HAPPINESS~

It's the little things in life that puts a smile on my face...warm days and cool nights... the realization that Autumn is just around the corner... watching late summer blooms dancing in the cool evening breeze...

discovering Jack Be Little pumpkins...two in white and four in orange...survived... despite a beetle infestation...

A trip to HomeGoods...a twenty dollar budget... purchased... orange/clove hand soap, I discovered this product on someone's blog, I'm sorry I don't recall which blog it was, but I thank you for bringing this product to my attention, a Yankee Candle and a Yankee Candle car refreshener in the scent Candy Corn...black and orange paper straws and a wooden twig pencil with an owl topper...love owls...

and with Autumn on my mind, I decided to dust off my ceramic pumkins... bought at the Dollar Tree last year, and if you are wondering... yes... they do have them in stock again this year...I tuck them in nooks and crannies...a simple delight...now Winslow Homer enjoys the simple things in life too ... chicken treats, short walks, a favorite toy and recently guarding over Travis Lloyd...this may not be simple...especially being an old blind dog...but...three days per week Winslow Homer and I are on baby duty and enjoying every moment...

At three months Travis enjoys carriage rides on the bumpy dirt driveway, is partial to the color red, and loves being read to...

and I recently discovered Travis smiles in his sleep... simple pleasures...it's what makes my world go around...how about you? do tell...

SUBTLE SIGNS~

This morning the sun dawned sunny and bright with the air dry and cool...a much welcomed relief. Subtle signs of Fall are now beginning to be seen as well as heard...my small friend took a moment from his "busy work" and allowed me the opportunity to snap a photo. Mr. chipmunk's cheek pouches found stretched to the brim with a future winter's day snack...acorns... Mr.Thaddeus P. Scarecrow informed me that he was more than ready to be removed from storage. I happily obliged, out of the dark cellar he came, happy to once again see the light of day.

Afternoon shadows now appear ealier in the day...the cricket's song is sung loud and clear...

crows are found taking their position in nooks and crannies of the old homestead...

butterflies...

dot the landscape...

the flowers of Summer...

are ready to relinquish their role to the flowers of Autumn...I hope you too have enjoyed this beautiful day, blessings.

A DAY OF SADNESS~

Yesterday began as any other ordinary day, but by day's end it would no longer be, it would become a day of sadness and grief... A brilliant, courageous young man...a Navy Seal... was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. My family and I had the honor of meeting this man, the new husband of our niece, who also serves in the Navy, when he traveled to Maine to meet the family and enjoy the Christmas holiday. A young couple with hopes and dreams of a happy life together. In the blink of an eye, life can change. My heart aches for Emily and her husband's family. Please know that my thoughts as well as those from my island family are with you. Tonight dear blogging friends, if you would keep Emily in your prayer's, as well as those brave soldiers who continue to fight for our freedom, I would be forever grateful. Blessings, Julie.

THE DREADED MIGRAINE

Pumpkins...last year's photo of course, but it is a vision I am longing for. It has been so humid here for far too long. I am ready for cool crisp dry air and for all the wonderful delights that Fall brings. Yesterday was not a good day...MIGRAINE...My head was throbbing, throbbing with a capital "T" actually it has been throbbing since the humid weather arrived. Yesterday I had an appointment in the big city (Portland, the city by the sea) with my primary care physican, time for the annual physical...My physican was running late, I was not. Besides being late another gripe I have with physicians, would it be to much to ask to keep current updated magazines on hand? Nothing is worse than perusing a year old magazine while waiting for your name to be called. Finally, an appearance. How are you she inquired? My head is pounding I sputter, and I hit and killed a squirrel and a seagull on my way here. Surprise, I did get a reaction out of her. Alas, my visit went well, bone density and mamogram scheduled for next week, nothing new for the migraine, grin and bear it. Easier said than done. However, the good news is I have kept the weight off that I lost while on Weight Watchers, surprise...surprise...Now this little guy, he's spending three days a week with his Granny. If anything can help my migraines...while "grinning and bearing" it's Travis...

His magic brings a song to my heart and a smile to my face, plus he's good company while I attempt to pull feathers from the underneath of my car...

~SUNFLOWERS~

Sunflowers, such happy flowers, they can't but help put a smile on your face... they stand tall and erect, as watchmen over the garden...sunflowers are a favorite of our feathered friends as well as backyard chipmunks and squirrels...my sunflower travelled all the way from Bakersfield, California...it arrived as a seed, a packet of seeds sent from my dear blogging friend Kim. Kim grows the most beautiful sunflowers in her Field Of Dreams. This sunflower is a symbol of friendship and kindness from one friend to another. And such a lovely way to put a smile on this friends face...

UP TO CAMP~

I have been up to camp. A small slice of heaven found at the foothills of western maine. A place where cell phone and internet service are sketchy at best, and you might as well forget about television reception... Camp is a place where you are happily awakened by the early morning serenade of web footed feathered friends...

and lulled to sleep each night by the cry of the loon as it echos across the lake...

Camp... where berry picking is a sport and a three mile daily hike is a must...

camp...where one's daily uniform dries quickly in the afternoon sun...

and a place where a grandbaby has come for a first sleep over...

sporting a new sun hat

and sandals...

Camp is a place where memories are made...

and puzzles are pieced together...transportation is by canoe...

a place where Winslow Homer gets to sleep on a "people" bed while Sadie May keeps her eye on the rodent population...Camp is a place for family...where memories are shared...and new memories are created...

SADNESS~

May she spread her wing's and soar... Today, while reading a recent post from the blog Octoberfarm, I learned of the death of Kary, writer of the My Farmhouse Kitchen blog. I know many of you too are devoted fans. Kary was a kindred spirit, being that she loved everything New England and her dear dog Teddy. I living in New England and my devotion to old Mr. Winslow Homer made us e-mailing pals. I did not know Kary had been ill, just assumed she was taking a break from the blogging world. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolence to her family and dearest friends, she will be greatly missed. With sadness, Julie.

SALTY BREEZES

Off to the rock...

An Island: a tract of land completely surrounded by water, in layman's terms PARADISE!

MAINE BLUEBERRY CAKE

Cooking Down East by Marjorie Standish is a cookbook I received 34 years ago as a wedding shower gift. This cookbook not only has remained a constant in my kitchen, but holds one of my favorite blueberry cake recipes. This recipe is what I would refer to as a "simple" cake, meaning there is no crumble topping, just a dusting of granulated sugar. It is the perfect dessert to follow a Maine lobster feed.

MELT-IN- YOUR-MOUTH BLUEBERRY CAKE~

2 eggs, separated

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup milk

1 1/2 cups fresh Maine blueberries

Beat egg whites until stiff. Add about 1/4 cup of the sugar to keep them stiff.

Cream shortening, add salt and vanilla to this. Add remaining sugar gradually. Add unbeaten egg yolks and beat until light and creamy. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with the milk.

Fold in beaten egg whites. Fold in the fresh blueberries. (Take a bit of the flour called for in the recipe and gently shake berries in it so they won't settle.)

Turn into a greased 8 by 8 pan. Sprinkle top of batter lightly with granulated sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Serves eight.

*I removed my cake at 50 minutes, my oven is electric

My eggs were farm fresh, coming straight out of the nest, thank you Gladys

Also used was my homemade vanilla.

ENJOY!

IT'S BERRY SEASON~

How quickly the weather can change... a storm blows in...the hot humid air quickly replaced by cool, dry air...it was to be short lived, the weather in Maine is known for it's unpredictability however, the clear skies remained long enough for me to enjoy the berry fields... I was informed that the berries...raspberry and blueberry... were ripening 2 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. Can there be anything more satisfying than sweet raspberry jam on a cold winter's day? Slathered on warm homemade toast or topped on old fashioned vanilla ice cream, the taste transports you back to the fine summer's day when they were picked. Last year I learned a valuable lesson when it comes to raspberries, their shelf life is short. I made a batch of jam, stored the remainder of the raspberries in the fridge, when I returned to make another batch the berries had begun to mold. I did not dare use them, but needless to say my girls/chickens had a very expensive treat, and I learned a very expensive lesson...

There were just two of us picking in the raspberry field, the picking was slim to say the least, but the berries' flavor was so sweet. The sun began to warm us and the berries' fragrance soon filled the summer air.

Mission accomplished...

The blueberries on the other hand were big, juicy and plentiful...their branches were weighted to the ground...it took very little time to top off a box. Typically I pick high bush berries for jam and savor the low bush wild blueberries, which Maine is known for, for my baking...

again, mission accomplished...In my next post I'll share an old Maine blueberry cake recipe, a simple recipe, but oh so yummy and one that goes well with lobster and corn on the cob. I do have to ask, are you a clean berry picker or are you like me, head to toe in berry juice? I have learned from experience to don my old jeans and tee shirt...and bring a towel to sit on, just in case! Goodnight...

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS~

You never really know what goes on behind closed doors...and that holds true inside a hen house too...silly girls...don't you know... two's company...but... three is a crowd...

what's happening inside your coop?

SUCCESS~

Travis's first sleepover was a huge success...grampy rocked little "Sweet Cheeks" off into Slumberland...at 8:30 pm Saturday night, Travis was fast asleep...

at 4:00 am, his blueberry blue eyes fluttered open...he slurped down his morning bottle, had a diaper change and returned to bed.

7:30 am...truth be told I just couldn't resist any longer... I scouped Travis out of his Pack and Play and we snuggled together in the rocking chair...I felt transported back in time to when my sons were babes, every morning felt like Christmas morning, I so loved seeing those precious little faces, arms reaching to be picked up...the smell of sleep lingering in their soft downy hair...children are our most precious gift... a blessing from God...

and when I ask Travis who loves his crazy granny?

this is the reaction I receive...

a laugh, with a grin and a smile, all compiled onto one little face...a face that this granny just cannot resist...