It has been far too long since I sat in front of this screen with the express purpose of writing a new post. There have been so many moments over the last couple of weeks when I have thought of this space and the latest new thing that I would like to share here. But alas, I have not figured out how to move my thoughts directly to the computer while my hands are busy elsewhere and so the long lapse in writing. Not to make excuses or anything, but I have been so busy over these past weeks. We went on vacation and I got busy...

Knitting, knitting, knitting on a new project for Petite Purls. Right before we left for vacation, I found out that a design I had submitted was going to be included in this wonderful new on-line magazine. I am really excited about this new magazine and it is a real treat to be included. Needless to say, I am thrilled!

Busy reading and editing the final pages for my book, Fairy Tale Knits. Due out at the end of August...very exciting!

Sharing long country strolls...

Swimming at the pond...

Hiking and exploring...

Learning to cast...

Finding and admiring frogs at the edge of the pond (still can't quite make myself pick those little guys up, but aren't they beautiful? We named this one Paddy after the frog in The Wainscott Weasel. If you've never read this tale, I highly recommend it. It is perfect for reading aloud to younger children and a great "on your own" book for second and third graders. Anyway, back to Paddy...isn't he cute?...

I kept busy shoveling way too much food into my mouth. In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, Vermont is home to The New England Culinary Institute. Wonderful, fresh, and delicious food is around every corner and, as my now tight jeans can attest, we took full advantage of the bounty around us. Just one bite (right!)...blueberry cobbler with whipped cream at the Farmer's Diner...yum!

Aaahhh...Vermont, I love you...

And when we got home I got busy baking a wedding cake for a wedding the week after our return. Lemon butter cake with lemon curd and raspberry coulis filling...yummy! The design of this was based on a Marimekko fabric. Trying to translate this very fun print into a cake design was a little challenging and a whole lot of fun. Because the newlyweds are friends of ours, I was able to attend the wedding. This wedding was beautiful and thoughtful and dear. Plus, I got to watch the guests eat the cake—love that—and I got to eat too! The dinner, catered by feast catering was positively the best I have ever had a wedding—so delicious!

And if that wasn't enough, my girl turned eighteen. It does not seem remotely possible that it has been eighteen years since this wonderful person came into my life. Can we just do it all over again?...it would be so much fun. What can I say?...I love having this person in my life more than words can express. Fun, smart, funny, generous and kind—if I do say so myself.

Anyway a birthday, of course, necessitates a cake...

All in all a pretty full few weeks! Now it's time to catch my breath and start thinking about the beginning of a new school year (school starts a week from Tuesday here). I have to say that I'm really not quite ready for summer to be over, but I'm planning a few projects to add a little fun and creativity to the back to school prep—so I've got that going for me. More soon...for real this time...