April's Letter
A country wander, spring's green, and food for the nibble board
She wrote about stepping out the door just as the sun rises over the easterly mountains, about her plan to walk toward that rising sun every morning in April.
On April’s first day, I did that very thing. In a place far from home that I hadn’t been to in a long, long time. Walked over the snow-dusted pasture grass toward the black mountains silhouetted against the brightening fuchsia sky. Watched as the sun spilled into day.
On April’s second day, while writing this for you, I watched from my sofa as the sun reached over the treetops and joined me through the window, lighting the keys, lighting my way.
In the tumble of life’s gasps and its glory, the cadence of the rising sun remains. Steady. Assurance, without fail. Light for the day, no matter what it holds. Keeping seasons, and time, and us. I drink it all in.
Moments Lately
Reading Lately
Garden Maker, by Christie Purifoy. Maybe it was because emotions were already hovering just behind my eyelids. Maybe it was because it had been a hard stretch of days, and this, the hardest of them all. Maybe I was tired and hungry and just plain spent. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t past the introduction before the tears welled up and overflowed.
In the middle of rough places, beauty comes. Out of death, new life breaks through. It’s a story of gardening, a primer, a mirror of my life.
Eating Lately
It was a conversation we had a few months back that sparked the idea that formed the plan: to always keep on hand the necessary things to plate up a serving board of nibbles. Whether to serve as an appetizer for something more grand, a snack to serve unexpected guests, or a simple dinner on a day that has gotten away, it’s provision, ready to pull from the larder shelf (or from under the freezer lid).
Simple, though. It had to be simple. (Why does the idea of creating a charcuterie board feel so daunting?) So, we rattled off a list of core things that are both delicious and simple to us.
Crackers - Our favorites are Triscuits, Hungry Bird, and organic water crackers.
Spreads - Organic cream cheese (kept in the freezer!), homemade jam, or our favorite Los Pablanos green chili jam.
Hard cheese - Old Crock (smoked, sharp, or extra sharp are all delicious), or Beecher’s flagship (all kept in the freezer!) These cheeses tend to crumble, but are so delicious, we don’t mind.
Meats - Locally smoked wild-caught salmon, and locally made summer sausage (both kept in the freezer!).
Extras - any fresh veggies we have on hand (carrot sticks, usually, and sometimes apples), or canned, pickled things like mushrooms, asparagus, or green beans. (Sometimes, we don’t even do extras. Remember? Keep it simple.)
Favorites Lately
For writing sentiments and notes (I found myself in the cutest paperie with antique printing presses in the back. Carted home my first fountain pen.)
Charcuterie board how to (maybe it’s not so daunting?)
Walking toward the sun (join us?)
If you’re looking for a sturdy one, I can attest (is it okay to fall in love with an ironing board?)
Sheltered on Shelter Island (see how everything is so wonderfully unfussy?)
Work With Me
Loves! Do you need assistance in creating the home you’ve always dreamed of? My April and May calendars are up and ready to welcome you in for design consultations! Are you needing design assistance in a particular room of your home? Are you thinking about a remodel or ground-up build? Is there something off in the experience and flow of living in your home that you need help alleviating? I offer two different consultation options, one with a 55 minute virtual call, one simply via email. Click the links below for more information and booking.