Spring in the South

We have had Spring all winter here in Charlottesville it seems, there were cherry trees blooming in November! But now it is really truly spring and everything has burst - the trees outside our house were white dreams until a rain storm took down the last petals, now they wear the vibrant green new leaves.

I am appreciating the new sights and smells of spring here - there are maybe more variations of flowering trees than we had in Vermont? I don't know, but they are certainly different. And somewhat more lush, more tropical almost. The magnolia in particular.



And of course there are the dogwood, the state flower of Virginia, blooming now in the woods with their delicate flowers stained with a spot of red.



I am ready to burst this spring as well. Baby will be here in about a month. Is there any better time of year to be born?!

AEDM #6, 7, 8

Oh dear, behind already.

Day 6 I did some sketching that was not worthy of anyone's time. Completely uninteresting doodles.

Day 7 was a total washout. Getting semi-dressed-up to go to the VA Film Festival volunteer/wrap party in the evening was my major accomplishment. Maybe putting together an outfit from my increasingly limited wardrobe counts as an artistic endeavor?

Day 8 I took a walk in the woods with Ramona the Dog and took some photos. Autumn is lasting a deliciously long time here, it seems the colours have been here for weeks and they are still so bright and gorgeous. It has also been particularly warm the last few days, just the perfect being outdoors type of weather.














I like taking photos of the details, I think they help me to appreciate the individual aspects that make up the whole of the forest and I see each vignette with a new appreciation.

And then we moved...

Life has sped to an irrationally fast pace over the last few weeks - last couple months maybe? - while at the same time slowing so that it feels the days might never end. We moved, packed all our belongings into a 16 foot budget truck and hauled them to Virginia, where we unpacked them in our new house. We have not been able to live there, however, due to an ongoing lack of water. But life doesn't quit, so we are making do.

Actually, we are very lucky to have Cam's family all here so we have a wonderful place to stay while we wait for our own home. And we've been able to get in and do some unpacking, some painting, some planning. The office is partially set up so Cam can work there. I stay out at the farm and think of all the other things we need to do and try to work.

I was at the new house when the earthquake happened and holy crap, I had never felt anything like that before: it was terrifying. Then there was a tornado just down the road (the tops are snapped of all the pine trees - crazy), and the news of the coming hurricane. Irene mainly swept around us, though friends back in Vermont were not so lucky.

Vermont Red Cross

Boston.com article about Vermont and Irene

7 Days, Vermont's alternative paper

Tendrils

Whew, August is over. What a month!



Aren't these amazing? I am discovering the beauty of a longer lens.

Saturation

We just came home from Arizona, stepping off the plane into drizzly rainy 55º Vermont.



The desert was alive with intense color; flowering cacti, overflowing oleander, amazing delicate fairydusters.

We took a hike further up in the Catalina Mountains, attempting somewhat successfully to escape the heat. The forests had burned several years ago and the evidence remains - charred trunks and witchy looking blackened branches reaching into the crazy blue sky. The new growth is coming, ferns uncurling across the forest floor. Those colors are real, no enhancement necessary. Just looking at it makes me a little warmer.

Watercoloring

Two days ago, when the sun was shining and the mosquitoes had not yet been born, I took my little traveling watercolor set and my brand-new-on-sale prismacolor set and a recycled paper watercolor pad out to the backyard and spent a lovely little while with some watercoloring sketching.


I didn't stay out too long, since my skin doesn't last long sitting in the sun, and there are always so many other things to be done. But for a little while it was bliss and I fully intend to make more watercolor time soon and often. Hold me to that, will you?

May!

May is really my favorite month. And not just because of my birthday.


May is when Vermont comes to life - everything just bursts! People are suddenly everywhere, flowers, trees, leaves, birds... It's as if after being cooped up for so long during the cold months, and in anticipation of the all-too-quickly returning frosty weather, life explodes to the surface at the first sign of warmth.

But back to my birthday. It was exciting this year due to a fondue extravaganza: Two kinds of cheese for dinner (spicy southwestern and a great German-style beer version from a totally fondue cookbook).


We dipped home-made bread, apples, sausage, carrots, mushrooms, and lots of other veggies. Dessert was chocolate fondue (what else!) with fruit and an incredible angel food cake made from scratch by a talented pal! It was delightful. And looking at the pictures is making me hungry.

April Blizzards Bring May Blossoms!

This was the view of my backyard last week:


That is snow. Oh, it was so sad.

But this week, though looking ridiculously similar, is ever so much happier:


Because these ones, my friends, are flower petals!

May Blossoms

New paper doll alert! I think this one is my new favorite (do I say that every time?). She is sweet and I really love the dress with the flower crown and daisy chain necklace.


I am thrilled about Spring. Every year it just gets better and better, though my mood dependency on the amount of sunshine is becoming a little out of hand. On the dark days it seems to take all I've got to just get out of bed. On the other hand, the sunny days find me dancing and singing and planting tomatoes. Overall, a beautiful and tumultuous time of year!

First Green

I went out last week, during that heady New England early spring heat wave, in search of green.

Today this is an important little reminder that, though snow might be here today, it will soon be replaced by blooming things and lots of leafy goodness.

I got to work from home today, which is especially nice because I can listen to Fresh Air and the other excellent VPR programming. Also, because I can keep a close eye on the tomato and basil plants I have started in the dining room window.

Though I grew up on a small farm with a large garden, and have planted my own little plot for the past few years, I am continually surprised and amazed that those little tiny seeds turn into real plants. One day there is dirt, the next day a miniature green sprout appears, and the next day there are 10 baby plants! Wow.

The Tree is Glowing

Sunset over Lake Champlain, and a particularly favorite tree at Battery Park in Burlington.

Reaching for the Sun

This is volunteer vine that I encouraged to climb the porch. Now it has reached the top and still wants to grow!

Roses and Marigolds

New in my garden...



Summer sure is good.

Its June!

June is lovely, its hard to believe its here right now, but its lovely.


I spent most of this week being sicker than I have been in quite some time, which was not fun. But now I am feeling much much better and today was just so lovely, so things are looking up!

This evening I planted three tomato plants and 7 rows of carrots in my little garden, adding to the already planted broccoli, cucumbers, melons, radishes, lettuce, basil, sweet corn, parsley and flowers. That looks almost impressive listed out like that! Lots of things have already sprouted, and a few were transplants from my little peat pot starters. Now all thats left is planting pole beans in a pot to climb the back porch, and figuring out what to do with the herbs. And maybe some more flowers?

Entrance to Heaven?

Mr. Beaver

Whilst walking the other day, Ramona and I happened upon this busy fellow getting his home prepared for the spring.



We saw him last year as well, when he shared his disapproval of our swimming along the rocky shore near his home. He didn't seem thrilled to have his photo taken either, I have a sneaking suspicion that he doesn't care too much for me and my dog at all!

The Proper Way to Enjoy a Snowy Day

Early Morning in Manchester

I don't often get up at 6:00am these days, I'm more of a sleeper-inner type whenever events allow. But I do love the feeling of the early morning, and driving down the mountain into Manchester, Vermont at that hour in the autumn, when the mist is rising and the sun coming up slowly illuminates the colors of the trees - incredible. There are no other words.

#200

Sign seen on my drive home from Syracuse this past weekend:


A message I fully support. Now if only I could remember to make it over to the farmer's market...!

New Taste of Stowe Arts Festival!

This weekend all the work of the last seven months starts to pay off - our first Art Festival of the Season! If you are local, please do come by, there are some really amazing artists and artisans selling their work, and the food is going to be simply incredible. The show is in Stowe, Vermont, a top-quality resort town for those unfamiliar with the area, and several of said resorts will be attending the show, offering spa treatments and gourmet menu samples. If you are in the area, you can visit craftproducers.com for details.

We are so hoping for these crazy thunderstorms to pass on by!