HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVINGFrom our home to yours we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Faith, Family, Friends, that is what I am thankful for.

Yes, Gladys and you too!

APRON STRINGS

I'm an apron kind of gal and I just love this new primitive apron of mine. I purchased it from Birgit of "The Primitive Country Bug" during her wonderful Christmas Holiday Fair. The apron has wonderful large pockets, perfect for egg collecting. Speaking of eggs, my girls rewarded me this morning with nine lovely warm eggs. I immediately incorporated them into the pumpkin pie batter I was beating. Oh the wonderful rewards of chicken keeping. ( I do realize I may not be thinking that when we have four feet of snow on the ground and its twenty below outside.) But for now the aprons strings must be tied back on and off to the kitchen I go.
I do think there might be a glass of wine in my future, oh and lets hope the sun shines tomorrow.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

SORRY GLADYS

Some of my girl's are a little upset with me. Okay really upset with me. I had hoped they wouldn't notice, but I was mistaken. If you could have seen the way Gladys glared at me- nope, not at all happy. I tried to explain, "you just gotta get ya window boxes filled for the holiday season before the dirt freezes". Didn't cut it with her.

Gladys called Willa over to have a look.
and in disgust, they both left. Plain and simple.

A few fir boughs and pine cones were not going to stop Miss Pearl, no sirree....

This is one persistent gal. By the way, I think she makes a lovely adornment too!

PRIMITIVE PROJECTS

Yesterday was a fine day to finish leaf raking, give the coop a good cleaning and complete a few lingering projects. This is my primitive lady who watches over my garden year round. I needed to refurbish her with a coat of paint and an application of wax. I made a large batch of silicone bulbs. These were made from a recipe given by "Char" over at the " Pickled Pepper Patch". They smell wonderful as well as give that primitive ambiance that we primitive lovers strive for.
I found a piece of scrap wood left over from another project and decided to attempt my take on a primitive candle board. The candles I made from another of Char's recipes. I just love that gal!
This Christmas stocking I began last winter it was all hooked I just needed to add the greenery.

An" alas" it is time to put these primitive fall friends away. Stay tuned to see who or what will take their place.

A "HONEY" OF AN EGG

There was a lot of whispering going on in the barnyard yesterday. It all began with Gladys and Willa.... who couldn't wait to tell what they had overheard to Lucy and Henny.

This "buzz" was all about Honey my sweet little Buff. Gladys just had to stroll by and give Honey a once over. Humm...could be true I suppose. She then went to inform Pip of what she had overheard. Not one to draw attention to herself, Honey took it all in stride.You see I went to collect eggs yesterday morning and everyone had performed their daily duty but little Honey. She was still in the nesting box. I quietly watched and waited, after a couple of strong pushes Honey's egg plopped out. She made her usual vocal announcement and off she went ( but did seem to be a little slower in her movement). I gathered the eggs and went into the house and decided to line the eggs up when I realized my little Honey had bestowed upon me the largest egg in Dog Trot Farm egg producing history.

I had to find out just how much this beautiful egg weighed.

Well, if you can't read the scale Honey's egg weighed in at a little over three ounces, yes three ounces! ( Now I realize why Honey was moving somewhat slower yesterday afternoon). I would be too. I've given Honey the day off - I think she's earned a well deserved day lazing in the sun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINSLOW HOMER

Today is Winslow Homer's ninth birthday. Winslow Homer came to live with us on a Saturday in February. Now I had no intention of owning another dog. At the time we had a beloved Collie, Chloe. DH and I were out doing errands that Saturday morning and on the list was to purchase Chloe a new "shedding" brush. Off to the pet store we went. Of course upon entering we "oh" and "ah" over the puppies. DH spied Winslow Homer and his sister and asked to hold them. Winslow took of scurrying around the pet store and his meek and mild sister was content just to be held. I grabbed the shedding brush and then took a turn holding Winslow, proceeded to give him back to the store employee, when DH looked at me and said "how can you put him back". Well, I can. Needless to say Winslow came home with us that day and has been a faithful friend . Now I realize what some people think when they hear you purchased a puppy at a pet store. We had always adopted our animals, but this was just meant to be. When looking through Winslow's paper work we learned he came from Kansas and his mother's name was Julie D. My name is Julie, middle initial D. It was a sign, Winslow was meant to be part of our family. Oh and Chloe never did get her shedding brush that day, but did get a faithful sidekick. Happy birthday Winslow Homer!

MORNING CHILL

" Pleasures lie thickest where no pleasure seem:

There's not a leaf that falls upon the ground
But holds some joy of silence or sound
Some spirits begotten of a summer dream."

~Leman Blanchard~

MY MORNING WITH ABSOLUT

I started my morning with this, no it's not what you're thinking....... shame on you!! Poured vodka into this lovely bottle, split three vanilla beans and dropped them in
Now the infusion begins. The bottle states it is a seven year supply, however with the amount of baking I do, two bottles were in order.

Do I think this premium vanilla will be good, ABSOLUTELY!

NEW FRIENDS

A week ago last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending The Primitive Country Bug's Christmas open house. I was quickly greeted by Birgit and her friend Linda, two of the loveliest ladies you ever want to meet. Birgit's home was warm and inviting and her wares primitive (just the way we like them) and wonderful. These are two very talented ladies. The icing on the cake was meeting Linda, another chicken lover. I hope she won't mind, but if I have any chicken issues I've nominated her my "go to" gal. Linda loves her "girls" as much as I love mine and is a seasoned chicken keeper. A girl can't have too many chicken lover friends. Last Friday my husband brought the mail in and informed me I had a package. Humm...... I hadn't ordered anything. What a wonderful surprise I received from Birgit. In my unexpected package was a red stocking filled with Sweet Annie, Lavender tarts (which smell wonderful) and two sweet signs with a simple offering (also a homemade card made by Birgit) all which I love. Thank you so much Birgit, you are the sweetest. I hope we meet again soon, it is so nice to meet and connect with blogging friends. Oh, Gladys wanted me to let you know she has eggs anytime you need them.

SUNDAY EVENING

There is beauty at twilight.Red skies at night, sailor's delight

Red skies in the morning, sailor's take warning.

VETERANS DAY

Thank you to all veterans who have proudly served our country, men and women who are presently serving and future soldiers. God Bless You All and God Bless America.

NOVEMBER WARMTH

For the past two days the weather here in Southern Maine has been mild and in the mid sixties. Few flowers are still in bloom, but these that remain are enjoying the warmth. All too soon the approaching cold will strike, and days like these will be a faded memory. The chickens too have been enjoying the weather. I have been trying to get the yard raked (where did this sea of brown come from), however the girls take this as a signal for some good old fashioned fun. Pig pile. They love to run and scurry through the leaves, just as my sons did when they were young. Sweet Honey

Charlotte

PipPearl.
I do hope I make progress on my raking, last year the snow fell before I could get this fall chore accomplished. Mental note: order new snowshoes and poles before it's to late!

"OLLIE"

Yesterday was a perfect day to finish up "Ollie" he was finally able to join his new friends. Unfortunately it is time to pack them away until next year, you can see Ollie is not happy about this by the look on his face. This morning as I went to gather eggs, Pip greeted me at the door and was soon joined by Willa. They were quite animated, it was as if they couldn't wait to show me something.
My oh my those girls of mine have been working overtime.

Eight beautiful eggs.

It has lead me to wonder what is so special about this particular nest box.
There are four nest boxes, but this one seems to be the favorite. Is it the amount of chips? location? or could it be once one egg is laid and still warm, it prompts another to jump in and go about her business. All I can say is what a delight to collect warm eggs first thing in the morning. Girls I am very grateful, keep up the good work!

FIRST SNOW

Proof that winter is just around the corner!

"ELLIOTT"

I posted a picture of this cat on a Wordless Wednesday. This is not Emma, but a stray on the island where my parents reside. She is lovely in looks and personality and I felt deserved a name. "Elliott" has been residing on a summer resident's porch in a grocery box. Now that this family has left the island my dad has befriended her. He has provided food, a newly constructed cat box, which will offer security and warmth in the cold winter months. My parents together made the decision to take her to the Vet in Portland. Elliot's age was determined between three and thirteen. She had been spayed at one time and was in relatively good health. She was given a rabies vaccine and treated for fleas. It is obvious she was someone's pet, however no one has claimed her. The Vet and my dad made the decision to bring her back to the island. Elliott has been an independent outdoor lady for quite some time and being caged up in a shelter would do more harm than good.

I myself cannot fathom how people can mistreat or just dispose of an animal. You all can rest assured that this lady will be well taken care off. I am glad to know there are good Samaritans like my parents in this world who choose to do the right thing. Elliott and I thank you both.

NOVEMBER

" November comes

And November goes,
With the last red berries

And the first white snow.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fire burns

And the kettle sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring."

~Clyde Watson~

GHOSTS OF HALLOWEEN PAST

I love Halloween. I love the colors black and orange and old Halloween memorabilia. Our sons are now grown and Halloween isn't quite the same. No preparing costumes, trick or treating, or Halloween parties. So as a couple of empty nesters DH and I have begun our own Halloween traditions. Winslow dons a costume, this year I made him a chicken hood, but he was too embarrassed to pose. At twilight we head to a most magical place, "The North Gorham Cemetery". Now DH and I have been going to this cemetery walk for the past five years. This event is credited to one gentleman. Not only does he carve all the pumpkins, (we think he must have help, our son says "no") but he purchases them as well. A jack-o-lantern is positioned on each gravestone no matter how high or low. We drove by the cemetery in the late morning and saw no evidence of pumpkins. On our return through a few short hours later the pumpkins were all in their places.

At dark the magic beginsThe rains came early, but It was still a most amazing sight! I Hope your Halloween was as "Spooktacular" as ours !