BIRTHDAY SURPRISES-GETTING READY FOR A POP UP SHOP-THANKSGIVING AT THE DEERFIELD INN.

30 11 2015

GREETINGS

The cold spell is here and I am still getting a couple of outside chores done. Life moves at a slower pace after the first of the year.  I am already planning the gardens for next year.  One of the most important things I am going to do is plant a Christmas Greens Garden in  one of the new excavation spots near the stone wall and woods.  Every year I either have to scour the woods or buy Christmas greens and I am sick of it.  I would rather have them growing here for the birds to enjoy and me to pick.  I plan to get 3 Winterberry bushes.  I planted three about 4 years ago and realize that they were not planted in the proper spot and only one survived.  It had one berry on it and a bird got it! I also want to get a couple of of box wood, a couple more holly plants, my only female plant got winter kill during a bitter cold winter a couple of years ago.Add to that a couple of evergreens and I think I will be set.  These will add places for the birds and squirrels along a stone wall and will make a pleasant view from the barn and house.  I have the rest of the winter to look at catalogs to find the best plants.  What fun.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

My birthday this year was full of surprises.  It started with a face time from my two daughter saying they had found a car for me.  My poor old car was falling apart.  Now I have a van which will carry more hay and allow me to take many more things to shows.

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Next my son said he would rip up all the old floorboards in the barn and replace them.  I have been so concerned about the floor, the water has come in for several years and the floors were rotting.

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Even Lil helped

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These two things I needed most thank you so much to my children and their spouses.

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Everything is set for winter now.  The hose is brought in and the electric water bucket filled and plugged in.

POP UP SHOP

 

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I am going to be involved with my friend, Christa in this Pop Up Shop in Turners Falls for the Christmas Season.  We will start on December 11th and will be open that weekend  each day from 11-5.  And then the following weekend.

I will be giving you more info as the time nears with lists of things that we will be selling.  Buy locally made things and meet the crafters .

Today I am drying oranges for the Christmas Balsam Mix.  The house smells wonderful.

THANKSGIVING AT THE DEERFIELD INN

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This is the second year Cindy and I have spent Thanksgiving together at Chandlers restaurant and the Deerfield Inn.  Cindy has now finished Law School and will graduate with her class next June.  We may resume our annual Thanksgiving in Ireland next year which we have done for years.  We had a great dinner at Chandlers with a special treat of having my neighbor Christa (the pastry chef) come out and  visit with us on this very busy day.  After a peaceful night and a wonderful breakfast we both went back to our busy lives.

A wonderful raised Herb garden in back of the restaurant at The Deerfield Inn

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Old Deerfield is a wonderful place to visit, History of America abounds here.

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A SURPRISE VISITOR

I wonder who it is   It doesn’t smell skunky, haven’t seen any raccoons around so it might be a possum.  I am sure I will find out.  But it is time for animals to find warmer quarters.

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Many thanks for reading my blog on this chilly morning.  Hope you have a wonderful day.   Carole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Categories : A BIRTHDAY, ANIMAL ADVENTURES, BARN FLOODING, FAMILY, FAMILY TRADITIONS, GARDENING, POP UP SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS

SHOWS-MAKING BIRD TREATS AND FEEDERS-THE FIRST EGG-HELEN UPDATE

28 11 2015

GREETINGS

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I am so happy to be back blogging.  We have had such warm weather for November, cooler temps are coming in this afternoon but still not too cold.  I am grateful for the time to get things in order on the farm and still have a few tasks to complete before the ground freezes.  The sunsets here have been so beautiful.

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SHOWS

The Crafts of Colrain was a well attended event and I enjoyed the crowds, friends visiting and many new people came .I am busily making new inventory.  

The Shelburne Falls Autumn Farmers Market is one of my favorite shows.  So many different vendors with farmers set up with their fall and winter veggies.  Lots of fun and a easy, relaxing show.

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MAKING BIRD TREATS AND FEEDERS

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I found this recipe to make the suit block out of coconut oil.  I bought a small bag of mixed seed and nuts and made it.  Its so much cheaper to make  (for me at least because I buy my coconut oil  in 50 lb containers)  They say its better for the birds and they are enjoying it.  The whole thing takes about 5 minutes to make.  I layer a container with foil and add with about an inch of the seed and nut mix then melt the coconut oil at low temp and pour  over it and let it harden.

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FEEDERS

I love this feeder.  I won it at the Heath Fair some years ago.  This year I put it on top of a 4×4 and it has attracted so many birds.  I think I can make one so in the spring I will attempt it and put it on the other side of the porch.

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THE FIRST EGG

It has been well over 6 weeks since I have gotten any eggs.  I did buy a dozen but even though they say they are organic they don’t look or taste as fresh as mineIMG_6096

Matilda has laid the first one and continues to lay and egg a day.  I am sure the others will follow suit soon.

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HELEN UPDATE

She is doing well and living inside till next spring.  Her house is ready for her, Mrs. Brown and Hazel  will be put where there are no grasses .

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Many thanks for reading my blog on this rainy day.  Carole

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Categories : AUTUMN FARMERS MARKET, BIRD HOUSES, BIRDS, CHICKENS, Eggs, HELEN, LIFE ON THE FARM, MATILDA, MRS.BROWN AND HAZEL

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

26 11 2015

GREETINGS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING  to all my American friends and to my friends afar I pray for peace in this world .  The world has changed in just a few days. We are uniting to fight terrorism and we can do it together.  In American this day is a time to reflect and be thankful for the things we have.  America is a land of plenty yet there is still hunger and homelessness.  Its something we all should strive to eradicate.  This year I am so grateful for my children.  All three have helped people and animals in one way or another and continue to do so.

Hope continues in many ways and on my farm this fall day.  Matilda is the shinning star.  Calmly sitting on her nest.

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 This farm has given me peace in the most trying times.  The gentle baaing of the sheep, a beautiful egg and cats purring can take your mind off of the troubles.  

I thank you so much for reading my blog and hope that his day beings you joy and happiness.  Peace to all Carole


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SPREADING THE MILKWEED-GIFT OF BOOKS- SHEEP RUG HOOKING PATTERN-NEW ARRIVAL-SORREL NEEDS A HOME

9 11 2015

GREETINGS

The warmer weather has gone for the time being and its a bit chilly in the mornings.  I am busy getting ready for The Crafts of Colrain which is this coming weekend, so far the weather looks great for it.

SPREADING MILKWEED

It seems that this past month I have been going to Greenfield  a lot.  Picking up 25# of Oatmeal for the Chickens, several appointments, and I have been parking in a parking lot.   In cracks in the pavement are milkweed ready to send off their seeds.  Each time I am in  town I pick off a branch and bring it home to spread around my yard.  Its a good feeling that hopefully some of these seeds will take and more beautiful Monarch’s will be around.

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TWO BOOKS I AM READING

Birthday wishes are popping up everywhere.

  Liz of Sheep and Shawl gave me this wonderful book, The Chicken Chronicles by Alice Walker author of many books including The Color Purple.   A wonderful story of life with Chickens.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.

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A surprise  box in the mail yesterday from my friend Jan contained a book she though was perfect for me.  The Stillmeadow Road by Gladys Taber.  I  have started it and love it.  Its about a woman who buys an old farmhouse with blinders on ( sort of like me) and takes you through the fixing up the trails and tribulations of her dogs,cats and gardens.

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I want to learn more about this author and read some of her other books.

A NEW RUG HOOKING PIECE

My friend Debbie went on a wonderful trip to Nova Scotia and went to Deanne’s shop.  She brought me back this wonderful sheep pattern.  I just love it and am now thinking of how I can do it. I can’t start it till after the first of the year by then I hope have it all figured out.

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NEW  ARRIVAL ON WEDNESDAY

Okay so I said I wasn’t going to get anymore sheep. I promise this is the last one.  I just couldn’t resist this one.  Her name is Annie, which endeared her to me right away.  We called my Mom Annie for the last several years of her life.    She was in a breeding program to promote better sheep and wool.  She is half English Leicester and half Merino.  One can only imagine how wonderful her wool will be.   She is only 2 which is nice.

  

She will fit in nicely with the girls and offer me some really wonderful wool to turn into yarn in two years time.

Here is another sheep that is looking for a home.  My friend Lisa, who raises beautiful sheep is downsizing and Sorrel needs to find a home.  I wish I could take her but 5 is enough.  

 

I don’t know how anyone can resist her.  She is beautiful and an English Leicester.  They are the nicest sheep

Many thanks for reading my blog, there seems never to be a dull moment around the farm, never expected another sheep to fall into my lap.  Hope you have a wonderful day.   Carole

 

 


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Categories : ANNIE, BOOKS I AM READING, NEW PROJECT, NOVA SCOTIA, Rug Hooking, Sheep, WOOL

SPICED HOT PADS-THE BLUEBERRY CONNECTION-COSMO

6 11 2015

GREETINGS

It has been such beautiful weather and it continues for another day or so, before some cooler but not cold weather comes.  Then another bout of warm weather next week.

HERBAL HOT PADS

These few are done and ready to tag.  I sold them some years ago and are fun to make.  Used to put hot dishes on the pad is full of  fall and winter spices.

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BLUEBERRY CAKE

In 2011 I went to Nova Scotia to take a class from Deanne Fitzpatrick.  It was a wonderful drive.  I took the highway to Bangor and then took the scenic route from there.  Up and down  evergreen covered mountains, passed fields of low bush blueberries turned crimson and scenic ocean vistas.   I fell in love with Nova Scotia, the people and the land.    If I was younger I would have moved there.  

The class was exciting and Deanne was wonderful to each class member.  We did short travels around Amherst and went to PEI for a day.  On our travels I picked up this Cookbook.  There it has sat on my bookshelf full of cookbooks.  I go through my cookbooks every year sorting out ones that I don’t use and finding new homes for them.  This year I had to move the bookcase and put the Blueberry cookbook to the side.    When I had time I looked the book over.  The author told stories of how she came to write the book, it as so interesting with lots of tidbits about Nova Scotia scattered throughout it..  This gem is full of blueberry recipes, I know you will enjoy it.  The Blueberry Cake recipe was great.  You can get it on Amazon.

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COSMO

Here is a blurry picture of Cosmo with his very own cat nip toy.  He was having a great time and no one was gong to take it away from him!

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Many thanks for reading my blog on this warm day.  Carole

 


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Categories : BOOKS I AM READING, CANADA, CAT TOYS, COSMO, HERBAL HOT PADS, NOVA SCOTIA

HELEN- FINISHING ANOTHER WALL-HYACINTHS-COSMO

3 11 2015

GREETINGS

We  are enjoying some wonderful weather for November.  I am trying to get all the outside chores done before it ends.

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The Oaks are still holding onto their leaves 

HELEN

Helen is still in the house and I am preparing a caged in area for her , Hazel and Mrs. Brown for the winter.  Next Spring I will put her out in a an area with Hazel and Mrs. Brown.  I can easily monitor them if they are all together and it will be best for Helen not to be tempted by long grasses and hay.

Today she laid an egg the first one since the end of July.  She is pretty proud of herself.

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FINISHED ANOTHER WALL

I finished another wall in the kitchen, the last one I will be doing before The Crafts of Colrain. On this wall originally their was a window.  They just put some insulation there and I always thought I would replace the window.    I have given up on that idea so I insulated it more and covered it with a sheet of plastic and now it will be warmer in the kitchen.IMG_6040.

Hyacinths

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There is still time to get your Hyacinth bulbs.  I have 6 so far and hope to get another package.  They will go in the fridge till January at which time I will put them in the Hyacinth glasses.

COSMO

Cosmo is settling in.  We have made some adjustments and he is happy  Now he is staying in my bedroom and computer room and loves it.  The other cats scared him and soon I will be leaving the door open for and hour or so a day and see what happens.    He is a  loving cat.  So glad he came into my life.  And last night I was almost asleep and heard this racket, Cosmo had caught a mouse.  

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EVENING SKY

The evening sky has been spectacular lately.  Some views from the back of the barn.

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Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you are enjoying lovely weather.

 

NIGHT FEEDING

NIGHT FEEDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Categories : COSMO, CRAFTS OF COLRAIN, Eggs, HELEN, HOUSE REPAIRS, HYACINTHS