Downeast Thunder Farm “Honey Do” List
I know I've mentioned before how fortunate I am to have such a handy husband. Paul, a marine engineer by training, describes himself as an engineer, designer, fabricator, and maker. We joke that he's the idea guy. I, however, have veto power. I...
Snowy Morning Visitors
Storm three of the week was still going strong this morning. I spent a couple of hours on the sofa with my coffee contemplating the real world. Today was Hannah's third snow day of the week. I had to decide if it was going to by my third snow day...
The Roseate Tern
I used Monday's snow day to finish up this Roseate Tern that I started weeks ago. Summertime you'll find these little birds scooting across the surface of the water and then diving for fish. I'm not sure where they spend their winters - if they're...
The Morning After
We've had snowy winters before. It seems like every couple of years we get a doozy - snow up to the eaves. Yet, this last week has been one for the record books. Eighteen inches last Thursday and then yesterday, we got 30 inches in 30 hours. It...
With February Comes Winter
We have had a very mild winter to date. With temps bouncing from frigid to moderate, the little snow we've had has quickly melted. Until today. It seems that with only 38 days until spring, winter has finally arrived. We woke with 18 inches of snow...
Barred Owl on the Barrens
If you've been visiting me here at my Downest Thunder Farm blog for any length of time, you know I'm passionate about owls. I have yearned to capture one on camera. When I finally spotted an owl that stuck around long enough for me to snap a...
The Superb Fairy-wren
I receive more suggestions for patterns to create than I will ever have time to design. This is a hobby for me and if there isn't something about a bird or critter that I find appealing, designing feels like work rather than fun. This week I...
The Surf at Schoodic Point
I had great ambition for a hike today. The thermometer was above freezing and the skies were blue. Then I stepped outside and realized the wind was whipping. Brrr. My hike plans instead turned into a lunch outing and an afternoon drive. I did leave...
The Woodland Barred Owl
Owls have been in my thoughts lately. Although I created a pattern for one a few years ago, recent Barred Owl sightings and the sad loss of one piqued my interest to design another. I only wish I had just the right colors for her, these felt...
When Worlds Collide
Cruising along US Route 1 today, I spied a bundle on the edge of the road. As I passed I processed what it might be and my curiosity got the better of me. I turned around and headed back. It’s rare to see a bird on the edge of the road, but in this...
Bird Tree Revisited
My post-Christmas recycled bird tree crashed and burned in the first snow storm after I set it up. I rescued all of the orange cup feeders and sunflower heads and simply hung them on the birch tree in the background here. In the dark of night, all...
The Watchful Western Screech Owl
Meet the tiny watchful Western Screech Owl. Owl number 18 of my collection, she may be one of my favorite owls so far. I like the way she turned out. She was a good project for a winter day that was entirely too cold to venture outdoors. Enjoy!...
Sunset at Schoodic
A three-hour lunch with a good friend at the Pickled Wrinkle (Isn't that a great name for a pub?) was a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon. That's how I found myself just a couple of miles from Schoodic Point near sunset. I was the only...
Morning Eagle Sighting
I spotted this juvenile bald eagle studying the frozen river yesterday. On my return trip some time later, she was still there, although I almost missed her, she blended in with winter's bare branches.
Sunrise and Sea Smoke
This was the sunrise over the Pleasant River in Columbia Falls this morning. Crossing the bridge, for just a moment, the sun shone through the sea smoke with this other-worldly glow. It was -10 degrees Fahrenheit when I snapped this at 7 am with my...
The Colorful Canada Warbler
Here's a colorful Canada Warbler to brighten a winter's day. They summer in Maine as well as Canada, but at the moment they're likely wintering someplace much warmer than here! Right-click on this link and select "save target/link as" to save this...
A Tree for the Birds
Despite the fact that my feeders are full, bird activity has been a little slow lately. The squirrels and the mourning doves have been my only regular visitors. With snow in the forecast for this afternoon, I spent the morning setting up bird tree....
Downeast Thunder Farm Boo Kitty
When putting up our Christmas tree last month, Hannah pointed out that we have Ginger, Gidget, and Cinder ornaments, but no Boo. So, Snape (aka Boo) makes it on the tree the last day before we take the tree down until next Christmas. Meet Boo...
An End of the Year Treat
Hannah and I braved the chilly afternoon with a walk by the river to work off some of the molasses cookies we've enjoyed over the holiday. Although there's little snow here in the yard, in the woods, under the cover of trees, things were a little...
The Rambunctious River Otter
Occasionally I see a river otter frolicking around the river bank. Their tracks in the snow are very curious because of the long, thick tail they drag behind them. It almost looks as if they like to slide along the snow rather than walk - although...
Gracie the Border Collie
Gracie was a sweet Border Collie rescued by friends some years ago. She enjoyed a loving, happy home in her senior years, but sadly passed away this fall. I designed this ornament to honor Gracie. While this pattern was designed to match Gracie's...
Christmas 2016
It occurs to me that Christmas 2016 is the last of an era in our house. This is likely the last Christmas with Hannah at home full-time and times are changing. It was 7:30 am before we were up and at 'em and even then, Hannah helped with breakfast...
Merry Christmas!
I sit here on a rainy Christmas Eve with my family watching Scrooge wondering where the time has gone. Didn't I just put away last year's Christmas decorations? The house smells yummy - cookies, cheesecake, munchies, bread, pineapple stuffing, and...
A Canty Cardinal Pair
The cardinal is the female bird I have been asked to make over and over again. While I often played with her, the girl's coloring is so much more subtle than the male's that I couldn't find the right felt for the pattern. This time, I approached...
Fleeting Autumn
Winter has descended upon Maine. Today, our first snow day of the year, has me looking back at my camera roll wondering where past two months have gone. It seems that autumn was so fleeting, and but for the pictures, I may have missed it. There's...
