mountain view

Check out the view from the top of this mountain! Is that a good-lookin man or what?!

This wonderful mister met me on my birthday last week! And we'll be headin home to Chattanooga in a couple weeks now. Cannot wait to see you all soon. Lots o love.

 lvc

listenin to: fiddle tunes -  "Say, Darlin, Say" "Get Along Cindy"
readin: All the Living by C E Morgan

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

It's about time...

Well, I figured it's about time I say hello. Because I miss y'all so much. And things here are wonderful and cool and full of wool and beautiful sunsets and yummy seafood and fiddle music, and the only thing missing is wonderful ladies to enjoy it all with. So here's a brief rundown of some projects I've done and pictures from here and there.

Before I left, I made this hat. My first one! Yes, it is still hat weather here (around 40 degrees) but we had one day in the 80's last week!

Also before I left, I made this little bag to carry around my books...

and pens!   My mother has the most wonderful old Pfaff sewing machine that belonged to her mother when she was growing up (who sewed lots of clothes for her 12 children!), and mom taught me how to sew on it when I was little. Thanks, mom!

And here's where I live. This is the sunrise, half a block from my house! I live right on the edge of Portland, which has a little peninsula that sticks out into the bay. I love getting up early to watch the sun rise over the islands in the bay. For a few minutes, the world is absolutely beautiful.

And while I've been here, I've been lucky enough to hang out with some pretty interesting folks in order to make radio stories. One story I did was about ice fishing. I spent two days out on this lake with the guy on the left, Rick. He's been an ice fisherman all his life. Here's a pike he caught:

They're really pretty! I'm working on a website to put some of my audio stories up so I can share them with you. The first audio piece I ever made is being published by a local magazine's website this week (it will be here)! And I'm also writing a little bit about my time in Maine on my blog, here.

And finally, I'm missing this guy like crazy, but he's already been to visit once, so I guess life ain't that bad. I miss y'all!  If you get the hankerin to head north, you are all welcome here! Lots o love (and lobstah, as they say it!) from Maine.

Laura

p.s. - playing "Say Farmer, Can I Have Your Daughter" - new favorite fiddle tune! and singing "Buffalo Gals" to welcome springtime.
Read: Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton

More Fletcher, of course

Fletcher with his mama and papa, out in the sun.

Ashley, her dimples, and a little bitty baby

Aunt Ann has a go

Fletcher is introduced to the herd

Love from Auntie Ann

Fletcher Hunt Keener

Here's the new addition to Ashley and Kelsey's Family

Fletcher Hunt Keener

Born on February the 12th 2012