A COLD DECEMBER DAY~

It is a cold December day here in Southern Maine... the ground remains bare of snow, but tomorrow's weather forecast should remedy that...a bit of snow would be a welcomed sight...a cleansing of sorts... 

Today, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of Newtown, Conn...Mr. Dog Trot and I chose to limit our media coverage...the television and radio remained off...as a mother, granny and one who has worked with young children for many years, this senseless evil act is difficult to comprehend let alone process...We went about our day Mr. Dog Trot and I...completing various errands...readying our home for the fast approaching holiday...I could not help but think of the innocent children that will not be returning  home, will not be opening presents...how does a parent walk into a child's room...see an unmade bed... clothes on the floor...perhaps a cereal bowl sitting  in the kitchen sink...toys scattered about...how does one recover from the loss of a child?   Tonight I hug Travis Lloyd a bit tighter and pray that God will give the community of Newtown, Conn. the strength and courage to carry on...May God bless them...

WHY?

Today...this day...just an ordinary December day...a day to finish one's Christmas shopping... to purchase the Christmas turkey...humming along to Christmas music while  browsing the isles of Walmart...mentally checking off items on my "to do" list...

 I soon rounded a corner and before me a women appeared to be weeping...I slowly approached and asked if I might be of some assistance...she regained her composure  informing me that she had just spoke with her husband who had informed her of a horrific incident that was unfolding in Newtown, Conn.  She soon described what she had just  learned... a chill shuttered through my body...there are  no words to describe this unspeakable horror...parents have lost children and children have lost a  parent...their lives will never be the same...This evening, as I look at the Christmas lights, they do not seem to glow as brightly and singing along to Christmas music does not feel appropriate...it is difficult to make sense of such an evil act...perhaps there is none..tonight... my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Newtown, may God bless you...

THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRISTMAS~

Here at Dog Trot Farm our primary source of heat is a wood stove. There are pros and cons to heating with  wood, the warmth is undeniably unbeatable, however someone needs to be at hand to keep the fire burning.   Now that cold weather has arrived the wood stove is put to use daily, I like to place a pot of fruit and spices on the stove to simmer, giving the house that "Christmasy" scent...    

 I fill a cast iron pot with warm water, cut up an orange (orange & apple peel will do as well), add a cup of cranberries, a couple of cinnamon sticks, and a handful of whole cloves. Place the pot on the back of the wood stove...in no time your home will smell wonderful...(remember to refresh water when needed).

And speaking of Christmas...the window boxes are now filled with fir boughs and berries gathered from our woods, just in time may I say before the soil froze... to top the window boxes off, I added a battery powered candle...  giving them that "primitive" feel.

If you are a primitive decor lover, you know you  can never own to many of these candles...best invention in my opinion since sliced bread...Can you believe tomorrow is December 1st? So many things to accomplish and so little time...crunch time is looming...it's no wonder I can't sleep!!!! Good night...

HOW ABOUT YOU~

Has the spirit of Christmas found you? Did you partake in Black Friday? how about Cyber Monday?   

I myself am just coming out of the Thanksgiving sugar and tryptophan induced coma, now it's full speed ahead to Christmas...and speaking of Christmas, any suggestions for keeping a cat out and off the Christmas tree?  I have a strong feeling this is going to be a big issue in our home this holiday season, prove me wrong, will you please Sadie Mae. Have you purchased a Power Ball lottery ticket? I'm not a gambling type of gal, but I would love to win and I do have a ticket, actually five, courtesy of my dear mom. If I had the good fortune to win... it would be my main goal to secure the health and well being of hungry, homeless and abused animals  in the State of Maine, perhaps all of New England...I would love to play Santa Claus and give the winnings  away, anonymously.  What would you do if you were the lucky winner? Finally, any advice for getting a good nights sleep? For the life of me I cannot seen to sleep at night.  Perhaps due to the nocturnal howling of coyotes or the mice which seem to have invaded the attic. I swear a mouse family was putting up their Christmas tree last night, quite a happy ruckus going on. Thank goodness for these new fangled mouse traps, a trap where a  mouse gets itself caught, the trap is self contained and you never have to witness the stiff dead carcass...So once again last night, sleep did not come, I got up and ironed, tonight if the same scenario arises I shall bake. Mr. Dog Trot is away on business and if need be I can crank up the Kitchen Aid and let the flour fly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY~

Today is a special day, it's Auntie Jo's birthday...a milestone birthday...

Auntie Jo sent Travis this Christmas outfit, complete with pointed elf shoes...she and I think alike when it comes to decking Travis out...unfortunately for me, Auntie Jo now resides full time in Florida, she is what islander's refer to as a "summer dub."

I am so grateful to have a wonderful sister in-law as Jovan, I always joke, take my brother away, but never Jovan. So on this 28th day of November, I am sending love and greetings from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm, Happy "50" birthday Auntie Jo, we love and miss you!!!!!

A SPECIAL DAY~

Today is a special day here at Dog Trot Farm...my little dog trot, Winslow Homer, is having a birthday...today Winslow turns twelve years old...It seems like  just yesterday that Mr. Dog Trot and I walked into a pet store to purchase a brush for our Collie, Chloe... instead we came home with Winslow Homer and no brush...truly my one and only impulse purchase...ever...we adopt our pets for goodness sakes...

  Winslow, a Carin Terrier, had been a very healthy dog, but at the age of 11 things quickly and dramatically took a turn for the worse. Diagnosed as a diabetic, with a failing liver, and losing his eye sight... we were not given much encouragement let alone hope... Never in my wildest dreams did I believe  my little man could, let alone would, reach this mild stone...We acquired numerous veterinary opinions, also a specialist, and it was a joint decision to do whatever we could to keep him with us, as long as he was not in pain...

 After a year of highs and lows...numerous medications...twice daily insulin injections...twice weekly vet. appointments ...Winslow has persevered...In fact last week his blood sugar level was a perfect 90, his liver workup  came back encouraging ...Winslow's vet felt he was well enough to have his teeth cleaned...good dental health aids in a dogs liver function and contributes to overall  well being...I admit I was nervous at the thought of  Winslow Homer being put out and  going through this procedure...but... with three less teeth and sweet smelling breath...it was worth it...

"Happy Birthday Winslow Homer...you are the best little dog...ever...today is your special day and I am so thankful and grateful to have you in my life"..."now get out of the cat's food"...yes...he can still be naughty...

SIX MONTHS OLD~

One of the many advantages of taking care of a six month old grand baby...

Granny can justify her afternoon catnap...

MRS DOUGHTY'S CRANBERRY RELISH

I love anything made with cranberries... bars, pie, breads, I enjoy them all. The  cranberry relish recipe that I am sharing with you was given to me by my mother...and given to her by Mrs. Doughty...Mrs. Byantha Doughty was the lone island school teacher when I was a girl...teaching in a one room school house, 15 students, covering grades K through sixth...I hold dear such wonderful childhood memories from those years and I always think of this lovely lady when I prepare her recipe...

Cranberry Relish:
1 bag fresh cranberries
2 cups white sugar
1 cup walnuts chopped and toasted
1 cup orange marmalade
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Toast walnuts and set aside

Mix cranberries and sugar together, place in shallow baking dish (I use a four sided cookie sheet) cover with tin foil and bake in a pre heated 350* oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, add toasted walnuts, recover and return to oven baking 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in marmalade and lemon juice to cranberry mixture, cool to room temperature. Transfer into sterile containers, (I use ball jars) cover and store in frig. at least three hours before serving. I typically make a double batch which will(hopefully) get me through till the New Year...Enjoy!!!

THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS~

On this fine November morning there is a heavy frost blanketing the cold earth...the air is crisp  but the sun shining...

Preparations for Thanksgiving are well underway...Travis Lloyd's parents will be hosting Thanksgiving this year...new traditions are being made as two families and four generations join together...

Mr. Dog Trot and I will roast a turkey....prepare the traditional cranberry walnut relish and make  pumpkin and apple pies...new to us this thanksgiving...a deep fried turkey...twice baked stuffed potatoes...it is interesting to learn what other families traditionally prepare for their Thanksgiving feast....

The fragrance of fruit drying...

along with herbs... sage, rosemary and thyme...gives the house a delightful aroma... putting one in the mood to "fluff"  our nest and "hunker in" for the cold snowy days that lay ahead...

After three weeks away Travis's dad returned home for New York...the damage and destruction from Hurricane Sandy unimaginable...shorelines wiped away...homes gone...cars floating down the subway in Manhattan...we realize how fortunate we are...we keep all the people who were affected by Hurricane Sandy in our thoughts and prayers...

and we are most grateful that Travis Lloyd is safe in the arms of his daddy once again...

BEING A GRANNY~

Being a Granny is such a rewarding role, I consider it the ultimate gift...this Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for...this little person, Travis Lloyd... is a beaming ray of light...a grandchild unites a family by a common love, concern and well being...

Being a Granny also comes with certain unspoken privileges...for instance purchasing the "seasonal themed clothing and accessories" ... some find it tacky, but upon learning it was a gift from one's Granny, the majority of people say...well that explains it... honestly how could a true Granny pass up a sweet turkey hat...especially with Thanksgiving just around the corner...handmade by a lovely girl ...purchased from a local craft fair...ah, come on now Travis please don't pout...

where is Granny's smile?

smile honey, not scowl...

in cahoots with Grampy I see...

Fine, just remember I have elf shoes and antlers!!!!

A FOWL OUTTING~

The chicken yard just has not been the same since the death of my girl Gladys...Gladys was a hen with spunk and attitude...I miss her cheery morning greeting and the way her featherless rear end sashayed as she ran  to the coop for her evening treat...since Gladys death the remainder of my hens have remained behind chicken wire...imprisoned...under lock and key...

their daily freedom...sadly...squashed...

However, this past Monday as the temperature made it's way into the mid sixties...with the cold weather and snow becoming but a distant memory...and knowing the weather was to hold long enough to finish our fall yardwork ...I took pity upon my girls and let them loose...but under the strictest supervision... free at last...the hens quickly flew through the coop door and wandered happily about the yard...dust baths were quickly underway and the  dirt did fly...oh...the delightful purring sounds that filled the morning air...pure contentment and joy...

Roosters, Don Juan and Ramon lingered in the background...

however, an ever vigilant eye was kept on their harem...

 sounding the danger alarm when warranted...

Now Miss Sadie Mae is a cat who believes she is a dog...she too had a bit of investigating to do ...it soon became apparent that Sadie Mae... in her former life...had been a outdoor kitty...she was not the least bit shy nor intimidated by the sights and sounds of the great outdoors...Sadie even managed to make her way into the coop while I was in the process of cleaning it...she  settled herself quite nicely into a nesting box... paying the chickens on the nest no heed... happily Sadie continued on her merry way...

it was a day enjoyed all around...sadly it is not to be a routine occurrence... this morning...as Travis and I returned from our morning walk...

an unwelcomed visitor showed up in our front field...a coyote...he appeared well nourished, sported a winter coat...but did have a distinct limp...we(Mr. Dog Trot and I) had been informed by a local trapper of a coyote who was running free with a trap on his leg...through my camera lens I could not make out if there was indeed a trap or not...

 "there shall be no breakfast for you on this day Mr. Coyote"...not here at Dog Trot Farm anyway...

and with that he was off...my girls...once again are behind wire and under lock and key...

COLD NOVEMBER DAYS...

Ah, November... your days have become down right cold...I dare say my hope of an Indian summer...sadly... has been laid to rest... 

 ...I  concede and let go of my hold onto Fall...  the sights and sounds of the Christmas season have arrived...Christmas trees shine with their twinkling white lights, holiday music fills the air... today Santa Claus arrived at the Maine Mall...yes, I went to the mall on a Saturday...call me crazy...to purchase a snowsuit for Travis...a snowsuit at a fifty percent discount...yippee...I found the snowsuit, however, no size 12 months...so, home I return and on line I go...will I ever learn...

 Back on the home front days begin early. Travis' dad is still in New York, one of many utility workers from around the country helping to get the power back on. Both sets of grandparents help out anyway we can...oh, how the warmth from the wood stove is most welcoming...Travis and I watch the squirrels empty the bird feeder before the chickadees have even awakened...

 Sadie Mae enjoys the warmth from her favorite chair...

Travis sees snow for the first time...we "bundle up" and get our early morning walk in...we bake in the morning and in the afternoon we read...

"No David" is a favorite children's book of mine...

and I think it will be one of Travis's too...

Goodnight from Maine...

AUTUMN DARKNESS~

Autumn darkness...

As evening unfolds and the day is at its end the shadows of the stark countryside reveal itself... temperatures have remained cool...ideal conditions for this day... a day devoted to yard work...leaves "crunch" as squirrels scampered about...vocal hens begged to be let out of their confines...an indoor kitty finds her way in uncharted outdoor territory...it is a day for tying up loose ends...all to soon  evening nears...  we are ready for  the warmth of our home...a wood fire awaits, a candle shines brightly in the window... we pause, look up to the noise coming from  the sky...a "V" formation of Canadian geese fly overhead...goodbye they say...offering us a fond Autumn farewell...

THE DAYS OF NOVEMBER~

NOVEMBER

"November comes and November goes, with the last red berries and the first white snow;
With night coming early, and dawn coming late, and ice in the bucket and frost by the gate.
The fire burns and the kettles sing, and earth sinks to rest until next spring".....~Elizabeth Coatsworth~
There was a peaceful quietness to the morning...the hum of generators now silent...the chickadee's song echoed deep within the woods...reminding me it was now time to keep  feeders topped off with seed and suet...Daylight savings time is fast approaching... I relish the thought of an extra hour of sleep however, dusk will come all too soon...November is the time to fluff our nests, a time to give thanks...and a time to surround ourselves with the people we love and who love us...November is the month for counting our blessings... My thoughts and prayers remain  with those who were touched by the destruction and devastation of hurricane Sandy...the news footage is heart wrenching...I have no words...just prayers...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

Happy Halloween...

from our house to yours...

THE DAY AFTER~

There is a constant hum of generators filling the evening air...Hurricane Sandy has subsided here in Southern Maine....but has left many of us in the dark...we are fortunate that we (Dog Trot Farm) have a generator...a birthday gift to me two years prior from my most generous parents... 

In between  raindrops Travis and I managed to get our walk in...Happily, I noticed that our street appeared  unscathed...a tree limb here and there but nothing major...however... around the corner trees and wires blocked the roads...this evening our internet/ cable returned and we (Mr. Dog Trot and I) were finally able to view the destruction and devastation  in New York... New Jersey... and other surrounding states...Also the snowstorm in West Virginia...I hope you (my dear blogging friends and readers) are safe and have suffered no personal damage...keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers...Our youngest son, Travis' dad, is an On Target utility employee..he's away from his family helping others get their power back, and we wish him a safe journey and a quick return home.

AS DARKNESS FALLS~

As darkness falls...the wind's powerful force has intensified as the rain pelts against the windowpane...

 Sandy has found us here in New England... lights have begun to flicker...a signal that it's only a matter of time before the electricity is lost...we here at Dog Trot Farm remain safe and dry...

 the chickens are tucked safely in their coop... a large fat pumpkin provides entertainment as well as being a nutritious snack...my snack...not so nutritious... Sadie Mae is asleep in her favorite chair and Winslow Homer remains nervously by my side...

 Over my shoulder I noticed Mr. Jack watching me as I put a pumpkin pie in the oven...

 while a beef stew warmed on the wood stove...cornbread too...

For those of you who are in Sandy's way please stay safe...