~ERNIE~

The anticipation for this day has been building for weeks... finally... Monday morning... December 1st... our little Elf on the Shelf named  Ernie arrived...Ernie sports a round cherub face with large blue eyes and is dressed in a suit of red. Ernie arrived sprinkled in gold fairy dust... There is one rule...a rule that must be obeyed... Ernie must not be touched by humans or his magical powers will be lost...Ernie "buzzes" around the house during the day...hiding here and there...keeping an eye on us... and returns to the North Pole at night... reporting to Santa...

 

 Travis being just 2 1/2 was a bit hesitant about an elf coming to live at Granny's house... but... soon discovers that Ernie is a kind elf who has brought him a gift of a chocolate kiss... 

 Day two found Ernie lodged  in an empty cookie jar along with a note kindly asking Granny to please bake cookies...

Tomorrow, the weather is to be unsettled a perfect day to bake cookies and discover what else this little elf has in store for us...being a Granny has such rewards...and the expression on a little boy's face...priceless...

~I AM THANKFUL~

~HAPPY THANKSGIVING~

We rejoice and give thanks for the many blessings we have received here at Dog Trot Farm.

For health and happiness...

For a warm and cozy house that we call home...

Food for our belly...

The gift of a grandson who  keeps his granny's days filled with much joy and happiness...so much so that by end of the day I forget my own name...

For Winslow Homer...the little dog who puts the "Trot" in Dog Trot Farm...our boy celebrated his fourteenth birthday last week...we are grateful for each and everyday that he remains in our lives...

Lastly, we are thankful for our chickens, even though they have gone on winter hiatus and we have received no eggs in recent memory...

For two felines, Mrs. Tweedy and Birdy Mae...who both continue to claw the furniture and urinate in places I shall not mention...

For a husband, who at this very moment is making the Thanksgiving gravy...

and finally, I am so very grateful that we have not lost our electricity...the above photo is the winter wonderland we woke to this morning...and so it begins all over again...

BLESSINGS TO ALL!

~SNOW ON THE PUMPKIN~

and so it begins...winter in Maine...

parts of the state received ten or more inches of snow today...they have been without electricity since early morning...fortunately for us we've had but a dusting...the wind continues to howl and the lights  flicker...the temperature will dip into the twenties this evening...we are prepared...as prepared as one can be on this second day of November...~sigh~

~BEAUTY LURKS~

 The days may not be so bright and balmy...

yet the quiet and melancholy that linger around them is fraught with glory. Over everything connected with autumn there lingers some golden spell-some unseen influence that penetrates the soul with mysterious power.~Northern Advocate~

~ONLY IN OCTOBER~

October has been kind to us here in New England...Indian summer has dazzled us with her warm sun filled days and cool frosty nights...The countryside's color is now at it's peak... leaves found in shades of crimson, orange and gold swirl through the air landing softly on the cool earth below...A  morning  walk  through the woods now  takes on a magical persona... 

 We find the air cool and damp  with a fragrance that only autumn can bring...

 leaves crunch under foot as Travis and I plod along...

 we quickly realize that we are not alone..as a pair of  white tail deer  jump out  across our path... which in turn cause a flock of  turkeys to fly to the tree tops above...squirrels and chipmunks quickly scatter while blue jays begin to scold us for disturbing the peace and quiet...

 as we follow the winding trail Travis and I quietly peek in on a Gnome and Faerie village...a magical community deep in the woods...on this day we leave an offering of a newly found turkey feather, a mushroom, pine cones and a small John Deere tractor...Travis says to me "Granny faeries can fly but, they still need a tractor"...

October is always a busy month here, there are gardens to be mulched and put to bed, a coop to be readied for the cold weather soon to come,  there are the millions and millions of leaves to be raked... my least favorite fall activity by far...the firewood has been stacked and the chimney cleaned...it is time to feather our nest too...blankets have been laundered and pillows aired...the days of staying close to the wood stove are quickly approaching...in a few short weeks darkness will come an hour earlier...oh, how quickly the seasons pass...I must get busy...good afternoon from Dog Trot Farm...

~GONE GIRL~

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn...Have you read the book? Have you seen the movie?

If so, what do/did you think?...

After all the media hype, the booked peaked my interest...I put my name on the reserve list at our local library...I just love our little library...but, this book not so such...what is wrong with me...so many  raved about this book...I found it  slow to gain my interest...never mind hold my interest...I typically enjoy books more than the movies that are made from them...I must say the actress who is playing the  role of Amy looks spot on...let me know what you think... 

~SUNDAY SUNSHINE~

I'M SO GLAD I LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE ARE OCTOBERS...L.M.MONTGOMERY~

~AN OCTOBER DAY~

It is Autumn in New England...the countryside is ablaze in colors of red, orange and gold...Weekends find Mr. Dog Trot and I travelling the remote back roads...driving over hill and dale while enjoying the scenic beauty that Maine has to offer...The noon day sun sparkles off the Atlantic ocean...wild turkeys forage from newly chopped corn fields and in the distance a glimpse of a white tail deer as it darts to the safety of the woods beyond...We pass by old New England homes, a red cape... a white saltbox...a grey federal  ...some inhabited while others left abandoned...their secrets tightly held behind old wavy panes of glass...

 

Darkness comes early...shadows dance on old plastered walls, there is a warmth and coziness to the  homestead that only Autumn can bring...

  flower gardens will soon be mulched and prepared for  winter slumber, I give thanks for the beauty that lingers... 

acorns drop...chipmunks scatter...leaves fall and crunch under our feet...Travis jumps in newly formed piles...a favorite pastime is born...

geese fly south...

and a pumpkin tree is in the making...

time to prepare... ghost and goblins will soon be in the air...

~IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT~

In the still of the night...while I slept snug in my bed

an intruder found it's way into the chicken

 coop......A discovery I made early this morning... my hens were all accounted for, but Ramon... my banty rooster was no where to be seen... his beautiful tail feathers lay scattered about ...feeders were overturned...bits of egg shell mixed in with pine shavings... clear evidence of a struggle... sadly one in which Ramon could not survive...Ramon, my brave little rooster... thank you for saving the lives of my girls... your girls...We will miss

 you...Godspeed my friend...

 

~FALL SPLENDOR~

It is a cool September day, the morning haze slowly lifts as the sun climbs higher in the sky...there is a stillness to the old homestead...family members have scattered...some to work others in route to the island...Winslow still asleep, softly snoring...while Mrs. Tweedy and Birdie Mae let it be known it is time for breakfast...just another ordinary morning at Dog Trot Farm...

 I would like to thank you, my dear blogging friends, for the kind well wishes and prayers.  Darlene and her husband John are enjoying a bit of time away...a change of scenery... a time to clear one's head and gather strength for the next round of chemo...In the blink of an eye life as we know it has changed...We are a small family...but a strong one...with your continued prayers and kind words we will make it through...I no longer take ordinary days for granted...

           With Fall close at hand, apple season is  in full swing...Travis suggested that he and granny get busy in the kitchen and make Grampy an apple pie...flour and spices fill the air and cover the floor...Travis is an independant hands on learner...we get messy, but that is half the fun and in my thinking an important part of the learning...

 You will get no complaints for this granny as the boy does dishes...

and our pie...well... it turned out rather fine...

just as grampy...

~WHEN AUTUMN COMES CALLING~

When Autumn comes calling I shall be ready...I will greet her with arms wide open as one would greet a  long lost friend... 

Fall is my season...my favorite season...bright cool mornings now replace the hot humid summer air...shades of orange and gold begin to dot the countryside...farmers now reap their final crops of the season...flannel shirts and wool socks once again become a common staple to ones daily wardrobe... 

Spring in New England was cold and wet...July provided one perfectly lovely week which fortunately for me was spent at the family camp in Denmark Maine...August, well... it was over in the blink of an eye...

September has given our family a challenge one that we are meeting head on...My 33 year old niece Darlene, of the blog "missthesea" has been diagnosed with uterine cancer...It has been a difficult three weeks, but Darlene is out of the hospital and staying here at Dog Trot Farm until she is well enough to return to her home. She is a wife, daughter, teacher and much loved niece...Her parents are bunking in with us too. They have up rooted themselves from warm sunny Florida to spend the long, cold winter in Maine...Now, Mr. Winslow Homer is enjoying all the extra attention and treats, Birdie Mae and Mrs Tweedy are thankful for the extra laps to cozy in, and me I'm grateful that my sister in-law is such an excellent cook...We all face challenges in life and we are determined to see this challenge through...For those of you who have inquired as to my well being I thank you...I have missed you all...Over these next few days I hope to catch up will many of you, I look forward to learning what you have been up to.  If you could find it in your heart to say a prayer for Darlene, I would be ever so grateful and I know she would be too...I believe there is power in prayer...Thank you and God Bless...

~NO VACANCY~

Spring rain is falling...there will be no working in the garden this day... my spirits have not been dampened...for you see.. the Bluebird of Happiness has arrived at my door...to be exact, four pair of Bluebirds now reside in the nesting boxes here at Dog Trot Farm...the "NO VACANCY" sign has been hung... 

"How the countryside thrills with joy when Bluebirds bring us the first word of returning spring. Reflecting heaven from his back and the ground from his breast, he floats between sky and earth like the winged voice of hope."

~WL DAWSON, 1903~

~THIS GRANNY'S LIFE~

First let me begin by offering  a heartfelt thank you to those of you who have taken the time to e-mail me, inquiring as to my well being...I am happy to report that I am well, as is Mr. Dog Trot...lets just say it has been a very long winter... Spring has finally arrived here in Southern Maine...the cold earth has begun to warm, trees are now leafing out, our surroundings have evolved from a drab winter brown to shades of emerald green...the scent of apple blossoms dance in the warm spring air...the lilacs await their turn...

Now, I admit I have been a lazy blogger...one day my laptop remained closed... one day led to the next...which turned into weeks... I discovered Pinterest and it took on a life of it's own...need I say more...but...

Today, Travis Lloyd turned 2... I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone...let me just say that becoming a granny is the best gift your child can give you...life becomes busy...there are tractor rides...morning chores... chickens to tend...a treat for Winslow Homer...kitties to feed... 



there is a new swing set to master...

Thomas The Tank Engine has become an important part of our day...as has Daniel Tiger...there are cookies to bake...and bubbles to blow...a garden to plant...a lawn to rake...

 

and silly books to share...we are happily busy...this is one Granny's life...and I highly recommend it!



Happy Birthday Travis Lloyd...Granny Wo Wo and Grampy Bill love you to the moon and back...

I look forward to catching up and seeing what everyone has been up to...Greetings from Maine...

~SERIOUSLY?

Two words...sick again...even my mental well being is beginning to suffer... 

Will this winter weather ever come to an end...

Seriously...I am beginning to wonder...

~SPRING?

At 7:15 this morning...as I walk out the door... heading to Travis's house... I am immediately hit with a blast of cold Arctic  air...I succumb and silently accept that spring will be slow to arrive in our neck of the woods..I live vicariously through those of you (KIM...LISA) who are enjoying spring and all the wonders that it has to offer...

A fire in the wood stove is still much in need... as are a winter hat...parka...mittens...and long johns..today the sun is shining and  snow is not in the forecast till early Wednesday morning...

 The snow is beginning to recede...a patch of brown earth can be seen here and there...

Travis and I bundled up and brave the cold...we hike the trails left by snowmobiles along the fields...

we unearth his lawnmower and a favorite ride on toy...our eyes and nose run like leaky faucets, but the cold winter air feels good... soon we hear a downy woodpecker tapping on a tree...a pair of cardinals call to one another while  chickadees dart in and out among the  pine trees... 

Travis points and says "look Wo Wo"

"oh, I say"..."Travis that is a bluebird... the bluebird of happiness" Today is a happy day...despite the cold...and despite the fact that Mr. Opossum has decided to make his home under the hen house...~sigh~ 

HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY~

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.

 

For each petal on the shamrock...

This brings a wish your way

Good health, good luck, and happiness

for today and everyday...

~Irish Blessing~

LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE~

 Tonight... I am not going to comment on the snow that is swirling over the fields or the cold bone chilling temperatures...or the fact that Tuesday evening I was in need of a visit to the local quick care where I was diagnosed with an ear and sinus infection or the fact that on Wednesday afternoon Mr. Dog Trot was feeling poorly... made an appointment with his physician and  was diagnosed with bronchitis...no... I am not going to bore you with all that ... Nor am I going to let winter get the best of me...the best of us ...I am just going to leave you with a photo and these most appropriate  words...

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome...AMEN~Anne Bradstreet~