Early Frost
Summer. Frost. Two words that should not go together. Yet, I look back at last year and I wrote about a summer frost on the 18th. After tossing sheets over all my remaining veggies last night and finding them frozen this morning, I have new...
Great Egret on the Marsh
Along the banks of the Narraguagus River, I found this impressive great egret wading in the marsh. On this chilly Maine September day, I have to wonder if he's lost his way.
Walking Corea Heath
I'm feeling a bit panicky that summer has passed me by before I had a chance to enjoy it. After a morning of chores that included the exciting jobs of duck coop clean out and wood cutting, we abandoned thoughts of the impending winter and escaped...
The Nomadic Cedar Waxwing
This pattern is inspired by the cedar waxwing I snapped a picture of on a foggy morning a few weeks ago. For a bird with such silky, sleek lines, it was challenge to create a pattern of his likeness. Finding the right color of brown for the body is...
Dragonflies
I don't believe that dragonflies deserve their name. There doesn't seem to be anything fierce about them - unless you're a mosquito. In that case - beware! We've had quite a few dragonflies zipping around the farm fast and furious. I'm fascinated...
The Last Day Lily
The day lilies are all but spent. One lone blossom remains in my garden. I stopped to admire the flower and was surprised to discover that I'm not the only one? enjoying this last bright beacon of summer.
Friday Morning Cuteness
A little bit of cute to end your week. Like momma, like baby.
Banty Adventure
The new banty babies had an adventure today. Salty's brood is almost three-weeks-old and she's a bit bored hanging out in the coop and run. The run door is on the second story (so we can open the door when there's loads of snow on the ground in the...
An End of August Garden
This last weekend in August found me in the garden wishing I could restart the month. I'm not ready for the growing season to wind down, especially when I'm having such great success with my hugelkulturs. I'd love another month of warm weather to...
Evening at the Blue Hill Fair
It was a beautiful evening to celebrate the end of summer at the Blue Hill Fair. The weather was cool and crisp - perfect for enjoying blooming onions, funnel cakes and fair rides. Although Hannah tells me it's not smart to mix fried foods with...
An August Maine Monday
August's last Monday morning began in a cloak of fog yielding to a quintessential summer day.
Salty’s Baby Chicks
A moment of cuteness to make you smile on a Wednesday morning. We are smitten with these little babies! http://youtu.be/I5ke3FSo42E
First Driving Lesson
Hannah turned 15 two weeks ago and ever since has been chomping at the bit to drive. In Maine, parents have to pay to enroll kids in an approved driver's education class before they can apply for their learner's permit. With school and sports, I'm...
Of Laundry and Chickens
Today was a most productive Saturday. We managed to outsmart the mink these past few weeks and the last of the meat chickens are now in the freezer. More babies are hatching and I dried the first two loads of laundry on the new clothes line Paul...
We Have Babies!
What's a farm with out farm babies? Shadow, our little bantam hen who we lost this last winter, was our resident farm mama - the only hen, chicken or duck, who managed to hatch babies. This summer, we've had four broody girls. Salty, one of our...
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Nirvana
Tonight I discovered the absolute joy of roasted cherry tomatoes. I've never done this before, but the cherry tomatoes are coming in faster than I can use them on salad. If you haven't done this, they are WONDERFUL. I cut the cherry tomatoes in...
A Brilliant Indigo Bunting
This little indigo bunting is for Lea, who won the drawing on Your Mist Wished for Bird Pattern. I've not seen one on the farm, but friends nearby report many sightings. The biggest challenge with this bird is finding felt "blue enough" to do him...
Klondike Mountain Hike
Klondike Mountain. The name leads you to think of something monumental and intimidating. We discovered that Maine's Klondike Mountain is neither of those things. Today, as part of my "homecation" getaway, the three of us visited this new hiking...
Chasing an August Moon
Last night, we were half-way through a movie when I remembered the full moon was on the rise. I bailed on the movie and headed down the road to clear the trees so I'd have a good view. It was a pretty sight. Clouds scattered the skyline playing...
A Bountiful Day
I love days like today - sunny summer days when the only thought on my mind is working in the garden. It's satisfying to see the garden producing. Although, harvesting from my garden is a bit like playing Twister. It's so wildly overgrown that it's...
Tale Of A NOT Clean House
Things have been a little crazy at my house lately. We’ve had many projects under way simultaneously. In addition to the home craziness, my working overtime and Hannah’s summer basketball league have added to the chaos reigning here. Here’s a...
Thunder Clouds Over the Barrens
Thunder clouds rolling over the blueberry barrens snapped out the car window with my iPhone. The heavens opened up moments later as I hightailed it home.
Fifteen
I miss the little girl who giggled without inhibition and snuggled to my heart's content. I miss the child who thought her parents were hilarious and laughed at all of our jokes. I miss the girl who would hold my hand crossing the street - or hold...
Dilly, One Annoyed Duck
Did you know that ducks are great complainers? Dilly is broody and unfortunately she's made her nest by the pond and not in the duck house. She religiously sits on her eggs during the day. Come evening she's not happy about being coaxed indoors. We...
It’s A Jungle Out There: Hugelkulture Update
It appears that I've finally hit on a gardening strategy that works in my inhospitable clay soil. After a few years of playing with raised beds, my hugulkulture experiment is yielding fabulous results. My pumpkins and cucumbers are waist deep. I...
