A hopefull spring!

The early spring definitely has some advantages. The first planting of corn, potatoes, peas, carrots, turnips and beets are in! We have had a few feeds of asparagus and the first fresh rhubarb crumble of the season today. And its only May the 4th! The wild strawberries are in full bloom and Ken saw the first flowers on the strawberries in the patch. This could mean that we will have early corn, almost 2 weeks early! The raspberries have surprised us too! Remember that 2 meter dump of snow we had back in December? That snow flattened the canes and we though we had lost the crop...but they have bounced back and are actually leafing out. Hopefully we will have a half decent crop of raspberries. Lets not get our hopes up though, cause we may still get no rain or worse...a hard late frost! Those are the negatives!

Final touches to the old barn!

Anthony, Emilie & Ronny hard at it!

So Maple Syrup season has come and gone. It was probably the shortest and most intense season that we ever had. It was also the earliest that spring has ever sprung. Lots of really warm days and opportunities to get some renovations done to the barn. We had saved the cedar shakes that had been taken off the old log house 5 years ago and used them to side the renovated barn foundation that has been waiting for that final touch for almost 25 years. The barn was built by a community barn raising in 1901. Commissioned by Kens great grand father George and masterminded by a Mr.Mason who received a horse in payment. The shakes look really good - like they have been there all the time!

Maple syrup season has begun with a bang! Whats interesting is that we tapped our trees almost a full 10 days earlier than we have ever done! You figure global warming is at play? Today was our first boil and we made our first sweet liquid gold! We are collecting sap now and will not be boiling again till Saturday at the earliest.

Sad...but another milestone

Hello All!

It has been over a week now since Walker (Dad/ Grandpa) passed away. He died in his sleep surrounded by family at the Pines on February 21, 2010. He will be missed by all. He had an amazing life and hung on to the family farm through thick and thin. His legacy lives on through this very farm.

This picture was taken earlier this year. Walker was almost 90 years old.

Update!

Finally, after tearing each others hair out, my Mum and I have managed to add some substantial content to the website.

Enjoy!

Another amazing event!

On January 1, 2010 Joane and Walker Riley ( M & D as we fondly call them) celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary! Yes folks as Dad would say... "yes siree 65th"!!! Now that is quite a milestone and we were all there on the farm to celebrate the day with them!

What a day!

Snow Snow and more Snow

Hello there! To give you a jist of whats happening on the farm our blog will continue with pictures. Look, see and believe!

This shot was taken in December when we had almost 2 meters of snow dump on us in just three days. Amazing nature! There was nothing we could do but sit and watch! Now in January we still have piles of the white stuff..but we are getting into working in the maple bush. Guess what! Digging up the lines!!

Look forward to our sweet golden syrup!!