by Susan | Nov 29, 2014 | On My Mind
The theme of my tree for this year’s WHRL Christmas Tree Auction is the Maine Woods Christmas Tree. This tree will be featured at the Women’s Health Resource Library’s silent auction along with 24 other trees. Here’s the run down on my 3 1/2...
by Susan | Nov 28, 2014 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
One of the things I enjoy most about winter is being able to easily follow and identify the tracks of the critters who live in our woods. The snowshoe hare has already made an appearance in the dark of night. Here’s hoping he doesn’t find my lilac bushes a...
by Susan | Nov 25, 2014 | Family, In the Kitchen
I never met my maternal great grandmother, Estelle Strobel. Yet, she is part of every Thanksgiving in our home. I don’t know where she got the recipe for her Cranberry Salad, but it’s been a holiday staple for every generation in our family since. 1 pound...
by Susan | Nov 25, 2014 | On My Mind
I’ve mentioned my greenhouse from time to time. We’ve been planning a green house for years. We started small with two variations of a cover for my raised beds. We talked of a hoop house and then possibly re-purposing a tent frame structure into a...
by Susan | Nov 23, 2014 | Photography
Bare winter trees in silhouette against a setting sun.
by Susan | Nov 21, 2014 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
Bashful you ask? That’s what our neighborhood bear seems to be, spotted only on wildlife camera. Now, this is a good thing. You’ll find this bear much more fun to have around! Right click here and select “save target as” (on a PC) to save this...
by Susan | Nov 19, 2014 | On My Mind
I have this sad little Meyer lemon tree. Mom (Granny Gadget) sent it to me last year. From the looks of it you’d think I’d done everything in my power to kill the poor thing. It has five leaves. And for some reason the dog likes to eat the dirt out of the...
by Susan | Nov 16, 2014 | On My Mind
As I sit here grumbling about the early deep freeze mother nature has delivered, Paul is snuggled up toasty warm under his tee shirt quilt. The other year for Christmas, I made this quilt for him out of a collection of his old t-shirts. Shirts he never wore. Some...
by Susan | Nov 14, 2014 | On My Mind
The first snow day of the year is upon us. What better way to spend a Friday than snuggled warm inside watching the world turn white outdoors. It’s rare to see snow on the ground when the pond is not frozen. I wish the duckies could enjoy the pond all winter...
by Susan | Nov 14, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Ground and Game Bird Patterns
Just in time for Thanksgiving, I bring you the turkey! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started and then abandoned a turkey pattern. When the bird’s colors are so subtle and of the same family it’s challenging to come up with a design that...
by Susan | Nov 11, 2014 | Out and About in Maine
by Susan | Nov 8, 2014 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
We enjoy the little red squirrels that live in our woods. Their antics as they try to raid the bird feeders are so very entertaining and provide lots of great photo ops. Your bird feeders are safe from this squirrel who comes with his own acorn. To save this squirrel...
by Susan | Nov 6, 2014 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
Until the other day, I had never seen more than just a pair of goldfinches at my feeder. Last week a flock of these lovely little birds came to visit. Facebook friends helped to identify them as non-breeding goldfinches. I’m not certain if they’re males or...
by Susan | Nov 4, 2014 | In the Kitchen
I have a good problem – I am completely overrun with ripe tomatoes. In November! At a loss for what to do with them, I’ve been pushing tomatoes. Just about every dinner I make lately has lots of fresh tomatoes in it. Making and canning tomato sauce is a...
by Susan | Nov 3, 2014 | On My Mind
November arrived in a most rude fashion. Our little patch of woods escaped the worst of this first wintry Nor’easter with a few inches of icy, snowy, slushy mess. Just a few miles inland from the coast they’re shoveling out from a foot or more of heavy...
by Susan | Nov 2, 2014 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
Raccoons, as cute as they are, are not welcome visitors at Downeast Thunder Farm. They long to eat my chickens and steal my suet feeders. A few years ago I found the suet feeder hanging from my my porch post open, the suet cake missing. I replaced the suet cake and...
by Susan | Nov 1, 2014 | On My Mind
November 1st dawned with the threat of a Nor’easter heading up the coast. The weather man has the nerve to predict 5-10 inches of snow for us. I am not ready for snow. I have too much unfinished business. The last of the garden cleanup is not yet done My garlic...
