Decorating spirit...

My home... (I love that word, home,) is my palette. Lately I've been feeling artistic and messing about, moving rooms, painting, hanging new curtains, and getting rid of items that I do not love or are not useful.

My mother loved nothing more than rearranging furniture, re-doing rooms, borrowing furniture or decorative items from one space to reinvent another space. Many of my favorite pieces of furniture and "stuff" came from my mom. I can feel her spirit as I shove sofas about, polish crystal and china, hang pictures.

Today, as I put the finishing touches on my living room, I went outside to cut some flowers for the table you see here. I peeked at the new rose bush I planted this season, not expecting it to have any blossoms yet. To my delight it was laden with blooms. Beautiful, heavily scented, yellow roses. My mothers favorite flower. The funny thing is that I planted a pink rose bush.

Thanks, Mom!

Lambs...

Ok, it is just a hoot to look out my window and see this scene. Who needs a lawn mower?

Puppy shower....

Yesterday we threw a "puppy shower" for a co-worker. She is getting her first dog, a little rescue girl from Texas. The shower was a surprise, and boasted goodies such as a new leash and collar set, dog treats, food bowls, a bed, a name tag, a gift certificate to the veterinarian, and more. The best part? A cake that read, (instead of "it's a girl,) "It's a Bitch!"
A wonderful time, (complete with some high quality belly laughs) was had by all.

The chicks...

The chicks are almost 3 months old now. I've had a few requests to see photos and hear how they are doing... the answer is, GREAT! They are fat, sassy, healthy and getting pretty. I am certain that the Silver laced Wyandotte on the left of the lower photo is a baby rooster. I've never had a rooster, and hope he will not be too naughty. The other two are females. The White Wyandotte in the top photo? I say it's a girl, (pullet) but Chris thinks its a boy,(cockerel.) Stay tuned!

The chickens not only have a wonderful new coop, they also have almost an acre of fenced yard to roam. They nosh on clover, bugs and earth worms, pick up the sunflower seeds scattered under the wild bird feeder, scratch, nap in the sun or under the lamb lounge with the sheep and pretty much live a charmed life.

As for me, I enjoy watching them more than I can say. And those eggs...? Frosting on the cake.

Eye popping paint...

We did some major re-arranging of the downstairs of the house last weekend. Rachel (my kidlet) has been painting some of the downstairs for me, bit by bit. Our previously yellow kitchen got new yellower-yellow paint. There is some dissension in the ranks... my sister and her crew hate it, as does my friend Meg. I think its quite nice, and a pleasant change from my normal paint pallet of white, white and more white. So, for now it stays. This spring has been an unusually wet, gray one, so this spash of color seems welcome to me. Besides, as I am very fond of saying, "This is my house and I shall do as I please." (I am such a rebel. Ha!)

Outta this world scarecrow...

On a recent stop at a local upscale cafe/gourmet shop, I was enchanted to find this sumptuous scarecrow overseeing the berry crop. Apparently she was the creation of a young woman in last falls scarecrow contest! Proof that there is a contest for anything you can dream up. This lady of the garden boasts a flowing shawl over her capable shoulders, a fashionable hat, earrings and luscious red lips. Head and shoulders above your garden variety figure, methinks!

At the farm stand...

We went to our favorite farm market yesterday. Bought some yummy fresh peas in the pod, some fresh picked strawberries, and some local honey. On the way out, past the potted plants, something caught my eye. Two small chickens, hidden amongst the hanging petunias. They made me smile.

The breakfast table...

How to start the day on a happy note... eat breakfast at this spot!

Coop de Ville

The chickens have a new home! It is a beautiful custom built coop made by a wonderful local craftsman here in Maine. 8x10', fully insulated, with a dandy little compartment to collect eggs, (right side,) great ventilation, a chicken egress door (left side, with ramp.) It even is wired with two lights and an outlet to plug in their heated water fount in the winter. On the other side are two adorable windows that open and are screened.

The inside is paneled, has 4 nest boxes, a nice roost and a terrific storage bin.

They chickens were not too excited about the move from the old coop. They were confused and worried. I feel sure, however, they will settle in and love living in luxury. If not, I'm taking the place over for a writing nook!

For more information on getting a coop for your chickens, go to www.rootscoopsandmore.com

Finally...

My sweet husband has wanted a boat of his own since... well, since before he got me. He went to an auction yesterday and got a very good deal on this little 18 foot boat. He is very excited, and that makes ME happy. We will have some fun exploring all the beautiful coastline of Maine, the endless lakes and bays... it will be an unfolding adventure. Just the kind we love the best.

Morning at my house...

It was a gem of a morning. As the sun came up over the meadow, it set the dew on every surface into a million dancing prisms. The lambs enjoyed a nice breakfast, and I was delighted to see how tall my herb and vegetable gardens were growing. The baby pea plants are beginning to tendril up on the little fence I put up for them.

The day got even better from there... but that is fodder for another post.

(Sorry the photos are not arranged more artistically. I am not adept at photo layout when blogging.)

A realization...

When Chris and I were newlyweds, he used to ask me what my dreams were. I could never really come up with any to share.

Yesterday I walked though my back yard, and saw the nesting wild birds, the happy chickens, the peaceful sheep and the blooming flowers. As I took all this in I had the following thought, "so many of my dreams have come true."

And then I began to think about how I could never voice my dreams. At that point I realized that I have always thought one should only dream of things that they felt certain they could achieve. Because of this, I never acknowledged the dreams that ran deep in my heart. Yet still, by some miracle, many of those deep, unspoken dreams have come true. I am so lucky.

A summer day...

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~Gertrude Jekyll

25 k...

Today Chris rode his bike in the Tour de Cure, a bike a thon to raise money to help cure diabetes. It was in Kennebunkport, Maine. He road 25 k and raised over $500. I was proud of my guy.

Hot stuff...

My husband, Chris, is a southern boy. And a snappy dresser.
In the true southern tradition, he is an excellent cook. His specialty is meat. Smoked meat, broiled meat, barbecued meat and especially FRIED meat. Tonight he cooked something he has been wanting to try for ages. Fried turkey. The fire extinguisher and garden hose in the photo show that he was not feeling just real confident in this endeavor.

I am happy to report that the fried bird was delicious. The fire extinguisher and hose went un-used. Our guests went home full and seemingly happy. It was a successful meal.

At Thanksgiving we roast a turkey and also smoke a turkey. This year we might have to have the "Turkey triple header," and offer a roasted, smoked AND fried bird. That would be somethin'!

Good people...

There are some wonderful people in this world. The couple that owns these three dogs makes it their habit to rescue elderly poodles that need a home. Each of these dogs suffered some misfortune... for instance, owners who died or became ill and could no longer care for them.

We are lucky enough to be the groomers for the dogs they take in. This photo shows the latest pack of three after a spa treatment. The little faces change, but the story remains the same. Sad, lost little dogs are adopted, and soon they become beloved, happy, tail wagging critters. They live out the rest of their days in luxury. I am privileged to witness the story unfold.

Nesting...

There are tree swallows nesting in our blue bird house. Chris calls them the "happy little birds." They swoop and dart in the air around our home, aerodynamic savants. Amazing insectivores, they help cut down on the biting bugs that thrive during our short summer season. I have not exactly figured out the family dynamics of these birds as they nest, but there seems to me a group of them all taking turns, in and out of the box. The bird pictured here spends hours on end peering out, looking in every direction, ready to defend its turf. Tree swallows, just one more bonus to living right here, right now.

The ICK factor...

This. Is a TICK. A Brown Dog Tick, to be specific. With EGGS.

The receptionist at work is a creative genius, and has a pleasantly twisted sense of humor. She has been collecting ticks from grooming dogs, and putting them into (ready?) a TIC TAC box. The box is placed on the counter near the register, with a little sign that says, "It's flea and tick season, don't forget to buy Frontline." Sales have rocketed, and customers are fascinated and repulsed by our little collection. This morning we were all amazed to see that one of the ticks had laid eggs. None of us had ever seen tick eggs before. And really, it will be fine with me if I never see them again.

This concludes our "yuck" blog for the day.

Gift...

My sweet and talented sister in law, Brenda, made me this stunning table runner. She knows me well enough to recognize my love of birds and all things in shades of blue. I could have done way worse in the in law department... I married into a family full of kind people. Brenda makes amazing quilts, clothing and other items of art from fabric. I admire her talent.