by Susan | Jul 17, 2022 | Family, On My Mind
Today we celebrate my dad’s 86th birthday. It’s been a rough year for my family, with mom in the hospital twice. I’ve made four trips to Pennsylvania so far to visit with mom and dad, and I’ve treasured every one of them. The older I get, the...
by Susan | Jul 17, 2022 | On the Farm
Early this morning, I was enjoying my coffee on the porch. A rustle in the woods put Gidget on alert. No barking, yet she was standing at attention at the edge of her fence. I looked up and caught the hint of a White-tail doe. And then a tiny “bleat”...
by Susan | Jul 14, 2022 | On the Farm
If you don’t look too closely at my garden, you won’t notice that the grass is as tall as my milkweed. While I love flowers, I’m not such a great gardener. Weeds and grass grow exponentially to the time I have to tend the garden. Thankfully, the...
by Susan | Jul 11, 2022 | Out and About in Maine
Hannah worked Saturday and ended up with today off. So, I worked a half-day and then lured her to the beach. Believe it or not, it’s our first beach chair, toes in the water beach day of the season. I think Hannah’s finding that adulting and working...
by Susan | Jul 1, 2022 | Family, On My Mind
Our text with Hannah as Paul and I drove home from the Augusta VA.
by Susan | Jun 28, 2022 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
The Broad-winged Hawk has been a frequent visitor to our yard all season long. This morning my work day started from home. Working from the porch, I heard the bird’s loud, high-pitched call. It took a few moments before I spotted him perched in a tree. I hustled...
by Susan | Jun 19, 2022 | Odds and Ends, Projects
Some time ago, Paul asked me to convert my Downeast Thunder Farm logo owls into an image file he could use with his X-Carve machine. His first test run with that simplified design was on the garden trug he made for me a couple of weeks ago. Last week he started...
by Susan | Jun 5, 2022 | On the Farm
The chive blossoms were the most popular flower in my yard this weekend. The lure of these dainty purple flowers is strong. ‘Tis pollinator...
by Susan | Jun 3, 2022 | Odds and Ends, Projects
Each year, Women for Healthy Rural Living has a raffle auction – except for the last two COVID summers. I’ve often been able to talk Paul into making and donating an item. In the past, he’s built a rowing dinghy and a child’s pedal Bugatti car,...
by Susan | Jun 2, 2022 | Birds and Wildlife, Out and About in Maine
Every year about this time, Hannah and I venture out in search of goslings. Tonight we enjoyed watching two Canada Goose families noodling about the shore on Beals Island. A lovely evening with my girl.
by Susan | May 31, 2022 | Odds and Ends, Photography
As May comes to a close, I thought I’d share how Maine has come to life this last month. Although my gardens are just emerging, the wild blooms have nourished the pollinators and my soul. Ferns are emerging. Ash tree (maybe?) in bloom. Wild violets. Buttercups....
by Susan | May 29, 2022 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
Some of my backyard birds you have to go searching the edges of the woods for; otherwise, you can only hear them. The Blue-headed Vireo is one that I’ve been recording daily on Merlin; I’ve yet to spot this guy. A challenging part of this bird is finding...
by Susan | May 20, 2022 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
The White-throated Sparrow may be the unsung hero of my backyard. Unassuming, always around either at the feeder or rustling around beneath the lilac bushes. I’m past due creating a felt pattern for this guy. Enjoy! If you are reading this post via email, click...
by Susan | May 17, 2022 | On the Farm
It’s amazing how something so tiny can yield fruit so delectable. Blueberry blossoms up close.
by Susan | May 12, 2022 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
Black-and-white Warblers have been singing and keeping me company from the edge of the woods these past few days. This design was a happy way to spend the afternoon on the porch. Enjoy! If you are reading this post via email, click Continue Reading at the bottom and...
by Susan | May 10, 2022 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
Hopeful, I first put the hummingbird feeder up on May 1st. I’m not sure when they arrived, but I spotted my first hummer on Sunday – May 8th. At first, it was a lone male. Today the aerial shows began with the arrival of another male. I spent the morning...
by Susan | May 8, 2022 | Family, On My Mind
Hannah arrived this morning with plans to spend the day doing whatever I wanted and cook dinner for me. She brought this beautiful bouquet. I think she was as excited to give it to me as I was to receive it. It was spectacular – created by our friend Christina...
by Susan | May 1, 2022 | Out and About in Maine
Hannah lured me away from the lethargic rut I found myself in this weekend. We hoped in the car, destination unknown, and ended up at the beach in Addison. While the outing wasn’t the hike I knew my body needed, the stroll in the brisk air felt good. The tide...
by Susan | Apr 30, 2022 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
The Prickly Porcupine represents the many porcupines that live in the Maine woods. I opted to use washed wool-poly blend felt for this guy to give him more texture. He’s a simple pattern from my punch list of critters for the critter pattern book that I hope to...
by Susan | Apr 28, 2022 | Birds and Wildlife, Out and About in Maine
Bald Eagles have been out in large numbers by the river this week. I spotted at least eight adult and juvenile eagles dancing about in the sky. Watching them, I was reminded that I need a bigger lens! I understand the acrobatics are part of their courtship, but there...
