The congregation’s growing,
singing, strong and loud.
Flying in formation,
just below the cloud.
Now gathering in force,
they head towards the lake
The morning feed is over,
time to take a break.
They’ll be overhead again,
later in the day.
But as the days grow shorter,
they’ll fly away to stay.
A welcome sign of spring,
then again in fall.
They leave as if on cue,
when Nature gives the call.
Sandi Knight © 2004
September 10, 2016 was Canada In A Day. We were asked to film our lives — whether it be a special occasion or a simple moment. The resulting video compilation will be used to celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday next July.
Instead of a film, my story is one of pictures, reflections and simple gratitude for being a Canadian who has the privilege of living and farming on the vast and beautiful prairies.
Life is made great by the million little things that piece together our days and weave into their way into the tapestry of our lives.
Here are the pieces which made #CanadaInADay special to me.
Waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, pouring a cup and enjoying this view.
Wandering through my yard, taking time to notice the little things, like bees on the towering sunflowers in my garden.
The satisfying job of chopping garden-fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions and celery, followed by aroma of simmering salsa wafting through the kitchen .
Listening to the consistent ‘snapping’ on the jars of the finished product, knowing they are properly sealed and preserved for the months ahead.
Having the combine come out of the shed to finally resume harvest after a week of rainy weather.
Enjoying the delicious, fresh, crisp crunch of a B.C. Honey Crisp apple for a snack.
A leisurely afternoon walk with our dog. She stopped briefly by this freshly cultivated wheat field. We work the straw into the soil to improve organic matter and soil health.
“Pure joy! ” Watching my trusty side-kick , having a blast running through a wheat field. Here the straw has been baled to be used as bedding for cattle this winter.
Appreciating that I can walk for miles on quiet country back roads without seeing a soul. It doesn’t necessarily mean my presence isn’t noticed though…The dog and I obviously piqued the interest of the neighbour’s cattle!
Seeing these hives is a reminder that a delivery of fresh honey will soon arrive at our door. A fellow farmer keeps bees in the shelter of an old yard-site on our farmland. The bees love the canola and alfalfa we grow, and we love the honey they produce!
Walking to the marsh that borders part of our farm and capturing the beauty of the bulrushes and wildflowers blowing in the wind. The marsh provides a unique and diverse ecosystem for a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.
Riding alongside my husband in the combine, enjoying his company and the view as he harvests a field of canola.
Taste-testing the fresh-made salsa for an appetizer. So good!
Watching this bald eagle overlook the field we were harvesting. They aren’t usually this close to our yard, but hunting was easy as rodents scurried away as the canola swaths were picked up.
Being thankful for a south wind that kept the moisture at bay as clouds rolled in later in the day. Once the grass is wet with dew in the evening, it often makes the crops too ‘tough’ to harvest. Here the combine is unloading canola onto a grain truck so it can be hauled to our farmyard and put in a storage bin.
Taking the time to savour this view at the end of our farmyard as the sun set. The end my tribute to #CanadaInAday.
Summer days are waning,
the lake still beckons,
be still, relax…
This peaceful refuge
allows quiet thoughts,
time for reflection.
Sandi Knight © 2011
Originally published on Canola Eat Well blog on August 31, 2015
Harvest is now underway, albeit in fits and spurts in many areas of the country as wet weather continues to hamper efforts. Here are a few tips to help ease the stress when it comes to meals to the field.
Preparing and taking meals to the field during harvest can be a challenge. Some people make it look effortless, but they will be the first to tell you lessons learned along the way helped them hone their skills. They also advise it isn’t always the idyllic picture of everyone sitting around the makeshift table on the tailgate of a truck, a beautiful array of food spread out, light breeze blowing, everyone happy, relaxed — and that’s okay. Here are a few pointers from the voices of experience.
Harvesting wheat – view from the combine cab (P. Knight photo)
Photo Courtesy of Roberta Galbraith
Harvesting Canola
A little preparation, communication, flexibility and sense of humour all help at this busy time of year. May your harvest meals be made and delivered with ease, and any memorable moments shared and treasured for years to come. Wishing you a safe and abundant harvest, from our farm to yours.
These meal ideas are fabulous — no matter where your ‘kitchen table’ is at this busy time of year. Originally published on the Canola Eat Well blog on August 24, 2015.
Harvest is now underway, but for many of us at a snails pace as high humidity and frequent rainfalls persist. Last night in our area, it was unusually quiet after another 21 mm of rain fell — the chirping of crickets the only sound in the evening air. Here’s hoping for a good, long stretch of warm, dry days ahead so combining can resume.
For many the end of summer brings a twinge of sadness. Not so for farmers. Usually it’s an exhilarating time filled with excitement, gratitude and relief. Another growing season is behind us and it’s finally time to reap the rewards.
The hum of combines is music to our ears. Country roads are bustling as trucks roll up and down hauling crop from fields to bins. Eyes are always to the sky as we hope for ideal harvest conditions. This is our final ‘dance’ with Mother Nature for the year and we hope it’s a smooth one.
The days can be long and hectic, so keeping the harvest crew fueled with healthy, nutritious meals is key. Thankfully, fresh local produce is abundant whether it be from your garden, the farmers’ market, a roadside stand or the grocery store.
Simple recipes packed with vegetables, which can be prepared ahead of time, are perfect for harvest. Convenience is key – whether taking meals to the field or looking for something which warms up easily if your crew prefers to keep working until weather conditions shut them down.
Apple Galette – Photo Courtesy of MB Canola Growers
Beef Braised and Vegetable Stew fits the bill perfectly, using onions, carrots and rutabagas. Stew gives you the versatility to change up the vegetables if you wish. Corn-on-the-cob is a quick, easy side and Cheddar Baking Powder Biscuits are ideal to mop up your plate. Pie is always appreciated for dessert but is something this cook has never mastered. This simple, no-fail, fuss-free Apple Galette is every bit as good!
Spice It Up Paste for Chicken Legs – Photo Courtesy of MB Canola Growers
On those really hot days your may prefer more picnic-like fare. Pasta salads are always a hit and an easy way to add more veggies to a meal. Put your own twist on Angel Wings Pasta. It pairs perfectly with chicken pieces seasoned with Spice-It-Up Paste. If you have an abundance of greens to use, Roasted Beet Salad is fabulous.
Jenn’s Chewy Granola Bars – Photo Courtesy of MB Canola Growers
‘Grab and go’ desserts are convenient and can do double duty for lunch boxes and snacks. Have a bumper crop of zucchini or a neighbour dropping it off on your doorstep? Eggless Double-Chocolate Zucchini Cake or Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins make a perfect finish with fresh fruit. Jenn’s Chewy Granola Bars are another great option and handy to have on stock in the freezer.
No matter the meal-time choices, this time of year your efforts are always appreciated. Taking a break is good for mind and body, it enhances farm safety and gives you time to connect with your family and friends. Everyone is always happy to sit down to a hearty meal.
I sometimes think back to the days of wood stoves, no refrigeration and large threshing gangs that needed to be fed three times a day. I admire the hard-working women who labored from dawn to dusk to get the job done. It makes me grateful for modern conveniences, the ease in which a meal can be prepared and many choices we now have.
Wishing you well as you transition your ‘farm table’ from the kitchen to the field. May you have a safe and bountiful harvest!
If we are fortunate, we have many circles of friendship, support and encouragement in our lives. My writing group, “Prairie Pens”, is one such circle. I wrote this in August 2008 as a tribute to them. Subsequently it was published in the introduction to our anthology, “From All Directions” in 2009.
I’m not sure I would have had the courage and resolve to continue to put to paper without them. They have helped, and continue to help me, develop as a writer. This craft is ever-evolving as we strive to hone and fine-tune the art of story-telling. Their motivating and inspiring guidance over the last thirteen years will forever be appreciated. ♥
Conversation, rippled with laughter, drifts out the screen windows toward the lake. A chickadee calls out from a nearby window branch, joining in the light-hearted banter.
Hummingbirds zip back and forth, drawn to blooms of scarlet geraniums and brilliant-blue salvia in overflowing window boxes. A flash of black and orange…yes, an oriole, heard earlier but seemingly reluctant to make an appearance. Elegant dragonflies float by; the hum of a cicada speaks to the heat of this perfect summer day.
Inside, simple plaques grace the walls – Wiggle Your Toes in the Sand; Life is Good at the Beach; and above the doorway, Home is Where Your Story Begins. How appropriate for this collection. They are comfortable, at ease, as they arrange themselves on rich chocolate-brown wicker topped with floral-green cushions. Soon the visiting ends as stories begin to pour out around the room. Emotions rise and fall; then advice freely flows.
The love of this art of etching words, simple words on paper, binds this group together. Women of all ages, different backgrounds, diverse life stories, offering each other support, encouragement, resolve – to imagine, to create, to write and keep writing.
One woman sits back for a moment, takes it all in – the surroundings, the setting, the vibrant group. Her eyes revert to the plaque Home is Where Your Story Begins. Yes, but it is here, with these women, where the courage is found to put pen to paper, to share words without fear. She glances out at the lake. Mid-day sun bounces off the water, sparkling as beautifully as the dynamic collection of writers surrounding her.
Short on eggs and long on zucchini? This cake is for you! It’s that time of year when either your garden, or your neighbour’s, is overflowing with this popular, prolific squash. My family loves this moist, delicious, easy-to-make cake. After all, who doesn’t like turning a vegetable into chocolate? Sounds like a super-power to me!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Storage:
Can be kept in a covered container for 2 to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes:
*Buttermilk substitute – add 1 tbsp vinegar to milk (at least 1% milk fat).
Want to preserve excess squash for later use? Simply measure out desired amount of grated zucchini (2 cups for this recipe), pack in freezer bags, date and label. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
There is no denying canola has been the shining star of agriculture across western Canada this past month — as it is every summer when in bloom. It isn’t unusual to see people stopping alongside the road to snap a picture, or take a selfie against the gorgeous sea of yellow this crop provides.
Even those of us who grow it, are taken in by the allure of those bright and beautiful blossoms and have been know to take a picture, or two, perhaps more… I’ll admit I may have gotten carried away this year, but the opportunity was irresistible and right out my backdoor.
We are proud to be one of the over 43,000 Canadian farmers producing this heart-healthy, versatile, edible oil. These are a few of my favourite shots taken on our farm from June 22nd to July 18th. I hope you enjoy my 2016 canola pictorial diary.
*Click on the pictures for additional description and information.
Her plea has echoed in my mind all week, a woman interviewed in Baghdad after the worst single car-bomb attack in 13 years. This poem is for her, those in Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas and all others throughout the world who want the violence to end.
Suicide bombs, murder, unprecedented violence,
hatred and rage I don’t understand.
Apprehension, upheaval, crisis,
so many live in fear…
Yet in my backyard,
songbirds twitter happily,
butterflies flit amongst flowers,
I sip coffee in peaceful, serene setting.
In my world,
on tranquil evening,
I stroll down country road,
witness stunning prairie sunset.
Why am I so blessed while others suffer?
Sandi Knight © 2016
When strawberry and saskatoon season collide, your favourite muffins get a make-over!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Notes:
I love barley flour and have been substituting it for half of my all-purpose flour in all my baking since learning of its heart-healthy benefits.
Baking should be fun – don’t be afraid to get creative and use what you have on hand. Can’t find barley flour in your supermarket and have no whole wheat flour, just use all-purpose flour in its place. No plain yogurt? Any berry flavour, lemon or vanilla works great too. Orange rind can easily lemon rind. The one cup of berries can be any combination of fresh or frozen you like – try raspberries or blueberries. Play with the flavours and create your own favourite version!
Storage:
Can be stored in a covered container for 2 to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If the kids are home or company drops by, you likely won’t have to worry about that though…
Sandi Knight 