Absolute Perfection

The Valley is bright and joyful in all its winter wonder.

After a ski down to the river and through the woods and a stint shoveling the necessary paths to and fro, I do believe this is well deserved. When's the last time you had a piping hot slice of Anadama?

A little fresh air is a wonderful thing. I think I'll have another, please.

Oh The Places You'll Go

I'll follow you.

If you follow me.

The neighbors all warm and cozy under a fresh blanket of snow

must be snickering as he assures me, "Think light happy thoughts".

Hey love, turn around would ya.

A little to the right... no, my right you goof ball.

Now don't move, I'll be right there.

It's a beautiful morning, we hope you find a moment to enjoy what surrounds you.

Pssst... Old Man Winter

I know you can do better than this.

December 6, 2012

Remember?

December 9, 2009

December 19, 2010

November 23, 2011

It's time don't you think?

By Fire's Light in November Cold

Ox Cart Man

BY DONALD HALL

In October of the year,

he counts potatoes dug from the brown field,   

counting the seed, counting   

the cellar’s portion out,   

and bags the rest on the cart’s floor.

He packs wool sheared in April, honey

in combs, linen, leather   

tanned from deerhide,   

and vinegar in a barrel

hooped by hand at the forge’s fire.

He walks by his ox’s head, ten days

to Portsmouth Market, and sells potatoes,   

and the bag that carried potatoes,

flaxseed, birch brooms, maple sugar, goose   

feathers, yarn.

When the cart is empty he sells the cart.   

When the cart is sold he sells the ox,   

harness and yoke, and walks

home, his pockets heavy

with the year’s coin for salt and taxes,

and at home by fire’s light in November cold   

stitches new harness

for next year’s ox in the barn,

and carves the yoke, and saws planks   

building the cart again.

Over The River And Through The Woods

Three days to go.

Might as well get a jump on things. Look what I picked up at the Hunger Mountain Coop in Montpelier.

Cranberries, grown in Vermont cranberries... how perfect.

I add to the berries (12oz), 3/4 cup of cider, 3/4 cup of maple syrup (I prefer grade B), a splash of orange juice, a sprinkle of orange zest and bring all of it to a medium boil.

And in a hand full of minutes (give or take 10), I end up with this jewel of a sauce.

And a kitchen that smells all sparkly and cheerful (like a holiday). 

The market up the street just called. A little bird (not a turkey mind you) must have informed them I've yet to order our fresh and locally raised fowl we'll be roasting and serving along side the cranberry sauce (with gravy, of course) come Thursday. They (the market) are more than happy to put one aside with my name on it for pickup tomorrow.

We live in an extraordinarily good community.

Here's wishing you a warm and joyful holiday.

Over the river, and through the wood,

    To grandfather's house we go;

        The horse knows the way,

        To carry the sleigh,

    Through the white and drifted snow.

An Attitude

For Gratitude.

I'm grateful for these woods I know.

I'm grateful for energy well spent

And piled high.  

I'm grateful others are not saying goodbye easily to summer.

I'm grateful for sharing in a first time slide in the snow.

And unexpected love notes.

I'm grateful for brand new mornings.

But most of all, I am grateful for precious gifts of love and life... however brief. 

Picnic On A Rock

Before Lincoln Gap road closes for the season grab a sandwich and a friend and head south on the long trail. The view from Sunset Rock overlooking the Champlain Valley is quietly suffused in a whisper of silver and gray, a lovely spot to share a little solace.

Dress warm, chances are Jack Frost will be nipping at your nose.

Give A Girl An Ax

One early Sunday morning this fall, my nine year old granddaughter called to invite us over for lunch.  When asked what we could bring, she replied. 

"Some wood... and Popi, will you help me build a campfire?"

And when the fire got all smoky, her mama knew just what to do.

So just look at them and sigh and know they love you                                                        ~from Teach Your Children Well by Graham Nash

The Water Is Wide

When we are wakened by the river's song it is unsettling.

Mint restaurant shared photos of the river's rise last night on their facebook page. They must of had a fitful sleep.

Come morning, the sun is a welcomed sight.

And the beavers... well, they have great expectations. 

The water is wide, I can't cross over
and neither have I wings to fly
build me a boat that can carry two
and both shall row - my love and I
~Scottish folk ballad

Migration

They may be on to something.

It Has Happened Again

I've fallen head over heels in love with my home.

Thanks to my best friend for loaning me this sweet photograph he captured from Rolston Road this morning while pedaling over hill and dale.

Fair warning... even us seasoned residents are finding ourselves driving like leaf peepers erratically to gawk at the show momma nature has gifted us.

I've Caved to My Cravings

And it was good!

Autumn has sparked a brilliant swath of color over the Valley this week. With the air cool and crisp and the sky... well, it's bluer than blue (I'm not kidding). It is just the sort of weather to throw an appetite into overdrive. Mother nature is determined to chub us up with a little (or a lot of) extra padding to keep us warm this winter.

Who are we to argue, my best friend and I are more than happy to oblige. A hop, skip and a jump through the covered bridge into Waitsfield Village is a new little establishment we've heard is brimming with goodness, The Sweet Spot.

Housing both, ice cream crafter extraordinaire, John Vitko's Scout's Honor scoop shop and

pastry passionista, Lisa Curtis's Sweet Simone's bakeshop.

Today, I went for the Salted Caramel ice cream... oh, yeah!

And tomorrow, I'm thinking one of these coconut beauties will do.

Then again, the chocolate chocolate look mighty chocolaty. Maybe, I'll have both.

How sweet it is at The Sweet Spot. And that's a good thing.

Summer?

I'm going to miss you...

really miss you!