The Blueberry Hillbillies!

When we first moved to Appleton from our home in Vermont, David insisted on doing most of the move ourselves with the idea that we would save money if we just left the big items for the movers. He purchased a box trailer and we started making the trek across the White Mountains with our belongings. We made about 7 round trips before everything was moved. I did NOT enjoy this process one bit. Along the way on one of the trips I started hear the theme song for The Beverly Hillbillies playing in my head. I then started to sing it aloud but with different lyrics which included the loading up the truck and moving to Appleton. It was funny at the time, you had to be there I suppose. Ever since then, I think of us as The Blueberry Hillbillies. We love our surrounding blueberry barrens. They make up a very scenic part of Maine and provide space for lots of wildlife viewing not to mention the benefits of eating Wild Maine Blueberries from your own backyard! Click here for more info on Maine's Native Berry.

Great place to watch a thunderstorm and resulting rainbow!

Little and Feather-less!

We have continued to watch the Robin pair dutifully look after their nest despite our comings and goings. We of course try to use the back door as much as possible but its not always so easy. Finally one day, after much concern that the eggs would never hatch because the birds left the nest every time we were anywhere nearby, David climbed up and took this photo. We actually never could see in to the nest, David would get on a step ladder, hold his hand up and over the edge and snap the photo. One of the many great things about digital images is that we could see right away if there was anything going on in the nest.

Eventually all three do hatch!

This Summer we fostered a black lab puppy called Daisy. We, especially Rosie, had so much fun with the puppy. Here are some photos:

Daisy's first hike!

After a play session, Rosie is tuckered out but Daisy still ready to go!

Early Summer Garden

parsnips and carrots and kale, oh my!

We've enjoyed the warm weather this Summer, Maine Summers can be chilly and raining but this year temps have even been up in to the 90s on a few days. This means lots of watering duty, especially for the container gardens and raised beds. We have purchased a half share in a local CSA. Community Supported Agriculture is a great concept which allows local people to support their nearby farms, buying a "share" before planting which enables the farmer to purchase what he needs to plant and harvest, then the "shareholders" visit the farm weekly to pick up their portion of the harvest. We have our share at Hope's Edge Farm which is a beautiful property. Each week I look forward to picking up our 1/2 share and when we combine this with what we are harvesting from our own gardens, I find we have way too much food! I have been using the surplus in my cooking classes, making Cancer Preventing food from colorful, fresh, local, seasonal produce. Eating from the Rainbow is a sure way to have an abundance of Cancer-Fighting antioxidants. For a free PDF of the Nutrition Rainbow click here.
We have moved on from Strawberries to Blueberries. The Robin babies are growing fast, and the Gardens at Blueberry Cottage (combined with our CSA) are starting to produce enough food to sustain us and share with others. Life is definitely a thrill on Blueberry Hill! Until Later.....

Sláinte