Colombus Day Weekend

      I like the space of the weeks before Thanksgiving. In this one I've had time to put some color onto a sketch I did of Barea and Bruno and the two dogs when we were at the farm in mid-October, having one of the nicest times we've had there in quite a few years. I'd just completed a cleaning and reorganization of my Mom's 200+ year old farmhouse (one of the featured ones in my book) this summer, and we were taking full advantage, having been able to put in and use a chiminea in the fireplace (chimney needs some work). You can see it in full force on the right! The colors here have come out kind of an odd combination of neon and washed-out, but if you tilt back the screen 10 or 20 degrees you'll get a better idea of how cozy it all was. It was your idyllic October evening before supper- definitely drawing-worthy, and an example of why it's helpful when you've cooked ahead! (Can't remember now which concoction it was that night, but it'll show up in the book I'm sure.)

     Posts now will be following the progress of "A Year in a Country House" calendar, which I must complete in a week! Ack! Finishing an angel one now, as rumbles of the approaching season become more and more audible…..……

Barn Tight

     At last we have the roof H2O proofed. 

     As I clear and clear, I'm welcoming in new energies. It's been ongoing this year, and it takes all my faith to see it as part of the whole project. But- the library actually looks like a library now, and I should be able to start thinking about how to make the hole in my kitchen roof the genesis of the greenhouse I've always wanted.

    To celebrate, it's kale chips. These are the best I've ever made and I think lemon pepper has something to do with it. These had chopped up sunflower seeds too- just with a knife! Definitely a recipe for the calendar /cookbook. 

Sunday before Hallowe'en

     Samhain, aka Hallowe'en is the Celtic New Year. As a child I had no knowledge of this- my whole idea of this holiday was as a rare time for usually forbidden candy. This new moon of Samhain has brought on a flurry of what could be called a New Year's clean-out!
     For friends and family who have asked about the availability of my YCH Calendar, yes they are available. The new design ail be on the website by the end of November- I will be blogging and Facebooking about this as the holidays approach. Slight website change coming up!
      As one can see I am experimenting with color and desisn on this site. Comments and advice welcome! Thanks all- and Happy New Year.