the north

Along with any number of things I'd like to 'work' on in my near years I'd like to blog some more. I'm bringing sexy back, right?

The Eleven abandoned the issues (issuances?) down South and moved to Vermont about two months ago. Much like the scene in Fletch (you only need to watch to the 1:30 mark), it was so sudden, you know, at the very end.We'd planned to move up eventually - to build, clear the land, tap some trees, live off the our wilderness skills - but our standing lease in Virginia, work, houses for sale, and whatnot conspired with/against us and off we went in two U-Hauls (one towing a car), and a CR-V containing X and two cats. The drive was amazingly easy considering we were rigging it up I-95 for much of the journey and hitting the GW Bridge to cross Manhattan. By the way, a 20" U-Haul with a Nissan Versa on a dolly in tow will run you $84 at the bridge. The three of us ended up running differing routes from Manhattan to the house but all arrived safe and sound.

The first Vermont entry is going to be about the 40th annual Putney Craft Tour over Thanksgiving weekend. This was probably the fifth time The 51 has done it, with others popping in and out over the years, and it's the best thing. Putney, even though it has a 'center' of town, is really just a big, open patch of country littered with artists and their studios. The best part of the tour is driving to these tucked away gems where you get to see houses with satellite studios hidden away in hills, forests, and valleys, most often near a running brook or stream. The artists open up the studios to visitors and you get to see the creativity, tools, and products they make for a living. It doesn't hurt that it's usually cold and the studios are woodstove-heated with hot cider and snacks. You can take time to chat with the artists since no single place is overrun at any given time, at least not in the mornings. We saw a lot of the usual places, but even they seem different every year. And, unlike two years ago I didn't buy at every stop...just half of them. My favorites?

Fiona Morehouse at Alchemy Arts

Julia Brandis at Julia Brandis Glassworks (I'll be getting a stained glass once I get X in tow...)

Ken Pick at Ken Pick Pottery

The cheese (as always) at the amazing Parish Hill Creamery

and, Dena Moses at Vermont Weaving School where I have a 3-day class in February

Now if I can just get around to chickens, cheesemaking,weaving, and mandolin playing.