Carolyn Bates

"What used to be my chair is now hers. Cats do that. ... Gracie is a bit different - this past she was sitting on a plant table with a window view of outside, where a little bunny was perhaps 6 feet away from the window, perfect view of the rabbit, a normal cat would have been going nuts looking at it, but here's Gracie, swatting at a tiny little fly on the outside of the window, completely ignoring the rabbit." - Peter Larson LITTLE BUNDLES - for Lady Gray -by Jerry Johnson (from UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A SADDLE) Little bundles of energy With motors running fast Not a mouse stands a … [Read more...]

I got a great recipe from a Caroline St neighbor and wanted to share it with you. This Smoky Black Bean Dip is gluten and soy free.   You can serve with Lime Flavored Tostitos and Endive. Add additional sour cream to reduce "heat". … [Read more...]

MERRY HAPPY HOLIDAYS and NEW YEAR to ALL! Main image: Shelburne Museum’s Ticonderoga Grand Celebration Thank you all many times over for contributing warmth, love and exciting adventures for me!!! Architect Patrick Kane’s Squam Lake House comprised of 4 “wigwam” houses sided with zinc, and his net zero complex at Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Designer and builder Sandy Lawton’s unique, super-efficient, fabric-formed concrete small house. Designer and florist Ingrid Rich’s brilliant colors: orange bedroom; best getaway: her chicken coop;best family portrait with people intertwined … [Read more...]

Even though it poured rain ALL DAY, taking photos at the Upper Pines Lodge was a fun day. I just grabbed a huge polo umbrella when I was outside.The architect, Dave Sellers, outdid himself once again, with unusual design. By using real trees line up on both sides of the entry hall, the architect was able to take the nature that surrounds this structure and highlight it. In addtion, the diagonals in kitchen, fabric and stained glass chandeliers, and curving roof lines all added to the true uniqueness of this lodge. This is truly a perfect pairing of nature & architecture. And even more … [Read more...]

Noah’s Song begins with … Have you ever seen llamas wearing pajamas or a dancing cow in a herd? Or a big bull moose atop a caboose? Are all my questions absurd? I was building an ark when I heard my dog bark at a long-haired orangutan. The sight of this ape with a muscular shape was enough to frighten any man! Just the other day while out making hay I saw a vision that made me take heed — A black and white skunk dressed like a monk, riding a unicorn steed. Then I spotted a cheetah eating Velveeta, playing chess with a colorful bird. The bird, though colossal, seemed quite docile — I hope … [Read more...]

This year author Jerry Johnson hosted a Harvest Party at his old schoolhouse and barn. Take a look at some of the photos from this fun event!Photos by Carolyn Bates and Desiree Lopez A note from the Author: A big “thank you” to all who came! It has been quite a year for me that involved selling my farm, moving a lifetime of belongings to the schoolhouse, getting Noah’s Song published, and, sadly, the passing of my dear friend Adrien Patenaude, the artist for Noah’s Song. All of this was happening at the same time. Without the support of many people, it would have been extremely difficult to … [Read more...]

In the heart of the Northeast Kingdom in the town of East Albany sat an old wood-framed schoolhouse. The year was 1983. It was August, a beautiful time of year to be in Vermont. Summer was winding down and nights were growing cooler. My investigation about the schoolhouse revealed that Erdine Gonyaw was the last teacher to educate a room full of third through sixth graders at the school which had been closed for 30 years. I bought the schoolhouse that August, and it was the beginning of a dream, a dream that occupied my mind since 1970 when my parents purchased the farm adjacent to the … [Read more...]

In this celebrated book, UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A SADDLE, award-winning poet Jerry Johnson has created a universal memoir of life experiences. Animals, the natural world around us, people, first loves, loss, joy, and so much more breathes in his poetry full of treasured images. The words portray life on many levels, the images stay with you, and there is a feeling of kinship with what is described. It is a joy to read this book, and to give it as a gift to others that will be treasured forever. Sixteen of the book's 99 poems were beautifully set to music by Jon Gailmor and Pete Sutherland, two … [Read more...]

Take a look at author Jerry Johnson's restored century-old schoolhouse and stunning barn located on a farm in Vermont. Artistically and architecturally, this farm is truly inspiring. Read the story of This Old Schoolhouse by Jerry Johnson here.  Take the Tour of the home & the barn! About the Poet Jerry Johnson lives in a restored century-old schoolhouse on a farm in Vermont’s fabled Northeast Kingdom, and the stimulus for much of his work stems from the natural beauty of this Vermont region. Jerry taught for 29 years at the middle school, high school and college levels. He … [Read more...]

Take a look at this great video on how this Vermont company crafts some of the finest (and delicious) goat cheese locally.   Where does the best food come from? From makers who really care. At Vermont Creamery, Allison Hooper and Bob Reese have been crafting the finest goat cheese from local goats for thirty years--and counting. See the process from start to finish, ending in the Blue Apron kitchen, where we're making using Vermont Creamy's cheese to bake up some pizza. Take a look at some of the recipes on their website. You can also learn more about Blue Apron and see their recipes … [Read more...]

Hot off the press! Check out the before and after photos from my shoot at Express Appliance, Kitchen & More! Before Before Express Appliance, Kitchen & More 180 Flynn Avenue Burlington, VT 05401wexpressw.com   … [Read more...]

Imagine going to an antique store and purchasing a box of old photographs, then spending the next fifty years trying to figure out who the people depicted in the photographs were as well as the identity of the photographer who took them. That is exactly what Douglas Keister has done. Eventually, he found out that he was in possession of a beautifully rendered visual documentation of a little known, but tremendously important, chapter of American history. Most recently the Smithsonian Institution recognized the importance of the images and acquired 60 prints made from the century old glass … [Read more...]

Travel back to Oct. 19, 1864 during the Civil War to St. Albans Vermont. The entire center of the city is now an encampment of soldiers and townspeople with tents, cooking fires, guns, and musicians. Now, 150 years later Vermont is celebrating the anniversay! The story of the St. Albans Raid has all the makings of a silver-screen drama. The northernmost and perhaps most unusual land action of the Civil War took place on Oct. 19, 1864, in St. Albans Vermont. Learn more about the St. Albans of 1864 Read the full story of the St. Albans Raid Find out the effect The Raid had on the Civil … [Read more...]

The River House is a home a la Frank Lloyd Wright. Taking their inspiration from the architect, as the master of design, the clients studied his work. Then they elements to bring in a more sustainable lifestyle to the house. They added latest climate controls, green roof, windows, heating, etc. to bring this house into a net zero residence. Very exciting. Archictect: Maclay ArchitectsMaclay Architects designs buildings and communities that are models for healthy, inspired living, advancing to a carbon neutral and ecologically sustainable future. We offer clients choices in selecting the … [Read more...]

Stuart O’Brien hired me to design a book cover for his new book Wildwood. It is a poignant love story about a soldier and his lover. The story is filled with what happens during WWII, their letters, and what she does after the war, with unusual surprises and twists that go on for 60 years. At first he wanted her to be in a misty  scene, walking towards her lover’s grave… then we added woods. Then we took out the woods and added tombstones. Then some green background along with some grass and fewer tombstones and a new red coat. The flower bouquet was exchanged more than once. Finally we … [Read more...]