Snowy morning

Detail of an old piece of dental molding, found under the half round detail, covered with siding, over the front door.

Not quite unexpectedly we were woken rather early this morning by another call from school: There will be a delay, due to inclement weather... and while my kids turned around and dreamed another sweet dream of dodging yet another test... I was thinking of our half stripped roof and the delay it would create there. But I love the pristine white and my husband took a few great shots before the workers came and removed the snow to work on the details inside the garage and moldings. It is cold, but the men are used to the outdoor work. I supply them with hot tea and they are unfazed by any obstacle.

8 AM

You can see a little of the newly created molding, details, which I designed with my trusted contractor.

Unfinished detail inside the portico, there will be a small lantern hanging in the center.

Today will be no roof work, obviously, but I was told they might continue tomorrow. So I am looking forward to more emerging details on the house front. A happy day!

Wishing you all the same!

xoxo

All images by V. Zlotkowski and lightingdirect.com

Friday post

Winter's night from our front door

I haven't done a casual Friday post in a while and today I feel like sharing a few pics of the week...

Through one of our bay windows...

It has been a little crazy around here, still recovering from Sandy and welcoming the first snow (storm) to our shores...Which has left by now, almost as fast as it came!

Lovely white blanket of snow!

Such times always provoke in me domesticity and the need for cooking, stocking up on pantry items and nesting.

Slow cooked baked beans, recipe here
REALLY GOOD!

Baked acorn squash too...

Reading by the fire and looking for good movies to watch.

Oscar hates having his picture taken, so I sneaked one in with my iPhone, he hasn't figured that out yet...

I am a wildly eclectic reader, I love some entertaining reading, something that makes me laugh out loud, or when I feel on top of my game, a challenge to my thinking, a nudge into the right direction to motivate my creativity... there are so many fantastic books and I am not going to be stuck in one direction or other. I sample freely, always...

I found this yesterday and one of the first sentences in one of her essays, I happen to open up in the bookstore, begun so promising, I could not leave it behind...

Wonderful to motivate the dormant artist within...

Incredible fun....

And more added fun! ....
 

Something different altogether, but more then captivating, I loved the 'Glass Castle' as well.

What's in the movies, I contemplate to see?

A must!

Equally enticing.

I read the book, so ...YES!

Another one I have read.... maybe!

Family fun....

Love many of the actors, so yes?

By now I've heard and seen so much of it, I feel like skipping it, if it wouldn't be for  Helen Hunt....

Sounds like I wouldn't mind either...

 

Perhaps a little melancholic, but I am interested.

What do you think? Is going to the movies in your near future?

Alright, this has been a mixed bag, but sometimes this is all what I can come up with...hope there is something for everyone, dear readers!

Last night view back over our yard towards the Hudson valley

Happy weekend and be good, where ever you are!


xoxo



Images: Landscapes,still life and food by V. Zlotkowski, books via B&N, movie posters via moviefone.com (Sorry for the bad quality)

A walk in the woods

An unusual warm "winter" afternoon made me forget all duty and beckoned me out into the woods. The dog was as happy as I and we frolicked for an hour in sunshine and under trees, seemingly ready to pop! Which is, of course wishful thinking, since February has just began.
Unlike my husband, I am all for spring....

It's a wilderness.

Along a sparkling brook.

The sky in the water, ahh!

Happy,happy!

My daughter's initial...on the ground, in the woods!

Ready for home?

We have these woods close to our neighborhood, a mere 5 minutes by car! We are so lucky, it's the closest we get to nature in a short time. 
Do you get a chance to go out there once in a while?
It is so invigorating and I always realize when I am there, how sun and wind, earth and sky make me deeply happy!
When I am in need for thinking or a little time away from it all, this gets me back to myself!












Images by V.Zlotkowski

Winter white & gray

The sky is grayish white, I do not mind the overcast. Such days inspire me. The hibernating world gives me moments to dream and fill my head with images. Colorful or gray...

Images

I love the light and quiet, solitary feeling.

Image           

This bedroom calms me.

There is a comfort in that gray feeling sky, which lets me dream.

Landscape near Hudson on Hudson, NY

Happy weekend, everyone!

Images as indicated and my own.

Sudden snow

The covered bridge in Woodstock.

Last night brought us a surprise: Fresh snow! And a wonderful day, walking the town and the small hills around into a snowy land, covered with a fresh sheet of white! The snowflakes were dancing around us and we delighted in the beauty of it!
This was yesterday:


And this is today:


And a few more impressions from this lovely place!








See the bride through the window? A winter wedding, today was the perfect day for it. I saw her in the hotel this morning!


What can one do when not skiing? Looking at fun places, having some tea, shopping for cheese and checking out those design stores...
And looking at some wonderful artwork capturing the Vermont winter perfectly!






And then there is the local psychologist...



Tomorrow we are coming home! We recharged our batteries and now feel ready for the coming weeks ahead!

xx
Victoria




All pictures taken by V.Zlotkowski, except painting via google image.