Shades of Gray...

You might think this picture was taken in black and white.  If you look closely, you can see shades of gray and green.

I've been away the last three winters so I am reminded anew how beautiful our state is at this time of year.  I love to wander about taking pictures.  It's not difficult to find something to shoot.  Today is was bitter cold as I walked along this brook.  I was wishing I remembered my gloves.  Next time.

Finches...

Meanwhile, back in Vermont, the Finches have returned.  And are they ever hungry.  The bird feeder has been a busy place this morning.  The weather has turned cold and there are snow flurries in the air.  It's a good day to stock up on food!

Christmas Walk...

Merry Christmas from Cape Cod!

Bass River...

After a gloomy morning, the sun came out, the sky cleared and the temperature was warm and wonderful.  This is Bass River which runs from the sound to Kelly Bay.  The water is brackish and the current quite swift.

Shirley and I were out buying some things to make granola this afternoon.  It's nice to be able to just pull off the road and snap a picture.  It's beautiful everywhere!

 

Cape Cod...

Shirley and I wandered around today doing whatever.  This is Town Cove in Orleans.  We were killing some time waiting to meet Laurie, Melissa and Skylar for lunch at the Coffee Cup. 

Skylar and Melissa waiting for lunch.

We had beautiful, blue skies and it was 50 degrees.  Imagine, 50 degrees two days before Christmas!

Where's the snow?

Cookies...

Today was cookie day.  I started at 8 this morning and finished up at about 4 this afternoon.  First I rolled out 15 dozen kolachkys.  Then on to thump prints and peanut blossoms. 

I'm winding down, getting tired.  I think I might just scribble all over the stars and bells.  There.  They're decorated.

Long Time, No See...

The last time I posted on this site was October 28.  I left the next day to spend two plus weeks in Tennessee with my children and grandchildren.  I guess I just got side-tracked in my mind away from here.

As you can see, we are now in the middle of the Christmas holiday season.  From snow on flowers in my garden to trees in my house and no snow or flowers outside.  Now there's a switch. Where did the time go?

And, I hope my friend John is having a peaceful day with no worries of any kind!

The Last Flowers...

From summer, to fall, to winter is such a short time.  These are the last flowers of the season.  You know what they say, "here today, gone tomorrow."

Just that quick, the seasons pass.

Windham Library...

This is my favorite spot in Windham (other than my cozy bed).  Wednesdays are spent at the library with all of my friends.  Today was especially busy.  I think everyone wanted to come in out of the rain, have a muffin and a cup of coffee.  They are lining up their books for the snow that has been forecasted later this week.

The Last of Autumn...

It was a beautiful day today.  Lydia and I sewed at the WW.  I shot this in her driveway when I dropped her off.  We were commenting on the spruce trees on the way home and how much they had grown.  She planted them when they were just small sticks and look what happened in ten short years.

Jelly Cupboard...

It's almost full.  I have room for three more jars.  Any ideas?

Early Morning...

Today was my last physical therapy appointment.  I took this early this morning on my way down the hill.  I know it's not the best picture but it's all I got today.

When I arrived home, I blanched and froze a huge bag of eggplant.  That was more satisfying but it sure made an ugly picture.  See...I spared you that.

Sauerkraut...

It's sauerkraut day on the farm and I am up to my elbows in cabbage.  I have a bushel of apples to do later today, tomorrow it's eggplant and raspberry jam.  I'm winding it down and packing it in for a long winter ahead of me.

Scott Bridge...

This is Scott Bridge in Townshend, Vermont.  It is the longest wooden span in the state.

Beekman 1802

While passing through Sharon Springs, New York, yesterday afternoon, we stopped at the Beekman 1802 Merchantile.  I bought a bar of soap made from goat's milk.

These cute goats donate milk for the most wonderful soap. 

Landgrove Vermont

This church in Landgrove, Vermont, was built in 1859.  It has no electricity, running water or heat.  Services are held during the summer months, also Christmas Eve.

Isn't this a beautiful, old building?  Notice the candle holders mounted on the wall.  It's the only light available.  Christmas Eve service is a bit chilly.

Autumn in Vermont

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

–Emily Brontë (1818–48)



Landgrove, Vermont

Tom, Laurie and I went out for a ride on this beautiful afternoon.  Tom wanted to show Laurie the Landgrove church.  It was built in 1848 and remains unchanged to this day.  There is no heat, electricity or running water, services are held by candle light.

Lowell Lake...

Late afternoon at Lowell Lake with Laurie.  We wandered around the back roads snapping pictures of anything that caught our eye.  It was beautiful here today, the kind of day you wish would never end.

Burbee Pond...

On my way home from therapy this morning I stopped at Burbee Pond to catch the morning sun.  Yes, I said sun.  Miracles do happen!

Table Runner...

Tuesday is sewing at Waterwheel.  Today I finished a table runner for Miss Dana.  She saw one like this at our chicken barbeque raffle this summer.  So I made her one.

Skeleton...

Just dancing around the therapy room this morning with, "my guy."  His bones rattle almost as much as mine.

I think he has dandruff.

Quilt Challenge

Three months ago I entered a quilt challenge at our local fabric shop.  The challenge was to make a quilt, any size, using three paint chips I was given.  I did not get to choose the colors.  They are at the bottom.  The second part of the challenge was to represent the four seasons. 

I decided, after much thought, to do the "Seasons of Life."  My mom is winter, I am autumn, my daughter is summer, my granddaughter is spring, and my great granddaughter is there just because I love her and by adding her, it makes this a five generation quilt.  And anyway, how could I leave Skylar off my quilt.

My friend Gina quickly pointed out that in Vermont we have five seasons, one of them being mud!

Breakfast Cookies...

Yep, you heard right.  These cookies are made with 2 cups of old fashioned oats, 2 cups of Wheaties, 1/2 cup flax meal, 1 1/2 cups walnuts, and 1 1/2 cups of dried fruit.  Doesn't that sound like breakfast!

Autumn Pumpkins

Autumn is pumpkin time.  Nothing says is better than a pile of pumpkins on my porch, pies in the oven, and bread cooling on a rack.  This was the first day with some sun in awhile.  I took this early this morning before the fog completely lifted.

Vermont Autumn...

Today I stopped on my way home from church to buy some vegetables.  Its nice to live in the country where the local harvest is just down the road.

Red Pepper Jelly...

Continuing on, today I finished the tomatoes and made red pepper jelly.  This year I wanted to try a few different things.  I have never made pepper jelly before but have had it with cream cheese on crackers.  And that was my lunch today.  Yummm!

Canning Tomatoes...

This is what I did today.  Along with cookie baking and working at the library.

I'm tired!

Sunshine and Shadows...

Tuesdays my friends and I sew at the Waterwheel Quilt Shop in Londonderry, Vt.  I snapped this picture on my way out the door.  It's for sale if anybody wants it.

Boat Reflections...

The quiet after the storm.  Irene didn't cause as much damage on the Cape as it did in Vermont but it took all the leaves off the trees.  There will be no fall colors on the Cape this year.  The leaves just died without changing colors.

Herring River...

Wandering around the Cape today I came upon the Herring River.  As you can see, it was a spectacular day for me, starting with physical therapy and then upward from there.

The Brewster General Store

Once again, my old stomping grounds.  Shirley and I were out and about today so we stopped at the Brewster Store to listen to the nickelodeon.  Everything is just the same as I left it 18 years ago.

Penny candy anyone?

And the nickelodeon (which now costs a quarter)!

Linnell Again...

I just can't stay away.

On my first entry to this blog I walked to this very spot on Linnell Landing.  It was a struggle.  Today I walked here with no trouble at all and even went one rip rap further.  But these are my favorite beach rocks; I'm grounded here.  I always sit a spell, breathe the wonderful salt air and appreciate every single moment.

 



Bevy on the Beach...

Tommy and I were out for another walk today.  The beach beckons and I fly along side of him.  Here I am resting for a short spell before we trudge on to the next rip rap.

Crosby Landing...

Just walking on the beach this morning with my Tommy.  It was wonderful!  I spread my wings and flew along side of him for miles.  We found three pieces of beach glass and a heart-shaped stone.

Harwich Cemetery...

Today we said goodbye to Dr. Richard Banford (Dick) - Foster, Debbie, and Stephen's dad.  He joins the love of his life, Lois, at the Harwich cemetery.  Goodbyes are always difficult but it was softened by knowing that he and Lois both lived past 90.  They were ready to go home and are now together for eternity.

After Her Shower...

Eric's littlest one with the big eyes.  After the beach today a shower rinsed off the sand.  Is she not the sweetest thing ever?

Garden Art...

As I was wandering through Foster's garden tonight, I came upon this bit of garden art.  I wonder who made it. 

Antique Wagon...

I came upon this wagon in my travels today.  Tom thinks it used to be a grocery wagon.  Someone has mounted it on an old car chassis.  It was interesting then but more interesting now.

Lobster Dinner...

Happy Labor Day everyone!  And Happy Birthday to my son Rich!!!