New additions to the family....

Hello,

Just wanted to say that I am happy to start my new blog spot, to be able to keep in touch with everyone and let you know what's new. I wanted to announce that I have just published my new loon book called "Loons of Tacoma Lakes" and wanted to report that sales have been very promising for the first month. I have sold and distributed over $3,200.00 throughout Maine since my book was first published on April 28th and I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful comments that everyone has emailed and mailed to me. I also wanted to thank Edward Turner of Bidderford, for his glowing review of my new book in the Book Nook section "On Maine Writers" in the Sunday - Sun Journal Newspaper on June 4th.

If you would like to purchase a copy of my new loon book, you can visit your local book store and ask if they have it available or order it directly from the author (myself) for $24.95 (note my promotional special on my website: free shipping and handling in the US for the first 100 copies). To order, just email : LoonsofTacoma@aol.com, let me know your shipping address and if you would like me to autograph a copy for you. Send check or money order made out to Sandra Huston or Animals in Pastels, mail to my studio at 162 Main St. Lisbon Falls, ME 04252. Maine residents please add 5% sales tax (1.25). You should receive your book in 7 business days. Below are just a few of the review comments I have received so far:

" You have created a very special volume. It is much more than a book of beautiful photographs of loons. The Completeness of the description of the life of the loons makes this a very superior volume, very unique. "

" Your week by week journaling of this aspect of nature is fantastic, educational and profound. I welcome this gem to my classroom library."

"My wife and I wish to compliment you on your fine work. We thoroughly enjoyed your book celebrating the love of loons and will cherish it for many, many years to come."

If you would like more information about my book you can visit my website at www.animalsinpastels.com click on the loon book cover at the top of the page and it will bring you to a dedicated page where you will hear calls of the loons in the background while reading about my new book and view some of the photographs published. Loons of Tacoma Lakes is a book documenting the raising of two loon chicks from 3 weeks old to when they are fully fledged and ready to fly. There are 40- 5x7 full color photographs in this large format 72 page book. My books make perfect gifts and a beautiful addition to any loon lovers library.

Besides working on marketing my new book I have been busy taking care of the new additions to our family. Two- Five year old pygmy goats: Butterbean and Pepper. These little munchkins are fun to watch and have bonded very well with my Morgan mare "Rosie" in the month they have been with us. Below is a picture of them grazing in our back pasture.

On Memorial weekend my husband and I were busy at camp on Woodbury Pond opening up our RV camper, cleaning and attaching the screened in porch. This is where I photographed all the pictures for my book(Tacoma Lakes) and will continue with documenting the loons again this year. I did notice that one of the breeding pairs is still nesting and the chicks had not hatched yet. Even as late as last weekend when we drove by the inlet during the rain on June 4th she was still sitting on the nest. Hopefully this weekend the rain will end and I will be able to kayak around the ponds and capture some more new and exciting photographs of the new babies just hatched. I promise to upload a few for you loon lovers out their to view if I capture a special one. Until then, take care, and have fun.

Sandy