APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS~

"And Spring arose on the garden fair, like the spirit of love felt everywhere; and each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of' its wintry rest." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley~ With each passing spring day Jonquils stretch their golden face's toward the sun....a simple delight on this cold April day. I planted these Jonquils twenty-eight years ago for my late mother in-law on a banking behind her home. The bulbs were planted in a location where they could be viewed from "Ellie's" kitchen window. A simple pleasure which my dear mother in-law enjoyed and looked forward to each spring. My small garden bed has been tilled and today the first sowing....peas....spinach....lettuce...."Old Timers" here in New England insist on planting peas before April 15th. I have faith in their wisdom. Wind and rain is forecast for this evening....I have covered the seeds with a garden cloth...hoping my recent sowing will not be washed away.... I have vowed to become diligent with my garden record keeping.... from the first sowing....seeds....annuals....perrenials....shrubs....trees....and to track the progress of each planting....what does well....and those that are a big FLOP.... Also....thinking it would be wise to track weather conditions....and the dreaded insect invasion....what is successful and what is not in the battle of their demise....

Onward to the kitchen....now.... when my grown son's make an impromptu visit....I am often confronted with the words "mom where are the cookies?" and my reply "well If I new you were coming"....so today I am prepared....triple chocolate chunk cookies....a man cookie....and a favorite here at Dog Trot Farm....and If you are wondering....yes....there are doggie bags to go.... Winslow....plain and simple smells like a SKUNK....the Skunk Kleen may have helped....somewhat....there have been several applications....but unfortunately the odor still remains....and unfortunately for me it has triggered a migraine.... Winslow.... doesn't seem to mind....not at all....

A DAY OF FIRSTS

The day is still....there is no wind....the air is carried with voices of children at play under the afternoon sunshine....crows cackle....and Winslow Homer is in hot pursuit of two squirrels chasing one another off into the wood. The chickens bathe in the warm earth and bluebirds twitter back and forth building their nest for a future brood.....It is a day of firsts....first Jonquil picked from the flower bed.... and tulips too....

the grass is slowly turning from brown to green as the last bit of snow melts into the earth....a pair of Mallard ducks swim in a temporary pond alongside the driveway and a formation of Canadian geese fly overhead traveling to their summer destination....laundry flaps in the warm breeze....these are the days we have been longing for....Spring has arrived....how wonderful it feels to sit in the warmth of the sun and read a few pages from a new favorite book....slowly nature is awaking....peepers serenade us with their evening song....and Winslow Homer....well he has incurred a first for the season too....

need I say more....

well....maybe that he is proving all his doctors wrong....I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and toes!

THIS DOG'S LIFE

Monday morning....the heavens burst open and torrential rain did fall.... t'was the kind of morning where you just wanted to pull the covers up....listen to the rain....thunder rumbling and linger in bed a bit longer.... But if it's Monday....old lazy bones Winslow Homer needs to get a move on....Our day begins with an 8:30 veterinarian appointment with Dr. Rust. Before we head out the door.... 5:30 insulin injection....

and then an assortment of various medications....heartworm...antibiotic....three medications for Winslow's liver....one antihistamine for itchy skin enhanced by his diabetes....a cough medication... Winslow has a collapsible trachea....so add another pill....and let me just state some of these pills are HUGE....this owner needs to be creative in getting such medications into one small clever dog....for the large HORSE pills....cut a slice of hot dog....insert the pill and seal with a bit of peanut butter....my own creative pill pocket....hey a girl has to do what a girl has to do to keep her little man alive....Last week Winslow ran away from home....thank goodness for kind neighbors....he was returned....no worse for wear....thank you Deb....and each evening he goes out and clears the yard of any night time predators.... and each day.... in the yard....

he takes a siesta....a well earned siesta....

but when his ear's perk up....

he goes on duty....

so this little hen....feels safe and secure....to catch up on her beauty rest.... just a day in the life of one little dog....my little dog....

~GOOD SUNDAY~

Morning.... the day dawned bright with sunshine....there was warmth to the air....the sweet sound of bird song was all encompassing...spirits were high....my small patch of earth was tilled....If I had been smart and purchased peas they would have been planted today....I do believe spring has finally sprung....but still....deep in the woods.... the evidence of winter remains.... For me it was a day to begin spring "cleanup" ....those last leaves that never got raked in October.... now visible....stones and grass mounds relocated by the snow plow need to be put back to their proper location....there is much to do....but Rome was not build in a day....I took the time to sit and peruse a new book....by the look on her lovely face Miss Charlotte does not seem to be impressed....could it be she has that intuitive motherly instinct....might newcomers becoming to reside at Dog Trot Farm?....it is spring after all.... Chick Days is a wonderful new book....great for beginners and seasoned chicken keepers alike. This book is written by Jenna Woginrich of Cold Antler Farm and photos by Mars Vilaubi. It follows day by day....week by week....the growth of three chickens as they develop from hatchlings to laying hens....which have come to reside with Vilaubi and his family....It is a great book for anyone wanting to get started with chickens....or to add to one's "chicken keeping library." Sisters.... Fern and Phoebe.... hold a strong attachment to one another....I do worry If something were to happen to one the other might possibly die of a broken heart....one can not bear to be without the other....

Iris "chill laxing" in the noon sun....

Henny Penny.... wanders over to see what this book and all it's fuss is about....

Lulu Belle and Willa take a casual "look see"....

Gladys....well....she rather peruse a shoe catalog....a girl after my own heart....

Iris....dear sweet Iris....you are a true beauty....

My lovely lady Fern....

yes girls.... primp....and preen....

because soon....

very soon....things will be changing....

there will be some new kids in town....and of course you'll want to look your very best....

DOES THIS LOOK LIKE SPRING?

Good morning....as predicted the snow has arrived....it is a heavy wet snow causing the scenery to take on a marshmallow fluff like appearance... or a scene right out of Currier and Ives. I do admit it is lovely.... The wind has picked up and the lights flicker now and again....letting us know that there is a real possibility of losing the power....by now we know the drill....candles....flashlights and kerosene lanterns are gathered at hands reach....just in case....the wood stove puffs along keeping us warm and comfy. Local schools and area businesses are closed.... however....our veterinarian's appointment was still on....Winslow's blood sugar remains perfect....a bit of a weight loss....and another appointment for Monday morning where blood will be drawn for his liver enzyme check....this has become our weekly routine....

Old Man Winter is not quite ready to let go of his grip.....but alas....the snow will soon melt....and spring will make it's appearance....the peepers will sing....and pussy willows will be found....

I have learned not to sweat the small stuff....we move foreward. Blessings to you all from Dog Trot Farm....

JUST GOOGLE IT!

"We need a urine sample....a first mornings urine sample".... latest words spoken by our veterinarian....oh my word.... how in the world do you obtain a urine sample from a dog.... So when in doubt "google" it. The recommendation....locate a ruler.... attach a cup....thank goodness for duct tape....put your dog on a leash and follow him around the yard. Oh the indignity of it all....but success we did have!!!!

There is a nor'easter barreling our way....announcing it's arrival in the early morning hours....a foot of heavy.... wet.... snow .... cancellations have been aired....it remains to be seen if Winslow Homer and I make it to his weekly Friday morning doctors appointment.

Monday's results.... slight weight loss....blood sugar level.... perfect....liver enzymes.... high....now evident.... a slight fluctuation in his kidney function....two medications taken away....one added....we forge ahead....my boy and I....we are warriors.

~THOSE SIX LITTLE WORDS~

The most repeated words in our home are "HONEY HAVE YOU SEEN MY GLASSES?" For the life of me I cannot understand why DH and I have such a difficult time keeping track of our reading glasses... it's beyond me. Now.... I do recall having my glasses on this morning.... however.... do you think I could find them when needed most....of course not. So....I retraced my steps.... I dashed off to the veterinarian's office with Winslow Homer....our twice weekly morning ritual....went to my neurologist's appointment.... what a waste of time and co-pay....that's all I am going to say about that....and did the weekly grocery shopping....then it dawned on me....my first morning activity....before brushing my teeth....taking my shower....even getting dressed....is to pull on my muck boots....barn coat....and head out to the coop....

oh yah....now I remember....I had become distracted by the finding of a blue egg....my ameraucanas.... Pip and Pearl have been slacking in the egg department....

how surprised and delighted I was to see this perfect blue egg...a spring offering just waiting for my arrival....and low and behold.... my glasses....in a nesting box....just where I had left them....and that is all I am going to say about that!!!!!

MAPLE SYRUP SUNDAY

Tomorrow is Maine Maple Syrup Sunday.... A day when the public is invited to visit sugar houses located throughout the State of Maine and learn first hand the process of sugaring. From tapping the maple tree....to collection....and boiling... any and all questions are are invited. Tomorrow the fragrance of sweet maple syrup will be thick in the cool spring air....many sugar houses offer a traditional pancake breakfast along with samples of sweet maple syrup served on vanilla ice cream....a local favorite. Tomorrow....find your mud boots....gather your family together....and head out for a day of decadent delight....Maine maple syrup....it's a good thing!

A SPRING SWAP

Surprises....I love being the recipient of a surprise .... especially when the mailman is willing to brave my long.... muddy.... rutted....wet.... driveway to hand deliver a package....could there be anything better to brighten one's day than to receive a package in the mail? I think not.... My package was from Tress proprietor of the blog.... Warmth And Comfort In The Home....we were swap partners in Char's (THE PICKLED PEPPER PATCH) SPRING swap.... As explained in her note Tress had a BEE theme going on....what a delightful grouping of items she gathered for me. First let me say the package smelled heavenly....of scented beeswax and spring. I found enclosed a BEE themed dish towel.... BEE skep note pad....BEES wax candle....scented wax BEE Skeps....spring sign....glass milk bottle....and faux lavender....such a wonderful package to receive on this cold....snow flurry....March day. Thank you Tress....you're items are greatly appreciated and I can't wait to display them here at Dog Trot Farm! HAPPY SPRING to you!

IT'S THURSDAY

In my neck of the woods....sadly.... it does not appear.... nor feel.... much like spring....there are no budding trees....daffidils....or tulips....no spring songbirds....but....there is mud....lots of mud and snow....in fact it snowed most of the morning....just a dusting....but snow nontheless....Yesterday....on a trip to Blue Seal.... where I purchase my girl's organic feed....I spied this very bright and cheery tee shirt....very spring like....I thought to myself "how chic" especially when paired up with my yellow rubber chicken boots....well...low and behold I learned the tee shirt was free....free....who could resist a free tee shirt....I can hear my boy's now.... "mom you're not really going to where that in public are you"? Oh....yes I am....The flu is circulating in our area... schools....daycares....and my friend's house.....today was one of those days where I felt plain tuckered.... just had to sit close my eyes and prop my feet up....as I sat down I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of Fern running by the window....I knew I had not let the chickens out....It was snowing....the girls don't like snow....I had just begun to drift off.... when I heard a cackling...the cackle of danger....first one hen....and then all in unison.... I jumped up in a panic....pulled my boots on....and flew out the door....

my first clue....

and this....Willa....

and this....Charlotte....AKA....roaster....she is a feather pecker.... I'm always threatening her with the roasting pan....

and this....yup.... Miss Fern....right outside the window...but....

I never did determine what all the noise was about....a few squirrels....crows...but what is um.... scarey....really scarey.... I don't recall leaving the girl's gate open....could there be a Houdini in the group? I sure hope so.... and in the nest box....eggs....beautiful eggs....the girls must know it's spring....egg production has begun to increase....I discovered these eggs this morning....my girl's are afternoon layers....

Once back inside I figured I needed a few signs of spring in the house....a new gnome....given to me by a sweet friend....he does not have a name yet....maybe George....

a few Easter decorations....

I confess I am guilty of keeping items made by my boy's when they were little....these eggs blown out and dyed years ago....I cherish them....what can I say....some things I just can't let go of....how about you? be honest now!

and my guilty indulgence....tulips....

oh....and it's snowing again....I'm off to bed....goodnight....