THE JOYS OF GARDENING~

How rewarding it is to gather a bouquet of flowers, after the morning's dew has dried, from one's own flower gardens.I love flowers, it is my opinion you can never grow to many, in my humble patch of earth I try to incorporate as many long blooming flowers, mostly perennials, which will provide color throughout the summer. Gardening is such a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it does require dedication. Dead heading, weeding, thinning, transplanting, watering and of course the ever on going battle with insects...oh... and deer, how could I forget the deer... I never have a color palette, it's hit or miss. I tend to tuck flowers in here and there. Black Eyed Susan, Shasta Dasiy, Ladys Mantle, Cone Flower, Hollyhock and Delphinium are a garden favorite. Working in the garden you find peace and solitude, you are left with your own thoughts, hear the trees sway, the birds sing and in my case chickens are always close at hand...sometimes helpful and sometimes not...mostly not...

my future gardener...our little blooming flower...

Travis Lloyd is two months old today...

under the shade of a maple tree he dreams.. I see a tiny pair of garden gloves in his future...why, his granny can dream too! Do you garden with your grandchildren? please tell!

THE OLSON HOUSE

Yes indeed, this is the Olson House located off the beaten path in Cushing, Maine. It is the location of Andrew Wyeth's painting Christina's World. This saltwater farm house was home to "Anna" Christina and her brother Alvaro. At 17, Betsy James introduced Andrew (her soon to be husband) to the Olson's. Betsy described the home as "looming like a weathered ship stranded on a hilltop." This three story home is one of my favorite places to visit. If you are a admirer of Artist Andrew Wyeth you must add this home to your list of places to visit while in Maine. 300 of Wyeth's paintings were done in this old home. Images of paintings are framed and found throughout the rooms giving visitors an idea of what Wyeth saw. Most of the rooms are found empty with the exception being a lone chair. In the kitchen however, the original wood stove along with Alvaro and Christina's rocking chairs are found. On the kitchen windowsill, glass shelves hold Christina's beloved red geraniums. Wyeth documented life on the farm in many of his works. "The windows are eyes or pieces of the soul almost." "Each window is part of Christina's life."

One May day Andrew saw Christina dragging herself out to pick flowers from her garden. Paralyzed from the waist down, with an unknown medical condition, life was not easy for Christina. Alvaro took on the role of main caregiver and neither he nor Christina married. Wyeth took artistic license while painitng Christina's World. He separated the barn further from the house, and omitted the tree line which formed the horizen. 30 year old Betsy was used as his model, however, the gnarled hands and arms belong to 55 year old to Christina.

The Olson House, with all it's history is amazing. To stand in a room and look through the old wavy glass windows, to visualize what Wyeth saw, can take your breath away. I recommend the one hour guided tour and photography is permitted... Gazing out an upstairs window, looking across the street, over a field, on the edge of the Atlantic ocean...

a small cemetery is found...Christina and Alvaro are buried, together in one grave...

and with a simple black headstone, Mr. Wyeth too.

MY BEST FELLA TRAVIS~

When my best fella stops by for a visit with his granny... he gets my undivided attention...can you blame me?

Tomorrow, part #2 of Who's House Is This...goodnight...

WHO'S HOUSE IS THIS?

This old weathered saltwater farm house is one of my favorite places to visit. Located off the beaten path, in a small Maine village...this house proudly stands...One step through the front door and you soon realize you have walked into history...the farmhouse is empty with the exception of a few original items...

the old kitchen stove remains ...

as does the original slate sink...

field cut wildflowers displayed in canning jars are scattered throughout the house... and geraniums adore the kitchen window... just as they did many years ago...

across the street and down a well trodden path you will find a small family cemetery...there the inhabitants of this home and the artisit who made them and this house famous rest...now, lets see if anyone knows the answer ...who is this famous artist? and couple?... anyone? the answers tomorrow...

WE'RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE~

The lazy, hazy days of summer have set in...today is a day for a tall glass of lemonade and cold watermelon slices... along the coast the southerly wind blows, the smell of salt is in the air...a gull soars into billowy clouds...

tourist are now in abundance...shopping and seafood being their main focus... the vast majority of "snowbirds" have returned to their cottages and summer homes, opened now and readied for summer enjoyment...as this day comes to an close, we cast open our windows allowing the cool evening breeze to flow throughout the house, dispersing the days stale air...

at dusk we hurry to our gardens which are found in dire need of a cool drink, we find them hot and thirsty from the day long heat...

the girls take the heat in stride...dirt baths and fresh water keep everyone's spirits happy...

and the grand finale to my day... an evening stroll down our bumpy dirt driveway accompanied by my best fella...Travis Lloyd...

works like a charm everytime...Life is good...Sweet dreams...

NO FRIEND OF MINE~

So...blogger has not been my friend lately...completely rejected my posts...or published a post with a photo and no text...so my friends I shall give it another try: Here is a Dog Trot Farm update: Winslow Homer is in fine health, or shall I say holding his own with a quality to his life, he may be old and he may be blind, but he is a fighter. Sadie Mae, has evolved from an introverted kitty, into a five pound ball of fire...a perfect addition to our household. My flock of chickens are all getting along, who knew? fourteen hens and two roosters, everyone appears happy...however, Gladys has been panting and Beatrix has a swollen eye...hot humid weather and insects appear to be the culprits...There have been flowers gardens to prune and a vegetable garden to weed...jam to make and produce to can...there is always a structure to paint: house, shed, coop, you name it...and of course it is prime lawn mowing season...and don't forget the weed whacking...so like most of you, we stay busy...lately however, I have been lax in most all of my duties...I admit, I have been a "slacker" when I hear the words "somebody wants to see his granny" or "would you mind watching Travis?" I say honey you don't need to ask twice, granddad and I will be right over...what a pair Mr. Dog Trot and I make, this little guy has us wrapped around his little finger... we may not find time to accomplish all our chores, but we always find time for Travis, ya we've even been known to fight over him...we're pretty lame, but we sure are having fun! I do hope life is treating you well, I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you...greetings from Maine, Julie.

INDEPENDENCE DAY~

Happy Independence Day... Red, white, and blue, how proudly she waves. May we be grateful for all that our flag represents and thankful to those, both past and present, who serve and protect this wonderful country of our's. Long may she wave.

WHAT LURKS IN THE DARKNESS~

Last evening's night sky, 3:00 am to be precise...
It began as a quiet evening. I retired early to bed enjoying the sweet fragrance of line dried sheets, as a cool breeze blew through my bedroom window. I turned off the light and soon was on the edge of sweet slumber, when out of nowhere it came...a gnawing and scratching sound coming from inside my bedroom wall...I turned on the light, hopped out of bed and listened, then banged hoping to scare it off, whatever it might be...I must have offended "it" for reinforcements were called in and gnawing began in unison. I attempted to read, bang on the wall and read some more...finally all on the home front was quiet. Light is off, covers pulled up, ready for sleep. But, once again just as I am about to drift off a noise outside of my bedroom window pulled me back to consciousness...the lid to the hens feed container went banging off...I searched for a flashlight, however all I could find was my headlamp...I pointed it out into the darkness when I saw the reflection of glowing eyes... I watched it scurry up the fencing which encloses the hen's yard...I soon felt a serge of panic as I tried to recall if I or Mr. Dog Trot had closed the hens ramp ...murder in the darkness I thought...In my night gown with headlamp in place I grabbed Winslow Homer and headed out into the darkness...my brave blind dog and me...I was shaking in my Muck boots as I quickly locked the coop windows and latched the ramp...above me, sitting on a tree limb was a large possum watching my every move...I ran to the house, locked the door and gave Winslow Homer a well earned treat...Finally, around dawn I drifted off to sleep...Later that morning when I finally made my way downstairs, Mr. Dog Trot was cooking breakfast..."good morning honey" was his cheery greeting," boy did I sleep well last night...how about you"? Life is good!

THE TASHA TUDOR MUSEUM

Located in the Jeremiah Beal house in Brattleboro, Vermont you will find the "temporary" home of the Tasha Tudor Museum...

Climb the steps to the second floor and you will soon be greeted by Leigh, the museum curator. A lovely young women with a wealth of information regarding Tasha Tudor... The museum is small, just two rooms. The first room holds various items belonging to Tasha, as well as some reproductions. Also found are many Tasha Tudor items for sale...books, note cards, cookie cutters, flower seeds, mugs...a gift shop perhaps, however, tastefully done.

This exhibit's main feature was Tasha's favorite dresses...those worn and made by Tasha, as well as dresses that represent the Romantic Era, Tasha's favorite period in history...

This is a familiar outfit worn by Tasha in many of her books...Leigh informed us that Tasha had worn the sleeves out and new ones had to be made...note Tasha's familiar neck scarf and apron...

This is the first dress Tasha made...

Just a sampling of the many dresses on exhibit, being that the museum is small, and other patrons were visiting, it became difficult to take photos. This museum is child friendly, there are a sampling of frocks and bonnets for children to don, with pages to color, the Tasha Tudor "Take Joy" movie was playing off to the side. If you are a Tasha Tudor fan, I would recommend a visit, it is worth the five dollar admittance fee. Vermont is such a beautiful state to tour, with it's wonderful cheddar cheese and maple syrup, you just can't go wrong!

TAKE JOY~TASHA TUDOR~PART #2

Beautiful Vermont... The Green Mountain State...

As our group of eight was ushered into the connecting barn, her well worn garden implements now lay idle. Her yokes, scythe, pitchforks, tree barrels and enormous baskets remain exactly as she might have left them. In my mind's eye I visualize Tasha milking her Nubian goats, tending to her Fantail doves, cats, chickens or perhaps calling to Megan and Owyn, the last of her beloved Corgies. Her pets are gone now, Megan, the last of Tasha's Corgies, passed away this past spring while in the care of Seth and Marjorie. The antique birdcages that once held Tasha's exotic finches, cockatiels, parrots, and canaries are now empty- Tasha's presence is dearly missed. Next, we found ourselves placed in the hands of Winslow Tudor, Tasha's grandson. First on the agenda was Tasha's secret garden. The focal point being a large flowering crab apple tree which is encompassed by forget-me-nots and a wooden hexagonal bench built by Seth. It soon became apparent that Winslow had a special bond with his granny with a shared love and knowledge of gardening. A water lily pond is surrounded by azaleas, a red hawk had built her nest high in a tree close to the pond, being respectful we did not invade her territory. If you are a fan of Tasha Tudor you know she was very boastful of her gardens, and rightly so. Corgi Cottage is a place of enchantment, heirloom plants found as far as the eye can see...it was everything and more than what I had expected and hoped for...Tasha's family were very generous and patient with us as we made inquiries...goat's milk for health...manure tea for plants...tea in the afternoon...barefoot when possible...and always in the company of animals both inside and out...In my humble opinion there will never be another Tasha Tudor...but while she was here on earth I feel she made this world a better place. If you are a fan I know you would agree. place...Part #3~tomorrow: the Tasha Tudor Museum...

~TAKE JOY~ TASHA TUDOR~PART #1

Take a turn off the beaten path, follow down a dusty dirt road...
Seth Tudor, son of Tasha, and Winslow Tudor, son of Seth, await our arrival...

We are a group of twenty or so and are quickly gathered together at the "Rookery" a home base to the Tasha Tudor and Family business...we are divided into three groups and assigned a leader- ours is Seth; Seth's wife Marjorie, and their son Winslow lead the other two groups.

Friendly banter soon filled the air as we plodded along field and trail leading to Tasha Tudor's beloved Corgi Cottage. Seth opened an old wooden gate, and the world of Tasha Tudor was at our fingetips...Corgi Cottage is a timber frame New England style cape home. It is adorned in weathered clapboards and moss covered cedar shakes, built by Seth for his mother forty years ago. Upon entering the home you soon have the feeling that Tasha is home, perhaps out working in her garden...her china teapot and cups are waiting, everything appears to be left just the way she would have had it, or as the books about her portray...The rooms are small, cool and dark, indeed the feeling of a chipmunk's nest. We are respectful of her home and belongings, however, it is not a museum and we were allowed to "touch". Once in her kitchen, I stand at Tasha's sink, I gaze out the window as my hand touched the old hand pump, her tin kitchen still placed in front of the fireplace...her art work space, along with pencils, paint and brushes set by the north window, also a small bed for napping...down a narrow hallway we discover the room that holds her loom, treaded and left just as it was when Tasha passed away. A steep narrow stairway leads us to the second floor where two small bedrooms and an adjoining alcove are found. The bedrooms lovingly decorated with the style we reconize as "Tasha Tudor" We return downstairs and soon discover that Tasha had a real bathroom (flushing toilet) her dressing table set with all her lovely antique brushes, combs and hand mirror. Wild flowers placed in vases are scattered throughout the house. There are shelves from floor to ceiling filled with books and smalls. Tasha Tudor was a collector of many items, among them being books, beds, old photographs, antiques and dishes. Every nook and cranny of Corgi Cottage is filled with items that delight the eye...

Next we are taken into Tasha's bedroom, a small room, bright with the afternoon sunlight. This room too is filled with antique furnishings, her bed is adorned with a white quilt, there are bed curtains and window treatments that coordinate. This is the room that Tasha Tudor passed away in. Seth speaks so lovingly of his mother, to the world she was known as Tasha Tudor but, to her family.... Granny...