Medieval Manor Gardens

10/15/2026

Another harvest done. Steve and I processed the birds on our own this year. With fewer hands and smaller birds (my first batch was taken by a wiley fox earlier in the season), we opted for an easier method for us. Skinning the birds and taking out the breasts was definitely more efficient, though we will miss the skin this year. Hopefully next year we have no hiccups, and we'll be back to bigger, meatier birds that can be processed whole again, but at least we will have tender chicken breasts to enjoy this winter!

10/14/2026

Did you know? Different apple varieties have different harvest windows. The Hardi Mac is best after a light frost. Apples freeze at -2C. If they are lightly frozen, you can let them thaw on the branches so you don't damage the fruit. Frozen fruit can still be used for applesauce and baking.

10/12/2026

Our Royal Palm turkeys are growing like weeds! This heritage breed made it's appearance in the 1920s. Smaller than commercial breeds, it is able to fly, mate naturally, and is an excellent forager. Beautiful contrasting bands of black and white make a displaying tom an absolutely stunning piece of eye candy!

If you are looking for smaller turkeys for Thanksgiving or Christmas, are looking for something more thrifty and hardy, or want an absolutely beautiful bird in your flock, the Royal Palm may be the breed for you. Looking forward to these guys growing up and producing eggs and poults next season!

10/10/2026

We've had Sid (short for Obsidian) for about a week now. The red Zombie truck finally packed it in, though she doesn't owe us anything. My Nissan Rogue is still parked until we can determine if she just needs a new seal, or if the engine/transmission is toast.

In order to stay true to our ecological mindset, we opted for a true EV. Though time will give us the data needed to really know the comparables, pros and cons, vs gas or hybrid vehicles, this already looks like a promising adventure!

Lower cost for electricity compared to gas, less mechanical maintenance, zero tailpipe emissions, quiet, very responsive, intuitive - these are just some of the perks we're discovering.

I can plot a trip including all of the charging stations along my route, and Sid can tell me which ones, and for how long I need to charge at each in order to most efficiently reach my destination.

We looked at a few other pure EVs, but they are not easy to find in stock to test drive, and some dealerships want you to pre-order. We settled on Sid, a 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV because the pricing was good (he qualified for the federal rebate). Steve had enough interior space to be comfortable. There is a decent amount of cabin space. He's all wheel drive. The dealership wasn't as annoying as some of the others. The tech and charging systems are fairly user friendly and compatible. The range is pretty good ( about 500 km in optimal conditions), so I can easily go into Edmonton and back and just charge at home. The dual screens are large, easy to see and navigate. Google is built in., and Sid was available on the lot to test drive. There may be better options out there, but Sid is a nice mid market EV with decent reviews, and whose price tag won't break the bank.

I've been getting to know Sid this week as there is a bit of a learning curve compared to gas, but I will be back to my deliveries, and other vehicle related work activities next week.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and let me know if you'd like to meet Sid, or have any questions about EVs!

10/09/2026

Living next door to a dragon

10/05/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our Weaving, Wildcraft, and Chai gathering on Saturday!

The morning arrived with a bit of an autumnal chill, but between the warmth of the wood-burning stove and the welcome of the sunshine, we were soon quite cozy in our little woodland hall. 🔥☀️

Under the guidance of Kelsey Shapka, we set our hands to the ancient craft of weaving our own berry baskets. Kelsey’s knowledge, patience, and willingness to share her craft were truly astounding. There was much learning, a fair bit of untangling, and plenty of creative magic as each basket slowly took shape. 🌾

And what better companion to a morning of weaving than a warm cup of rich, fragrant chai? Thank you, Kelsey, for sharing that wonderful brew with us!

Our thanks as well to Sleepy Isle Bakery for helping make the gathering all the more delicious with their light, buttery croissants, rosehip & crabapple jelly, and wild mint & chocolate pecan madeleines. A most fitting feast to accompany our weaving!

It was a lovely day of good company, traditional craft, wild materials, warm conversation, and a little autumn magic. 🍂

If you would like to hear about future offerings from Medieval Manor Gardens and Tender Earth Weaving, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be delighted to welcome you around the hearth again! 🌿🔥

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

Exploring the trails by Windfall

09/28/2026

There's only a few spaces remaining for this weaving experience. Don't let yours slip away! **Update: Only one space remaining!"**


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