cherry trees in bloom

Hullo! i missed you dear ones this weekend, lounging under the frothing cherry trees in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It was so easy to imagine the circle of you, sharing champagne and giggles. I was the best dressed (unless you prefer city chic) in a blue bicycle dress that arrived in the mail the day before from Miss Ashley! 

 three of my classmates: Nancy, Clarisse, and Haley- who always look more citywise than me. we painted hearts on our knees (and elsewhere) after a couple bottles of renegade champagne were downed. 

wish a fantastic ann photo was taken of these, which would end up on a card... next year, p'rhaps?

missin' you! in all shades of pink

Elspeth's Dinner

'Twas o-so-long-ago but Miss Elf just sent me a few pictures she took (as I took none)- with both black and white and color.

To see the menu go here: annsfoodletters.blogspot.com

Moss looks lovely smiley holding some pink eggs- in action.  

Miss Elf also looking lovely smiley, a more common occurrence in photos than Moss, but no less beautiful.

Me in my Spring-Time dress, tailored for me by the soon-to-be-world-famous Elf Yiddle-Giddle. 

And Mike and Kalli, the dishwashers, using all Safety Precautions

Love, Ann Middle Tindell

Shakerag Hollow in March

On the last day of March we decided to take a venture to one of my favorite places to go in the Spring time. I went last year for the first time with Miriam, Ann and Mike, and I have never seen a more beautifully diverse landscape in all my time. So this year Kelsey, Fletcher and I packed some snacks, diapers and a camera and went on our way to explore what spring ephemerals might be showing themselves. 

Everywhere you look wildflowers, ferns, moss, little critters, and so much covers the forest floor. It's so beautiful. Kelsey says it's called Shakerag Hollow because there use to be lots of moonshiners down there and if ever anyone wanted some they would hang a rag in branch with money in it and come back to some moonshine waiting for them, or so they say. 

Mountain azaleas were blooming all around. 

We couldn't figure out who lives in here. Perhaps a little gnome, I would want to live here if I were a forest dweller. Right on the edge of a trickling spring with lovely plants growing all around. 

Larkspur

Mayapples blooming in March!!

Phlox and Ferns happily living together

A brief stop on a fallen tree to change Flethers diaper. He was awake for a good portion of the hike just a lookin' all around. 

Foam Flower

And a break for kisses.

Love, Ashley and Fletcher    

Books to look at: Wildflowers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians