THE BOMB

The "BOMB"...a decadent... chocolaty... mouth watering... sugar high inducing dessert... This delight was made and brought to Easter dinner by my niece Darlene...I had never sampled this type of dessert before... if you find yourself with a sweet tooth...as I...this is certainly the dessert to try. Chocolate cake...chocolate pudding...whipped cream and Heath Bar Bits...layered and chilled in the fridge a bit before serving...a most heavenly delight... and one which was well received by all! Thank you Darlene...can't wait to see what you come up with next!

DOG TROT DAYS

Today was lovely... the weather was warm and spring like. The peas have made their appearance in the vegetable garden along with spinach and lettuce... with another sowing completed today. Winslow and I took our daily walk through the woods where the birds were all in song and the pileated woodpecker drumming the old dead pine to beat the band. Shrubs are bursting forth with color and my "girls" are taking full advantage of these warm days.. sunning themselves... bathing and grazing about the yard. Life is good. Winslow Homer's health remains in check...however...we did experience his first low blood sugar episode...it began with Winslow just standing... staring... and then "boom" keeled right over... I quickly retrieved my KARO syrup filled syringe and promptly administered it into Winslow's mouth....momma mia talk about heart pounding stress...but once again he bounced back...truthfully I wasn't so sure I was going to... Today I returned to the feed store ...the feed store where I purchased my five new bantam chicks. The only purchase I made was organic feed for the girls. Since I watched that one episode of Animal Hoarding...the one where a gentleman had 168 chickens living in the house...can you imagine?.. I have had this secret fear that could be me...I mean It takes all the restraint I can muster not to bring each and everyone of those sweet little chicks home with me...

Loretta... oh how I love saying that name... Just look at that sweet face...I just pray Loretta is not a Leroy...these bantams were not sexed...bantams in my area do not come sexed...at least not at the six stores I went to... they all said the same thing nope NOT SEXED... but that was the chance I was willing to take...my heart has been set on bantam chicks...Loretta, is a Mille Fluer and she is one sassy gal... I am now pleased to introduce Josephine... a black Japanese Bantam...she is so tiny...just a wisp of a thing...but definitely the most vocal...her favorite place to be is on the bottom of the pile or firmly tucked in the middle amongst her sisters.

nighttime at the nursery...just look at those tiny tail feathers...

all tuckered out...it's been a long day...

Goodnight from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm...sweet dreams...

SPRING FEVER

Please indulge me for I have spring fever...If the day sports sunshine you will find me in the garden along with my sidekick Winslow Homer...my chore list is overwhelming...but I do not despair...for the sound of spring has officially arrived at Dog Trot Farm...even though his nose is a little out of joint...Winslow Homer would like to officially introduce you to LORETTA...one spunky little "peep" who now calls Dog Trot Farm Home...Isn't spring grand...

Oh how I love saying the name L-O-R-E-T-T-A and just look at those feathers on her itty bitty feet...I'm just enchanted by this little downy puffball... Okay I am off to catch up with everyone's blog...till tomorrow....Julie

HE IS RISEN

"The head that once was crowned with thorns, is crowned with glory now."
~Thomas Kelley~

EASTER BLESSINGS

We are ready....the table is set.... bunnies in place....

the peeps have arrived....

and some nice bunny brought me flowers....tulips....daffodils....

and chocolate eggs....

the table is decorated....

We will be thinking of loved ones who are no longer with us....but are tucked deep in our hearts.... and those who reside far away....Happy Easter to all our family and friends....from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm....

It's been a busy day....some bunny is plain tuckered out....Blessings....

EASTER DELIGHTS

It is beginning to look like Easter here at Dog Trot Farm....eggs have been hung...and a bird finds a home in an old primitive decorated pussy willow tree.... rabbits sport their finest....some shiny and new....

others collected from long ago....

there are dancing rabbits....

while others sport eggs....

a fuzzy peep.... eggs and grass....

delightful scents found everywhere....ti's spring ....

Awake, thou wintry earth~

fling off thy sadness.

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

your ancient gladness ~Thomas Blackburn~

BEATRIX POTTER

Delightful Spring....tulips..daffodils..chicks..bunnies....when I think of spring I am also reminded of Beatrix Potter... illustrator and author of the much loved children's stories..."The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck... "The Tale Of Mr. Jeremy Fisher" ..."The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin"..."The Tailor Of Gloucester" and my personal favorite "The Tale Of Peter Rabbit"...the naughty little bunny who lived with his mother and siblings Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fur tree.... A Journal.... is a most wonderful book.... filled with Beatrix' delightful illustrations....photographs....personal letters....family history.... life as a young girl....heartache in the death of a beau....married life at middle age....land owner.... farmer....and savvy business woman. Beatrix was born in London and home schooled....leading a somewhat reclusive life....She had the most incredible imagination and was a true lover of animals....Beatrix did own a pet rabbit named "Peter". the artist....

Beatrix' personal copy of The Tale Of Peter Rabbit....

Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-Tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper....

Christmas cards...

I hold such fond memories reading these stories to my two now grown sons....

Peter who not only lost his shoes...his blue coat with gold buttons....went to bed with a stomach ache....due to eating to much in Mr. McGregor's garden....naughty bunny....this is what happens when you do not listen to your mother!....

If you are a fan of Miss Potter... as am I... you will thoroughly enjoy this book....a true insight to a most remarkable woman....

So on this cold wet April day...I kept the wood fire burning....pulled out the hot cocoa machine....and dreamed of spring days to come...

THANK YOU

Thank you one and all for the wonderful advice and tips directed towards eradicating the migraine inducing skunk odor from Winslow Homer.... He may not be the sweetest smelling dog in town.... but he sure is the cleanest....

no more late night outings for this little man....he is grounded....

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS~

"And Spring arose on the garden fair, like the spirit of love felt everywhere; and each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of' its wintry rest." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley~ With each passing spring day Jonquils stretch their golden face's toward the sun....a simple delight on this cold April day. I planted these Jonquils twenty-eight years ago for my late mother in-law on a banking behind her home. The bulbs were planted in a location where they could be viewed from "Ellie's" kitchen window. A simple pleasure which my dear mother in-law enjoyed and looked forward to each spring. My small garden bed has been tilled and today the first sowing....peas....spinach....lettuce...."Old Timers" here in New England insist on planting peas before April 15th. I have faith in their wisdom. Wind and rain is forecast for this evening....I have covered the seeds with a garden cloth...hoping my recent sowing will not be washed away.... I have vowed to become diligent with my garden record keeping.... from the first sowing....seeds....annuals....perrenials....shrubs....trees....and to track the progress of each planting....what does well....and those that are a big FLOP.... Also....thinking it would be wise to track weather conditions....and the dreaded insect invasion....what is successful and what is not in the battle of their demise....

Onward to the kitchen....now.... when my grown son's make an impromptu visit....I am often confronted with the words "mom where are the cookies?" and my reply "well If I new you were coming"....so today I am prepared....triple chocolate chunk cookies....a man cookie....and a favorite here at Dog Trot Farm....and If you are wondering....yes....there are doggie bags to go.... Winslow....plain and simple smells like a SKUNK....the Skunk Kleen may have helped....somewhat....there have been several applications....but unfortunately the odor still remains....and unfortunately for me it has triggered a migraine.... Winslow.... doesn't seem to mind....not at all....