HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hark! Hark to the wind! Tis the night, they say, when souls come back from the far away-
The dead, forgotten this many a day!
~Virna Sleard~
Do I believe in ghosts, why yes I do and tomorrow I will tell you why.
Happy Halloween!

HALLOWEEN

The days are short.... and the shadows long.... Now I did not intend to take a blogging hiatus, it just sort of happened. It has been a busy month here at Dog Trot Farm. There have been household projects to complete, day trips shared with my DH. I have discovered some wonderful thrifting treasures and two new primitive shops. All of which I will share in future posts. I have visited Camp Wool in Kennebunk, if you are a "hooker" or enjoy stitchery of any kind you will feel like a kid in a candy store, I certainly do. Tuesdays have been spent with my dad. He comes to the mainland and we tend to the grocery shopping, any errands dad or my mom might have and of course that includes breakfast at "IHOP". The groceries are delivered to Casco Bay Lines and ferried out to the Island. I offered my services to a friend in preparation for her daughter's Halloween party and finally my mom underwent successful cataract surgery. The only place that it has been quiet is in the hen house. My youngest girls Fern and Phoebe have begun laying. They have given me such small smooth eggs, the cutest little eggs I have ever seen. Lulu is still producing "jello" eggs, but otherwise appears healthy. Winslow.... is prepared for Trick or Treaters....well if I were to be honest Winslow becomes so excited we have to put him in the car....he thinks he's heading to Wal-mart. Winslow loves Wal-mart. and finally.... beware....Spiderella might be lurking about.

Happy Halloween!

OCTOBER ON LONG ISLAND

Monday morning bright and early, with birthday cake tucked safely in my Bean bag, I head out to the Island. Tuesday, we celebrated the birthday of my mother. Due to work and distance for some it was a small celebration, but a celebration nonetheless. My mom received lots of well wishes from friends and family from near and far, gifts, heart warming cards and a most delicious cake. The witches boot is a gift I hooked for my mom's birthday a few years ago- it is a one of a kind.

As the ferry left Portland harbor heading down Casco Bay the sun appeared to dance upon the sparkling blue water....

The skyline of Portland on the Eastern Promenade is ablaze with Fall color....

High tide at Harbor de Grace, Long Island Maine. Tranquility to the Island has returned once again, tourists have vacated for yet another year.

There is beauty....

as far as the eye can see....

trees in full Fall attire grace winding back roads....Island living is not for everyone, it is quiet and remote....there are few amenities....

however, scenic beauty is all around....you will meet some of the most talented creative people....discover a top notch school system and library....and are you ready- there are chicken keepers! To be an islander you must be stoic, resourceful and independent. It is not a life for everyone, but one I have been privileged to experience.

MILLIE'S MAT AT DOG TROT FARM

I entered a blog giveaway, the blog being Millie's Mats. Kim, proprietor of Millie's Mats, was celebrating her 50th follower and the beautiful Fall season. I did not win, that honor went to Pix over at Rural Rambles. I did however become the recipient of a second giveaway. A silk satchel filled with festive pumpkins, napkins, and a sweet little mat hooked by Kim arrived at Dog Trot Farm. How exciting.

Kim, thank you so much for my lovely little mat, and all the other goodies. It was nice to have won such a sweet gift, but knowing it came from Millie's Mats is the icing on the cake!

Kim, your little mat will have a place of honor here at Dog Trot Farm, and who knows maybe someday you can see first hand how nicely your hooked mat looks in my home! Thank you.

A RAINY DAY

Yes, the rain and wind did arrive.But, can you think of anything better to do on a rainy day than attend a local book sale? Especially one that benefits our town library. The hard cover books that I purchased are books that I have taken out over the years. These first two books -The Complete Rug Hooker- A Guide To The Craft by Joan Moshimer and The Hook Book by Alice Beatty and Mary Sargent- both books are essential to rug hookers whether a novice or seasoned pro. Better Homes and Gardens -Living The Country Life offers wonderful photographs showing the country look and style in some of the most delightful homes and gardens in America. This book is timeless. The Farm Journal's Complete Pie Cookbook. Now as far as I am concerned any cookbook with the words "farm" and "pie" in the title, has to be a good read and one which offers decadent pie recipes.

Dear Mr. Jefferson: Letter's From A Nantucket Gardener, by Laura Simon. "No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden." Thomas Jefferson. Ms. Simon turned to the works and letters of 18th-century statesman and avid horticulturist Thomas Jefferson. I am an admirer of Mr. Jefferson and have visited his Monticello home and gardens. I hope to find this book as delightful as it sounds.

Finally, The Big-Little World of Doc Pritham by Dorothy Clarke Wilson. This is the story of the life and times of an old Maine doctor who spent his whole professional life in Greenville, Maine- a village at the foot of Moosehead Lake. Doc Pritham was a country doctor, general practitioner willing to go anywhere at anytime ready to minister to anyone who needed him. He traveled thousands of miles through the Maine wilderness on horseback, foot, skates, snowshoes, boats, cars, and jumped aboard railroad cars. Dr. Pritham died in 1972 at the age of 92. He was still practicing medicine at the time of his death.
Dr. Pritham sounds like a very interesting man with lots of tales to tell about the people in and around the Maine Wilderness.

The total of my purchases, $10.00. I do believe I have acquired enough reading material should the rain decide to continue. What are some of your favorite books? I'd love to know.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

There is a Northeaster heading our way, a rain storm bringing heavy winds and downpours. It is to begin this evening and continue throughout the day tomorrow.
With wind and rain heading our way the once beautiful October foliage will become nothing but a faded memory. Winslow and I decided to take advantage of today's weather and take a walk through our woods, enjoying all the sights and sounds that Fall has to offer.

There is such beauty all around us, we do ourselves such a disservice by not taking the time to truly "look" and enjoy all the gifts God has given us.

If you get a chance get out in the crisp Autumn air, enjoy the scenery, but hurry before it's to late.

THE CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD

Fall is the season of nature's beauty and one way to appreciate nature's spectacular scenery is to take a train ride. This is the Conway Scenic Railroad train located in North Conway, New Hampshire. This train leaves North Conway and heads to Crawford Notch via Intervale, Glen and Bartlett, New Hampshire. This line was established in 1875 and will climb more than 1300 hundred feet to the "Gateway to the Notch." Sunday was a perfect day for such a train ride, the sun was shining and the air crisp and cool. We had packed a picnic and soon boarded the coach car. The fee for our trip was $56.00 dollars per person. We certainly felt we got our money's worth.

This railroad follows the Saco River Valley Northwestward to the headwaters at the top of Crawford Notch. This train winds through the Presidential Mountain range, with a starting elevation of 535 feet. This particular train run was the last of the season- it's destination, Fabyan a 5 1/2 hour round trip ride with an elevation of 1575 feet. The views were spectacular and behold off in the distance the mighty Mt. Washington- home to the world's worst weather. Do you notice in the far off distance the distinct white?

why yes that would be SNOW....It was such a clear and vibrant day you could visibly make out the Mt. Washington Observatory and it's adjacent buildings.

Here in New England it appears the foliage has reached it's peak. Friday a rain storm is predicted with heavy winds, winds that will most likely remove the color from the trees. So, If you haven't had the opportunity to enjoy nature's spectacular offering, get out and do so before it's to late!

SIMPLE DELIGHTS

If I were being honest I would tell you that I am a home body.... plain and simple. I enjoy being at home.... I take delight in everyday tasks.... in hanging sheets in the cool fall air.... I cannot sleep on sheets that have been dried in the dryer....line fresh for me.... regardless of the season. I confess I have a special relationship with my vacuum....Instead of beginning my day with a cup of coffee.... I vacuum. I find watching my chickens far more interesting than anything I can locate on television....well.... unless I can find an old rerun of "Little House On The Prairie." I usually read two books at a time.... one upstairs.... one down.... For me there is a simple satisfaction in retiring the garden for winter.... or finding one last bloom for the canning jar I use for a vase.... then there are my projects....I love projects....do you recall the little side table I found at "Goodwill" for $5.00? I gave it a good sanding....a coat of paint....choice of color .... Colonial Mustard....

a second application of paint.... then the Briwax....ta da....I love the end result of my new "to me" side table....

my smiling "Jack".... well.... he gives the table a festive flare.... my favorite colors....orange and black....favorite outfit....apron- muck boots-jeans.... favorite indulgence....Vera Bradly Bags....Keene Shoes....Drakes Devil Dogs....Books....I love the smell and feel of a book....to me a book is like an old friend....one that I can take from my bookshelf and read over again....Okay.... so I have come clean....these are some of my simple delights....how about sharing some of yours?

THE GAZEBO

There is nothing like Fall in New England. The once green foliage has now begun to show signs of yellow, red and orange. Orchards everywhere are abundant with apples, cider, gourds and pumpkins. If you are lucky your visit to an apple orchard may coincide with the on site making of fresh cider donuts and hot spiced apple cider, a simple Fall delight. Fall in Maine also means "buttoning up" the family camp for the season.

The raft is pulled in to the beach and secured. Inside, the refrigerator is emptied, mouse traps laid, pipes drained and wood stacked. This all takes place before the middle of October, cold weather comes quickly to the hills of Denmark Maine.

If you happen to stand on the beach in front of the camp and look southerly, high in the hills is a gazebo. A gazebo which has remained hidden in our failed attempts to find it. On this most glorious October day DH and I decide to make another grand attempt. In the above photo these is a little bit of ledge in the center, the allusive gazebo proudly stands anticipating our arrival.

Up into the hills we go, traversing on winding dirt roads- finally we come upon our first clue "hikers welcomed." It appears as though we are trespassing, however, we have been informed hikers are welcomed. After a few moments we spy the gazebo standing alone in the clearing. Such a welcoming sight to behold.

High in the hills it rests.

Standing guard over Hancock Pond. We sit and marvel at the breathtaking views while enjoying our lunch. Someone spent a tremendous amount of money not only building the gazebo which as you can see is located in a remote area, but also had electricity brought to it as well. If you notice in the below photo, a sandbar on the left hand side- there sits our family camp.

It truly is a breathtaking view....

one I hope to come back and enjoy again and again....

ah, the simple joys in life- I do believe are those which make us the happiest....