Getting ready for Shop Local - Small Biz Saturday . . . this weekend in Rockland.

After the delightful first-time Open House last week, and the constructive responses and feedback received from visitors and friends, we are poised for the start of the 2015 Holiday Shopping Season. We especially want to celebrate Shop Local - Small Business Saturday, November 28. Our hats are off to our local small business neighbors here in the MidCoast Maine region. We are excited to join their ranks!

If you visit us soon, he's a glimpse of what you'll find in store, and in store. . .

Crafting away the days of December . . .

No, this is not one of my projects, but it tells you something about the highly creative community that I have landed in (Mid Coast Maine). 

Meanwhile, I am re-energized around my stash, new fleece I'm washing in my uber-bathroom (it's bigger than any I've had!), and connecting with other crafters. Life is pretty darn great right now.

Must read piece posted by Spin Artiste

Second, Third and into the Fourth Week . . .

My new life in Maine is a wonder. Lots of pleasant discoveries (people, places, things) as we continue to unpack, settle in, and get acquainted with the community. The photos tell the story, hopefully, better than any words could . . .

View behind our local hospital. Wow.

Stone bench in hospital foyer. Wow.

Ready for an anniversary dinner in Camden.

Celebrating 24 years together. Wow.

Pier we walk to most mornings. Wow.

Igby isn't sure you are supposed to be on top of the water like this, and without a life preserver.

What a dog park in Rockland looks like. Wow.

How we eat locally -- fried Brussels sprouts and  limited edition Maine brew. Wow.

Our dining room, still a work in progress.

A view worthy of the Wyeths. 

Walking to Owl's Head Lighthouse.

The AWESOME view on our walk. Wow.

Speechless.

Jeric likes it here very much.

This place is easy to love.

Too much fun skirting fleece . . .

Huh, you ask? Is that possible? In what way do you mean? Are you suggesting . . . "It's not possible to have fun skirting fleece." Or, conversely, are you of the mindset, "It's not possible to have TOO much fun skirting fleece!" I am definitely in the latter category, and I documented all the fun had this past week at The Salty Ewe Farm in Kennebunkport ME. Thirteen some fleeces later, I was in lanolin heaven.

Calendar and other random thoughts . . .

Waiting anxiously for the arrival of the sample calendars I designed to feature my sheep portfolio. The images were chosen from a group of new and older shots, black and white. I'm learning so much about online resources like Picassa, but the time spent on the project is astonishing. Suddenly hours have gone by. What have I accomplished? A little bit more confidence and that is worth it, I suppose.  Off to feed hungry boys now, one of whom talks to me about the delay in getting the dinner together. The other rests patiently, knowing I can be relied on to provide the victuals. Today saw another honey colored chow in the current issue of DownEast Magazine. That one lives with Martha Stewart, who is the subject of the feature article (she has a home on Mt Desert Island and has promoted Maine businesses and products for years). You can be that's one lucky dog.

Oh, just a few more . . .

Couldn't help but post a few more scenes from recent wool-and-dog fun-and-games.

Here's Jeric with new-ish friend Beate in ME, and Jeric keeping an eye on our dye pot.

More sheep shots from the visit . . .

And, volunteer work at Worcester Animal Rescue League. Liz is a great dog adoption coordinator. Tulip and Zeus think so, too.