JUST ONE OF THOSE MORNINGS...

This is the path I take advantage of most days of the week for either walking or cycling...today I chose my bicycle...it is a bit of a hill and dale ride.... about ten miles round trip...and takes me about an hour to complete. The path is somewhat secluded, encompassing woods, farmland, and a river. This morning the sun was shining and the temperature hovered in the low eighties....lovely...but as I began traveling along I soon discovered how unpleasant this trip would soon become... the air was thick with humidity....I found myself stopping several times just to catch my breath.... something which I seldom do. Typically this is a most enjoyable ride...but not today....no sir-ee... as I looked about the sights in front of me....encouraging myself to continue on.... I came upon this... that was all I needed to see....it was an omen....a perfect excuse for me to turn around and head home...
tomorrow....I think I'll take the day off...

COLLECTING...

One of the items I enjoy collecting is Salmon Falls Pottery. Fortunately for me the shop and studio is located just up the road a piece from the Historic Hamilton House. Located in Dover, New Hampshire, off the beaten path, Salmon Falls makes it home in a former train engine house. Salmon Falls Pottery was founded by Andy Cochran in 1986 and has grown into the business you find today. Each item is handmade, it's shape, size, and design reflected by each of the individual potters. This pottery is lead free and microwavable. I confess I have collected a lot of seconds over the years, but one would never know. At one point the pottery published a news letter, included discount coupons and operated a seconds outlet, however, due to economic times, both no longer exist. So, if you reside close by and looking for something new to collect I highly recommend this beautiful pottery. And yes, I can always find room for one more piece!

HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND

I love objects with a history, antiques, folk art, textiles, but most importantly I love old houses...I find warped pine floors.... bubbled paned glass windows....and huge fireplaces most enchanting....call me crazy but my dream is to one day own and reside in an old house... The majestic Hamilton House found perched on the banks of the Salmon Falls River in South Berwick, Maine is one of the most beautiful settings found untouched by the modern world. You will be welcomed by the fragrant air.... a perk from the colonial flower gardens, and birdsong echoing off in the distance...

located down a dirt road tucked behind stately trees this Georgian mansion rests. Jonathan Hamilton, first to acquire this property around 1785 built this home, out buildings, and warehouses, raised food, built ships, cut wood and created gardens. Grist and sawmills operated upstream... the Salmon Falls river was once a bustling port with ocean going vessels...

The Hamilton House changed hands over the years, falling into disrepair...the last owners, Bostonians, Emily and Elise Tyson, mother and stepdaughter and friends to neighboring American writer Sarah Orne Jewett purchased the then dilapidated home in 1898 for use as their summer home... with time and money the house regained it's former glory. Hamilton House holds many of the Tyson's furnishings, personal possessions and some of the most impressive wall murals painted by artist George Porter Fernald.

In 1949, upon the death of Emily, Elise Tyson Vaughn bequeathed the house, gardens, out buildings, and surrounding fields to Historic New England, now know as SPNEA, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The one drawback to visiting historical homes, ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOGRAPHY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES and HANDS OFF! Once, while visiting Historic Deerfield I forgot myself and allowed my finger's to touch a hooked rug, subsequently I was reprimanded quite sternly, an incident my husband will never let me forget. Now, to keep myself out of trouble I keep my hands in my pockets.... what can I say I'm a tactile type of gal....

Next stop, down the road a piece The Elliot Tractor and Engine show...and that is all I'm going to say about that! Have a great Monday everyone.

EVENING RAIN

How wonderful is the sweet sound of rain.... I am quite certain there will be fairies dancing and flowers rejoicing in the darkness of this night...
Garden fairies come at dawn,
Bless the flowers then they're gone.
~Author Unknown~

THRIFTING

Okay, I confess I have a thing for shoes...the funkier the better...so when I spied these sandals..and my friend announced "oh.. they look like you"... well...I just knew they were destined to come home with me... and did I mention they were on sale! I admit I am still a novice when it comes to thrifting...and to be honest I don't usually discover many good finds...however...at Goodwill...my little five year old friend pointed out this cutting board with a rooster motif...I had walked right past it.... however....Elizabeth...promptly pointed it out to me saying"I knew you would like it Miss Julie".... Elizabeth...a darling blond cherub has been thrifting since the day she was born...this kid knows her stuff...and she knows I have a fowl addiction going on... BTW the cutting board was priced at $1.99

next... an old metal frog .99

wooden candle holder $1.99

this colorful colander was headed for a church yard sale...the asking price .25 cents...
it seem to call to me.... not being primitive in style.... but daises are my favorite flowers and teal my favorite color...I knew it would be right at home in my kitchen...

another weakness I admit to is pocket books....not Coach nor Dooney and Burke...but Vera Bradley...Vera's colorful bags put a smile on my face and just plain make me feel happy....

also.... this happens to be the first article of clothing I have ever purchased from Goodwill.... well.... that is for myself anyway....I do buy my scarecrows clothing there... a brand new Jones of New York long sleeve sail shirt....teal in color and priced.... $2.99 and finally.... this happens to be Winslow Homer's weakness... chicken treats....99% dehydrated chicken...this is a secret that Winslow (who is also known as "chicken dog") and I keep from Gladys and the girls....

could that be why I catch the girls giving Winslow the "Evil Eye"? That's it from Dog Trot Farm...

Happy thrifting everyone!

QUALITY TV?.....

What I have discovered...while lazing in the backyard.... watching clouds float by....

and hens going about their daily business...

this is far more entertaining...

than anything I could find on television...

due to the hot and humid weather spending time indoors became a necessity...I quickly discovered finding quality television was almost non existent...what I did discover... reality TV shows... with just about any theme you can imagine...there are hoarders...how one gets to a point in their life where living among garbage and rodents being acceptable is beyond me...bridezillas...I truly felt embarrassed for these women....tiny tot beauty queens...stories of grotesquely obese people who are living their life confined to a bed...celebrities and their rehab dramas...you have pickers and pawn shop owners...Alaskan fisherman and ice road truckers...the later of which I found somewhat entertaining..and then there is sixteen and pregnant...all of which made me feel like the photo pictured below... What I did discover is 40 year old reruns of All In The Family...Little House on the Prairie...I Love Lucy and the Walton's..was and still is far superior than anything I can find on today's television...I ask you...are these reality shows quality entertainment?...not in my opinion...good night John Boy...

THE DAYS ARE GETTING SHORTER....

Like many of you, we here at Dog Trot Farm have been enduring a heatwave. Here in Maine a heatwave may last a few days to a week, but it is usually short lived. I have to admit a southern lady I would not make. My hat goes off to you ladies... how is it you endure months of heat and humidity and show no visible signs of discomfort...well...it is beyond my comprehension. I perspire, sweat, my clothes wrinkle, and my hair has a mind of it's own. Southern ladies appear perfectly coiffed, not a hair out of place, nor sweat on the brow and never seem to complain. So I ask... spill the beans will ya ladies... let the rest of us gals in on your secret... Speaking of heat... I decided to try an experiment one of which we've all seen or heard of... frying an egg on sun soaked pavement.... no this is not my brain on drugs...

This is my brain in hot... humid... weather....scrambled...

This heat and humidity has provoked my flower gardens into reaching their prime a bit early

And speaking of heat... Winslow Homer received a haircut...well....okay....a shave....Winslow's grooming had taken a back seat due to a newly discovered medical condition...a collapsible trachea....this added to his prior medical conditions... grooming became low on the priority list... he is a wee bit embarrassed over this new look....and yes... there were a few snickers from the gals at the veterinary ....but he quickly forgave them...one needs a strong personality to carry off this look...especially when you sport a stripe running down your back...

little man... you have a face only a mother could love....stripe and all....

Gladys....she and the girls are staying cool...watermelon has become a favorite summer treat... dust baths in freshly misted soil ... refreshing water jugs frequently all of which are a priority in hot weather... Don Juan...well...I have to admit he has captured my heart... is on his way to perfecting his crow...
and slowly gaining the attention from the rest of the girls... his presence is known...

I do hope you are all well... staying cool and enjoying the summer...and let me just say 35 minutes of daylight gone!

SUMMER HEAT

These are the kind of days we New Englander's cherish...a little sun...a little fun...Wish you all were here...
Cheers...

FRESH STRAWBERRY MUFFINS

Simple strawberry muffins...nothing fancy...plain and simple......tender and moist...with just a hint of cinnamon... and husband approved!...

Fresh Strawberry Muffins:

1/2 cup butter softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg-thank you Iris

2 cups flour-I use King Arthur

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla-I used homemade

1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries

3 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar, add egg and mix well.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture, add vanilla and gently stir in strawberries. Spoon batter into muffin tin. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over muffins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes one dozen.

ENJOY!

SUMMERTIME...

Good morning sunshine....bright and early...at first light...I am awakened by a low croaking sound which over time develops into a full blown cock-a-doodle-doo. It is now official...I cannot deny it any longer- there is a rooster residing here at Dog Trot Farm. The former Josephine is now officially... Don Juan...his name is a perfect fit...and what a handsome boy he is...I am not sure if this is his forever home...but for now...he is behaving himself quite nicely. I... having no prior experience with roosters....will give him the benefit of the doubt...however my "girls" have voiced their opinion and want it to be known they are not wearing "saddles" if you get my drift...Don Juan you have been properly warned...I am happy to report strawberry season has arrived here in Maine...and yesterday... yes... it just so happened to be the hottest...most humid... day of the summer.... 96 degrees...friends and I ventured to the strawberry fields...this particular field is located along the rocky coast...hence... a wonderful cool southerly breeze was blowing and the smell of salt to the air...picking conditions were perfect...

today...being the second hottest day of the summer... 93 degrees...I dusted off my canning kettle and made jam...

tomorrow...strawberry muffins...just look at these paper liners... then it was off to the backyard for a tall ice cold glass of lemonade...

notice the little honeybee on my glass...

I put my feet up...and was enjoying the rest of the afternoon... until I noticed my girls rearranging the vegetable garden...peas happen to be their personal favorite... tonight... replanting and watering by the light of the moon....stay cool my friends...'tis summertime after all...