by Susan | Sep 27, 2025 | Out and About in Maine
As I crossed the bridge in town on my way to work, I did a double-take. Was that a seal on the rock? It’s a rare day that I remember to bring my camera, but today was one of those fortunate days. I made a U-turn, parked on the edge of the road and walked back,...
by Susan | Sep 21, 2025 | On the Farm
There’s something truly magical about raising butterflies. Five years ago, I planted my first milkweed in my garden, with the hope of: “Plant it and they will come.” And come they did. That year I nurtured 25 monarch butterflies into being. Fast...
by Susan | Sep 13, 2025 | Birds and Wildlife, Out and About in Maine
I’ve spent the last two evenings wandering around Verbena at Milbridge Commons. The late September light is soft, the shadows are long, and the colors are spectacular. What makes it even more magical is watching a dozen hummingbirds flit about, enjoying this beautiful...
by Susan | Sep 2, 2025 | Felt Patterns, Holiday
I wasn’t nearly as productive during my recent staycation as I’d planned. My house still needs to be cleaned from top to bottom, and my butterfly book still awaits my attention. However, I did embrace the onset of meteorological autumn and created these...
by Susan | Sep 1, 2025 | On My Mind
August has flown by quickly, likely because it has been such a busy month. Hannah returned home from her summer work in Brunswick, and we celebrated her birthday. Although my creativity has been low, I’ve enjoyed watching Hannah’s “art”, as we...
by Susan | Aug 30, 2025 | On My Mind
In late July, we said goodbye to our kitty, Snape. He had cancer and had been failing for a while. Yet just like with Cinder Kitty a few months ago, we knew it was time to let him go in peace. Purfessor Snape joined our family, along with his sister, Cinder, in 2007...
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...
