Hello blog friends and family. I am  almost two weeks into my stay at Vavstuga, in Massachussetts. The first group of weavers were here for a basics class this week. They finish up tomorrow and head on their way. Students put in a lot of work for five days, but are handsomely rewarded with beautiful self-woven items. Everyone is pleasantly surprised with all they have to take home. This is downtown Buckland. Home of, among other shops, a co-op health food/grocery store, a nice wine store and an ice cream/candy/fudge store. MMMMM, what else does one need? 

To the right are just a few of the flowers to be seen on the walk from Vavstuga, in Shelburne, to Buckland via the Bridge of Flowers. They are so breathtaking, and changing daily. The bridge goes over the Deerfield River near Salmon Falls. The picture at left was taken just a couple of blocks from where I'm staying. 

Last Friday evening, on the walk home I loaded up on fresh produce at a local farmer's market. This proved to be a little silly because I get to eat fantastic meals at the school during class weeks and so didn't go to the house to cook. All my once fresh veggies will be added to lentils tomorrow to become part of  a weekend soup.

Becky, Susan and I went on a field trip last Saturday to cut some wheat and oat stalks from a local farm, Upinngils, to be dried and used in a weaving project in the fall. Upinngils is a working farm and dairy with a roadside store and vegetable market. I didn't get a picture of the cutting of plants because I was one of the cutters. However, I did take a picture of the inside of the market. They had local organic cheese, meat, berries, vegetables, flowers, several varieties of fresh ground flour, and so much more. A beautiful little place, this was. Enough for tonight. I hope you are all well and enjoying the summer (even if it is hotter than most of you wish).