"Be it ever so humble there's no place like home."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A DAY ON THE FARM
Today the temperature being in the forties allowed me to let the girls loose to roam what yard they could find. Periodically I would check on them, but knew they were fine. A short time later I heard a tapping at the front door and found Miss Pearl. "Sorry honey you can't come in you know daddy's rules". 
I returned to laundry detail. How two people generate so much laundry is beyond me. A while later I heard one of the girls start in again. Usually this loud voice means 1. a predator 2. an impending egg. Out the door I go, Georgia looks at me as if to say, "I didn't do it".
Well, I must have walked right by Miss Pearl (Santa really needs to bring this girl a razor). Pearl has a fixation with our grill, I am not sure the reason why but it has become her sole territory. (The girls still have not forgiven me for filling in their window box with boughs and pine cones.)
As I looked closer what to my wandering eyes should appear, but an egg. Miss Pearl decided to bestow her beautiful blue egg right there on the grill. My she was sure proud of herself. Can't say as I blame her.
Sometimes I feel as if I am on an Easter egg hunt and here it is Christmas. Well it does keep things interesting around here.
Good night from Dog Trot Farm.
I returned to laundry detail. How two people generate so much laundry is beyond me. A while later I heard one of the girls start in again. Usually this loud voice means 1. a predator 2. an impending egg. Out the door I go, Georgia looks at me as if to say, "I didn't do it". 
Well, I must have walked right by Miss Pearl (Santa really needs to bring this girl a razor). Pearl has a fixation with our grill, I am not sure the reason why but it has become her sole territory. (The girls still have not forgiven me for filling in their window box with boughs and pine cones.)
As I looked closer what to my wandering eyes should appear, but an egg. Miss Pearl decided to bestow her beautiful blue egg right there on the grill. My she was sure proud of herself. Can't say as I blame her.
Sometimes I feel as if I am on an Easter egg hunt and here it is Christmas. Well it does keep things interesting around here.
Good night from Dog Trot Farm.Monday, December 14, 2009
IT'S COLD OUT!!
It has been a little chilly around here lately, okay down right chilly, today being the first day I have not worn my long underwear in a week. The girls, needless to say have opted to remain inside their coop. Yesterday was the exception. The sun did shine, if only briefly and a few brave souls did decide to venture forth.
These girls on the other hand were having none of it- preferring to remain cozy and warm in their nesting boxes. As winter has set in I have learned the coop needs to be maintained daily with special warm treats provided. The hens now endure long hours of confinement with one another, but so far so good. Egg production has not decreased and in fact the opposite.
Now Gladys on the other hand could not wait to get out of the coop, stretch her legs and let her feathers air out. This girl was on a mission!
Georgia got stuck on some ice. This one legged stance has become quite familiar around here. Needless to say I scooped Georgia up and carried her to greener ground.
Charlotte was not about to let the wind do her in, determined to find something green, or close to green. 
Willa just can't seem to adjust to all this white stuff, let alone her cold feet.
Finally, having arrived to the southerly side of the house where it was a bit warmer and in the lee. Determination has prevailed!
All too soon it was time to head back in, no frozen combs or frost bitten toes wanted around here. 
And as night fell so did the snow.
Just another of many winter days to come here at Dog Trot Farm. Oh, right it's officially not winter yet. Um, please don't tell my girls...
They might decide to go on strike!!
These girls on the other hand were having none of it- preferring to remain cozy and warm in their nesting boxes. As winter has set in I have learned the coop needs to be maintained daily with special warm treats provided. The hens now endure long hours of confinement with one another, but so far so good. Egg production has not decreased and in fact the opposite.
Now Gladys on the other hand could not wait to get out of the coop, stretch her legs and let her feathers air out. This girl was on a mission!
Georgia got stuck on some ice. This one legged stance has become quite familiar around here. Needless to say I scooped Georgia up and carried her to greener ground.
Charlotte was not about to let the wind do her in, determined to find something green, or close to green. 
Willa just can't seem to adjust to all this white stuff, let alone her cold feet.
Finally, having arrived to the southerly side of the house where it was a bit warmer and in the lee. Determination has prevailed!
All too soon it was time to head back in, no frozen combs or frost bitten toes wanted around here. 
And as night fell so did the snow.
Just another of many winter days to come here at Dog Trot Farm. Oh, right it's officially not winter yet. Um, please don't tell my girls...
They might decide to go on strike!!Thursday, December 10, 2009
OH TANNENBAUM, OHOOOOOOOOOOO
Last Saturday DH and I ventured around the corner to our favorite Christmas tree farm. It's just a small grove of trees beside and in back of this gentleman's home. His trees are lovely and well taken care of. We found the perfect Christmas tree for us. 
Honey would you like to change your mind? "Nope" I said I'm happy with my first choice, "good" was the reply.
Thank goodness we cut our tree before the snow came. Sunday we brought the tree indoors and let the branches settle before decorating. Um, I think it's "leaning" a little. I do remember saying those words, I swear I do.
Monday after three hours of decorating, over it went. Yes, I lost ornaments and yes I did shed a few tears, but I have recovered.
After restringing lights, and replacing ornaments, old Tannebaum has been erected once again. Tonight as I turn on the tree lights my tree seems to come alive with the spirit of Christmas.
Thank goodness my sweet little chicken ornament did not get smashed to smithereens, somebody would be sleeping out in the coop with the "girls".
Moral of the story, when your wife says the tree is leaning, it's leaning!!! plain and simple.
(If my husband reads this post, I will be sleeping out with the girls!!)
Honey would you like to change your mind? "Nope" I said I'm happy with my first choice, "good" was the reply.
Thank goodness we cut our tree before the snow came. Sunday we brought the tree indoors and let the branches settle before decorating. Um, I think it's "leaning" a little. I do remember saying those words, I swear I do.
Monday after three hours of decorating, over it went. Yes, I lost ornaments and yes I did shed a few tears, but I have recovered.
After restringing lights, and replacing ornaments, old Tannebaum has been erected once again. Tonight as I turn on the tree lights my tree seems to come alive with the spirit of Christmas.
Thank goodness my sweet little chicken ornament did not get smashed to smithereens, somebody would be sleeping out in the coop with the "girls".
Moral of the story, when your wife says the tree is leaning, it's leaning!!! plain and simple.(If my husband reads this post, I will be sleeping out with the girls!!)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
WINTER WEATHER
"Winter is the time for comfort-it is the time for home". ~Edith Sitnell~
Snow, sleet, rain, wind, we are experiencing all. Winter in New England has arrived.
Snow, sleet, rain, wind, we are experiencing all. Winter in New England has arrived.Monday, December 7, 2009
WINTER TREAT
Our winter wonderland is still with us, not much happening in regards to melting snow.
Chicken prints, I love seeing them in the snow.
The "girls" are still undecided when it comes to all this white stuff.
Sunday morning was the first time the chickens did not come racing out of their coop. I think they realized the world as they knew it had suddenly changed.
A bit confused, huddled together, holding one foot up, patiently waiting for me to shovel a path which they hoped would lead to "greener" pastures.
After watching the girls spend most of the day trying to locate something green, I decided to whip them up my version of a "pumpkin hot toddy".
I cooked a pumpkin, scraped the insides ( seeds and all) put it in a blender, added a little milk and refilled the pumpkin shell. When served on a platter, you have some very happy ladies, who in return give you wonderful, large eggs. (And no complaints!)
Well maybe one, a few blueberries on top would have been nice.
Chicken prints, I love seeing them in the snow.
The "girls" are still undecided when it comes to all this white stuff.
Sunday morning was the first time the chickens did not come racing out of their coop. I think they realized the world as they knew it had suddenly changed.
A bit confused, huddled together, holding one foot up, patiently waiting for me to shovel a path which they hoped would lead to "greener" pastures.
After watching the girls spend most of the day trying to locate something green, I decided to whip them up my version of a "pumpkin hot toddy".
I cooked a pumpkin, scraped the insides ( seeds and all) put it in a blender, added a little milk and refilled the pumpkin shell. When served on a platter, you have some very happy ladies, who in return give you wonderful, large eggs. (And no complaints!)
Well maybe one, a few blueberries on top would have been nice.Sunday, December 6, 2009
FIRST SNOWFALL
We awoke to the first snowfall of the season...
the air crisp and the sky a brilliant blue...
three to four inches of snow graced the landscape, giving it a pristine glimmer...
The only way to ease a hen's introduction to winter: warm oatmeal with blueberries
need I say more.
the air crisp and the sky a brilliant blue...
three to four inches of snow graced the landscape, giving it a pristine glimmer...
The only way to ease a hen's introduction to winter: warm oatmeal with blueberries
need I say more.Thursday, December 3, 2009
SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY
There is a portion of Sleepy Hollow cemetery which is known as Author's Ridge. There you will find a small grouping of famous poets and authors buried within a stone's throw of one another. First is the family head stone of American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. The inscription in the center of the stone is weather worn and hard to read (The weather was not helping matters as it was cold and rainy) however, it is indeed the resting place of Mr. Emerson and family.
Further along the ridge is American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Some of his famous works include The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. 
This is the family headstone of American poet Henry David Thoreau. Mr Thoreau never married and is most remembered for his work "Walden" or "Life In The Woods." Thoreau built a cabin on the edge of Walden Pond on property belonging to Mr. Emerson. He lived in the cabin for two years, mostly in solitude.
flowers left from a recent admirer
The Alcott family. The only sister not to be buried here in the family plot is May. At the time of her death she was married and residing in Europe. Months after giving birth to a daughter she became ill with "birth fever"and passed away. May is buried in Europe, however a stone similiar to her sisters is found in the family plot.
Louisa May Alcott died March 6th, 1888, two days after her beloved father.
She never married and was proud to be an independent women of monetary means. With her writings Louisa's lifetime income was $200,000 dollars. Louisa earned more that Mr. Emerson, Hawthorne and Thoreau.
"Love is the only thing we carry with us when we go,
Further along the ridge is American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Some of his famous works include The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. 
This is the family headstone of American poet Henry David Thoreau. Mr Thoreau never married and is most remembered for his work "Walden" or "Life In The Woods." Thoreau built a cabin on the edge of Walden Pond on property belonging to Mr. Emerson. He lived in the cabin for two years, mostly in solitude.
flowers left from a recent admirer
The Alcott family. The only sister not to be buried here in the family plot is May. At the time of her death she was married and residing in Europe. Months after giving birth to a daughter she became ill with "birth fever"and passed away. May is buried in Europe, however a stone similiar to her sisters is found in the family plot.
Louisa May Alcott died March 6th, 1888, two days after her beloved father.She never married and was proud to be an independent women of monetary means. With her writings Louisa's lifetime income was $200,000 dollars. Louisa earned more that Mr. Emerson, Hawthorne and Thoreau.
"Love is the only thing we carry with us when we go,and it makes the end so easy. ~Louisa May Alcott~
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
TIME FLIES
Where do the days go? I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. Winslow certainly did, this is his favorite holiday as it is the only time of the year he is allowed to do this.
Saturday DH and I braved the crowds and headed to L.L. Bean in Freeport Maine. Surprisingly it was rather quiet, I remained faithful to my list and was out the door in no time.
Monday my husband took a vacation day and we began one of our holiday traditions. DH and I enjoy attending historical holiday open home tours. We traveled to Concord Mass. to "Orchard House," the home of Louisa May Alcott, the American writer best known for her novel "Little Women."
Miss Alcott actually wrote the book in her bedroom, which is located on the second floor, front on the right hand side. And another interesting fact was that the book as she originally wrote it ended before any of the girls were married. Her many fans wrote to her asking what happened to the girls, so Miss Alcott wrote a second book, which together with the first is what we now know as "Little Women".
We were also told that that 80% of the furnishings are original to the time the Alcotts lived there, and that the home has been a museum now for nearly 100 years! (The Alcotts resided at Orchard House for twenty years.)
We have visited Orchard House once before, but never during the holiday season. Little Women is one of my all time favorite books and the movie I watch at least twice a year (You can understand why I enjoy my time here). It is a lovely old home with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The home was actually two houses. A smaller home sat in back of the main house and Mr. Alcott had it moved down the hill (during the winter) and connected to the main home.
This is the Concord School Of Philosophy which was run by Amos Bronson Alcott, Louisa's father. Mr. Alcott was a Transcendentalist, philosopher, and social reformer. His circle of friends included Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne. It is amazing to me to enter a home which these people frequented, you can imagine a spirited conversation and the laughter that went on amongst them.
More tomorrow and a view of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Saturday DH and I braved the crowds and headed to L.L. Bean in Freeport Maine. Surprisingly it was rather quiet, I remained faithful to my list and was out the door in no time.
Monday my husband took a vacation day and we began one of our holiday traditions. DH and I enjoy attending historical holiday open home tours. We traveled to Concord Mass. to "Orchard House," the home of Louisa May Alcott, the American writer best known for her novel "Little Women."Miss Alcott actually wrote the book in her bedroom, which is located on the second floor, front on the right hand side. And another interesting fact was that the book as she originally wrote it ended before any of the girls were married. Her many fans wrote to her asking what happened to the girls, so Miss Alcott wrote a second book, which together with the first is what we now know as "Little Women".
We were also told that that 80% of the furnishings are original to the time the Alcotts lived there, and that the home has been a museum now for nearly 100 years! (The Alcotts resided at Orchard House for twenty years.)
We have visited Orchard House once before, but never during the holiday season. Little Women is one of my all time favorite books and the movie I watch at least twice a year (You can understand why I enjoy my time here). It is a lovely old home with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The home was actually two houses. A smaller home sat in back of the main house and Mr. Alcott had it moved down the hill (during the winter) and connected to the main home.
This is the Concord School Of Philosophy which was run by Amos Bronson Alcott, Louisa's father. Mr. Alcott was a Transcendentalist, philosopher, and social reformer. His circle of friends included Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne. It is amazing to me to enter a home which these people frequented, you can imagine a spirited conversation and the laughter that went on amongst them.
More tomorrow and a view of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
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