A LIFE LESSON~

At the tender age of six, this precious little girl understands one of life's lessons, that it is better to give than receive...as a flock of "mother hens" gathered around...this little "chickie" did not flinch...her mind was made up... her first haircut...twelve inches...will be donated to Locks Of Love...With a smile on her face...the mother hens were gathered...and off to the salon we went...to get our old winter toes prettied up...and to celebrate a special girl, "Tiny"...

SPRING FEVER IN THE BARNYARD~

Spring fever, that's what it's called. Days lengthen and temperatures climb, sunshine and warm breezes find us. Our mood lightens and we feel energized...I believe animals relish in this feeling too..Take Winslow Homer...early this morning Winslow slipped out the door before I could get a leash on him. Enticed by the scent of a deer or fox, off into the woods he went just as fast as his little legs would carry him...a blind dog has no business in the woods alone...After a few tense minutes his solo jaunt was over...spring fever? and then you have Gladys and Henny...my two Houdinis. Thursday, upon my arrival home I found the girls freely roaming the yard. What in the world, for the life of me I could not figure out how they had gotten out of their pen.Had I left the gate open? Now, If I had not seen this with my own eyes I would not have believed it, but the next day I watched as in unison Gladys and Henny flew up into the air and with their legs hit the latch and pushed the gate open. The whole gang scurried out and acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred...spring fever?

My girl Loretta...when she was but a mere chick...Loretta continued to blossom...and this morning...I was honored...to be present...as Loretta...laid a perfectly formed petite white egg... tonight the song of peepers can be heard...spring fever!

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?

Early this morning...a little furry friend stopped by for breakfast...
no reservation was made as he was dining alone...a table for one if you please... he settled himself in nicely... ate to his heart's content...and then proceeded to do what anyone does with a full belly... he took a little nap..."A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile"~Unknown~ It's the simple things in life that can put a smile on my face, how about yours?

DREAMS DO COME TRUE~

If you have been a reader of my blog for any length of time, you know I am a homebody, I adore my girls (the chickens) and Winslow Homer is never far from my side. You also know I have a deep appreciation for Tasha Tudor and her life at Corgi Cottage. Quite by accident I discovered Mrs. Tudor. Fifteen years ago the ABC program 20/20 was airing, I really wasn't paying much attention, but I did hear the interviewer ask "what do you think of Martha Stewart?" "Who?" was Mrs. Tudor's reply. I was hooked, I sat down and finished watching the rest of the interview, completely drawn to this feisty lady, her art and the magical world she had created for herself. On Sunday, June 24 th my dream of visiting Corgi Cottage is coming true. My Dear Husband, sat at his computer ( at work no less) got called away ("I can't come, I'm doing something important") really I'm sure he was thinking "my wife will kill me if I don't come through" and yes!! He obtained two tickets to the Corgi Cottage Home and Garden tour and to meet members of Tasha's family. To walk the paths of Corgi Cottage where corgis once traveled, visit the barn where Tasha's beloved Nubian goats were kept, stand in her kitchen and envision her washing her antique china with Pelger the parrot on her shoulder and the "piece de resistance" Tasha Tudor's "paradise on earth" her gardens. Dreams do come true, and I feel like a very lucky girl. Honey, have you given any thought about Italy? A girl came dream, can't she

SIMPLY PERFECT~

The calender reminds me it is March 18th...

but with today's eighty degree temperature, it felt more like June. In my world, it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of such warm weather. The lawn, utterly greening up before my eyes. My husband informed me that he was not mowing the lawn till the later part of April. (We'll see) I soon unearthed my lengthy spring "to do" list. First up, the coop, a thorough cleaning was to be had. Walls vacuumed, windows washed, feeders and water containers scrubbed. The girls enjoyed their highly anticipated first dust bath of the season. Gardens were rototilled...my next thought, should I plant my peas? I decided it was wise not to tempt fate... I was tempted to plant the seeds purchased at the Boston Flower And Garden Show. Oh, I did see many items that met my fancy, however, "a want is not a need" but, these items I just could not leave behind. Two little packages of seeds. I admit, it was the packaging that drew me in. A bar of the sweetest smelling goat milk soap, mango butter, yummy...and black African soap, oh heavenly day, wrinkles be gone!This evening, the sun set in a brilliant orange flame. Off in the distance the sound of motorcycles could be heard, they too making their first outing of the season. The one sound that I have been anticipating, the spring peeper, has yet to be heard, but I shall patiently wait. Tomorrow is another day, and I hope yours will be as enjoyable as mine...

SPRINGTIME IN BOSTON~

This past Thursday, my friend and I boarded a bus and headed South to the Boston Flower And Garden Show. Now, I am being honest when I say I am terrified of driving in Boston. It's not actually my driving that I am worried about, but everyone else. My knuckles burn white while locked tightly around the steering wheel, my heart wildly pounds. A bus is the way to go...for me anyway... well... okay... I do have one complaint, a movie, really? at 8 o'clock in the morning? The flower and garden show was held at the Seaport World Trade Center located on Boston's busy waterfront. As I walked through the large double doors the sights and sounds of spring soon drew me in. Vibrant colors were visible in every direction, friendly daisies, bold tulips...the scent of earth in the air...

blue tinged hydrangea, miniature Iris...delicious ranunculus with their paper like blooms...off in the distance the faint sound of a babbling brook, while brightly colored red and yellow parrots called out to the mingling crowd...spring was found...Displayed were wonderful backyard stone garden structures, clearly with children in mind.Orange...the color of choice... miniature gardens...a fairy house donned with a grass thatched roof...stone toadstools...hats...

fashioned and adorned with flowers...perhaps an Easter bonnet?

The Boston Flower Show was a most enjoyable way to spend a day and to "people watch." Clearly, the majority of women attending the flower show were thin, tight straight leg skinny jeans the outfit of choice and a preference of D&G over Coach. The city of Boston is always enjoyable, but it is an expensive city, as most large cities are, largely diverse, with much to offer. The flower show which is held in our big city of Portland, rivals that of Boston's. (My opinion only) But this I know... sometimes, the best things in life are found right in our own backyards... Many thanks to my mom and dad for coming to care of my chickens, Gladys and the gang send thanks and for spending the day with Winslow Homer...He was a happy boy, he went "ridie" to Walmart!

RAMON NEEDS A HOME...

Ramon needs a new home...
I am looking for a new place of residence for Ramon, a four month old banty rooster. He is petite, quite good looking, and protective. He does not have a mean spirit, however, his father, Don Juan has made it quite clear he is to be the only resident rooster Dog Trot Farm. If you are in need of a rooster, reside in my area, Southern Maine, send me an e-mail. Please no thoughts of a soup pot...Thank you.

SPRING AWAKENINGS

Morning dawned with the promise of spring, slowly the earth has begun to awaken from it's winter slumber...The morning air is filled with bird song, red breasted Robins dot the country landscape, Blue-birds inspect newly cleaned nesting boxes...the scent of mud distinct in the morning air...ah, springtime in New England....

With spring comes the awaking of flora and fauna... he may be old, he may be blind, but Winslow Homer's hearing remains keen...day or night he is quick to alert us to any impending dangers. Deer, fox, skunk, owls and for the past few nights Winslow's ears have been tuned in to the howling of feral, coy-dogs...truly we are grateful for his service, however, the relentless 2:30 am warning, where DH or myself plod down the stairs, sleepy eyed, and trek around the yard is becoming old...tonight however, we have come up with a solution to our dilemma...you see Winslow Homer loves to go "ridee" especially to Walmart...it is now warm enough...so... off to the car he will go...yes...for what he believes is an early morning excursion...Oh, what we do for a good night's sleep...What are the odds DH will remember Winslow is in his car? well, if worse comes to worse, Winslow... you'll be enjoying bagels and coffee for breakfast!!

ON THE SIXTH DAY~

I admit I am not a morning person, or shall I say an early morning person. There are days however, when I do need to be out the door by 6:00 or 6:30. Thank goodness those days are rare.
My husband is a morning person and his job requires him to be out the door by 5:30 AM. DH is my backup alarm clock. So last Monday, I asked If he would kindly give me a "wake up" call by 6:30. I was up, but received no such call. Instead of calling him to let him know I was up and on my way, I decided to wait and see exactly how long it might be for him to remember me. Any Guesses? At 11:30 AM a message was left on the answering machine stating he was sorry, "I feel awful" were his exact words. Upon his arrival home that evening, "you better have flowers" said I. "Oh, I did think of that, but.... I'll go back out and get you some". Don't be silly, tomorrow will be fine. (Honestly DH is the main cook in our family ( am I a lucky girl or what? Flowers could wait, my stomach would not). Long story short, on the six day, the same length of time it took the Good Lord to create the world, Julie got her flowers. Amen.

WEDNESDAY MUSINGS

Skippy the squirrel...the first face to greet me this morning. Technically my husband's face is the first face I see in the morning, however, with his 5:30 AM departure, my eyes are still closed and my brain in slumber land. So if it's Wednesday that means it's Weight Watcher weigh in... I have come to the conclusion, in my case, slow but sure wins the race, to date 7.1 pounds lost. I have finally accepted the fact that I am the tortoise not the hare...I don't like it but I have accepted it...

If you listen carefully you just might hear the sound of sap hitting the old metal bucket...here in New England it is "sugaring" season. Sugar Maple trees are being tapped, warm days and cold nights are the perfect conditions for a productive sugaring season. There is nothing that says SPRING like the taste of warm Maine maple syrup drizzled over french vanilla ice cream...yummyAfter Weight Watchers I strapped on my snow shoes and hit the snow covered trails. Over fields and through the woods...not a squirrel to be seen or a bird to be heard...Don Juan keeps guard over his ladies...and tonight...by the light of the moon...Winslow Homer and I took a stroll honestly... I swear I could hear the song of peepers under all that snow...Soon, very soon...

~SPRING FEVER~

It's Spring fever. That is the name of it.

And when you've got it, you want it-Oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so...~Mark Twain~The SPRING banner came from Target...I'm ready for Spring...I'm ready to swap my apron strings for gardening boots, winter mittens, and my handy snow shovel for garden gloves and seed packets. The seed and bulb catalogs, which I have yet to peruse, will be dusted off. Tomorrow's weather forecast, snow, sleet and rain, the perfect opportunity to "cozy up" and let my mind wander....and when poultry order forms can be found at the local feed store, you hope Spring is around the corner... Below are a couple of my most recent "favorite finds," first the book "Unlikely Friendships". This book offers examples of unlikely animal friendships. A leopard and a cow, elephant and a sheep, house cat and an iguana. As this book states "each story reveals the power of friendship and to some degree, the many forms of love." This is a "feel good" book with lots of heartwarming photos. If you are a lover of animals, you will certainly enjoy this book.Last, but certainly not least, a productive trip to Goodwill. Today I unearthed a pair of brand new DKNY jeans, the $48.00 price tag still on... also...a slightly worn pair of Eddie Bauer jeans, broken in nicely...both $7.99 but the best part...a size TEN...Have a good weekend everyone...Spring dreams to all...