Girasole...

...one of my all time favorite Italian words...turning to the sun.  Even though I love and indeed crave and revel in grey days full of cozying, I am a heliotrope to my core.  But sunshine comes in all forms and fall means a lap full of colorful yarn and warmth from the oven baking something yummy.  Every year when the first hints of fall appear I am convinced that it must be my favorite season, but then I start thinking of the snow that is to come and get so excited for winter.  And is there anything more exciting than those first few hints of green after a winter of white...Or anything more lovely than a string of lazy summer days stretching out before you?  I think I just love the change.  Having grown up in southern Texas where the seasons are there but are so subtle, I find each change so exciting.  No matter that I have spent the whole of my adult life in four season locales, I still find it new and thrilling every time.  So here we are in Vermont with the promise of fall in the air and the remnants of summer still hanging on.  I am loving the grey misty mornings that greet us each morning with the clouds hugging the mountains outside my window...loving it!  As the day progresses it's always a mystery...will we get a last gasp of summer or a preview of fall?...best to pack the rain jackets and layer up just in case.  And today?...here is a view of my morning so far.  Out the front door...

 Good morning glory...

Hello sunshine...

 And into the garden...

 ...where the gifts of summer still abound.  Altogether wonderful these days of transitioning.  I'll get back to blogging about knitting and things crafty but for now, a big thank you for indulging me as I transition into our new life here in sabbaticaland.  Wishing you a sunny day!...

~xoxo~
alison 

    

Let the sabbatical begin!...

That's right!  We have hit the road and are officially on sabbatical! 

Well actually my husband is on sabbatical—the lad and I are just along for the ride, but it feels like we are all in it together (and indeed we are).  This sabbatical has been delayed several years and it feels so good and yet a little strange now that it's finally here.  I have that butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of anxiousness that always accompanies any new situation—you know that little flutter and thrill of possibility that lives behind your bellybutton, all of that what-will-it-be and where-will-it-take-us rush and excitement along with wee bit of apprehension, eagerness and earnestness.  Because I want to make the most of this time and want it to be good for all of us—productive and fun for all, I do spend a fair amount of time mulling things over, trying to get situated and deciding where and how to begin.  I want to get it right and yet know how ridiculous that is—how so much of what is good about taking a sabbatical is wrapped up in letting go and opening up.  Having done this before and knowing what a grand adventure it can be does help tons with the letting go and waiting and seeing.  The trick is to strike a balance—plan a bit and roll a lot.  Hence my sabbatical formula...

  carpe diem + que sera sera = la dolce vita.

Simple and elegant in spirit (if a bit mixed up linguistically)—my favorite kind of equation.

This time around is a little different though—we are just three now.  I know, how can that be?...but it's true.  My dear middle man has embarked on his own adventure—first year of college!...

I will admit that I've had to give myself a stern talking to now and again (when I get especially mopey over having him gone).  I am so proud and so happy for him though, and knowing that he is in such a good spot and that there are so many wonderful things ahead of him really goes such a long way to easing the pinch of having another bird fly the nest.

And my oldest bird?...my she does fly!  She's off on another international jaunt—this time a semester abroad attending French university and is loving it so far...

It promises to be a year of newness, of getting out of comfort zones, of embracing new routines, experiences and people.  It's altogether a good thing shaking things up now and again.  Here's a glimpse of the shake up here...

So as you can see, nothing too strenuous so far.  After a busy summer of planning and prepping and sending dear ones away from home, we are now getting ourselves settled and are easing into this new school year.  For the next few months we'll be staying in one of my favorite spots—a place that I love and that is full of happy memories and that feels familiar and new at the same time—the perfect beginning before the next jump (ooh there's that flutter again!...so exciting, so good!).

Sending happy, new beginning thoughts your way!...
xoxo
~alison