ISLAND LIFE

One never knows what one might encounter deep in the woods. This is what my Dad and I stumbled on when surveying Wednesday morning. The truck appears to far gone to tell what the make is, until I spied this logo. A Chevy Deluxe. You have to wonder how and who left it behind all those many years ago.

A Muscle shell left behind by an Island Gull. Gulls forage for food along the shore, they drop a shell on the rocks till it cracks and the inner contents exposed to be eaten. Some of the grounds around my parents home. My Dad encompassed the yard with stone walls. Later in the spring fields of Daffodils and Jonquils will be making an appearance. If you are wondering if there is wild life here on the island, the answer is yes. Deer, raccoons, squirrels, rodents, fox and last year the one and only turkey made her appearance. All have made the journey from the mainland. We can't seem to figure out how the turkey made her journey, it's to far for a turkey to fly and no one claims to have brought one over. A mystery remains.

This is the home my brother and I grew up in. We are very fortunate to have both of our parents healthy and active. Many special memories were made here and continue to do so.The West end of the Island. Ponce's Landing. A small restaurant opens in the summer, the Post office is attached and is opened year round. The US mail comes daily to the island via Casco Bay Lines. The large white building is the main store on the island, but is only opened in the summer for groceries. Islanders are able to get gasoline here three times a week. Grocery shopping is done on the mainland and then shipped out by ferry. There is an elementary school on the island, grades six through twelve commute to the mainland via ferry and then bused. Islanders are a hardy stock!

This is the break water a place where lobster men moor their boats for safe keeping.

Time to leave the island behind and head back to my country home. Winslow Homer is patiently waiting for his supper!

SPRING

Yes Winslow Homer the magic is happening, the earth is greening up in all her glory.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE KRIS

I'm off to the island again but before I go I would like to wish my brother Kris a very Happy Birthday!

CHICKENS

Good Tuesday to you all. I have been busy getting my ducks, I mean chickens in a row. Last Thursday night I went to chicken school, actually a chicken seminar put on by our local Blue Seal. There were 40 of us in this seminar and 80 attendant's next door in another. Keeping a flock of chickens seems to be big business these days. I have been stock piling supplies over the winter and doing a lot of reading on the subject of "chicken keeping." There appears to be many "pros" in having one's own flock this is what is so appealing. It's the"cons" that seem intimidating. Egg eating, feather pecking, prolapse, colds, mites, worms, fleas, lice, trimming beaks, claws, clipping wings, not to mention the many diseases they can contract. How about varmints? Fox, fishers, mice, possum, squirrels, hawks, do I really need to purchase flack jackets to keep my girls safe from chicken hawks? How about neighboring dogs and cats? With all that being said my little bantams will be arriving one month from today. 4 Barred Rock, 4 Buff Orpington and 2 Ameraucanas. The brooder and all it's equipment are ready. Feed purchased, Blue Kote (just in case) on hand. I think I am good to go.Our spot has been chosen for the Coop. Sheltered, a fair distance from the house, enough natural light, and a good area for a fenced in hen yard. A separate run for Winslow Homer if need be. No flack jackets, no clipped wings.
DH placing stones for the foundation. The bathroom is not quite finished, still have not decided on the kitchen counter top, but the coop must now take top priority! Wish us luck, will keep you posted.

LONG ISLAND

On Monday I headed out to the Island to Survey with my Dad. Land survey that is. He is a registered surveyor for the State of Maine, since retired from the City of Portland, and now primarily surveys on Long Island. I have the good fortune to be his "Rod Person". ( as well as his daughter) He is very spry, witty, and when my "menopausal" brain fogs up, his is quick and precise. Mr. Jones at work, he sure looks good for a senior citizen. Don't tell him I said that.

A view from the job site. This is Casco Bay, it was a cold blustery day, I had to add more layers to my clothing, long underwear and an extra sweater!

, The home owner is a local Lobster man, his gear stored for the winter on his dock. Lobster traps will soon be revamped and ready to go overboard.

A summer cottage across the street, I won't mind spending lazy summer days here, would you?Oh yes, finally some signs of spring at Dogtrot Farm. Winslow's first tick of the season is removed. Yes, there is still snow on the ground. Ants, the ants are marching "one" by "one" along my floors. I have no clue where they are coming from. Skunks, need I say more, I better stock up on tomato juice! Winslow, you better stay away from those skunks! Till next time.

WINTER IS FLEETING

Over the winter half freckled with snow half-thawed

The speculating rooks at their nest cawed,

And saw from the elm-tops, delicate as a flower of grass.

What we below could not see,

Winter pass.~Edward Thomas

HELP!

My husband and I built our home twenty seven years ago. Our taste, I should say my taste is considered "primitive," well worn, antique, lovingly used.(you get the picture.) Now we are in need of replacing this well worn kitchen counter top. It is black laminate and held up well maybe ten of the twenty seven years since it's instillation. Counter tops sure have changed since 1982, especially the cost! I have looked at Granite, Corian, Quartz, Soapstone, Silestone and Solid Formica. This is a large investment and I want to make the right decision for us. If any of you lovely people in blog land have these materials in you're kitchen would you be willing to give me some advice and help steer me in the right direction. I love the Granite, but think it will look to fancy in our kitchen. I have Pine Kennebec Kitchen Cabinets, large black kitchen sink, black appliances and no island. I am leaning towards the Corian, but not sure how it will "really" hold up. I love the look of black soapstone, but alot of maintenance. Please help I am open to any and all suggestions!

BANANA CAKE

This morning I decided to put these bananas to good use.(Don't you just hate it when bananas become speckled, mushy and draw the attention of fruit flies) I could not bear to throw them out. However, being tired of my "same old" banana bread recipe I went on a search and found the website of"Chubba Gurl" She discovered a Banana Cake recipe ( but could not remember where) Having all the ingredients on hand I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did as it is delicious! ( I added the walnuts)

I've posted the recipe below if anyone would like to give it a try. Thanks Cubba Gurl.

BANANA CAKE

1/2 Cup Butter Softened

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

2 Cups Flour Sifted

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Cup Milk

1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla

3 Bananas Mashed add 3/4 Teaspoon baking soda to Bananas.
Grease and flour a 9x13 pan

Cream butter and sugar. Add in eggs then vanilla. Add mashed bananas that have been mixed with 3/4 baking soda. In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients, slowly add to liquids, then add milk.

Bake in 350 oven, I baked mine for 30 minutes and it was perfect. Cool and add cream cheese frosting. Beat 1/2 stick butter, 8 o/z cream cheese, 1 lb powered sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla. Yummy!

SPRING CLEANING

Winslow get back here, its time to start spring cleaning! March bustles in on windy feet
And sweeps my doorstep and my street.
She washes and cleans with pounding rains,
Scrubbing the earth of winter stains.
She shakes the grime from carpet green
Till naught but fresh new blades are seen.
Then, house in order, all neat as a pin,
She ushers gentle springtime in."
Susan Reiner

MAPLE SYRUP SUNDAY

Today is Maine Maple Syrup Sunday. It is a day when the public can visit "sugar houses" walk around and see the buckets on the trees, watch a boiling demonstration, sample the syrup, and purchase items made with maple syrup. Some of the items include traditional pancakes with syrup, syrup on ice cream, soft serve maple ice cream, maple cotton candy, maple cookies, maple donuts, maple cream candy, maple sugar candy and maple baked beans. All are delicious!

We are fortunate that down the road a piece is Parson's Dairy Farm. The Parson's milk fifty dairy cows, have a pair of steers, horse, pony, goat, chickens, rooster and a "sugar house".

The ideal conditions for the sap to run are warm sunny days and cool nights. The sap usually runs for approximately one month beginning in early March. Pictured above is a collection container, a plastic barrel with tubing connected allowing the sap to directly run in.My preference for collection is the old fashioned way. A metal tap in the tree, lid, and hanging metal bucket. I love the simplicity it represents.

This collection barrel is being pulled by a vehicle called a bombardier. It takes the collected sap right to the sugar house and is poured directly into the evaporator. As you may notice" mud season" has struck and it is always a good idea to wear mud boots when visiting a sugar house!

The Parson's sugar house is tucked behind the family farm in a wooded clearing. Sap season is a great time to catch up with neighbors and friends!

There is nothing like the fragrance of maple syrup in the air, it smells heavenly! The steam is rising, the evaporator is doing it's job.

This evaporator is a wood fired oven with a complex maze of flues for the syrup to run through. The oven reaches an ideal temperature of 219 degrees. The liquid is filtered and then bottled into glass, tin or plastic containers.Hi ladies, good of you to pop out and say hello!If you are fortunate to have a sugar house in your town or one close by, stop in for a visit. Buying local products is great for you and the producer. Buy local it's a good thing. Till next time!

THE MAGIC BEGINS

Oh, my winter bound spirit has been awakened by the beauty of this blue sky and 50 degree temperatures. Winslow Homer do you hear those chickadee's? Oh, look! the driveway is appearing.

The Soap Wart has decided to make an appearance. Here come the Day Lilies, they too are waking from winter slumber. The magic of spring is beginning, a long awaited and welcomed sight. Yippee!

MEASURE TWICE CUT ONCE

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!BATHROOM STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW

Thursday's flower show was a great way to get a glimpse of spring and escape the winter white landscape that surrounds us here in Maine. Mom and I stood in line ten minutes before the doors opened and let me tell you the "Southerly"breeze off the ocean was cold! Once inside, however, the sights and sounds quickly transported us into another world.Let me begin by saying I am not a photographer nor do I have fancy photo equipment. I take pictures to the best of my ability. I was a wee bit disappointed with the flower show. Don't misunderstand, I enjoyed it very much and I will go again next year, however the " magic" just was not there. For Example a lovely white Lilac, I love Lilac's they are one of my favorite spring flowering trees, however, this setting seemed to "Blah". Succulents and herbs planted in a old recycled lobster bucket. I did like this idea and I do plant in old "whiskey barrels."I love Delphinia and this color blue is one of my favorites. It was planted with Pansy's and Nicotiana. Very pretty.Geranium's inter mixed between a flag stone pathway. A campfire against a "Maine" woods setting. Very inviting. I can taste the marshmallows!A hard scape waterfall, the sound was very tranquil. I would love this in my backyard.A lovely Weeping Mulberry tree planted with a mixture of bulbs, perennials and other flowering shrubs. Loved the color of the Hosta's against the field stone

Finally, color. A mixture of annuals and perennials against a Maine Cottage. Shells on the windowsills, Adirondack chairs on the porch, spade left in the dirt. An inviting scene, you just want to sit, drink some ice cold lemonade and watch the boats sail by. The stone table is set for dinner, the moon is full, a lovely woodsy backdrop. How very romantic and inviting. But there's a catch, if you live in Maine you know this scene is almost impossible. You see we have Black flies in the Spring, then it's Mosquito's till a good hard freeze and if that is not enough to keep you out of the garden the Tick's will get ya!
Till next time.

PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW

Tomorrow my Mom and I will be attending the Portland Flower Show. Oh! to have the sights, sounds, and fragrance of spring over take one's senses. I will be looking for color ideas to incorporate in my perennial gardens. This garden below contains Shasta Daisy's, Blue Bell Flowers, Rose Campion, Pink Mallow, Lamb's Ear, Blue Delphinia and Lady's Mantle. I love the lime green "pop" the Mantle gives this garden. So tomorrow I'm off to discover what ideas are waiting for me.

WINTER VS SPRING

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day here in Southern Maine. Snow was melting, birds were singing, mud appearing. ( yes, a welcomed sight) Winslow once again could hurdle snowbanks.

This morning, this was the view outside my kitchen window. Yesterday was just a tease reality set in. Oh, but there is hope. I am hopeful in an few short months this will be the view outside my window, my lovely clematis. This is before the Japanese Beetle strike!

PRIMITIVE RUG DESIGNS

This is a rug that I designed in honor of my two kitties, Macy and Emma Lou. Macy our "Money" cat is no longer with us. She earned her angel wings last spring and is buried in one of our flower gardens. Macy chose us to be her forever family as she showed up in our field one day, never to be claimed. She loved to spend time outdoors and was a master "mouser". She blessed our family for 17 years. As for this rug, you can see I need to finish the binding, steam press and then find a place of honor.This design I purchased at Searsport Rug Hooking in Searsport, Maine. It is a lovely shop located on the coast. The shop is housed in an Old New England cape, each room is filled with wool, dyes, books, linen, just a rug hookers dream!

Also a pattern from Searsport Rug Hooking. I love the colors in this rug I think they blend very nicely, and if it must say so looks great on my living room wall.

As for tomorrow, DH and I are revamping our down stairs bathroom. Wish us luck and hope when the paint flies it lands on the walls and not each other!