transitions

we are all safely back in CT, after our departure from VT.

all of your thoughtful comments the other day really did help my spirits.

thank you, friends.

i'm reminded that the most challenging phase of childbirth is

 "transition", when many women who choose to avoid medication 

depend on deep breathing and concentrating on a focal point 

to get them through to delivery.

these few days between our "bit of earth"

and the reality of suburban life feel a little bit like transition, 

though certainly not as intense!

here's henry, "helping" me cast on some stitches for a fun

and simple hat for gretta to take with her to australia.

she leaves in less than a week for a whole semester of

environmental studies/sustainability.

gretta found the yarn on sale in vermont

and we're pretty sure that gramelaine will approve of the color.

we will be doing lots of breathing here, 

and we'll be focused on getting gretta ready to go.

transitions all around.

what would you like to know about australia?

perhaps gretta can be our roving reporter.

leave-taking

packing up the harvest in a cooler,

stripping the beds and collecting towels,

sweeping and tidying.

closing up.

there have been so many really good visits up here

at our "bit of earth" this summer...

folks we don't see often enough,

beloved family and old and new friends.

fine memories have been spun.

and i've enjoyed the gift of solitude, too.

time to read, dream, garden and reacquaint myself with myself.

my batteries have been recharged.

it's time to drive south, back to the "real"world.

life there will be filled with new challenges, aspirations and

hard work to do.

having this oasis to drink from every now and then will

balance us as we navigate the "to do"lists in CT.

but still, as i drive out the driveway, past the stand of birches,

and take one last glance across our meadow at our

mountain view, my throat will tighten 

and my eyes will tear and i'll take a few deep,

cleansing breathes and smile,

because i have a vision of what the future holds.

and it is powerful.

four years ago...

...these magical 16 acres became our magical acres.

they have fed us, sheltered our spirits,
drawn in friends and family and inspired us.

they keep us dreaming and planning for the future, too.

we're celebrating hope and love, 

with deepening roots in this land.

savoring

the light, the sounds and the wistfulness at 6:26 p.m.

green mountain girls farm

tonight, i went over to northfield with a few friends, 

where the fabulous mari, laura and their fun team hosted

a farm supper and tour.

check out the size of these sun gold tomato plants

and the bounty on their vines!

pastured pigs.

the farm offers a thursday farm stand,

a year-round, omnivore's farm share

and farm stays in a lovely guesthouse.

here's one of the girls.

waiting to be milked.

"latte on the hoof"

i came away from the evening feeling very well fed,

absolutely amazed at what these women have accomplished in less than four years,

and utterly inspired by the love, enthusiasm and joy they have poured into this land.
(not to mention...ahem...hard work!)

read all about the farm here.

wonder and delight...

...after a hair-raising storm.

summer sampler

I really do believe that the important things in life are not things, but sometimes finding new "things" can be lots of fun. Even when pennies were tight, Batman and I agreed that lovely children's books were an important investment. This past weekend, Gretta brought this book home from Sandy's Books. Even at the ripe old age of 20, our little Miss Organic Farmer in the making couldn't resist the sweet story and lovely illustrations done by one of our faves, Nikki McClure. 

Batman, Gretta and her buddy Meghan were over in Rochester on Saturday, picking raspberries at  Sunshine Valley Organic Berry Farm.When they got back, Batman whipped up a big batch of raspberry cordial. Not for the feint of heart! But really wonderful.

In an effort to eat better and save money, Batman has been taking his lunch to work more often. I found this very cool tiffin at the Hanover Co-op a few weeks ago. We're moving away from plastic, so this is just perfect, and I really love its provenance. The tiffin comes apart into three sections, and includes a smaller container for sauce/salad dressing. There's plenty of room for several different bits of lunch. Here's what it looks like all taken apart...

We are lucky to have a root cellar at our "bit of earth", but we haven't put it to use yet. Once we are here fulltime, I look forward to filling it with jars, baskets and crates filled with our own harvest. I found a book this weekend that came home in my veggie-filled canvas bag from the farm stand. Written by local author, Jennifer Megyesi, the joy of keeping a root cellar will keep me dreaming and planning right into the fall!

Have you found any things lately, that have seemed "just right" for your life? Please share if you like...