A Walk in the Woods

Field trips abound this Fall!  They are simply everywhere and we are getting right into them.  Nothing says "I like learning" like a good field trip.  Thus far, we have gone to fire safety day at the local school,  visited the Maine state museum for "bug mania" and "earth science day" and visited the Botanical Gardens with a group of dedicated educators.

It is amazing how carrying a little magnifying glass actually does make you be more aware of your surroundings.

It was a wonderful trip in which we received a tour of the woods.  In the woods the boys learned to look for the different types of moss,  mushrooms and to move logs to find little slimy creatures.  Much of this they already do at home, but there is just something special about having someone else show you how to be more observant while on a hike.  At home, the boys tend to tromp on through while I am stuck in the back attempting to study the woods as well as navigate the "trail" of fallen logs, stumps, and branches.

After our wonderful little wood walk we were sent out like little birds out of the nest to explore the gardens.  Impressed doesn't begin to share how I was feeling about the plans, care, and implementation of this place.  I was torn between simply enjoying my surroundings while also wondering how on earth they had the money to do what they had done.  The children's garden is wonderful with its own little library, clubhouse, bear cave, ponds, and fountains.  Something else that blew my mind was the 5 senses garden in which you walked through sections that were planted with a specific sense in mind.  Simply amazing!

"sound rocks" were a huge hit as we all tried to fit our heads in the rock and hear our voice bounce off the sides.

I hear that the gardens are quite pricey to visit, but if you get a school group together and get a tour the cost is very manageable.  So go get a group together and plan an entire day to explore this beautiful garden.

The "sound" section of the 5 senses garden included a waterfall.

There is still time for more field trips before we are all snowed in.  I wonder what other adventures we can come up with.

Cider Pressing

Cider pressing season is here, and man that makes us all happy!  There are few things as wonderful as a fresh cup of thick aromatic sweet apple cider!

MMMMM!  Doesn't it look good, gooey, and downright delicious?  Nothing beats fresh pressed cider. Nothing.  Well, maybe God. He would beat it with a stick.  Okay, now we are just rambling.  Go find some fresh cider and you will ramble too!

The Gardens

A lot is happening here this fall.  Despite the rain we have still managed to get a few things done to prepare for Winter.  The biggest thing is that we have a wonderful skidder making trails in our woods as he collects hemlock, pine, and poplar for pulp.  A wonderful side effect to this is that we are also getting some very large hemlock pieces to mill next year into lumber to build a barn ( sugarhouse, garage...).  We have also managed to complete our hoop house over the broccoli plants.  I am hoping that this will protect my little darlings through the first few frosts enough so that they actually produce before snowfall.  We shall see if this little experiment works!

Eli and Siah watching the stone cutters at the fair.  They don't look happy do they?  The atmosphere there wasn't very friendly.

What is happening in school right now?  Well, last week we spent a day at the Commonground Country Fair, and tomorrow, we are off to the Botanical Gardens of Maine!  Time to get those field trips in before the snow keeps up housebound!