That ONE weasel just won’t quit! He’s been terrorizing our chickens, picking them off one by one every few nights. Just when I think I’ve outsmarted him—sealing up the hole he used to sneak in—we get a brief reprieve, only for him to strike again. It’s been an ongoing battle, and unfortunately, we’ve been steadily losing our layers. No matter what deterrents or traps we set, this little menace seems to have outwitted them all. At this rate, we’re bracing for the reality that we may not have much of a flock left by the time the ground thaws.
That grim thought did get us thinking about how we want to move forward. We still want to improve our hatch rates and raise our own chickens—perhaps another dual-purpose breed. Keeping a smaller core flock sounds like a good plan, especially since drowning in 400+ eggs every summer isn’t exactly ideal! We’re also considering raising a batch or two of Meat Kings to keep our freezer stocked. Thankfully, we still have some homegrown chicken from last year, so we’re not doing too badly.
I spent a day upgrading our craft and computer area, giving it a much-needed refresh. Addy’s desk got a redo, as it had started to bow a bit under the weight of daily use. To fix it, he built a sturdy new frame using milled lumber from a local farmer and some upcycled wood. He also added a display shelf—one that he managed to score for free—along with our brand-new art cubbies.
The art cubbies are 3×3 units, and at first, I had only planned to pick up one. The seller was in a hurry to clear out her apartment before moving and didn’t want to deal with the usual Facebook Marketplace chaos. When I arrived, she casually mentioned, “Hey, I have a matching set—do you want it?” Without hesitation, I said, “YES!” On top of that, I also ended up with a smaller three-shelf unit and the display shelf that now serves as a hutch on the desk.
To complete the space, I finally moved the drawing desk to a better spot and put up two wall shelves, which are now home to some framed photos and my Sailor Moon collection—for now, at least.
Outside, the snow has settled in for the season, with a constant but gentle powdering adding a few centimeters every day or two. The colder days have been dipping into the low -20s to upper -30°C with the wind chill, making our wood stove an absolute necessity. Every few days, we’ve been hauling firewood into the basement to keep the house warm and cozy. Josh has been helping me cut and split the logs, and despite the effort, there’s something deeply satisfying about heating our home with our own firewood.
The wood heat does aggravate Mandy’s asthma a bit, but there’s an undeniable comfort in the crackle of a fire and the steady warmth it provides. Over time, I’ve gotten pretty good at starting the fire in the morning, tending it throughout the day, and stoking it before bed to keep the house toasty overnight. It’s an art form—one I’m still perfecting, but enjoying every step of the way.
With the colder temperatures settling in, our daily routine now includes hauling buckets of water from the kitchen tap every morning and afternoon—since the outside tap has frozen solid. The animals don’t seem to mind, though they certainly appreciate the fresh water.
The goats, in particular, are looking extra round these days—a mix of thick winter coats and, for some, growing pregnancies. They’re absolutely pudgy and adorable, waddling around like little fluffy barrels. It’s hard not to smile watching them bounce through the snow, completely unfazed by the cold!
The Great Pyrenees puppies are still full of energy, dashing through the snow like it’s just another day of fun. They bark at the wind, chase swirling snowflakes, and playfully wrestle each other, completely unfazed by the cold.
We’ve been keeping up with charging their GPS collars every couple of days and steadily adjusting them as the boys continue to grow—only four notches left on the original straps! It’s amazing how fast they’re filling out, turning into big, fluffy guardians of the homestead. If only they can catch the menacing weasel!!
Our inside animals are thriving in cozy mode, happily tucked away from the cold. The cats have taken to watching TV with us—or, more often, napping on the couch in their favorite spots. They definitely have their preferences, and heaven help us if we disrupt their routine!
Lola remains her usual grumpy self, ruling the household with her signature sass. Meanwhile, Garfield, Gizmo, Bucky, and Marigold constantly battle for Mandy’s seat or lap while she’s working. It’s both a blessing and a curse—though Mandy might argue it’s mostly the latter!
Saturday was date night, and we decided to check out the much-talked-about pizza at the Agrena (not a spelling error, that’s what it’s called!). We weren’t expecting anything fancy, but when we pulled up, the parking lot was packed, and a minor hockey game was in full swing. The Cantina itself was tiny but buzzing with activity.
Surprisingly, instead of pizza, what caught our eye was the chicken burgers. At just $5 each, we couldn’t pass them up, along with fries and a pop. No complaints here—real deep-fried chicken, crispy and delicious—though let’s be honest, it wasn’t exactly a “healthy” meal. Just bread, cheese, mayo, and deep-fried goodness! We stuck around for a bit, watching the games. It was a trip down memory lane—back when I used to play and Mandy would come to my games and practices.
Afterward, we headed over to Stefan and Amalia’s place on Main Street. Their home was stunning—filled with personal art and antiques, a reflection of the kind of cozy, character-filled space we dream of creating for ourselves. The evening was perfect—great food, drinks, and even better company.
On Sunday, we visited Kristel, Kailem, and the girls. The house they are building from shipping containers has come such a long way and is really starting to feel like a little house. We’re so excited for them and can’t wait for the next visit—hopefully we’ll be sitting down for coffee or a meal together in their new home! At the moment the walls are insulated, the vapor barrier is up, electrical is in, and the drywall is going up!
Of course, we made a stop for coffee and Timbits for the drive over. Dinner was fantastic, and the drive home was made even better by a stunning sunset… until we hit some unexpected stormy snowfall, which seemed to only be in certain sections of the road. It’s so nice to have my sister close enough to visit. This time last year we were on this side of Canada all alone.
Also, Addy, as a member of The Jedi Council, is officially confirmed as a Convention Guest for MiraCon in May! We’ll be doing a lightsaber demo and will have a couple of kids’ lightsabers available to raise money for charity. It’s our first year attending cons, and I’m the Master Jedi of the New Brunswick Chapter. While I originally planned to attend all the cons, we’re focusing on quality over quantity to make sure we can give the best experience. And of course, I need to practice once my saber arrives!
Our table banner arrived (smaller than I’d like, but still looking pretty awesome). Ah, my nerdiness is definitely showing!
Oh yeah! It was my (Addy’s) birthday, too! I drove into Fredericton, picked up my free Starbucks coffee, and headed over to Walmart to grab some ingredients for dinner—curry! While I was there, I wandered into the clearance section (you know, just to peek) and spotted this massive air fryer. We already had one, but it was on the smaller side—only really big enough to cook one thing at a time. I’d been dreaming of upgrading for ages.
I brought it up to the checkout, and when it scanned, it came up at $239.99. The employee was a bit skeptical about the price, so she went to get a supervisor, and then the manager had to come over. Turns out, someone had tagged the wrong product! Quietly, I reminded them of the scanning code of practice, and with a little luck, I walked out with the air fryer in hand—score!
When I got home, I was greeted by a few surprise packages from Jon. He sent me a pair of Call of Duty Gunnar sunglasses (perfect for all my gaming needs) and a Captain America action figure. Let me just say—that America’s ass is BIG! 😄
It was a perfect birthday treat all around, from a fantastic curry dinner to unexpected discounts and thoughtful gifts. Definitely one for the books!
Progress Unlocked!
I just finished the Block A exam for Level 1, and I have a really good feeling about it, though I don’t know the results just yet. Block B starts this weekend, so it’s back to the grind!
Even in these few days, I’ve gained so much confidence in my ability to answer emergency calls and assist our community. I’m genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead. That textbook, though… it’s THICK!
Thank you all for taking the time to follow along with our journey today. We appreciate every one of you who stops by, reads, and shares in the experiences we’re navigating here at Funny Farm Homestead. Your support, feedback, and encouragement mean the world to us as we continue to grow and learn. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting adventures ahead – we’re just getting started!
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