by Susan | Aug 19, 2013 | Out and About in Maine
The 40-minute drive to Ellsworth (the closest town with a stoplight) takes us along U.S. Route 1. There is a stretch in Sullivan where you can see Mount Desert Island across Frenchman’s Bay. It’s the money shot that never fails to capture my attention as I...
by Susan | Aug 18, 2013 | Out and About in Maine
We are ever curious to see how larger farms work hoping to pick up bits of wisdom to apply to our own tiny operation. Today we spent a couple of hours with Carly DelSignore at Tide Mill Farm in Edmunds, Maine. Tide Mill produces organic foods including: vegetables,...
by Susan | Aug 14, 2013 | Garden
This spring,Granny Gadget sent me hens and chicks. Not of the laying variety, but a new plant for my garden. They looked a bit like a cactus. I didn’t have a plan for them, so I just tucked them into an empty space to keep them alive. They were cute, if a bit...
by Susan | Aug 11, 2013 | Out and About in Maine
On this amazingly beautiful August morning, Hannah and I headed out to Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge for our annual blueberry picking outing. In the years we’ve been picking berries here, I’ve never seen so many berries in this un-managed blueberry field. A...
by Susan | Aug 7, 2013 | Garden, On the Farm
I have only been seriously gardening for the last few years. I work painstakingly to create the perfect garden environment for growing my vegetables. I read up on growing veggies. I test pH levels. I work in peat and compost and diligently weed the garden beds. I...
by Susan | Aug 6, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
Why does fourteen seem so much older than thirteen? Today we celebrated Hannah’s fourteenth birthday. I’m troubled by the passing of this day – more so than any birthday before. Maybe it’s because she’s entering high school next month, no longer a little girl in...
by Susan | Jul 30, 2013 | Critters, Odds and Ends
There’s nothing like a lazy, sunny afternoon sitting in the bedroom windowsill. After gracing me with a sleepy look, Cinder decides that she can’t be bothered with me.
by Susan | Jul 29, 2013 | On My Mind
At 4:00 a.m. the only thing awake with me is a lone bullfrog boinging like a banjo, the sound echoing in the stillness. Moments later, the Colonel starts crowing, echoed by Clover. The ducks rouse and talk amongst themselves with low raspy quacks. Before long the...
by Susan | Jul 28, 2013 | Garden
The morning sunshine quickly faded to a cool steady drizzle. Despite the weather, I had garden chores on my to do list. With so little free time, I didn’t let the rain stop me. I harvested garlic. The Banties moved in as soon as I cleared the bed, scratching and...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2013 | On My Mind
We are fortunate to have a wonderful summer camp program run by EdGE, a program of the Maine Sea Coast Mission. Hannah has been attending the EdGE after school and summer programs for years. As a rising high school freshman, this is her last year to participate in the...
by Susan | Jul 24, 2013 | Garden
Something has invaded my kale bed. I went out last night to harvest some kale for dinner and found the entire bed nibbled within an inch of its life. Upon further inspection, I found these tiny green worms to be the culprit. I spent hours last night searching the...
by Susan | Jul 21, 2013 | Out and About in Maine
It’s been a while since Hannah and I have gone for a hike. Either I’ve been over-subscribed with work (actually a good thing!) or the weather has been crappy. Today, we took advantage of the glorious weather and hiked the Hollingsworth Trail at Petit Manan...
by Susan | Jul 21, 2013 | In the Kitchen, Recipes
I have a new favorite Sunday morning muffin recipe. It make six large muffins – or muffin tops – my favorite way of making muffins. The basic recipe is the same and you can swap out the fruit based on what you have in the fridge. This morning it was...
by Susan | Jul 19, 2013 | On My Mind
Is there anything sweeter than a fawn? Until she grows up and discovers my garden? These deer were grazing across the road. What are the chances they’ll stay in that field?
by Susan | Jul 18, 2013 | On My Mind
by Susan | Jul 17, 2013 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I’ve had my eye on this nest of Eastern Phoebes in the lean-to outside my office. This morning, I noticed a flurry of activity out the window and saw a tiny little Phoebe perched on the edge of a folding chair. He’d made it the eight feet from down from...
by Susan | Jul 17, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
Today is my father’s birthday. With me living so far away, the times we spent this day together have been far and few between. I can’t be there today, but I’m planning a visit to Pennsylvania next month. (Hopefully – between camp, braces and volleyball practice!) My...
by Susan | Jul 16, 2013 | In the Kitchen
Yesterday, after I tossed radish leaves in the yard for the chickens, I wondered if radish leaves were edible for humans. They’re good enough for chickens, right? A quick Google search and yes, they are edible. One of the recipes I found was a pesto made from...
by Susan | Jul 14, 2013 | Chickens, On the Farm
I’ve been concerned about occupancy in the Banty coop given the recent population explosion. We’ll only keep the hens, but as all the babies look alike we’ll have to wait until they grow up a bit before separating out the boys. So this weekend,...
by Susan | Jul 13, 2013 | On the Farm
Last night, I was working at my desk and Mr. Snape was in the window sill watching our Eastern Phoebe zip around catching bugs right out of the air. As she flew up to her nest, I heard some tiny cheeping sounds and went out to explore. Much to mama Phoebe’s...
