Mid March update!

Well, St. Patrick's Day is behind us, and still not looking at my beloved snowdrops!! We had another foot and a half of snow since last we spoke, but also some sun and rain! Today is windy as the devil, but the sun is bright and temps are supposed to reach the 5oish mark, so the Snowdrops have a chance to make it by Mum's birthday on the 22nd. One of my greatest memories, is of the few times before she passed that I was able to pick a Snowdrop bloom to her on her birthday, and was rewarded with a big smile and usually tears of happiness.
I worked up a "redesign" for the labels for "Mum Fosters Kitchen" including red poppies. Mum and Dad's wedding pattern was Hall's Red Poppy design, http://www.rubylane.com/shop/auntnelliesparlor/ilist/,cs=Pottery:By+Maker:Hall:Hall%27s:Red+Poppy.html and I can still hear Mum reciting the poem "in Flanders Fields by John McCrae.
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm

I don't know where the time has gone, but since I started this post, a week has passed! My Snowdrops did bloom (well at least bud) in time for Mum's birthday! This photo was taken on Sunday the 20th, because snow was predicted!! I have been busy almost everyday substitute teaching, so haven't taken the new label layout to my "sign-guy" yet, but I'll get it there one day! The sun is out, and the wind is blowing still, but the temp is COLD! for this time of year even for us here in Vermont!
Yesterday I got my afterschool group started weaving rag rugs on the little looms the program bought! The kids loved them, and in the meantime, are learning a little history too! The weaving was inspired by Elizabeth Fisk from here in Isle LaMotte. Thank you to the Isle LaMotte Historical Society for letting me borrow this dvd, http://fisklooms.org/dvd.html as well as a copy of a Mrs. Fisk cartoon (this is explained in the video link) and an original Fisk Rag Rug! I can't tell how intrigued my students (3,4, and 5th graders) were with seeing such an old piece. My afterschool program is called "Bits of Vermont history" and my goal was for my students to make a mental and physical connection with Vermont history, during the 6 weeks of this course, and yesterday my goal was definitely achieved!! The kids will continue to get some weaving time each time we meet, and while they are weaving, I'll introduce some little bits of Vermont History! Do any of you have any interesting little bits to add?

Well February is nearly done, and behind it is the worst of the winter! We'll have more snow, and gray skys, BUT each day will be little bit longer, and the sun that we do see will be brighter and warmer, and each day be it gray or bright it's one day closer to Spring! This spring for me will be different from the last 20ish springs, as I won't be opening my greenhouse. I can work in my own gardens, rather than getting everything started for other folks gardens. I'll still start a few things, and will still do a few custom planters, but my main focus will be on my own gardens and cooking for Mum Foster's Kitchen. I've been substitute teaching fulltime for the last few weeks, so am looking forward to this weeks school break. My plan is to do my spring cleaning! But if Stacey has some thing for us to do together, I'll be with him and loving every second of it!!
What are your thoughts this blustery day???

There, but for the grace of God go I!

We never know what each new day will bring, (or with this blog each new post) We also don't know how we will react, this post is about how I reacted to a recent tragedy near my childhood home. To my knowledge I have never met Pete Johnson, nor have I done business with him, but I have farmed and gardened in this unique clime we call home, including a retail greenhouse and landscaping business (EmbersGarden.com).

So on January 13, 2011 we read this in our local paper http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20110112&Kategori=NEWS02&Lopenr=101120801&Ref=PH The next day we made a small cash donation! While 2010 wasn't a GREAT year for us, the first thought I had was something I heard my Mother say MANY times over the years "There, but for the grace of God go I!" That single phrase is what inspired me that morning to make a donation via Paypal, and it is that single phrase that inspired me to donate a Mum Fosters Basket of Goodness to the online auction. I have posted a link for you to follow directly to that basket, as well as to the entire auction! Bidding started this morning, and will end next Sunday morning Jan30th, 2011.
http://auctions.readysetauction.com/madrivervalleylocalv/catalog/item/166

Bid if you can, if you can't share the link!
TTFN
Ember