by Susan | Jul 28, 2025 | On the Farm
Monarch butterflies arrived at our home in Downeast Maine much earlier than ever before. I saw my first one on June 16th, though Hannah claims she spotted one the week before. My experience seems to be the exception rather than the rule this year. Friends have only...
by Susan | Jul 24, 2025 | Projects
Another Women for Healthy Rural Living Summer Auction is upon us. Hannah and I both designed wooden step stools for this year’s “Step Up for a Good Cause” Online Silent Auction. I’m so proud of Hannah–her submissions are stellar. She did two...
by Susan | Jul 13, 2025 | On the Farm
Lately, there haven’t been many opportunities to spend time on the porch due to travel, work, and uncomfortably hot days. However, today was not one of those days—it was absolutely wonderful. The morning was cool enough for reading with a blanket, and the...
by Susan | Jul 4, 2025 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
While spending the last couple of weeks at Dad’s, I had the time to sift through the hundred or so clips from my hummingbird feeder camera. Here are some of the highlights from the first month or so. They’ll be happy when I return this weekend and get the...
by Susan | Jun 30, 2025 | On the Farm
While I am away, the black bear comes to play. I’m in Pennsylvania, but I caught this guy on the camera posted at the end of the house. I capture all manner of critters with this camera (more critters here). Thankfully, I’ve not put bird seed in this...
by Susan | Jun 16, 2025 | On the Farm
When we think of magical creatures in nature, our minds often drift into the realm of fairy tales. Yet hidden within my garden and the surrounding woodlands is an insect that reminds me of fairies: the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. The lilacs my mom gave me about 20...
by Susan | Jun 8, 2025 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns
This pattern has been sitting on my drawing board for months as I struggled to create a realistic-looking American badger. They are not nearly as cute as the European badger found in children’s storybooks. The American badger lives throughout much of the United...
by Susan | Jun 4, 2025 | Ducks, On the Farm
This winter, we lost Doodle Duck to a predator. One moment, she was in the yard, and shortly after, when Hannah went to tuck her in for the night, a horribly frigid night, and she was gone. After an exhaustive search, we had to admit defeat. This is the last picture...
by Susan | May 2, 2025 | On My Mind
Where did April go? It has flown by in a whirlwind of new beginnings, travel, and garden hopes. I spent some time dabbling with my new basket-making skills with this garlic basket. And this basket that wraps around a jar for posies, pens, or whatnot. Our culvert...
by Susan | Mar 30, 2025 | On My Mind
We had to say goodbye to our Cinder Kitty yesterday after 18 years of love. Just when I thought I had the emotions under control, this morning the sadness bubbled to the surface again. Her pillow. Her empty dish. A scratch pad. The absence of her comforting presence...
by Susan | Mar 21, 2025 | Felt Patterns, Pigeon and Dove Patterns
The Rock Pigeon is a fixture in our landscapes. You’ll spot them in urban public streets and squares, and rural areas like ours, they soar under bridges to perch on the frame. This humble and often maligned bird is still a beauty. Enjoy this free felt ornament...
by Susan | Mar 2, 2025 | On the Farm
Part way up our driveway, an 18″ culvert allows runoff to flow under the drive. On one side of the drive, there’s a small pond that sometimes goes dry. Other times, it flows through the culvert if it gets too high from runoff and rain. With this...
by Susan | Feb 23, 2025 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Shore, Water, and Wading Bird Patterns
Loons are among my favorite birds. Their haunting calls and striking appearance make them icons of northern waterways. It was a very cold beach outing for this Pacific Loon’s photo shoot. Since they’re native to the Alaska region, the snowy seascape seems...
by Susan | Feb 16, 2025 | On the Farm
Watching the squirrels attempt to scale my bird feeders often provides as much entertainment as watching the birds themselves. Last weekend, to give the squirrels a treat, I hung a simple squirrel feeder that holds a corn cylinder. It’s essentially a long bolt...
by Susan | Feb 14, 2025 | Family, On My Mind
This is my grandmother’s dresser, and my memories of it are as old as my memories of her. As a young child, I enjoyed exploring her jewelry and keepsakes stored in the dresser top. When she passed away in 2011 at the age of 96, she left the dresser to me. Since...
by Susan | Feb 11, 2025 | Out and About in Maine
I haven’t been very good at posting on my blog lately, as life has just been overwhelmingly busy. Many of my recent posts are about winter—probably because it dominates my current routine. Between the holidays, work, travel, family, and the unusually frigid...
by Susan | Jan 21, 2025 | Out and About
I woke to -15.8 degrees below zero. The pups did not want to be outside, nor did I. One of my favorite things about my new Subaru is its remote engine start. I never knew I needed that before! Here are a few images of the cold on my way to work. Sunrise and sea smoke....
by Susan | Jan 13, 2025 | Felt Patterns, Shore, Water, and Wading Bird Patterns
Sitting inside watching the snow fly, I’m clearly dreaming of warmer times as I designed my first felt bird of the year–the striking American Oystercatcher shorebird. He waded gracefully along the tide at Roque Bluffs Beach for a photo shoot. If you ignore the...
by Susan | Jan 12, 2025 | Birds and Wildlife, On the Farm
It snowed for most of Saturday, covering the landscape with a fluffy three inches of snow. I enjoy being a recluse on these snowy days, cozying up on the sofa with a book and watching nature unfold. I am particularly taken with the white-breasted nuthatch that has...
by Susan | Jan 4, 2025 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
Our house is tucked away in the woods. When we built it 20 years ago, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside as much as possible. If my budget had supported it, I would have had walls of windows. Instead, I have five tall cottage-style windows and a set of French doors...
