Read all about it....

I have some fun and exciting news to share....

This news is why I have been MIA on my little blogspot for a few days...

It is all consuming and super exciting....

I am building an Empire.

Not really, just a small creative business to call my own and get back to my roots.

I love two things in this life outside of my family and the glorious State of Vermont and they are to write and to sew.

So expect a few changes around here at The Village Press. I have a talented woman working on a blogidy makeover... I simply cannot wait to see how it turns out!  The Mr. is even excited and staying up late helping me grow this little seed of mine.  I am so thankful for him, he is truly amazing.  As far as the smaller ones in the house, they are annoyed at the sound my sewing machine makes while they are watching a movie, or eating, or brushing their teeth or putting their shoes on.  Let's just say they are not fans just yet.

Aside from the new blog look I am also excited to share my sewing adventures with ya too!  I don't care if I sell one thing I make, I LOVE to sew...this means all friends and family now know what will be under the tree in December time...

So as I am so consumed with my new blog look coming up in a few short weeks that I have to remember to keep blogging!

And speaking of writing some news...turns out I am not the only lover of words in the house!

 Noah has started a family news paper.  We will be getting a new read once a week.  There is a box set up for us to drop in new happenings in that can be announced in the paper.  I adore it.  In fact, it makes me want to weep...

Someone turns two...

 Weekends with the Witt family are nothing short of busy crazy, crazy busy...definitely crazy and always busy.

I will spare you the details of 

the cleaning

the cooking

the laundry

the soccer games in the rain

the cooking

the shopping

the cleaning

the sewing

the winter wardrobe building

the using my Arizona debit card at costco with the account that has no money in it and the only reason I still have it open is because I like the card with the cactus and the sunset on it and now I have to ask Mr. Witt Sr. go and deposit some scrilla in their as to avoid any insane charges...

and yes I realize I repeated quite a few things on that list and that is simply because those jobs are endless and all consuming.  and yes, it is totally awesome.

Fortunately for us, on Sunday, at 3 o'clock, we were invited to a tiny celebration for our much smaller  friend. This cutie turned two...

This was a particuliarly nice event due to the lovely weather, kind kind folks, and FOOD.  Not only did I not have to prepare it but it was brought to us by the very best place to eat in Shelburne, Cucina Antica.

 

Wood fired...

 and delicious

We also got  meet this darling and fifteen of his/her friends...

and I could not resist this little one who when sitting down to her cuisine I could not tell if real or a porcelain doll... Phoebe, you are too sweet!

 This is Bea reading the birthday card she received from Noah, I think she liked it. 

And I believe this here is a testament to the deserts....

 So, I am feeling kind of bad for this here entry.  Poor hostess of this fine shin dig awaits my pictures of the party to arrive in her inbox so she can write about her own dear one's birthday party.  But I am left with no choice today.  I either post these adorable pics of the cutest tots in town or I showcase the five tons of laundry that I did, chonies and all. 

Top Ten Things I Heart About Hiking

The aroma of the earth dense with green

Inhaling bona fide oxygen 

looking up

rediscovering the connectedness of all living things

watching the children see it as well

Gabi finding her woodland legs

 water breaks and pushing on

walking with the Mr.

the views

and making it to the top, all together.

#11.  Seeing someone we know at the top.  I am finding more and more that Vermont, well...

it makes ya famous!

Shelburne Farms Festival!

This weekend we ventured here....

By way of these...

To pay homage to this ...

What I wouldn't give for a obnoxiously large mantle and this very banner hanging over it, only to remind me everyday of my love for corn.  Silly I know, but it just is and always will be.  

Check out this fantastic fire pit they were roasting the corn over!  

 And it was only a dollar and I should have bought two!  Did you know that, over the summer, we went to an amusement park (where I discovered how much a loathe an amusement park) and I paid EIGHT dollars for an ear of corn and a small bottle of water?  EIGHT.  and it was all I found there that I could stomach.  

The whole day!

 But this corn was a buck.  We all had one.  It was scrumptious.   And if they had asked I would have paid eight dollars for this taste of cob... hold the butter and the salt, for its natural state right off the fire can not be topped. period.

 These next few photos presents a sequence of events that proves I am still a timid country bumpkin.  The city in this girl is still predominate.  I cannot tolerate bugs, the rain makes me frazzled, and as it seems; working with plants flat out stumps me...

 trying to look like I have an inkling of what is going on around me.... yes, okay, I can do this...

 ...then, after mere moments, I admit defeat and look to my Mr. for a life preserver... I am drowning in failure in enchanted land...help.

Good thing Matt is familiar in all things awesome...

 and created a crown for our young lass...

I suppose I have some work to do in the areas of awesomeness. 

After corn munching, crown crafting, Scottish music listening, necklace making, maple cotton candy gawking, and BEFORE leaving... we had to check out a bale maze.

  Fortunately we had a couple of very sly foxes to lead the way. 

and after it was over we took in the view.  and expressed gratitude. because it was lovely.

Artemisia annua also know as Sweet Annie.  

Where have you been all of my life? 

How was I, until this day, unaware of your presence on earth?   

How did I think my life complete before our introduction?

Words do not begin to describe your loveliness.  Your heavenly scent speaks of mystical groves amongst ancient forested lands.   A place where fire crackles and pumpkins grow and grow.  A place where small winged creatures paint leaves of trees and spread blankets down for winter. A place of beauty where worry is scarce and frolics are frequent, where girls where crowns and no shoes are necessary....

 Dearest doting and most wonderful husband, 

Please no longer bestow a rose or tulip.  Though I love all things floral and bright my heart has been stolen.  I am entranced with a scent so lovely and sweet that no other can now compare.  So I beg of you, in a time of gifting, to offer my now one and my only...

a small bundle of sweet annie...

Tomorrow is the annual food festival at the little farm down the road... ya know, the gorgeous 1400 acre working farm nestled right on the loveliest lake... check it out HERE.

We are looking forward to a farm fresh lunch, the tunes of some  local musicians, hayrides, and seeing what a bale maze is all about!

I hope to see these sweet birdies too...

Come along why don't you??

The Shelburne Orchard Festival...

What delightful weather for a most lovely event.  Set in an orchard bordering a lake, the scene was almost surreal.  One must take a moment to breathe it in and count the blessings simply because it is far to precious to take for granted.

You know what the most exciting thing about this years festival was for me?  Seeing folks we knew, right there when we were walking in!  These families have been so welcoming since meeting them last winter...l.o.v.e.

and the next best thing, well the food of course... and we had a lot of it!

Beginning with the most delicious vegetable pizza, wood fired to perfection.  And the veggie salad from Shelburne Farms...oh so good!

Now let's get down to business.  I didn't lay awake half the night dreaming of a salad.  Oh no.  The inability to slumber was directly caused by these guys and their promised goodness...

Cider Donuts.

Too die for.  Delicious. My favorite.

And can you believe they were just letting their secret to these beauties sit right out there in the open.  for all to see. for anyone to just copy and replicate??  crazy if you ask me!

But if they were going to just let it hang there then I was surely going to take a picture.  Next, buy one and rule the world....

Surprisingly there was still so much more to feast upon.  I wanted to enjoy all the labor of love that Vermonters put into their delectable eats.  I am still regretting not buying the peanut butter balls of goodness as a second desert.  But, as the kids chose homemade ice cream I chose the obvious...

Yes, I chose corn.  Because I love it so.  Because I could eat it for desert everyday.   

goodness, I do love corn.

This is a shot of me explaining to the corn folk how much I really do love CORN.  They assured me I was in for a treat then...and they were right, some of the sweetest corn I have had all year.




I could not blame the kids in their choice of second desert however, doesn't it look divine?

Who is this kid ordering coffee flav.... when did he become a man??  sheesh!

To burn off some of that sugar we indulged in some good old fashioned tree swinging.... a highlight for sure.  **and matt was the cool dad who pushed Noah clear up to the tree across the way....

Gabi's ride was a touch tamer...

 So this Witt family had a blast at this years event at the local orchard. We have a deep appreciation for the landscape that we have chosen for our life.  We love the people, the food, the games, and the amazingly fresh air. 

 ...if you look closely you will notice that the blue in the back ground is the lake.  it is simply breath taking....

 and lastly, what would an Orchard Festival be without a bit of apple picking...

 I am already counting down til next year...