Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Pumpkin Moonshine




My favorite of all seasons will be soon upon us.
For me it's beginning is August 28th
Tasha Tudor's Birthday
Tasha wrote and illustrated nearly 100 children's books. Her first and one of the most beloved written in 1938
Pumpkin Moonshine
Tasha's Vermont home, though only 40 years old, feels as though it was built in the 1830's, her favorite time period. Seth Tudor, one of Tasha's four children, built her home using hand tools when Tasha moved to Vermont in the 1970's. Tasha Tudor lived among period antiques, using them in her daily life.  
She was quite adept in the home arts.
Candle dipping, gardening, weaving, soap making, cooking, canning, cheese-making, sewing, doll making and knitting. 
She lived without running water until her youngest child was five years old.
My kind of girl!
We lost Tasha on June 18, 2008 but she will forever be a guiding Light to all of us Country Farmgirls.
This week I honored and celebrated a friend I never met in person but who's heart sung the same song.




Last Thursday night there were to be two moons in the sky at midnight.
The moon and next to it Mars
It didn't look exactly like two moons but it was fun to go out while everyone was sleeping and see.
I think Tasha may have been behind it :)






For us the end of Summer, the beginning of Autumn, is the start of Cider Season!
Both Sweet and Hard
Soooo Tashaish :)









Crabapples to be blended at 20% with a mix of other varieties.
We look for unsprayed and FREE :)



First day of the
Oh 10 Crush

Cider Boys!!
...in the Spring they turn into Sugar Boys. Shhh




Washing and sorting











Our newest Cider Boy
:)
Sooo eager to learn it all!










Loading the mash for the press






































First taste of the season!










Positioning in the press





Here we go!










mmmmm!












 12 Gallons of Cider were made from 4 bushels of apples






Every bit of juice is pressed out





Specific Gravity lesson
...which relates to the sugar content and tells the percentage of alcohol there will be once fermented




Last years brew now ready













In Tasha's words, "People have a rose-colored lens when they look at me. They don't realize I'm human. They don't see the real me. As Mark Twain said, we are like the moon, we all have our dark side that we never show to anybody."





Yes Tasha we are all like the moon
Loving you and missing you each day.










Sunday, August 22, 2010

Let It Be



Two weeks ago I went to bed fine and woke up and couldn't walk. 
It started in my left knee and now it's in both.
Some moments are easier than others but for the most part constant pain. Even lying down.
I know I must be driving everyone around here cRaZy hobbling around trying to keep my moans quiet. 
Going from panic that I will neverrrr get better to hope and trust that healing will come as fast as the pain did.
Rubbing Arnica counterclockwise, taking herbs, Advil, cutting out sugar and nightshades, meditating and praying.
No Dr. yet. I'm not against them but I always try to heal myself first.
Once I know something my mind dwells on it and makes it grow.
It's from my Dad. He waits and heals. 

Whenever something like this happens I look for the message.
I think there is only one...
 s l o w w w    down.
Usually I'm zoooooming all around doing everything myself but this is forcing me to ask for help and just as hard, accept it.
To sit on the side and observe and absorb life and all that is around me.
To rest, keep quiet, and let it be.


Through pain there is always and forever
life, love, and beauty.





Our dear friend's 40th
...50 the new 30's
...60 the new 40's
70. 70.


 Perfect evening for a most special Celebration!





Patience always makes the most delicious simple fresh ingredients totally AMAZING












Lovelies <3





Love Love LOVE them!
x o x



And them! Ruben and Petunia
or...
Petunia and Ruben
x o x o x



Aaaand Him!! Willis <3




Ruben has a tongue thing that delights my soul
x o x





Birthday Memory Hat
:)













favorite food....CAKE
especially Birthday!
especially especially made by loving daughters xox












Tuning up





Our Famous Dean Brothers
Still rockin it!





Where there's music there's my Lacy <3






Our gift to the Birthday Boy
Not that he needs it...Coolest guy on the planet!
Cheers to you Holly!!





My Milli and I complete each other's sentences, dream the sameee exact dreams at night, and delight in all the tiny little quirkinesses of life that no one else sees.
But there is one thing that is not the same.
I'm a what if, worry this that the other thing girl and she's a totally in the moment things are going to be just fine and if they are not we'll deal with them then girl.
I'm learning from her each and every day.

Dreams do come true.




























All's well at Hidden Pond Farm





Sunday, August 15, 2010

Boats Banners and Birthdays




This summer just keeps goin' and goin' round here!
Last Sunday was our annual Great Race and we all went to support our dear friend Rich who was doing the paddling part of the run, bike, paddle team.



I gave Lacy that vintage Vera scarf for Christmas
I reeeeally think that sameeee one was mine years ago!




700 Teams!




Lacy looking for Rich to come through the finish line











They did it!!!





Hard work reward
Pot Roast and Coleslaw Sandwiches
Everyone's eyes rolled back in their heads with the first bite!







One of my most favorite things in this world is Street Art.
Delights every cell in my body.
Sooooo going to do it one day!








How CUTE is this?!!
x o x



And THIS
She's 29 and feels old.
TWENTY NINE



The girls and their moms have all been best friends since the girls were little.
This birthday everyone was in town so we went to the Inn for dinner and some catching up.
Heaven.


Sparkly and Sunshiny 
x o x o x



I LOVE them. I do I do.
If you could only see their hearts <3 




When Lacy was little she was theee worst eater and now she a gourmet cooker girl
...and menu orderer :)




I love her so 
x o x




Whatever your sweet heart desires Lace <3 










May love and Light surround you always and forever my Audrey Hepburn Princess

x o x