by Susan | Aug 14, 2012 | Garden
These garlic bulbs, recently harvested, are the most beautiful variegated purple and white color. The purple color is so soft and rich, there ought to be a Crayola named after my Russian Red Garlic. This year’s garlic harvest yield was 6 ¾ pounds – less...
by Susan | Aug 13, 2012 | Critters, Odds and Ends
Oh, to live the life of a kitty with nothing more important to do than enjoying the afternoon sun.
by Susan | Aug 12, 2012 | In the Kitchen
Granny Gadget (AKA Mom) sent Hannah a cheese making kit for her birthday last week. We made a batch of beautiful homemade mozzarella from whole milk the very next day. The kit has the ingredients to make mozzarella or ricotta – citric acid, rennet tablets,...
by Susan | Aug 9, 2012 | Out and About in Maine
Today was an unexpected slow day at work so Hannah and I drove over to Pigeon Hill Wildlife Refuge to pick blueberries. You may take all the berries you can find if you pick them by hand (rather than raking). After an hour we had about a quart of berries –...
by Susan | Aug 8, 2012 | On My Mind
This friendly frog was looking over Hannah’s shoulder last night as she was reading!
by Susan | Aug 7, 2012 | Granny Gadget, In the Kitchen
Saturday night is Pizza Night at Downeast Thunder Farm. I get in big trouble when I mix things up and don’t serve Pizza on Saturday – Paul and Hannah have come to count on Saturday homemade pizza. A key ingredient to pizza is the herb mix that goes in the...
by Susan | Aug 6, 2012 | On My Mind
This weekend, Paul introduced Hannah and I to target shooting with a 22 rifle. Although we live on 49 acres in the Maine woods, we haven’t had a rifle until recently. The repeated stalking of our chickens and ducks by the resident fox loosened my resolve on a...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2012 | Family, On My Mind
Somehow, in the blink of an eye, Hannah turned thirteen. I didn’t give her permission to do this – I’m not ready for my baby girl to be a teenager. Paul and I were excited to gift her this new chair for her room – something befitting of her new independent...
by Susan | Aug 3, 2012 | Garden, On the Farm
My garden is finally yielding goodies! We’ve had lettuce and peas, but everything else is finally taking off. We picked our first green beans today. It seems that my green beans are sustaining others as well. In the ten minutes it took me to pick these beans, I...
by Susan | Aug 2, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
Top of the world. To a bantam rooster called Clover. Showing off for the ladies…
by Susan | Jul 31, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
Paul and I have been mystified about the recent drop in the egg count. The Girls usually produce a dozen eggs a day and lately we’re only getting six or seven. I found a baker’s dozen nestled beneath my day lilies! I feel the need to go on an egg hunt and...
by Susan | Jul 29, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
We’re having a much needed rainy day at Downeast Thunder Farm – nice soft steady rain has been falling all day. Perfect Ducky Weather – just right for bringing out the slugs. The ducks spent more time paroling for slugs and bugs than they did...
by Susan | Jul 28, 2012 | On the Farm, Turkeys
This morning, Paul found an unexpected sight in the garage. The turkey dudettes broke free of their brooder last night. These three were strolling about the garage. Another couple took up residence on top of the brooder. They’d managed to slide off the screen...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
Two nights after Project Ducky Unification got underway we had a late night disturbance. At 4 a.m. I awoke to the sound of frantic ducks. My first thought was that a predator had made its way into the duck house. A quick poke at Paul and it was clear that he was...
by Susan | Jul 23, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
We have just finished our third day of harvesting meat chickens. Harvesting. That’s a pleasant way to phrase it, isn’t it? We’ve got 37 out of 49 chickens in freezer camp – about 12 birds a day. A reluctant chicken farmer, this is my second year getting up close...
by Susan | Jul 18, 2012 | On My Mind
We had a situation today. Hannah’s off camping on Matinicus Island this week, so we’re in charge of putting the critters away at night. When Paul went to put The Girls in their run, he came up one Buff short. This little girl was nowhere to be found. This...
by Susan | Jul 15, 2012 | Garden, On the Farm
After a long day of working outdoors tending gardens, looking after critters, and landscaping, I spent an inordinate amount of time photographing these busy bees in my lavender. There were dozens of bumble bees randomly buzzing here there. (Click on the pics for a...
by Susan | Jul 14, 2012 | Hannah's Cutting Board, In the Kitchen
Hannah has come up with a new use for swimming goggles. They are now an accessory for chopping onions. Tired of crying through the process, she came up with an excellent solution!
by Susan | Jul 13, 2012 | Critters, Odds and Ends
I’m not the only one who liked this cheery bouquet.
by Susan | Jul 12, 2012 | Ducks
Do you suppose they notice their reflections? Oscar’s double reflection as she chases off the ducklings.
