open studios and small town fencery

Last weekend was Open Studio weekend throughout Vermont

and I enjoyed two days of visiting artist's studios,

chatting with the artists and learning a little about them, their art, and their creative process.

Oh my - so much talent out there - I am completely in awe!

Sunday brought us to the quaint village of Brandon.

Where we found an eclectic mix of old charm,

and whimsy - this guy was outside a shop of "Antiques and Found Objects"

Hmm - not sure - found object? 

and charming homes

 lots of marble...

Comedy? - yes, please!

and - yippee - we finally have flowers.

And as much as I enjoyed visiting the many studios and gazing at the variety of

stained glass, art quilts, furniture, paintings, jewelry...

we didn't walk away with any treasures this year -

and that's okay - I'm already looking forward to next year.

I'm joining TexWisGirl for Good Fences

serenity now!

Serenity now - remember that Seinfeld episode?

A couple of weeks ago, Greg and I visited Gale Meadows Pond

A deep breath and... 

 serenity

No need to shout it, here.

With any luck, we'll get our kayaks out this weekend.

It's a crazy time of year at work

-and I've been trying to get a jump on things so that I'll be able to take a few days off when 

the trail brings Maggie through Vermont sometime next month.

Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania

I am sooooo looking forward to seeing her in person!

And - more exciting news in our family - our younger daughter in now engaged to her boyfriend of 6 years!

We're so happy for them and now look forward to wedding preparations - eeeek!

So - that's it for me - I suspect I'll continue to be a very sporadic blogger for the next few weeks

but hope to continue to visit you from time to time.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Please join me at The Run*A*Round Ranch Report for more Good Fences

smiling about...

Do you ever get that feeling that you're always running behind?

I have a backlog of posts -

but work has been crazy - mostly in a good way -

and when I get home at night, the introvert in me just wants to sit and read a book

- and maybe play a little candy crush...

Anyway - I'd like to share a few random things that made me smile this week

My niece, Molly, receiving her college diploma from her dad - my brother-in-law, Jim

Way to go, Molly!
(I stole borrowed this photo from my sister-in-law's facebook - Thanks, Deb - please don't sue me)

We had beautiful weather this week, and I traded the cacophony of treadmills

for a serenade of bird chirps - and gobble-gobble-gobble

The latest pic from Maggie - back in the North!

Yeah - she's pretty excited about the availability of

Dunkies iced coffee

wcvb

I sound like a broken record when I mention how much I despise my daily commute -

but, thank you to the Mass DOT for putting a smile on my face yesterday morning.

And - yes, I always use my blinkah - but only at the last possible second, because -

every Bostonian knows, that a blinker is really a signal to the drivers in the other lane to quickly fill in the gaps to prevent your lane change...

Tulips!! :-)

So - today is Mommy-daughter day with my youngest, and tomorrow I look forward to an afternoon with my Mom and sister and the MFA in Boston.

And - that's my week in a nutshell.

What has you smiling this week?

I'd like to wish a very happy Mother's day to all

mothers, aunts, and caregivers!!