For the love of FOG

The landscapes that this Earth has to offer is nothing short of spectacular.  Even the barren southwest caught my attention and tugged on my heart a few times.  There were the 1000+ drives up and down Carefree Highway that gave a good stage for the desert beauty to reveal itself.  

The sunsets...ah the sunsets...

Vermont has its own beauty to offer, obviously!!! And there is so much too mention that I will just focus on my favorite so far...

FOG.

This is my 5am running route, thru Shelburne Farms.  I am in love with this sacred space.  It is filled with sentient animals, spectacular wild birds, and this lovely lovely fog...

I saw the fog for the first time last fall on the outskirts of the Green Mountain National Forest.  

It was love at first sight.

A boy, my boy...

So there is this little man living in my house.  One that I am growing quite fond of actually.  Don't get me wrong, he had me at hello, but lately...

...he shines.

The early stages of nine, well it was okay.  The 9 1/2 mark and on, well it is down right fantastic!  

There is a real spark there, a gleam in his eye.  

Excitingly he has taken up guitar and most certainly carries the musical gene.  I so love to hear him up in his loft stretching his fingers to reach those cords.

Also, I have noticed, his intellect has now superseded his emotion. His abilities to see and understand, well it is down right fascinating to watch.

His personal hygiene has literally jumped from a ZERO to a ten.  What child is this, coming home from camp, hitting the shower, brushing his teeth, clipping his nails, and combing his hair?  I did not know little humans were capable of such things.

And yesterday evening he went so far as to pack his very own lunch while Matt packed Gabi's and then took it upon himself to do some dishes.

** then he says to us, I see why you guys fight over who is going to do these all the time.

So I am continually impressed by Noah's fierce independence and self discipline.   I am oh so proud of his genuine heart and awareness of what is good.  I cherish the depth in with which he feels and the strength he faces it with.  I am honored share a life with him.  I don't know what to expect from this one... it has me on the edge of my seat!

Sunday Morning Breakfast....

My poor children...

my oh so deprived children.

They miss out on what could be one of finest meals of the day.

Admittedly, I am a bowl o' cereal mom, have been from the start.  Breakfast to me is a chore not a pleasure.  I much prefer a lovely evening out for a delectable dinner than a morning in a greasy diner...or even a non greasy diner.  When is comes to AM food I choose oats over cakes every time.

But my children do not and so it has been decided (maybe even a mutiny) that Sunday mornings are for dessert food... and though I refuse to partake in the feasting I rather enjoy the cooking!

On the menu: French Toast

Noah and I picked up this fine bread from the Bread and Butter Farm stand at the Shelburne market this weekend.  A raisin loaf for the ultimate french toast.  They are super kind folk and super close.  If ever you find yourself driving by I recommend a stop, it will be well worth you while...

We get our eggs from two sources here in Vermont and they both make me smile ear to ear.  

First, at The Taylors, which is less than half a mile from our house and usually on a trade system.  

Second, from office Carl.  A dude Matt works with who sells us a dozen each week for a whopping $2.  Can't get much better than either of these in this day and age, seriously!  

Butter.  I love choosing butter here in farmlandville... I usually choose Kate's.  She is from Maine and hand makes her creamy treat.  And it is a treat, I rarely use the stuff!

Into the sizzling pan they go...golden from the organic cage free better than you have ever had eggs...then crisping up from the made with love yellowy butter!

It did smell amazing and I was getting tempted.

And who would we be without a jug of this in the house??  A heart-filled thank you to Mr. Witt Sr. for supplying this gem when visiting a few weeks ago!

bon appetit...

PS:  This is what we did after to burn off the sugar... a little tree climbing always does the trick!

A Birthday....

I will begin by saying that I am not a very patriotic person. (sorry mom).  I detest politics, question authority, and often feel uninspired by the lack of change that is often promised in this country....

This leaves me feeling a bit conflicted when celebrating the nations birthday on the 4th of July.

What to do...

practice gratitude...

This life just keeps giving and I could count its blessings for days... but these are the few things that gave me a smile over this holiday weekend.

I am grateful for the freedom to move about and explore this country; to discover all of its hidden beauties, especially the one called Vermont.

I am so blessed to have this man to share my life with...

like seriously blessed.  I love you darling. 

...and to have these little chickens call me mom.  They have been on their very best behavior these days and I am enjoying their company oh so much!

    

I was also super stoked for the welcomed visit of two very special guests.  We had a great time with Kylee and Kris, thanks for making the trip to our village!  


More on our Shelburne Farm adventures to come...









Moving to Vermont, in part, was about simplifying life.  Getting back to basics.  Searching for the roots of the American people.  So these handmade dresses were a perfect fit when celebrating the birth of a nation, one that stood for starting over and hand making a new life.  Terrific job Bri... 
Love this!

So aside from however I feel about this country its choices, it definitely serves as the most beautiful backdrop for a pretty fantastic life.  I am truly grateful for that!

It also has a funny obsession with pyrotechnics.... and I can appreciate that too!  

~ Happy Birthday America ~

A Boston Whaler...

I still can't believe we are fortunate enough to live by such a beautiful lake, it is almost surreal when I catch a glimpse of it in the morning hours on my way into town...

Our good fortune does not end there... turns out, people who live by a lake tend to get boats to further expand their relationship with the great body of water set before them.  Now, we do not have a boat as of yet but our dear friends do and they were nice enough to take us out for a spin over this beautiful holiday weekend!

                                                                                                             

Decorated with banners and flags, this cruiser was ready to make its summer debut on Lake Champlain.  

                           

The boys

The Lemonade

The Mr. and I

I am not a swimmer.  I spend most of my time at the beach trying to keep the sand off of me and most of my time on a boat trying not to get wet.  It is pretty comical if you ask me and I gladly laugh at myself for it... but the Mr. and the kids love to swim and get super wet and I am perfectly content to be the spectator!

This is where I would be panicking!  Way to cold for my liking... But they love it!

This is where I regret the moment I decided it might be a good idea to get in... It must be my prissy up bringing with 90 degree pools all summer long!

 Gabrielle dove into that frigid water as well, I was happy to see her swimming skills are still strong after a long hiatus.  She also did a little steering for us as well... I am not sure if she knew the boat was anchored, but that's okay!

So... one of my favorite movies is Captain Ron.  It never fails to make me laugh especially when I watch it with my dad.  So when I was getting ready for this little adventure I heard some shenanigans going on out my window...  to my amazement Captain Ron himself was blasting calypso music while stringing a banner to our water ride!!  I rubbed my eyes in disbelief... 

Turns out, it was Mr. Taylor...  

 

You guys are great hosts and we thank you genuinely for a lovely time!  We can't wait to do it again!

A delicious Vermont affair...

 So this is our very first Vermont summer and I am realizing that the people here sure do enjoy themselves a good event; and there are TONS of them... all of the time.

Living here is different from vacationing here.  You don't get attend do all the delightful happenings due to long lists of must do's....

BUT when I saw a quick advert for a Thursday night happening, for what seemed to be a celebration of just lovin' life, we were so there... even though I had a million house things to accomplish and a dinner already half way cooked!

Many fine folks came together in and around this beautiful red barn to listen to some local music, eat some local food, and drink some local brew.

American Flatbreads is my absolute favorite and the slices were a buck!!  I had one cheese and one roasted salsa slice.  Loved this!

This local band played some sweet tunes for all to enjoy.  They played my favorite song by The Who...Squeeze Box.  Thanks guys!

I think we all love the live music that Vermont offers us everywhere we go!  Noah is definitely inspired because he is now taking guitar lessons  from his dad...today, as I journal.  

I can hear a bit of Green day coming from his loft... I am smiling.

We tried both beverages offered and they were fantastic!

Then we noticed that flatbreads was requesting some assistance with their decor.   We could not be so rude as to not jump in and help in this matter!!

Noah and Gabi did some pretty beautiful prayer flags!

  

Matt was kind enough to create one for the both of us... while I took the photos of course!

and the Taylors worked on some totally awesome squares too!

What a wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening out and about.  It made for high spirits going into a Friday; especially a Friday going into a three day holiday weekend!!  We have some pretty fantastic plans for this much needed break and also have some special visitors coming our way...

I so love Vermont...

Something has been brought to my attention that further solidifies my obsession with my new home state...

This thing, this wonderful amazing under the radar thing is just too perfect.

The fine people of this green mountain state took action, in 1969, and said NO to billboard advertisements!

It is, hands down, the most genius decision ever made in billboard history. 

Well Done!  I love you VT.

And that is why your roads look like this...

and not a cluster cuss like this...

Dear Vermont, will you marry me?