rolling fog from off the Kennebec River and the fiery brilliance of maple, birch, oak and ash
Partridge Cemetery in Woolwich, Maine. Lilith Snow. The most beautiful old-fashioned name I ever found on a headstone. 
Dresden, Maine
the field next to our home
our home
Susan
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The Tuttles were off on another Vermont adventure; leaf peeping and exploring picturesque New England towns like this one… Established in 1761, the tiny, quaint town of Chester, Vermont charmed us with its mix of Victorian and Federal-style architecture, antique shops and art galleries, an old cemetery, and surrounding Green Mountain peaks and rolling countryside dotted with red barns. 
the town green covered in crunchy fallen leaves
Inn Victoria, 1851
a beautifully restored purple Victorian gingerbread ‘carpenter gothic’ house
our girl
hydrangea tree blossom that has turned from white to a vibrant coral pink
I could live in this Federal-style home.
Susan
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Wishing you a joyful September. Here are some recent captures as seen on my ‘personal’ Instagram account @whisper_in_the_wood (deep into the veins of foraging, herbalism and homesteading). The name of this account has undergone several iterations, but I think I’ve finally chosen one that resonates best with me (at least for now). I certainly do continue to enjoy the freedom and large-format option of posting here on my website’s blog, even though blogs seem to be taking a backseat to other social media platforms (most notably Instagram). If you desire more frequent connection and sharing than what is found here on my blog, know that I do make daily-ish posts on my ‘everyday’ IG account. In addition to this somewhat informal IG account, I have a another one that features my purely iPhone art @susantuttle.
An excerpt from my recent @whisper_in_the_wood Instagram post…
When the kids go back to school and the autumnal air sets in here in Maine, I begin to shift, noticeably. I miss them and feel a layer of sadness inside, coupled with enjoying the freedom of having time to myself for work and play. Bittersweet, indeed. A ‘mama bear, nurturing and comfort provider’ side of me comes to the forefront, and I get this strong desire to make soup and bread.
My morning and afternoon hours are becoming a mix of working on creating a new online course and making food and herbal “medicine.” As soon as the kiddos got on the bus this morning, I made a potato kale and zucchini soup with vegetables from our garden and a fresh loaf of beer and cheese bread to go with it.
My homemade firecider was ready, so I strained out the plant matter and bottled it up. It is the most delicious immune tonic I’ve ever tasted. Yummy straight from the bottle. I also plan to use some to make a salad dressing.
I made a nettle herbal infusion and I am brewing tea for another batch of kombucha. There’s tinctures and oils that are ready for straining, lined up on the countertop.
As I work and look out the window, I feel akin with the chipmunks and squirrels that are gathering nuts for winter. #harvesttime #autumn #shifting
What kinds of things do you like to do as you shift into autumn?
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