We always say it’s been a BUSY couple of weeks… but really, when ARE we NOT busy?!
Let’s recap some of the things we’ve been up to—
in no particular order:
Huey, Dewey, and Louie finally got processed (don’t worry, we won’t share photos). Once we separated them from the rest of the flock, we noticed things started to calm down. The other ducks began growing feathers back on the backs of their necks. There was less bleeding, fewer injuries to treat, and the hens started laying more consistently. Plus, the feed wasn’t disappearing quite so fast.
Suffice it to say, the flock has been doing much better.
Since all three boys were headed to freezer camp, we enlisted Josh’s help that morning. With all three of us working together, things moved along pretty quickly. Honestly, the ducks were easier to process than chickens—and they were way bigger! Or, as Josh put it: “That was interesting.”
Speaking of ducks—if you don’t remember, Mandy hatched some of our own eggs earlier this season and is now raising five ducklings. They’re growing so fast! Fast enough that I’m already working on a new area just for them.
The plan is to build a larger, more easily accessible duckie bunkie, along with a much bigger area for them to roam. I’ll be moving the pool over to their new space while I learn how to build a proper bog filter and, eventually, a pond just for them.
And let’s be honest—since Mandy enjoys duck eggs so much, I have a feeling we’re going to run into a bit of duck math in the near future. Trying to plan ahead!
We’ve been to the Fredericton Night Market on Thursdays a couple of times now. Most recently, we went because Constance had a booth set up—so of course, we had to stop by and show our support!
But first… food. Mandy and I were hungry, so we set out to find something tasty. We ended up with a plate of Lo Mein and some Singapore noodles, which totally hit the spot. Even better—we managed to snag a table for just the two of us, and there was live East Coast music playing while we ate. It made for a really nice little moment in the middle of the busy market.
The goats got out again… as they do. But this time it wasn’t just one or two—it was the does and the kids! They managed to break into the chicken area and helped themselves to all the chicken feed, plus any other food they could find in the run. Definitely not part of a healthy goat diet.
They’ve pulled this stunt a few times now, and somehow, they haven’t gotten sick (knock on wood). Still, we had to get serious about building a better wall. Of course, they always seem to find a kink or weak spot somewhere. So it’s become a bit of a routine—patch the flaw, watch for the next one, repeat until (hopefully) there are no more escape routes.
On a more fun note, we got pressured (okay, our rubber arms were twisted) into going to a concert at Officer’s Square. It was Alan Doyle from Great Big Sea, and let me tell you—the vibe was infectious! I was introduced to East Coast music way back in high school by our friend Hayley (thanks, Hayley!), and it still hits just right. We danced, we sang, and had an absolute blast.
The place was packed. Like, really packed. So packed they oversold drink tickets—and, surprise! They ran out of booze. Honestly, how do you run out of alcohol at a Canadian concert… featuring a Canadian performer… in a Canadian city?! We were baffled.
We started the night with giant slices of pizza and, funny enough, ended it the same way—same spot, same slices. In between, we managed to squeeze in a few drinks at the arcade bar, some competitive rounds of pinball, and a very humbling defeat for me on the foosball table (thanks a lot, Al!).
Just because we’ve discovered a bit of a social life here doesn’t mean the homesteading slows down! Our three does in milk are definitely not slackers—I’m still getting over half a gallon a day, sometimes even more. Especially the day after that chicken feed incident… crazy goats.
At one point, the milk fridge was so full I had to make cheese just to free up jars and make room for the next day’s milk. It’s been a bit of a juggling act, trying to balance everything we want to do with everything that needs doing. I’m especially glad we decided to downsize the number of girls in milk this year—it’s made the workload more manageable.
Next year, I plan to only keep our best producers in milk and dry off the rest once their kids are weaned. In the meantime, I’ve been making and freezing as much cheese as I can to stash away for the winter months when fresh milk won’t be so plentiful.
The garden is flourishing! We love this time of year—everything is lush and thriving, and it feels like there’s something new to pick or admire every day. Garden snacks like snow peas are ready to eat right off the vine, and the kids love grabbing a handful while we’re out checking on things. It’s such a beautiful and rewarding season to be outside.
The tomatoes are having a fantastic year, and if they keep it up, we’ll be making a ton of sauce again—just like we hoped. We have potatoes growing in two different spots this year, and both areas are looking promising so far. The raspberries have really taken off and are producing well, giving us sweet little bursts of flavor every time we walk by. And don’t even get us started on the herbs—they’re taking over in the best possible way! Basil, oregano, thyme, mint… we have more than we know what to do with, and we’re loving it.
There’s just something about this time of year on the homestead. The hard work from early spring is paying off, and the garden is giving back in the best way.
What, not enough to keep up with already?! Well, let’s add a new craft to the mix—sublimation! If you’re thinking, “Who’s-y-what now?” don’t worry, you’re not alone. Sublimation is a process where you transfer a printed image using special paper and ink with heat onto specific surfaces like mugs, tumblers, or t-shirts.
Watch out, craft markets—here we come! We’re pretty new to this, and there’s definitely a learning curve, but let’s just say I’ve been making up a storm. It’s been a lot of fun diving into something new and creative.
Thanks so much for following along with all the happenings on our little homestead. From the garden to the goats, ducklings to dairy, and a few adventures in between, we’re so grateful to have this space to share the highs, the chaos, and the everyday wins. Whether you’re here for the animals, the gardening, or just to see what we’ve been up to—we truly appreciate you being part of it. Until next time, take care and feel free to leave a comment—we’d love to hear what you’re growing, raising, or making this season too!
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