Tuesday June 25, 2024 Sunny Days

 tuesday 25 june 2024

i was trying to watch the oilers and panthers hockey game last night, but oh, the wine get in the way and i fall asleep. Oh well, the oilers lost from their quest to get the stanley cup. 

when was the last time i feel invested into hockey game? lets see - it was a big rally in ottawa, it was senators versus anahiem ducks and we lost.

the difference is - i did not even watch the game last night, but when Sens played way back, I was in full senators game! ah I must be getting older, but then, it was worth the effort. I feel very upbeat with the rest of the gang. 

today was a sunny morning, opposite to the one yesterday, which was rainy morning. We worked till 430pm watering the indoor plant contracts, so that was good. 

today, was suppose to start early with Tom, but I guess the hockey event tire him out last night. So, it will be late start for Cumberland gardening. 

Another project for garden renovation in Britania, so thats good thing to have, a job to work on. 

Well, its sunny, so I better do my work - and mulch my dahlia. 

picture below is a living wall inside a long term care facility. 

there is about 100 individual pots here. 

Monday June 24, 2024, Nepean Night Market Sunday ( cancelled)

 monday, june 24, 2024

it st john the baptiste day, so its is fitting, it is raining. I still have to go out and water my indoor plants for City of Ottawa.

last week, it was heatwave, i did not work from wed to friday. 

i weed around the farm, cleaned garlic field and work long hours in the field. 

very challenging, but thats the only time i can weed the gardens, when I am off work. 

i am only off work - when weather is bad, like heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning and also another extreme: heatwave

life of a part time farmer, in a fixer upper farm is tough, but life is always tough anyways. 

btw, yesterday sunday - i signed up to sell garlic and garlic scapes to the Nepean Night Market. By 2pm, it was confirmed, it was a go. 

By 5pm, thunder and lightning and then sunny. CANCELLED. 

I was there, and It was sunny, but the event is cancelled. i have 2 bins of garlic greens and garlic scapes at home, to deal with. 

Tuesday - June 11, 2024 Weedingthe Garlic Field and Farmer life in General

 Tuesday June 11, 2024 sunny day

I know I have to work long hours, so I woke up at 5am to tend to the fields. The rainy days are over, now the weeds are growing faster. Scapes are coming out, so that means bulbs are developing. 

My fingers bleeds from blade of grass. - The gift to work in a fixer upper farm - which was formerly a hay field. well, its my farm, no use complaining, thank the heavens for having one. 

i planted my plants in the front yard, Joe Pye weed, hydrangea, chives, shasta daisy, black eyed susan. there are 2 haskaps and yew that needed to be planted. I have the machine trimmers going: the battery powered one ran out of battery, the gas powered one ran out of gas. yes, I worked very hard - but who is counting - it is just my reality of running an organic farm. Weeds are friends  - bio filter - but then if too close to plants, then too much.

I also have a Dahlia row, to my joy, they all come out. I need to feed them Mushroom compost to compete, I love them so much, I have one row of them in the middle of my garlic field. I did this because I will never neglect them, if I see them everyday, as I care for my garlic. 

So, time to get back and feed my dahlia compost and get back to weeding the garlic field. Its 6:42 am and that only gives me 1 hour to work in the field, before heading to work. 

Trenton - Husquavarna dealer - Homestead Marketplace

 Wednesday -rainy day in Ottawa June 5, 2024

Kyle and I went for a road trip on kingston to get the parts for our Husquavarna backpack blower. It has been many years, bought 2017 for my business. it has serve as well, but the parts are hard to come by. 

The husquavarna dealer - Homestead Marketplace is the closest store to us. Close - like 3 hour drive, but it was worth it because they have the parts. 

Since we go there, I always get a hat from Kyle. This year, he bought me my own Husquavarna hat. 

We also went to Kingston. We went to Trailhead and bought me shoes for climbing, some climbing pants at Urban Outfitter and Climb at the Bouldering Coop. 

over all, it was a long drive both ways but all worth it. 

my new hat. 

By the way, the beavertails store has good food, just saying..

Kieren turned 14 years old

 June 9, 2024 Sunday

last sunday, I worked hard in the field, removing weeds from the garlic field. 

Kyle and I also delivered the generator to our march rd, farm, so they can have water. 

After a long day, it was 5 pm and I manage to get Kieren his cake. Usually, we would get the red velvet one, but the Metro in Kanata ran out of it. 

Our life as farmers as busy as weeds grow very fast after rain - which this week has been rainy. 

The very thing that is consistent with my kids is that Lola Sher and Lolo Fern Boucher always send them card. They look forward to it and I am very happy. 

My gift to my kids are one on one time with them, with dinner. Kieren and I goes to Mandarin for his birthday.  Here are some few pictures to celebrate Kieren going 14th. 

Kieren with his greeeting card from Lolo Fern and Lola Sher

meal of BBQ chicken and Sushi

Garlic Greens from our farm - sautee with soy sauce

karlina being the big sister for Kieren to cut the cake

The Triple Chocolate cake - Kieren said it tasted goog

brother and sister moment - karlina trusted her baby brother with the knife 

( way back when they were 7 and 6 year old, they had an arguement with a knife, while trying to cut the cake - so that was not the greatest ide. This one, the older sister knows how to handle life)

with my youngest turning 14, i feel old and happier and settled in my life. 

I wish the best for them, as I am marching towards my sunset. 

Scarlet Runner Beans

 

the backyard of my old house, for those who visit, remember all these beans? 

Scarlet Runner Beans is our favorite pole beans. Pick young as green beans. Let it mature and save these seeds. Unique red flowers attracts hummingbirds. Grow in arbor or trellis. Grow in most conditions, including part shade, takes about 54 days till you see beans.

When to plant in ottawa: Sow by May 24 in ottawa, direct to the ground.

Ideal for childrens garden, the big seeds are easy to handle.

( 13 pcs for 3$ or 2 packs for 5$) hand processed in small batch by us. No broken seeds - as we inspect them by hand.

No fancy packaging - it's inside a resealable zip lock bag. You can re use the container to save season seeds., so we promote upcycle and re-use.

Available at both locations for Sweet William farms. We have no farm stand, so by appointment only or we can deliver.

We are on 139 march rd in kanata, and Leitrem.Rd, farmers way north k0a 1k0

ARMY RUN 2023 - HALF MARATHON KYLE AND ANGELINA

 I joined the army run ( www.armyrun.ca)  every other year, for a long time now. Here is a picture of me and Kyle. We decided to run the half marathon this yea - 2023. 

Our medals

Kyle is down - hahahah. Running half marathon, victory pose. 

we check in at Chateu Laurier for the night, because driving in earlier was a bit tiring. 

Amazing hotel and lots of history, this is even prettier in person

Just after that run - I am still standing which is good. 

Just before the run, knowing we hope to survive. LOL

Zumba 2023

 z masterjam 2023

at EY center

ZUMBA SATURDAY

BETO ON STAGE 

OTTAWA CITY

November 2, 2023 Pumpkins for the Planet

November 2, 2023 Thursday 

Today, we will be helping out at Moneys Bay (OSEAN), the community to upcycle the halloween pumpkin. In many years since starting the farm in 2019, we have been actively composting leaves, kitchen scraps, and pumpkins. We have amazing results -  enriching the soil for ecological farming.  We grow shrubs such as nannyberry, elderberry, serviceberry, saskatoon berries and raspberries, both for human consumption and wildlife. 

I found out this year and connected with OSEAN and they are gathering 1,000 pumkins, supporting foodbank and farming composting, and farms with wildlife. I am excited, I will drive the 15 cubic ft van so they can collect more. I am happy that Enterprise has one moving van available for today. 

This was one of our home pumpkin. Kyle decorated it, and it looks nice with the long pruner. We actually did not add fertilizer to our pumpkin patch, the compost was good enough to grow big pumpkins. 

Canada Day 2023

Canada Day 2023 

Ottawa City, Ontario Canada

 Every year, being Canadian is celebrated in our family in small and big way.

We are proud Canadian, all my 3 kids were born here in Ottawa, the national capital région. They study here in the Catholic School Board, and learn English and French. 

Kieren my youngest is now 13 years old ( born June 2010 ), my daughter Karlina is 14 ( born Feb 2009) and kenneth 19 ( born Aug 2004).

I'm beaming with pride, my kids grow up healthy and happy citizenship.

I followed my goals of setting up a small sustainable farm of végétables. Since this is an old, fallow farm ( overgrown for many years), it is a big job of clearing. We have 2 locations one in Kanata and one in Leitrem/Farmers Way Rd. My partner in this adventure is Kyle and we have been farming together for about 5 years. Weeds are always plenty, so we are busy plowing and composting.

It's been à hardworking farmer simple life and we settled in the edge of the city in Leitrem Rd with the land adjacent to our 10-acre farm. 

 

Feb 3, 2023 Friday feels like -28C

 Feb 3 2023 Friday -17c, feels like -28C

Called in to start work 230am. Got delayed,police pulled us over by 417 west/parkdale. After that was cleared, we hit Kanata by 3am. Worked in the cold, real biting cold, lots of snowdrifts everywhere.

We helped Funhaven area, ottawa citizenship, Antares, then finally head home. 

We sleep at home

Got a 3pm virtual interview for Canada post

Kyle and I went shoes shopping..I bought Kyle running shoes at wslmart

He took me dinner at bâton rouge, looks fancy, sea basse tasted great.

We come home, and we sleep.

February 4, 2023 Saturday -Costco run ( -23C)

 February 4, 2023 Saturday

It says -23C, but it also says feels like  - 40C . I'm not working today, so that's okay. Frostbite is tough, so I avoided that.

My mentrual cycle still gives me champs. I did not make it to any exercise classes.

Kyle and I were home watching Monthy Dons American garden roadshow on YouTube.  He is travelling USA to visit many gardens, so we are just happy to see it, very nice pictures.

We made chicken for lunch, some home cook with mushrooms and our own garlic.  I  am happy that we eat together for one weekend.

Kyle and I crave for pork adobo - so we brave the cold weather.  We drove to Costco and got our pork meat. We got salade, croissants, pork meat and avocado. We got 4 items and that's a surprise. We usually come out with full cart, but it's too freaking cold for that. 

We got home and got back to being cozy. I cooked the adobo, à dry style one without adding soy sauce and vinegar, like how we make adobo during fiesta. This cooking extract the lard and also give it dry texture and presetve better. We make à dipping sauce of soy sauce and vinegar which Kyle lives, so that was à great dinner

February 5, 2023 Sunday

 February 5, 2023 Sunday 

It was -17C on my phone weather application when I woke up at 6am. It's cold outside. 

There are 2 classes I wanted to attend at Nepean Sportsplex today, yoga at 9am then Zumba at 10am. 

Well, I need coffee and get ready. I have to put away some dirty dishes and Adobo meal that I cook last night. So, it's probably 19am zumba if I made it. 

 I came out to start the car, ut made a funky noise, yup! That's the cold, even the car is complaining.

I got myself ready and going for 10am Zumba. 

Today is also Karlinas 14th birthday. Since it's the weekend, it will be a lunch type meal at Montanas. We always come to Montana on her birthday, and we both love it. She is now Grade 8 at St Mark's in Manotick area. She is a tall lady, taller than my 5 ft 4 inches height. I am happy of her growth and progress and I pray that She will have a great life herself. 

She is a great sport and loves to laugh with us. 

January 26, 2023 Thursday

 January 26, 2023 Thursday

working midnight up to 2pm, wow what a long shift. Lots of shoveling and no salting. 

come home and did laundry

kids have snow day, they stayed home

contractor (NCC) repair of our cieling, Storm Derecho damage

7-9 pm master gardener of ottawa carleton meeting online via zoom

back to winter snow removal work - report for 1 am. 

January 25, 2023 Wednesday

 January 25, 2023 Wednesday

There is forecast of snow and we will be coming to work at midnight. It is a snowstorm - so it will be a logn shift. 

we start by midnight. 

January 24, 2023 Tuesday

 January 24, 2023 Tuesday

January 23, 2023 Monday

 January 23, 2023 Monday

work starts at 230am for snow

january 22, 2023 sunday -1C

 january 22, 2023 sunday

kyle drop me off and karlina to our sunday chore

nepean sportsplex 8 am, 9am, 10 am

karlina at walter baker library

have ice cream and fries with kyle and karlina - walter baker

kyle hockey at nepean sportsplex, ange at gym

call in for work : 230am 

january 21, 2023 saturday

 january 21, 2023 saturday

worked since 10pm friday to finished till 8;30 am, lots of salting of all site

breakfast with kyle

catch up with sleep

january 20, 2023 friday

 january 20, 2023 friday 

work midnight 12:30 am to 9am

work again at 10pm till 830 am saturday for night partrol

breakfast with kyle

catch up with sleep

January 19, 2023 Thursday

 January 19, 2023 Thursday

zumba 9am

yoga 10 am all at water baker

kyle had the winter tire installed for the silver rav change tire + alignment is 115$

5:45 pm zumba at lorry greenberg community center. Karlina used the Greenboro library as well. 

January 18, 2023 Wednesday

 January 18, 2023 Wednesday

worked from 3am to 10am

pick up winter tire for silver rav

pick up the kids from st marks

doctors appointment 2pm 

and kierens eye exam at 3pm at costco optical 

January 17, 2023, -6C, Tuesday

 January 17, 2023 

Tuesday

it was not snowing ..so here is the break I needed, after last weeks snow storm. I worked like 50 hours in 3 days, and it was nuts. 

I cleaned up myself and got ready for gym class. I decided to try Nepean Sportsplex again, since they have 8 am class. Well, bummer...there was traffic on the highway, so I decided to proceed to Walter Baker Sports Center because Zumba starts at 9:15 am, so I have time. 

Boss at worked message that upcoming freezing rain, possibility of call in. But did not happen. We will start at 3am. 

Walter Baker  ( Barrhaven) 100 Malvern St, was my old stumping ground, 20 years ago, I used to come here to swim and read books at the adjacent library, Ruth Dickinson. Just las Sunday, I took my kids for swim and library. 

I came in early to make sure I made in on time for Zumba class. The group was nice, and the teacher was really nice. She is very good at cueing the dance and I feel that I have a workout. 

Then I stayed for the Yoga class at 10am. it was a good one,  i feel it helped my left shoulder. I have been feeling off with this shoulder for couple of days now, and it seems to help a bit. 

I showered after the class, and headed home. 

We have to work tomorrow starting 3am. I did few paperwork in the office and pay some bills. 

Kieren will have his doctors appointment tomorrow (chadha medical)  and also his optometry appointment at  Costco as well. 

January 16, 2023 Monday

 January 16, 2023 Monday

It was a sunny day, and i slept a lot - probably the whole day. 

I cooked some mashed potatoes with the chicken and veggies. It was nice to have the little gang gather for a meal. 

I manage to fold some laundry and went off to my class.  The gas has been pretty funky and I was on my blinking "running out of gas". I found a gas station off Brian Cobough road, and filled it full. It was quite high, around 1.47 but heck, I need gas. 

Francois Dupuis Recreation Center

ottawa.ca

2263 Portobello Blvd, Orleans ON K4A0X3 ·

Zumba at 630pm

Zumba toning at 7:30 pm, then take the last 15 minutes on the treadmill.

 I was surprise that the parking lot was empty when I came out. They must have close by 9pm. When I arrived at the center, it was so packed, that I cannot find a parking spot. 

Hmm. these are people who are on the resolution just like myself. Lets see how soon this will last. 

It was a dry cold day, must be around -7C, then the night dropped to -20C.

January 14, 2023 Saturday

 January 14, 2023 Saturday

the work was short 1am to 9:30 am. thank goodness that clean up after the storm

we stop at marks to look for gloves for kyle but nothing nice

Did zumba class at greenboro for 10:30 am to 11;30 am

slept for the day until 5pm

visit tessie and uncle ken and barrhaven with kyle. we were suppose to bring garlic to friends, but none seems to be home. 

January 15, 2023 Sunday

 January 15, 2023 sunday

it is nice and sunny today, it could go as cold as -20C. but hey it was -10C when i left for gym class. 

I did Zumba at Bob Mcquarrie for 9 am

and cardio class at ray friel at 10 am. 

Im home going laundry and cooking pancit, then I will take the kids swimming at walter baker by 1pm. 

January 5 2023 Thursday

 January 5 2023 Thursday

Oh boy, did it ever froze? Freezing rain last night and I have to scrape the car before heading to work. Thank goodness for Kyle who has the strong muscle to do it. 

we did a midnight shift, throwing some salt on the icy sidewalks. 1:30am to 9:30 am. 

I got home and took pictures around me, everything is frozen. The roads are icy, some accidents. 

I sold 2 bags of garlic to a lady, I talk over the phone with her, and will deliver it tomorrow in alta vista. 

I am sure I will be called in to work again tomorrow. 

January 4, 2023 Wednesday

 Jan 4, 2023 Wednesday

We manage to get the truck from Tom yesterday. So another farm truck. LOL

It was a mild day and it continue to melt the snow, and the farm looks different. 

I was out going for a little walk and digging some holes for compost

I was called in for work to apply some salt to sidewalk as the rain melted all the salt. 

I did a early morning snow run from 4am to 7am, then come home and do some work. 

Started cleaning up some garlic and started selling them. 

Finished Kyles 2021 taxes, 1 done. 

Jan 3, 2023 Tuesday

 jan 3, 2023 wednesday

woke up late and no motivation to do anything. eat, and got an old truck from a friend with kyle. its not a question if this is a money pit, it is just an old rusty 2005 silverado. 

Daylily Collection 2022

 This year, i went to Artistic Landscape in Bank Street and they seem to be getting rid of the big display garden. I do not know why, maybe they do not supply these kinds of daylily anymore. These are mature clumps, probably of rare kinds, so I am a sucker for all things beautiful and flowers. 

Hemerocallis

So here are my new added collection list:

1. Yellow - Double Charm ( rare) Hardy 1969 double lemon yellow self pollinating

2. Yellow  - Techny Peace - 1987 Reckamp - Klehm- single - pastel yellow blend with green throat

3. Daylily - Tuscawilla Tigres - a double orange, early to midsummer bloomer, then reblooms again

4. Daylily - Catherine Neal - 1981 Carpenter - I like the dark color of this daylily - almost dark violet to brown

I did not have the chance to take picture for 2022, but the coming years, it will be a beatiful ones.