome gelding, “Dophin”. His colour is “bay”, but he appears jet black some days. He was almost asleep in the warm morning sun, but got up when we approached: I had brought him a handful of carrots from our garden. In one photo he seemed to be saying, “Is this my good side? “.

Raspberries… I picked 9 gallons yesterday afternoon, and have about the same left to pick. I haven’t been able to get to this fruitful task, and ripe berries are falling onto the ground as I reach for them and any time I touch a branch or tug on a berry. I only quit when it was time to get some supper together, but the mosquitoes were finding me anyway. I want to finish this “picking” today. Here’s just part of our plantation:

We’ll also have a bumper crop of Norland Apples, Rescue applecrabs, and Dolgo crabapples.

Pictured below: Bernie and Emily, two of my many favourite Jack Russell terriers, hamming it up in Gary’s chair. Click to see the whole picture.

I’m getting antsy to get back outside, tired of fixing and uploading pictures (not YOUR fault.. I enjoying sharing and will be back later!). I have to look into why the last few pictures have failed to load; my account is not a “free” blog, but perhaps I’ve reached my limit!

Thanks for visiting. Love you guys. ~ Ann

I don’t know why I’m glad that it’s Sunday, as it’s rarely actually a day of rest for me. I awoke at 6 a.m. as it was just starting to rain, and thought, ” Oh, okay, if it’s going to rain, there are things I have to do.”

Soon I was getting dogs indoors that would have been fine had it not rained (and who seem unwilling to use the shelter provided!), therefore I was glad that it hadn’t started to rain at 4 a.m.. I have kennels in our house and kennels in my grooming shop, and all of the outdoor runs have shelter, so everyone is A-OK.

Boarding this weekend are Bonnie and Goldie (again, not “still” from 3 weeks ago when I last blogged), and Shelby, Ranger and Annie, Lily, Duke and Duchess (again, not still), Pritchard, Buddy, Shea and Gizmo, Smudge, Muskwa and Tika. Those are just the dogs, in addition to dear McKenna, who belongs to my eldest daughter, and our own Lady and Buddy. Boarding birds are Toohey the budgie, and a cockatiel whose name I forget (who wouldn’t come even if I called), and we have a cat guest, Sam.

Bonnie and Goldie have been here many times. Goldie has a traumatic experience in her background, and is not as composed as most dogs. A few years ago, she was found tied to an old car in the “bush” in a remote area, where it was a miracle that she was found. A friend of a friend happened to find the big beautiful yellow dog, and gave her to her “forever” owner, who since, of course, has treated her like gold. Bonnie is her sidekick, and equally dear to us.

I confess that the above pictures are “on file” photographs, as must be evident by the autumn leaves and the SNOW! Left to right are Pritchard, with Molson, then Ranger and Annie.

I’ll run and get fresh batteries for the camera and see if any of yesterday’s shots turned out. I was unsure whether the camera was actually working…

Okay, I’m back, having ascertained that the camera actually WAS working yesterday afternoon:

Below is dear old Copper, who is a Belgian Shepherd of the Tervuran variety. His owners adopted him from a breeding kennel when he was young, and he has enjoyed a life of luxury and kindness ever since. He is patient with other dogs, cats, and particularly the little grandchildren in his family.

Every day, as I walk around the yard, there are new flowers in bloom. Some are lilies that I forget the names of, and occasionally, I’ll have forgotten that I planted them!

Pictured above, beside the lilies I can’t name, are Filipendula rubra (Meadow Rue or Meadow Sweet, can’t remember the common name), and Yellow Monkshood.

I have to run away again… doing “chores” at Jennifer’s farm this week. Will be back today, hopefully with new pictures.
~ Love, Ann