My Little Place in the Woods

Snow Squalls!

2012-01-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

Foggy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:17:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

Meeting Santa

2011-12-20T15:49:00.000-05:00

Getting Ready

2011-12-12T08:32:00.000-05:00

Calendar

2011-11-19T08:45:00.000-05:00

On this cold November morning,

Say hello to Mr. August.

On this morning's walk

2011-11-06T07:54:00.000-05:00

I saw a woodpecker.

Rainy Day Walk

2011-10-14T14:19:00.002-05:00

We wanted to see the leaves before the rain came and took them down.

But we were too late.

So we crossed the brook to go home.

And we almost missed seeing

the reddest leaf.

Leaves are falling

2011-10-12T08:52:00.000-05:00

Catch them while you can.

Fall

2011-09-21T07:21:00.000-05:00

I thought there was more time for summer things but I was wrong.

Scallions

2011-08-02T08:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I got some scallions at the farmer's market. They were very fresh.

Where I'm Working Today

2011-06-20T08:00:00.002-05:00

Here is a closer look.

Inside there is plenty of room to spread out.

There are quiet companions

who keep a stern eye on me to make sure that I'm not slacking off.

It is not all hard work. There is plenty of time for some

On the homeward commute.

Forget me nots

2011-06-03T10:51:00.002-05:00

Spring Bouquet

2011-06-02T14:54:00.001-05:00

Surtex

2011-05-11T07:15:00.006-05:00

I won't be there but my work will be. Stop by Painted Word's booth #454.and say hello if you happen to be there!

It Finally Happened

2011-05-08T14:03:00.006-05:00

Spring has come to the mountain.

Not quite there yet!

2011-04-21T08:30:00.001-05:00

Spring hatches

2011-04-15T14:22:00.000-05:00

Morning Walk

2011-01-24T10:05:00.003-05:00

Mornings are so cold that even the trees shiver.

But the snow is sparkling.

So I put on my snowshoes and we walk to the edge of the woods.


We look back at our mountain where we usually walk but in winter it is only for skiers.

That's okay. We can still enjoy fresh powder.

Flying in Snow

2010-12-02T08:14:00.003-05:00

What it looks like out there right now..

2010-11-19T08:41:00.003-05:00

PiBoIdMo

2010-11-13T11:25:00.005-05:00

Tara Lazar is behind PiBoIdMo, or Picture Book Idea Month. You can see more about it
here, and also see my guest post and find out what's going on with this bunny.

We're getting some wind today

2010-10-22T07:01:00.002-05:00

It's here

2010-10-03T07:14:00.002-05:00

Vermont is almost perfect....

2010-09-15T06:23:00.001-05:00

...but it doesn't have this.

September

2010-09-08T20:17:00.003-05:00

Darkness comes a little earlier every day.

Blueberries!

2010-08-03T10:45:00.002-05:00

Recovered!

2010-07-24T14:19:00.005-05:00

And entertaining old friends

and new ones!

Waterfall walks are on hold...

2010-07-08T20:46:00.004-05:00

Cut paw..

but will be better soon.

Summer

2010-07-07T11:07:00.003-05:00

When it is hot and hazy, we wake up early

for our walk up the road

to admire the waterfall.

After resting a moment we carry on,

enjoying these brief moments of summer.

It is Strawberry Time!

2010-06-14T07:27:00.002-05:00

Illustration Friday: Early

2010-05-24T08:10:00.003-05:00

Fred was early. Should he walk around the block again, or just wait on the doorstep until the time was right? He was paralyzed with indecision.

When will it be summer?

2010-05-11T15:33:00.002-05:00

In this cold and snowy May, I find myself longing for summer, bugs and all.

Illustration Friday: Fearless

2010-05-07T09:43:00.001-05:00

“The fearless are merely fearless. People who act in spite of their fear are truly brave.” ~unknown

The Dandelions are Out!

2010-05-05T12:58:00.002-05:00

April Snow

2010-04-28T14:14:00.007-05:00

Spring comes slowly to Vermont.

And some of us just try to hold onto the snow.

If we concentrate very hard,

we might get one more shot at winter.

Spring Chicken

2010-04-06T09:39:00.002-05:00

Listen Up!

2010-03-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Listen to what the talented people at Sterling have done with Arugula! http://www.listenalongstorybook.com/

Finally

2010-02-25T08:15:00.003-05:00

All winter we've been waiting for a big snow storm.
Yesterday our wishes were granted.

Congratulations Katherine Paterson

2010-02-14T16:58:00.004-05:00

I just got back from a lovely brunch at The Flying Pig Bookstore
honoring our new National Ambassador for Children's Literature. It was just perfect!

Memories

2010-02-04T08:20:00.000-05:00

quiet time

2010-01-31T07:07:00.001-05:00

Christmas

2009-12-28T10:23:00.007-05:00

Christmas morning dawned peacefully,

but quickly became full of frenzied activity.

The tree needed to be guarded.

There were old friends to see and new people to meet.

The holidays were exhausting.

Thank You Union Elementary School!

2009-12-22T16:30:00.010-05:00

A few weeks ago I visited the Union Elementary School in Montpelier VT. Today I got the best surprise ever when I went to the post office. Thank you cards!

They were all wonderful. I wish I could post them all. Here are just a few:

My sentiments exactly!

Of course I do,

especially because there is a picture of me inside!

Apparently someone thought that Arugula's party got a little bit out of control.

Thank you so much everyone! To see more cards, go to Arugula's blog http://perfectlyarugula.blogspot.com/

Arugula Prepares for Christmas

2009-12-14T17:13:00.002-05:00

It is Snowing!

2009-11-30T16:40:00.002-05:00

Old Friends

2009-11-12T14:51:00.003-05:00

Stick Season

2009-11-01T17:21:00.007-05:00

With the woods full of gunfire, we went to
the river

for one last swim.

We savored the sunshine as long as we could,

because it's November

and darkness is coming.

There's something in the wind..

2009-10-26T09:55:00.000-05:00

Arugula is ready for Halloween

2009-10-20T19:34:00.003-05:00

Just another October Morning

2009-10-13T08:17:00.001-05:00

Fall

2009-10-05T09:45:00.003-05:00

Autumn is a time of deep contemplation.

New Tricks!

2009-10-02T16:25:00.004-05:00

I've been trying my hand at going digital.

Illustration Friday: Pattern

2009-09-25T08:24:00.005-05:00

The leaves are changing and I'm in the mood
for pancakes.

Top of the Mountain

2009-09-20T18:24:00.006-05:00

Today we hiked up the rocky road,

by the craggy trees,

to the top of the mountain where we could see for miles.

It was fun.

Welcome Juliet

2009-09-10T11:54:00.001-05:00

My nephew Nick and his wife Rebecca just had a baby girl.
I am so excited for them!

Fall is coming

2009-08-24T12:03:00.002-05:00

It's never too soon to get ready.

Hunting

2009-08-07T12:57:00.009-05:00

Some dogs hunt for game.

Some dogs hunt for truffles.

But I have a berry hunting dog.

Yum!

They're ready.

Tea Party at Brown Dog Books

2009-07-26T08:48:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Natacha and Emma at Brown Dog Books and Gifts
in Hinesburg Vermont hosted a wonderful tea party for Arugula.
It was PERFECT! To see more pictures, go on over to Arugula's blog.

My Favorite Weed

2009-07-19T15:00:00.002-05:00

This Morning's Walk

2009-07-07T08:05:00.009-05:00

High above the misty valley,

We followed the road

to waterfalls

and wildflowers.

Good Boy!

Wild Flowers

2009-06-30T17:21:00.000-05:00

It is Summer....

2009-06-25T15:26:00.002-05:00

...and the bugs are out.

Home

2009-06-16T11:33:00.007-05:00

I love where I live now, but there is
nothing like the place of my childhood. There
fences tumble under flowers,

and purple pom poms catch the breeze.

Sometimes creatures stand stone still,

Sometimes they are so fleeting you can't be sure if they are real.

Happy Birthday!

2009-06-07T06:40:00.002-05:00

I can't believe he's two years old already!

Arugula, Queen of the Airwaves!

2009-06-03T12:16:00.004-05:00

Listen to an interview about Arugula
on Write the Book!

Thank You Flying Pig!

2009-05-20T08:31:00.004-05:00

Saturday The Flying Pig bookstore hosted a wonderful
teaparty for "Perfectly Arugula" You can read Elizabeth
Bluemle's account of it here:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/660000266/post/1240044724.html

The Violets are out!

2009-05-11T19:54:00.001-05:00

Bookplates!

2009-04-26T09:36:00.002-05:00

Bookplates are now available!

If you would like a personalized signed bookplate
for your copy of "Perfectly Arugula" leave a comment
below with your email address and I will contact you
with the details!

Here's to Arugula!

2009-04-23T07:28:00.004-05:00

My friend Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba has a nice interview with me about Arugula on her blog today. Go visit, and be sure bookmark her blog, it is always interesting and informative!

Illustration Friday: Poise

2009-03-27T11:00:00.002-05:00

"Poise: the ability to be ill at ease inconspicuously." - Earl Wilson

Illustration Friday: Celebrate

2009-02-13T14:05:00.004-05:00

Come celebrate Valentine's Day with Arugula
at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, February 14,
10-12, as part of Kids Heart Authors Day!

Arugula's Big Day

2009-02-03T15:53:00.002-05:00

She's been around for a little while now, but
today is Arugula's official debut!

Perfectly Arugula

2009-01-15T21:08:00.003-05:00

Arugula, the main character in my new book "Perfectly Arugula"
has just started her own blog. Please be sure and take off your shoes before entering.

Snowy Night

2009-01-07T21:45:00.001-05:00

They walked home through the snow thinking
of pancakes.

Ice Storm

2008-12-16T06:14:00.003-05:00

To every one on my Christmas Card List, I am sorry. Last year I didn't get my cards out because of a broken wrist. This year I had all good intentions. I was visiting my mother in early December and would get cards sent out when I got home. Then this happened:

The ice storm wreaked havoc in Central Massachusetts. Not to worry though, Friday morning after it looked like the worst of it was over we left her powerless house and found refuge in a hotel about 20 miles away. Travel was treacherous, but we made it.

My mother's house is still without power but they say it should be back in the next few days. Then the big clean up begins. I will probably be here through Christmas.

Next year I promise I will get those Christmas cards out earlier!

Thank you Boston Globe for the pictures.

Arugula is getting ready

2008-12-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

Gusto

2008-12-04T16:57:00.004-05:00

We lost a good friend this week. Gusto was our
neighbor and we used to spend a lot of time in the woods
hunting squirrels and chipmunks together. He taught me
a lot about how expressive a non speaking being can be and my
work improved because of that.

Gusto is the reason we got our own puppy and although he
probably would have been happier being the only dog in our
lives, Gusto was a good uncle to McKenzie.

We all miss him.

Illustration Friday: Opinion

2008-11-21T11:16:00.002-05:00

Illustration Friday: Pretend

2008-11-14T11:39:00.003-05:00

Illustration Friday: Wise

2008-11-07T14:25:00.003-05:00

In the battle of the seasons...

2008-10-22T08:03:00.002-05:00

... Winter is winning.

Yesterday...

2008-10-12T07:20:00.007-05:00

...was one of those days.

It doesn't get much better.

Stormy

2008-09-26T10:05:00.003-05:00

We're in for a wet weekend.

It's Fall!

2008-09-21T09:40:00.002-05:00

Time for chores.

Coming Next Spring!

2008-09-11T13:51:00.001-05:00

Pre-order your copy today!

Sometimes I'm the bunny, sometimes I'm the mouse

2008-09-09T08:04:00.003-05:00

Illustration Friday: Routine

2008-08-22T12:23:00.003-05:00

She gave it all she had, but when she finished
her routine, she wasn't sure it had been enough.

It still feels like summer...

2008-08-07T12:39:00.001-05:00

...but since late July we've been seeing more
and more of these.

At Last!

2008-07-22T20:21:00.002-05:00

Time for a little tidying...

Patterns

2008-07-19T07:02:00.000-05:00

just for fun...

Every morning

2008-06-29T07:09:00.012-05:00

Every morning at sunrise the fidgety brown dog
gets me up for a walk.

Sometimes we find fierce sticks

and strawberries, tiny and wild.

Finally we get to the waterfall.

The water is lovely.

Then we head home,

where I am ready to face the tasks of the day,

and the brown dog is no longer fidgety.

IF: Hoard

2008-06-20T08:41:00.002-05:00

Even a hoarder should share once in a while.

IF Worry

2008-05-23T09:43:00.003-05:00

Finally..

2008-05-19T07:31:00.003-05:00

...Spring has arrived! But you can still see a
little snow off in the distance.

IF: Wide

2008-05-18T14:56:00.003-05:00

It's a big wide world out there.

IF: Electricity

2008-05-09T12:17:00.001-05:00

There was a spark between them that neither could deny.

Perspective

2008-04-25T07:09:00.005-05:00

IF: Fail

2008-04-11T10:29:00.007-05:00

IF: Save

2008-04-04T19:18:00.002-05:00