The Seasons of New England :: September Week One

And so it begins.  Autumn is peaking out, all around us.  The air is crisp and apples are picked.

In an effort to take photographs daily, i decided to begin a new routine for myself.  Daily pictures, outside. 

Not only to help encourage my camera use, but also to document our beautifully, diverse seasons here in New England.  

These pictures will come in a wide variety of aspects, with the only stipulation of shooting outdoors.

I will be posting them weekly, instead of daily, as to not clog up my blog.  A brief narritive of the day will follow under each photo.

So far, this has made me get outside, after work (or before), relax and absorb our beautiful landscape. 

Begining on September 5th, 2012 : :  Enjoy.

9/5:  The sun has begun its decent far earlier than the weeks before.  Summer is about to close out to the rich colors of Autumn.   Yet this light, its beautiful.

9/6:  This morning was damp and Rainy.  A fine day to stay at home and work on my quilt. 

9/7:  The tires finally came.  Hubs is one happy camper.

9/8:  We traveled accross state lines with a red wagon that has rust and loose side boards.  Yet it carried my brothers and i, up and down that dirt road.  And so it stays, and gets refurbished and ready for our future.

9/9:  These seeds i put in the ground much too late to have the possiblity of blooming.  They bloomed, three days before the first frost.  Bliss.

9/10:  My compainon on these quiet weekday nights.

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......

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