photo:  freedigitalphotos.net
The Bird Feeder

I always loved the idea of feeding birds, and watching them collect and flutter around the feeder. Now that I'm never moving again (please, oh please), just outside my kitchen window seemed the perfect place to setup a feeder. Easy-- buy one of those shepherd's crook thingys, and a feeding station, load it, set it up, and Wa-La! Birds!

Well, not exactly. The first year or so hardly anybody came. I knew what I needed: a neon sign flashing "FREE EATS HERE!". I don't think they really make those, actually.

No, I must be patient and Zen about this. So I added a thistle feeder to the crook (songbirds love thistle), and practiced deep breathing.

The second year, many visitors came, but it was clear they were just sampling the fare. Keep breathing. Deep breathing.

The following year I found another "crook" hanger on sale at Marden's (if you've not shopped at Marden's, a real local hangout, you're just a tourist: "from away"). Had to have it- so I stuck it in the ground about three feet from the first one, and added another feeding station and a hanging birdbath. I'd hunted for this particular bird feeder: it was a rectangular box- lots of space (useful when the snow gets too deep to reach the feeder), and a roofed-over place to put suet cakes(the poor birds who stay the winter need all the fat they can add to stay warm, and pounding rain and blizzards tend to make short work of the suet if it's not covered).

I also planted scarlet runner beans around the poles, and they did just what I'd hoped: grew all around the bird feeders, providing cover and gorgeous scarlet flowers, with the added benefit of a crop of sweet-tasting beans. And one other thing-hummingbirds showed up! Wow! Even in Maine! Grow more Flowers! But will anyone else ever come?     photo:  free digital photos.net

  

"Free Seeds"

A couple of weeks ago, a woman in the next town offered free flower seeds on freecycle.org,a great swapping resource probably available everywhere. "Free" being one of my very favorite words, I headed off to her place to pick them up. But this turned out to be no ordinary rural Maine home. The impeccably landscaped grounds reminded me of favorite places from my childhood: the Bayard Cutting Aboretum, the Vanderbilt Estate, places on Long Island that had opened their grounds to the public. First mistake: she asked if I'd like to take a look around, and I said, "you bet!".

On we walked, chatting about plants, mulch, lawns, sun and shade, all of the really fascinating subjects gardeners obsess about. I noticed a whole area of pots of what looked like tiger lilies,post bloom. She said these were her real passion. "Really?" I said,thinking- who could care that much about a bunch of stupid tiger lilies? "How interesting", I said, in the words my mother had carefully imbued in us when responding to a complete nutcase. (Mistake#2). She proceeded to explain the cross-pollination process and seed collecting he was doing to achieve new hybrids in shape and color. She suggested I go online to The Lily Auction (lilyauction.com)to see what she was talking about. And there's mistake #3: I went online. Wow, I couldn't believe the incredible shapes, colors and varieties there! I mean, white with purple streaks and a lime green throat?

Those seeds, needless to say, have ended up being the most expensive "free" seeds I ever got, but I can't wait till next summer, to see my own lilies come into bloom.

Uh, one thing: if you do place an order for lilies, you might want to write down a general description of each "goodie" you order, so that when they come,you'll plant them according to the plan you've made. (you DID make a plan, right?) When your order arrives, each plant is labeled with the variety name you chose; but what the heck color is "Big Kiss"??? Or"Goblin Moon", or "Denali"?
Not doing this (who, me?) makes the anticipation even more charged- what WILL these things look like when they come into bloom? I'll let you know.....

                                                           

This is a recipe we enjoy every fall.  I don't remember where I originally got the recipe but over the years we've added walnuts and more spices.  We enjoy it plain as well as toasted and buttered.  It hits the spot on those cold autumn mornings. 

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Walnut Bread

1 can pumpkin puree (15 oz)
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour 3  7x3 loaf pans

In a large bowl, mix pumpkin puree, oil, water, eggs and sugar until well blended.  In a separate bowl whisk together remaining dry ingredients.  Stir into pumpkin mixture until just blended.  Pour into prepared loaf pans. 

Bake at 350 degrees in preheated oven for 50 minutes. Bread is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

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