ICE BLUE SKIES

Once again I traveled down the bay to the ROCK for the weekend (Long Island). This morning I borrowed my mother's BOG boots and headed out the door for an early morning walk. The sky was a crystal blue and temperatures in the low teens, a brisk and chilly start to the day. My Island coat is an old wool Maine Guide coat purchased in the late sixties by my dad. It is one of the warmest coats you'll ever find. My dad kindly relinquished the coat to my mom and she kindly shares it with me. I am often reminded "Julie you never dress warm enough" or "where is your hat" or "do you have something to put on your head"? I myself am a headband type of gal, my hair is so thick and wavy that hats have a way of "popping" off. After a walk across Singing Sands beach it is time to check on ELLIOTT the communal Island kitty. Elliott does have a warm home at her disposal however, her preference is to remain "outside". Islanders take the time to check on her and make sure her needs are met.

Elliott is always pleased to see my dad.... first thing in the morning her breakfast is delivered, with treats to be follow in the early afternoon. Believe me when I say Elliott is well cared for. A summer resident's vehicle awaits the spring thaw....

As I walked along bird songs filled the air. Chickadee.... Cardinal.... Titmouse.... Blue jay.... Mourning Dove.... Robins....

What a lovely sight to see on such a cold winter's morning....

"Bare branches of each tree

on this chilly January morn

look so cold and forlorn.

Gray skies dip ever so low

left from yesterday's dusting of snow.

Yet in the heart of each tree

waiting for each who wait and see

new life as warm sun and breeze blow,

like magic, unlock springs sap flow,

buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow."

~Nelda Hartman~

A garden sundial....

Magnolia buds....

"In the depths of winter I finally
learned that within me there lay an

invincible summer."

~Albert Camus~
Evergreen Methodist Church, our Island church....

Some lobster men still have there gear off....their day begins well before dawn.

To complete such a perfect day....a magnificent sunset was waiting for me when I returned home to Dog Trot Farm. Also waiting.... one hungry husband.... one tail wagging dog....one kitty warming my bed and eleven hens wanting to know when their dinner of hot oatmeal with raisins would be served. Life is grand!

COMING CLEAN

I am going to begin my post by saying....my name is Julie and I am an addict....a sugar addict that is. My love for anything sweet is beginning to become a problem.... my love for baking, with mindless and stressed induced eating (thank you Winslow Homer) is not helping this matter. My size ten jeans are becoming rather snug. I do own a pair of size twelve however, they have been relegated to the rear of the closet and I rather not let them see the light of day! This too is not helping....when the weather began turning cold my girlfriend invited me over for a mug of hot cocoa, I happily accepted. I walked in the door and there on the counter was a hot cocoa machine. After just one mug of this frothy cocoa I was hooked. I had never heard of this type of machine, but instantly knew I would be on the hunt for one. The brand was Mr. Coffee. I searched Amazon and they were completely sold out. I searched several stores in my area and discovered there was none to be found. However, on Tuesday I made my weekly trip to Goodwill and low and behold sitting on a shelf in the rear of the store a Back To Basics Cocoa~Latte machine. It was calling my name and just waiting for my little hands to grab her. The price $2.99! I took this baby home, ran the top portion through the dish washer and we were good to go. There is no other was to say hot cocoa from a cocoa machine is simply a divine indulgence.

It certainly is not helping my craving for sweets, but it sure tastes good while enduring a long cold winter's day. I do wish you were all here to share a mug with me, Winslow Homer would certainly enjoy your company. BTW If anyone has a tried and true method to aid in one's addition to sugar I sure would be ever so grateful to hear from you! Have a great day everyone.

JANUARY SNOW

Can you find us? Yes, all is well here at Dog Trot Farm. Winter's white out conditions have forced many to remain at home. Many businesses and schools are closed as the roads have become quite dangerous. I find it to be a perfect day for sitting by the fire.... pulling out a good book, seed catalog or an unfinished project. Guilty....as I have many of those. The girls are all snuggled in their coop and have enjoyed a morning breakfast of warm oatmeal and raisins. Winslow Homer is by the wood stove dreaming of summer days yet to come and Emma Lou remains tucked in her little bed. DH plows our driveway and I snow blow.... there are pros and cons to living so far of the main road and one of which is plowing. We however, would not have it any other way, I can not imagine living in a development. I would have to dress appropriately when visiting my girls first thing in the morning, I mean I have been know to hang laundry in my night gown and DH has been know to run out in his long johns when starting his car in the early morning hours. God forbid If one of us ever locked ourselves out of the house ....well, the snow is accumulating quite swiftly....with the heaviest snow forecast for this afternoon.

Winslow my little man....I think it's time to head in and enjoy a mug of hot cocoa.

Above are the newly painted shutters which are now in our downstairs bathroom. Yesterday while visiting Goodwill I spied this valance for $1.99. This was the perfect accessory to give a little "umph" to the bathroom. Well, those of you who are experiencing this storm please stay safe and to all have a great day.

THE SEARCH IS ON....

Saturday found my husband and myself on a mission....to find a replacement for a butter dish that he accidentally dropped and which proceeded to smash to smithereens. This was the "backup" butter dish to my Currier and Ives dishes. The main butter dish he "offed" years ago....This is why I collect duplicates of certain items. My husband is what you would call "heavy handed." Now, when I first began collecting these dishes they were down right cheap....I found them for a "song and a dance" a dinner plate was $2.00 and I clearly recall the butter dish was $5.00. To date the dinner plate is now anywhere from $12.50-$22.00 dollars and the butter dish $45.00 dollars and up! By the information on this sign below you would have thought we scoured many countries looking for this allusive dish. Alas.... this famous sign is found in Western Maine. Our search however.... was a bust.... not a butter dish to be found....not on this day anyway. But I did find a great old chicken book.... tomorrow I will share it with you. We did however, see lots of turkeys....I have a fondness for turkeys....I think they are beautiful.... but very indecisive. You can never predict when and if one might end up on your windshield. Early in the Fall a group of turkeys gathered in my backyard. The turkeys slowly made their way over to the chicken coop and just stood by the girls' pen.... each group was eyeing one another. My girls and this flock of birds stopped what they were doing .... stood perfectly still....as if sizing one another up.... then it was over....each went about their business....my girls back to scratching the earth and the turkeys marching off into the woods.


I was given another crafted work of art from my dad.... this time a pine candle box....oh how I like getting these kinds of gifts. I painted the box a shade of mustard.... gave it a good sanding.... scuffed it up and applied a coat of Briwax. Turned out great....to my liking that is. Here is the candle box all trimmed out in it's primitive finest.... a few candles, greens, crow and of course feathers....I can't wait to see what's next on my dad's woodworking project list....I am always a happy recipient of anything he crafts....If it's not perfect all the better...it's Primitive. This pair of shutters I found for .50....

This afternoon I gave them a coat of fresh paint.... once dried

off to the bathroom window they will go. Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend and a productive one....oh by the way....If you happen to find a butter dish please let me know!

A WINTER'S DAY

If ever you have the opportunity to visit the coast of Maine, please do....however there are two things you need to be mindful of ....TICKS and POISON IVY. This sign says it all....a perfect way of warning folks traveling from the mainland who happen to visit one of the pristine beaches that Long Island has to offer. Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Island now shrouded in it's winter finest.... one of my favorite things to do when visiting is to walk "Singing Sands" beach. Many happy summer days of my childhood were spent here....the beach acquired the name "Singing Sands" as the sand seems to sing to you as your feet sink in while strolling along. This day was cold and crisp, but the beauty of my surroundings kept me warm. The sky.... a vibrant blue.... streaked with numerous "contrails."

This little fella assumed he had the beach all to himself as no other gulls nor humans were in sight.... that is until my mother and I appeared. Needless to say he went about his business and we ours. Winter storms known to produce high winds and strong currents cause the ocean floor to become "stirred" up.... hence all the seaweed and rocks seen this day. Typically, by summer the beach is clear and the sand shines white once again. Below a sandbar.... at low tide one can walk or wade across to neighboring Marsh Island. It is imperative you remain mindful of the changing tide.... people have been known to become stranded and needless to say incur a lengthy wait for the tide to change.

On "Little Sandy" as this beach is referred to no rocks nor clumps of seaweed to be seen....just my mom day dreaming of summer days to come.

This day was lovely.... before we realize it summer will return once again....the quiet and solitude of this day will be but a memory....

But a lovely memory at that.

TO NEW BEGINNINGS

PEACE-that was the other name for HOME. ~Kathleen Norris~ Happy New Year my friends. A current post has long been overdue. We here at Dog Trot Farm enjoyed the holiday as best as anyone can when confronted with the sudden death of a loved one. A shadow was cast on that cold December day, however we are given strength with the memories of loved ones lost....

It seems to me that after two months of hustle and bustle.... meaning November and December.... and the fanfare of January 1st, we succumb to a stand still.... and don't quite know what to do with ourselves. The shopping, the wrapping, the baking which had taken over our lives is complete....done....well, finished for another year anyway.... The Christmas tree which once shined so brightly is now relegated to the backyard being put to good use by our feathered friends. Speaking of feathered friends, my girls are not at all happy with this cold frigid Maine weather....you would think I was to blame for this cold snap....no morning greeting for me, just a mad dash to their breakfast of warm oatmeal and raisins. Their egg production has dropped of dramatically and feather loss is at a premium....however their heat lamp is burning brightly and a promise to my girls of not posting photos has been kept. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I offer my Best Wishes for the New Year....until tomorrow....Julie

WHITE CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas. We will be having a white Christmas here at Dog Trot Farm. December is a bittersweet month for me.... it is the month which holds my birthday and sadly the month which claimed both sets of grandparents.... and now my dear mother in-law. In the spirit of Christmas hold your loved ones a little bit tighter..... remind them how much they are loved. Merry Christmas from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm and Blessings for the New Year.

HOME

The snow is softly falling....the wood stove working overtime....my girls are snuggled in their coop....and Winslow Homer has a full belly....all is right with the world. Peace-the other name for HOME.

~Kathleen Norris~

ONCE UPON A WINTER'S EVE

Yesterday I turned another year older....and that is all I'm going to say about that. Amen. In honor of my birthday my husband took me to Strawberry Banke to partake in the Holiday Candlelight Stroll. Strawberry Banke is a historic museum located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The museum consists of 32 buildings on their original sites in the neighborhood of Puddle Dock. Many of the homes were decorated for the holiday season according to a particular era. We first were greeted by St. Nicholas in the Rider-Wood House, an early 19th century home of English immigrant and widow Mary Rider. At the Chase House an 1818's mid winter dinner party was happening with live harpsichord music in the formal parlor. At the 1870 Goodwin Mansion, Governor and Mrs. Goodwin had made a wonderful maze of colored ribbons on the Christmas tree-each leading to special color coded gifts for each individual child. The year was 1943 at the Marden Abbott House /Store where the family was preparing a special dinner to welcome home their soldier son who was on leave for Christmas. At the Shapiro House the year was 1922 and featured the family celebrating the last evening of Hanukkah with special food, games and music. At the Masons Historic Lodge-Pitt Tavern soups and hot drinks were available, a perfect amenity to a cold winter's evening. The Candlelight Stroll is a wonderful event to put one in the holiday mood. You will find musicians in many of the homes, carolers singing as you stroll along the dirt paths illuminated by candlelight. Warm spiced cider and hot chocolate were available and a bonfire to warm your bones.... In my case "old bones." If you have never visited Stawberry Banke place it on your list of places to see.... in my case I refer to this as my "bucket list". In summer the flower and vegetable gardens are amazing here and are especially enhanced with the view of Portsmouth Harbor and the smell of the ocean air. Thank you sweetie for taking your "old lady" out on the town.... it was a wonderful evening.

DECEMBER TIDINGS

There is nothing finer to do in December.... when temperatures dip....and also to put one in the holiday spirit.... than attend The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.... which was presented at the Wang theatre in Boston. My mom and aunt treated myself, and four cousins to this wonderful Christmas event. We boarded the Downeaster (train) and arrived in Boston two and a half hours later. What a convenient way to travel to the city.... no white knuckle driving.... If you have ever driven in Boston I am sure you understand what I am speaking of. As always the Rockettes did not disappoint. I have attended the Rockettes performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....but the Wang Theatre is just as beautiful and the Rockettes simply magnificent. One of the most magical moments for me is "The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"....A precision military marching routine which has been performed in the holiday show each year since 1933. The most heart moving scene is "The Living Nativity" which upholds a tradition begun by St. Francis Assisi in 1223. This also has been a part of the Christmas Spectacular since 1933. Let me just say there was not a dry eye in the theatre....simply breath taking.

Winslow Homer is patiently waiting for Santa....We have begun to make progress with his diabetes....for two weeks now he has maintained his weight and his blood sugar has dropped from 500 to 298....

The days are passing quickly....every moment is precious....There are Christmas cards to send....presents to wrap.... presents to mail.... baking to accomplish....and loved ones to visit....it is a time for family and home. I'd rather be nestled here at Dog Trot Farm than any other place in the world....I am sure most of you feel the same way about your hearth and home. The lights of the Christmas tree are glowing....candles lit....a wood fire burning....and a pot of cloves and cinnamon boiling on the wood stove....tell me is there anything finer?

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?

It isn't just a starry night,

Or snowflakes on the ground.

It isn't just a merry hearth

With good friends gathered 'round.

It isn't just a Christmas tree,

Or gifts that play part;

But peace and love

The season brings

To touch the seeking Heart.

~Roxie Lusk Smith~

Oh yes....Santa....we could do with a little snow....remember I said a little!