Some days chickens, some days eggs

Greetings. We are posting today because we'll be away this weekend ay an event in Guelph called Fairy Fest which is a fund raiser for the local hospital. There's a lot of activity here, what with packing for the festival, daily chores and whatnot.

Speaking of chores, Margaret was in London today and found a couple of metal chicken feeders by the side of the road. I don't know if these are period or not, but they are in very good shape, made of sheet steel and have all their bits. Together they hold a complete bag of feed so feeding the birds will be a simpler task (I hope) in the future. Just a check on the feeders every day and fill them as needed.

We didn't get many eggs this morning because the local chapter of four footed bandits supped on them last night. They made their entrance through a broken window in the coop, didn't bother the birds, just ate the eggs. Said window has now been replaced and should discourage a repeat of the nocturnal egg raid.

I've been trying to maqke hay here and not having much luck. Between the rain and my time away I can't get much headway and this bothers me because we'll need the hay for the winter. I'll just have to get on the job and get the hay raked, dried and loaded or I'll lose it.

I've noticed something which also bothers me. I've worked on farms a great deal, especially as a younger man and I find myself thinking of the farming methods I'm used to. I then try to reverse engineer them to something I think would've been used in Victorian times. To complete the task, I research the methods on the net and ... much to my dismay, I'm frequently wrong in my assumptions.

What this means is that I must obtain a copy of some Victorian farming books and read them to familiarize myself with the methods then in use. Everything was done by hand or used horse or steam power to ease the labour. On this farm in 1865, I doubt there was a steam engine around, so horse power and human power were the two energy sources available. I think I'm going to be much stronger before this experiment is completed.

Margaret here ...as you have read Ken and I are heading to Guelph for the weekend for Fairy fest. Wonderful event that raises money for the Guelph General hospital's pediatric department. I have a food booth, so by sunday evening I will be tired. But happy as I love this event and love watching the happy faces on the children dressed up in their beautiful dresses and fairy wings...Very Victorian in fact, as the Victorians has a fascination with fairies.
It has been a busy week around here. And the weather has been some days really warm and some cooler. So my kitchen has been way too hot or just right with the cook stove going . But summer or winter there is nothing so wonderful than the smell of wood smoke as you stand outside in the breeze.
I am researching laundry soap recipes and will post something on here when I come up with something I like . Someone has asked us to post photos and as soon as we can get a camera to work we will.
We will also be adding more details regarding our Christmas weekend. To be fair we would like to be able to choose who will be joining us at least 4-6 months in advance in order to give our guests a chance to make or purchase the appropriate clothing and such. We are striving for an absolutely authentic Christmas weekend. Any how we will be back on here as soon as we are able .Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your support .
Margaret & Ken