Original publish date: Feb. 25th, 2011

Most of the wood in the shed has been moved into the wood furnace after Jake stacked it so nicely this summer.

 But look how beautiful it is on the railing and the bird feeder. 

  Then there is the incomparable fun of a hot sunny day with flowers, friends and the rope tow out back!

Original publish date: Feb. 16th, 2011

Snow shoes work well for adventures out back (down to the lake).  As long as you are well bundled you can stay out and enjoy the sunshine in the woods.  Up hill is always warmer!

Original publish date: Jan. 21st, 2011

During these cold and wintery months a little extra color and warmth can bring a burst of joy to our lives. With this is mind, Harvest Gold Gallery is pleased to present a beautiful collection of handmade quilts to be on display through the winter season. Quilters, Carole and Charles Hicks of Bridgeton, Maine have been immersed in both the quilting and art industry for several years. Their collection of quilts denotes wildlife motifs reminiscent of Maine’s stunning outdoors accented with bright geometric patterns. Carole received her education through classes offered by Cornell University in Hicksville, NY and later went on to teach classes in sewing. With her spare time she continues to further learn the artistry of quilting while also learning to batik handbags, penny wool rugs, needle punch and paper pierce. She is a member of the Chickadee Quilters Association of Bridgeton, ME as well as the Pine Tree Quilters of Maine Association. Her husband Charles has taught classes in industrial arts in both Levittown, NY and for the Lake Region High District in Naples, ME. Together they have received ribbons for their quilts from the Fryeburg Fair Association and are honored throughout the North East for the exquisitely handcrafted and aesthetically designed quilts. The collection of quilts at Harvest Gold Gallery include king, queen, twin, and baby sizes in addition to the one of a kind table runners. The exhibit is on display daily from 10am-4pm so stop in, warm up, and come enjoy some of Maine’s one of a kind fine art. Please call ahead (207)-925-6502.

Original publish date: Jan. 23rd, 2011

Bill created a delightful French Country Cassoulet to ease the chill on a January evening in Maine.  "Cassoulet" is a fighting word in the southwest of France.  "Each housewife has her recipe, her method, which is the right and only way."  This from the Great Women Chefs of France cook book where Bill spent some of his research for his perfect Cassoulet.

This is the list of ingredients:
2 pounds Great Northern white beans, dried
1 teaspoon of thyme
3 bay leaves
2 onions
2 strips smoked bacon
1 whole head of garlic
3-4 carrots
4 garlic sausages
4 fresh pheasant breast
6 legs of duck
4 country style pork ribs
1/4 cup goose fat
6 cups duck stock
4 cups fresh bread crumbs

 He started by soaking the Great Northern white beans overnight, 6-8 hours.  Throw out the water and put the beans in a large pot and cover with duck stock. Add the thyme, bay leaf, bacon, whole garlic sausages, chopped garlic and quartered onions.  Set over low heat: simmering until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.  This is only the first part of the cassoulet.  Now to the meats.

Separate the duck legs and thighs, trimming excess fat, and cut the pork into 2" chunks. Season with salt and pepper and roast at 450 for 45 minutes until browned.

Remove the large pieces of onion from bean mixture, discard.  Remove and cut into small pieces, whole garlic sausages and bacon.  Add the bean mixture to the meat roasting pan, with other meats layering bean mixture and diced raw carrots, then cover with the  remaining liquid.

Add raw skinned pheasant breast (cut into small pieces) to the top of the pan and cover with foil.  Bake at 325 until it simmers: about 1/2 hour.

Reduce oven temperature to 300 and cover with fresh bread crumbs.  Drizzle the goose fat over the top and bake uncovered for 2 - 3 hours until brown and bubbly.

 

Original publish date: Jan. 13th, 2011

Original publish date: Jan. 12th, 2011