Last week in Jim Hole’s newsletter he spoke to the fact that carrots can be planted now so that they pop through the ground as soon as spring arrives; ironically reading this article spurred me onto harvest my crop of carrots. As you know from my previous carrot chronicles, vegetable gardening does not seem to be my thing. I discovered the joy of seed tapes this year, but a combination of late seeding, poor soil and who knows what did not lead to a bumper crop. In fact the picture below illustrates my entire crop. The second picture shows the largest and the smallest of the carrots I harvested…yes indeed world hunger is not going to be solved by my growing efforts.

However, I have plans for 2012…a big bag of compost, some manure and a plant date that does not start with J should get me back in the carrot business! Stay tuned.

 

I realized very early Sunday morning that my peaceful laundry/housekeeping day was not going to happen as 4 extra bodies aged 3 – 11 exploded into my living room and the noise level increased 10 fold!  I quickly made the decision that the four boys, one girl and I were going for a walk to spend some time outside at the Harvest Festival taking place at the Grain Elevators and Train Interpretive Centre.

  

On our walk down we heard a train coming along the tracks and were very excited to wave and have them toot their horn at us.   It was rather a neat experience as the train actually slowed down as it passed the Elevator Park seemingly to partake in the festivities.  It was well timed as the grand opening speeches were just finishing up.  A great touch to the whole opening I thought.

 

We kick started our time at the park with a wagon ride, and giggled as the horse walked down the walking trail behind a girl who was obviously plugged into her Ipod and had no idea there were two huge horses within tongue licking distance from her.  We waited in anticipation for her to turnaround and realize what was following her.  We were not disappointed. 

...