Farewell to Summer Joys
These first days of October are ones of coming to terms. That summer is over, and I must retire my sandals. That that the days of dipping my toes in the surf have passed. That my porch days are becoming a rarity. That the hummingbird who visited my...
Gray Skies
Gray skies. Low tide. Quiet solitude.
New Book and Note Cards Added to the Shop
I've added two new products to the SHOP this week!Update: November 6 Backyard Books 2: Felt Ornament Designs is available for ordering! There is also an accompanying felt pack. In stock now, this new six-pack of flower and pollinator note cards....
Shorebirds In A Fading Landscape
There's a certain melancholy when summer fades to fall. The marsh grasses in their golds and browns reframe the landscape. These late-season shorebirds lingered in a protected marsh pool during high tide. Their reflections muted on this foggy...
September Adventure at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
On Saturday, Hannah and I ventured to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. This visit is the latest in the season we've enjoyed together. Autumn is unveiling with trees beginning to turn and faded grasses rustling in the breeze. Much of the summer...
September Friday Beach Walk
The wonderful thing about Hannah teaching at the high school this semester is meeting for Friday beach walks. It's been a couple of weeks since we took the time, and it was a lovely September afternoon. The fog rolled in and out. Hannah's sea glass...
Late Summer Hummer
A late summer hummer to brighten up this gloomy, rainy day.
The Boundless Border Terrier
It's been a while since I've played with a dog pattern. Here's a scrappy little Border Terrier. They have so many variations in coloring that I've provided some options. The general shape of this pup can be modified to fit a variety of floppy-eared...
August Shorebirds
Winding down a Monday with a late afternoon beach walk with only the shorebirds and the rhythm of the waves to keep us company. Seagull. Sandpiper. Sandpiper. Plovers in flight. Plover. Plover.
Unexpected Opportunities
As a parent, I've oddly been missing that back-to-school vibe. For the first time since 2004, I haven't participated in the shopping and gear-up for another school year. The rhythm is off now that Hannah's a college grad. After returning from...
A Day At Milbridge Commons
This past week was challenging in a way that leaves you exhausted at the end. Every task a struggle, simple things were all but. One small example was my race to Bangor to have my car serviced on Friday - a 1:45 minute drive one way. Halfway home...
Felt Lobster Buoy Ornament
After creating my wooden buoy garland and my Maine Lobster Buoy Adirondack chairs, creating a felt buoy pattern was a no-brainer. Enjoy! Note: If you are reading this post via e-mail, click the "Continue Reading"...
A Buoy Frame of Mind: Maine Lobster Buoy Garland
Since working on the Maine Lobster Buoy Adirondack chairs for WHRL's Chair-ity Auction, I've been in a buoy frame of mind. I started thinking about a buoy-themed tree for WHRL's Christmas Tree Festival. I rummaged through Paul's scrap wood pile a...
A Day at Gillette Stadium
Yesterday was a wonderfully exciting and rewarding day. The tale starts back in April. I work at Women for Healthy Rural Living one day a week. I've been involved with WHRL since 2005 in one form or another - volunteer, board president, and now...
It’s a girl!
Just as I was lamenting that Christina had 58 Monarch butterfly releases to my zero - this girl emerged from her chrysalis. We enjoyed her for a few moments before she flew away. They grow up and leave home so fast. More to come! Note - if you're...
Kvetina Monarch Hatchery
My friend, Christina Gantz of Kvetina Wildscaping, has taken the concept of raising Monarchs to a new level. She first told me about her plans for a Monarch nursery over the winter. Today, Hannah and I drove over to her hatchery to take a look. It...
22 Trips Around the Sun
It's hard to believe that I've had this wonderful girl in my life for 22 years. Although the weather was gloomy, we still celebrated with our traditional lobster dinner - margaritas, 1.5-pound lobsters, cheesy potatoes, cheddar bay biscuits, and a...
A Magical Evening
The beach was calling our names tonight. Hannah and I rushed through dinner and headed over to Roque Bluffs. The sand and waves have a way of smoothing rough edges. We paused along the way to watch this heron who took exception to our presence. A...
Maine Lobster Buoy Chairs
In the last few years, Women for Healthy Rural Living - or WHRL (formerly Women's Health Resource Library) has had a summer auction. Two years ago, I created my Navigating Maine Coffee Table for the event. Last year, we decided to have local...
Scarborough Marsh
I've longed to visit Scarborough Marsh, enamored by the pictures others have shared online. Hannah was up for the adventure, so we had a short mother/daughter vacation this July. On a Wednesday, we meandered our way along US Route 1 to Freeport,...
The Singing Red-eyed Vireo
The Green-eyed Vireo is another songster in my woods I've discovered through song identification apps. I haven't been able to find a good olive green in felt - the color called for on this bird. I dabbled with some wool fabric for the back and...
A Wander at Old Farm Point
This week my work travels took me to Lubec. I stopped at Old Farm Point to enjoy my brown bag lunch. This is a new park that recently opened and is part of the larger Cobscook Shores park system. A mown path leads you along the edges of a large...
In The Garden Today
Today was the quintessential perfect Maine summer day. It was a lazy day for me. Coffee on the porch, lawn mowing, puttering in the yard and garden. My happiest discovery is that Ms. Monarch, who was here earlier in the week did her job. I...
The Whistling Black-throated Green Warbler
The Black-throated Green Warbler is another songster that I've detected in my backyard via song. Another bird I've yet to spot, but whose song I hear with gusto lately. This July 4 weekend is chilly and rainy - after days of 90s weather - the...
Wild Geese on the River
For the first time in 15 months, I'm back on the road traveling again for work. It's fun to be driving through rural Maine, audible story on the radio, camera by my side just in case. Yet today was a tight schedule, so there wasn't time to admire...
