Our schedule has settled back into its usual rhythm these last few weeks. With no more company to keep us busy (or give us excuses to sneak into Fredericton for dinner and drinks!), it’s back to tackling all the homesteading chores that piled up. The weather has been helping with the shift—trading hot, sunny days for cooler ones, with the first hints of frost in the mornings.
It hasn’t been a wet September, though—New Brunswick is still sitting at its driest on record, which is just wild. Even so, fall has definitely arrived. Everywhere we look, the trees are bursting with yellows, oranges, reds, and warm browns—a rainbow of autumn colour around every bend in the road. Yes, fall in BC was lovely, but it’s nothing like here. Honestly, it’s worth a visit just to see it for yourself! 😉
On my parents’ last full day here, we headed into Fredericton for lunch at a cozy pub called The Snooty Fox. The weather was still holding onto those late-summer vibes, so we made the most of it and sat out on their rooftop patio. Their menu is full of classic pub favorites—wings, nachos, and burgers—but they also sneak in a little English flair with dishes like Steak and Ale Pie and Shepherd’s Pie. We were all set on the Steak and Ale, but since it was right after Harvest Festival week, they had completely sold out. (More on Harvest in a bit!) So we had to go with our second choices—but let me tell you, they were still delicious. You know the food is good when even your backup order feels like a win. Honestly, it was the perfect way to wrap up their visit. I’m so grateful my parents made the long trip across Canada to spend time with us.
Now that we’re out of vacation mode, we’ve realized breeding season for 2026 is creeping up fast—and with it, some big decisions. If you’ve been following along, you know our first buck, Johnny, was always a bit of a handful. Even outside of rut, he was food aggressive and just plain unpleasant to deal with. For a long time, we assumed that was just “normal buck behavior.” Then Bron came along last year and proved us wrong. Bron, our Nigerian Dwarf, showed us that bucks can be calm, gentle, and easygoing… though also a bit of an escape artist (true to his breed!). So far, his pallet fortress is holding—knock on wood.
So, back to the decision: we sold Johnny and brought home a new buckling to add to our herd. I truly wish Johnny happy pastures with all the girls he can handle, but… we don’t miss him. Suddenly, morning chores are stress-free. I can feed, clean, and refresh waters without worry. To keep Bron company, we paired him up with Cosmo, our wether. Poor Cosmo has never been away from his mom before, so he’s been a bit of a crybaby, calling out every time he sees us—but I’m sure he’ll settle in soon enough.
And the new guy? He’s a tiny Nigerian Dwarf (unregistered), born in mid-June, so just three months old. We named him Draco! He’s jet black with one little white star on his forehead. Since he’s so young, he’s bunking with the doe herd for now. It’s a little bit of “breeding roulette”—technically, if he can reach, he could breed a willing doe. But at his size, that’s a big if. I met both his parents when we picked him up, and his sire was even smaller than Bron, which I don’t mind at all.
It’ll be a couple of years before we know what Draco is really bringing to the herd—when his daughters kid, we’ll get our first look at milk production and udder confirmation. Same goes for Bron, though we won’t have to wait quite as long. Meg and Gwen will reach breeding age this November, and five months later, they’ll kid for the first time. That will be our first real chance to compare them with their dams and see how our herd is shaping up. Exciting times ahead!
The garden is done for the season. We’ve frozen quite a few large zip-lock bags completely full, dehydrated three full batches of tomatoes for later use (thinking a few spice mixes), and powdered the rest to reconstitute as tomato paste. We still have a small box on the kitchen floor ripening; those will likely join the others in the freezer for later use, or be made into a sauce first, then frozen.
Before our first frost a few weeks ago, I harvested nearly all the herbs we planted this year. My favorite creation so far? Dill salt! It’s super simple but packs a punch. All you do is add fresh dill to a food processor with an equal amount of salt (I used Himalayan, since that’s what we had on hand). Blend it until fully incorporated into a fine powder, then spread it on a baking sheet to dehydrate until completely dry. One last blitz in the processor, and into a jar it goes!
The result is potently dill-flavored and incredibly versatile. I’ve sprinkled it over goat cheese on crackers, whisked it into a dressing, and even shaken some over fries. Of course, it would be perfect with fish dishes too. A little jar of dill salt goes a long way, and now I’m wondering what other herb salts I should try next! It’s also a wonderful way to savor a little taste of summer through the colder months. Plus, if you’re looking for an easy homemade gift, a jar of herb salt tied with a ribbon makes for the perfect thoughtful gift.
This year we’ve made it a priority to get out, explore New Brunswick, and spend more time with friends—and I’d say we’ve done a pretty good job! Between comic conventions, a couple of camping trips (okay, one was at a campground, but it still counts!), Beer on the Bridge, and the Fredericton Night Market, we’ve packed in plenty of adventures. But the highlight? The Harvest Music Fest—it absolutely did not disappoint!
They shut down most of downtown near Garrison Square, and the whole area transformed into a massive celebration of music and community. There were free busking stages scattered around, a larger courtyard stage surrounded by bars and restaurants, and of course the big-ticket fenced concert stage with headliners. Add in a street lined with food trucks and an area of craft vendors, and there was something for everyone.
I spent the afternoon with friends watching Waylon Napadogan, a talented (and hilarious) local New Brunswick band. We grabbed seats on a shady bar patio overlooking the courtyard, sipping cocktails while enjoying the show—such a vibe. Later that evening, after Addy got off work, we all went back to experience the festival at night. WOW. The energy was incredible! Street performers popped up at intersections—fire breathers, glowing hula-hoop acts, even a magician. We sang, danced, ate amazing street food, and soaked in the electric atmosphere. It was truly another unforgettable experience with wonderful friends.
After all that excitement, it was back to the homestead for us. There’s something grounding about returning from a bustling festival in the city to the quiet rhythm of life on the farm. The fire ban was lifted for a few evenings recently, so Addy and I took advantage and had a few lovely fires—cozy under a blanket, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the stars wink above. It’s a lovely part of living out in the country, and maybe one of the reasons we don’t go camping as often… okay, yes, the demands of our livestock have something to do with it too.
For all those how made it this far, appreciate you reading all the way to the end! It’s been a busy season here—our new goat settling in, our garden harvest being preserved, and plenty of adventures both near and far. Even with all the hustle, there’s something comforting about the rhythm of life on the homestead: cozy fires, early morning chores, and little moments that make it all feel worthwhile. Thanks for stopping by—may your fire crackle, your snacks be tasty, and your critters behave… mostly. Until our next update!
<3
