by Susan | Apr 12, 2013 | Chickens
I heard that the local feed and seed had Silver Laced Wyandotte chicks in. Excited about adding a couple to the flock, we went for a visit. Somehow a pair of Wynadotte’s turned into: two Silver Laced Wyandottes two Rhode Island Reds two Delawares How did that...
by Susan | Apr 9, 2013 | Critters
Don’t you just want to snuggle her up and take a snooze?
by Susan | Apr 8, 2013 | On the Farm
Birdbaths are not only for birds. A little privacy, please!
by Susan | Apr 7, 2013 | On the Farm
This is our second year producing Maple syrup for our family at Downeast Thunder Farm. We tapped 12 Maple trees in early March. Forty-three gallons of sap later, we’re boiling. With only one reference year, this is a good year compared to last year’s 25...
by Susan | Apr 7, 2013 | On My Mind
The first signs of spring! A brave crocus popping up in the garden. The chickens and ducks have yet to discover it. And the pond is defrosted. Porch weather is clearly on the horizon!
by Susan | Apr 4, 2013 | On My Mind
My journey with chicken farming started two years ago after I read The Omnivore’s Dilemmia by Michael Pollan. The first year we raised 35 cornish cross rock chickens for the freezer. Last year we raised 50 freedom ranger chickens. Today we begin year three with...
by Susan | Apr 3, 2013 | In the Kitchen
Pizza night is a sacred weekly event in our house. Skipping pizza night is cause for mutiny. The homemade beer dough is split three ways and we each make our own individual pizza – or calzone in Hannah’s case. I often cannot finish my pizza, so I wrap up...
by Susan | Mar 30, 2013 | Chickens, On the Farm
It was a beautiful day here in Downeast Maine. We enjoyed being outside doing chores from cleaning out chicken and duck coops to a little bit of spring yard cleanup. It was so nice that when we took our lunch break, Hannah made sandwiches and we ate out on the porch....
by Susan | Mar 28, 2013 | Ducks, On the Farm
Do you have your ducks in a row? I do. Until a few days ago they had never ventured into the drive, choosing to stick the the area right around the pond (still frozen in the background above). Tonight, I looked out the window and saw them hightailing it down the road....
by Susan | Mar 24, 2013 | Out and About in Maine
In honor of Maine Maple Sunday, we visited Auger Hill Farm – one of two sugarhouses open today in Washington County. They’re located on Pumpkin Ridge Road. Isn’t that a great address? Since we’re in our second year of Maple syrup making, we...
by Susan | Mar 20, 2013 | On My Mind
I woke up on this first morning of spring to a foot of snow. This feels like such a setback after a stretch of sweatshirt weather. Just the other day I noticed my day lilies poking through the ground and the pond was melting around the edges. I was longing to move...
by Susan | Mar 19, 2013 | In the Kitchen
Thoughts of spring are on the back burner. Snow is falling, school let out early and the snowfall forecast is now 10-18 inches. There’s a pot of bean soup on the stove and French bread ready to go in the oven. It seems like a good day to introduce Hannah to...
by Susan | Mar 17, 2013 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Owl and Raptor Patterns
It never fails to thrill me when I see a Bald Eagle. Living along the coast it’s not uncommon to sight one of these majestic birds, but it’s always a treat! To download the free pattern to your computer, right click here and select “Save target...
by Susan | Mar 16, 2013 | On the Farm
Sometimes a girl just needs a little alone time in the tub. Take Dilly for instance. Dilly is our much loved, physically challenged duck. It’s been a hard winter for her without the pond. She finds it difficult to walk so she spends lots of time sitting around...
by Susan | Mar 10, 2013 | On My Mind, On the Farm
After almost a month of snowy weekends (or the threat of snow), I welcomed the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. Even it came in the form of physical labor. We have been systematically clearing out dead trees from the woods surrounding the house – like...
by Susan | Mar 9, 2013 | On My Mind, Out and About in Maine
After doing some chores today, the last thing I wanted to do was hang around inside. The last two weeks have been crazy busy with work and all I’ve done lately sit on my behind. With mud season looming, hiking isn’t a great choice, so we opted for an...
by Susan | Mar 3, 2013 | On the Farm
The days are getting warmer and the snow has that mushy spring texture to it. It’s time to tap the Maple trees! Chances are we could have started in February, but things have been a bit busy lately. Last year was our first experience making Maple syrup. The...
by Susan | Mar 2, 2013 | On the Farm
We live on a very quiet country road where there are only four year-round residents. Each neighbor has a story of a bear encounter. We have yet to see one. Our first winter here, we found bear tracks in the spring snow. Occasionally we’ll come across bear scat...
by Susan | Feb 24, 2013 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Ground and Game Bird Patterns
Known as a Timberdoodle in some places, the evening sounds of the American Woodcock in the spring blend in with the chirps and croaks of other woodland insects and critters. Right click here and select “Save target as” to save the free Woodcock PDF pattern...
by Susan | Feb 23, 2013 | On My Mind
In addition to my regulars – the Mourning Doves and Chickadees, some new visitors have been distracting me from work. I find myself wandering from the office to the kitchen to see who’s visiting the garden bird feeder. This female Common Redpoll spent an...
