Today

"I'm gonna clear my head,

I'm gonna drink that sun,

I'm gonna love you good and strong,

While our love is good and young.."

-Indigo Girls

I'm enjoying the sight of fresh snowflakes as they gather on the land.

Sketching farmhouse's from "Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn" 

and completely loving it.

Reading from David Budbill's "Happy Life"

The simplicity of the poems is refreshing

Reading passage's from Amanda Soule's "The Rhythm of Family"

I can't say enough good things about her writing and pictures....truly inspirational.

Remembering some recent outings to local antique shops.  

I could spend hours in them....imagining life years ago....

Crisp grapes and green tea in the morning

Coming home to a playful man and pup.

With homemade beef stew a-top the cook stove,

Bringing warm and flavorful aroma's throughout the house,

Made from scratch by my husband.

Love.

Time to go create something......

Snowshoes & my pup

A few days before i began work for the 2012 season, Charlie and I ventured into the woods behind our home.  It always amazing to me how still, yet vibrant the woods are.  The quiet amid the cacaos of the natural world.  We would scamper over fallen trees and up slopes...then we would stop.  His ears would perk up, and we would listen.  There is so much beauty to be heard in the woods.  These woods, snow covered and crisp.  They took us, if just for a brief time, to another world. 

A wonderfully calm and beautiful world.

As the sun was beginning it's decent, we headed home.

Look for beauty, its all around you.

Bringing in 2012

I began 2012 stress free.

I enjoyed so so much time at home with my hubby.

I made batter for chocolate chip cookies at 10 pm, just so we could try them out in our cook stove....fast forward to 11pm~ Full bellies, warm cookies, fresh milk watching northern exposure.

We stayed up late and slept in without an alarm clock.

I started a friendship with Jackie, making homemade lip balm.  She stayed for 5 hours.  We had so much to talk about....it flew by.

I make random projects, just because i could.  I started a baby quilt for Jackie and made some cute baby pants.

I made Artisan bread, pizza dough and foccocia.  It was delicious.

I went for an afternoon snowshoe with my pup and camera.  Being still in the woods.

We had some of our dear friends over for brunch, then spent the afternoon ice skating at Bean Hill Farm.

I read two books, almost done with the third.
I spent days in the woods with my husband, our favorite place to be together.  Getting ready for the sugaring season ahead.
I watched, as kayaker's made their way down the river, a new years tradition.  Although this year, they did not have icicles hanging from their beards. 
This new years day rang in with 40 degree temperatures & a beautiful light at sunset.

I stayed in my pajama's all.day.long.

We went on day trips; up north to antique shops; over to Maine, and north of Portland.

We worked on our beloved house. 

We enjoyed each other's company, laughing and just being.

I started a homestead notebook, which i am very excited about.

I didn't fret over keeping the house spotless.  I did laundry when i felt like it.  I didn't use the dryer.  I had time to hang the clothes on the drying rack. 

We had spur of the moment dinner parties.  (My very favorite kind...)

We ate out of our freezer and pantry.  Our food bill was cut in half because of that.  Oh how i LOVE that feeling.

I took out fresh berries from July and made berry cobbler.

We ate well, slept well, laughed fully and truly enjoyed the peace surrounding our days.

Yes, 2012 started out in a slow and simple pace, filled with calmness and fullness.  This year will have its struggles, I'm sure, but i will approach them with calmness and happiness. 

Slow & Simple

Greetings 2012