A NEW ENGLAND WINTER DAY

Winter...

Wide, sparkling fields snow-vested ice

Beneath a blue unshadowed sky;

A glistening splendor crowns the woods

And bosky, whistling solitude;

In hemlock glen and reedy mere

The tang of frost is sharp and clear;

Life hath a jollity and zest,

A poignancy made manifest;

Laughter and courage have their way

At noontime of a winter's day...

~Lucy Maud Montgomery~

This snowy day finds me out and about early. After tending the "girls," I strap on my snowshoes and head for the trails that lay before me. The solitude of the woods is welcoming, off in the distance the song of the chick-a-dee can be heard. I do feel a bit of sadness as I plod along for my trusty side-kick, Winslow Homer, can no longer accompany me. Winslow, with daily medications remains healthy, but age and blindness has become a hindrance. Today, I again aim for my goal of 10,000 steps. Tomorrow I will be held accountable as it is "weigh in" day at Weight Watchers...How lovely it is to return home and find a note left by my husband...all it takes is three little words to warm the heart...

Speaking of the heart, being heart healthy is most important to every one's overall well being. Most fruits and vegetables included in the Weight Watcher program remain point free, meaning you can eat as many as you like, within limits of course. Oranges have become a favorite mid morning snack, not only are they nutritious, but recently I learned (DR. OZ) that the pith of an orange is beneficial in preventing wrinkles. Who knew...Honey...load me up...this morning as I read my "Laugh 'Til The Mascara Runs" Shoebox calender, the caption read "Does Wearing Fruit Count On A Diet"? Carmen Miranda I am not, but I can shake my maracas with the best of them...

IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning there was a little banty hen named Josephine. Josephine was a very determined little hen, her goal in life was to become a mother. Julie, the kind hearted hen keeper took pity upon Josephine and decided to grant her wish, three weeks later two little chicks were hatched out...
Little Gwendolyn soon became the apple of her mother's eye...
the older ladies in the coop learned to tolerate the chicks presence...day by day they watched little Gwendolyn and her sister grow...all remained calm in the hen house...that is until today...why Gladys cocked her head in confusion...the kind hearted hen keeper gasped in disbelief...the "croaking" noise grabbed Henny's attention...Pearly May's eyes glazed over...and Phoebe was ready to draw blood...you see today is the day that Gwendolyn found her voice... I on the other hand remain speechless... Proud papa Don Juan puffed out his chest, fluffed up his tail feathers and announced to the world that his son shall be named Ramon... and there will be no "crowing" over it...Good Sunday everyone...

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY

I left my apron strings idle this morning...I do have a fondness for aprons, in my small collection I have a reproduction of Tasha Tudor's apron. When I wear this apron I imagine working side by side with Tasha, not cooking, but rather outside in the yard dipping candles in the old cast iron cauldron. In my prairie apron, I am visiting the Ingalls family in Walnut Grove. My fifties apron with ruffles and tulle, I am hosting a cocktail party, serving such drinks as Martini's, Gimlets, and Manhattans. The apron with the silk screened squirrel came from Amy of Verde Farm. I picture Amy and myself out gathering eggs and offering a morning treat to her wonderful menagerie of animals. Nope, no aprons today...

For today the temperature reached forty degrees by mid morning. My chickens were begging to come out, but knowing danger was lurking...I take no chances...no, there will be no chicken dinner for Mr. Fox today...just as the days are becoming longer... egg production is increasing...

and speaking of increasing...I have no issue keeping track of my daily Weight Watcher points...this little calculator makes it quite easy to stay on track...and I have no problem drinking the 6 to 8 bottles of water...room temperature... that appears to be the key....however, the 10,000 steps...I hiked around our wooded trail not once but twice...but as you can see I did not reach my goal...tonight my pedometer reading... 6534...all I can say is... tomorrow is another day...

TEN THOUSAND STEPS A DAY~

Wednesday morning, my first weigh in at Weight Watchers. Drum roll please... I am three and a half pounds lighter. Weight Watchers is now based on a daily food point system, each individual is accessed and given a number according to age, height and weight. My magical number is twenty-six, meaning a point value is given to each meal and snack throughout the day totaling no more than twenty-six points. Keeping hydrated (six bottles of water daily) and walking 10,000 steps a day is key... with any additional exercise a plus...

I have given myself three months to reach my goal weight. Weight Watchers considers losing one to two pounds per week being right on track. I have pounds to lose with miles to cover, but I am focused on completing this goal. If you too are trying to lose a few pounds and have advice or tips to offer, I would be more than happy to hear from you!

REALIZATION~

I have come to the realization that life is short and winter is long...sharing is not in a squirrel's repertoire...hoarding shows can be addictive...keeping up with highlights in one's hair is imperative to mental well being...
it is better to stick to what one knows when cooking a pot roast...always allow your husband to make the gravy... three hearts are the only valentine's decorations I own...
my joy of rug hooking has been misplaced...if you find it kindly return to owner... I have will power...no pie...no cookie...no brownie has passed these lips... it is early in the Weight Watcher's game plan...I'm giving it my all...two days till weigh in...ugh...old blind dogs can still maintain some form of naughtiness...be still my heart...the face of a guilty dog...my hens are spoiled...very spoiled...their preference...to be hand fed...

after dropping a log on my ankle...I realized... I swear like a sailor...hats off to the Pats ...and I do not...repeat...do not care for Newt....goodnight from Dog Trot Farm...

JUST AN ORDINARY DAY~

This morning as I opened the old wooden door, sunshine flooded in... winter has settled herself in nicely...the temperature is brisk, the snow light and fluffy...thankfully today we will see the sun...My hens...are more than ready for an outing...feathers need to be aired...egos addressed...speaking of egos, can ya guess who has the largest? yup...right on the money...Mr. Don Juan...such a looker... his women swoon at the sight of him...secretly...I know his heart belongs to Josephine... when I mentioned a photo opportunity....Henny and Beatrix were more than willing to oblige... sorry girls...sorry Gladys...this is more of what I was thinking... Portland Head Light... majestic against the shimmering Atlantic ocean...inland "we" have received more snow than those along the coast...once home the wide open trail was calling to me... "Julie, get your butt moving" two sets of long johns later I was out the door... snowshoes ready and waiting...warm chocolate chip cookies...and the scent of farmhouse white bread floating in the air...I did not partake...why you ask? Weight Watchers...May the force be with me...more on that subject tomorrow...Goodnight...

DAFFODILS

Daffodils... a bit of warmth and sunshine on a cold winter's day...

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets~

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Note the fire truck...

I know the above photo doesn't look like much, however it is evidence to my story. Yesterday I met my mom, who is spending a couple of days off the Island to run errands and doctors' appointments. With ample time between appointments my mom decided it might be a good opportunity to have a much needed hair cut. The salon we opted for was new to us, however, the stylists were friendly and a twenty minute wait was doable. Also, the salon offered a nice selection of what I refer to as "trash" reading material. Who knew the "in" color for spring is mint green. Off in the distance I overheard the stylist talking with my mom, asking her what she was looking for in a hair cut and also stating she would be happy to color her hair. I heard my mom answer "not today." The next thing I knew an extremely loud fire alarm was screeching. We all looked at one another...I grabbed my mom...pulled the salon cape off and we along with everyone else promptly headed out the door...the entire strip mall was being evacuated...45 minutes later...no fire was discovered... we were back in business. Now, I have to admit I am one of those people who have wondered what one would do if in the middle of having your hair dyed or highlighted (as in my case) and a fire alarm sounded. Would your hair over process and fall out? How about being in the middle of a yearly physical, your legs propped in stirrups, your dress, a paper johnny and you need to evacuate. You're on the eight floor- do you grab your clothes or just run holding your paper johnny closed...Ya, I know my mind can conjure up some strange, but valid scenarios... come on, I can't be the only one.

JANUARY, IT'S A BLAST

January...winter's blast is in full swing here in New England...this morning's temperature...a big fat zero...long johns and wool socks become a girl's best friend... early morning finds everyone in the hen house huddled together. I am of the belief that a heat lamp is beneficial to a hen's well being during the long cold winter months...along with warm oatmeal and Bag Balm. Oatmeal to warm the crop and Bag Balm to aid in frostbite. Phoebe..adorned in her winter coat...some girls need a little time to themselves regardless the temperature...

others dare not venture outdoors... Don Juan keeps a tight rein on his women...The Don is patiently waiting for his true love Josephine to return from maternity leave...she remains safely tucked in a cage in the coop with her babes... deer grace our field traveling on ice crusted snow...

the egret points south...

there is vacancy in the old birdhouse...heat not included...snow on the pumpkin...Enough fluff here's the real scoop...it is damn cold here...I need to get outside and move...as in exercise...dust off my snow shoes...I find, just as Randy in the movie A Christmas Story...when layered up in clothing it is most difficult to move...in the woods I might fall...the wolves might devour me...they wouldn't need to eat again till spring...I need Weight Watchers...I want to look like Kate Winslet...I love Kate Winslet...I have a very bad habit...television...I don't actually watch it...it's my background noise...I hear bits and pieces...some so shocking that I actually do watch with my mouth hanging wide open...truly....where do they find these people...a women who is addicted to eating her dearly departed husband's ashes...another who sniffs gasoline and carries it with her where ever she goes...one lady consumes rocks...rocks...and another dryer lint...why in the world would you admit to something such as this...and yes, I know who Snookie is...shameful...Martha has been cancelled...and they have gone and brought back Fear Factor...I really need to get out of the house more...stay tuned...Goodnight from Dog Trot Farm...Oh and I desperately need a pedicure...I ripped a hole in my sheet last night...