WINTER IN MAINE~

With Christmas came the snow...a fluffy blanket of white...the Christmas tree now dismantled and placed outdoors for our feathered friends to enjoy...precious ornaments  safely tucked away...but the Christmas spirit remains alive here at Dog Trot Farm... 

This morning Mr. Dog Trot and I ventured out into our woods on snowshoes...the wood dressed in it's winter white finest... not a sound to be heard...but evidence remained from early morning visitors...deer  tracks...small and large...zigzagged our trail...once into the clearing the snow began again and  continues as I type...Last evening... with the moon shining brightly...I donned my headlamp and enjoyed a nighttime stroll to the lower field...the moon cast a shine on the new fallen snow...it was magical...Tasha Tudor magical...
With the new year fast approaching it is time once again to contemplate one's "New Year resolutions." Out with the old and in with the new. Typically... mine reads, lose weight, exercise more, get into shape...organize and make a valiant attempt to complete unfinished craft projects...how I detest the binding of a rug...2013...I resolve to let the chips fall where they may...no stressing over resolutions...take each day that the good Lord has given me and use it to it's fulliest...Amen...

IT'S COMING~

It's coming...snow that is...

we here in Maine are preparing for a winter Nor'easter... to begin around midnight and lasting throughout the day tomorrow...a foot of snow or more...Tasha Tudor once said "I like the smell of snow. Snow has a definite smell, like apple blossoms." I tend to agree...tomorrow we shall wake to a blanket of winter white...goodnight...

IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN~

My Christmas decor has taken a turn... I've crossed over to the dark side...

Behold, our first (of many) air blown Christmas decoration...did you expect anything less from a first time Granny?.... May your holiday be filled with the ones you love and hold dear. Be grateful for the little things in life...My thanks for your friendship and kindness... Merry Christmas and Blessings to all...Good night...

ANOTHER YEAR OLDER~

Another year older...how fast time flies...I simply cannot fathom that I am in my fifties...FIFTIES...how in the world did that happen...new wrinkles, grey in my hair... 

 some mornings I scare myself by just looking in the mirror...and exactly where did these old lady hands come from?...and who is this " Ole Granny" my son's are constantly referring to?......Truthfully, I am most grateful for the life I lead, my family, and all the wonderful blessings God has given me...it is true with age comes wisdom, I am wise enough to realize that I am a very lucky gal...Travis Lloyd shall keep  me young in spirit...but doing nothing for my lower back...

and with that I shall blow out my candles and indulge in  a very large slice of cake...Have a lovely day, Julie...

WINTER WHITE~

As darkness approached...so did the snow...a Christmas snow...the earth has taken on a cloak of white...a cleansing of sort...  

 The weather has now turned cold, cold enough for one (me) to want to remain in close proximity to the wood stove...but a phone call from a dear friend... who's suggestion of an afternoon walk... a walk through the woods...I decided it to be a perfect afternoon outing...the earth is now asleep... cold and hard...ice has begun to form on the little pond in the woods...

 The old homestead has been readied for Santa's arrival...well... almost... presents are yet to be wrapped, no cookies baked...my prized Shiny Brite ornaments have not been located... searching high and low to no avail...while in the attic I noticed the mouse traps were empty... mice activity appears to be curtailed...

Since I began this post, we have now received  seven inches of wet snow...Chocolate Crinkle cookies are cooling on their racks and I miraculously I found the Shiny Brites! Life is good...

A COLD DECEMBER DAY~

It is a cold December day here in Southern Maine... the ground remains bare of snow, but tomorrow's weather forecast should remedy that...a bit of snow would be a welcomed sight...a cleansing of sorts... 

Today, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of Newtown, Conn...Mr. Dog Trot and I chose to limit our media coverage...the television and radio remained off...as a mother, granny and one who has worked with young children for many years, this senseless evil act is difficult to comprehend let alone process...We went about our day Mr. Dog Trot and I...completing various errands...readying our home for the fast approaching holiday...I could not help but think of the innocent children that will not be returning  home, will not be opening presents...how does a parent walk into a child's room...see an unmade bed... clothes on the floor...perhaps a cereal bowl sitting  in the kitchen sink...toys scattered about...how does one recover from the loss of a child?   Tonight I hug Travis Lloyd a bit tighter and pray that God will give the community of Newtown, Conn. the strength and courage to carry on...May God bless them...

WHY?

Today...this day...just an ordinary December day...a day to finish one's Christmas shopping... to purchase the Christmas turkey...humming along to Christmas music while  browsing the isles of Walmart...mentally checking off items on my "to do" list...

 I soon rounded a corner and before me a women appeared to be weeping...I slowly approached and asked if I might be of some assistance...she regained her composure  informing me that she had just spoke with her husband who had informed her of a horrific incident that was unfolding in Newtown, Conn.  She soon described what she had just  learned... a chill shuttered through my body...there are  no words to describe this unspeakable horror...parents have lost children and children have lost a  parent...their lives will never be the same...This evening, as I look at the Christmas lights, they do not seem to glow as brightly and singing along to Christmas music does not feel appropriate...it is difficult to make sense of such an evil act...perhaps there is none..tonight... my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Newtown, may God bless you...