Bubblegum Sass Farmer

Happy Mother’s Day to all these amazing farmers 💕💕💕

We have a lot of mom’s who also play the role of farmer in our cooperative. Not to mention all the mom’s behind the scenes holding things down, inspiring, jumping in when needed, and helping carry the stress load.

We also acknowledge that what makes a mom is a vast & varied definition. So today, we wish all the moms a special Happy Mother’s Day ❤️❤️❤️

Whether your arms are empty or full of children right now, whether you yearn to be a mom, whether you are stepmom, birth mom, lost your mom, lost your child... you are doing YOUR best through these crazy times. You ARE loved even when things are so busy we don’t say it. And you WILL be remembered always.

Thank you, moms!!!

Sometimes things don’t go so well. Farming always has its challenges. Health of our animals comes first. So when we’re faced with the reality that our hens are all ill... it’s difficult. But we reached out, found some helpful answers from fellow poultry farmers & started treating our flock. It means destroying their eggs for the next five weeks!! Not so bad, except that eggs are our current primary income.

Farming always has its challenges.

This is one of the saddest sights on the farm lately. That 5 gallon bucket of fresh eggs is two days worth and it’s going to be thrown out. Into a dumpster. And repeated for the next FIVE weeks. 😭😞

Our entire flock of laying hens have been ill lately & finally sorted out a diagnosis. Now they are being treated and hope they will be on the mend soon... but... meanwhile, all their eggs must be destroyed because there’s no way to know how much of their meds will pass through to the eggs. It’s for that reason too that we can’t risk feeding them back to the chickens or putting them out in our compost pile.

Such a waste. But also worth it if we can get our girls healthy again.

Lots to clean & disinfect in the barn too, so we can keep this from recurring.

To our customers, do not worry. The issues didn’t impact the eggs you have received in the past.

I've been spending a couple of hours each week taming the heifers at the Quantz Farm. Getting them trained to eat out of a bucket of grain, and then get scratched. The goal is to get them very comfortable around humans, and also have a good understanding of the grain bucket treats (makes for easier handling in a pinch).

It doesn't take too long for the curious girls (and a few steers) to understand the association of seeing the bucket and knowing that treats are on the way. Probably have a 1/3 of them tamed up now. Several freely come to me without a bucket and let me give them head & neck scratches.

It's been a fun way to spend time getting to know the heifers.

Meet Baby Less. Well, not really a baby anymore. He was born last spring. Friday he went to auction and is now off to his new home, a feedlot, where he will live out the rest of his days.

I’m sharing because I need people to understand that it’s not all nameless, unknown, unloved calves that head to the feedlot. Some have names. Some get cuddles and scratches and follow you around. So it’s no easy decision for a farmer to send calves off to the feedlot. Not after caring for them so well.

It’s the reality for a lot of farmers though. It’s the way the industry has been setup & continues to be supported, by consumers.

And before you start throwing judgements around, these are not our cows. We graze them & care for them and give them the best life while we have our time with them.

And I’m learning not to toss judgements around on farming practices, I’m only beginning to understand.

First, respect where your food comes from. Second, ask what it is YOU can do to make things better. As consumers, you have a lot of power! Third, talk to a farmer.

💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕

Yes!!

In a past life, my best friend was a hot glue gun & buttons. I spent hours making button hair clips & magnets. Feels like such a long time ago. It’s interesting to look back on the different stages of my craft business over the years.

For Bo’s baby shower, we had guests decorate wooden building blocks. With everyone’s help we were able to make an entire colourful, alphabet. It will make a great keepsake & toy for him 💛💚💙

and it’s a pretty sweet day for us this year! We welcomed a precious baby boy into our life three weeks ago & we’ve been through quite the adoption journey in that short time. Yesterday, we got some amazing relief from family court & can proceed to finalize our adoption over the coming months.

Adoption is hard. But it IS love. Truly. Love.

Anybody else 💗 Padraigs?!? I had a pair for Sam in a few different sizes, but never the newborns... so this little babe is getting some.

Padraig Cottage aren’t on FB, but so worth exploring for your littles {or yourself} & Canadian made!

www.padraigcottage.com

You can purchase them locally at Babes In Arms!

October. Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. A time to break silences around something that effects 1 in 4 women. That’s so many families touched by loss.

I count myself among them. I had two confirmed miscarriages in my journey to become a mama before finally having a hysterectomy.

October. The original due date for my first pregnancy, that ended in a miscarriage. And now, the due date for our birth mom & her little babe we will welcome to our family.

Beauty from ashes.

Not all stories end this way. And not everyone is at the same point in their story. But, you are not alone in your loss and it’s more than ok to talk about pregnancy & infant loss. I believe it’s one of the biggest ways to heal.

Share if you need to break your own silence.

Little helper.

It was so miserable doing farm chores this morning! Wow is it gross outside. I’m thinking today calls for candles, and tea with ginger honey & all the sweaters. Anyone else? 🍯☕️

MOB HONEY is available in the Happiness Farm Store. Currently stocked with ginger, applewood smoked & raw liquid honey.

Near Didsbury, just google map “Happiness By The Acre”

Well... I put the Farm Store sign up by the gate yesterday morning, so I guess we’re officially open for business 😘

GRAND OPENING this Saturday from 9-5, along with all our Alberta Open Farm Days tours & activities!!

Lunch, coffee & fresh farm flowers! Who can resist that?!? Come by the pop-up market at Vintage Coffee Bar in Didsbury!

Come in for some gorgeous fresh flowers and try our Thai Salad while you are here!! Xo

The Happiness Farm Store is coming along! In fact, we just need to add our cooler & deep freeze & some signs and we’ll be ready to welcome you!

GRAND OPENING: August 18th from 9-5, in conjunction with Alberta Open Farm Days on our farm!

Make sure you’re following Happiness By The Acre to stay in the loop!

Fresh. Local. Happy.

https://www.facebook.com/events/291571108245636/?ti=icl

So so excited!!!! Can’t wait to share this love with mine.

*Grand Opening* Our Happiness Farm Store will officially opens its doors on August 18th, as part of Alberta Open Farm Days 🎉🎉🎉

Excited is an understatement! Come by the farm and shop from a variety of local Alberta makers alongside farm fresh veggies & flowers!

Featured vendors:
- Inspired Findings
- Natura Soylights
- Needle & Pine
- Jenny Dale Designs
- Lannie Rae Gourmet
- Taproot Magazine
- Bubblegum Sass
- MOB HONEY

www.albertafarmdays.ca

While I was out in the fields with the cows this morning, this was stuck in my head. How much time have I spent trying to be like others? Too much probably. I just wanna be me. Whatever that means.

We’ll have this sign from Inspired Findings for sale soon in the Happiness Farm Store.

Farm flower bouquets & posies available this week through YYC Growers and Distributors. Check them out at one of farmers markets this week!

Had the supreme pleasure of reconnecting with Jenni from Jenandrussphotography 💕 We originally met a random coffee/craft/chat night, back when she was running Jack and Julie. We often saw each other at markets & and we quickly learned that she lives nearby our farm in Didsbury.

Jenni recently started a photography business & her work is stunning!!! She popped by the farm last week with her kids to check it all out & graced us with photos.

Thanks so much, Jenni!

📷 credit: Jen + Russ Photography

Yesterday was our big Farm Warming! Except for my wedding, I’ve never planned such a big event!

Even got a sampling of the Happiness Farm Store done up!! Made me realize how much I’ve missed doing displays at markets...

Farm Store Opening Soon!

Make sure to see the flowers today.

Hiya 👋🏻 ...

Last summer I was perfecting my weeding skills in the market garden & venturing into bouquet making.

This year I dived into raising chickens from little yellow fluff balls to laying hens & helping manage a herd of cattle (cow-calf pairs) in an intensive grazing style (basically smaller areas & the herd gets moved to fresh grass every day).

To say it’s been an “adventure” for this born & raised city gal, is simplifying it. But guess that’s what it is. A whole lot more adventure to come too!

Ok. These little gals & guys might be mischief-makers, breaking through fences & busting up water pipes... but seriously, calf cuddles are pretty awesome.

Just watch out, this little lady likes to “play” with you after all the snuggles and she’ll head butt your knees. You should see how bruised my legs are 🙄

Also, can I just say, I think we’ve got the best job for the summer. You might be on a beach, but I’m feeling pretty good about fields of alfalfa & calves.

K***s!!! We have k***s in place! 😍

I love our mishmash of little details. I’ve been collecting hooks too, because every farmhouse needs places to hang all the work clothes & hats.

Loving our super big mountain shelf from Needle & Pine. It’s a nice calm spot in our farmhouse, especially with a jar of wild flowers ❤️

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦!

Happy Canada Day, Calgary!

Tryin’ to remember that. Especially this summer.

It’s looking more lived in these days, but the farmhouse is coming along bit by bit. Did a quick room divider to give some more privacy. Loving that simple copper rod!

There be cows on our farm!!!❤️❤️❤️

We are hosting a small herd of mamas & their calves this summer & fall, in an effort to develop our grazing skills and enrich our soil.

Can’t wait to get to know them over the coming weeks!

It’s time! Today I’m sharing about some of my past jobs. Head over to the blog for a quick read!

http://www.bubblegumsass.ca/?p=13302

I love hearing what jobs people have had in the past! Tell me one of yours in the comments, pretty please.

Finally had a chance to start blogging about our chick adventures! 🐥💛 Check out the first post this morning:

http://www.bubblegumsass.ca/?p=13245

These gals sure have woven themselves into my heart more than I could have imagined.

Oh my goodness 💗 Our builder has been prepping the hardi board trim for the exterior of our farmhouse! So in love! That colour is 👌🏻

The main exterior of the building will be a smooth stucco and all the doors & trims are in shades of turquoise & teal. My dreams of a Southwest style home are coming true!!

*Friday Fun Facts* is up on the blog today! It’s when we share tidbits about our contributors. This morning, Marcus is sharing about his past jobs, which you might find surprising since he’s currently a farmer. 😉

http://www.bubblegumsass.ca/?p=13299