The Peppy Tufted Puffin
I've had numerous requests for the Tufted Puffin from folks along the Pacific west coast and Alaska. He was on my to-do list, but so much in my life has gotten in the way of my to-do list in the last year. Recently, a friend who runs a boat charter...
The Curious Gray Catbird
I first saw a Gray Catbird when visiting with my parents in Pennsylvania this past spring - it was nesting in mom's rose bushes. This summer, I recorded it on the Merlin app at home. We've got them in our woods, too - but I thought it was a fox or...
24
Yesterday we celebrated Hannah's 24th birthday. She spent her summer primarily down in Brunswick, so we were prepared for the six-hour round trip to take her out to dinner and celebrate. Luckily, at the last minute, Hannah could head home for the...
A Mud Kitchen for Milbridge Commons
When I came home one day with a picture of a "mud kitchen" and asked Paul if he would make me, he agreed - as he almost always does when I volunteer him for a project. He's been busy working on my Women for Healthy Rural Living "honey do" list this...
Morning Greetings
Typically, when Doodle spies me at the French door to let Gidget out in the mornings, she's honking with displeasure that she's locked up and there's a pond but feet away. But lately, Doodle has been broody. And as a lonely duck, I know her mission...
Anniversary No. 26
Twenty-six years ago today, I married Paul. He didn’t need glasses back then. He couldn’t hold back the laughter and tears this morning as he gave me an anniversary. I have to post it here to hang onto this memory. Happy Anniversary, Paul!
A Walk Through Scarborough Marsh
With Hannah working in Brunswick most of the summer, finding time for outings is hard. So I bought an air mattress, drove down Friday evening, and camped out in her temporary studio - essentially a dorm room. On Saturday, we made the 30-minute...
Small Pleasures
A Friday morning spent with Hannah on the porch was the first of today's simple pleasures. She blew through town for work and stayed the night before taking off again. Then there's the rabbit (or hare) who visits every morning. The milkweed is...
The Nimble Northern Parula
Yesterday, I enjoyed one of the first sunny days in weeks on the porch. Using the Merlin app, I recorded a great variety of birds in my little patch of woods, including a Crow, Overnbird, Hairy Woodpecker, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet,...
New Felt Bird Kits in the Shop!
It's always like Christmas morning when a felt shipment arrives. I've managed to order only one new color to test this time. The happy news is that all felt colors and companion packs are in stock. I have also turned three free bird patterns into...
Lupins at Milbridge Commons
One of the highlights in June along the coast of Maine is the lupines blooming. The impressive purple, pink, and white spires dot the roadsides and fields. We enjoyed this delightful field of lupin on a rare sunny afternoon. They are too beautiful...
Weekend Snapshots
After so many gloomy days, we deserved the beautiful weather the weekend brought. Here are a few of my weekend snapshots. This year's only Pink Lupine in the morning dew. A critter's eye view of White Columbine (I think!) Purple Lupine framed by my...
A Lunchtime Beach Walk
It's been a cloudy and cool June. I stopped waiting for the rain to go away and chanced a visit to the beach. An unscheduled outing, once there Hannah and I both realized how much we needed the meditative calm of the ocean. Mist rolled across the...
Family Treasures Re-imagined
I'm learning that when a loved one dies, there's a stage of needing to hold on to their belongings - as if having those items close somehow strengthens our connection to them. I am finding this true with my mom. There are keepsakes she wanted me to...
Unexpected Gifts
Mom passed away two months ago, on March 17th. Today I received a gift from her - something ordered months ago before we knew cancer would rule the rest of her days. Shopping was mom's favorite way to care for those she loved. Unexpected boxes...
The Winsome Nashville Warbler
My creative mojo has been hard to find lately. Maybe starting with something relatively easy will help me get my groove back. A Nashville Warbler has been popping up in the sound recordings on my Merlin app this spring. Here he is in felt. I hope...
Just Another Day
I love where I live - my little spot in the woods. Even better are the days I can work from home, like today. When letting Gidget out this morning, I startled a turkey noodling about in my weedy flower bed. Gazing out the window while pouring my...
Windbells
Mom became ill in November 2021. She put off seeing a doctor for a bit, and when she did, the doctor took a wait-and-see approach. By Christmas week 2021, she was in the hospital for fluids and tests. Seven hundred miles away here in Maine, it was...
A New View
This fir tree has brought lots of joy to our home. Shade. A place for birds to rest and frolic. Home to a squirrel family. However, it's been years since it's looked healthy. An oak sprouted in the shadow of the fir and has been growing strong....
Blustery April Beach Walk
It's been over three months since my last beach walk, with the better part of February and March spent in Pennsylvania.While in suburbia PA, I felt oddly disconnected from nature. Today, I relished this interlude at the beach, sitting on the rocks,...
Mom
We first understood that my mom was seriously ill on Christmas Eve, 2021. In 2022 she experienced two hospital stays – one very long after which they sent her home without hope. Two months later, in March, during one of my frequent visits to...
The Blazing Blackburnian Warbler
Sitting here with my mom on a Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania, I started exploring birds common to the area. Most of them I have already designed. The Blackburnian Warbler caught my attention - a bird who visits Maine in the summer. Click below...
Sixty-three Years
My mom and dad. February 27th was their anniversary. Here's what 63 years of marriage looks like. Keep scrolling. 😊
The Darling White-tailed Deer
The White-tailed deer first appeared in my latest pattern book, Animals of the Northeast. Leave the antlers off, and it's a doe to go along with my White-tailed Fawn. Enjoy! Enjoy the free download below – or purchase the White-tailed Deer felt kit...
Flying the Coop!
I'm taking off to spend some time with my family in Pennsylvania. If you plan on ordering, please do so by Thursday evening, February 9th. I'll be closing the shop for a bit after that. Thanks! https://www.downeastthunderfarm.com/shop/
