A Charm of Goldfinches
Until the other day, I had never seen more than just a pair of goldfinches at my feeder. Last week a flock of these lovely little birds came to visit. Facebook friends helped to identify them as non-breeding goldfinches. I'm not certain if they're...
November Tomatoes
I have a good problem - I am completely overrun with ripe tomatoes. In November! At a loss for what to do with them, I've been pushing tomatoes. Just about every dinner I make lately has lots of fresh tomatoes in it. Making and canning tomato...
November’s Rude Arrival
November arrived in a most rude fashion. Our little patch of woods escaped the worst of this first wintry Nor'easter with a few inches of icy, snowy, slushy mess. Just a few miles inland from the coast they're shoveling out from a foot or more of...
That Rascally Raccoon
Raccoons, as cute as they are, are not welcome visitors at Downeast Thunder Farm. They long to eat my chickens and steal my suet feeders. A few years ago I found the suet feeder hanging from my my porch post open, the suet cake missing. I replaced...
Unfinished Business
November 1st dawned with the threat of a Nor'easter heading up the coast. The weather man has the nerve to predict 5-10 inches of snow for us. I am not ready for snow. I have too much unfinished business. The last of the garden cleanup is not yet...
A Cat’s Spot
Have you ever noticed how cats like to sit on a "spot?" These random spots are kitty magnets. The spot may be a newspaper sitting on the floor. A dish towel that's fallen off the counter. A t-shirt left on the bed. A box lid sitting on the floor. A...
Shades of Autumn
As October comes to a close, here are a few of my favorite autumn photos from the month.
The Moose is Loose!
The moose is loose on Downeast Thunder Farm. At least the felt version. It's been years since I saw a moose standing outside my window late one summer night. The crunch of his hooves in the gravel woke me and I froze in fear at the noise. When I...
October Tomatoes
While visiting my folks in Pennsylvania last week, Mom and I stopped at a farm stand. Amongst the gourds and pumpkins, they still had fresh, ripe tomatoes for sale. Their growing season is about a month behind ours and I was feeling a bit envious....
It’s Good to be Home!
I've just returned home from a week spent at my parent's home in Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful trip with lots of time for visiting. And shopping. Within a few minutes drive are shopping centers with every type of store imaginable. At home when...
Never Trust a Smiling Fox
This red fox is my first attempt at a non-bird pattern. He's inspired by the fox that visits Downeast Thunder Farm all too often. This guy is a friendly looking fox. However, my advice to you: never trust a smiling fox! Right click here and select...
A Band of Blue Jays
My bird feeders were three-quarters full when I left in the morning. By afternoon, I was surprised to see that they were all but empty. Then I spied a band of blue jays - four in all that descended upon the yard. Now I understand who's raiding the...
Spooooky Night Sounds
The sound outside my window last night as I snuggled down in bed.
Gone to Seed
This year I've done a terrible job with my flower beds. Few flowers got deadheaded and the weeds and grass are running rampant. The only places that got a little attention this year were the veggie gardens. Now, as the days grow shorter and the...
A Prickly Visitor
As I was leaving the house today, I found this little porcupine crossing the drive. Paul spied him down the road at a neighbor's yesterday, so it seems that he's making his rounds. Me being me, I had to stop the car and get a closer look. As I...
The Rythmic Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
This yellow-bellied sapsucker first appeared on my drawing board this spring when he routinely performed a morning tattoo on an old television antennae. It took a rainy day for me to dust him off and finish him. Right click here and select "Save...
Bird in the Clouds
Do you see a bird in the sunset clouds?
Startled by a Pileated Woodpecker
As I walked out the door this morning, arms overflowing with handbag, coffee, water bottle, lunch, day planner, and camera over my shoulder (yes, I could use a tote), a large black bird swooped out of the fir tree and flew straight at me. I think...
Farewell September
Autumn colors shining bright on a dreary day. Farewell September!
Holy Tomatoes!
"Holy tomatoes!" exclaimed Hannah when she spied the result of my morning's work. With ground prep beginning today on the greenhouse, we needed to move the garden fence to give Paul space to run the tractor. You can see the need for the fence. The...
Apple Picking at Treworgy Orchard
We enjoyed a shiny autumn afternoon strolling through Treworgy Orchard today. The kids explored the giant corn maze while Paul and I strolled through the pumpkin patch taking notes for next year. I want some of of these. And some of these. It looks...
Confused Sports Mom
Am I a bad mom because I don't enjoy any sport that involves sitting on bleachers? Or that I won't make it to every one of Hannah's games? Hannah is not a born athlete. I didn't play sports and while Paul played a little football, he didn't love...
Enter Autumn
On this first day of autumn, the trees are just beginning to blush, but the blueberry barrens are racing towards full-color. As much as I fought the finality of summer, there's something captivating about the season of fall.
Mapping Out the Greenhouse
We have been talking of and dreaming about a greenhouse for quite a few years. The location, style, and size has changed with the tides. Motivated by the greenhouse I saw at the Common Ground Fair on Friday, I lured Paul outside to debate the...
Common Ground Fair – A Wonderful Way to End Summer
For me, the Common Ground Fair is the pinnacle of summer. I mark the day on my calender and take the day off of work to explore this celebration of rural living. The sights - the flowers, the vegetables, the crafts, the livestock are all eye-candy....
