Common Ground Fair

Last weekend we also had the opportunity to go to the Common Ground Fair
It was amazing, I had not been in years. I finally became a member of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).


I would like to grow some of these pumpkins next year, I love the way they look.

There was all walks of life at the fair. It was fun to just kick back and watch the crowd. 59,000 attended the 3 day event. Check out her dreadlocks.

The kids had the chance to play like we did when we were kids. Sliding down a hill on cardboard.

You take a couple pieces of newspaper and then one piece of colored paper (he choose camouflage) you place them on a paint can and then wrap masking tape around the can and paper 2-3 inches down. Viola...one groovy hat.

We milked a goat, a first for all of us.

Even our Maine Man..... initially he resisted (I think because he knew I'd get a snapshot) but with a bit of peer pressure he caved.


I got lots of good ideas from the crafters. Painted gourds aren't these cool? We did not grow gourds this year and we usually do, we will for sure next year.

Can you guess what this is?

For A Good Cause!!!

This past weekend we were blessed to have the opportunity to go to a benefit for Pine Tree Camp. "Pine Tree Camp offers Maine children and adults with disabilities an extraordinary summer camp experience."
I encourage you to click on this link and watch the video, I cried through most of it.

This boy above along with his dad and many other volunteers are what make this is event happen. This was their second annual gathering. Last year they used the money towards a tree house (wheel chair accessible...pictures below) and this years money is going towards a playground.

Isn't that AWESOME??

I could resist taking a picture of this shelf that was in the tree house, it is built of birch, isn't it cool? I want one!

Even a clown!

The kids loved her!
A fishing pole
John's niece was there with her friend

This is one of the t-shirts they had, the boy to the left is the boy in the first picture.
I wanted to buy one but there was no more in my size :(

Below is a picture of one of my Best Buds from high school, Miki. She is ALWAYS doing something to help someone out! She was one of the volunteers who made this day happen.

Nice glasses Bud!

A dance group came out and performed Annie, it was a hoot!

My favorite picture.... Dad and his boy.

A chicken

Miki brought out their beagle pups they were a hit. We begged and pleaded with our Maine Man but he said "NO" :(

We will volunteer with next years event. We had a great time!

THANK YOU!!

A big thanks to Angie at Children in the Corn
for passing this award on too me and the rule is to pass it on.
There are lots of blogs out there I enjoy but here are just a
few that I will pass it on to.

* Wiked Awesome Parenting
because she makes me laugh out loud.

* Coast Rat because his kind heart and volunteer efforts blow me away.

* Country Boy because he is my son and why wouldn't I love his blog.

* Living The Road Less Traveled because Jodi is a beer drinking Mainer (oh yeah and a sweet little Momma)

* Throwback at Trapper Creek
because Nita is a wealth of knowledge, I always learn something new when I read her posts.

P.S. No obligations to pass this along!



Also another thanks to Angie at Children in the Corn for mailing this out to John all the way from Michigan. Maybe we can tackle this project over the winter because it is looking like we could really use it sooner than later. Not a good fall project because nothing gets done in the fall because "It's hunting season."

Also thanks to City Girl for the pears, as you can see we ate a bunch before I could take a picture. They are so yummy!! We ate lots as is and I made a pear crisp last night. Thanks again! City Girl is a regular commenter on my blog (and personal buddy). I have been trying for months to get her to start her own blog. She has agreed to be a guest blogger here and share some of her secrets to saving money at the grocery store. I am still waiting for her post. No pressure Amy!

Hosted by Two Frog Home
Monday update: I have been doing cardio 2-3 times a week and finally picked the weights back up. TRYING to watch what I eat and cut back on diet pepsi ( I'm an addict). Attempting to eat more homemade/whole foods and less processed junk.

I am behind on reading others blogs and responding to comments. Sorry :(
Took about 150 pictures this weekend....I will be sharing when I have more time!
GOODNIGHT!

FALL MADNESS

This summer we raised 23 meat birds, another first for us. They were honestly the best chickens I've ever eaten! We were down to 4 or 5 in the freezer and I mentioned to John that I'd like to get some more because I didn't care to eat store bought chickens again. Same thing that happened after having laying birds, now I only want farm fresh eggs....I see a pattern here.
So for all you that know John or have followed this blog know that John is always looking for a good deal and the more chicks you buy the cheaper. So you know it he ordered 200 chicks and received 208 because you always get a few extras. He was hoping to sell 150 or so but, here we are in Maine, it is September but it feels like November and we still have 177 left (30 went to a new home and 1 died ) YIKES!!!
Guess you know what everyone is getting for Christmas this year!
I did want to declare a homemade Christmas this year...homegrown same thing right?
I guess we'll just keep our fingers crossed and hope we get some calls or take some to the auction.

Neglected goats

That is a sweet potato, I was thrilled to see the vine actually produced something. We didn't realize that you could grow them in Maine. They started out as an experiment after seeing it on others blogs. I can't wait to dig them up!

A Blue Heron at the pond. I tried all summer to get a picture of him (her) and finally Luke was able to capture the moment .

Last year we planted edamames and the beans were real tiny, this year they came out perfect, not sure if it was because of all the rain we had this season or because we left them on the plant longer?

We harvested approx 6 bunches of celery. We have relentlessly planted this year after year with no success until this year.

As usual this year we had many more tomatoes than we wanted to process. My neighbor and I purchased this sauce master from Johnny's Select Seed . John and I processed a bushel basket of tomatoes in 30 minutes. We are very pleased with how well it worked just turn the handle and the skins and seeds shoot out the end and sauce flows out the side. The basket made 31/2 gallons and we added peppers onions and spices and turned it into a great spaghetti sauce. The skins and seeds were feed to the pigs.


Lastly, a picture for John's Aunt Bea that requested a more recent photo. This is last June, John's graduation.



That is it for now I need to get some rest I am headed to the Common Ground Fair in the morning with friends from work.
Happy Weekend! :)