The last two weeks on the homestead have been a whirlwind of projects, progress, and a few bittersweet goodbyes. As the weather has warmed up (finally!), we’ve been doing our best to take advantage of every hour of daylight—and trying not to let our to-do list overwhelm us in the process.
One of the biggest updates from the farm: the goat kids are heading off to their new homes! Hercules and Pixi were picked up last weekend, and this afternoon we said goodbye to Pippen, Mary, and Blossom. It’s a bittersweet part of homesteading—watching these little ones grow and thrive under our care, only to send them off into the world. But knowing they’re going to loving, responsible homes makes it a little easier. We’re so proud of how strong and spunky this group turned out to be.
With the kids leaving, our daily routine is shifting again. It’s been a bit of a juggle managing full-time work alongside early morning and evening chores, especially during kidding season. Now that the barn has quieted down a bit, we’re catching our breath and turning our attention to other pressing tasks.
One big win: the rabbit shed is finally (almost) complete! After weeks of measuring, sawing, and hauling materials (not to mention a few creative problem-solving sessions), our new rabbitry is up and running. We’ve moved our two does and our buck into their new cages, and they seem to be settling in beautifully. Luke Skyhopper and Mara & Jade are especially enjoying the larger space and the extra shade the new structure provides. It’s a much-needed upgrade and one we’re excited to have finished before the hottest days of summer arrive.
The gardens are also demanding attention—Both our planned plantings and surprise volunteers from last year are bursting to life. It’s always a thrill to see what returns after a long winter, especially those we weren’t sure had survived. Nature’s resilience truly amazes us. Among the joyful returnees: lemon balm, Egyptian walking onions, sunchokes, and asparagus—all growing stronger than ever.
This season, we’ve planted 28 tomato plants (across three varieties), a variety of herbs, peas, squash, and so much more. We’re hoping the harvest season keeps us on our toes in the best way possible!
Our berry zone continues to grow, too. We’ve added two honeyberry bushes, another blueberry bush, two hanging baskets of strawberries brimming with runners, and most recently, a “Pink Lemonade” blueberry bush—yes, it’s real, and we’re so excited! Our dream of a backyard berry forest is slowly taking shape.
Around the garden, we’ve started companion planting and landscaping with intention. A Miss Kim lilac replaced a dead fig tree out front. We tucked a hydrangea and sunflower into the garden’s edge. Lemongrass near the bunny hutch is doing a great job of repelling bugs, and borage—thanks to a helpful market vendor tip—is here to help boost pollination.
And the strawberry wall? A vertical growing experiment we both agreed on—it’s looking great so far! We’re planning to plant onions in the boxes below, hoping they’ll help deter pests and keep our berries healthy and sweet.
We’re continuing to tackle infrastructure projects around the homestead—things like repairing fences, reorganizing the barn, and prepping spaces for future animals and improvements. Every little task brings us closer to the vision we’ve been building toward: a more functional, beautiful, and resilient farm.
Of course, homestead life loves to throw a wrench into the plan.
Father’s Day started off perfectly. We had a wonderful dinner with Al and Constance, joined by Barbra and Heinz. Al spent the entire day smoking a brisket and a roast, which he paired with herb and garlic mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and Heinz’s incredible German desserts. It was all so good, we didn’t even think to take pictures before the plates were licked clean!
But the night took a turn—we got a frantic call from Josh: the bucks had escaped.
We jumped in the truck and rushed home to find both bucks safely locked in the dog run (thanks, Josh! Quick thinking!!), but not before they’d done some damage. One of our young apple trees was reduced to a bare stick. Bron had blown open a corner of his pen by snapping screws clean in half. That was our painful reminder that deck screws just don’t cut it for goat fencing—we’re switching fully to construction screws now.
After reinforcing his enclosure with sturdier materials and double-checking the rest of the fencing, we turned our attention to Johnny’s pen. His escape route? A wide opening in the fencing—made wider by Johnny himself, of course. Thankfully, a few pallets and screws later, he was secured again.
Honestly, it’s a good thing we have a reliable pallet source… they’ve saved us more than once!
Let’s not forget the geeky side of our lives!
On the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend, we were honored to be invited by the 501st Legion to join them as special guests at the East Coast Comic Expo in Moncton. Courtney, Mandy, and I hit the road early for the two-and-a-half-hour drive and teamed up with the 501st and the Mandalorian Mercs to create an epic Star Wars-themed display.
The response from con-goers was amazing—so many smiles, excited kids, and awesome conversations. It was a great opportunity to increase awareness of our Jedi Council group and share our love for the fandom with a wider audience. We’ve got more events lined up across the province, but we’re trying (emphasis on trying) not to get into too much trouble along the way. 😄
Our mission remains the same: to keep it fun while making a positive impact.
To top it off, we made a bunch of new friends and shared some fantastic stories at the after-con dinner. It’s moments like these—geeky, genuine, and full of connection—that remind us why we do what we do.
In the quieter moments—watching the chickens scratch through the grass, listening to the wind move gently through the trees—we’re reminded why we started this journey in the first place. It’s not always easy, and it’s rarely tidy, but there’s something deeply fulfilling about building a life this way, one project, one season, one small victory at a time.
Thank you for following along with our ever-evolving adventure. We’ll be back soon with more stories, challenges, and snapshots from life on the farm.
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