GOODE day my deare friends. Tis cool & sunny here in Vermont as August draws to a close and Autumn knocks on our door.  The heat and humidity, which seemed our constant summer companion has finally departed (hopefully for good) and cool lovely air has taken its place. Geese are already gathering in the fields (it is early this year.....)  stopping by for rest, as they make their way south, for the Winter.  Turkeys forage for acorns, and this year, seem to be accompanied, quite often, by bears as we've had so many sightings this year.  We believe the dry summer has brought them off the mountains and into the valleys, looking for food (and eating huge quantities of corn, straight from the stalks).  What a wonderful time of year.  I love the cool crisp mornings.  Even when the days were still hot and humid, the August mornings have been cool.  Just two days ago,  I stepped out onto the deck, coffee in hand, daylight still an hour off, and was greeted by an owl, who hooted so loudly and so closely that I jumped and spilled my coffee.  He, or she, must have been in one the treetops just off the deck.  Goodness, it startled me. :).

Anyway..now that I've written a book and not yet gotten to my reason for today's message....  

First of all, I apologize for being so out of touch. I have been quite busy getting the September issue, of The Little Brown House Gazette, out the door.  It was a larger than usual issue and, believe it or not, shipped a week early!!!!  I am still amazed I was able to pull that off!!  In the midst of it all, my son fractured his pelvis in a four-wheeler accident.  So very scary!  Thankfully, he is beginning to feel better now.    Due to his accident, I have been helping take care of our grandson and,  helping with our son as well....SOOOO..my web show, which was originally scheduled for 08/18/2020,  was put on the back burner.  I was hoping to have been able to fit it in before August left us, however, it is just not possible SO, I have now rescheduled the show for Monday, September 7th at 4:00.  I hope you understand. 

SPEAKING OF THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE....It has donned its traveling clothes (a first-class envelope and TWO stamps (it was a hefty issue this month) and began its trip around the world.  Tis a thick and lovely issue ~full of goode things and Autumn loveliness.  Another bonus ( the first one being it's a large issue) is that it shipped early!!!  It began its journey last week (August 21st to be exact) so it should be arriving at your doorstep any day now.  Please check back here, on the blog, on September 1st as I will have a Sourdough blog post to accompany the September issue.  Also, if you are not a subscriber, it is not too late ~ just pop on over to my website and subscribe.  Here's the link;  https://vermontharvestfolkart.com/collections/from-a-little-brown-house-gazette/products/from-a-little-brown-house-gazette.

I am off now to put a chicken in to roast.  Our daughter and son-in-law, along with their dear friends raised chickens this summer to harvest.  They....harvested...them a couple of weeks ago.  We'll be having mashed potatoes and glazed carrots as well ~ perfect on this first, cool evening in August. 

Until next time my friends, wishing you health and happiness ~ Doreen

Autumn & WInter Workshops.......

GOODE day my deare and lovely friends.  I hope this note finds you healthy and in goode spirits.  Ahh, the lovely month of August has arrived with it's cool & dewy mornings, warm days and teasing hints of Autumn just around the corner.  Chickadee's sing, mama turkeys wander the fields, with their brood, and pumpkins grow fat on the vines.  Oh, I do so love this time of year.  

I am busy, in the studio, creating and finalizing plans for the remainder of the year.  With the world such as it is, and my asthma being a concern, I have decided I will not be doing my Autumn & Winter workshops, here in our home, this year.  I will surely miss the comradery and deare friendships however, the prospect of a more relaxing Autumn honestly fills my heart with contentment.  I am enjoying this bit of respite, for me it is a time to recharge and refocus.  I feel like this slow down is a gift I've been given and I need to use it as such.  Of course, my heart breaks for everyone suffering with their health or in other ways due to the virus, and I am grateful for our health and well being and certainly do not take that for granted, I am simply turning this situation into a positive as best I can. :). 

Let us hope that 2021 will be a fresh new year filled with goode will, excitement, new plans and gatherings of all sorts. Until then my friends, may we be patient and kind and make the best of a difficult situation.

I'm off now ~ my stitching calls.  Until next time, be well my friends.  doreen

ps....Beatrix Potter (my sourdough starter) is still going strong and makes the most scrumptious bread I've ever had :).