Sunny Windowsill
There's nothing like a lazy, sunny afternoon sitting in the bedroom windowsill. After gracing me with a sleepy look, Cinder decides that she can't be bothered with me.
4:00 am
At 4:00 a.m. the only thing awake with me is a lone bullfrog boinging like a banjo, the sound echoing in the stillness. Moments later, the Colonel starts crowing, echoed by Clover. The ducks rouse and talk amongst themselves with low raspy quacks....
Gardening in the Rain
The morning sunshine quickly faded to a cool steady drizzle. Despite the weather, I had garden chores on my to do list. With so little free time, I didn't let the rain stop me. I harvested garlic. The Banties moved in as soon as I cleared the bed,...
Summer Camp
We are fortunate to have a wonderful summer camp program run by EdGE, a program of the Maine Sea Coast Mission. Hannah has been attending the EdGE after school and summer programs for years. As a rising high school freshman, this is her last year...
Kale Under Attack
Something has invaded my kale bed. I went out last night to harvest some kale for dinner and found the entire bed nibbled within an inch of its life. Upon further inspection, I found these tiny green worms to be the culprit. I spent hours last...
Hollingsworth Trail Hike
It's been a while since Hannah and I have gone for a hike. Either I've been over-subscribed with work (actually a good thing!) or the weather has been crappy. Today, we took advantage of the glorious weather and hiked the Hollingsworth Trail at...
Sunday Morning Muffins
I have a new favorite Sunday morning muffin recipe. It make six large muffins - or muffin tops - my favorite way of making muffins. The basic recipe is the same and you can swap out the fruit based on what you have in the fridge. This morning it...
Whitetail Momma and Baby
Is there anything sweeter than a fawn? Until she grows up and discovers my garden? These deer were grazing across the road. What are the chances they'll stay in that field?
Drop
First Flight
I've had my eye on this nest of Eastern Phoebes in the lean-to outside my office. This morning, I noticed a flurry of activity out the window and saw a tiny little Phoebe perched on the edge of a folding chair. He'd made it the eight feet from down...
My First Love
Today is my father’s birthday. With me living so far away, the times we spent this day together have been far and few between. I can’t be there today, but I’m planning a visit to Pennsylvania next month. (Hopefully – between camp, braces and...
Radish Leaf Pesto – An Interesting Experience
Yesterday, after I tossed radish leaves in the yard for the chickens, I wondered if radish leaves were edible for humans. They're good enough for chickens, right? A quick Google search and yes, they are edible. One of the recipes I found was a...
A Banty Room with a View
I've been concerned about occupancy in the Banty coop given the recent population explosion. We'll only keep the hens, but as all the babies look alike we'll have to wait until they grow up a bit before separating out the boys. So this weekend,...
Baby Phoebes
Last night, I was working at my desk and Mr. Snape was in the window sill watching our Eastern Phoebe zip around catching bugs right out of the air. As she flew up to her nest, I heard some tiny cheeping sounds and went out to explore. Much to mama...
Hot July Sunsets
With the end of the weekend, so went the hot and humid conditions. Rarely do we endure such uncomfortable weather as we have the last four days. Summer along the Maine coast usually means warm days and comfortable nights. We don't have air...
Too Much Attention
The other weekend, we sold ten of our two-year-old hens and they moved to a happy new home. It was sad to see them go, but we did this because our flock had grown too large for the size of our coop. And because of their age, egg production was...
Happy Independence Day
In 1776 John Adams wrote of Independence Day: It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. And it...
The Grand Great Gray Owl
Recently, Sheena wrote: I would love you to produce a great grey owl pattern. My daughter had a great grey owl fly up the isle at her wedding land on her husband's arm and deliver their rings. It was stunning, I'd love to make her one for her first...
A Day Without Rain…
A day without rain is a glorious day! I spent as much time outdoors as possible - weeding, trellising the tomato plants, snipping the scapes off my garlic, weed whacking, etcetera. I'm not the only one who was happy to be out and about today....
Mourning Doves
I enjoy watching the Mourning Doves out my kitchen window. They visit the garden feeder for breakfast and dinner. Here they are pictured with the fading lilacs. Lilacs that are all but gone after days of torrential rains!
Nesting Eastern Phoebes
This weekend I discovered two nesting Phoebes under the back lean-to. They're very shy; every time I tiptoe to the back yard to snap a picture, they abandon their nests and watch me from a distance. After snapping these pictures, I gave up...
Sandy River Beach Outing
After spending yesterday morning thoroughly scrubbing the chicken coop from top-to-bottom, Hannah and I decided we deserved a bit of fun. Although the day was a little overcast, we drove out to Sandy River Beach in Jonesport. It's a relatively...
Introducing the Ducklings
The ducklings spent the last few days in a play yard outdoors becoming familiar with the other farm critters. Today, we introduced Peep and Squeak to the rest of flock. I expected the big ducks to chase off the babies, but for the most part the...
A Visitor to the Garden Bird Bath
This little Mourning Dove look so happy frolicking in the garden bird bath.
Incredible Edible Breakfast Sandwich Machine
This incredible edible breakfast sandwich machine is brought to us by Granny Gadget. She sent Hannah this Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker. We've had fun testing it out. This little gadget is very fun. Hannah said that it makes "the best...
