Happy Birthday Legion.

You are a true friend in every sense of the word.  I remember when I used to carry you to bed and you would sleep on my pillow cuddled up to my face.  I love that you still wait until I am ready to sleep to nestle into your bed that is now at my feet. You are an old man now.  Distinguished and wise.  I care for you deeply and could not imagine these last 13 years without you.  Happy birthday dear friend.  Looking forward to our hike tomorrow...

Summer foooooood.....

 I do not know how my body survived this winter without all the summer food I adore.  I practically starved to death.  Wine and cheese with a touch of cereal saved my life.  Literally

For a person that enjoys multiple servings from the fruit family a day and lived in the orange mecca of the world, I was a mess.  But look what has popped up...

.

WATERMELON!

Oh how I have missed you.  Desperately.

So to celebrate... a dinner on the grill on a Saturday with a beer.  I don't even drink beer!

Two veggie burgers for man and child, grilled lettuce and asparagus, and a yummy piece of Canadian salmon just for little ol' me.

 A new summer drink, introduced by a Mr. Taylor, sparkling water with a slash of juice.  All the deliciousness of a carbonated soda without the hideous soda ingredients.  LOVE!

An IPA in a tall glass.  I have learned, for myself, to sip beer like a fine wine or a cheap wine.  Not only do I like it... I LOVE IT!

There it is, my favorite meal.  Simple, lite, scrumptious, and warm. 

I am so thrilled to be reunited with my grill.  The last time I was with you the wind had  

knocked you over!  

 

When I ran out to save you the wind knocked me over and when I finally got you up it knocked us down together.  First I cried, then laughed, because it was hilarious.  Then I called Matt at work and cried again.  You are a little banged up but you still work just fine. 

 

And legion joined us....

 

  

I love Shelburne Village

This gem of a place is nestled right in the center our village home.  Did I ever imagine I would actually be able to say I live in a village?  It is a dream come true. Because we took residence here January 1 our adventures outside of our cozy loft have been short and cold.  However, this Saturday morning was quite different.  Out of our window we saw people on BIKES!  We witnessed family walks.  We adored a young boy with a pair of binoculars scoping out the world around him while his parents held hands and walked the dog.  Were we going to just lay there and let them have all the fun?  no Sir!  Mr. Witt insisted on our first walk for a hot cup of joe from the local coffee peeps.

Matt ordered his coffee while I drooled over the menu.  Fresh scones and muffins and delicious granola.  I would have ordered something if I could even think about deciding... I also would have taken some photos if I was brave enough to ask.  Oh well, pictures are just outdoors today...

Legion was so good to wait patiently outside for us.  He was rewarded with a nice walk through town and a visit with a friend at the Taylor's.  They have a handful of canine friends and a large yard to explore.  We had coffee with the more human kind and then departed for home.  The weekend held lots of activities and it was getting late!  Matt took the kids for the day and I stayed home to clean.  

My reward; a trip to the fabric store for my new project.  Pictures on that later.  Bri and Bea accompanied me on this adventure and little did we know what prize was in store!  A farm came along on a back country road, one I have had my eye on for a while...

These fine folks reside just on the Shelburne border.  They bake fresh bread daily and offer a variety of other fine Vermont products....

Now I don't eat meat anymore but if i did i would certainly buy it here at a place like this!  We indulged in a purchase of their country loaf, paid on the honor system, and continued on our way.

First Bea had to pet the cow...

and I had to take a photo of the silo...

because they are just about the most beautiful part of Vermont.  They stand tall and hold tales.  I can't imagine the life that they have had.  I wish I could live on a farm with a pair of these someday...

We ended this day being all together at the school park with a picnic...

I am wishing now that I had a lovely picture of the lot of us smiling and together, but we were playing and visiting and eating and drinking and it was great.

I have a picture of Bea like quadruple dipping in the hummus...

 it was hilarious.

Then that got me looking at old pictures of US...

Noah Matthew

Gabrielle Ryan

and I love us.  then and now and always.