If I had to pick just one thing about New England to love… it would be that there are 4 distinct seasons. We don’t get that here up in Washington state. And let me tell you Bob, I am totally looking forward to each and everyone of them when we finally bust out of here someday.
I love that the ground could be frozen solid for months at a time.
So you can REST. And do other things.
Heather told me that cabin fever is a real thing over there. And that you need to plan “projects” to do during the winter months so you don’t go nuts. So far this winter she has taken a beekeeping class and a sewing class to learn how to make an apron. She’s made soap in her crockpot and now she’s thinking about building a greenhouse with one of her neighbors.
I could totally do that. I’d probably spend my winters hooking rugs by the woodstove, trying my hand at wood carving and make candles to give away as gifts and to use throughout the year.
I would so love to jump on board that whole mindset… and I think the drastic changes in weather would help.
Everything is go go go around here…
And I’m ready for a change.
I had so much fun this past week on the east coast. Looking back though all the photos I took I can barely stand it.
Heather! You are AWESOME. Thanks for much for your hospitality, sitting around the kitchen table for 3 hours each night and putting up with my bringing boxes of pastries into you house and making everyone eat them. 😉
I had a blast.
~Mavis
Jim Rancourt says
I’m sorry I didn’t know you would be visiting here (Mass.) as this old man would have enjoyed taking a ride over for a meet and greet and taking you folks out to dinner.
Up here in the Berkshires there is still a lot of snow on the ground so we won’t be in a position to do much with our gardens for another few weeks. Our typical planting date for frost hearty vegetables is early May (with cloches still often needed), while the more tender vegetables go in around May 30th. I remember one year my garden was hit very hard when we got 2-inches of snow on Mother’s Day.
If you should get back up this way again, please let me know so we can all get together. 🙂
Ellen in Clackamas says
Mavis, did you sell your East Coast house? You never talk about what’s going on there anymore.
Mavis Butterfield says
No we still have it. I guess I just don’t blog about it anymore. I should though.
Stacie says
Sounds like a fun trip!! Crockpot soap sounds interesting, do you think Heather would share the recipe and instructions?
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll see if I can get your the recipe Stacie.
Janice says
Me too please! I’m looking for a way to use up all my small pieces that I’m too thrifty to throw out 🙂
Nancy says
I also live in Washington state, but on the eastern side of the Cascades. We have 4 very distinct seasons here. We had snow for 79 days straight. all I am saying, is you don’t have to go all the way to the East coast if you want the 4 seasons. It really is in your own back yard. Now if you WANT to go to the East coast well…….. that is another story.
Amber says
I live in Wenatchee area, central Washington, and totally agree! Such beautiful seasons. Lots of “westsiders” (what we call people from the Seattle/Tacoma area) retire on this side of the state b/c of its beauty and 4 seasons. Come visit, Mavis!! …..i want the soap recipe too!
Mavis Butterfield says
We are headed to Wenatchee in a few weeks…. Any bakeries or stores I should check out?
Drasa says
I am also on the East Side – near Spokane. Our daffodils haven’t even started poking up yet! I love our distinct seasons. I feel like we are closer to those East Coast pics than the West side Washington ones right now. 🙂
Lisa Millar says
What a great space! So many beautiful raised beds! Winter dreaming of the summer projects!
The soap looks amazing – I SO want to learn to make my own soap!
I love my winter down-time. Making stuff and planning stuff! Its awesome, then crazy busy spring summer and autumn!
Pat says
Mavis, i enjoyed your photos and thoughts on the east coast!! I am another person that would love the recipe for crockpot soap making!!
Farmer Phyl says
Mavis, I’m agreeing with Nancy about Eastern Washington and 4 distinct seasons. And since Washington would miss you (maybe more than you’d miss Washington) I will hold out hope that you’ll decide to stay in state. However if you leave us, please don’t stop you garden blog. No matter where you are I’d still love to hear about the garden adventures of Lucy and Mavis.
Carrie Council says
I live in NC with mild winters and I still get seasonal depression. I could never move further north although I love snow and have been skiing and snowboarding most of my life. I would love to try snowshoeing but we don’t get enough down here. But I think it’s more of a no sunlight after work depression. I always gain 10 pounds from sitting on the couch eating comfort food during the winter and then lose it in the spring when I walk the dog twice a day and do endless hours of yard work and gardening – it’s a vicious cycle!
Caroline says
I see greyhound butts! Love that your friend has greyhounds, I’m also a greyhound mother. They are the absolute most sweetest tenderhearted dogs in the world. <3