She Always Loved Flamingos & Dancing

Memorial Day 2010...during a road trip to Ellsworth yesterday, Liz and I stopped at a road side antique store (couldn't resist) and there it was, standing tall with a look of take me away and we did. Liz purchased some Flamingo bling at Walmart and gave it a first class makeover. You can tell by the look in the Flamingo's eye he was in for a huge job at the graveside. When we arrived at the cemetery, we were met and ushered by the Legend himself, Everard Hall and his dog. We located Donna Gertrude Harrington DuGay Martin's grave stone and the Flamingo was home. Everard said mom loved Flamingo's and dancing. Another great day and as Mike DuGay replied in his email, SHE IS HAPPY. Indeed.

Village Haven Farm

A visit to Martha and Village Haven Farm to pick up the bunny. The goats came up to greet us. One goat smiled and explained to us that she lives with a chicken named Henny Penny that thinks she is a goat and not a hen :} We went along with it.
The bunnies said goodbye to our black bun. The little fawn in the other cage couldn't resist taking a last peek. I came so close to getting the fawn colored bun. They are so cute. The fur

and fiber that Martha's angora have is a hundred times prettier than Alpaca or wool. I will try my hand spinning and working with my beautiful black bunny. With time I will add more colors. The fawn color and chocolate color is a pretty natural yarn. The bunny likes to sit on the hut and not in it. Great personality. Great addition to our family. XOXO

Home Tweet Home

Headed to Monson and had a great day. Stopped along the way in Guilford and found a cast iron bean pot with a lid, needs restoration and will work perfect with the Glenwood; the road side shop was unique to say the least. Stopped at Forest Avenue in Dover Foxcroft and looked at the old homestead, couldn't believe there was a pink flamingo in the back yard. Also noticed chicks are in at the Dover Agway, stopped by and picked up five Rhode Island Reds....the go gos...Belinda, Charlotte, Jane, Kathy and Gina...great birds and they have a great home here, they are sooooooooooooooo spoiled already. We are building them there own coop with custom colors, stay tuned.

Sunshine and Steamers

Road trip due East looking for some cedar boards. Found them and they are first class. Found some crushed granite along the way and could not resist picking up some steamers from a local digger....they cooked to perfection, lots of butter, napkins, cold water and left over potato salad. A great feast that tasted like the salt air smells, perhaps steamers are better than lobster after all. A great way to end a sunny day in late May, many more wonderful summer days to come and many more local seafood dinners coming forthwith.

You're so vain.......

As we begin the voyage of restoring our home, I had to take a crack at building something, if for none other than to show Liz I could actually use these tools she has been buying me. Once the sink showed up from Mexico, I knew I had to try my skill at Folk art, something different yet strong and capture the colors of the sink. Been awhile since I have built, but it was and is a joy. Many more cabinets and counter tops and step backs, window and door casings....all in due time. I am relocating my Man room to the basement and have created a new work bench, so stay tuned for creations to come.

"I am so happy!" Hot legs and Garden Cart

We found an original Garden Way cart today and wow what a deal. Great cart and a new cherry blossom stain makes a blend at Sweetgrass Farm. A great view of Coffin creek [great smelt producer this Spring] out the east office window with the tide running high. Gerry stopped by and sold us the garden way cart and had some great conversation as he usually does. Gerry is a legend in the region and rightly so. Liz found a chicken drum stick cooker/hanger at Lowe's this week and we tried it out, looks like the chicken thighs, wings and breast will be taking a second place for awhile. A great day overall at the farm, lawn mowed, wood delivered, great lunch and dinner, many friends stopped by and the weather was perfect. Lots of interest in the upcoming indoor farmers market at the yellow building, we will be posting a new sign shortly. Cart from Vermont.

BIG Mert stopped by today and we ran a test run on the newly restored Glenwood gas range. Seems to be pre WWII vintage, after some tweaking and tightening of the lines, the burners and oven worked fine. Great project and what a great stove, the hot blue flame boils water in seconds and what a classic. A great find for us and the time and effort on the restoration has paid off, many good meals to come. We did toast some sliced Italian bread in the Glenwood tonight with freshly crushed garlic, butter and seasoning all cooked in olive oil and it came out perfecto!

Lumber and Lilacs

You can't beat Spring in Maine. It was a beautiful day today.The flowers and lush green trees take your breath away. We went to a cedar saw mill to look at native cedar for our bathroom. We had a great visit and tour of Cassie's new work place. Then off to our favorite bagel shop Bagel Central. We highly recommend the chicken salad sandwich called "The Opera House". After lunch we strolled over to The Antique Marketplace and Cafe'. picked up some spices at TJ Max, stopped by the feed and seed store and ended up with some Necco wafers and fire balls, then off to a visit with son Brandon. Butter cups galore and fresh lilacs in the farmhouse, freshly cut for Liz. Working on the vintage Glenwood gas range, lots of sanding and detailing coming forthwith, stay tuned.

Ambrosia and Yorkies

Eddie wanted to make Ambrosia for our dinner with Sonny and Barb. He kept the recipe on his Blackberry so he could have it handy. We decided against the nutmeg and cinnamon.

We met Valerie, Bob, and the yorkies that own

an antique store in Winter Harbor.

A beautiful meal, great friends, and sweet dogs.

Facades Play at C.O.A

We had a blast last night visiting my daughter Rain and the gang at C.O.A

Dan Mahler and the crew were FANTASTIC! I hate that I didn't have a chance to turn off my camera flash. Dan's legs are so pretty I was jealous. He is an amazing writer. My favorite line was "I can't seem to hold you enough to satisfy myself." The cast, crew, costumes, lighting, and overall energy made this another C.O.A masterpeice.

Harbor Treasures

Our good friends Sonny and Barbara came over to visit us tonight. They have a gift shop in Winter Harbor called Harbor Treasures. They are wonderful artists, collectors, and our mentors.

Our neighbor sold us this couch for Eddie's office. We were lucky that Crystal came by to help us. It just so happened that the apartment was on the third floor.

We walked the couch across the street and when we came to the stop sign Eddie looked both ways and said

"Wait a minute I have to turn on my blinker. " :}

Eddie has been working all day in the room he calls

"THE MAN ROOM"

It must be extra special if he is working with a pencil in his mouth.

I will blog it as soon as he is done

Strawberries and Herbs

I took time today to plant my strawberry pot. Eddie had an extra piece of PVC pipe that he drilled with holes so it is easier to water the strawberries in the different pockets.

Since I had the potting soil out I couldn't resist planting the herbs in bigger pots. Mint spreads out and takes over so it has a bigger pot. Eddie's favorite herb is Dill and I love Rosemary.

New Tenants

It looks as though little Aiko has her eyes open now. Martha at The Village Haven Farm still has some babies left . The little fawn colored kits are precious. Eddie and I have decided to keep Aiko as a house rabbit with a litter box. Check out the the purple hay feeder with an orange salt lick in the shape of a carrot. The glass water bottle has a floating yellow duckie. A fashion statement. :}

Crystal and Dave decided to get rid of a small dresser that is the perfect size for the chicks that we ordered. Eddie and I have decided to keep the chickens in the barn when they get big enough.

We just do not know how we are going to evict the family that is already there.

Road Trip to Moosehead

Headed north last week to finish some tasks at hand, the road trip to Monson. The farmland in Piscataquis county is second to none, the soils are the best mother nature has to offer. Along the way we saw a huge farm tractor hauling a monstrous sized manure spreader right down the center of the highway, the farmer had many chores to complete and could of cared less about the traffic behind him, couldn't of agreed with him more. Stopped by my dad's grave site and introduced dad to Liz .. he was smiling..as was I. My dad was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. The large tree at his graveside was planted in the heat of the night by brother Mike and Red Mountain, policy at the time said no trees, but looks like someone overlooked. We visited Low 's covered bridge in Guilford and off to Monson Moosehead furniture, a visit with Monson community leaders and explored the chard's of slate at the quarry, lots of potential for the slate and Moosehead furniture....stay tuned.

Happy Birthday Eddie DuGay!

Eddie decided to have one of Marie's Blueberry Pies instead of a cake. Marie brought it warm and bubbly right to our door. A biscuit joiner, a dremel tool, and a power drill, were on the birthday list.

Honey, you look great at 53. I love you.
Happy Birthday!

Peanut Butter Fudge

I decided to make peanut butter fudge tonight. Here it is May 10th and we are having an early morning frost, good time to make some fudge as it will set up just right outside on the porch railing with the cool 41 degrees. Liz and I will be making a double batch, going to hit the smelt brook while the fudge sets up and Liz is going to prepare some gift bags so others can enjoy the peanut butter fudge delight. My mom used to make the best peanut butter fudge I can still remember her using the soft ball method to make sure the temperature was right.

I used to have the knack for making fudge and lost the gift over the holidays. After several hours of research I was able to find the best combination for peanut butter fudge and it all came back to me...when one makes fudge it either sets up just right or it stays sticky and never hardens, there is no in between.
Liz was at my side helping with the measurements and getting the process in order, when the temperature is spot on you have to be ready to add the peanut butter, there are seconds to make it all happen. Next time we will add walnuts, now the new recipe works, hold tight....

Wood, Warmth, and Chicken Soup

It was a little chilly today so we decided to visit our friends at Spring River Farm.

The hardwood that we purchase from Charlie and Deborah is the VERY BEST.

We came home to light a fire and enjoy a warm bowl of chicken soup. The Griswold camp stove is a find from The Love Barn.

Cassie Visits

Cassie enjoyed farm day at The Painted Pepper Farm in Steuben. We had lemon gelato. YUM!

This weekend we had fun wet felting a "Cassie Bag" The size of a Folger's coffee lid is perfect for car keys, lipstick, and all of the little things for a day out.

Blackberries and Herbs

Yesterday we planted our blackberries and purchased some herbs for our herb garden. We noticed that our raised beds already have beet and pea sprouts.

An off grid cooking experience

Liz and I made homemade oatmeal cookies last night on the woodstove. We used our Florence stove top oven,when the woodstove is 400 degrees,the florence hovers right at 50 degrees less. Works perfect. The cookies must have been good, we cooked three dozen and only THREE are left. This is the oatmeal cookie recipe we used.

Smeltin'

The MASTER SMELTERS and their harvest.

"Here smelty, smelty......here smelty smelty."
SMELTING with Brandon and D.P. at Coffin Brook that runs through our land

Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!

Eddie and I enjoyed our visit to Village Haven Farm. Martha is a doll, and the animals are tooooo sweet! We will have our Angora bunny in June. I am so happy that there is a black bunny in the litter.