What most adults would consider work, most kiddos would consider child's play--and many parents begin to get this figured out pretty early on. If you haven't yet figured this out, then you're missing out on some free of charge, very enthusiastic help!

So how did we pull this off? Well, first we just make it all look like it's just too much fun for words!

And then we let 'em try it on for size...

And they realize they can handle the big stuff...no prob!

Then she wanted a turn, too. Bless her heart, though, she was just too light to keep the seat weighted down enough--so the mower kept back-firing like crazy and wanting to completely conk out--not good. So we need to figure out how to weight her down a bit! Anyone heard of bricks in the britches...?

And then we discovered THIS contraption...

Can someone please make him stop...??! Babycakes will have NO grass left to nibble at this rate!

Oh well!

Whereas the winter time is a more hunker-down and hibernate sort of season in Maine, spring and summer usher in the more social season in Maine--prompting most people out to do what I refer to as 'toodling'--or just toodlin' for short. This could either be toodlin' around town or in antique shops or in the garden or out on the lakes or down by the sea shore or at the plethora of fairs and festivals that start cranking up in earnest--which, by the way, Small Farm Field Day will be this Sat.--woohoo!

Needless to say, we've been out doin' our fair share of toodlin' around ourselves over the past week or so. We were over with Jennifer and her family lendin' a hand with the major renovation of their new house. As we 3 women (Jen, her mom, and I) scraped 5 inches of multitudinous layers of embedded wallpaper off the kitchen walls, we just chit-chatted and girl-talked up a storm--and still managed to get alot done! While the men folk, far removed from the chit-chat realm, hoisted out old carpet and scoped out the plumbing problems--along with other very inhospitable projects.

We've also been toodlin' over to our land, and got it all burned--finally--the GRASS that is! And have also managed to get the final lifting pole up and 3 logs on in just the past couple of weeks--YAY!! I told you, my husband's gonna pulley-rig this thing to fruition--just stand back--he's on the loose!

We just got our tax return yesterday and have enough to get all the timbers for the roof, so we were out toodlin' around looking at logs--there happen to be lots of those up here! All I have to say is--bring on the thermal mass, baby!

From our land, we toodled on over to our friend's place to see all their springtime activity. Karyn has created this wonderful idea of a kitchen-like garden in a series of raised beds--right outside the door.  She's been rather stumped as to how to get more green in this area to grow--so she hit upon the notion of raised beds--I say perfect solution! I can't wait to see these once they're all filled in with luscious vegetables and berries!

They also plan to build up a low stone wall against the house to use as a bed for tomatoes. This little family is full-tilt, full-steam-ahead with this whole homestead thing and have so many wonderful ideas and ventures they're tackling with their 40 acres along the lake. Just sit tight 'cause I'll be sharing a whole lot more of what these modern homesteaders are up to very soon!

Just the term, 'Spring Tonics,' conjures up freshness, cleansing, invigorating images and the prettiest shades of cool, crisp cucumber green in my mind. Spring cleaning and cleansing are really resonating with me at the moment so let me show you a few of the sites I happened onto yesterday--before I lose track of 'em all!

Now all you naturalist, herbalist, super-healthy types have probably already heard of all this stuff before, so just please bear with me as I stumble through my lttle discoveries here. One thing I found was that dandelion greens and roots are packed full great nutrients and cleansing properties. Wow! Can I say, 'danelions!' I've got dandelions of the most sturdy organic variety growing like gang-busters--all over the place! OK, so that was cheap and easy.  Also good cleansing herbs are burdock, nettles, osha root, violets, mint and several more. Here are some sites that provide some tonic recipes I can't wait to try! First, Spring Cleaning Yourself and Spring Cleansing by Elson Haas, M.D. and here's a nice list of Spring herbs:

Dine on Spring Morsels
Several wild and natural foods are wonderful spring tonics. Try one or more of the following. If prepared right, they are delicious and oh, so nutritious, full of enzymes, minerals and other nutrients, as well as having cleansing properties.

1.Dandelion leaves
2.Sorrel
3. Nettles
4. Yellow dock
5. Red Beet
6. Watercress are all wonderful tonics for the liver, bringing renewed strength and vitality to the body.

7. Barberry
8. Milk Thistle
9. Red Clover
10.Burdock are herbs that are excellent for cleansing the liver and gall bladder, which boost the digestive and immune systems.

From Healing Intent.com

I'm discovering that I really need to get some sort of a juicer going if I really want to do this up right! Viva Terra has this snappy spicey recipe and here's another one by Recipe Zaar. Now, for some topical (versus internal) homemade cleansers, check out Care Fair for some wonderfully easy concoctions! Have fun and enjoy rejuvenating!

Can you see those? Can you see what those are...??! I spotted the very first lupines popping up along the road the other day! Oh, it's SO good to see color again! Wild flowers always make me so happy!

I must say, I am fairly bubblin' over here...I wish I could just bottle some of this 'Spring Intoxiication' and down it, say, some time in Feb. or March! I just have so many things I want to do and share with you--especially now that it's Spring! The warmth and the sunshine are seeping into my bones and I'm FINALLY releasing the lethargy and feeling that tingly, invigorated zest for life coming on in full force.  What a great feeling!  So, what's comin' up?  Well, first of all I'd love to talk some Spring cleaning and  get all inspired to continue plowing through all those organization and re-organization and deep cleaning projects that just really need to get done--sooner better than later!

We've finally gotten the tiny token garden all planted and I've put some flowers around the house.  They look a little sparse and lonely at the moment but I can't wait to see them all fill in and overflow! I'm also thinking about some window boxes...I've got a great book that consists of nothing more than gorgeous photos and ideas for window boxes--that would be fun to peruse again.

I also really want to be outdoors with the kiddos, so this is the time of year that we spend on nature study and literature (a.k.a. wonderful stories read under the trees on a huge blanket). I found some lovely illustrated children's books of wildfowers and gardens and beaches that I can't wait to rediscover again this summer--and I know you'll just LOVE 'em!

I've also misguidedly assumed that I should just store the sewing basket till the cold months, but I'm re-thinking that whole ridiculous notion as well. I saw an old photograph of this woman outside spinning wool in the sunshine and I thought, "Hey...why not?" Why in the world didn't I consider this before? I can knit, stitch, hook, whatever it is outdoors too! So there. Silly me. So how about some pantaloons and pinafores for the girls and--we'll come up with something fun for the boys too!

Now, while I'm walkin' on this motivation high here, I'm thinkin' I need to get this body whipped back into some semblance of shape again, too. The white marshmallow look may have been all the rage for the Victorian ladies, but I just can't claim that level of Victoriana. Sorry.The Romantic Mom buck stops here. So how can I put this in more 'romantic' sounding terms....let's just say I need a nice nudge to the derriere! And perhaps we can top off the exercise regime by finding some great recipes for a cleansing tonic or two, too!

It's Memorial Day.....Parade Day....in Small Town, U.S.A.! And this is why I love Small Town, U.S.A.!

Comin' from a big city like Dallas, I totally revel in the simple small town atmosphere! It's not glitzy, it's not super-polished and hyped--and what's so refreshing to me is that they don't even pretend to be! What's even better is that they don't even WANT to be!

What it is--is a fun and familiar and full of families and "blink and you'll miss it!" kinda thing that's just enough to bring on some smiles and some band music and some honk-honks...

And some waves and some hoots n' hollers....

It's where you say hello to the folks you haven't seen all winter and carry on with some good old-fashioned flag waving! And thank God for America and those who have given their lives to protect our precious freedoms! I say bring on Small Town, U.S.A.!

Have a great Memorial Day and God bless you!

We enjoyed a great dinner with our new found, New Mexico transplanted friends now here in Maine--otherwise known as Jennifer of beautiful Bliss Home Goods and her family. We joined in on the celebration of the closing (that would never close) on their new house. I'm now convinced as to how Jennifer comes by her creative bent and talents--her lovely parents have created the sweetest Maine-cottage home in their renovation-in-progress of an old connected farmhouse (my favorite!) replete with bright bouncy tulips, sunny porches, and forget-me-nots under the trees. 

While the kiddos were all over this wonderful wooden swing, I was all over these scrumptious sopapillas--and I most certainly can't recollect the LAST time I had sopapillas! But I  do believe I can attest to the certain fact that we were most likely the ONLY ones  last night in Maine treated to homemade sopapillas! Nothin' like a little Tex-Mex New-Mex mixed up in Maine!

So while we're on this mixed up topic and while I'm practicing up on gettin' the sopapillas down pat, I'll just pass some Tex-Mex New-Mex mixed up recipes--that are super easy and scrumptious, too--on to you!

Chicken Wraps and Fajitas This would be our version ...

Soft Tortillas (white, wheat or your favorite flavor)
Skirt Steak (grilled and seasoned to your liking--see below for our favorite seasonings)
Chicken Tenders (we prefer the sweet & spicy Asian style)
Chopped lettuce
Chopped cilantro
Chopped tomatoes
Salsa (see recipe below)
Shredded cheese
Olde Cape Cod Chipolte Ranch Dressing

Lay down the tortilla, thinly slice the meat (chicken and/or beef) and lay on the meat of your choice (or use sliced avocados or Guacamole salad instead--for a yummy vegetarian fare!) down the center of your tortilla, then pile on the accoutrements, and top off with the wonderful Chipolte Ranch dressing. Roll 'em up and serve with my incredibly tasty and very easy Guacamole Salad (see recipe)

Skirt Steak Seasoning (taken from How to Grill by Steven Raichlen)

1 1/2 lbs. skirt steaks
1 T pure chili powder
1 t ground coriander
1 T coarse salt
1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t black pepper
2 limes

Place skirt steaks in a nonreactive baking dish in a single layer. Combine the chili powder, coriander, salt, cumin, garlic and onion powders, and black pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Sprinkle this mixture over the meat, patting it on with your fingertips. Let stand for 10 minutes. Squeeze the limes over the meat. Let marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour, covered.

And here you'll find the Recipes for the

Zippy-Zangy Salsa and Wonderfully Simple Guacamole Salad

We just feel so tremendously blessed to be plopped in the current location we're plopped in right now. We are surrounded by such beautiful families and farms around here in this rural region of Maine.

One such place is Avalon Acres Orchard and Farm found just a couple of miles around the bend behind us--with a hilltop view overlooking our serenely lovely Indian Lake here in St. Albans.

This couple moved up here to Maine a couple or so years ago and have renovated, refurbished, re-instituted....re-whatever it is you do to a languishing orchard and traditional lovely New England farmhouse, to restore it back to its former glory.

And I should say it's really much MORE than it's former glory because they're moving way beyond merely apples (although apples are PLENTY of work in and of themselves). They offer an assortment of fresh organic foods including vegetables from their garden, blueberries, strawberries....and, according to what they were mentioning last fall, they will eventually have peaches and maple syrup, too. And here's Avalon Acres at apple picking time.

Yes, Avalon Acres is a member of The Maine Highlands Farmers organization which is a wonderful resource for local farmers and lists several more farms and orchards in this area just waiting to be visited and supported. You can find all the details you need there!

Since the season is rapidly upon us and I was checking some of this out for myself, I'm going to go ahead and post a few of the goings on coming up here in Maine! So hurry and mark the calendar!

Maine Fairs Listed by Date

Maine Agricultural Fairs Fairs listed in chronological order:



July 3, 2008 - July 6, 2008 Houlton Fair
A small fair featuring livestock, crafts, midway and state entertainment.
Location: Houlton, Maine
Contact: Lori Weston
25 Chandler Street, Houlton, ME 04730
207-532-2977
http://www.houltonfair.com



July 10, 2008 - July 13, 2008 Ossipee Valley Fair
Old-fashion fair. Unique exhibit halls, lots of livestock, midway and drag racing, animal pulling events.
Location: Hiram, Maine
Contact: Kathleen Haley
Box 548, Limington, ME 04049
207-793-8434
http://www.ossipeevalleyfair.com



July 18, 2008 - July 20, 2008 Waterford World's Fair
A small community fair.
Location: North Waterford, Maine
Contact: Penelope Hill
P.O. Box 174, Waterford, ME 04267
207-583-4160
http://www.nwwf08.org



July 24, 2008 - July 27, 2008 Pittston Fair
Small, family oriented country fair with midway, animal pulling events, children's games, woodsman contest.
Location: Pittston, Maine
Contact: Hope Ricker
P.O,Box 351, Gardiner, ME 04345-0351
207-582-4969




July 25, 2008 - August 3, 2008 Bangor State Fair
A Large family fair featuring a midway, animal exhibits, crafts, commercial exhibits, flower show, animal pulling events, and harness racing.
Location: Bangor, Maine
Contact: Sally Bilancia
100 Dutton Street, Bangor, ME 04401
207-947-5555
http://www.bangorstatefair.com



July 25, 2008 - August 2, 2008 Northern Maine Fair
Large family fair lot of rides, exhibits, horse pulling, harness racing, tractor pulling, demo derby.
Location: Presque Isle
Contact: Lynwood Winslow
PO Box 804, Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-764-2927
http://www.northernmainefairgrounds.com



July 30, 2008 - August 2, 2008 Monmouth Fair
A small family agricultural fair with a midway, animal exhibits, crafts, and animal pulling events.
Location: Monmouth
Contact: Lisa Cunliffe
PO Box 327, Monmouth, Maine 04259-0327
207-933-5053
http://www.monmouthgrows.com/monmouthfair



August 1, 2008 - August 3, 2008 Athens Fair
Small country fair with animal exhibits, crafts, and midway.
Location: Athens, Maine
Contact: Donna Avery
PO Box 111, Athens, ME 04912
206-654-2028




August 3, 2008 - August 9, 2008 Topsham Fair
Agricultural exhibits, animal pulling events, 4-H, crafts, midway, and harness racing.
Location: Topsham, Maine
Contact: Tad Hunter
P.O. Box 236, Topsham, Maine 04086
207-729-1544
http://www.topshamfair.net



August 7, 2008 - August 16, 2008 Skowhegan State Fair
A large family fair featuring a midway, animal exhibits, crafts, commercial exhibits, flower show, animal pulling events, and harness racing.
Location: Skowhegan, Maine
Contact: Rebecca Turner
PO Box 39, Skowhegan, ME 04976-0039
207-474-2947
http://www.skowheganstatefair.com



August 16, 2008 - August 23, 2008 Union Fair
A large agricultural fair famous for the annual Blueberry Festival-large midway, crafts, animal pulling events, harness racing.
Location: Union, Maine
Contact: George L. Field
1501 Western Road, Warren, Maine 04864
207-273-2772
http://www.unionfair.org



August 21, 2008 - August 24, 2008 Piscataquis Valley Fair
A milking parlor with home made ice cream, agricultural exhibits, crafts, midway, animal pulling events.
Location: Dover-Foxcroft
Contact: Deanne Merrill
PO Box 197, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
207-943-2650
http://www.PiscataquisValleyFair.com



August 21, 2008 - August 24, 2008 Acton Fair
Outstanding exhibits, 4H, livestock exhibit, flower show, animal pulling events, midway.
Location: Acton, Maine
Contact: Lista Staples
178 Nason Road, Shapleigh, ME 04076
207-636-2026
http://actonfair.tripod.com



August 24, 2008 - September 1, 2008 Windsor Fair
A large progressive fair with extensive agricultural , craft, art exhibits. Large midway, animal pulling events, harness racing, and mechanical pulling.
Location: Windsor, Maine
Contact: Lincoln Orff
PO Box 971, Jefferson, ME 04348
207-549-7121
http://www.windsorfair.com



August 28, 2008 - September 1, 2008 Blue Hill Fair
Great country fair midway, exhibits, non-parimutuel racing, animal pulling events, entertainment. You can e-mail the fair office: office@bluehillfair.com
Location: Blue Hill, Maine
Contact: Robert Eaton
PO Box 390, Blue Hill, ME 04614
207-374-3701
http://www.bluehillfair.com



August 29, 2008 - September 1, 2008 Springfield Fair
Stage show, animal pulling events-antique auto, midway, livestock exhibits.
Location: Route 169, Springfield, ME
Contact: Kirk Ritchie
P.O. Box 342, Lee, ME 04455
207-738-2888
http://thespringfieldfair.com



August 29, 2008 - September 1, 2008 Harmony Free Fair
This is a small free fair featuring rides, crafts, food and motor sports, as well as animals.
Location: Harmony, Maine
Contact: Mel Chadbourne
177 Chadbourne Rd, Harmony, Maine 04942
207-683-5873
http://www.harmonyfreefair.org



September 4, 2008 - September 7, 2008 Clinton Lions Fair
Family atmosphere, midway, animal pulling events, mechanical pulling events, exhibits, stage entertainment.
Location: Clinton, Maine
Contact: Jon Whitten, Sr.
12 McNally Road, Clinton, Maine 04927
207-426-8013 or 207-474-8287 e-mail:jonw1@verizon.net
http://www.clintonlionsfair.com



September 5, 2008 - September 7, 2008 Litchfield Fair
Country fair with large midway, agricultural exhibits, livestock, animal pulling events.
Location: Litchfield, Maine
Contact: G. David Bryas, Sr.
125 Dennis Hill Road, Litchfield, ME 04350
207-683-2487
Physical address is 44 Plains Road. From I-95 get off at the Richmond/Litchfield Exit. Turn on Route 197 (away from Richmond). At the Litchfield four corners turn right.



September 7, 2008 - September 13, 2008 Oxford County fair
Livestock Shows, animal pulling events, midway, crafts, exhibits and harness racing track.
Location: Oxford, Maine
Contact: Susanne Grover
Box 193, Norway, Maine 04268
207-743-9594
http://www.oxfordcountyfair.com



September 8, 2008 - Cornish Fair (Unlicensed)
This is a horse racing venue
Location: Cornish, Maine
Contact: Joan Bettencourt
12 Cumberland Street, Cornish, ME 04020
207-625-4469




September 12, 2008 - September 14, 2008 New Portland Lions Fair
Midway, exhibit hall, animal pulling events, crafts, livestock exhibits.
Location: North New Portland, Maine
Contact: John Duff
6 Winter Drive, Embden, ME 04958
207-566-5722




September 14, 2008 - September 20, 2008 Farmington Fair
Large midway, exhibit halls, livestock exhibits, animal pulling events, harness racing.
Location: Farmington, Maine
Contact: Neal Yeaton
P.O. Box 652, Farmington, ME 04938
207-778-6083




September 19, 2008 - September 21, 2008 Common Ground Country Fair
A celebration of rural life, demonstrations, Maine organic produced foods and crafts as well as livestock exhibits.
Location: Unity, Maine
Contact:
PO Box 170, Unity ME 04988
207-568-4142
http://www.mofga.org



September 21, 2008 - September 27, 2008 Cumberland Fair
Large exhibit halls, midway, and livestock exhibits. Animal pulling events and harness racing.
Location: Cumberland Center, Maine
Contact: Michael Timmons
140 Bruce Hill Road, Cumberland, Maine 04021
207-829-4856
http://www.cumberlandfair.com



September 28, 2008 - October 5, 2008 Fryeburg Fair
Maine's largest agricultural fair. Beautiful setting in prime foliage time. Exhibit halls, museum, harness racing and livestock shows.
Location: Fryeburg, Maine
Contact: June Hammond
Box 78, Fryeburg, ME 04037
207-935-3268
http://www.fryeburgfair.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION Frederick B. Lunt, Jr., Fair Coordinator
Maine Department of Agriculture
28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0028
Tel: 207-287-7634
e-mail: fred.lunt@maine.gov

Maine Craft Fairs 2008 Show Schedule

With over 13 fall shows Maine craft fairs and Maine Made Craft Shows is widely known as the Best Craft Shows in Maine. Anyone looking for quality Maine craft fairs or shows won't be disappointed in our unique selection of craftsmen. Lois Taylor Promotions has over 25 years experience presenting a wide variety of quality arts and crafts to tens of thousands of customers all over Maine. For more information read our show rules.

With a fall show schedule of over 13 shows that are in various locations in Maine and Massachusetts. Both customers and craftsmen have maximum exposure.

Advertising is by newspapers, television, flyers, and radio including live on the spot interviews with both craftsmen and customers at selected areas. As we have a huge loyal following, Our motto makes sense; "Buy direct from the craftsmen and save"!

You have two ways to send in your applications where you can mail out your forms and the new way over the internet check it out.


Maine & Massachusetts
Craft Fairs, Christmas Shows,
Festivals, and a Gift Show
June 2008 Festival
26th Annual Lakersmese
Franco-Americaine Festival
St Louis Field, Corner of West & Prospect Streets, Biddeford, Me 04005
Over 16,00 admission badges sold

June 27-29
Craft Tent Hours only: Friday 4-10PM, Saturday 11-10PM, Sunday 11-7PM, Some crafters may stay open later.

While I'm on the subject of posting upcoming events, here's a great one that we don't want to miss!

Click on the link below for all the fun and informative details!

Small Farm Field Day in Maine