SPRING AWAKENINGS

Morning dawned with the promise of spring, slowly the earth has begun to awaken from it's winter slumber...The morning air is filled with bird song, red breasted Robins dot the country landscape, Blue-birds inspect newly cleaned nesting boxes...the scent of mud distinct in the morning air...ah, springtime in New England....

With spring comes the awaking of flora and fauna... he may be old, he may be blind, but Winslow Homer's hearing remains keen...day or night he is quick to alert us to any impending dangers. Deer, fox, skunk, owls and for the past few nights Winslow's ears have been tuned in to the howling of feral, coy-dogs...truly we are grateful for his service, however, the relentless 2:30 am warning, where DH or myself plod down the stairs, sleepy eyed, and trek around the yard is becoming old...tonight however, we have come up with a solution to our dilemma...you see Winslow Homer loves to go "ridee" especially to Walmart...it is now warm enough...so... off to the car he will go...yes...for what he believes is an early morning excursion...Oh, what we do for a good night's sleep...What are the odds DH will remember Winslow is in his car? well, if worse comes to worse, Winslow... you'll be enjoying bagels and coffee for breakfast!!

ON THE SIXTH DAY~

I admit I am not a morning person, or shall I say an early morning person. There are days however, when I do need to be out the door by 6:00 or 6:30. Thank goodness those days are rare.
My husband is a morning person and his job requires him to be out the door by 5:30 AM. DH is my backup alarm clock. So last Monday, I asked If he would kindly give me a "wake up" call by 6:30. I was up, but received no such call. Instead of calling him to let him know I was up and on my way, I decided to wait and see exactly how long it might be for him to remember me. Any Guesses? At 11:30 AM a message was left on the answering machine stating he was sorry, "I feel awful" were his exact words. Upon his arrival home that evening, "you better have flowers" said I. "Oh, I did think of that, but.... I'll go back out and get you some". Don't be silly, tomorrow will be fine. (Honestly DH is the main cook in our family ( am I a lucky girl or what? Flowers could wait, my stomach would not). Long story short, on the six day, the same length of time it took the Good Lord to create the world, Julie got her flowers. Amen.

WEDNESDAY MUSINGS

Skippy the squirrel...the first face to greet me this morning. Technically my husband's face is the first face I see in the morning, however, with his 5:30 AM departure, my eyes are still closed and my brain in slumber land. So if it's Wednesday that means it's Weight Watcher weigh in... I have come to the conclusion, in my case, slow but sure wins the race, to date 7.1 pounds lost. I have finally accepted the fact that I am the tortoise not the hare...I don't like it but I have accepted it...

If you listen carefully you just might hear the sound of sap hitting the old metal bucket...here in New England it is "sugaring" season. Sugar Maple trees are being tapped, warm days and cold nights are the perfect conditions for a productive sugaring season. There is nothing that says SPRING like the taste of warm Maine maple syrup drizzled over french vanilla ice cream...yummyAfter Weight Watchers I strapped on my snow shoes and hit the snow covered trails. Over fields and through the woods...not a squirrel to be seen or a bird to be heard...Don Juan keeps guard over his ladies...and tonight...by the light of the moon...Winslow Homer and I took a stroll honestly... I swear I could hear the song of peepers under all that snow...Soon, very soon...

~SPRING FEVER~

It's Spring fever. That is the name of it.

And when you've got it, you want it-Oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so...~Mark Twain~The SPRING banner came from Target...I'm ready for Spring...I'm ready to swap my apron strings for gardening boots, winter mittens, and my handy snow shovel for garden gloves and seed packets. The seed and bulb catalogs, which I have yet to peruse, will be dusted off. Tomorrow's weather forecast, snow, sleet and rain, the perfect opportunity to "cozy up" and let my mind wander....and when poultry order forms can be found at the local feed store, you hope Spring is around the corner... Below are a couple of my most recent "favorite finds," first the book "Unlikely Friendships". This book offers examples of unlikely animal friendships. A leopard and a cow, elephant and a sheep, house cat and an iguana. As this book states "each story reveals the power of friendship and to some degree, the many forms of love." This is a "feel good" book with lots of heartwarming photos. If you are a lover of animals, you will certainly enjoy this book.Last, but certainly not least, a productive trip to Goodwill. Today I unearthed a pair of brand new DKNY jeans, the $48.00 price tag still on... also...a slightly worn pair of Eddie Bauer jeans, broken in nicely...both $7.99 but the best part...a size TEN...Have a good weekend everyone...Spring dreams to all...

WELCOME MARCH~

Late last evening the snow began to fall. The month of March has come in like a lion, schools and businesses found themselves with a day off...Our snowstorm cannot compare to the severe weather experienced in the South and Midwest. My thoughts and prayers go out to those of you who have endured such a traumatic and life changing experience.

The old wood stove was working overtime here at Dog Trot Farm... a pot of cinnamon and cloves bubbled away...while Glen Campbell's music filled the house with song...I had recently watched an interview with Glen as he spoke candidly of his Alzheimer's. He, accompanied by his two sons and daughter are putting on his farewell tour. I was so impressed with his children and how supportive, yet protective of him they are. Who can forget songs such as Galveston, Lineman For the County, Gentle On My Mind and Everyday Housewife...I sing along as I go about my daily chores...

Today was a day for warm comfy handmade socks...Spring dreams danced in Winslow Homer's head...and out of the oven came sweet strawberry muffins... I do wonder what became of the Robins and Bluebirds that showed up in our field. I have a feeling they are as confused over this strange weather as we...

GOODBYE FEBRUARY~

February, traditionally is the snowiest month in Maine...due to this fact I seem to purchase the majority of cut flowers in this month...The simple elegance of tulips and daffodils can't help but brighten my day.
It appears this year the month of March will be coming "in" with the "roar" of a lion. A snowstorm is heading our way, ten to fourteen inches of heavy wet snow is predicted. We seasoned Mainers know enough to keep the plows on our trucks till the end of April, while snow blowers and shovels remain close at hand, also... strategically placed...are the Bean boots...Due to the lack of snow and cold weather winter activities have taken a back seat, popular sledding hills have remained quiet, ice skating and fishing derbys have been cancelled due to the thinness of the ice, even my snowshoes have remained quiet...now, my girls on the other hand have become and continue to be quite vocal...Spring fever has hit the coop...specifically, Don Juan and his son Ramon...their randiness continues to annoy my older girls...they are ladies and feel they should be treated as such... their preference is to dine in peace...and quiet...they take no kindness to "rear end" assaults...or cold feet...Oh spring cannot come soon enough to the girls of Dog Trot Farm...those wonder lust days of warm dirt baths and green grass feeds seemed to have been in a wings reach...I don't have the heart to tell them winter is returning...in the morning...I will trudge to the coop with a breakfast of warm oatmeal and raisins and upon my return will sit by the warmth of the wood stove and stare at my tulips and dream of the warm days yet to come...

~FRIENDS~

A friend...
is someone who knows how to put a smile on your face while your heart is still mending...
Sweet Emma Lou has come home to Dog Trot Farm, I picked her ashes up on Friday. It seems strange not to have a feline in the house, at one time we had eight along with two collies. I do have good news to share, Lida the shelter kitty has found a forever home. I was so relieved to learn she had been adopted. I admit I felt guilty for not being ready to take her in, she is a sweet kitty and quite deserving of a loving home. Below, a rug I designed and hooked years ago.It depicts Emma and Macy, Emma being a Tortie and Macy a Money cat. Macy was Emma's best friend and the "mouser" in the family. Macy wandered in our field one day, jumped into my arms and the rest is history. I have been remiss in putting the binding on my rug...I realize now is the time to do so...Well, I do hope you all are enjoying this lovely winter Sunday, I'm off to clean the coop and have a little chat with my girls, gotta keep up with local coop gossip...Greeting from Maine, Julie.

WEIGHT LOSS TIP~

Here is a weight loss tip that I would like to share with you...a tip that I have learned first hand...one that I stumbled upon all by myself...now...go gather the one food item that has been calling to you, the one forbidden food that you have been dreaming of, the one item that makes you giddy with delight, the food that causes your mouth to water...in my case... it is the Whoopie Pie...that dark chocolate cake with whipped vanilla filling......pure heaven
take your favorite food and go find the most comfy seat in your home...get settled in... now...turn on the television program "Hoarders" I promise... you will not have the appetite to devour your forbidden delight... you may never have the desire to eat this food again...this season the Hoarders appears to have gone to the extreme...I find it to be quite disturbing...so much in fact I have banned it from my television viewing...and if you are wondering, I did not eat the whoopie pie...but my husband sure has a smile on his face...

THE COLOR YELLOW

If I were to assign the day a color it would be yellow...the color of sunshine... and daffodils...and a yellow find from Goodwill...a small Pitcher...perhaps a piece to a child's tea set...I simply could not resist...
also from Goodwill...a box of sunshine...a box of yellow chicks...yellow the color of happiness...
Once again thank you for your kind comments in response to Sweet Emma Lou, also for taking the time to offer your opinion in regards to the shelter cat Lida. My heart is not ready to let a new kitty in, however, I would love to offer a home to a kitty who is in temporary need. Fostering seems to be the answer...Visiting an animal shelter can be overwhelming, how difficult it is to choose one cat, when so many are in need. My thought has been to foster cats who test positive for feline Leukemia or perhaps senior cats that are difficult to place due to age...whatever direction I take, Dog Trot Farm will open it's door to those in need...

IS THIS A SIGN?

I believe that each of us has an inner voice...a voice that helps guide us through our everyday life...I also believe departed loved ones can aid in our decision making by sending signs...case in point...I received so many warm and heartfelt comments regarding my post about Sweet Emma Lou...one particular comment read "I know what your husband is getting you for Valentines Day"...my husband read this too and asked me if I was ready for another cat..."no" I replied...however my inner voice instructed me to look at the website of our local animal refuge league...today I made a visit...

her eyes were green...and her coat was quite similar...she purred...and greeted me...

and her name... LIDA...Lida was my late grandmother's name, a name which is very uncommon...so I ask you...is this a sign? please give me your opinion...thank you...

ON A HAPPIER NOTE

Thank you all dear friends for your kind words in regards to the death of my Sweet Emma Lou. It was her time and I know she is in a better place. Your heart felt comments will certainly aid in the healing of my broken heart. On a happier note I thought I would share a seafood recipe with you. Most people enjoy seafood, I on the other hand do not, nor do I enjoy the aroma, if I am being honest I would tell you the smell of seafood makes me sick...okay gag...

It is scallop season in Maine, and fresh scallops are at a premium, $16.00 a pound. My parents who were visiting us last Sunday, purchased two pounds of scallops, fresh right off the boat. My husband was plain giddy with the thought of making this recipe, Scallop Puffs. This is an Island recipe and if you enjoy scallops it more than likely make you giddy too. We broke out the Fry Daddy, a gift I had given my husband five or more years ago. It had never never seen the light of day as normally we do not consume fried foods. If I recall correctly I purchased the Fry Daddy for making dough boys, a favorite food my husbands enjoys when visiting county fairs. Back to Superbowl Sunday, I had a turkey roasting in the oven, turkey being my favorite food, I was not about to let the odor of deep frying scallops intertwine with the delicious aroma of turkey roasting. Undeterred, my husband set up shop on the back porch and fried those puppies till they were a light golden brown. All I heard was "Bill these are delicious," "do you want more Nanny?" "Pile them on" I guess they must have been delicious as they devoured the entire pound...Here is the recipe...

SCALLOP PUFFS:

2 CUPS FLOUR

2 TSP. BAKING POWDER

1 TSP SALT

2 EGGS

1 CUP MILK OR CREAM

1 1/2 LBS SCALLOPS

OIL FOR FRYING

Mix first five ingredients together, no not over mix batter. Cut scallops into small pieces and fold into batter. Heat desired amount of oil over medium high heat ( WE USED THE FRY DADDY-ONE HEAT ONLY!) Drop batter by the teaspoon into hot oil and cook on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. I hope you enjoy!

SWEET EMMA LOU

December of 1996 my husband asked me what I would like for Christmas...
my reply... Beauty...Beauty? Is that a new perfume?... I had been watching a local noon time news show that fateful day, a day in which this particular television station was hosting the local animal refuge league. A lovely lady representing the league had brought in with her a few of their cats that were up for adoption. A small petite cat named Beauty caught my eye, really it was love at first sight. I am pleased to say my husband did indeed adopt Beauty for me as my Christmas gift that year. Not only did Beauty have a new forever home, but a new name too, Sweet Emma Lou. Emma Lou spent her first week hiding under our bed, by the time I got a good look at her I thought for sure my husband had brought home the wrong cat, she looked nothing like the cat I had seen on television. I eventually chalked it up to good makeup. It did not take Emma Lou long to make herself right at home, with four other cats and two dogs in the house she had no choice. Emma was approximately five years old and thought to be an indoor only kitty. We soon discovered that Emma had a special gift... Most nights while we slept she was on the prowl, her prey: socks, hats, and underwear...most mornings I would find one or more of these items downstairs on the living room floor always wondering how they got there. One morning while cooking breakfast I heard a strange meowing, one of those proud meows which says come look at me...and their she was coming down the stairs with a red knit hat in her mouth... Oh how I have loved that little cat... Emma Lou out lived those four cats and two dogs and even in her old age she could put Winslow Homer in his place. Today...at the age of twenty one...my Sweet Emma Lou passed away...my heart hurts...but I know it was her time...and I am so grateful that she was in my life for sixteen years...Emma Lou you will always remain safely tucked in my heart...

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY

First let me say I make a mean whoopie pie...relatives and friends alike come from near and far to indulge in my decadent dark chocolate cake with sweet cream filling... Secondly, let me say one of the benefits of keeping chickens is you always have someone to rant to...today being Wednesday, it is Weight Watcher weigh-in day. Lord have mercy, I lost a whooping .1 of a pound. You could have bowled me over with a feather. Seriously, I wanted to shout "you must be mistaken"..."the scales obviously need to be calibrated" come on... Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was going to be so difficult to lose twenty pounds. I exercise, have been completely faithful to the WW program, three weeks and I have only lost a little over four pounds...My friend...once again indulged in all forms of food no no's... I mean macaroni and cheese...pizza...big ole fat pork chops...brownies and pumpkin squares...yup...she lost...two and a half pounds...a little over eight pounds total...

so...okay...I admit it...I drove home...walked in the door...hung my coat up...kicked off my boots ...opened the frig...poured myself a big ole glass of cold milk...and savored every bite of my decadent delight...

girls I ranted...I do make a damn fine whoopie pie if I must say so...and tomorrow...well...it's another day...

WEIGHT WATCHER WEIGH IN~

Today was weigh in day at Weight Watchers. This past week I have been "living" the program. I have been extremely diligent with my "clean" eating. No butter, salt, (my choice) minimal carbs. and sugar. Lots of fruit, vegetables and protein. Three days I met my goal of 10,000 steps by snow shoeing, followed by many, many steps of walking.

For those of you who might be contemplating joining Weight Watchers or you are a newbie as I, this is a lesson that I learned the hard way today. Eat all of your points. I had not been doing this and today it showed up on the scale, I lost a quarter of a pound. Weight Watchers is an exact science and if you do not play by the rules, you suffer the consequences. Point in turn, a friend who also joined with me, indulged in pizza four times last week, birthday cake and Boston cream pie too, she used her points and the extra 46 you are given. Today she was four pounds lighter with a two week total of seven pounds lost while I remain at four. So there you have it, am I giving up NO, today begins another Weight Watcher week and you can bet this week I'll be eating all my points!

A NEW ENGLAND WINTER DAY

Winter...

Wide, sparkling fields snow-vested ice

Beneath a blue unshadowed sky;

A glistening splendor crowns the woods

And bosky, whistling solitude;

In hemlock glen and reedy mere

The tang of frost is sharp and clear;

Life hath a jollity and zest,

A poignancy made manifest;

Laughter and courage have their way

At noontime of a winter's day...

~Lucy Maud Montgomery~

This snowy day finds me out and about early. After tending the "girls," I strap on my snowshoes and head for the trails that lay before me. The solitude of the woods is welcoming, off in the distance the song of the chick-a-dee can be heard. I do feel a bit of sadness as I plod along for my trusty side-kick, Winslow Homer, can no longer accompany me. Winslow, with daily medications remains healthy, but age and blindness has become a hindrance. Today, I again aim for my goal of 10,000 steps. Tomorrow I will be held accountable as it is "weigh in" day at Weight Watchers...How lovely it is to return home and find a note left by my husband...all it takes is three little words to warm the heart...

Speaking of the heart, being heart healthy is most important to every one's overall well being. Most fruits and vegetables included in the Weight Watcher program remain point free, meaning you can eat as many as you like, within limits of course. Oranges have become a favorite mid morning snack, not only are they nutritious, but recently I learned (DR. OZ) that the pith of an orange is beneficial in preventing wrinkles. Who knew...Honey...load me up...this morning as I read my "Laugh 'Til The Mascara Runs" Shoebox calender, the caption read "Does Wearing Fruit Count On A Diet"? Carmen Miranda I am not, but I can shake my maracas with the best of them...

IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning there was a little banty hen named Josephine. Josephine was a very determined little hen, her goal in life was to become a mother. Julie, the kind hearted hen keeper took pity upon Josephine and decided to grant her wish, three weeks later two little chicks were hatched out...
Little Gwendolyn soon became the apple of her mother's eye...
the older ladies in the coop learned to tolerate the chicks presence...day by day they watched little Gwendolyn and her sister grow...all remained calm in the hen house...that is until today...why Gladys cocked her head in confusion...the kind hearted hen keeper gasped in disbelief...the "croaking" noise grabbed Henny's attention...Pearly May's eyes glazed over...and Phoebe was ready to draw blood...you see today is the day that Gwendolyn found her voice... I on the other hand remain speechless... Proud papa Don Juan puffed out his chest, fluffed up his tail feathers and announced to the world that his son shall be named Ramon... and there will be no "crowing" over it...Good Sunday everyone...