Beginning with June

In a very few days it will be the first official day of summer. Some in California think summer began before Memorial Day with hot days and bright sun. Even the East Coast has enjoyed warm, sunny weather bringing out sundresses and sandals.

Porch Vista

Here in Kingston we are lucky to take off our sweaters by midday but recently we did see the sun for an entire day and felt a little warm as well. I took the opportunity to chronicle this experience and share is with you so that you can imagine being here with me on a warm, sunny day when everything is blooming and growing.

Mary Feasting

We start on the porch looking over at Tulin Road.We see the flower garden below and the goats feasting in the pasture that Bucky use to eat down.

MY fig tree

As we walk down the stairs, we pass the figs trees and the rose garden, both striving to survive to see warm weather.

Deers haven't  eaten these yet

Table by the pond

We take in the patio by the pond and the flowers in bloom, including the clematis that is covering the winter chicken pen is lovely pink blossoms.

Clematis bursting out all over

pond lilies and iris

Now we venture to where no one ever goes- the far side of the pond where we discover some rhododendrons mixing with clematis on the neighbors fence. That encourages us all the way around to the backside to say hello to Duffy and the chickens.

Neighbors gate

Chickens are always curious or hungry

Duffy guarding the fenceline

The final leg of our walk takes us through the vegetable garden and out the garden gate. Back in the house we enjoy the results of our walk by putting together a little bouquet of our gardens bounty. And there you have it, just as though you had paid a personal visit to Tulin Road.  You can imagine the walk anytime you want, without the rain, bugs, slugs or powdery mildew to diminish the perfections.

A little disjointed but you get the idea.
Wish you were here.

Early lilies and hopeful crops

Hoop garden still growing

Garden Gate

Bringing the garden home

Love,
Mama Llama

Hot Summer Days

Okay, I know it seems I am hallucinating but it really WAS hot in New York -at least part of the time! And the rest of the time is was just warm, muggy and wonderful. I always enjoy getting away to the East coast. There are new sights and old friends to help me feel inspired with new ideas.

Carol at Hillstead

As always, I remember how blessed I am to have Carol Ehmann Genco as a life long friend and to have her connecting me to Connecticut. We  share thoughts and impressions of art, literature and life and have been doing this since we were in junior high school together. Fortunately her father's transfer to Michigan during high school did not stop our sharing. We did both enjoy writing our thoughts and feelings but my father's work phone once a month let us talk for an hour, long before cell phones and unlimited long distance. In any case, we both smile a lot and talk a lot, as though we are finishing a conversation started just the day before. I have to admit that I value her all the more because we don't always agree but continue to share and  we both feel the world around would be much better if it would only listen to us, especially as we walk and talk and watch life.

Erin in the MOMA garden

Met Roof Garden

After a short visit to Hartford, New York offered lots of life to watch and lots of nice warm weather to enjoy it all. There were several good reasons to visit the Met- some hot sunshine and some great new  exhibits. I saw some amazing Schiaparelli creations and some Prada creations, the new American wing with interior design in combination with traditional art forms and on and on. The  MOMA was a fun day for Erin and I with 2 great photography exhibits adding to the great standing collection. The High-line walk in Spring and all that is new and old in Manhattan and Brooklyn feels like opening a gift of old favorites and unimagined surprises. Tying it all together are the quiet moments in the morning with coffee on the white sofa and late dinners going longer that expected because of good food and good wine with lots of talking. Leaving is always sad but I always know I will be back before long. In the meantime, I just hope I can do half of the projects I have been inspired to imagine.

Local coffee server

Now I am home, having left any hope of warmth and sunshine behind me. It is 60 degrees and pouring so I have had time to finish up some spinning and start thinking about new fiber projects- that is good! Catching up with home stuff always takes longer that I expect but this coming week I will try out some new project ideas and start getting the garden in shape. I do tend to forget that this time of year the garden it always ahead of me so I might as well relax and enjoy it. I will try and appreciate the abundance of greens! Oh, and just in case you didn't know, Alex and Sofie are engaged. That really makes me smile.

Alex testing out the wedding scene