rain. rain. rain.

boo. This is what greeted me when I got home from work. Doesn't this cloud look like some sort of death cloud from a movie like War of the Worlds or something? Look over the rooftops...what a scary lookin' cloud. I think I'll stay inside today.

my favorite holiday...FIREWORKS!

Hey! Here's a throwback to this year's 4th of July celebration aboard "Knot Working." Wendy and Norm were gracious hosts to Tom and I as we enjoyed dinner and drinks on their sailboat moored at the Burlington Waterfront. We were directly under all the action, it couldn't have been more perfect. Beautiful night, clear skies, and now, a ton of pictures to remember it by. The 4th is my most favorite holiday. What other holiday can you celebrate on gorgeous summer nights with your favorite cocktail in hand and a plate of barbecue in the other...and then dessert involves a fantastic fireworks display? Enjoy!



Tom and I being silly before the fireworks get started.



Oh so patriotic Tom is "American Born, American Bred, and when I die I'll be American dead".



Lovely Burlington Waterfront...



Tom's enjoying the pops and crackles of the 2007 Burlington Fireworks.



BOOM!



I'm not gloating, but we had the best view. End of discussion.



Sky really lit up for this one.



How cool is this? I was playing around with my new lens and fired off this shot. Kinda looks like a maple leaf? So perfectly VT.



wow.



amazing.



the crew of "Knot Working"



so bright!



I love these weeping willow sort of fireworks. And it's an extra bonus when they crackle all the way down to the water.



oooooo.

COMING UP NEXT!!!!! I don't know yet! Maybe a little apple picking from the hills of Brookfield?

Charlie is 5!

Time to get caught up a bit. My step-neph Charlie rang in his fifth year with a great party at his new home. There was tons of cake, balloon popping races, bobbing for apples and of course...presents! He even got a cool grabber toy (see below) just like the one my brother got when he was a kid. Awesome. Can I be 5 again?





Charlie is looking fierce with his cool, new grabber toy.



Charlie wants to compare digital cameras with me...I wish mine was as compact as his.



Hardcore competition in the apple bobbing game. These kids weren't kidding around.



Such a ham...



Uh oh, someone popped all his balloons...



Charlie getting crafty in the bobbin' for apples game...



The boys completely took over the game. Can you tell we have some sport fanatics here?



Nice... looking pretty pleased with himself.



Breaking out in a funky apple bobbing dance...the girls aren't impressed.



Nice bob, Dylan.


Coming up next...Fourth of July Fireworks! (yeah, I'm really getting caught up now)

six years.

Tom and I have made it six whole years...wow. We decided to celebrate by taking a nice hike up the Sterling Pond portion of The Long Trail. We picked a perfect day, despite a bit of rain on the way down. Wait, a LOT of rain. We kept a good pace though and showed those Quebec tourists why Vermont is simply perfect.




View from the top of Smuggs. Can't believe I'll be skiing down this in two months!



Once we reached the top there is a great pond, Sterling Pond, for everyone to cool down in....or just Bear. I was jealous.






Pretty moss formations.



Bear mugging for the camera. I have him trained so well. :)



Beautiful foliage on our descent. Rain was just starting to come down and made everything so lush!



Taking a breather at the top at Sterling Pond.



Wish I brought my bathing suit!



Tom is feeling a bit weird about hiking ski trails with no skis...anyone for freestyle walking?



Bear fishing for trout.




Good watering spot, nothing like a sip of moss-filtered mountain run-off. Poland Springs? Nah.



These leaves done tuuuurned.



More foliage on the descent. I think this is seconds before Bear bailed over the edge of the trail. You think I'd be careful during my turn? Nah, fell at the same spot.



This is a pretty good representation of how we felt afterwards. If the dog is this tired....

Happy Six Years Tommy!

first-timer

okay, i'm trying to be web-savvy.

here goes. I was feeling a bit inspired today, it was a gorgeous day in Vermont, 80 degrees, sunny and a very promising sunset. I headed down the Intervale with Bear (my mutt) and camera in tow and snapped away until I realized I was standing in a berry field and the sun had said goodnight. I get so caught up with the strangest things, I don't think I would've thought to pack up and head back home if it wasn't for my meter reading 15 4.0. So, I trudged back up through the fields and berry patches, flower gardens and river walks, and it was kinda cool being out there alone (with Bear as my guide) to detox after an exhausting week at work. Now if only my neck and shoulders felt the same way...

So, let's see what I pulled out from today's little venture.



Sun is beginning to set over the Winooski River.


















Romantic moment on the bridge.



My handsome sidekick, Bear, at his favorite spot: Salmon Hole.



Flower by the red barn at Gardener's Supply.



I kept a safe distance...



Envious of the gardens in the Intervale. My thumbs aren't quite so green.




Flowers at Half Pint Farm.


Bear helped with this photo when he bolted after two Labs with his leash still wrapped around my wrist. Good job Bear! Ow.



What are these things and why didn't I bring shears? :)



I think I'll just put this picture in a vase.




Ah, ready for the weekend. Wait, I'm 3 miles from the house?