by Susan | Oct 13, 2026 | On the Farm
It was 36 degrees this morning, so I bundled up for a quick coffee on the porch before heading out to work. As I sipped, a young buck and his mother quietly appeared, their presence a happy reward for my early start. After a cautious look my way, the deer seemed...
by Susan | Oct 7, 2026 | Garden, On the Farm
October 7th marked a dreaded turning point in my garden—the arrival of the first fall frost. I watched the forecast, and when temperatures dropped, I covered my most cherished late-season plants with sheets to protect them from the impending chill. Before the...
by Susan | Sep 13, 2026 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
Not long ago, my pond camera captured the fleeting edge of an owl’s wing as it perched in the oak tree—a mere suggestion of its presence in our woods. With the cooler weather, we’ve been sleeping with the windows open, letting in the sounds of the night. There’s a...
by Susan | Sep 10, 2026 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
It’s been a hot minute since I created a new pattern. There are so many reasons. A stunning lack of creativity. Low motivation. Too busy. Life. I’d rather be in my garden. You name it. This little bird has taken me two weeks to pull together–at least...
by Susan | Sep 9, 2026 | On the Farm
The monarch season is over at Downeast Thunder Farm. This weekend I released the last few butterflies to hatch in the little Monarch B&B. Thirty-two monarchs were raised from caterpillar to butterfly this season. It was a fun and manageable season, if smaller than...
by Susan | Sep 6, 2026 | Out and About in Maine
I can’t remember the last time Hannah and I went out for a hike together. This morning felt like an invitation: the weather was glorious—temperatures in the sixties, sunny skies, and a crisp hint of autumn in the air. I was determined not to let the day slip by...
by Susan | Aug 30, 2026 | On the Farm
Two of my favorite things about summer are monarch butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds. The season revolves around their arrival and their time here in Maine. While photographing a recently eclosed monarch in the goldenrod, a hummingbird photo-bombed my shot....
by Susan | Aug 29, 2026 | Out and About
Hannah invited me on a whirlwind minivacation this week—my first real getaway in years, aside from family visits. Our adventure took us to Mystic Seaport, with a stop along the way in Portland to shop at Duluth Trading Co. and a charming independent art store,...
by Susan | Jul 27, 2026 | Family, On My Mind
Early in the year, I kept mulling over ideas for Dad’s birthday. July 17th lands right in the thick of preparations for our biggest annual fundraiser at work. It had been years since I’d made it to Pennsylvania for his birthday. But turning 90 is a milestone, one that...
by Susan | Jul 12, 2026 | On the Farm
The past couple of weeks, Murphee has been fixated on this area of the porch. Snuffling around, scratching at the decking, sometimes barking at whatever critter lies beneath. I crawled down there with a flashlight and my phone to inspect on more than one occasion, to...
by Susan | Jul 11, 2026 | Projects
I’ve been trying to resurrect my creativity and enthusiasm for some time now. I know folks have been looking for more felt designs, kits, and books, but I’ve been struggling. I’ve gotten pretty good at setting boundaries and at saying...
by Susan | Feb 1, 2026 | On the Farm
I’ve read that a glimmer is a small moment of joy or peace that arises from appreciating simple things. This morning, that glimmer was an unexpected photoshoot from my living room: a white-tailed mama deer and her youngster wandered through the yard. Thankfully,...
by Susan | Jan 30, 2026 | On My Mind
Looking back at my photos from January, I realize it was a quiet month for pictures. Still, two moments stand out as highlights. My first beach walk of the year with Hannah was brutally cold, but the lack of wind made it bearable—although our walk remained short. Two...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2025 | On My Mind
I’m sitting here watching the birds at my feeder in the woods, a gentle snow falling. Christmas Eve and I’m feeling a bit subdued. I’ve got the week off, so there’s been time to clean house, tackle a few projects, and prepare, but I’m not...
by Susan | Dec 23, 2025 | Odds and Ends, Projects
After creating felt ornaments for more than 13 years, you can imagine the scraps I’ve collected. Occasionally, I’ll dip into the scrap bin for a bit of this or that, but the scraps have mostly been forgotten. Christmas shopping with Hannah yesterday, I spotted a...
by Susan | Dec 10, 2025 | On the Farm
December has arrived with January’s chill in Coastal Maine. So far this month, our average temperature has hovered around 20 degrees. Three rounds of snowfall have transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland. Thankfully, the accumulation hasn’t been too deep....
by Susan | Oct 30, 2025 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I was chatting with Hannah in the kitchen late this afternoon when she interrupted me, exclaiming, “Mom! Mom! Mom! OWL!” It took me a moment to spot her, but there she was, perched on the clothesline post. We snapped some pictures with our phones, and then...
by Susan | Oct 26, 2025 | Out and About in Maine
I just returned home from a two-week visit with my dad in Pennsylvania. I made excellent time on the drive back, completing it in just 12.5 hours. The trip down on the Friday of the holiday weekend took an exhausting 17 hours—a record-long journey. This morning, I...
by Susan | Oct 7, 2025 | Family, On My Mind
I am so excited for Hannah (and proud of her!). Tomorrow, she will deliver her artwork to Rising Tides Downeast Artisan Collective, located in the Schooner Gallery on Main Street in Millbridge. She has long donated and gifted her art, but this is the first time she...
by Susan | Sep 30, 2025 | On My Mind
September is a month of change that often brings a bittersweet feeling. The sunny days of summer begin to shorten and warm days morph into crisp nights. In reflection, September was a time of herons and hummingbirds. A time of butterflies, bumblebees and blossoms. A...
