IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning there was a little banty hen named Josephine. Josephine was a very determined little hen, her goal in life was to become a mother. Julie, the kind hearted hen keeper took pity upon Josephine and decided to grant her wish, three weeks later two little chicks were hatched out...
Little Gwendolyn soon became the apple of her mother's eye...
the older ladies in the coop learned to tolerate the chicks presence...day by day they watched little Gwendolyn and her sister grow...all remained calm in the hen house...that is until today...why Gladys cocked her head in confusion...the kind hearted hen keeper gasped in disbelief...the "croaking" noise grabbed Henny's attention...Pearly May's eyes glazed over...and Phoebe was ready to draw blood...you see today is the day that Gwendolyn found her voice... I on the other hand remain speechless... Proud papa Don Juan puffed out his chest, fluffed up his tail feathers and announced to the world that his son shall be named Ramon... and there will be no "crowing" over it...Good Sunday everyone...

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY

I left my apron strings idle this morning...I do have a fondness for aprons, in my small collection I have a reproduction of Tasha Tudor's apron. When I wear this apron I imagine working side by side with Tasha, not cooking, but rather outside in the yard dipping candles in the old cast iron cauldron. In my prairie apron, I am visiting the Ingalls family in Walnut Grove. My fifties apron with ruffles and tulle, I am hosting a cocktail party, serving such drinks as Martini's, Gimlets, and Manhattans. The apron with the silk screened squirrel came from Amy of Verde Farm. I picture Amy and myself out gathering eggs and offering a morning treat to her wonderful menagerie of animals. Nope, no aprons today...

For today the temperature reached forty degrees by mid morning. My chickens were begging to come out, but knowing danger was lurking...I take no chances...no, there will be no chicken dinner for Mr. Fox today...just as the days are becoming longer... egg production is increasing...

and speaking of increasing...I have no issue keeping track of my daily Weight Watcher points...this little calculator makes it quite easy to stay on track...and I have no problem drinking the 6 to 8 bottles of water...room temperature... that appears to be the key....however, the 10,000 steps...I hiked around our wooded trail not once but twice...but as you can see I did not reach my goal...tonight my pedometer reading... 6534...all I can say is... tomorrow is another day...

TEN THOUSAND STEPS A DAY~

Wednesday morning, my first weigh in at Weight Watchers. Drum roll please... I am three and a half pounds lighter. Weight Watchers is now based on a daily food point system, each individual is accessed and given a number according to age, height and weight. My magical number is twenty-six, meaning a point value is given to each meal and snack throughout the day totaling no more than twenty-six points. Keeping hydrated (six bottles of water daily) and walking 10,000 steps a day is key... with any additional exercise a plus...

I have given myself three months to reach my goal weight. Weight Watchers considers losing one to two pounds per week being right on track. I have pounds to lose with miles to cover, but I am focused on completing this goal. If you too are trying to lose a few pounds and have advice or tips to offer, I would be more than happy to hear from you!

REALIZATION~

I have come to the realization that life is short and winter is long...sharing is not in a squirrel's repertoire...hoarding shows can be addictive...keeping up with highlights in one's hair is imperative to mental well being...
it is better to stick to what one knows when cooking a pot roast...always allow your husband to make the gravy... three hearts are the only valentine's decorations I own...
my joy of rug hooking has been misplaced...if you find it kindly return to owner... I have will power...no pie...no cookie...no brownie has passed these lips... it is early in the Weight Watcher's game plan...I'm giving it my all...two days till weigh in...ugh...old blind dogs can still maintain some form of naughtiness...be still my heart...the face of a guilty dog...my hens are spoiled...very spoiled...their preference...to be hand fed...

after dropping a log on my ankle...I realized... I swear like a sailor...hats off to the Pats ...and I do not...repeat...do not care for Newt....goodnight from Dog Trot Farm...

JUST AN ORDINARY DAY~

This morning as I opened the old wooden door, sunshine flooded in... winter has settled herself in nicely...the temperature is brisk, the snow light and fluffy...thankfully today we will see the sun...My hens...are more than ready for an outing...feathers need to be aired...egos addressed...speaking of egos, can ya guess who has the largest? yup...right on the money...Mr. Don Juan...such a looker... his women swoon at the sight of him...secretly...I know his heart belongs to Josephine... when I mentioned a photo opportunity....Henny and Beatrix were more than willing to oblige... sorry girls...sorry Gladys...this is more of what I was thinking... Portland Head Light... majestic against the shimmering Atlantic ocean...inland "we" have received more snow than those along the coast...once home the wide open trail was calling to me... "Julie, get your butt moving" two sets of long johns later I was out the door... snowshoes ready and waiting...warm chocolate chip cookies...and the scent of farmhouse white bread floating in the air...I did not partake...why you ask? Weight Watchers...May the force be with me...more on that subject tomorrow...Goodnight...

DAFFODILS

Daffodils... a bit of warmth and sunshine on a cold winter's day...

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets~

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Note the fire truck...

I know the above photo doesn't look like much, however it is evidence to my story. Yesterday I met my mom, who is spending a couple of days off the Island to run errands and doctors' appointments. With ample time between appointments my mom decided it might be a good opportunity to have a much needed hair cut. The salon we opted for was new to us, however, the stylists were friendly and a twenty minute wait was doable. Also, the salon offered a nice selection of what I refer to as "trash" reading material. Who knew the "in" color for spring is mint green. Off in the distance I overheard the stylist talking with my mom, asking her what she was looking for in a hair cut and also stating she would be happy to color her hair. I heard my mom answer "not today." The next thing I knew an extremely loud fire alarm was screeching. We all looked at one another...I grabbed my mom...pulled the salon cape off and we along with everyone else promptly headed out the door...the entire strip mall was being evacuated...45 minutes later...no fire was discovered... we were back in business. Now, I have to admit I am one of those people who have wondered what one would do if in the middle of having your hair dyed or highlighted (as in my case) and a fire alarm sounded. Would your hair over process and fall out? How about being in the middle of a yearly physical, your legs propped in stirrups, your dress, a paper johnny and you need to evacuate. You're on the eight floor- do you grab your clothes or just run holding your paper johnny closed...Ya, I know my mind can conjure up some strange, but valid scenarios... come on, I can't be the only one.

JANUARY, IT'S A BLAST

January...winter's blast is in full swing here in New England...this morning's temperature...a big fat zero...long johns and wool socks become a girl's best friend... early morning finds everyone in the hen house huddled together. I am of the belief that a heat lamp is beneficial to a hen's well being during the long cold winter months...along with warm oatmeal and Bag Balm. Oatmeal to warm the crop and Bag Balm to aid in frostbite. Phoebe..adorned in her winter coat...some girls need a little time to themselves regardless the temperature...

others dare not venture outdoors... Don Juan keeps a tight rein on his women...The Don is patiently waiting for his true love Josephine to return from maternity leave...she remains safely tucked in a cage in the coop with her babes... deer grace our field traveling on ice crusted snow...

the egret points south...

there is vacancy in the old birdhouse...heat not included...snow on the pumpkin...Enough fluff here's the real scoop...it is damn cold here...I need to get outside and move...as in exercise...dust off my snow shoes...I find, just as Randy in the movie A Christmas Story...when layered up in clothing it is most difficult to move...in the woods I might fall...the wolves might devour me...they wouldn't need to eat again till spring...I need Weight Watchers...I want to look like Kate Winslet...I love Kate Winslet...I have a very bad habit...television...I don't actually watch it...it's my background noise...I hear bits and pieces...some so shocking that I actually do watch with my mouth hanging wide open...truly....where do they find these people...a women who is addicted to eating her dearly departed husband's ashes...another who sniffs gasoline and carries it with her where ever she goes...one lady consumes rocks...rocks...and another dryer lint...why in the world would you admit to something such as this...and yes, I know who Snookie is...shameful...Martha has been cancelled...and they have gone and brought back Fear Factor...I really need to get out of the house more...stay tuned...Goodnight from Dog Trot Farm...Oh and I desperately need a pedicure...I ripped a hole in my sheet last night...

THE TASHA TUDOR MUSEUM

How delighted I was to have received the Tasha Tudor Museum Newsletter in the mail yesterday. Long ago, I discovered this lovely women and her world. Not only was it her art work that drew me to her, but more importantly her lifestyle. When I stumbled over the words "from the time Tasha Tudor was a little girl she new exactly what she wanted: to live on a secluded farm where she could surround herself with gardens, a household menagerie of pets, barnyard animals and art" I knew I had found a kindred spirit.
How I wished to step inside Tasha's private world. The Corgies, Minou the one eyed cat, Hannah and Pegler Tasha's African gray parrots, the nubian goats. Many a time I was tempted to sign up for Tasha's garden tours offered at her beloved Corgi Cottage. I was always hesitant, I am realistic enough to realize that even perfect worlds have their flaws. After Tasha Tudor passed away, there was a rift among her four children. Money, possessions, and even her ashes were fought over. (finally resolved) I am glad I did not go on that tour, but prefer to remember Tasha through her many books. The Tasha Tudor Museum is alive and well located at the Jeremiah Beal House in West Brattleboro, Vermont. Recently I discovered a blog titled "An Historical Lady" Mary Spencer and her husband Adam are living history reenactors and have been invited by Amy Tudor to present their program at the Tasha Tudor Museum this summer. I do hope to attend, how lovely it would be to meet Mary andAdam, to admire all the hard work the Tudor Family and friends have done to create such a museum honoring this incredible women we know as Tasha Tudor...

snow...Snow...SNOW

snow...Snow...SNOW...it's a snowy day here in Maine...winter weather arrived early this morning...schools and businesses closed... a good day to spend some time in the kitchen...homemade bread...warm chocolate chip cookies... comfort food...macaroni and cheese... a big old pot of hot chocolate...a comfy chair by the wood stove...a favorite book...
The animals here at Dog Trot Farm are snuggled in too. Emma Lou tucked nicely in her little bed against the old brick chimney...a red bulb hangs in the coop...chickens delight in a treat of warm pasta...Winslow Homer prefers to romp and play while patiently waiting for his mommy to find her snowshoes...Mommy prefers a nap...winter...like it or not it's presence has arrived....

HERE'S YOUR SIGN

Last week was nothing but a "gosh darn" bust... my "to do" list remained idle...my body felt off... tired...weak...all I wanted to do was sleep...and guess what? I listened to my body, I slept. No walks, no household organization, no baking...I do not deny the laundry did mount and dust bunnies grew. I did however muster enough energy to make my dental appointment. I knew if I cancelled, odds were I would not be rescheduled for months. After a clean bill of health, no cavities, the word ORTHODONTIST was mentioned. It appears my lower teeth are spreading, spreading? Age related I'm told, now I ask you is there anything beneficial to the aging process? oh... right "WISDOM" Lord have mercy. Yesterday, being a beautiful sunny day I was more than ready for an outing. I am one for taking the "road less travelled" especially a dirt road, preferably out in the middle of nowhere. We found ourselves travelling down this road enjoying the scenery out in the middle of nowhere... Honestly, I saw no "DEAD END" sign...but I did notice this sign looming in the foreground. Yes indeed it caught my attention: NO TRESPASSING:

PLEASE WE DO NOT WANT TO APPEAR UNFRIENDLY; BUT LIVESTOCK IS LOOSE AND GUARD DOGS ARE ON DUTY, THEY ARE NOT FRIENDLY. DO NOT ENTER! INVITED GUESTS REMAIN IN YOUR CAR WITH THE WINDOWS UP UNTIL WE HAVE DOGS UNDER

CONTROL. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK" Well you can't get your point across much clearer than this. I had the feeling that beyond this point was book material for Maine horror author Steven King... Cujo, Carrie, Salem's Lot...I know if you are familiar with any of Mr. Kings books you get my drift...

In a prior post, I admitted how intimidated I was by my new Canon Rebel, nothing has changed I'm still intimidated. I also mentioned a Christmas gift which was given to me by my son Tristan in order to keep me on the" straight and narrow"- a Magellan GPS.My son suggested it might be a good idea to actually take the GPS out of the box...point well taken...I'll add it to my "to do" list.Continuing on to more familiar territory, Hancock Pond...to the family camp...Typically by January the pond is dotted with ice shacks...fishermen... snowmobiles....skaters... cross country skiers...add a thermos of hot chocolate...you have the perfect family outing...But the weather has been warm, the snow covered ice is not thick enough for these winter activities...the sound of ice snapping and buckling under one's feet can cause even the strongest of hearts to skip a beat...The pond was quiet...not a sound to be heard...we checked on camp and found it to be in good order...Just waiting for our return...next time with hot chocolate in hand...