~10 DAY COUNTDOWN~

While prepping for the arrival of my first grandchild, I have discovered that the world of infants has evolved greatly since my last go around...new parents are now instructed to have their infant sleep on it's back, and no bumpers nor stuffed toys allowed in their crib. The amount of baby equipment available can boggle one's mind. New to me is the Bumbo Seat, the Boppy Pillow and Boppy Lounger, specialized nursing cover-ups, the Noggin Nest Support, pacifiers specific for day or night time, baby monitors which now come with a video screen and three wheel strollers with speaker built in for your I-Pod, WOW.

For parents of little boys you have The Pee-Pee Tee-Pee. If you are a mother of a baby boy, no explanation is needed...new fads my come and go...however, the one constant in a child's life that will never change is love...whether it be one's parents or grandparents the love you feel for a child or grandchild never wavers, it remains constant, no matter their age...

Little boys don't take baths, they just dust off.~Unknown.

FLOWERS FOR LEONTIEN~

Prayers and ...

hugs coming your way.

AN UNWANTED DAY IN BED~

Last evening as I climbed into bed...
I could feel it beginning...the dreaded migraine...nothing can interrupt life like a migraine...it had been a year since my last migraine attack...severe enough that my neurologist put me on a ten day cycle of steroids...thankfully that worked...since then however... my neurologist has closed his practice to teach at Dartmouth Hitchcock, the headache specialist has left her medical group...my primary care physician informed me I do have the option of returning to the original neurologist I saw when this nightmare began...my reply "why in the world would I choose to return to a specialist who falls asleep while taking a patients medical history?" This morning...I popped a pill, pulled the covers over my head and spent the day in bed...thankfully this evening the migraine is subsiding...the hunt for a new neurologist is on...that in itself can cause a migraine..what is a girl to do...Botox anyone?

A GARDEN OF LOVE~

A garden of love has been growing in this soon to be grandmother's heart...My first grand baby is due in two weeks...two weeks and a baby boy will be residing next door...during these past nine months I have been dreaming of all the wonderful things I want to share with this precious boy...walks through our woods, a first boat ride to the Island to visit his Nanny and Papa, tractor rides, gathering eggs from the hen house, and sharing my love of gardening...

With the help of Sharon Lovejoy this granny shall be prepared. Sharon is the author of many wonderful books, my two personal favorites: Toad Cottage & Shootings Stars...

and Sunflower Houses...both books are simply delightful and are filled with ideas geared toward children and their grownups...you will find instructions on faerie houses, firefly lanterns, worm hotels and mud pies...and speaking of mud, I bought the baby his first pair of puddle boots...jumping in puddles is serious business you know...

while also perfect for adventures in the garden...whether it be planting seeds, digging for worms, burying a time capsule, growing a bean tee pee or a sunflower house...puddle boots come in very handy...Oh, how wonderful this new adventure of being a granny is going to be...now, if only his parent's would decide on a name, I cannot keep referring to him as Leroy. Also grandmotherly advice is always welcomed!

DAFFODIL DAYS~

The sweet scent of apple blossoms fills the morning air as much needed rain begins to fall...the sound of raindrops causes one to pull the covers up tightly and to linger in bed a bit longer...Winslow Homer makes it plainly clear that it is time for my feet to hit the floor...

The rain is a welcome sight... there is an arsonist in our town. Five homes, thankfully uninhabited, have fallen victim. It is a very unsettling feeling, extra vigilance and precautions are being taken, I have come to the conclusion if this scenario can happen in this small college town it can happen anywhere...a reward has been offered... Spring days flying by...there is much to do...however, Winslow Homer and I are taking the time to smell the roses, I mean... daffodils...If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the Spring and stay that way later in the Fall. ~Nadine Stair~

BARNHEART~BY JENNA WOGINRICH

BARNHEART...the incurable longing for a farm of one's own...this is the latest book to grace my nightstand...


BARNHEART~"It's a dreamer's disease, a mix of hope, determination, and grit. It attacks those of us who wish to God we were outside with our flocks, feed bags, or harnesses instead of sitting in front of a computer screen." BARNHEART is a word coined by twenty something homesteader Jenna Woginrich. Jenna is the author of the book Made From Scratch and Chick Days as well as her popular blog, Cold Antler Farm. I have been a fan of this young women and her blog for a while now and have enjoyed her two prior books as well as this recent memoir, BARNHEART. This determined young women is not afraid to go after her dreams, Jenna shares her trails, tribulations and humor as she strives to reach her goal. If you are harboring an inner homesteader, this book just might give you the push you have been looking for. BARNHEART, a most enjoyable read...

CONTENTMENT~ THE MAINE WAY

The day was hot...the sky was blue...the wind was blowing...tossing the scent of freshly spread manure into the air...with chores complete...I looked at him and he looked at me...off to the ocean we went...

the cry of the gulls welcomed us...

the cold ocean water lapped at our toes...and so it begins...summer fare...the return of freshly caught lobster...and my husband...content...with a belly full of clams...these are the days we have been waiting for...

SPRING, A TIME OF RENEWAL~

Spring, the season of heavenly delights. The earth awakens, bursting forth with color, the sweet fragrance of lilac and apple blossoms now fill the air, a plush carpet of green is felt under our feet. Birds dart hither and yon, nesting boxes now full...

Horses are harnessed and plowing begins, the earth is tilled...

newly plowed earth is the scent of spring...and yes the long awaited moment has finally arrived...time to plant the peas! The weather is warm, the bugs have arrived, Winslow Homer would like to inform you the ticks are here too...The lawn was mowed, the garden and hen yard tilled, it was a very productive weekend...This morning I applied sunscreen...this evening, Spring Chicken Muscle Rub, thanks mom...I have a feeling this soon to be granny is going to need a bit more of this product!

I LIED~

Don Juan...

In my last post, I referred to chocolate as my one true weakness...my girls reminded me that this simply was not true and I needed to come clean...okay girls...but first let me say... That truth be told there is a bit of unrest in the coop...okay chaos...Ramon...with his randy attitude and good looks has thrown a wrench into daily coop dynamics...Lulu Belle... as a senior lady feels she has earned the right to a little peace and quiet...Loretta...a feisty little gal...can chest bump with the best of the good ole boys...Gwendolyn...would prefer that her feathers not get ruffled...Phoebe who is just plain nasty...could care less what happens in the coop...an attitude adjustment would do this gal a world of good...Don Juan is pleased that his son inheritated his good looks...however...let it be known that he is the "king pin" in this coop...You see my gal Gladys... who understands me so well...she knows the true reason I had a spring to my step this morning...she knows that this time of year... it happens...even when I assure her it will not....Gladys you know you're my best gal..well...it is true I've gone and ordered more chicks...CHICKS my one true weakness...and that's the truth....

LITTLE RED WAGON~

Four weeks from today...be still my heart...
I am to become a first time granny...a precious little boy will be entering our lives...DH and I are "over the moon" with joy and happiness. A new generation is beginning, this little red wagon will soon travel down the old dirt driveway... over fields...and woods... just as it did many years ago. Life is good...

MY ONE TRUE WEAKNESS~

Chocolate, my one true weakness...
I lied on my Weight Watchers list. I put down that I had three eggs...but they were Cadbury chocolate eggs. ~Caroline Rhea~ Oh, how I can relate!...how about you?

EASTER MEMORIES~

Easter...

Easter fills us with hope and warmth, it is a time to gather with family and friends. A time to recall memories from long ago. A new Easter dress, white patten leather shoes, cotton white gloves and a pink bow neatly tied in golden hair...

A handful of chocolate eggs tucked safely in the pocket of a wool purple coat...A chilly morning walk along an old dirt road....an island church brightly adorned with lilies, tulips and daises all brought in memory of loved ones who have gone on before us...a mother's hand, a child size plant, skinned knees...jellybeans... a new stuffed animal...a younger brother eating my chocolate rabbit...grandparents, newly arrived off the ten o'clock boat...a mother now adorned in her apron...wonderful aromas fill this old Island home...a home filled with love and happiness....memories...tucked safely in my heart...

THANK GOODNESS FOR CHICKENS~

Maple Drop Cookies...sound delicious? I thought so...I picked up this recipe at a county fair last Autumn and have since been patiently waiting for maple syrup season here in Maine to give it a try...yes, I do realize I could have purchased pure maple syrup at the grocery store, but it's just not the same as buying it locally...newly bottled...straight from the dairy farm down the road...amber gold in color...blended with my girl's farm fresh eggs...both ingredients used sparingly...my kitchen soon became fragrant with the sweetness of maple, such as that found in a sugar house...out of the hot oven they came... Winslow Homer front and center...well, really all I can say... what a disappointment...one whole cup of liquid gold wasted...directions were followed to the "T" the cookies took on the appearance of a hockey puck (they were heavy too) and the texture, that of a Bisquick biscuit...The Maple Drop Cookies were a bust...but by the look in Gladys' eye, I think she would offer a slightly different opinion... a perk to owning one's own flock of chickens...almost nothing ever goes to waste...just ask Gladys...

IT IS OFFICIAL~

Yes it's true, it is official...
in my possession I hold the address to Tasha Tudor's beloved Corgi Cottage...my lips are sealed...Off to catch up with everyone...I hope spring has arrived in your neck of the woods...Be well my friends...