Season opening Saturday April 30th

The date is quickly approaching and we're busy getting ready. The animal pens are cleaned out, the playareas are getting freshened up and Lynda and Eileen are busy getting the market ready. The last few days of sunshine have been a help. Myrna has been busy booking the school tours. We've still got some openings but they're filling up fast. England Trip James, Dan and I have just returned from a week long farm market tour in England. We explored the countryside with fellow Ontario Farm Fresh Marketers visiting farm shops from York south to London. Spring is about a month ahead there; the daffodils, cherry and apple trees along with the spring flowers were all in bloom. The weather was warmer than usual and we had lot's of sun. Denure Tours from Lindsay Ontario organised the logistics of the tour and Cathy, our fearless executive director of Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association researched and chose our stops. We enjoyed lots of sausage, some mushy peas, fish and chips and cornish pastries. With a morning tour of the city of York we were steeped in the history of the land. So many stone fences and hedgerows, lots of sheep and cattle grazing. The Yorkshire landscape was my favorite. We'll have pictures posted on facebook for you to see. What can we apply to our farm? First off you'll see more colour and more gardens. We'll add a few more activities through the season. It will take time to absorb and put into effect all we saw and want to do. One of the best things was getting to know our fellow Ontario marketers better. 4 New Kids in the Pens We've had 2 sets of twins born this week. Mom's and babies are doing well. They'll be in Markham for you to see them. Try to catch the babies springing about their pen. The energy of youth is very evident in the kids. Mother's Day Celebrate Mom's and bring her to the farm for a relaxing outing. Come visit our moms. Remember on her special day we give free admission to Moms when they come with their kids, old and young. Victoria Day Weekend James is organizing special activities this weekend for us to Celebrate Spring. Bring your kites, our barnyard adventure area is great for kite flying with no trees or overhead wires. We usually have a great breeze blowing especially in the spring. See you all soon.

SPRING IS HERE

Winter didn't seem to take too long this year, it was a busy one. Check out our website for some new stuff. We are currently developing our birthday party program and there is a page for that. You can email us an inquiry and we'll send you out the information as soon as it is ready. CELEBRATE SPRING NEWSLETTER is on our website as well filled with lot's of information on our farm. Print it off and keep it handy for our produce availability guide and our events calendar. Try the yummy recipe. There is a link to our newsletter on the home page. JAMES IS JOINING US Our son James is now working on the farm with us. He is in charge of our social media and keeping us up to date on twitter and facebook. Are you our friend yet? As well he is persuing some independant enterprises raising some pastured poultry and a couple acres of crops including tomatoes. These will all be available when ready in our Markham market. James is also planning 2 events this season - Celebrate Spring on Victoria Day weekend with kite flying and more as well as Celebrate Honey Monday August 1st. We'll keep you posted about exact details. WE'RE OFF TO ENGLAND Farmer Jim will be holding down things here on the farm while I and the boys are off on a market tour in England. It will be exciting to see how the Brits do things and we hope to come home with loads of ideas. See you soon. We're opening Saturday April 30th.

Spring is coming

A sure sign the winter is coming to an end - the birth of lambs. So far we have had 2 sets of twins and a single born to our ewes and there are more to come.
All babies are doing fine and holding their own in the flock.

Horse Crazy
It has all started with our son's girlfriends. They themselves would have nothing to do with horses, even been given the chance to have one. Their girlfriends are different. They love them.
So guess who arrived in our barns today-two Arabians. They are a mom/daughter team called at this time Monet and Lily. I have been assured that they are of lovely temperament. My son concurs as he feels he risked his life helping to load them for transport home.
He still has a healthy dose of fear (slowly turning to respect) for the animals.
Oh what they do for love.

Lily and Monet will star in our birthday party program called Crazy for Horses. We are currently developing a comprehensive birthday party program for our Greenbank farm that will allow people to enjoy our farm while celebrating their child's birthday. Be on the look out - more details to follow.

This winter has been a busy one with conferences and workshops attended in the USA and Ontario. I and 3 of my staff just completed one on birthday parties, we're saturated with amazing ideas. It is an exciting time to set forth on a new venture and we're looking forward to presenting it to you.

Yikes! 10 days till Christmas Eve

The season just flies by. I hope all of you are enjoying the coming of Christmas and not too stressed with all the preparations.
Our tree sales have been going well, we still have some beauties - Fraser Fir, Balsam and Scotch Pine.

There is still time to order your turkey. I am very limited on small ones but have some in the 18lb plus range. This can all change because they are still all living and weights are only certain once they are dressed and ready for dinner. Give me a range of 4 lbs in order to have one that will fit your needs.

We're still baking. The Christmas cookie trays are very enticing and yummy. They make great hostess gifts, take them to an office party, or just enjoy at home for dessert. Place your pie orders for the 24th so you won't be dissappointed. We close at 4 pm Christmas eve and reopen the first weekend in May. I try not to overbake because I get to eat whats left.

Our turkey pies are ready and we'll have our chicken pies done by this Friday. They're delicious and make for an easy meal.

This may be the last blog before Christmas. I'm already booking our workshops and conferences we want to attend this winter. I'll try and keep you posted on what will be new for next season.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas with all the joy the season can bring. Stay safe this winter and we'll see you in the spring.

MMMM The tastes and smells of Christmas

Shortbread cookies, mince tarts and pies, the smell of a Christmas tree; oh the traditions of Christmas.

It's one of our favorite times of the year.

Our farm and market is now open daily until Christmas eve day.

We still have apples, carrots, squash and other Ontario produce available, we're baking our pies, and there is a beautiful selection of fresh cut Fraser fir, Balsam and Scotch Pine Christmas trees to choose from - anywhere from 3 ft to approx. 12 ft.

Fresh, Free Range, Grain Fed Turkeys
are available by special order. They'll be ready for pickup December 23rd and 24th. Get your order in early so you won't be disappointed.

Kawartha Dairy eggnog is in. We think it's the best you'll ever taste. Place your orders for eggnog and pies for the 24th as I try to sell out. This way you won't be disappointed.

DECEMBER HOURS

Beginning Dec 6th
Mon to Wed 9:00 till 7:30
Thurs to Sun 9:00 till 6pm

Dec 20th to Dec 23rd 9:00 till 6:00

We are closing for the season Friday Dec 24th at 4:00pm and will reopen the first weekend in May.

Christmas Trees are here

We've got some beautiful trees now and more are coming on Saturday. Frasers, Balsam and Pine so far. The smell is amazing. We'll be starting to look like Christmas soon. Cedar roping will be available as of Friday November 19th.


Our Last batch of Roasting Chickens are in
the market. We'll put them in the freezer as of Saturday the 20th. Supplies are very limited so come ASAP. We're open in November Thursday to Sunday 9 till 5.


Farm'n Fun
The animals are still here welcoming visitors. It is starting to get cool so dress warmly - our playgrounds are open.

Christmas baking
will be available approximately December 1st. We don't like to crowd out the American Thanksgiving. Mince pies, tarts and cookie trays are something sweet to make your holidays a treat.

Order your Christmas Turkey now
Christmas comes fast and it seems to take so long to get everyone organized. Start planning dinner now so you won't be panicking last minute.

Stock up on Squash
Our crop of squash is looking great and we have great prices. Time to stock up. We've still got a nice selection of Ontario produce. Check out our market for end of season specials.

Celebrate the Coming of Christmas with us.

Enjoy the peacefulness of November

Our farm and market is open Thursday to Sunday in November from 9 till 5 (except the 7th when they close the road till 1pm).

We still have a good selection of apples including Spy's for baking and other produce in our market along with apple cider, pies, preserves and more.

Christmas Turkeys
We are now taking orders for fresh, free range, grain fed turkeys for Christmas. You can never be too prepared.

LAST CALL FOR ENCHANTED FOREST
Our wagon rides and Enchanted Forest will be closing down for the season Sunday November 7th. Come out and enjoy a quiet walk in the woods. Our farm animals and play areas will still be here till the end of November and into December, depending on the weather.

KENNEDY ROAD CLOSED SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7TH FROM 8AM TILL 1
Don't be disappointed. Come after 1 pm to visit the farm as the road is closed till then for a fundraising marathon.