Living a Farmgirl's Dreams

What a birthday!

2009-02-08T20:01:00.004-05:00

It's really rare that you receive a truly monumental present when you turn 40 something. I did!!! My daughter came to Maine to meet her brother that she had not seen in 12 years. My previous blog shows my reunion with my son. It has truly been an amazing year. I have not seen my daughter in 2 years myself and we had lots of hugging to catch up on.

The reunion was fantastic! We relived childhood memories, had lots of laughs and a few tears as well. It was only a weekend and there just wasn't enough time. None of us wanted it to end. I have so many pictures that were taken and I can't wait to share them. We went for long rides to see the Maine countryside and snow, visited with friends at work, had a little snow adventure that I can't wait to tell about and had a family celebration with the grands on my birthday. It really just doesn't get much better than this.

The final trip to the airport was the hardest... I had to return her to Florida and her hubby, Jonathan. I am happy that she is so happy and happy that she was able to make the trip. At least I know that the sadness I am feeling at this moment is temporary. Even though there are many miles between us...it isn't a separation like it was before. My kids are getting to know each other again and feeling a closeness that they both need.

This reunion gave my heart stitches and completed my circle. Thanks for letting me share this with you.

Take me home...

2008-08-22T15:20:00.019-05:00

Road trips are fun but my goodness is it ever wonderful to be back home again. This trip was straight down and back, so most of the pictures are actually taken from the front seat of my van. We stopped for a few hours to get some sleep after I picked up my son, for some much needed shut-eye. Here are a few of the pictures.

Still quite a distance away, but here is the first view of the mountains that I love so well. We were actually in Maryland here. About eleven hours into this trip....but I can see it.

Here are the dear friends that went with me on this journey. They just couldn't bear the thought of me going alone. The picture is taken at Blackwater Falls State park, which is where I was headed to pick up my son. My friends really didn't have to worry that I would get lost or anything......
I borrowed a GPS named "Betsy" to make sure that didn't happen. She certainly saved us too. We got turned around and landed outside of New York City and she got us through Pleasantville and back on the path home to Maine. Thank you, Betsy!!

At the beginning of our journey home...we were greeted with a glorious sunrise coming over the mountains.

The farmland throughout Pennsylvania was beautiful. Since I have an addiction to barns, I will share a few with you.

And the farmhouses... I had 167 pictures that I was determined to take on this trip. I snapped to my little hearts content.

Unfortunately, a lot of the pictures looked like this......

We had a great trip, I achieved what I wanted to do. I was really happy to see this sign.
We returned safe and sound although a little worn out as you can see.

My son and my friend..(the backseat drivers),
...... my friends hubby(the pilot)

And me. I am very happy to be home in Maine. I remembered all of the beauty that I left behind in West Virginia. I took so many pictures between two road trips to document many memories. This whole experience gave me closure of sorts. I am no longer homesick for West Virginia. Anything that was there....I just brought home with me.

A trip to West Virginia

2008-08-18T19:12:00.002-05:00

Wow! It has been a very long time since I've done any work here. I have great exciting news, though. I am going on a road trip to Davis, WV. I went a month ago and it was very special. I have lots of pictures and I will post them sometime next week. This trip is straight down and back from Maine. I'm leaving at midnight tonight.

The reason that this was so special to me... After 11 years separation....I reunited with my son. I spent my vacation with him and he is as special as I remember him to be. I am going back to get him. He called and wants to come to Maine to get to know me again. So....off I go.

I'll post those pics soon!!

Time to slow down

2008-01-28T15:49:00.000-05:00

It is the time of year that I try to get caught up on housework, quiet times, reading, sewing and so on. For instance, my blog here... I love this but have not been here to post in FOREVER!!! Ok, well, it seems like forever. I guess I will start here in catching up with my life.

It moves so very quickly sometimes more than others. Since last post-- I know, a long time ago--but I'm fixing that. Anyway....since last post. The summer rolled on through. Then there was harvesting and canning and butchering and processing. Then for some reason I agreed to do a craft show and wasn't a bit ready. SOOOO, off to the sewing machine I went and I made my hubby a craft widow. I had one month to create a saleable inventory. I achieved my goal, it was a great success. That was October 20. See, how easy it is to lose a few months.

So then we are into the holiday season. My professional ties are in the retail field, so I was assisted in my whirlwind. On top of that, I had hoped to make some really awesone presents for the family and some decorations too. Some of it happened...some of it didn't. My mother in law helped me at crunch time. You know, the 20th of December and I've got to get these gifts in the mail, crunch time. Christmas is now over, time to take it all down and get back to normal. I think I'm coming to terms that my normal is just always going to be busy. January is the time of the year to slow down because there is nothing else to do. OK, it used to be. I got a promotion that with it came about 5 more hours.

You will be happy to know that I took a five day hiatus from work. I caught up on all the cleaning and neglect that my home has acquired in months, made beef stock and canned it, made 8 pies for the freezer for those hubby neglectful times, made new curtains, organized my entire craft/sewing room and simplified my wardrobe. Alas, my vacation is over and its back to work tomorrow. I feel very satisfied knowing that I accomplished much needed things.

Spring has sprung!

2007-06-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

Life certainly has been very busy here on FourAcreFarm. Mostly due to finally being able to plant the garden. Hubby tilled, and planted and planted some more. Most of the 4500 square ft garden was planted over a few day span, just in time before the remnants of tropical storm Barry came in and tried to turn the garden into a swimming pool. In places it was quite swampy. Most all seems to have survived... 6 rows of navy beans may have been lost and as a precaution, Greg replanted them. Here is a list of what we planted... 5 types of beans- green, navy, pinto, kidney and shell; peas, onions, collard greens, swiss chard, cukes,2 types of squash-yellow and buttercup; rutabagas, potatoes, pole beans,corn, beets,carrots, sugar baby watermelons, and 88 tomato plants and 3 different peppers-green,chili and jalepeno.

We planted a herb garden and have a perennial flower bed planted. The flowers are very special to FourAcreFarm. My mother-in-law invited me to come get some of her perennials to start my flower bed. Some of these flowers came from her fathers flower garden when she first set up housekeeping...50 years ago. These include peonies and hardy mums. It is such a treasure to have some of Greg's grandfathers flowers. They all transplanted well and seem to be thriving.

There are wild irises all over the property. My first one bloomed today.

The farm is beginning to turn green and lush all around. I am looking forward to our first tomatoes and all the yummy stuff to taste. Now to find time to just sit and watch it all grow...someday!

Dixie

2007-04-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

She is a satin angora, four year old rabbit. She is no longer breeding but has years ahead of her for fiber. Here are the pictures and excuse the mess in the shed. hahaha

It isn't a lamb....

2007-04-22T20:02:00.000-05:00

So to any of you following my previous post, here is the rest of the story. The conclusion to the running joke. Before I went to the Sheepfest, I agreed that we were not ready for sheep just yet. It really wouldn't be fair to the sheep if for no other reason. But it was fun, because hubby knew that it would be something that I would do....carry livestock in a taurus wagon! He just knows me way too well. Anyway... a lady was at the festival with angora rabbits. I have been wanting one for awhile, but most are very pricy. When I saw them, I immediately thought of hubby....hmmm, its not a lamb. And....we didn't think of rabbits being there. And... its just a cage and a bag of food. And....we don't have to get the pasture ready for this critter. And....its SO cute. And...the prices were good! And..... I walked away.

I went inside to the spinning part of the festival, talk to some spinners, got to spin some myself and asked some questions. The rabbit wool could be mixed in with the sheeps to spin.....hmmmmm.....a purpose. Went back outside...of course I had to pass the furry little critters. So then I had to talk to the lady and get some educational information. That was definitly a mistake.

I took precautions before I left home and only had enough cash for my day....no significant purchases. Then I had to find out how far the nearest ATM was. Remember that I am out in the mountains of western Maine ...farm country. So I traveled about 10 miles to get cash for a bunny. I really did attempt to talk myself out of this. I got distracted by the barn...stopped by the road and took pictures and forgot that I was talking myself out of buying a rabbit. Back to the festival I went.

This is long winded, but bear with me. So I bought the rabbit, stopped at the Farmers Union and bought water bottle and feed and headed home to inform hubby that not only had I bought a rabbit, but "would he build me a cage too". I had this all rehearsed while I was petting the bunny on my front seat, the whole way home.

When I got there, hubby had his motorcycle out, polishing it, changing oil and guy stuff like that. I told him that I did not buy a lamb. He said thats good. I told him...that it does poop but its not a lamb. hahah He asked where I was going to put it and I told him I'd put it in the shed for the night and we could build cage on sunday. Well, the cats started sniffing around the shed. He stopped what he was doing and we went to look for a place to build a cage. He gathered up all of his tools took them to the shed and got started. He was still smiling throughout all of this. He will just say..."girls" and thats the extent of it. As he finished up the cage, I told him that I was going to chase down the rabbit that was hiding under a cast iron stove in the cook shack. I came back and reported that I would have to have another pair of hands.

I did not think rabbits were so strong. She gave us quite a fight and we scrambled around in the dirt for some time trying to catch my new addition. After a time, we finally caught her, put her in a box and took her to her new cage. She went in the cage with a thump...she was very scared but is just fine. Hubby then reminded me not to bring home any critters unless we had a place to put it.

Throughout all of this, he was never sour or dismayed. He kept smiling, ok maybe he sputtered just a little at the things girls do...lol. But it was always playful. In tribute to him.. I have to say that he is always supportive of the things I want to do or try, he may not want to be a huge part of somethings, but he never discourages me. I am definitly his biggest fan. He deals with all of my little quirks and loves me just the same. He spoils me with respect and kindness and we take very good care of each other. We enjoy each others individuality and independance but make great companions as well. LIFE IS GREAT!!!

SHEEPFEST 2007

2007-04-21T20:09:00.000-05:00

What an amazing day! I am in awe of those who raise sheep and spin, first of all. Secondly, I realized something very important today.... I am definitly a farmgirl and have found my niche on the farm. I have read and researched sheep to death. Everything that I find out about them only makes me ache for them more. So I went to the Sheepfest in Denmark, Maine today to find out more information and to see firsthand whether or not this is truly my path. YES! IT IS!

I got such an education today on all types of fiber, sheep, spinning wheels, carding, shearing, and skirting. It was a hands-on day and I got to do just about everything. The shearing was left to the "master shearer". After opening all of the senses to this day, I am convinced that I will achieve this and that I am not wishing too big. I took so many pictures, I will post a few here. The rest I will put on my flickr site, well, maybe not all. I don't want to overload the web. LOL

A nice surprise was that Bill Greene of "Bill Greene's Maine" was there with his cameraman recording all of the festivities. I think it only airs in Maine, maybe, but on Mother's Day it will be on. All of the people were wonderful and willing to share their knowledge. One spinner told me that "fiber artists love to corrupt another new spinner." She gave me a quick lesson and let me try my hand at fiber.

The ride over was breathtaking. I was about an hour away and enjoyed every moment. There are many small working farms on the west side of Maine. I had to stop and take a few pictures. I passed by many of the photo opportunities but I had to stop and get some of a gorgeous barn, and the mountain view.

The running joke for the last few weeks with hubby has been ... no lambs in the car!!! LOL We do not have our barn ready yet, or the pasture, or feeding and so on. I agreed but it has been going on and on because he knows that I would try. Well, I did not bring home any lambs or sheep in my wagon....BUT I did acquire a chocolate satin angora rabbit!!!! This brought a story in of itself, quite an adventure, but I'm going to save it for the next blog.

Words really can not describe the feelings I've had today. If I have ever had any doubt at all as to where my future lies...it was solved today. And not just with sheep, although they were awesome. Being a farmgirl with an amazing hubby and all that the farm will bring has truly made my heart smile!

A little morning snowshine!

2007-03-30T21:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, I said snowshine. That's exactly the word that comes to my mind when I woke up and saw this view. We got a late night snowstorm... ok, 2 inches of it. It was the heavy white stuff and it clung to every little branch of the trees. As I was drinking coffee to this view, I had to run and get the camera and was outside snapping pictures in my robe and slippers. Lucky for the neighbors that I don't have any. Anyway, the snow melted off in a very quick hour or two. I have the beauty of beautiful sunshine and snow trees. This is my favorite scene in winter. I hope you enjoy...I certainly did!!!

Quick update!!

2007-03-30T20:59:00.000-05:00

The quilt is still in need of a little cornering to be done. Here is a picture of it as I was tying it on my kitchen table. It does,however, make a stunning tablecloth. A new trend? Not for me...not yet... but maybe another day. After all, the top was my most favorite part of quilting. It is simply amazing how it all comes together. It is an art that I will continue... over and over again.

The trip around the world continues!!!

2007-03-15T20:16:00.000-05:00

This bug that I told you bit me carried on through the day. I faithfully got my homework assignment from my MIL this morning. I was so excited at how it was going together that I called her and told her I was going on to the next steps ....SOLO!!! She encouraged me to do so with the utmost confidence in me. All I can say about my next leg of the journey was....Gosh, I am glad that I liked puzzles when I was a child and that the fascination still hold true!!! I finally got it all together... "IMA", held up very well and is still happy despite all of my fussing to her. By the way, Ima is the name I gave my sewing machine. When I am frustrated, she hears...IMA throw you out the window if you don't do want I want you to....well, you get the idea. Thanks for visiting, I'll keep you posted on the progress.

A bug bit me!!!

2007-03-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

Luckily, it was not a crawly one. I am thinking though, that it could be equally as dangerous and maybe even annoying to hubby. The bug that bit me was a "quilting bug". My mother-in-law, bless her heart has shown me that all of my quilting anxieties were just a figment of my imagination. I have tried in the past, completely cold and ignorant to even basics, and did create a horrible hideous contraption. It never really got past a couple of rows, I was afraid of the cutting part and so on. Like I said, it was a mess and destined to disaster. I had also picked a pattern from a quilting magazine that truly is beautiful, but gives you no direction. I tucked my quilting desires away for years...until now.

This is the quilt pattern that MIL encouraged me to do. Its very basic and looks really good. Ok, providing you have an eye for fabric and putting them in such a pattern to have them look good. Hmm....another avenue for me to play with my creativity. Do I really need another one? Do I really have time? Probably not. But, the way I have it figured out...this is now completly out of my control. That bug bit me and I just have to scratch.

I have been working on this for a few days as time allowed. I do enjoy it- I like to sew. This morning I went with MIL to Joann's Fabric. That's when I knew I was bit. All of the beautiful material. And this one with that one. And oh, wouldn't that look great for a little girl. Oh my goodness! I am not even through with the first one and already I am designing some for Christmas and Birthdays. I don't know if I have time for this, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

For this quilt, I was going through my fabric stash(We all have one, don't we? Fess up!) to make some aprons or doll clothes or something. I came across all of this blue material. Different shades and patterns and such. I laid them across the table and told myself that these would make a beautiful quilt one day, so I left them there and found what I needed for my project at hand. (OK, I'll fess up! One of the many!) The biggest mistake I made was leaving those stacks of blue material on the table to look at me all day. Because before the day was over, I had taked myself into BELIEVING that I could make a quilt. So, here we go! And with any luck, it will be the vision I saw in my head when I am done.

Think Spring!

2007-03-13T16:17:00.001-05:00

This is the garden as seen from my sewing machine window. It really doesn't look like much will be growing anytime soon. But then again, this is Maine and we are not supposed to see the ground productive for another eight to ten weeks or so. That is what I am reminded of almost daily by DH... and MIL....and DD. Yes, but... I need to see little green living things sprouting.

So....hubby felt my pain and turned a spare bedroom into an indoor greenhouse. He built shelves, wired lights and switches and found me the watering can. Now, what more could a little farmgirl ask for.

These are carnations in the white pan and in the other one are canterbury bells and my first herb of the season- heartsease. The bottom picture has about 140 leeks. Yay!!! Little green things!

I guess it's time to take the plunge..

2007-03-13T15:56:00.000-05:00

I have thought about it many times and have read many wonderful blogs. There are several that I check on faithfully everyday. I think the whole concept of a blog is awesome. My motivation for now is simply to keep an online journal of sorts. If for no other reason than I love to write and document.

I am picture happy right now. I am actually really glad that my camera does not need film and development. I think somewhere, I have a bag I've been toting around with me of rolls of undeveloped 35mm film. Well, now that those memories are tucked away...ummm, safely. (They must be safe because I put them somewhere safe) Wherever they are, really doesn't matter. I am living for the present and the future. No going back, right? And I am going to document it along the way! I'm sure glad that you stopped in...pull up a chair, have a cup of coffee or tea with me and by all means...Come back often!