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Day to Day Hunting

One more day…

Oh my God it was cold last night! The water in the trailer froze and the furnace run most of the night -12°C. Then the wind decided that it should blow!! Wow what a chilly day even around the fire. Well time to call it a night and be ready for an early morning tomorrow. Matthew should be here around 6 AM since he’s the one that has the mule deer tag this year not I.

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Hunting

Time to get focused…

Well I’ve spent the last week getting the trailer ready. I worked hard on Joanne‘s quad making sure it’s ready to go. NOT!! The engine just apparently does not want to work for me!! So it will be staying home. The trailer is all loaded and my quad is all licensed with insurance. Time to head to the farm …. two days prior to the hunting season. If all goes well this weekend maybe a couple beers with the bros!

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Acreage Life

Where did the summer go?

As I get older, time flies by even faster!

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Acreage Life

Mid-summer and wow is it dry!!

The Summer is in full swing and we are having to water everything!! Things are so dry! Almost 25+ days of above 30c. Topping out on several days 36c plus! This is one for the records. Roses 🌹 are not really liking the extreme heat.

My pride and joy!
My long stem red roses!

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Day to Day

PRICELESS…

Well, what a day it turned out to be at the farm, filled with a few (okay, maybe a bit too many) cold beers. It’s definitely one for the books! Sophia, the speed demon, managed to outpace the Garage Queen, and we have video evidence to back it up! Henry’s antics, albeit a bit irresponsible, added a whole lot of spice to the day and made it truly unforgettable.

Now, here’s where the plot thickens: Henry’s wild behavior left him unable to safely operate a vehicle. In stepped Pops, the responsible patriarch, who selflessly offered to chauffeur Henry home in the trusty Beaumont. Yes, you read that right! The Garage Queen got a taste of a different driver’s hands on the wheel.

All in all, it was a day filled with unexpected twists, memorable moments, and a strong sense of camaraderie. Sophia’s victory, Henry’s antics, and Pops’ kindness wrapped up the day in a way that none of us could have predicted, but all of us will remember for a long time to come!

Here is sniplet of the proof….it’s only 6 seconds long but you’ll get the point!!

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Acreage Life

Thanks Bro!!

White Gold

Well, following a brief chat with my brother Jim, we struck a deal where he agreed to sell me a whopping 400 pounds of 46-0-0 nitrogen fertilizer for my lawn! Just the other day, I purchased a small bag from Peavey Mart for a hefty $70. Talk about timing! Jim’s offer of 400 pounds for $140 was a steal, making it an easy decision.

So, tonight’s task on the agenda is to attach the fertilizer spreader to the quad and get to work spreading that fertilizer across the lawn. Now, all that’s left to do is hope for some rain… or maybe even a little snow to help it all soak in!

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Acreage Life

I know it’s early

Today, I embarked on a mission to tidy up the forest behind the house, trimming trees and clearing out overgrown areas. Amidst this greenery, I noticed the roses still hidden under a blanket of leaves, seemingly waiting for their moment to shine in the springtime sun. Feeling inspired, I grabbed my trusty leaf blower and made the executive decision that it was high time for these roses to make their grand entrance into the new season.

As I uncovered the roses, I was pleasantly surprised by the lush green growth already sprouting. It filled me with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming summer! Successfully overwintering them again felt like a small victory and added to my growing excitement for the vibrant blooms that lie ahead. Here’s to a promising and flourishing season ahead! 😊

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Day to Day

Holidays… it’s time!!

Well, it might be a tad premature, but with this gorgeous weather, I couldn’t resist! I had to use up last year’s holidays, so I decided to dust off Sophia (my car, not a friend!) from the garage and take her, along with Swiffer, for a joyride into town with the top down.

Let’s just say Swiffer had the wind-blown look down pat! It was a blast to get behind the wheel again and cruise around, enjoying the sunshine and the confused looks from passersby wondering why a dog is enjoying a convertible ride so much. Who knew a furry co-pilot could bring so much extra excitement to a drive?

Loving life
Sophia!! Oh and finished bench 😀
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Day to Day

Icefishing 2020

Well, I’m still scratching my head wondering what happened to winter, but I decided to seize the opportunity for my first and possibly only ice fishing adventure! The ice was a solid 2 1/2 feet thick, but maneuvering on and off the lake wasn’t a piece of cake. Despite spending the last couple of days out on Sylvan Lake, my catch was limited to just one walleye. It’s disappointing to realize that these lakes have been overfished, and it’s disheartening to spend two days for just one fish.

However, I made the best of the situation by enjoying the warm weather with a few beers and soaking in the sunshine. After all, sometimes the experience and the relaxation are just as valuable as the catch!

Lorne and I
Nice walleye! 😀
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Acreage Life

Enjoying the weather

With the arrival of warmer weather, I decided it was finally time to complete the chair I started working on two years ago and perhaps even build a new bench for the backyard. Despite a few windy days and a slight chill in the air, the sun has been shining, making it the perfect opportunity to tackle these projects. However, I was taken aback when I went to Rona and discovered that a 10-foot-long 2 x 4 now costs $12.83! The price hike due to Covid has definitely impacted lumber costs.

Nevertheless, I’m determined to get this done. It’s been a project that I’ve been slowly chipping away at for two years now! 😬

Good start
Damn they look good
Beer Time!!
Swiffer also enjoying the weather
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Day to Day

Brutally cold weather

The weather this winter had been nothing short of amazing until recently. However, over the past nine days, we’ve been experiencing bone-chilling temperatures hovering around -40°C! Talk about a dramatic shift! Instead of enjoying a cozy Valentine’s weekend, I found myself busy with station checks and ensuring everything was running smoothly amidst the extreme cold.

Here’s to hoping we can weather through this cold spell, and the remainder of winter will bring us back to spectacular conditions!

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Day to Day

Sad Day….Ginger🥲

Well Ginger has been sick for a couple weeks now and today was the day that she had to be put down! It just happened to be January 6 the same day that Melissa left us😞

Best Friends
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Day to Day

Spoiled!!

Santa thought he was being hilarious when he gifted Swiffer a tiny float toy for the hot tub. Little did we know, Swiffer would become a hot tub enthusiast overnight, happily floating around while indulging in some bone-chewing action! Who knew our furry friend had such extravagant tastes in leisure activities? Now we just need to teach him how to paddle for optimal relaxation!

Spoiled Hound
One happy dog!
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Hunting

So much fun…

Well, we embarked on our adventure westward, cruising down the Coal Camp Road to set up camp along the picturesque Red Deer River. It was a picture-perfect spot to set up camp! Our week was filled with quad rides and strolls through the hills, but despite our efforts, we only managed to catch a glimpse of a few deer. As for the elusive elk, they must have pulled a disappearing act because there wasn’t a sight of them anywhere in the vicinity!

Things took a hilarious turn on Friday afternoon when I stumbled upon a massive bear print in the muddy terrain. Lo and behold, come Saturday morning, Mr. Bear was in the back of my truck, eyeing up my prized mule deer head that I needed to send to the government. Talk about unexpected guests! Thankfully, our decision to sleep in and pack up early spared us from a potential grizzly encounter. Imagine the chaos that would’ve ensued if we had been face to face with a curious bear on a Saturday morning!

Despite the unexpected wildlife shenanigans, we had an absolute blast camping, quad biking, hiking, and hunting. It’s safe to say that this adventure will be etched in our memories for years to come, with plenty of laughter and stories to share!

Who knew hunting was soooo good??
Two fisting after a fabulous meal
US Election Night
What else can I say?
Wow!!! 😀
Massive Grizzly Print
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Day to Day Hunting

Hunting 2020 – Around the Farm

It was an eventful day, but I finally got him – a magnificent 4 x 3 mule deer buck in Hehr’s. Our pursuit began when we spotted him at 9:30 in the morning on land we couldn’t hunt, so we patiently waited for his move. He darted back and forth across the coulee, presenting a challenging target. After several attempts, I managed to take seven shots before he finally stopped and succumbed.

Although Matthew had the chance to take a shot, he opted to let me handle the situation, which led to a bit of a scramble. Now the buck is skinned and hung up, awaiting our attention tomorrow. After dealing with him, our next adventure awaits as we plan to venture west of Sundre in search of a bull elk.

As always… Matthew doing all the work
Nice deer😀
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Hunting

Planning…Hunting 2020

Exciting news this year as I’ve been drawn for mule deer hunting around the farm! Our strategy is to set up camp in the yard and head out on the first day to bag my tag. We’re starting our adventure on Friday after work, intending to stay until my tag is filled, or at least that’s the plan.

Once my tag is secured, we’re contemplating either assisting John with his moose hunt or possibly venturing west of Sundre for a bull elk. The decision will be made on the spot, depending on circumstances and opportunities. Regardless of the choice, we have a full week of vacation ahead, and we’re determined to make the most of every moment!

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Uncategorized

Winter is knocking on the door…

As of October 14, 2020, we’ve already experienced our first significant snowfall, with a blanket of 2-3 inches of fresh snow and overnight lows plunging to -13°C! It certainly seems like winter might be settling in for the long haul.

During my return journey from last weekend’s hunting and camping trip, I noticed that there’s still a considerable amount of harvest left to be completed in the Sundre area. I sincerely hope that the farmers can wrap up their harvest this year despite the early winter conditions.

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Hunting

A weekend of hunting/camping…

My new favorite camping spot

When I received the call from John and Pops a week ago inviting me for a crossbow hunting trip, my immediate response was a resounding YES! The idea quickly evolved into a weekend camping escapade, and I wasted no time in preparing our fifth wheel for the adventure. Fortunately, the timing aligned perfectly as I had the next week off from work.

With excitement bubbling, I wrapped up a short workday on Thursday and hit the road, eager to begin our outdoor journey. Although I invited Joanne to join for the weekend, she declined due to concerns about the cold weather and not wanting to idle around camp. Undeterred, I discovered a fantastic spot along the Red Deer River that I decided would be our home for the next few days.

Setting up camp, gathering firewood, and unwinding with a drink by the fire felt like a breath of fresh air, reconnecting me with the joy of camping out west. The following Friday morning brought a bit of confusion as John and Pops were unsure of my exact campsite location, resulting in a two-hour drive for them. After a comical encounter where we missed each other on the road, we finally reunited at the camping area, ready for a day of quad biking and possibly some Elk hunting.

Despite a few hiccups, like John forgetting his gloves and a brief detour back to the truck, the day kicked off with an exhilarating wildlife sighting – a cow elk followed by a majestic bull crossing our path. The sight left us in awe, especially Dad, who had the chance to witness a magnificent bull elk.

Amidst sharing stories of our unexpected wildlife encounter, we embarked on a full day of riding, enjoying campfires to warm up, and soaking in the breathtaking views along the way. Despite covering a total of 40 miles on our quads, Dad never once complained, making the day even more enjoyable and memorable.

Such an amazing day!!

After bidding farewell to Dad and John on Friday night, I had a lingering doubt that they might not return, fearing we may have pushed Pops too hard with a lengthy day out, especially as the weather took a colder turn in the forecast. As expected, I woke up somewhat late on Saturday, rustled up breakfast, and geared up for a day of riding, expecting to spend it solo.

As I was about to leave camp, I was flagged down by a group from Calgary asking where they could find firewood, shockingly admitting they didn’t bring a chainsaw. With surprise written all over my face, I quipped, “Oh, I’ll be back!” Heading into the forest, I quickly located a standing dead tree, a decision made easier by the fact that one of them had visited my camp the previous night, sharing stories about their trip and fireworks display. I felled the tree, hauled it back to their camp, only to find out that the person who needed the chainsaw had never used one before! Fortunately, his buddy stepped in to help, and I made a swift exit before any mishaps occurred.

Before I could ride off, they graciously invited me to join them for a turkey fry later that evening, given it was Thanksgiving. “Okay!” I agreed, before heading back to my camp. After a chilly day of riding, I returned to find their firewood neatly chopped without any injuries, much to my relief. I enjoyed a quick beer with them before retreating to my camp to freshen up and park the quad for the night.

Little did I expect that I would have such an incredible time with Tim, Leanne, Warren, Jen, Kate, and Jake, even if only briefly. The turkey was delicious, the drinks were flowing, and the camaraderie was unmatched. Of course, the next morning’s hangover was less than delightful – I hadn’t slept until noon in ages!

After they departed, I endured a few chilly nights with the furnace working overtime, prompting me to conclude that camping alone in the fall and winter wasn’t worth the hassle. Tuesday morning, I packed up and headed home, reflecting on a weekend packed with unforgettable moments. And in just two weeks, I’ll be gearing up for another adventure – this time, hunting with Matthew. Can’t wait!

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Acreage Life Day to Day

A little deeper into summer..

Once again my roses are doing incredibly well. The summer has had a lot of rain which has made the flowers look amazing!!

I continue to go to the farm every weekend to mow and weed whack. The rain keeps the grass growing and yards looking green. Mom and Dad continue to limit their outings due to the Covid.

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Day to Day

A little fishing trip…

With the summer being so full of the unknown we really have limited our family time but finally we got to get out fishing for a day!!