The Difference a Year Makes
This mother/daughter picture taken on Pigeon Hill over the weekend has captured my attention. I keep going back to it because I'm stunned by the differences I see in Hannah over the past year. It seems like overnight she's changed from an awkward...
From The Top of Pigeon Hill
Last night's hard frost gave way to a beautiful, crisp autumn day. Hannah and I enjoyed the day with our annual hike up Pigeon Hill. This is Petit Manan Light from half-way up Pigeon Hill. We took a boat cruise out to Petit Manan in August. The...
Friendly House Finch
At my house, these colorful House Finches flutter around the edge of the woods, dodging in and out of the debris of downed trees. This felt ornament is a good project for an autumn afternoon - click here to download the Friendly House Finch Felt...
Procrastinating
It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day. Although I had two web project deadlines looming, I had a hard time sticking to my desk. I puttered the day away searching for inspiration that just wasn't coming. In desperation I headed outside with my...
Shadow’s Broody Again
Shadow, a sweet little bantam hen, is broody again. She's feathered her nest and is sitting on a clutch of ten eggs. She hatched her first babies back in May. My best guess is that she's been on the nest for about ten days now. She's such a gentle...
Wee Winter Wren
Have you seen a Winter Wren? This tiny little bird visits in the summer here in Maine. I tend to hear their sweet song more often than I see them. They've left for the winter now, but this cute little felt ornament will be a reminder on my...
Museum of Natural History
I found this picture from last year in my files and thought it worth sharing. The Downeast Museum of Natural History is our local junk seller. It's nice to see he has a sense of humor.
The Clever Crow
When the fog rolls in off the water and the crows roost in the treetops, their cawing voices eerily echo. Though they are not visitors at my feeders, the crows are a constant presence around the farm. This crow ornament, created from felt, perches...
A Bit of Farm History
We uncovered a piece of farm history. While identifying trees that need to be removed from the woods around the house we found this evidence, that long before our time, someone else was farming the land. A fir tree, 13 inches in diameter, has...
From the Agony of Defeat
Today's soccer game didn't go great for Hannah's team. She looks so dejected as she leaves the field here. I love the transformation in her face when she sees me snapping pictures. Looking at her smiling face fills my heart with...
The Power of a Greenhouse
Intellectually, I understand the value of a greenhouse, but this is the first time I've really put the theory to test. In mid-August, when summer was still in the air, I planted a second crop of green beans. Then September came and it was as if...
Spritely Little Nuthatch
I spent the day outside working with Paul. Together we cut trees to thin out the area around the pond. While I worked, a tiny little nuthatch energetically flitted in an out of the trees. The wood has been cut and stacked for burning in the wood...
Duck Tails
Hannah was the first to notice that our baby ducks, now full grown, have developed their curly tail - indisputable evidence that they are males. Of course, the recent morning nookie happening on the pond was a giveaway, too. Here's Puddles (see the...
Who’s Lookin’ in the Window?
I found Miri and Gilfy looking in the window this afternoon!
A Partridge For Your Pear Tree
This felt partridge will make a nice ornament for your pear tree. He's done in natural colors here, but you could get colorful and creative for your Christmas ornament. Click here to download this pattern. If you make one, comment here to share a...
The Colors of Harvest
On this last day of summer, we traveled to the Common Ground Fair - one of the highlights of the year for us. It's billed: A celebration of rural living that promotes organically grown Maine produce and alternative lifestyles. We walked for miles...
Sunday September Snapshots
It was a gorgeous Sunday in our little corner of Maine today. I tried to spend as much time outside as possible. I helped Paul cut and stack wood, made bean soup, puttered with projects and parked myself by the pond or the porch every spare moment....
Tiny Tufted Titmouse Felt Ornament
Here's a tiny Tufted Titmouse ornament made from felt. I've only seen a few at my feeder over the years, but they always delight me. Here's the pattern if you'd like to make this little bird. Click here to download the Tufted Titmouse felt pattern....
In Search of a Flock
Miri and Gilfy are our Buff Orpington and Barred Rock mix chickens, hatched in June. They are now living (temporarily) in a dog crate next to the big girl's coop where they've spent the last few weeks becoming familiar with the Girls, the Banties...
Are Snails Cute?
Why is it that I find slugs so abhorrent and snails so darn cute? They're kind of the same thing, aren't they? While helping Hannah hunt for grasshoppers for her science class terrarium project, I found this trio of snails on a purple coneflower....
The Potato Harvest
My first potato harvest started in the spring when Hannah helped me build this basket for growing potatoes. I planted Kennebec and a red variety of seed potatoes. Excited when the potatoes sprouted, I dutifully layered the plants with straw and...
Sweet Mourning Dove Felt Ornament
This little mourning dove is reminiscent of the birds to frequent the garden feeder and birdbath. After a summer hiatus from drawing bird patterns this little dove inspired me! Click here to download the free Mourning Dove pattern. If you make this...
Clover and Klee
Meet Clover and Klee, our father and son roosters. Hatched on May 1, Klee has grown into the spitting image of his daddy. This morning I heard Klee try his first crow. Kids, they grow up so fast!
A Budding Photographer
Hannah isn't much into photography. She'd just as soon look through binoculars as take photos. I think she's got a good eye for it. She took this picture in July on Isle au Haut - with a disposable Fujifilm instamatic!
Rooster Face Off
Clover, the bantam rooster (stage left) has been feeling his oats. I don't think he realizes that The Colonel (stage right) is at least three times his size. Maybe he has a Napoleon complex. In this rare rooster face off, Henrietta senses that all...
