Cowland Homestead

Cowland Homestead Join us in our homestead journey with exciting plans for 2026!

06/14/2026

Nothing beats looking out and seeing your kids cuddling a cow in the field. Just laughter, fresh air, and memories being made.

❤️

06/14/2026

Happiness is... sitting with your cow.

06/11/2026

Checked the hives this afternoon and wow, what a difference a few days can make!

The stronger hive was absolutely buzzing with activity. Bees were landing nonstop, their legs loaded with bright yellow and orange pollen as they returned from the fields. Others were hard at work feeding on syrup and building fresh comb as the colony continues to grow.

It's amazing to watch the differences between the two hives. One colony has nearly filled its bottom deep, while the smaller hive is still steadily working away on drawing out its initial frames. Every hive grows at its own pace, and it's fascinating to see their unique progress.

For now, we'll keep feeding, keep learning, and keep enjoying the bees.

❤️

06/09/2026

From processing day to pantry shelves!

After cutting up our birds, we simmer the carcasses low and slow to create rich, homemade chicken bone broth. This batch gave us 23 jars of pure chicken bone broth!

We keep it simple—no salt, no seasonings, no added flavors. Just natural goodness ready to be used and seasoned however we need for future soups, stews, gravies, sauces, and family meals.

And nothing goes to waste around here. Once the broth is finished, we pick off every bit of meat and ended up with 3 large bags of shredded chicken for easy meals down the road.

Growing food, preserving food, and making the most of every animal is a big part of life here at Cowland Homestead.

06/06/2026

This morning I ended up cutting up five cheese wheels after realizing that the omelette I was making for my husband's breakfast, with fresh basil from the garden, really needed some blue cheese!

So down to the cheese fridge I went and grabbed our three Stilton-style blues, a farmhouse cheddar, and the Havarti. One taste test led to another, and before long I was sampling cheese and getting everything vacuum packed and ready to be enjoyed.

After today's taste testing, I honestly can't pick a favourite! The blues are rich and creamy, the cheddar is developing beautifully, and the Havarti is absolutely delicious.

It's a good problem to have!

We finally cut into our large Dill Havarti wheel that has been aging since February!Made with dill grown right here on o...
06/06/2026

We finally cut into our large Dill Havarti wheel that has been aging since February!

Made with dill grown right here on our homestead, dried and stored to enjoy throughout the year or, in this case, added to cheese. The flavour is incredible; you can truly taste the garden in every bite.

Fresh, creamy, and packed with homegrown goodness. It's one of those cheeses that's hard to stop eating once you start!

06/04/2026

Nothing makes me smile bigger than seeing our boys out playing in dirt!

❤️

06/04/2026

A pig's work is never done.

First, her wallow needed topping up, and then, of course, there was her daily spa treatment. Nothing makes Thelma happier than a fresh mud bath and a cool spray-down on a warm day.

Living her very best pig life over here.

❤️

06/04/2026

Jalapeño Havarti

Finally cracked open our Jalapeño Havarti that has been aging since mid-February, and wow... this one is a winner!

Smooth, rich, and creamy with just the right amount of crumble, plus a delicious jalapeño kick. Every batch teaches us something new, and this one has us reaching for another piece.

I've cut it up into individual sample portions and wrapped them up. If anyone is looking for a little cheese sampling, let me know before it disappears!

❤️

06/04/2026

Well... 9 days in, and one hive has already filled most of its first deep, so today they got a second deep added!

If I'm being honest, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. There are so many opinions, methods, and "right ways" to keep bees that it can feel overwhelming trying to sort through it all.

What I do know is this: the queens are alive, the bees are busy, they're bringing in pollen, and they're building comb like crazy. So for now, we're keeping feed on them and focusing on helping these colonies grow as strong as possible through their first season.

The goal? Healthy, thriving hives that come through winter strong and are ready to produce delicious honey next year.

Until then, I'm learning as I go, making mistakes un knowingly I am sure, celebrating little wins, and mostly just pretending I know what I'm doing while these incredible little creatures carry on with their work.

Maybe that's what beekeeping is all about—faking it until you make it, one frame at a time.

❤️

Address

Courtenay, BC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cowland Homestead posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category