Three sleeps until I climb onto a plane to Canada for the first of my winter Travels.
My first trip will be up into the mountains behind Calgary, Canada. Up to Canmore, a small skiing town. My son works on the ski fields up there and also trains avalanche dogs. He has two. One of whom (Cai) is retired with joint problems – we will find out more about that when I am there.
John will be in charge back here while I am gone for five days. Each of my trips is very short this year. But I will fret anyway.
Because you have come with me to Canmore on a couple of occasions now I thought I might write some How To posts while I am away. You have asked me to explain to you how I train my dogs – this can be one post, but are there any others questions you have for me?
Any other things you would like me to explain more fully? I have hours in airports and planes ahead of me – lots of time to write.
I am not an expert in very much, but I would love to collect a few questions to take with me. This is a farm blog, that is sometimes a travel blog and even occasionally a food blog but usually a daily journal farm blog.
Do you have a question about what I do and How?
Good morning. Today or tomorrow Lori the Pig Rescue Lady will come to collect our wee Baby Barrow. Sad but good.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
PS. It is blowing this morning and 14F/-10C – getting warmer! Today we move up to 30F – just below freezing. The barn doors will stay shut today though, with this strong South East wind. Maybe I can open them later in the afternoon if the wind dies down.
The Kitchen's Garden 
48 responses to “A question?”
How did you get into farming? For a NZ beach girl, that must have been quite a change.
Yes, a question along the lines of what I was wondering, how did you get here -to sustainable/ethical small farming- not literally but figuratively? ♡
Celi, I’m thrilled you will be doing a post about dog training! I so want to learn how to train Dolly, our Blue Heeler, to help me herd the chickens, and other animals, if needed, into the area/s we want them to go into. She so wants to help, but it’s me who doesn’t know how to instruct her. Training her with hand/arm signals, or oral signals to go around one way, or come up from behind would be great. She looks at me for direction, but I end up calling her to heel by my side so that we aren’t sending the birds in different directions. It can be frustrating for both of us! Have a fabulous holiday in Canada!!! xoxoxo
Hi Celi! No questions from me but just want to wish you a very Merry Christmas here in Alberta! I too will be in Canmore for Christmas! The forecast is chillier then compared to the rest of this week and light flurries. It will be lovely -12 or so in Christmas Day! Have a great trip! Del
I will be walking about so make sure to wave out if you see me. I will be the one bundled up like a MUMMY! (No clown suit though) c
[J+D] You must be taking most of the cold out of the jet-stream! It then picks up heat and energy from the N Atlantic and then … BANG into us. Storm Barabra will last ALL week. We rather envy your trip to Canada!
I love going up to Canmore it is such a pretty town! c
I have recently added two cats to my little farm, and the one thing that is bothering me about having them, is seeing them doing their business in my vegetable garden. Do you have that problem with all your cats? Do you just accept it, or have you come up with a solution? Enjoy your time in Canmore. I am only about seven hours away from there.
seeing all them questions I’m looking forward to the answers 🙂
A couple of questions. As Maria asked, how did you get started? How did you learn how to farm? And the other one is, how do you keep your energy up all day? As one who mostly sits at her desk writing, I’m in awe of what seems to be your constant motion. And have a wonderful holiday!
Perfect question – can’t wait to hear Cecilla’s answer ! ; o )
A mundane thing but important. A step by step of the process you go through when making the blog each day. Your blog is most enjoyable but I think it is also a good record keeping process that each person could use for their individual location.
Are you coming East?
I’m wondering if any of your animals require a salt lick in winter. Here is a good story about a warning issued in Alberta this week to beware of car-licking moose… lol True. Apparently moose have a high sodium requirement that they satisfy in winter by licking cars that have traveled through roads maintained for winter travel. So watch out for them on your travels… lol
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/moose-licking-warning-issued-in-this-canadian-province/77003?intcmp=twn_promo_news1%22%22%22%22
Like others, I don’t have any questions but look forward to your answers of those posted. Hope you have a great day too! ~ Mame 🙂
Hi, Ceci! Do your ‘girls’ lay all year round? We got our ‘first’ egg in three months a couple44 of days ago and, no, it wasn’t frozen but it should have been! If they lay year round, how do you do it? Ours always take a respite in the winter for 2-3- months. Come summer, we have more than we know what to do with – can’t even give them away even tho’ we only charge $2/dz for them (large browns). Have a wonderful trip – I love Canada! Enjoy and be safe! Sunny in the mountains…….
I have a question about whether the Old Codger is still around and how he’s doing. Do you still take him food regularly?
The Old Codger has gone out to live in California closer to his daughter -he needs round the clock care now, he was getting past my ability to help him – dear old fella
Thanks. I still treasure the photo of him with deliriously happy Ton when you visited him in the rehab center.
We are sunny and bright here, which always helps me accept winter a tad better. We have warmed up from 4* yesterday morning to 10* this morning any little warm up is welcome.
Have a wonderful trip!
Linda
Enjoy your travels to the wonderful country to our north! I work in the ecological restoration of Natural Areas and am tasked with seed collection/processing/stratifying/scarifying/propogating and planting. I am wondering if there is any insight you might have on any of these processes as I find myself pretty green (pun intended).
Thanks!
Remic – HUllo! – I have to say I know very little about preparing seeds – though I have a pot of pawpaw seeds in the fridge at this very moment they will be in there for a couple of months. Maybe when you know more you can write a post for us and teach US about it. c
I would like to know how you sell animals that you have raised from babies for slaughter. Being a non-meat eater, it is very hard for me to understand.
Would you do a couple of guest posts? Maybe short notice this time, but perhaps for your next trip away. I’m curious about MorrisBrook Farm and Elizabeth….sorry people, just a sticky-beak I guess:)
I understand about ” fretting anyway’…..and you have John in charge, who everyone knows and loves. I go away for 4 weeks in a months time, and although I have excellent house sitters I’m already fretting about Mirrhi and how she’ll get on……..cats and chooks will be fine, but dogs are so attached to us and I read her so well, even good carers don’t always “get” the subtle body language.
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your time with your boy 🙂
HI nettyg, both of above mentioned people have their own blogs …. just click on their names and if linked to a blog will take you straight there. Laura