Engaging with 2023 a bit differently post pandemic. In out 67th year, having survived without illness, we find ourselves slowing down in unexpected ways, embracing opportunities to travel and enjoy different aspects of creativity.

The fall harvest (November and December 2022) was managed with new working partners. Our son Henry, now living and farming the property helped bring in the crop with Phoebe and Alex, our able bodied staff, and Eli, the willow wrangler and I helped Howard as well.

I did a few regional shows, where I think my festive crowns got more attention than the work I was there to sell, but it was all in good fun and I got to see some of my favorite customers (who are also some of my favorite friends!) Thanks to all of you who visited the farm as well for your holiday purchases, and thanks to those who attended Winterfair in Columbus.

In mid December, Howard and I departed for West Bengal, India, to do some volunteer work with a non profit in the craft sector, Kadam. The organization supports thousands of craftspeople working with natural fibers: Sitilpati, Madhurkathi, Sabai, Shola, and Bamboo. Howard had worked with them during the lockdown virtually, and we were both invited to join the design team to work on new products in Kolkata. It was rewarding to be on the sub-continent again. The warmness of the people we worked with can not be understated. It was a gift to be embraced by them. We hope we gave as good as we got. I did get to work with the young dying master on a color wheel lesson and was able to get in a few licks on the large looms weaving Madhurkathi.

Howard and I both got home at the end of February in time to pack and sort and ship willow. It can be back breaking work, and I am spending the rest of the spring giving mine a rest. Best to do lap work while it mends. I have had fun the last few weeks hand dying cotton loops and working up some 21st century potholders which I look forward to sharing once I get a big enough stash of them but more importantly can bear to part with them!

And today, March 30th, 2023, my hubs, partner in love, life, and bickering has turned 67, so there was the favorite pie to make! Lemons, to pucker up with him and celebrate the sweetness of life.