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sigh…it’s still winter

But the sun has made an appearance! I won’t complain about the weather…vgXcWaowDUTkYcSX.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…about getting slammed again and again…snow, wind, rain. Yes, rain and THUNDER! I’m just saying…not complaining, really!

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This is winter in Maine after all, and we should be ready for all of it…even expect it, I suppose! I’ve noticed that it’s all everyone talks about these days. But recently, it seems like anger and frustration have turned to resignation.

Last week we were back in the white wonderland thanks to back-to-back snowstorms. Previously, we’d had a short time where we saw bare ground. Friday really was a winner, though! It snowed giant, floppy snowflakes for a while in the morning and then rained all day…sometimes just a misty fog-like wetness but other times it just poured.

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Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day but there was a chilly wind that kept everything that was wet and on a solid surface a sheet of ice. Definitely a stabilicers kind of day! Hopefully, today’s sun will make a dent in some of it and the barn doors will soon be sliding again!

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It’s funny to see all the critters loving the sun. Gemma and I enjoyed it, too, while we did chores this morning. What a nice boost! It’s really been pretty grey for the past week and we’re all craving the beneficial rays!

fun weekend

Last weekend was a busy one and lots of fun! On Saturday, there was a baby shower for Rachel, our son Aaron’s partner, who is due in the beginning of March. We’re very excited about the arrival of our first grandbaby — a little girl! We don’t have many girls in our family! Rachel’s almost SIL, Holly, put the whole thing together and Rachel’s Mom and I helped with decorations and food.

Rachel and Aaron arrive...surprise!!

Rachel and Aaron arrive…surprise!!

I think she was actually surprised! She received a wonderful collection of gifts — all kinds of things from the totally practical to the fanciful. I knitted a little cap-sleeve sweater and my friend Nina knitted her a sleep sack. Despite the snowy forecast, a lot of people came and stayed for all the fun. So nice for Rachel!

little sweater

little sweater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sleep sack

sleep sack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday — again a snowy day! — our spinning group, the Salt Bay Treadlers, got together for our holiday party. It was supposed to happen before Christmas but it was postponed because of one of those big snow storms we had. We had a wonderful luncheon and afternoon of spinning & knitting at our friend, Chris A’s house. She has the most beautiful and cozy craft room!

Chris' needlefelted snowman wears a scarf made from the yarns and wears mittens made from the unspun fiber. His heart is, too.

Chris’ needlefelted snowman wears a scarf made from the yarns and wears mittens made from the unspun fiber. His heart is, too.

One very fun part of our party was the big reveal of what everyone had made from the yarn and fiber we’d dyed at our island fiber retreat last summer. We all took home a couple of small skeins — 1 dyed with cochineal and 1 dyed with osage orange w/an overdye in cochineal. And there was some cochineal dyed,  unspun Coopworth lambswool & adult fiber, too. What a wonderful bunch of items we cooked up…interesting that they’re all so different, too! I can’t wait to see what Kelley made. She wasn’t able to make it on Sunday. 🙁

 

 

Me and my wine cozy. Wine because we enjoyed a couple of glasses on our retreat and I used the magic loop method that Chris taught us while we were there. I spun the fiber for the salmon color at the top. The dark brown is from our sheep.

Me and my wine cozy. Wine because we enjoyed a couple of glasses on our retreat and I used the magic loop method that Chris taught us while we were there. I spun the fiber for the salmon color at the top. The dark brown is from our sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cutest hedgehog pin cushion in the world! Made by Nina. We all want one of these too!!

The cutest hedgehog pin cushion in the world! Made by Nina. We all want one of these too!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christine explains how she made this gorgeous headband...because we all want one!

Christine explains how she made this gorgeous headband…because we all want one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I couldn’t possibly finish up this post without mentioning the weather… We’re back in the deep freeze again. Last week, the sheep were picking at the grass in the paddock and we’d put the garden carts back into service. Now we’re covered in snow and 14 degrees F feels balmy. It seems as though this will be the norm for at least a week. No doubt, this won’t be the last mention of the weather…it’s all people talk about these days!

 

around the farm

roses past

roses past

 

 

We’re back in the deep freeze now but last week… when you could actually take your gloves off for a few moments…I had the chance to take some photos around the farm.

 

 

 

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old maple has survived so far

fresh water for wild critters

fresh water for wild critters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sliding ice sculpture

sliding ice sculpture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

retired for now...waiting for the thaw

retired for now…waiting for the thaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

studio doors

studio doors

 

 

 

 

december flew by

It’s definitely true that as we age time flies by faster and faster. This past year went by so fast! And the time since Thanksgiving…well, I don’t know where the heck that went. All of a sudden, it was Christmas!

It’s been a really crazy month especially weather-wise, and I think that must be part of why December is a blur. One day of clearing snow ran into the next until we didn’t have a clue what day it was and the temps were brain numbing. We just tried to keep to the routine of chores. Jim brought hot water from the house to the animals and we prayed they would be OK. The chickens are always most at risk when the temps are lower than usual. We had a bunch of frozen eggs and a little frostbite on one of the rooster’s combs but otherwise they did pretty well.

what a mess!

The first big snowstorm took out our livestock greenhouse. It had survived many heavy snows in the past so it wasn’t even on my list of concerns. Thank goodness our rams’ access was on the uphill side and their pen was sturdy enough that it held the roof from hitting the floor. It was a great relief to see their faces peering out from under the wreckage.

the survivors — Reece & Cole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After that, there were the ice storms that plagued so many people as they moved through the country. Even just a short distance from us, friends were without power for days. It sounds like they’re all up and running again now. All in all, we were extremely fortunate. We never lost power and had a really lovely Christmas with our immediate family. For the first time in about 20 years, we didn’t host Christmas Day celebrations so our morning was relaxed. I even spent some extra time visiting with the sheep. It was warm enough to take my gloves off and get some pets and ear rubs in, too.

Our Christmas gift to ourselves — not by choice — is a new furnace which is being installed as I write. We knew this day was coming so it’s not a big surprise, but we’d hoped to get a little more time out of the old one. We sure do hope all the claims of better efficiency and more heat to the bedrooms upstairs are true! And if we can jump on a tax rebate or something, that would be nice.

 

EllenG — enthusiastic eater

 

got any apples?

 

 

 

 

 

 

snowy chickens

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few days away from the New Year. Wishing everyone the best!

 

Pumpkinfest

It's a week long celebration of the pumpkin in many ways. There are the usual tastings and recipe contests, a block party that closes the Main Street with local restaurants bringing their grills to the street and loads of fun stuff…face painting for kids and music for all. Even a parade to show off the winner of the heaviest pumpkin. This year it was 1700 pounds! But probably what's most enjoyed by locals and visitors…and people do come from miles for this event…are the “art” pumpkins.

Back in May, seeds were given out to local folks who volunteered to grow big — seriously BIG — pumpkins. They end up on Main Street Damariscotta on Columbus Day weekend and local businesses sponsor artists who decorate/carve them. I made the trip up to town and got a few photos.

Pot of gold coins outside the bank

 

Bobbing in the deep blue sea

 

 

Clever!

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Ooooo pie!

 

Fascinating eyeballs!

 

Rhonda

Today there was a Regatta on the river.. Yes, crazy people contestants carve out giant pumpkins and try to paddle them around. (in October?) And I do believe there's a motor driven class as well. Maybe I'll make it there next year. It's got to be good!