Vermont walk about

Other blogs that I enjoy most are those that speak about their lives. I don't do that.....  

Spring in New England is still getting up and running. The ground is moist and in spots still too soft to tread on.  The grass hasn't quite burst through the earth but you know its about to.

Spring is my favorite season.  I was born in April and enjoy knowing that Mother nature and I get to start a new year together.  
I rejoice knowing that I will see new plants and flowers burst from the earth to celebrate.  Everyday the garden has a another surprise. 

Daffodil Dreams

Spring Time Favorite!

I guess I'm about a month behind...this photo was taken in early May.

It's feeling more like summer everyday.

  That is what we were waiting for all those cold winter months when 

we thought it was just never going to warm up!

Well mother nature is sure to continue the cycle.

Sprouting, growing and blooming all that lush greenery we dream about all winter.

I spent time in the garden on Mother's Day

2011 Baker of the Year graduates with High Honors

Why does it all bloom at once?

They say rain showers for the rest of the week and that mean the beautiful blossoms will fall.

I found Tulips

next door in the lot abutting the parking lot at work that no longer has a house.

From a distance I just saw red and yellow but up close they have their own painted canvas.

I love the smell of daffodils

These are just starting to think about opening. It's been a bit cloudy and with some rain and snow showers but they know it is time.

Happy Easter!

I stopped by the farm stand yesterday to buy some fresh dug parsnips and couldn't resist wandering through the green house. The warmth was wonderful and the fragrance of the blooming flowers was even better. I just stood for a moment and drank it in. This is spring!



Of course spring isn't complete until I've stopped by the farm store to check out the newest arrivals. Just days old they know just what to do.

Morning walk with Maui

New door and window on porch.

New door location.

Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron in the side yard.

Maui takes a walk every morning before I head off to work.
One of his favorite stops is the cat-mint for a quick nibble.

The Muzzey Rose Bush in all her glory!

Where did the month of May go?

Vinca minor also small periwinkle grows under our flowering crab apple tree.

These daffodils popped up in the vacant lot next door to where I work.

If you want to view the teeny spider you'll need to click on the last photo.

Azalea

Springs seems to be here early.....

they say it is 25 degrees warmer than usual. I am enjoying the warmer temps.
It's a great time to get out and stroll the neighborhood and enjoy everyone's flowering shrubs.

It's also great to get out into the yard. Part of the lawn has been raked, the twigs and leaves removed from the flower beds and inventory has been taken. This is a new yard and I can't quite remember where or what things are in the garden. We planted some giant allium bulbs last fall and they are starting up through the earth. Our newly planted clematis also came through the winter cold and has started to creep up the trellis.

Spring thaw

The ice is melting quickly on the pond.
This barn and pond are on the farm where I grew up.
The farm house and barn belong to another family now.
The pond and the 60 acre woodlot are still family owned.

The water flows over the spill way on its journey downstream.

It's been a while, I know. Spring teased us with some nice warm weather in early March but has gone back to what we should expect. We have seen rain and sleet and flooding rivers. It's been cold and gray. Nothing seemed to charm me out to take pictures.
Out my window at work I see the ski trails on Mount Sunapee in the distance. Taunting me all winter to get out and enjoy the snow. I missed skiing this winter. For me the ski conditions have to be stellar. And this year we had a lot less snow and more "boiler plate" aka: ice.

(click on the photo to see the geese.)


I've tried to be patient. It's just so hard!
So I tried something new to distract me.

Having been inspired by my latest read Banana Heart Summer; the author is constantly describing food from her naive Philippines and the hunger of those without, I have been dabbling in cooking. Recipes, cookbooks and websites & magazines about food can get me excited.
I've always liked to bake. Bread, pie, cake, cookies, etc. But meals have always been a struggle for me. I've always said I hate to cook but I think I've found that I just don't like to coordinate a meal. I'm certain the neighbors could hear me cursing over the baked chops, rice and steamed veggies I attempted to make Tuesday. Nothing seemed to come out right, but they ate it.
Last night was different. I had fun making beef burgundy with bacon & onion dumplings. The day before it was chicken & broccoli Alfredo over penne and last Saturday chicken enchiladas. I guess I'm a one-pot cook. It's tax season and I'm trying to pick up the slack in the kitchen while my accountant husband works 16 hour days helping people with their taxes. He likes to cook and always makes it look so easy.
I'm trying my best to have fun while I experiment.