Tag Archives: nature

Uncategorized

Viles Arboretum … part one.

20 Comments

.

The weather was perfect. The tourists were nowhere to be seen. And my husband is still retired… for now. So I stuffed him in the car and we crossed something off my endless Things To Do In Maine bucket list.

.

.

Viles Arboretum. A 224 acre non profit botanic garden run by the state which conserves wetlands, forest and fields and offers free access to anyone wanting to enjoy miles of nature trails.

.

.

There were sculptures scattered throughout.

.

.

Most of which were for sale. Though for $15,000, we decided to pass.

.

.

Most of the walking was easy and the boardwalks over the wet areas were quite welcome.

.

.

If you know my husband, you know he has to stop and read every single word of every single plaque about every single tree.

.

.

Scrap metal bird sculpture. Lord Dudley would be terrified.

.

.

It was a lovely way to spend the day and we leisurely strolled through meadows that turned to marsh…

.

.

That turned to ponds.

.

.

That turned to wetlands…

.

.

And back to meadows.

.

.

To be continued….

.

Uncategorized

A scenic drive that ended with lunch at the shoe factory.

31 Comments

.

When it’s a beautiful summer day in Maine, you grab your husband and head west.

.

.

Not quite to the mountains, but we could see them from our windows .

.

.

Destination? A highly recommended Italian restaurant in an old converted shoe factory.

.

.

It was a rustic place, full of exposed beams and brick.

.

.

No, I didn’t order that.

.

.

I went with a fruity white Sangria instead.

.

.

Cheesy garlic bread appetizer with homemade sauce started us off.

.

.

It was too windy to sit outside but we did watch the umbrellas tip over a few times.

.

.

Our meals were amazing. Decadently rich grilled chicken Alfredo for the hubs, Burgundy marinated filet tips on vegetable risotto for me.

We were stuffed and since the portions were hardy, went home with ample leftovers… but that didn’t stop us from ordering dessert to go.

.

.

Yours truly is not leaving an Italian restaurant without Tiramisu.

.

.

Calzolaio Pasta Co, is going on the list of River approved dining spots.

How could it not? On the way there….

.

.

Cows!

.

Uncategorized

It certainly doesn’t look like 3+ hours work.

48 Comments

.

First, I weeded the garden bed.

.

.

Which…. when you’re old adjacent at 59 and have a blown knee… isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

.

.

Then I sprinkled a container of shake and feed bloom booster.

And worked it into the soil with a blister boosting rake.

.

.

Then I watered the soil and planted the few flowers the woodchucks left me.

.

.

Three hours plus for a few measly perennials.

.

.

$200 worth of flowers barely made a dent. That’s just wrong.

🥴

.

Uncategorized

First baby chuck sighting.

11 Comments

.

It was bound to happen. Momma woodchuck found a safe home under our barn and she’s going to raise all her children there from now on.

Yesterday I spotted the first baby nibbler.

.

.

I know they eat all my flowers, but damn it. They’re so stinking cute!

.

.

There are four children this year and they’re just starting to venture out in the open.

.

.

As long as mom is around that is.

.

.

My garden is doomed.

.

Uncategorized

Plants and pickles.

25 Comments

.

It’s finally time to start planting some annuals around Casa River. It’s really only safe after Memorial Day as we had frosty nights right up until the end of May.

.

.

A few geraniums.

.

.

Some peachy begonias on the kitchen porch.

.

.

A line of alternating marigolds.

.

.

And it was back to the greenhouse for another trunkful. One can never have too many flowers.

My husband disagrees, but what does he know?

.

.

A pizza. With pickles. And pickle flavored potato chips. Christ, it might as well have kale.

🤢

.

.

I always thought I was one of those people who said – I’ll eat anything as long as it’s covered in chocolate.

Turns out I was wrong.

.

Uncategorized

Miscellaneous drivel.

19 Comments

.

Remember those $50 blueberry bushes we bought at the nursery?

Turns out they had the same ones at the grocery store for $25.

.

.

The husband couldn’t resist.

.

.

There are days when I prefer to soak myself in alcohol, but apples and watermelons work too.

.

.

I passed on the meatloaf mountain. Bread and potatoes? That’s a bit much.

.

.

Here’s the Junior chuck, just chillin’ on the deck landing.

.

.

Probably still full from all those flowers he devoured.

😖

.

Uncategorized

Foxy lady.

18 Comments

.

Mr. Fox brought his significant other last night for a nosh.

.

.

See the stalks by the fox on the left? Husband found some wild asparagus in the field and thought the woodchucks would eat it. Sadly, they prefer my flowers and didn’t touch it.

.

.

We love our foxes.

.

.

They’re such graceful, beautiful creatures.

.

.

If only they’d develop a taste for red squirrel.

.

.

Surely they have hungry pups who need a snack.

.

.

😉

.