Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: Maine
I Spoke Too Soon…
Some days are not as fun as others and some downright F*cking suck. This Tuesday was one of the latter. We were so excited about our new family members but the excitement was short lived. Tuesday morning, I went out to tend the lambs and my… Continue Reading “I Spoke Too Soon…”
The Dream & The Wait
We will start with the dream, because that came first (5 years ago and a lifetime before that.) During that time of trial that followed, Em and I put it out to the universe- we want our own place. An opportunity to showcase all… Continue Reading “The Dream & The Wait”
BAD DOG!!! “No Soup For YOU!”
Well, I went and jinxed it. After a few posts about how well behaved Isis has been and posting a survival skills article that included “knowing how to dress and butcher an animal.” I have to admit; I was kind of asking for it. Like… Continue Reading “BAD DOG!!! “No Soup For YOU!””
Suspended Spring
Snow turns to rain but winter is unwilling to let its prisoners go, the bitting cold guilds the land. A new day shines forth. Morning sun hugs new-grown shoots and buds in silver light.
IT’S MELTING!
Today, I reveled in the sound of snow melt running off our roof through the open window. Three weeks ago I declared winter to be over and this afternoon I believed it. I even saw ground on the side of the road. GROUND! Ground that had… Continue Reading “IT’S MELTING!”
This little Piggy…
This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy rigged a jail break and got everyone out.
Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.
This April will mark five (oh my god!) years since we packed up the truck and headed the wrong way across the country. After half a decade of winters I can promise you that people headed west for more than the chance to strike… Continue Reading “Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.”
Winter Is Over!…?
It may not look like it but I am declaring today to be the last day of winter! I know, I know, it really doesn’t look like winter is done but trust me; it’s on the way out! Today we saw a liquid substance on… Continue Reading “Winter Is Over!…?”
Snow Anyone?
This should give you some clue about the amount of snow we have. The husky can almost climb the drift to the roof…
“Well, There’s Your Problem…”
Yep, we have reached the point in the winter when the parking lot snow is over the top of the trucks, rack and all. Every other row of parking spots turn into ski slopes. And everyone is running out of places to put new snow.… Continue Reading ““Well, There’s Your Problem…””
“Lord, Deliver Us from Commercials.”
Our greenhouses are in the process of being swallowed by snow. Most of the surrounding area is under hip deep drifts, we have been snowed-in for the better part of a month but I am at my wits end with the commercials that interrupt our… Continue Reading ““Lord, Deliver Us from Commercials.””
Wisdom From The Lakota.
My sister and I were raised by a pack of rabid surfers and hippies. When we were very young our Godfather, Todd discovered the world of Ishi-The Last Yahi. Todd was already one of the most accomplished outdoorsman you will every meet. For instance;… Continue Reading “Wisdom From The Lakota.”
Creepy Lobster Trap Valentine Tree Anyone?
I wanted to check out what the storm systems had done to the coast so I drove down to Cape Neddick near where we used to live in Kennebunk. As I headed out to the lighthouse I was greeted by this cool lobster trap Christmas… Continue Reading “Creepy Lobster Trap Valentine Tree Anyone?”
Snowed-in Cauliflower
Over the past few weeks our area has received over 70 inches of the white stuff, with more on the way next week. Consequently we have spent A LOT of time indoors, unable to leave the house. We have taken turns doing the shopping- depending… Continue Reading “Snowed-in Cauliflower”
I Lied. The Digging-Out Is The Hardest Part.
It is another sunny day! Only now the ground is under a couple more feet of snow. The wind was INTENSE as promised but overall it was far from Armageddon. Our power only flickered once and aside from Luna acting more homicidal than normal;… Continue Reading “I Lied. The Digging-Out Is The Hardest Part.”
The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny
Fresh snow is a wonderful opportunity to see what is going on in the woods that surround us. We all love to go walking around the woods; following animal trails and trying to figure out where they were going and what they were doing.… Continue Reading “The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny”
How To Tell If You Are ‘The Crazy Chicken Lady.’
When two of your FB friends (who don’t know each other and live thousands of miles apart) post pictures on your wall of chicken sweaters; you know you might be a ‘crazy chicken lady.’ Before, I could say that those are “very cool and… Continue Reading “How To Tell If You Are ‘The Crazy Chicken Lady.’”
Candy Boards And Frostbite. Ah, January In Maine.
Since the bees had such a hard time storing honey this summer and given the collapse of last year’s supper strong hive in February I think it is safe to say that I am dubious about these new hives making it to spring. We had to… Continue Reading “Candy Boards And Frostbite. Ah, January In Maine.”
Our Blog -anniversary!
Next week will mark one year since I started this little blog. I’m not entirely sure what I was doing when I did. Truthfully, I still don’t have much of a clue but I have come to realize that’s ok. I have never been one… Continue Reading “Our Blog -anniversary!”
The Borderline
The transition of the seasons and peculiarities of winter still excite me but this is only my fifth Maine winter. I am promised by old timers (and my husband) that this excitement will fade. Not yet! I still can’t get enough of all the… Continue Reading “The Borderline”
“I Only Know Enough To Know I Don’t Know Much.”
Because the beginning of next year starts with the end of this one I thought the end of last year was a good place to start the next. Confused yet? Don’t be. The changes this year held for us have been immense. We have done… Continue Reading ““I Only Know Enough To Know I Don’t Know Much.””
Snow, Rain, Sleet, Repeat.
The weather here the past week has been a bit indecisive. It seems as soon as we get some decent powder we get ice on top of it. The lakes and ponds have frozen, thawed. and frozen again. Most mornings we have woken up… Continue Reading “Snow, Rain, Sleet, Repeat.”
Glazed Maine
Some people start their morning with glazed donuts. Here in Maine, some mornings everything wakes up glazed. The only difference is how you drive.
The Eye, The Mountain and The Tree.
Sometimes (well ok- most of the time) I wish I could just go around life’s hard patches. Alas, I find again and again these phases are not only inevitable, but vital if I am to come out the other side any wiser. Many times I go through adversity only to vow… Continue Reading “The Eye, The Mountain and The Tree.”
“Looks Cold…”
We had our first real snow of this year. It’s really amazing that silently over night the yard can go from- to- I think the lettuce is finally done. The back garden is also out of commission till next year, season over. The chickens stayed… Continue Reading ““Looks Cold…””
The End of A Season
With snow flurries last week and the steady drop in temperature there is no denying that winter is near. The light takes on a thick quality at the beginning and end of the day and it is dark by 5pm. The last of the… Continue Reading “The End of A Season”
Down By The Trading Post.
I could be wrong, but I think that our little Maine town has exactly one of everything- a town hall, fire station, school (grades k-8,) post office, two church and a trading post. The trading post is the only store IN Acton. The closest grocery store to… Continue Reading “Down By The Trading Post.”
What IS Homesteading Anyway?
When we tell people that we live on a homestead we get a verity of reactions. They range from “oh, you live on a farm” to “so, you are like one of those doomsday preppers.” While both reactions are not wrong they do miss the mark- for… Continue Reading “What IS Homesteading Anyway?”
Pictures From Acton In Autumn
I have not really been taking too many pictures of the fall foliage here, mostly because I am too busy gawking at it. My commute takes me along the back roads and past some of the most amazing views from my car window. Everyday… Continue Reading “Pictures From Acton In Autumn”
Lessons From The Garden
Patience is one of those things I am going to spend the rest of my life learning (or trying to learn, as the case may be.) Growing anything from a seed teaches you a lot- if you are willing to listen. The good thing… Continue Reading “Lessons From The Garden”
A Familiar Loss
Since the death of my dad last fall, my choices have catapulted our lives into a bittersweet mix of trial and change. Some good some bad, all different. The homestead has had many births and new beginnings but today I fear we must again morn one of… Continue Reading “A Familiar Loss”
Following Life’s Not So Subtle (Road) Signs
“High Ho, High Ho, it’s off to work I go.” Well, to be honest as a restaurant “lifer” I have been sneaking shifts bar tending down South at a cool historic inn. It has been amazing to focus on the homestead and the boys… Continue Reading “Following Life’s Not So Subtle (Road) Signs”
September’s flower: Morning Glory
Even though I didn’t plant any this year, they are blooming all over the yard from last- with some scarlet runner beans for good measure. Along with more of our confused ‘bean’ pumpkin. Have a great day!
Have You Ever Seen A Lobster Roll/Taxidermy Stall? I Have!
Look Closely At All The Ways Acton Town Fair ROCKED! Each picture is worth at least 1,000 words!
Now And Then.
Now.. And then. The pumpkin/melon patch started in the green house. But it could not contain the awesomeness!
The garden today.
When we moved in, we became the proud owners of a beautiful lawn. A lawn we had no interest in maintaing. It surrounded the house. Far from being a blank canvas- this was canvas with someone else’s painting on it. I have mentioned before that I don’t… Continue Reading “The garden today.”
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
Answer: Because, I was chasing it. Wait. I’m staring this story in the middle. Let’s rewind to last month. Apparently, every year the day after Mother’s Day my husband goes ‘chicken crazy’ and cannot rest until we have acquired MORE chickens. We have been… Continue Reading “Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?”
Down By The River…
In our wandering around Maine we have seen some beautiful things. Peaceful rivers full of tumbled stones and some VERY cold water. Meanwhile down stream this lazy river joins with others and turned into a torrent. It even comes with multiple warnings. What siren?!… Continue Reading “Down By The River…”
We Went To Mexico- No One Spoke Spanish And We Saw A Moose!
That is because we went to Mexico, Maine. We have been meaning to go gold panning since we moved. Yesterday we got our butts in-gear and headed north. We saw lots of nothingness; punctuated by small towns and tons of lakes and ponds. Some… Continue Reading “We Went To Mexico- No One Spoke Spanish And We Saw A Moose!”
Emerging Life
Maine is amazing this time of year. It’s a trip to watch as sticks and barren ground explode with life. As if all the plants have to wait for frost to pass and then SPRINT for growth while the sun still shines and before the snow falls again. Quite… Continue Reading “Emerging Life”
Home
I have spent a lot of time writing about what we left behind in Ca: Family Friends My hometown The redwoods Our lives as we knew them I feel it is time to move on and give thanks today for where I woke up… Continue Reading “Home”
Spring Time in Maine Part II- The Thawing
It’s happening, really happening! Even though in your head you know spring has got to come. For a long time this winter I didn’t quite believe it. Neither did my husband. When I told him that spring must arrive sometime- since it does it… Continue Reading “Spring Time in Maine Part II- The Thawing”