Another deposit...

...in the Bank of Good Karma.

The awesome guys at the local auto shop in VT

did some mud-season adjustments to one of our vehicles

and didn't charge us.

So I just put a box of Toll House cookies in the mail 

for all of them to share.

Three cheers for nice guys.

The world needs more of 'em.

back

I'm back in CT and finally sat down at my sewing machine for the first time in ages. Dang, it felt good. Here's a soft little flannel mouse pin cushion, just waiting for some stuffing. I found the pattern in this book.

Over the past few weeks I've found a bunch of fun things on the internet, and I thought I'd share them with you here. Don't you like finding new things to see and think about? Check them out.

-Wild foxes playing on a trampoline, via Emily (one of the goat weekend girls).

-A super tiny very cool apartment, via Lindsey.

-Bob the Cat, via We Three Ginger Cats.

-A great (animated) piece about education in America, by Sir Ken Robinson, via my brother Doug. It's about 12 minutes long, and well worth a watch.

-A few Etsy treasuries I've put together, just for fun...

fiber critters 

spring craftiness

make believe and wonder.

-A wonderful poem, especially for grapefruit lovers,via Hannah.

See you tomorrow!

kids, part 2

Lindsey and four of her best buddies from Boston drove up to our "bit of earth" late last night, navigating the last half mile of muddy road with fingers crossed and breath held. After a sturdy breakfast this morning, we headed over to Fat Toad Farm to see their baby goats (not to be confused with these baby goats). Be sure to check out the amazing goat's milk caramel (available online) and fresh chevre.

We all took dozens of pictures, but few convey the bleating, the climbing skills, the gambolling and the utter irresistibly of these sweet animals. 

Lindsey took this photo of a kid, born earlier this morning. The kids usually weigh in at about 8-9 pounds at birth (much like Reed babies!)

Here's one, snuggled up with Lindsey. We could feel their little hearts beating in their tiny rib cages.

I held this one so long that it fell asleep in my arms. I love goats, but this morning,  it went to a new, more serious level. I think there's a growing consensus that goats may be part of the future at our "bit of earth".

I'm wishing that all of you could come by for some granny smith apples, dipped in goat's milk caramel, a mug of tea and a good chat by the wood stove (thank goodness it is no longer 79 degrees in Vermont!) I would thank you for your thoughtful comments about patience and dreaming big... 

vespers

Oh eternal Mother, goddess of the earth, 

let me thank you 

for your blessings of comfort and peace today.

dreams+patience

Henry and Gretta taking in the view 

and sharing a moment at our  "bit of earth"

this past weekend.

Spring break is over, Gretta has gone back to school.

I'm in Cincinnati, finishing up two days of interviews

for our search, (dressed up!) and full of ideas.

It's been great fun, and I love this work...

but I'm feeling very far away from our rural dream.

This living between two worlds...

...it is so odd.

(A big blessing and a little curse.)

The plan keeps changing and adjusting to reality,

but I try to keep the compass pointing north.

I wonder, dear readers, what sage advice you might have for me.

How do you work at a dream and have patience, too?

kids!

Today, we headed up to visit our friends at 

the Green Mountain Girls Farm for their 

"spring fever" open house.

Gretta (above) offers her congratulations to the first mama goat to kid.

Her triplets were born last night, the first one was breached,

but all is fine now.

Another set of triplets was born early this morning and a few more 

mamas were ready to go later today.

Mari provides some encouragement and comfort...

...while Laura does a bit of lactation coaching at the other end.

It's hard to imagine how all three of these long legged siblings

were snug in their mama's womb just a few hours ago.

The hoop house is filled with young, spring greens.

We caught the sweet barn kitty taking a cat nap.

Spring fever, indeed.
(No inoculation required.)

promise

We tucked this pot into the car yesterday, and the sprouts have matured on the windowsill here in VT. They will brighten up our salads in the next few days.

We have tidied up the winter ravaged garden beds, cleared downed pine boughs from the lawn and gathered wind swept birch branches and stashed them in the kindling box in the woodshed. Some over-wintered mache was washed and dried in the lettuce spinner. There's been a bit of firewood splitting (missed you, Han) and some impatient chopping of ice in the driveway where we hope the sunshine will melt it away. 

Batman, standing on the edge of the hill, spreading his arms wide, said, "There is so much promise in the air".

Wherever you are, can you feel it?