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Yurts are an excellent option for mobile living quarters, whether you are camping, or need something more permanent. The design of these round, rigid-walled, upright buildings is actually very old, and comes from Mongolia where they have been used for centuries. Modern materials make them even more desirable now.
The circular shape ensures that yurts are very strong and wind resistant. They have been found to be intact after a hurricane had destroyed traditional rectangular buildings in the same area.
Yurts are used all over the world. They can be set up by 1 person in under an hour. They can be insulated to withstand -45 C temperatures. They have been used as temporary hospitals in Haiti after the earthquake. Yurts are available in a variety of sizes.
The lattice framework gives strength and height to the walls. Yurts allow much more head room than tents or tipis and other similar structures. Because they are so light and easy to set up, one of the best uses for yurts is camping. For more detailed information, pictures, and video, go to www.campingyurts.com. While there, check out the unique Eco Kettle which would be a very welcome appliance on any camping trip.
The house used to be full of children, as we raised four of them born within 6 years. Now, the house is full of pets. Some days it would be hard to say which is easier. We believe that rescued pets make the most devoted pets.
When the kids were small, we tried to keep the pets outside. I guess, the house wasn’t big enough for them too. The kids would sometimes try to sneak Lucky, a small, rescued dog, up to sleep with them but we tried to discourage that. Kit, the cat, got banished for pilfering food, and spraying.
The kids were barely gone, when we accidentally rescued a small dog, Trixie. Her original owner thought she was too small to be a guard dog and was going to put Trixie down if she couldn’t find a new home for her. We thought one of the families we are friends with might want her as they had just lost their dog. Their loss was too recent and did not want a replacement yet. We could not find a new home for Trixie.
When we first brought her home, she was very timid. By the time we realized we would be keeping her, she was not near as timid. It seemed like knowing that she was loved and wanted, gave her a confidence she had not had before. She didn’t seem to realize that it was not originally our intention to keep her and we ended up with a great pet. We always knew as soon as someone turned in to the driveway. She was very tuned to us, always trying very hard to please. She like to play, and travelled almost everywhere with us until she died of heart attack about 5 years ago.
At that time, we both worked out. Harvey was alone during the day while I was at work, and he worked shift work so I was often home alone during the night. After having had Trixie, we both found the house eerily empty when we were home alone. We found a new companion at the SPCA. Sparky, the dog, was sitting at the back of his kennel, almost cowering. When they gave us a leash to take him for a walk to see if we were compatible, he was very subdued. On the way home, he kept to himself in the back seat, refusing to come in the front with us. You would never know it now.
Again, it seemed that once he realized, “Hey, they like me!” he became a different dog. His temperament is very much like Trixie’s was. He is very devoted, and like her, it seems as though he would rather come with us even if he has to wait in the truck while we visit or do our business, than stay home. He knows he is not missing out on any adventure that way. He has such a big heart, he has even learned to put up with the three cats we now also have in the house.
Although we both maintained steadfastly that we much preferred dogs to cats, we now find ourselves with 3 cats in the house. Fred and Lucy were each rescued under different circumstances, and the third, Patti, is Lucy’s kitten. Lucy found a friend before we could get her fixed. We have not been able to find a new home for Patti to invade, so she terrorizes us. The cats, of course, are not nearly as eager to please as Sparky is, just because they are cats. They do entertain us, and so we have come to claim them as family now too. Who would have thought!
“Spring is sprung
The grass is ris
I wonder where
The flowers is.”
- author unknown
I have no idea where this little poem came from but it keeps popping into my head these last few days. It is only March 6 but it has been warm enough that the small amount of snow we have is going fast. Good reason to go ‘play’ in the water.
Spring is also known in rural areas as Mud Season. The fastest way to get rid of mud is to drain the accumulating water as fast as possible. While children play in water to test their boots, adults like to tell themselves they are doing it to drain water. The only difference is that adults usually know enough not to go in over their boots.
Part of Mud Season with pets is many baths. Ask Sparky, our dog. He also enjoys the mud, including that in the barnyard, so he gets washed at least once a day. The cats aren’t much for baths, so we just wipe up after them. At least they don’t like the water that much either and it is usually just the bottoms of their feet to worry about.
At our place, spring is also Calving Season. We plan to have the calves arrive about mid March. We can still get nasty weather but from now on, we know it won’t last long. The cattle have only bush for shelter so we don’t want new calves arriving during the colder winter days.
Calving season is special because there is so much energy. What a treat to see the new calves running and kicking with their tails up in the air! There is also a lot of stress and work in the watching and checking of Moms and babes to be sure all is going properly. There can also be awful feelings of helplessness and frustration when things do go wrong even after you have done all you could.
While “A young man’s heart turns to fancy” in the spring, the hearts of us older folks often turn to gardening. We re-read our seed catalogues and start poking around in the gardens. We become impatient to see which of our newest plants have survived the winter, and which haven’t. This year, with so little snow, the desert was bare most of the winter. I am wondering how that will affect it.
The itch to begin planting starts to be felt. I planted tomatoes today. I am well aware it is plenty early, but plan to use a grow light to keep them going until we are frost free. Actually, we can get frost and/or snow in any month of the year so we aim for the normal and hope for the best.
Usually, we are well into the mud part of spring just before the Easter weekend. Within a week or so, the mud is gone and away we go through spring. We appear to be starting early this year. Only time will tell.
Seed catalogues are a gardener’s source of inspiration and excitement. As well as enjoying the vibrant colors, they supply planting information and can offer special plants and gardening supplies that you might not think to search. We both study the new catalogues as they arrive in mid to late winter, wondering what is new that we can try this year. For gardeners, the best wish book to receive is a seed catalogue.
Some seed catalogues, like the one published by Dominion Seed House, give very detailed information about growing their products. Vegetable seeds are thoroughly described, including the size and volume of yield you can expect, as well as how many days to maturity. Flower seeds are detailed even more thoroughly. Minimally, sun requirements, height, growing zone, and when to expect blooms is given. For many flower seeds, you are given ALL the information you could possible want from the month to start the seeds and what temperature they like to germinate at, to how difficult they are to grow and what use they are best suited for. The Dominion Seed House catalogue is available at www.dominion-seed-house.com. They are a very reputable company in Ontario, Canada.
Another very reputable Canadian seed catalogue is from T & T Seeds in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This catalogue focuses more on vegetables, and also features a lot of gardening supplies. They give basic information about their plants and seeds. Vegetable seeds have days to maturity, and flower seeds have sun requirements, as well as if they are suitable as cut flowers. The supplies they offer include slug pits, garden blankets, seed starter flats, and a very complete range of fertilizers and gardening chemicals. Their seed catalogue is available at www.ttseeds.com.
In Alberta, we have two well known companies that produce seed catalogues. Alberta Nurseries and Seeds at Bowden can be reached through www.gardenersweb.ca. Their catalogue offers a good assortment of vegetable and flower seeds, as well as bulbs, roots, shrubs, fruit trees and bushes, and trees. They also have a very good variety of gardening supplies.
The other very popular greenhouse that offers a catalogue is Hole’s, in Edmonton. This family operation offers all the usual flowers and vegetables, as well as the exotic. It is from Hole’s that I got two varieties of cactus that will survive our -40 degree winters. They also have lots of other supplies available, including books written by Lois Hole. She passes on her gardening experience in categories like Perennial Favorites, and Favorite Trees and Shrubs to help Alberta gardeners easily choose specimens that are most likely to do well in our climate. Their catalogue was black and white with few pictures so their website www.holesonline.com may be a better place to check them out.
Every gardener interested in growing flowers needs a seed catalogues from Veseys Bulbs. Available from www.veseys.com, they do not actually offer seeds but have such a comprehensive selection of perennials and bulbs that you must check them out when you are planning your gardens. They are in Prince Edward Island so pay attention to the good information they provide about growing zones and conditions. They have lots of pictures with detailed information in the catalogue, and a good product that is available individually or in collections.
Breck’s catalogue is another must for the flower gardener. They have been in the flower bulb business since 1818 according to their catalogue. They import their bulbs from Holland and offer traditional, as well as the newest varieties, of tulips, daffodils, lilies, irises, crocuses, etc. Their bulbs can be purchased individually or in collections. Breck’s colorful catalogue can be found at www.BrecksBulbs.ca.
While online shopping is available from all the companies reviewed, we still enjoy receiving seed catalogues to study. They are available free and most companies will put you on their mailing list once you order from them.
-your dog rides in your truck more than does your wife
-you convince your wife that an overnight trip for equipment parts is a vacation
- you wear specific hats to farm sales, livestock auctions, customer appreciation suppers and vacations
- you’ve ever had to wash off in the back yard with a garden hose before your wife would let you into the house
- you’ve never thrown away a five-gallon bucket
- you’ve used baling wire to attach a license plate
- you’ve used a chain saw to remodel your house
- you’ve fibbed to a mechanic about how often you greased a piece of equipment
- you’ve driven off the road while examining your neighbours’ crops
- you’ve borrowed gravel from the county road to fill potholes in your driveway
- you’ve used a tractor front-end loader as scaffolding for roof repairs
- you’ve buried a dog and cried like a baby
- you’ve used the same knife to make bull calves steers, and to peel apples
Makes 12 muffins (waiting on the baker for a picture)
2 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy ricotta 1/2 cup canola oil
2 large eggs 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cup chopped rhubarb, fresh or frozen
turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a separate large bowl, blend together brown sugar, ricotta cheese, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add flour to brown sugar mixture and blend just until incorporated. Stir in rhubarb and spoon into a greased muffin tin. Sprinkle tops generously with turbinado sugar. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until tops are golden brown and a tester inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.
Found this recipe in the Spring 2010 Home At Home magazine sent out by Home Hardware.
Can’t wait for the rhubarb to be ready so we can try it!!
 Landscape gardening is all about developing your space to your personal preferences, and has the added benefit of increasing the value of your home. With the use of trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, annuals, grasses and rocks in different combinations, containers and areas, you can create any effect that you want to. By knowing the light, water, and soil requirements that you have in your yard, you can create interesting landscapes with simple gardening practices.
Most of us have to begin our landscape gardening with trees or fences or other established features that exist. If you are creating your own yard from the ground up, you have a lot more flexibility. The only factors that cannot be manipulated are the climactic conditions and available light. Soil can be altered with the addition of materials and nutrients as needed, water can be provided generously or sparsely, but natural light and temperature are what they are. Taking the best advantage of that has to be the basis for your landscape design, before you begin gardening.
If forty below and snow are part of your winter, there is no point trying to grow wisteria vines or hyacinths. There are plenty of other choices that are either native to cold climates or have been developed to flourish in them. The more you work with mediums and specimens that are native to your region, the easier you will find developing your personal landscape. Gardening with materials that are easily accessible is less expensive, and less frustrating. Plants that are native to your area will require a lot less work to coax them to their best, than imported species.
Special features, such as a pond or stream can be the focus of your landscape. Gardening can include the use of rocks of all sizes, up to and including boulders. Not too far from us is an entire yard that is covered with large rocks. They have been piled up and placed in interesting and pleasing forms, including a waterfall. A different yard takes advantage of a fairly deep ravine, by using it to shelter a fire pit. The addition of a big, round, brick pad built around the pit, makes it safer and even more inviting.
A friend uses containers like pails, tubs, and discarded wheelbarrows in her landscape gardening. She ‘recycles’ them from old yardsites or the landfill. One of our flower beds was killing even common, native perennials that we tried to grow in it. Whatever we tried just seemed to bake. Acting on a friend’s suggestion, we turned that particular area into a desert that includes cacti and now have a unique showpiece in our yard. Some cacti survive our winters, and some I just plant in for the summer, then winter them in the house and return them the next summer.
Landscape gardening is the science of finding the materials needed to create the space you want to live in. If you like rocks, use them. If you like water, make a pond or a stream to enjoy. Trees can define your space by serving as a shelter or privacy fence, and they can be part of your living space if you have a fire pit, bench or other something else functional amongst them. Much of landscape gardening is planning so determine what you want your landscape to look like and start gardening.
Ole, the owner of a new car, was somewhat reluctant to allow his wife, Lena, to drive his prize possession – even to the supermarket which was a few blocks from the house.
After she insisted, Ole finally relented, cautioning her as she departed, “Remember, if yew have an accident, da newspaper vill print your age!”
FARM KID in the ARMY
Dear Ma and Pa,
I am well.. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Army beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.
Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there’s warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It’s no wonder these city boys can’t walk much.
We go on ‘route marches,’ which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it’s not my place to tell him different. A ‘route march’ is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.
The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board.. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don’t bother you none.
This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don’t know why.. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don’t move, and it ain’t shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don’t even load your own cartridges They come in boxes.
Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain’t like fighting with that ole bull at home. I’m about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake . I only beat him once.. He joined up the same time as me, but I’m only 5’6′ and 130 pounds and he’s 6’8′ and near 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter,
Alice
These pictures are obviously not a garden, not even a garden under snow.
I noticed this path made by our cows traveling from one area of their winter feeding ground to the other.
It remained perfect day after day as they walked back and forth. We got a bit more snow, and still the path was perfect.
Most rural people are familiar with the term “cow path” as it pertains to a summer pasture or some country roads. Then it refers to a narrow beaten path from one place to another.
I still find it incredible, when I think about it, that 150 cows could use the path repeatedly and every one of them ALWAYS stepped in the same hole!
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