SATURDAY CHORES

Oh what a glorious day, this is the sort of day you never want to end. The temperature in the low eighties, a gentle Southerly breeze. Green is becoming the prominent color in the landscape, trees starting to bud, it is a magical time of year. Today I uncovered my flower gardens. This is what I call my "moon" garden. A Hydrangea tree in the center, white perennials and silver foliage bloom during the summer. Springtime bulbs also find a home here.

My Herb garden being uncovered under the watchful eye of Winslow Homer.

My perennial bed is a color mixture of pinks, purples, whites, lime greens and blues. It appears most plants have endured our lengthy winter and are now just waiting to make their grand appearance.

Forsythia, a sure sign of spring.Yes Winslow you are a good boy. Thank you for keeping Mr. fox out of the yard, now go get a drink of water and find a shady spot to relax, I'll be right behind you.

We all worked under the watchful eye of Emma Lou. Is that an "orb" I see in this photo, oh Lordy, I knew there were spirits in this house, I hope they remain friendly!

A WALK WITH WINSLOW

The sun came out this afternoon so I chucked my rainy day project (I mean placed it aside) put my mud boots on and headed out the door, Winslow Homer was okay with this idea.

Yup, we encountered a flock of turkey's which Winslow promptly put in the tree tops. I don't know who was startled more us or the turkeys.

As we came upon our pond a pretty fox scampered past. Winslow spun into action and was hot on it's trail. This is a very intuitive fox, for you see since beginning our chicken coop he/she has been showing up daily checking out the new "digs" being built in the backyard. Upon returning to the door yard I noticed hawks flying overhead. Now this isn't anything new, but now that I have dainty banty's coming to reside, I'd rather they would fly somewhere else. Winslow is going to be placed on guard duty, maybe even bunking in with the girls. Winslow come back here leave that fox alone. Till next time!

RAINY DAY PROJECT

Today was rainy, cold, damp, and gloomy. Need I say more. No outside work for me. I decided it was time to finish up some of my rug hooking projects. I love rug hooking, designing, color placement, but hate sewing on the binding. I've tried different methods, but still am not fond of this process. The rug below is one I hooked for my mother, I love the end result it is a true primitive!This pattern I purchased at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont during a rug exhibition. My Mom requested bright colors and a primitive design and that's what I delivered.

This is a small runner, a pattern I purchased at the Searsport Rug Hooking store in Searsport, Maine. This was completed in a day. This would be a great beginners project, as it hooks up quite quickly.

This pattern also comes from Searsport Rug hooking. This is a "hit or miss" pattern which uses accumulated worms ( wool strips) from previous hooking projects. I need to hand saw the binding, then steam press. This will take me at least the rest of the week to accomplish, wish me luck!

NATURE

Today was a beautiful sunny day here in Southern Maine, Winslow and I took full advantage. First we uncovered daffodils, did some raking, brought out the bird bath and added two new Blue bird boxes to the yard.

With those chores completed I decided it was time for Winslow and I to take our first walk of the season. It is a lovely trail behind our home, down a hill, around the pond, pass the stream and loop back up again. The birds were singing and there was a slight breeze. Next month this walk will be almost impossible. With May comes the arrival of Black Flies, Mosquitos and Ticks. You practically have to wear armour to keep yourself safe! Ticks have become a real problem in Maine. Winslow is a victim of Lyme's disease. A back paw limp turned into full paralysis over a short period of time. DH rushed him to the Emergency Animal Hospital as it was the Christmas Holiday and I happened to still be on the island. His kidneys had begun to shut down and it was a matter of wait and watch. Enough said, he survived, still thinks he is a big dog in a little body and is loved dearly.

IN EVERY WALK WITH NATURE ONE RECEIVES FAR MORE THAN HE SEEKS.

JOHN MUIR

DAYS OF SPRING

A quick weekend trip to the island to finish up a survey job. Soon it will be time to slap a coat of paint on these chairs, plump up the cushions, and enjoy this view. Oh, and don't forget the lemonade!

Daffodils are finally making an appearance. Oh happy day, we here in New England have waited so very long for the magic of spring to begin.

The Magnolia tree is covered in buds and a few have started to blossom.

When I returned home I found DH working diligently on the chicken coop, as we say in Maine he's a keepa!

Winslow Homer where are you, get back here! Till next time.

EASTER

Good Tuesday evening. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Easter Holiday. My DH and I welcomed my parents, my mother in law, our two sons, one new girlfriend, and a special niece and her husband. These blue peeps just happened to show up on my counter top Sunday morning. This special mohair peep was knit by my niece, she has other lovely knitting projects on her blog called "missthesea." She also was born an islander and continued to live on the island until college. She and her new husband now reside in Portland. I love my little peep.

Since the men folk in my family are now grown adults, no longer in need of Easter baskets, I or shall I say the Easter Bunny brought chicken feeders filled with what else, jellybeans! Saturday my DH did a little more work on the chicken coop. Yes thats my honey, isn't he cute! Now get back to work!

PRIMITIVE RUGS

As I look back I guess I have had birds on my mind for quite sometime. This is a primitive hen and pennies I designed and hooked a few years ago. This is one of my first projects. A rug hooking kit I purchased at the Door Mill Outlet in Western New Hampshire. This is the project that got me hooked on primitive rug hooking, you can be as creative as you want and really can't go wrong. I now look forward to having real hens, I hope I take to them as well as I did rug hooking.

HAPPY EASTER

Good Sunday afternoon. Best Easter wishes to all of you out in blogland. To my brother Kris, sister- inlaw Jovan, Papa T, cousin Eve and her family, Happy Easter from your family in Maine.

ISLAND LIFE

One never knows what one might encounter deep in the woods. This is what my Dad and I stumbled on when surveying Wednesday morning. The truck appears to far gone to tell what the make is, until I spied this logo. A Chevy Deluxe. You have to wonder how and who left it behind all those many years ago.

A Muscle shell left behind by an Island Gull. Gulls forage for food along the shore, they drop a shell on the rocks till it cracks and the inner contents exposed to be eaten. Some of the grounds around my parents home. My Dad encompassed the yard with stone walls. Later in the spring fields of Daffodils and Jonquils will be making an appearance. If you are wondering if there is wild life here on the island, the answer is yes. Deer, raccoons, squirrels, rodents, fox and last year the one and only turkey made her appearance. All have made the journey from the mainland. We can't seem to figure out how the turkey made her journey, it's to far for a turkey to fly and no one claims to have brought one over. A mystery remains.

This is the home my brother and I grew up in. We are very fortunate to have both of our parents healthy and active. Many special memories were made here and continue to do so.The West end of the Island. Ponce's Landing. A small restaurant opens in the summer, the Post office is attached and is opened year round. The US mail comes daily to the island via Casco Bay Lines. The large white building is the main store on the island, but is only opened in the summer for groceries. Islanders are able to get gasoline here three times a week. Grocery shopping is done on the mainland and then shipped out by ferry. There is an elementary school on the island, grades six through twelve commute to the mainland via ferry and then bused. Islanders are a hardy stock!

This is the break water a place where lobster men moor their boats for safe keeping.

Time to leave the island behind and head back to my country home. Winslow Homer is patiently waiting for his supper!

SPRING

Yes Winslow Homer the magic is happening, the earth is greening up in all her glory.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE KRIS

I'm off to the island again but before I go I would like to wish my brother Kris a very Happy Birthday!

CHICKENS

Good Tuesday to you all. I have been busy getting my ducks, I mean chickens in a row. Last Thursday night I went to chicken school, actually a chicken seminar put on by our local Blue Seal. There were 40 of us in this seminar and 80 attendant's next door in another. Keeping a flock of chickens seems to be big business these days. I have been stock piling supplies over the winter and doing a lot of reading on the subject of "chicken keeping." There appears to be many "pros" in having one's own flock this is what is so appealing. It's the"cons" that seem intimidating. Egg eating, feather pecking, prolapse, colds, mites, worms, fleas, lice, trimming beaks, claws, clipping wings, not to mention the many diseases they can contract. How about varmints? Fox, fishers, mice, possum, squirrels, hawks, do I really need to purchase flack jackets to keep my girls safe from chicken hawks? How about neighboring dogs and cats? With all that being said my little bantams will be arriving one month from today. 4 Barred Rock, 4 Buff Orpington and 2 Ameraucanas. The brooder and all it's equipment are ready. Feed purchased, Blue Kote (just in case) on hand. I think I am good to go.Our spot has been chosen for the Coop. Sheltered, a fair distance from the house, enough natural light, and a good area for a fenced in hen yard. A separate run for Winslow Homer if need be. No flack jackets, no clipped wings.
DH placing stones for the foundation. The bathroom is not quite finished, still have not decided on the kitchen counter top, but the coop must now take top priority! Wish us luck, will keep you posted.

LONG ISLAND

On Monday I headed out to the Island to Survey with my Dad. Land survey that is. He is a registered surveyor for the State of Maine, since retired from the City of Portland, and now primarily surveys on Long Island. I have the good fortune to be his "Rod Person". ( as well as his daughter) He is very spry, witty, and when my "menopausal" brain fogs up, his is quick and precise. Mr. Jones at work, he sure looks good for a senior citizen. Don't tell him I said that.

A view from the job site. This is Casco Bay, it was a cold blustery day, I had to add more layers to my clothing, long underwear and an extra sweater!

, The home owner is a local Lobster man, his gear stored for the winter on his dock. Lobster traps will soon be revamped and ready to go overboard.

A summer cottage across the street, I won't mind spending lazy summer days here, would you?Oh yes, finally some signs of spring at Dogtrot Farm. Winslow's first tick of the season is removed. Yes, there is still snow on the ground. Ants, the ants are marching "one" by "one" along my floors. I have no clue where they are coming from. Skunks, need I say more, I better stock up on tomato juice! Winslow, you better stay away from those skunks! Till next time.

WINTER IS FLEETING

Over the winter half freckled with snow half-thawed

The speculating rooks at their nest cawed,

And saw from the elm-tops, delicate as a flower of grass.

What we below could not see,

Winter pass.~Edward Thomas

HELP!

My husband and I built our home twenty seven years ago. Our taste, I should say my taste is considered "primitive," well worn, antique, lovingly used.(you get the picture.) Now we are in need of replacing this well worn kitchen counter top. It is black laminate and held up well maybe ten of the twenty seven years since it's instillation. Counter tops sure have changed since 1982, especially the cost! I have looked at Granite, Corian, Quartz, Soapstone, Silestone and Solid Formica. This is a large investment and I want to make the right decision for us. If any of you lovely people in blog land have these materials in you're kitchen would you be willing to give me some advice and help steer me in the right direction. I love the Granite, but think it will look to fancy in our kitchen. I have Pine Kennebec Kitchen Cabinets, large black kitchen sink, black appliances and no island. I am leaning towards the Corian, but not sure how it will "really" hold up. I love the look of black soapstone, but alot of maintenance. Please help I am open to any and all suggestions!

BANANA CAKE

This morning I decided to put these bananas to good use.(Don't you just hate it when bananas become speckled, mushy and draw the attention of fruit flies) I could not bear to throw them out. However, being tired of my "same old" banana bread recipe I went on a search and found the website of"Chubba Gurl" She discovered a Banana Cake recipe ( but could not remember where) Having all the ingredients on hand I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did as it is delicious! ( I added the walnuts)

I've posted the recipe below if anyone would like to give it a try. Thanks Cubba Gurl.

BANANA CAKE

1/2 Cup Butter Softened

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

2 Cups Flour Sifted

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Cup Milk

1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla

3 Bananas Mashed add 3/4 Teaspoon baking soda to Bananas.
Grease and flour a 9x13 pan

Cream butter and sugar. Add in eggs then vanilla. Add mashed bananas that have been mixed with 3/4 baking soda. In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients, slowly add to liquids, then add milk.

Bake in 350 oven, I baked mine for 30 minutes and it was perfect. Cool and add cream cheese frosting. Beat 1/2 stick butter, 8 o/z cream cheese, 1 lb powered sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla. Yummy!

SPRING CLEANING

Winslow get back here, its time to start spring cleaning! March bustles in on windy feet
And sweeps my doorstep and my street.
She washes and cleans with pounding rains,
Scrubbing the earth of winter stains.
She shakes the grime from carpet green
Till naught but fresh new blades are seen.
Then, house in order, all neat as a pin,
She ushers gentle springtime in."
Susan Reiner