"STILLMEADOW"

When I discovered this book at Goodwill for $2.99 no less, I was beyond thrilled. I swear my heart beat a little faster, this book Stillmeadow Sampler is a first edition in it's original jacket and in perfect condition. Stillmeadow books by author Gladys Taber are stories about her life at her beloved 1690's cape encompassed by 40 acres and a pond. "Stillmeadow isn't just a house and land, it is a way of living" writes Gladys Taber. It is a way of living with tranquility, with joy and purposefulness. Also residing at Stillmeadow were a bevy of Cocker Spaniels, an Irish Setter and at different times a cantankerous feline. Her books are pure joy to read and reread, and if you are fortunate to find one for sale, for pete sakes buy it! Saturday's outdoor plans were postponed due to thunder storms and torrential rains. The kind of weather which makes you happy it's a Saturday and you have the luxury of pulling the covers up and linger in bed a bit longer. But by mid-morning the rains had subsided enough for DH to suggest a drive. Knowing that one of my favorite destinations is driving up Route One traversing the mid-Maine coast, where at this time of year the countryside is ablaze with lupine. Lovely blue, purple, pink and white lupines.

Lupines as far as the eye can see.

and Buttercups too.

and then you come to this

Cowshit corner, yup you read it correctly. One never knows what you may find on drives such as these, just look what I happened to spy off in a wooded thicket. The most adorable house, okay tiny cottage, but enchanting nonetheless. It was love at first sight for me.

The front of the cottage exposed hand chinked logs

and the rear looked out upon a stream. One could almost envision faeries and gnomes close at hand. How perfect this tiny building would look tucked in my woods. Well, I can dream can't I? Further down the road we passed another interesting home- it was properly named The "Octagon House" with it's own pond and lots of fowl roaming the dooryard.

More brilliant Lupine

And then we came upon this, Elmer's Antique Barn. DH knows I am always on the lookout for antique "yard art" and this looked like the perfect spot to browse. The first floor was actually kind of scary, no really scary. I was actually waiting for mice or rats to jump out from the dark corners or worse, spiders to fall from the rafters. I almost passed going up to the second floor, but figured I'm here I might as well give it a go. Then, I had no more placed my feet on the second floor when there it was the "mother load" organized on a shelf marked with the letter "T", T for Taber, Stillmeadow books! I have never seen so many of Mrs. Taber's books (other than our library) in one location. I was like a child in a candy store, finally DH said he was starving, and yes we could go to Moody's Diner and yes I could get pie. I hated to leave the books behind and yes DH offered to purchase all of them for me, but I didn't want to be greedy, but I did choose three. Stillmeadow Day Book, What Cooks At Stillmeadow and Especially Dogs. I am going to savor each and every sentence.

You can bet I will be going back to Elmer's, there is a third floor!!!!! oh and I never did get my pie....

CATCHING UP

I have survived, I have prevailed. What began as a three day stomach flu morphed and settled in my throat. Three weeks of no voice, just a croak. To make matters worse smoke which has been blowing in from the wildfires in Quebec, Canada found it's way here to Southern Maine. Add pine pollen to the equation, and you have misery, plain and simple. Oh, and let me just state my best buddy my laptop became ill as well and needed to be sent to Ohio for treatment. But enough about that, lets catch up shall we? The Bluebirds have been busy raising their families, three sets of families to be precise-may I just add what great parents the Bluebirds have been, diligently providing food and removing waste...
The perennial beds are beginning to fill in and the clematis is spilling over my old picket fence, quite a garden show piece this clematis has been this spring...

My parents gifted me with this beautiful teal glass garden globe along with a black rod iron holder. How pretty the pink clematis and teal globe look together in the garden. Thank you mom and dad.
My girls are doing well, Gladys has fully recovered from her brush with death and every one's egg production is up to speed once again...

This is the face of Iris, her photo taken on a very hot and humid morning not so long ago.
Let me set the scene, I had been working in the pumpkin patch, DH had been lugging extra roof shakes to the cellar, (finally a new roof which means no more leaks in my bedroom closet, yippee) while Winslow Homer was placed on guard duty at the edge of the woods. Squawks with feathers flying alerted us to the now common sign of imminent danger. Iris was snagged by a fox and was being dragged down into the woods. I threw down my hoe, grabbed Winslow Homer, and we were once again on this all to familiar rescue mission. Down the sloping bank the fox and Miss Iris went, fortunately for me Iris is one heavy girl. The fox could carry her no further, dropped my girl, and Iris scurried for home just as fast as her chubby little legs could take her. Winslow chased the fox off (for now anyway) and everyone was no worse for wear. Well, maybe me- but we won't go there.

During our brief heat spell the girls seem to wilt right before my eyes. They would pant, spread their wings and drop anywhere they could find shade and a little breeze. Lulu took refuge among the violet's leaves.

Now the best news of all, here at Dog Trot Farm we have two new babies! Please meet Fern and Phoebe- Silver Laced Wyandottes. It is so nice to have babies in the house once again and Winslow is enjoying his new bunk mates.

These two girls appear quite feisty, demonstrating take-offs and landings as well as being quite talkative. I am positive they will afford me many future stories -please stay tuned!
A big thank you to everyone who inquired about my well being and for all your kind comments and concerns, blogging friends are just the best!

SELF IMPOSED EXILE

The flu has struck, I need not say more.

~ UPSIDE DOWN RHUBARB CAKE~

Provided below is the recipe for the decadent Upside Down Rhubarb Cake from Farm Chick's blog- Fresh From The Farm.

1 Yellow Cake Mix

2 Cups diced rhubarb

1 1/4 cups white sugar

1/2 pint whipping cream

pre-heat oven 350 degrees-grease and flour a 9x13 pan.

Make cake according to package directions

in a bowl mix diced rhubarb and sugar

Spoon mixture of rhubarb and sugar over yellow cake

Drizzle whipping cream over the top of rhubarb

bake 40 minutes

Cool completely before turning out.

As I said prior, I devoured mine warm from the pan!

Enjoy!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY You can see it in their eyes,

in a tender hung and long good-byes,

a love that only moms and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,

through passing years and changing styles,

a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,

the joy each one of them derives,

in just knowing that the other one is there.....

To care and to understand

lend an ear or hold a hand

and to celebrate in memories they share.

~Anonymous~

I love you mom, Happy Mother's Day

NIRVANA

Finally, the long wait is over....the rhubarb is ready to be picked. and since it's raining cats and dogs outside....

and since I have been patiently waiting to tie this new apron on....ooooooh, I just love aprons( especially paired with my Muck boots-think Ma Kettle)

it's time to make the long awaited Upside Down Rhubarb Cake. I discovered this recipe over at Farm Chicks -Fresh From The Farm's blog. Oh, baby I was not disappointed. Now let me just state if you love rhubarb as I do, do not pass this recipe over. It is sweet, gooey and the rhubarb- just tart enough.Oh, heavenly day what an easy recipe. A Yellow cake mix, 2 cups rhubarb, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 pint whipping cream. 40 minutes later you have this....

Lets just say it never made it to the upside down stage or to a pretty plate. Warm, right out of the oven with a cold glass of milk- my taste buds were in nirvana. Thanks Farm Chick, we here at Dog Trot Farm love this recipe, my taste buds thank you, no so much my waistline, but yes I would do it all over again! Now go to Farm Chick's blog and check it out for yourself, you will not be disappointed!

PRIME REAL ESTATE AVAILABLE

One rental unit available at Dog Trot Farm.... Sorry, this unit is occupied ( notice one of my Buff's feathers nestled in among the Eastern Blue Bird's eggs.)

This unit has been spoken for as well....

Sorry, this one has been taken too....

However, this end unit is ready and waiting for the perfect tenants. Fine views, quiet neighborhood, lots of field and woods close at hand. A great place to raise a family- just ask the neighbors.

Stop on by and check it out, don't hesitate they go fast!

I'M JUST SAYING

A friend of ours came for a visit last weekend and was surprised to learn that I was now a chicken keeper. I was filling him in on my and the girl's escapades, along with the tale of Charlotte's and Gladys' survival and miracle return from the grips of death. It seems his mother too has been experiencing issues with Mr. Fox. Her Guinea population, once numbered fifty had dwindled to six. Her prize turkeys-two hens and two toms, now consisted of two hens. So those of you who were horrified at my mention of killing a fox, relax I couldn't kill it even if I wanted to. Our local fox population has proliferated to large numbers, are healthy and beautiful. To tell you the truth as far as I can see eating high off the hog. Whoops, better no say that hogs could be next! I'm just saying.

PURPLE FEATHERS?

Oh, Springtime in New England, the air is permeated with the heavenly fragrance of apple blossoms and daffodils. The visual presence of Spring blossoms are found as far as the eye can see. Tis Springtime at it's finest hour. For now the "dust has settled" here at Dog Trot Farm. Well, if you exclude me locking myself out of the house and my DH's company vehicle being taken for a joy ride at 4AM, but that is a story for another day. Dear sweet Gladys has returned to the company of her sisters in the chicken yard. First it was days only, but now that I am assured she is capable of flying to the roost at night time she is residing full time. I do miss the presence of a hen in the house, DH agrees and Winslow Homer rather enjoyed having a "bunk mate."

Gladys was warmly welcomed back by the flock and so happy to once again be able to bathe. My girl Gladys loves to let the dirt fly. However, it appears an uprising has been going on in the coop unbeknown to me. First Gladys spilled the beans....

Then Charlotte was more than happy to voice her opinion (by the way Charlotte completely recovered from her incident with Mr. Fox with his jaws of death. She is plump and seems no worse for wear.)

Little Henny Penny just couldn't wait to add her two cents. (Henny has completely recovered from the trauma of being hen pecked and her feathers have grown in quite nicely.)

Please do not let on to Miss Willa that I took this most undignified photo of her - she is rather modest. Someone once again has been feather pecking, this time derrieres. Three derrieres for that matter. Out comes the Blue Kote - again. I should have bought stock with this company. I informed the girl's purple feathers were hip and they would be contributing to fashion history, soon there would be purple feathers in chicken yards everywhere.

But why was it that this girl "Miss Pip" retained all her feather's, might that be a guilty look on her face? Why I do believe so and yes I have just experienced this naughty girl in action.

And with that Miss Pip is now having a "time out"

Did I mention I missed having a hen in the house????

THRIFTING 101

Friday presented an opportunity to go "thrifting" with a friend. Now I am the first to admit I am not good at "thrifting" or yard sales for that matter. I tend to come home with something I don't really want or need, because I often feel guilty if I don't make a purchase. Now, when my friend approached me about attending this thrift sale (she is a pro at this I might add) and knowing it was being held at a local church ( a good cause) and also knowing perennials were involved I jumped on board. At 8:45 we arrived, the line was out the door, people of all ages were waiting patiently with cloth bags and coffee in hand. My first target the plants, now all of the plants I purchased were on my "wish" list that I had put together last winter. A Mayapple, Solomon's Seal, and two variegated Hostas I located for the shade garden. Hens and Chickens, Sedum and Golden Glows for a sunny location. Grand total $8.25. WOW! As I wandered further into the building I spied this lovely antique covered dish for $3.00. I thought it would be perfect for my Mom (she is the queen of dish collecting) it could hold her everyday jewelry or even a plant. I am sure she will come up with a clever idea for it's use. Next for $2.00 I purchased this Currier and Ives platter which matches my dishes. Prior to this I had purchased one for $14.00 at an antiques mall- this definitely was a good buy!

Last but not least a set of glass decanters for $2.00. I figured they could hold bathroom items, small collections, bird's nest, or even small soaps. The more I think about it I am leaning towards using them for terrariums or building tiny fairy gardens in them.

Or I could adhere these French labels and use them as storage containers.

Well my grand "thrifting" total was $15.25-worth every penny. I also had the good fortune to spy a fellow blogger, Tiff, proprietor of the blog "Folded Gingham". I introduced myself and got a peak at Mason the newest addition to her family. So there you have it, a great way to spend a Friday morning, "thrifting" friends are just the greatest thank you Becky and Elizabeth too. I hope we can do this again real soon!

SPRING DAYS

Spring has arrived at Dog Trot Farm. Unfortunately along with spring comes Black Fly season. Black flies are those teeny tiny gnats that love to torment we humans as we attempt any outdoor activity. They fly in your eyes, up your nose, buzz in your ears, get caught in your throat. They crave the warmth of the human body. A gnat bite will usually cause a welt- sometimes small, sometimes large, accompanied by relentless itching. Plain and simple black flies can drive you CRAZY. "Is it buggy out?" some of the most repeated words you will hear in New England at this time of year. It may be a wonderful warm spring day, you have a chore list a mile long to attend to, but if there is no breeze- just forget it- nothing will be accomplished with those "buggers" buzzing around. Some of us have resorted to DEET, Avon's Skin So Soft, and even old "bug dope" recipes. Nothing really seems to deter these nasty creatures. Then there is the option of hats with netting, which help protect head and face. There is also a full body suit made in the same manner which zips up the front- not much of a fashion statement but I am told it helps tremendously. This may just be the year that I invest in one. Peas, lettuce, spinach and carrots have made their presence in the kitchen garden. Pumpkins, bottle gourds, and flower seeds have been planted indoors and are waiting for warmer conditions before being transplanted. The remainder of the vegetable garden will be planted by late May or when there is no longer a threat of frost or snow.

My girls, well they feel as though they are being treated like prison inmates. I am the warden and Winslow Homer the prison guard and they are in lock down. Since Georgia's death the girls have had one weekend furlough. I dare not leave them out for long, even with my presence in the yard the fox is just lurking waiting for the right opportunity. My neighbor informed me of a fox heading across our field with a white hen in it's mouth.I do not own any white hens. Poor little white hen I hope it escaped the jaws of death and found it's way home.

It is tough on my chickens not being able to free range, they led such a bucolic existence, but this is reality.

So with that being said on Saturday DH began the coop yard extension. Their outdoor space will be doubled in size, with an area for bathing and more perches.

And Gladys, sweet Gladys she appears to be improving each day. She is not capable of flying to the roost at night so I keep her inside in the "infirmary". She has not been laying, but that is the least of my worries. She appears happy with her environment, eats, drinks. She allows me to pet her, however, is not ready to be held. Having a chicken in the house is such lovely company. Gladys is beginning to find her singing voice once again. She is such a love and I am so grateful she is alive. Gladys and I thank you all for your kind comments, concerns, and e-mails. My girl truly is an amazing chicken.

GLADYS, ONE SPECIAL HEN

Last evening at 7:34 I found dear sweet Gladys. Yesterday's drama took a toll, but ended in the following. Was informed that it is legal to kill a predator if it is on one's property causing harm to pets or farm animals. With that being said I took target practice last evening. Killing is not something I choose to do, but feel I have been forced into it. Just call me Annie Oakley with a double barrel shotgun. The fox population is quite prolific in our area, trapping is just not feasible. Georgia was left dead, intact, not taken for food, just killed. At 7:34, by the edge of my garden I found Gladys, ALIVE!!!!! She was hurt, bleeding and in shock. DH and I managed to get her into the four star hotel where she promptly drank water and nibbled on lettuce. A good sign, however we were not confident she would make it through the night- the odds were not in her favor. This evening she is holding her own, her wattle has regained some color and she has just bestowed upon me an afternoon egg. A good sign I hope. I am not sure how Gladys was able to make her way home, but am so happy and thankful she did. For now she will remain inside and her sisters unfortunately have to stay enclosed behind chicken wire. Better safe than sorry, as the old adage goes. I want to thank you all for leaving such heart warming comments, blogging friends are just the greatest. It is also reassuring to know there other people in this world who love their chickens as much as I do. From all of us here at Dog Trot Farm, thank you for caring.