SUNDAY RAMBLE

In the early morning hours you just never know who your visitor might be.... some get caught with their mouth full....

while others travel under the watchful eye of their mother....

The Dog Days of summer have arrived.... flowers are beginning to fade....

"The goldenrod is yellow

The corn is turning brown

The trees in apple orchards

With fruit bending down."

~Children Song~

THE CUMBERLAND CRAFT FAIR

Today, I needed a little break from the homestead and all it's chores that seem to be mounting daily. I'm sure you all understand- the mowing, weeding, house painting, coop cleaning, ten minutes of rug hooking- chores that never seem to end. Today was a beautiful day, a great day in fact to attend a craft fair. The sun was shining and however briefly, the humidity gone. I picked up my best gal pal and we hit the road. This local craft fair is held on an agricultural location. The juried vendors set up their wares in animal stalls and in various tents. I love craft fairs and enjoy conversing with such artistic creative people and also buying local. This fair had offerings ranging from sea glass jewelry to goat milk soap. There were fragrant herbs and spices, decadent fudge, pottery, baskets, knit items, quilts, stain glass, painted wood, wreaths, and much much more. There were many items I would have loved to give a home to, but I kept my spending at bay. My purchase so far was one organic blueberry soda. Then I spied a silver ring, placed it on my finger and it just made me smile. Oh, this vendor has some lovely pieces however, I don't wear silver jewelry but gold, so I placed the ring back and continued on. Oh, I would have loved to purchase the beautiful ash laundry basket, or the vibrant teal boiled wool mittens. There were also some of the most creative bird houses which were made using old garden implements and tools incorporated into their design. But alas, I just could not get that little flower ring out of my mind. I once again placed the ring on my finger and once again it did make me smile. I paid the vendor and realized that this little ring was meant to be mine.

Isn't it funny how such a small item can make you happy, put a little song in your heart and a spring to your step! It was a good day indeed.

ISLAND BOUND

On a hot humid summer day there is nothing finer than breathing the fragrance of salt air deep into your lungs....and seeing the sight of Long Island off in the distance.... Six miles out in Casco Bay, Long Island rests.On the journey to the Island you might see a lobster man hard at work hauling traps, sail boats with their colorful sails billowing in the breeze- seagulls, seals.... Means of transportation to the Island is by Casco Bay Lines. A round trip ticket will cost you $10.00.Mail, groceries, personal freight, animals and vehicles are also transported by the ferry line. I was born and raised on this Island. My parent's were the original "Ozzie and Harriette" my brother, "The Beaver." Yup, I have dated myself. Kids on the Island still today attend a one room school house, which does have a middle dividing door converting the room into two when need be. Children attend the Island school up to the fifth grade and then commute by ferry to schools in neighboring Portland. My family home is located in the center of the Island off a dirt road. This is also the house where my mother and her sibling's were raised. Once upon a time chickens resided on this property too. My great grandparents lived across the street and had a barn with dairy cows and chickens. There is a sense of community to this Island, where people are always willing to help their neighbor.

This screen door is my mother's pride and joy, a gift from my dad one Mother's Day. It was made in Maine at the Screen Door Factory in the town of Waldorboro. It looks perfect on my parent's home.

"Sassy" the resident ruler of the household....

and a neighboring cat just stopping by to say "hello"....

This is a favorite spot to hunt for beach glass and old pottery shards.

A favorite summertime activity, not just on Long island but on neighboring Islands as well. Oh, to be a teenager again.Summertime on Long Island, there is nothing better! Oh yes, the water temperature was 65 degrees.

HANDWORK

I love the art of rug hooking, especially "primitive" rug hooking. I happened to wander into our local Salvation Army Store the other day and found this hoop and piece of linen for $.99 cents, actually it was $.50 cents as everything in the store was half price that day. If you are familiar with rug hooking you know I found a deal you just cannot pass up. I'd hoped this little piece of linen would get me back into the "swing" of hooking. So many of you out in blog land find the time to become "ten minute hookers" I'd hoped your inspiration might rub off on me. I mean come on, ten minutes, anyone should be able to find ten minutes to donate to a craft they enjoy. So today I sat out in the yard and doodled a little design and began hooking. I needed a little break away from my Fall "pals".

Once upon a time I did my fair share of counted cross stitch....

I love the satisfaction of seeing something I have created hanging on the wall....

But then... I found myself wearing glasses, then bifocals, then a magnifying glass hung around my neck, and cross stitch lost it's appeal. Not helping me was the fact that I can never find my glasses when I need them most. The most famous words around our house are "honey have you seen my glasses?"

This summer I tried my hand at making a painted floor cloth. The instructor wanted me to free hand this project with a sponge paint brush. Now I have done my fair share of painting projects to know this was not going to work, not for me anyway. I returned home, sanded the floor cloth down and taped out the lines. I gave it three coats of black and robin's egg teal paint, one coat of a primitive stain and three coats of "Min Wax" waterproofing. The end result was better than I expected.

Next time, oh there will be a next time, I will know what I am doing.

And this little lady, well she is taking up so much of my time, I mean come on Lu-Lu I'm just asking for ten minutes.....

THE EGGS OF DOG TROT FARM

Eggs of the day, each perfect in it's own way. And then there is this- notice the egg in the center of the photo below, can you guess who it belongs to? Yup, my Lu-Lu. Beautiful yellow yolk, but once again Lu-Lu's egg has a" jello-like" shell, this time a membrane is attached. Now I am not complaining, I am soooooooo happy my gal is feeling better, and even happier that the egg is coming out IN ONE PIECE, I just wish I could find the cause. I do feel confident the "soft shell" is not from a lack of calcium.

So there you have it- now that you have seen the above specimen, anyone have any suggestions? I just have to state life here at Dog Trot Farm is never dull!

LU-LU

Many thanks to everyone who offered knowledge and concern in regards to Lu-Lu and her health. I do suspect she is egg bound. Today however, she appears normal- eating, drinking, scratching and bathing in the hen yard. I know diet is not an issue as my girl's are fed organic feed, corn scratch, a dish of calcium is always available. Daily the girls are also given greens, berries and yogurt. Our family vet does not attend to farm animals and a large animal vet is $100- also an additional fee is charged for the house call. I feel guilty that money is an issue when it comes to the well being of an animal, but I do need to be realistic. The "holistic" and or " old fashioned remedy" is the way I will treat her. So with that being said I am off to the grocery store to purchase all the ingredients needed for the "tonics" everyone has suggested. Once again Lu-Lu and I thank you for all the wonderful advice and wisdom. I will keep everyone updated on Lu-Lu's well being. Have a great day everyone!

AUGUST DAYS

The month of August has arrived and with it warm days and cool nights. This is the weather we here at Dog Trot Farm have been longing for. The corn is growing.... Indian corn that is. Full sunshine is at a premium here at Dog Trot so I need to be creative in my planting. Okay, I can hear ya laughing at me.

Bottle gourds are climbing....

and lookie here.... I am so excited for I have successfully grown Cinderella pumpkins! My all time favorite. (These are the beauties that are soooooo expensive to purchase. Now I need to be honest and confess my vegetable garden is nothing but a big "bust." Lots and lots of peas, lettuce, beans, but not much else. Again, a lack of full sunshine. Now Ali and Dan proprietor's of the blog Henbogle grow the most amazing prolific vegetable gardens I have ever seen. They grow lots of wonderful things with exotic names. Ali also whips up some of the most mouth watering recipes, check Henbogle out you won't be sorry!

My perennial garden has now reached it's peak performance.

and did I mention I have Cinderella pumpkins!