I am without words to describe the wrath Irene brought upon this community and our state. I am full of hope watching my friends and neighbors be true FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. They are my heros.

Sunday, August 28 around 3:30 pm, Waitsfield Village and the covered bridge succumb to the MAD River.

August 29, Waitsfield Village and the cleanup begins.

We are only one of many communities in Vermont that have been ravaged. If you would like to help, consider a donation to the Mad River Valley Community Fund.

Hot Tomatoes!

Beware of a knife wielding best friend with a garden full of ripe tomatoes and a handful of hot (sizzling) peppers. If you're lucky you might end up with a cellar full of this.

Kung Fu Salsa rides again, promising to keep me warm all winter long (woo hoo!). 

BTW that was a thrill of a quake that rumbled through the Valley on Tuesday. And in case you didn't notice fall is rapping at the door...I'm not answering.

Knock Knock

Yesterday morning was a busy start to a long day. We have a special event coming up in a few weeks (more about that later) and are chipping away at the to do list in preparation. I decided to get some baking out of the way seeing as my best friend was also out of the way on his early morning bike ride. It's 7:00 am, I'm up to my elbows in cupcake batter, the kitchen is dusty with flour and iTunes is cranking out the Wood Brothers on my laptop. There's a knock at the door, I shout out "Come on in" (wondering who on earth is here at this time of day). My neighbor Ruth walks in, she has a mixing bowl in her arms and is stirring away at the contents. "Debbie (I'll have you know there are very few I let call me that and most of them are into their 8th decade), do you have any cinnamon? I'm making a pie with the drops from that tree across the street and I need a teaspoon of cinnamon". I answer with a "Good morning, Ruth" and sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon onto her apples in the bowl. She walks back out the door uttering, "I'm glad you get up early".

How Sweet It Is

Dear Summer,

Would you please slow down... just a little?

To Market, To Market

This is the height of the season, don't miss another Saturday at the Waitsfield Farmers Market. We had fun this morning tasting our way through the vendors, especially our visit with Dawn from Vermont Peanut Butter for some of the besting tasting, stick to the roof of your mouth, peanut butter...mmm (nutty, salty and super chunky).

Don't forget; it's August in the Mad River Valley and you know what that means... Vermont Festival of the Arts

*Last minute note; the MRV is sending a big shout out to the "Rain Man" WE MISS YOU!

One Potato, Two Potato...

A little grabbling is good for a gardener.

That's all, just two... one for me, one for you.



Before you go... you gotta see this. At first hop I thought he was a cricket, I'm glad I took a closer look.

Less that the width of my little finger, I think he/she is a tree frog, but I'm not so sure. Any ideas?