A DAY ON THE FARM

Good Monday afternoon... Oh, what a difference a day makes. The sun was shining, the snow melting. Speaking of melting one advantage to owning a home with a bowed roof, the snow (when melting) slides right off. Note to self: one disadvantage of owning a home with a bowed roof, snow slides right off unbeknown to person who was snow blowing close to the above mentioned house. I almost ended up looking like Clark Griswold, the character played by Chevy Chase in those annoying National Lampoon movies (okay I confess I do watch Christmas Vacation every year). After that was all said and done the "girls" did come out for a bit- well long enough to stretch their legs and breath in some good Maine air. As Mainers know the weather can change in an instant and with that said it was back to the coop we go.
Later in that morning I brought a treat of corn bread, Sweet Willa was on the nest and the remainder of the girls on the floor. Now I have to say I have no idea what they had been up to in there, but the feeder was off its line, the wing nut lost, and their water jug tipped over. I gather even chickens can experience "cabin fever."

Willa aren't you finished yet? Willa has a great evil eye, scram Georgia- find another box!

No frozen combs or wattles, bright clear eyes,

clean feathers and vents, okay too much info. everyone appears quite healthy.

However, there could possibly be a mental health issue.

I swore as I was heading out the door for the night I heard Henny say, "if you only knew what goes on in here..." What happens in the hen house stays in the hen house. With that, good night.

SNOWED IN SUNDAY

Still snowing...Snowflakes are dancing outside my window and the last bit of balsam fragrance lingers in the air. Our Christmas tree has been placed out doors by the bird feeder where I will hang peanut butter covered pine cones for the birds. The wood stove is cranking away keeping our nest snug and warm. I should also mention the sound of the Patriots football game is in the background where I can hear grumbling coming from my DH, game tied up, oh no... The girls are literally feeling "cooped up" however, a warm treat usually gives them a temporary reprieve. Only Pip and Georgia took me up on the offer of an outing this morning. They had no more gone out the door, when they promptly turned around and went right back in. I guess conditions in the coop were far more superior than the conditions outside.
Speaking of my girls, chicken fever has really caught on at my house. First it began with my new chicken calender. I heard a few "oh my Gods"

Then for my December birthday my brother sent me a musical chicken card, doing what else- the "chicken dance". My brother scored big points finding that card. He better watch out because he has a "big" birthday happening in April. I love having a big brother!

Along with my birthday card was the most creative birthday gift I have ever received, an egg carrier. Not any old egg carrier, but one hand made.
My brother Kris saw the idea in a magazine and put his creative spin on it. Ten egg holes, one for each of my ten hens. He left the finishing to me, he knew I would need to give it that "prim look" that we primitive lovers all strive for. It has two coats of milk paint, now all I need to do is scruff it up and put a coat of wax on it, good to go. Oh, I forgot to mention he made me two of these for me. Always good to have an extra, don't ya know.

This very fragrant smelling wax hen I received in my Christmas stocking.

And these wonderful faux eggs were sent to me by my cousin Eve in Alabama. I made a little nest and added the eggs and now my little hen has a home of her own, eggs and all.

Eve also sent me this sweet little kitchen towel, it reminded her of Gladys and I just love it.

Have I mentioned that Tractor Supply has become my new favorite store? Not only did they provide me with a free fifty pound bag of natural feed for the girls, but I found this Lip Junk. I thought it was a proper gift for our family themed "Funny Thrifty Yankee Swap" that was held out on the Island this year. Wrong- no one appreciated it but me. Hey the stuff works great and to top it off it's not made in China!

Honey you want to try some? " No thanks" was his reply and with that he gave me a little kiss, "gee, that stuff tastes pretty good". Never underestimate the power of a chicken. Oh, and FYI the Patriots lost.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

~GOOD TIDINGS TO ALL~ Greetings from snowy Southern Maine. DH and I ventured out this morning to take a few photos, this is the majestic Portland Headlight located in Cape Elizabeth Maine. Here on the East Coast we have been receiving snow with the heaviest predictions for Saturday night into Monday morning. The local weather stations are reporting snow accumulations that will be measured in feet, not inches. Alas, the frig is full, vehicles gassed, water on supply, generator prepped and something new to Dog Trot Farm: a snow blower! I now need not worry about "reaching" my "girls" if indeed all that snow should show up. The "girls" egg production has not diminished and each hen is producing a daily egg. They however, are not thrilled with all this cold wet white stuff, but coming from proud Yankee stock venture out regardless of weather conditions! From our home to yours, Best Wishes And A Happy New Year.

AN ISLAND VIEW

A very cold but beautiful day on the Island. This is a photo of Harbor De Grace taken from the high ground of my childhood home." Once an Island girl, always an Island girl."

HANCOCK POND

Christmas Eve Day has become a tradition for me and my DH to travel to Hancock Pond located in Denmark Maine and check in on the " family" camp. Thursday was a beautiful sunny day with highs in the thirties and not a breath of wind to be felt. Everything was in order, just how Annie and Paul had left it October.

The view out the front door looks towards an island and as you may be able to tell the lake had begun to freeze over. We were able to traverse along the edge of the pond but farther out the ice was deemed unsafe by year-round lake resident and camp "checker" Davey. Should we receive the cold weather that is predicted for our area next week the ice conditions should be perfect for skating.

The view out the back door looks out upon Sand Pond. The snow covered White Mountains of New Hampshire spring forth in the background.We sat on a log in the sun and enjoyed the view and the silence which this lake and its surroundings had to offer. When ice conditions are ready the pond will be dotted with ice shacks, snowmobiles, skiers and skaters.

A perfect way to enjoy the day. I hope we return soon with skates in hand, oh and a thermos of hot chocolate!

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT~

Merry Christmas from our house to yours... 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free;

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be;

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

~Simple Gifts~Shaker song (c.1875)

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Two Sundays ago I had the opportunity to tour the childhood home of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The home is located in the heart of the city of Portland on Congress Street and was decorated in an 1850's Christmas fashion. I happened to come across this quote by Longfellow and found it to be as appropriate now as it was when first written: "Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again.
Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the Shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

MY PERFECT DAY

Friday morning I came downstairs to discover beautiful yellow roses in celebration of my December birthday... and Tasha Tudor DVDs. I connected with a kindred spirit when I discovered Mrs. Tudor

and her world within Corgi Cottage. My DH took the day off from work we went out to lunch and for a drive. We passed beautiful Sebago Lake with the White Mountains of New Hampshire shining in the background. Our drive had a purpose, we were on our way to Norway Maine to the Oxford Hills Animal Shelter to visit "Pinky" As many of you may recall Pinky was the kitty that just could not get along with Emma Lou and with a broken heart I returned her to the shelter. It was and still is the right thing to have done. For the past few months I had been collecting gifts for all the kitties at the shelter (this is a cat only shelter). We brought beds, blankets, toys, litter boxes and food. The shelter was so pleased to receive our gifts along with a small monetary donation. The shelter attendant distributed the toys and beds and I visited with Pinky. It just made us feel so good to be able to give them this small donation on my special day. On Saturday we visited the Maine State Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals and donated money in order for them to purchase hay for the horses. It was a wonderful birthday weekend, celebrated just perfectly.Darkness came early this evening here at Dog Trot Farm

However, being able to witness the most beautiful sunsets makes it all worth while. Blessings.

A CHRISTMAS TOUR

"Be it ever so humble there's no place like home."

A DAY ON THE FARM

Today the temperature being in the forties allowed me to let the girls loose to roam what yard they could find. Periodically I would check on them, but knew they were fine. A short time later I heard a tapping at the front door and found Miss Pearl. "Sorry honey you can't come in you know daddy's rules". I returned to laundry detail. How two people generate so much laundry is beyond me. A while later I heard one of the girls start in again. Usually this loud voice means 1. a predator 2. an impending egg. Out the door I go, Georgia looks at me as if to say, "I didn't do it".

Well, I must have walked right by Miss Pearl (Santa really needs to bring this girl a razor). Pearl has a fixation with our grill, I am not sure the reason why but it has become her sole territory. (The girls still have not forgiven me for filling in their window box with boughs and pine cones.) As I looked closer what to my wandering eyes should appear, but an egg. Miss Pearl decided to bestow her beautiful blue egg right there on the grill. My she was sure proud of herself. Can't say as I blame her.

Sometimes I feel as if I am on an Easter egg hunt and here it is Christmas. Well it does keep things interesting around here. Good night from Dog Trot Farm.