Hannah’s Nature Inspired Holiday Swags
Each of our five porch posts now bears one of these pretty balsam fir swags Hannah created. Hand-crafted, she decorated them with things she found in our woods - pine cones, white pine branches, and ribbons of birch bark finished off with a raffia...
An Autumn Walk in the Woods
During hunting season. I hate that we have to be worried about our safety when heading out for a walk in our woods this time of year. Better safe than sorry! Yes, she's wearing her orange, Mom!
Peace of Mind
We purchased our first generator eight-and-a-half years ago when building our home. It provided necessary power to begin our building project until Bangor Hydro connected us to the grid. I wrote about the demise of the generator in The Seven Year...
Enchanted by Owls
My love affair with owls started when I was a little girl. My grandmother, Ruth Bender Nerviani - affectionately known to me as Mother, had a few owls in her home - some have since made their way to me. As a child, I wondered why she had so many...
Whistling Baltimore Oriole
An often requested pattern, the Baltimore Oriole has a sweet whistling song. This little guy may be the only one I ever see at my bird feeder here in Maine! Click here to download the pattern for the Baltimore Oriole.
Great Blue Heron Ornament
In honor of the Great Blue Heron who visited our humble pond on the eve of Hurricane Sandy, I've designed an ornament in his likeness. Click here to download the Blue Heron pattern.
First Snow of the Year
After yesterday's rude surprise of a frozen pond, the ducks proceeded with caution on this morning of the first snow. They didn't race to dive in this morning. Instead, they walked around to the high side of the pond taking stock of things before...
Ice Cubes
A wintry cold front set in over the past two days. Yesterday, Paul fired up the outdoor wood boiler for the first time this season - a week later than last year. The wood boiler is not something you crank on to warm things up. Once it's running, it...
Goosed by a Chicken
We tossed the two Jack-o'-lanterns from Halloween out into the yard and let the chickens and ducks nibble away at them. Here are Miri and Gilfy taking a turn. Aren't they pretty chickens? The next moment, Willow (a Plymouth Barred-Rock hen) walked...
Plucky Magpie Felt Ornament
Magpies are not a breed we see here in Maine. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a real Magpie. However, this bird is the most requested bird ornament from readers, and a pretty bird he is. Click here to download the pattern. Please share your...
Bad Feather Days
The Girls are looking a little rough around the edges lately. At 17 months old, they are going through their first molt. I had no idea they'd look so ragged. We have some bad feather days ahead! Miri and Gilfy, on the other hand, at six months old,...
The Christmas Dove
With the Holiday Season quickly approaching I thought it time for a Christmas Dove. This particular felt ornament is very easy and embellished with gold thread and amber glass seed beads for a bit of added sparkle. She'll make a lovely gift or a...
Reappearance of the Sun
The sun is finally making an appearance after five days of doom and gloom associated with Hurricane Sandy. Yippee! I am ever so grateful that Maine was only touched lightly by this disaster.
Happy Halloween!
Great Blue Heron Visit
This morning, I stood looking out the front window watching the trees sway with the coming of Hurricane Sandy. The activity at the bird feeder is frenetic - as if even the birds are preparing for the big wind to come. Suddenly, a massive object...
Little Chickadee
A little Chickadee was the bird feeder visitor caught on camera today.
Glorious Autumn Day
Today felt like a gift. The last week of October and the temps on this sunny day hit 65 degrees. We took advantage of the glorious day and spent it outdoors doing "get ready for winter" chores and just enjoying what may be the last summer-like day...
Autumn Marsh
The marsh grasses turning color with the Autumn season have a beauty all their own.
October Blueberry Barrens
One of the most beautiful sights you will find Downeast are the blueberry barrens in October. Lush, vibrant carpets of red fill the countryside like patchwork quilts. This picture is straight out of the camera with no color enhancement. Click on...
Meet the Tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet owl is one of the most common owls found in Maine. It was only after a blog visitor suggested I make a pattern for this owl that I read more about them. After listening to the call sounds on AllAboutBirds.org, I'm certain that...
Operation Chicken Relocation
Miri and Gilfy are the Barred Rock/Buff Orpington chickens we hatched in the incubator earlier this year. Since leaving the brooder, they've been sleeping in a little dog kennel set up next to the chicken coop at night and free ranging with the...
Autumn Weekend Snapshots
A few pictures from the weekend. A Dark-eyed Junco. These little birds have been flitting about lately taking refuge in the shadows along the edge of the woods. I captured this little squirrel perched on a branch of a dead tree. They're so cute...
The Ominous Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawks are really very beautiful. Unless you have nineteen chickens and six ducks. Then they become quite ominous. In honor of the hawks circling over head this past week, and the readers who requested it, here's a Red-Tailed hawk...
Autumn River View
Autumn view of Pleasant River in Addison, Maine.
Turkey Freezer Camp
Freezer camp has commenced. The turkeys have been with us almost 17 weeks. Three of the six chicks purchased in June departed for freezer camp - an average of 15+ pounds each. There's something endearing about the turkeys that makes dispatching...
