WEEKEND CHORES

I am happy to report that progress was made this weekend on the chicken coop. Trim fitted, Tyvek wrapped, three windows installed, a wooden door made, and a screen door in place. I think the girls will be pleased. I know I am. This would be a sweet little place to dress up girly, bring in a comfy bed, favorite books, kerosene lamps. Okay honey I hear you, yes I am forgetting it's for our feathered inhabitants ( I can day dream can't I) While hubby was laboring on the coop I worked in the gardens. The air was heavy with the sweet fragrance of lilacs, apple blossoms, daffodils, birds were singing and a gentle breeze kept the insects away. Can't get any better than this. To soon the Japanese beetles will arrive and the battle begins, beetles vs. the gardener. It is sad to say, but these beetles can devour a plant in no time. There is not much a gardener can do, pick them off and drop them in soapy water. I am hoping the hens will put a dent in the beetle population, but only time will tell.

A Salmon colored azalea and old fashioned white lilacs.

The perennial bed is filling in nicely. The one plant that did not survive the winter was a musk mallow. It is one of my favorite perennials, the Japanese beetles love to indulge in this one as well.

This crab apple tree is just spectacular.

Flowers are the sweetest things that God ever made and forgot to put a soul into. Henry Ward Beckford~

Tomorrow I see the surgeon and see what my options are in regards to my gallbladder. I will keep you posted.

EMMA LOU

Emma Lou has decided to become an adoptive momma. She still is unsure of all the commotion going on in that big brown box, but decides to spend her days sleeping beside the chicks. As in sleeping on the bed which is beside the chick's condo unit. She keeps a tentative eye on all the wing flapping, hen scratching, sprint running, furry beings. I know what your thinking Emma, but I do not know how these little beings are creating so much dust! The girls are enjoying their added space. Willa is the first to try out the roost, she is the smallest and the feistiest. They now perch on their food and water feeders, what one does the others soon follow.

The four Buff chicks are the loudest, the two Ameraucanas are the friendliest, and the four Barred Rock the feistiest.

Wing and tail feathers are growing in, the temperature of the brooder has been lowered, the chicks don't seem quite as fragile. We try to hold them everyday, however, as of yet no one wants to sit on a lap. Pip will now feed out of my hand, the rest are content to watch.

Here's little Willa practicing her high wire act. After this photo was taken the rest of the chicks gave it a try. Then all in unison they peered up at me and decided it was time to fly the coop.
Wings were flapping and a grand attempt was made, but the screening was in arms reach and quickly placed over the lower end of the condo unit. That was close. "Honey I think you better work on the coop today." Till next time.

THE COLORS OF SPRING

Yesterday my husband and I went to the Home and Garden Show in Fryeburg Maine. Fryeburg is located in Western Maine. As we were admiring the country side scenery the Presidential Mountain Range of New Hampshire was glimmering in the distance with snow. The colors of Spring.

Just lovely.

CONDO LIVING

Henbogle. Henbogle is a fun and informative blog which I read daily. It offers topics on vegetable gardening, hoop houses, flowers, great recipes and this morning "chick" brooder additions. My little bantams are growing into rowdy juveniles and the need for more room was becoming inevitable, so today's blog from Henbogle came just at the right time. The girls gathered together and "pecked" over the idea. After much discussion Pip, Willa and Iris gave the "tails up" go ahead.
With a few spare boxes, duck tape, and a box cutter the condo was assembled. The girls seemed quite pleased with the additional space. Wings flapped, dust baths were taken, legs stretched, and take offs and landings were attempted.

I have the netting ready just encase those take offs become perfected to soon!
(Loretta don't give Willa any ideas she has enough of her own!)

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

What a beautiful day it is here in Southern Maine. Early this morning I strolled the yard making a mental list of all the yard work that needs to be accomplished. As I neared my moon garden, I heard a "tapping" sound. To my surprise a Chickadee flew out to greet me, as if to say have a great day. A pair of Jenny Wrens have taken up residence in the bird house hanging from my crab apple tree.

Blue birds have found their nesting box. I have three more Blue bird houses like this with two being occupied by Blue birds and one by a pair of Swallows.

Speaking of birds my little "chooks" greet me each morning with such a sweet sound of little "peeps"

Little Pip and Pearl the Ameraucanas are growing their tail feathers, Willa still is the only one as
of yet who has taken flight.

My sweet Dad made this sign for me and my girls. Notice the lighthouse in the corner, it represents my island roots.Winslow says its time to get going, morning is fleeting. Isn't he a good boy all buckled up in his seat belt. Hope you all have had a great day.

Till next time.

"CHOOKS"

Beautiful roses for Mother's Day from my dear husband. A wonderful new gardening book from my parents.

And now my sweet little "chooks" as Jenny from England would say. 4 Buff Orpington, 4 Barred Rock and 2 Ameraucanas. All ten are thriving and doing well.

The largest chick is a Ameraucana which I named Pip. She is named after Dani's ( On The Way To Critter Farm) little Polish Crested hen. I so enjoyed reading about Dani's Pip and was saddened when she had to find a new home for her. Pip was being pecked to death and thus new housing was warranted. My runt is Willa, named by my niece Darlena. Willa is a Barred Rock and is the first to accomplish lift off thus landing on the feeder.

I am amazed how quickly these little puffballs have grown. Today is day six, their little wings are flapping and its just a matter of time before they all lift off. Emma noses in to investigate, but finds them uninteresting. I think maybe this is because she has been an indoors only kitty, "socks" are her prey. Winslow has not been properly introduced as of yet. He sits at the bottom of the stairs (Winslow does not do stairs) knowing something is "up."
I had forewarned my family if I could keep all ten chicks alive I would be moving on to goats, stay tuned! Oh, and yes I still have my gallbladder, no call from the doctor as of yet.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

You can see it in their eyes,

in tender hugs and long good-byes,

a love that only moms and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,

through passing years and changing styles,

a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,

the joy each one of them derives,

and just know the other one is there...

to care and to understand,

lend an ear or hold a hand,

and to celebrate the memories that they share.~ anonymous

Happy Mother's Day !

THE DREADED VIRUS!

What a week this has been. First, my sidekick, my best buddy, also know as my laptop caught a virus, no let me rephrase that many viruses. It returned to me today, and I am so happy! Yes, it has messed with my blog and am trying to rectify this, please bear with me. Then I ended up in the ER with what they think was a Gall Bladder attack, of course my DH is still out of town on business. I had a Hida Scan yesterday with nuclear medicine and will find out the results next week. I find it ironic that my DH is a nuclear power plant inspector and I returned home glowing. The good news the babies are here. I picked them up yesterday afternoon all ten little peeps. Emma Lou does not know what to think, she is very curious as she has been an indoors only kitty. It would not surprise me to find her sleeping in the brooder with them! Pictures to follow tomorrow. I am looking forward to reading everyone's blog and getting caught up

GREENING UP!

Here at Dog Trot Farm plants are sprouting and grass is growing.

THE MONTH OF MAY

HAPPY MAY DAY" Tis like the birthday of the world,

When the earth was born in bloom;

The light is made of many dyes,

The air is all perfume:

There's crimson buds, and white and blue,

The very rainbow showers

Have turned to blossoms where they fell,

And sows the earth with flowers." ~Thomas Hood

Photo courtesy of Eve Sweatman Grant, Alabama

A DELIGHTFUL DAY

A morning spent picking flowers. An afternoon spent on the farm.

God speed the plough!

POLISH POTTERY

A lovely morning to pick flowers, my vase is Polish Pottery a gift from my cousin Eve and her Mom.

SUNNY SIDE UP

I am posting this update for Miss Eve over at Sunny Side Up. She is patiently waiting to be back on the world wide web, however, she now lives on a mountain top, need I say more. Eve is loving her new home State of Alabama. She has been busy inspecting her new perennial beds, shrubs, trees, and many birds located on her new property. Her neighbor (down the road a piece) owns a menagerie of animals and you guessed it "Guinea Foul." I feel certain Guinea adventures will be in our near future. Finally, dear brave Eve found and shall I say disposed of four scorpions, not one, but FOUR! The exterminator was called and promptly made a visit. Now some of the reasons I enjoy living in the State of Maine there is no worry of scorpions, poisonous snakes or spiders. Eve please listen to me get that fall out shelter built, you know what happened to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz!