The Village Press

Would you do me the honor..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:55:00 +0000

of following me on a new adventure??

I am taking a leap into a new cloud of creativity. I am calling it RED HOUSE. Living a handmade life is its theme and I am super excited about it.

Apparently I can craft, cook, and sew... but I cannot, for the life of me, switch over to Word Press smoothly. I miss you all. I want you to join me. I can't do it on my own.

Just CLICK HERE and see what I have been up to.

Chop Chop Chopping...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:22:00 +0000

down our Christmas tree.

Just another perk to living in this magical place.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Christmas.

I wish I was an artist...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:51:00 +0000

I have wished to be an artist since I can remember.
I wish I could draw, nicely. I wish I could paint, beautifully. I wish I could strum the guitar, musically.
But all these years I have accepted that it just wasn't me. I am left brained. I do math, I make lists, I am timely, I think ahead. Being a whimsical artEEst that wears a beret and lives in Paris, that plays acoustic around a campfire, that paints for hours in a studio... is just not who I will ever be.
I think about this all of the time... mostly when I am scrubbing my house, on my hands and knees, in my jammies, wondering just what it is I am doing here. I scrub and I scrub and I think about my place in this world. Sometimes I feel like I belong to this BIG life of mine. And sometimes I feel awfully small.
But I never feel like the artist I have always longed to be.
BUT THEN I REALIZED...
in my jammies, in rubber gloves, with my head in the toilet
I am an artist.
My life is my art.
My house is my painting. My children are my pottery. My marriage is my architecture. I cook, sew, craft, build, create. I rock out, I dance (alone when I clean), I write...
And suddenly everywhere I look I see art.

Happy Day.

11/07/12

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Manifesto:
The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in your head. Not even your future will be a mystery any more. Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer. When they want you to buy something they will call you. When they want you to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something that won't compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands. Give your approval to all you cannot understand. Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus that will build under the trees every thousand years. Listen to carrion - put your ear close, and hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come. Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. So long as women do not go cheap for power, please women more than men. Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child? Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields. Lie down in the shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear allegiance to what is highest your thoughts. As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn't go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.

Life Lately...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Featured below was my original sketch on what my perfect fall porch would look like. I made a presentation/proposal to Mister Witt and it was approved.

The end result...

(and there is a pumpkin, 3 in fact. Somehow I missed them in the picture taking)

My very first bona fide wreath.

a row of Hunters

My blushing bride WHITE hydrangea's. I think my house turned them red. Weird but brilliant.

stacked wood.

Another part of the proposal...

and another...

and one more...

The beloved fire.

and my very first WHITE pumpkin.

now on to eat as many apple crisps and scoops of pumpkin ice cream before the month is up.

Life lately...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:53:00 +0000

In photograph form...

My hands are too busy sewing, cooking, cleaning, fire tending, and lunch packing to write anything on here lately. But this is what it looks like and I am in love with it all...

Hope you are well too.

For the very first time...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:11:00 +0000

I wish time would stand still.

A man and a wife A son and a daughter A dog and a cat A house in a village 2012 33
I will be 34 tomorrow. Everything will be just the same as it is today. But I loved you thirty + 3. You were my favorite age thus far. I will sincerely miss you, now and forever.

Back to School Dinner Celebration. Year 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:07:00 +0000

Tradition as follows...

Set a lovely table.

Make a delicious dinner.

Present survival kits.

Discuss being a good person.

Goal...

I don't know. To raise two conscious human beings. Hoping to give them the perfect mixture of humbleness and toughness to make it in this world. To know how to be a good friend not a good follower. To know when to make a stand and when to walk away. To lead with humility and and a kind heart.

I am just trying to raise people over here. It is just a little ol' job you know! No big deal. This once a year dinner ought to do the trick, don't you think??

New this year. One Free Personal Day. It is a new holiday in our house. Everyone deserves a day.

Just so we are clear. I wasn't' feeling so hot on back to school dinner night. The first sign of sickness for me is bad hair. Yes, I feel illness in my hair follicles first. But gratitude was my favorite word on the table with a side of dark circles and wonky locks.

Mister Witt likes his words with a side of chili.

Heres to another good year. 5th and 3rd grade. Please have the courage to be kind to those who others are not. To laugh at yourself. To be grateful every day. To show perseverance in your most challenging obstacles. Always lead with love. Look for adventure. Be conscious. Consider others around you. Have a genuine heart. I love you both, to the ends of the Earth.

I quit my job...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:23:00 +0000

This is us celebrating.
I am home now. Full time.
Life is so. much. busier.
and way better.

.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Day number 2 of our trip provided me this gem.

Best. Family. Picture. Ever.

Matt looking dapper as ever of course, and twinsies with the wife earns him extra bonus points. Me hoping my dad doesn't drop my phone while figuring out how to take the picture. Noah in pure travel out-of-his-head exhaustion mode. And dear Gabrielle...It's a framer.

But look at the guy in the red shirt standing on my shoulder. That is a bona fide punter, leaving this picture as firm evidence that we have been somewhere cool. Somewhere far away. Even if we looked like this when we were there.

Here are a few more pics of this fine day...

The interesting thing about this trip was that we weren't so much tourists. I mean Sue probably thought different for as many times as we thought the car turning right was out of control and going to hit us...

BUT. aside from that. and the lack of Starbucks...

We were just chillin' with family. Checking out the neighborhood. Eating. Drinking. Visiting. It was really the best. I snapped photos with Instagram but left my big camera at home.

Our daily schedule went as follows:

Get out of bed at 10am. yes please.

English breakfast until noon.

Out the door on a small yet perfect adventure.

on to a pub, or two.

Gabi having at least 3 J2O's a day, wasn't sure how she would live without them.

Dinner. Some out, some cooked at home. All great

and usually capped with some good ol' tele.

I highly recommend:

it is on my Christmas wish list.

That time we went to Europe...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Yea, it was nothing short of pure awesomeness.

We had 10 whole days of being abroad. How fancy and cool we felt, minus the gazillion times we commented on the driving and the brick houses and the accents and the just-about-everything-in-our-site.

We are so... 'merican

Anyways... here is how it went down Day Numero Uno:

Despite the fact that I could not, for the life of me, get this picture in its original form onto this here post I just settled for the screen shot because I do love it so. For this captured the very moment when I saw my life flash before my eyes. I just knew we weren't going to make it. I could see this thing just spinning out of control like Dorothy's house in the tornado. And I did not see any yellow brick roads in our landing.

For God's sake Burlington, get some real planes and one of those jet bridge things... jeez!!!

The picture above is my new xanax. In years past I have often traveled solo, or just me and the kiddos. I was always drugged. I thought it might take a baseball bat to the head to get me to fly over the ocean, because I know for a fact, there is no Emerald city tarmac in the Atlantic...

But no head contusion necessary, for Mister Witt has the ability to calm me with a holding of hands and a gentle look. The look that says, "don't worry darling, we will be just fine. and if we are not we are going down together."

and up and away we went. drink please!

And to my surprise we made it. And weren't these two a site for sore eyes. Grandpa Jay and Lady Sue met us in London, picked our tired ... up, drove us to their quaint village for a rinse off and refresh. And then for the most lovely walk through Fordham. Now, our little Vermont village is quaint and I adore it, but their little village is quaint on steroids. I mean, truly lovely.

We went to the allotment where they are growing some beautiful beans and so much more. I spotted a textured door covered in ivy that I wanted to rip off and shove in my suitcase. I settled for a photo.

That evening we also had a delicious curry and some much needed visiting.

Oh, and we were also introduced to this:

The spreadsheet.

Day two tomorrow!

One of my very favorite people...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This guy, my Papa, is currently at my house.

I am not there. I am in England by now, but he is there.

In the past 3 days he has swooped in like a super hero and:

Watched the small Witt children while Matt and I worked. Took Matt to work when he lost his car keys in the ignition mind you, taken us to dinner twice, jotted down notes so he could WATCH OUR HOUSE AND OUR DOG AND OUR CAT while we are away.

I mean jeez. I couldn't love and appreciate this guy anymore.

Regarding the Isenberg's...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:18:00 +0000

Jensin -

The new graduate. I adore you darling. You are a beautiful and feisty young woman and I love your company. The last six months have rocked your world but have not knocked you down. Colorado is so lucky to get you!! I cannot wait to see you grow in these next four years and I will be looking for you in the ski marketing industry come 2016!

oh, and you totally rock at the double dutch!

Colby -

You are a mentor. You have taught my children how to be kind to others. This has recently touched my heart... A few weeks ago we were eating dinner at a friends where an imaginative four year old boy resides. He wanted Noah to play dragons with him and I could tell Noah was not too interested. I then notice a little bit later that Noah had become fully engaged with this boy and they were slaying all sorts of mystical creatures together. When we said our good byes and began our drive home Noah offered his change of heart. He said that he did not want to play that game with his smaller friend but then suddenly he remembered his cousin Colby and how he always played with him and made him feel special and he wanted be like that.

And I about wept. Thank you.

Sherry -

One of the most extraordinary women I have ever known. Strong, independent, fierce... and loving and kind and thoughtful. My children are always on your Christmas list, all while wearing your powerful business suit and hopping on international flights. We are always on your guest list for holiday meals where you prepare a feast for royalty and yet it is just us. This year is not your best. You are faced with the challenge of your life. A simple surgery gone awry. 5 months has passed since seeing you last, laying unconscious in ICU. When you walked into the room this weekend my heart leaped with joy. Walking, smiling, talking, spirit still there. The children's daily prayers for you, answered. You are recovering.

The strength you show: amazing

The progress that you have made: defying

The depth of my feelings for you: indescribable

Our prayers continue. Our love is here for you. And I await the call for a girls lunch in the city...

Marc -

You are my hero.

Truly.

I sit in silent admiration of your grace and your courage.

You are an amazing man and I feel privileged to know you.

And to Papa, and Uncle Mike, and my Mom.... and Kiel and Marcia who were both missed this weekend... I sit in peace because you are in my life and I love you all dearly.

For the record...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:13:00 +0000

You are The Man...

Because first thing this Sunday/Father's day morning you got your drill out and fixed our broken door knob. And now we can go out the front door and shut it (naturally) and not say swear words when we realize we have to walk all the way around the house to get back in again. Thank you.

Also, thank you for being the very best father to our family. You take care of us in so many ways it is impossible to count. You single handily make the three of us feel uniquely special through your kind words and unconditional love. You are a gem of a man Mister Witt and we love you so.

Lastly, thank you to our Father's, both Matt and my own. Thank you Mark, for thinking of us at 4am and calling at 7am with all the ideas you have about how we can live a better life. How we can be secure and happy. Thank you for carrying a 50 pound button press all the way from Arizona so that I can one day make buttons again. It is the little things you do that make me grin and feel loved. Thank you Dad, for being awesome and hilarious and supportive and loving. And courageous and adventurous. To show me the way to a fun life that is filled with good intention ...and it is 11:11. How about that???

Meaningful.

Love you all.

Yesterday, this girl...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:58:00 +0000

put on some muckers.

stomped into the marsh.

emerged with a ginormous stick.

for her dear friend henry.

broke off the top.

handed it over.

then finished her rhubarb.

she has come a long way from her days in plastic heels and refusal to hike.

well done goosey.

proud of you.

Last day of school dinner...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:53:00 +0000

Looks like this:

Fresh garden green salad with shredded carrot and chopped plums dressed with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and VT maple syrup.

Per request of Mister Witt we had vegetarian chili cheese dogs!! They were fantastic. I did run 5 miles this morning to burn this puppy off ;-)

The grand finally was a hit... Frozen bananas dipped in milky chocolate and rolled in treats.

sprinkles

coconut

peanut butter chips.

Yes please.

Then the Mister and I looked over the well deserved notes sent home by our awesome teachers.

The kids are amazing. And at the risk of sounding boastful I must say one thing..

YOU GUYS ROCK

YOU ARE THE BEST

YOU ARE SUPER SMART
AND OH SO AMAZING

and i love ya.

and then we chowed!

and lastly, I thought it was super kick ass when Noah said our prayer and expressed thanks to me for, and I quote...

"these super righteously awesome chili cheese dogs, Amen"

Let Summer Commence...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:44:00 +0000

With a friendly breakfast that includes some friends and the sun... even if it was raining outside!

Tonight:

Chili Cheese Dogs (vegetarian of course)

Frozen chocolate covered bananas

and a game or two?

I hate games...

Things I am loving...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:32:00 +0000

special occasions that require a bit of dressing up.

A new dress that goes with and old belt. Feeling summery today.

My new photo wall. Thinking I like how it came out.

Mister Witt's new cut. I think I have taken one step closer to domestic goddess(ism). The ability to cut a mister's hair was something I have always envied and never dreamed of doing. But when this man came home, quite upset, with the outcome of his chopped locks, well I woman(ed) up and made him all better. I am quite satisfied in this. Not sure if I will attempt the whole head next time, we shall see. If I do you can expect the same amount of gloating to follow ;-)

Lastly,

I am loving that I do not have any pictures of my kids to share. You know why? Because they were out loving life this weekend.

Catching bugs,

chasing snakes,

playing with neighbors,

eating peas from the garden,

and letting the sun kiss their youthful skin.

I love summer.

Mister Witt...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:19:00 +0000

cooked us up some granola...

and this morning he...

chopped up dried fruits,

mixed it in the oats,

put it in a bag,

placed it in my hands,

and sent me on my way...

and it is the perfect mid-morning snack.

and that is not all.

because it is friday, we took a half day, and in exactly ninety minutes we will be headed home, to be together, to eat pad thai, from tiny thai, on the porch, or in the house, maybe watch a movie, or maybe hang some photos, maybe take a nap, and I hope it rains...

happy weekend folks!

Currently...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Super grateful for time spent with a lovely lady, over dinner, on a cool summer night. Getting to know folks around the Village is so exciting and is making this place feel more and more like home each and every day. Thank you for the lovely flowers Kris and the engaging conversation.

More than excited to be traveling all the way to England in just a few weeks. My dad is 60 this year and we are headed over to celebrate, not only his birthday but his beautiful life. When he moved so far away I sobbed with grief over that distance... but I realize now that his courage to follow his own dream gave me the courage to follow mine. He has always given me the gift of freedom and the courage to believe in myself. Now we will celebrate over a pint on a life well lived. Can.Not.Wait.

Just a little proud of my two little chicks, who are not much like chicks anymore... heading into another summer after a school year well done. I remember a time, when they were so much smaller, always trailing behind me every where I went. Those little waddles have turned into great strides now and though I miss the days of constant contact I am full of joy in watching them grow. Time to plan another back to school dinner for 5th and 3rd graders to be!!

Feeling more relaxed in our new space called home. It is at 90 percent completion with the remaining 10 percent is put on the back burner until fall. My afternoons are back to the regular grind and not filled with trips to Lowe's, paint buckets, manual labor, or furniture building and installing. And my evenings are free to enjoy dinner with my family and snuggle Mister Witt on the already built ready for use couch.

just a bit giddy at the living room transformation into family movie night viewing extravaganza! Chairs, couches, blankets, ice cream, dog, cat, cuddles oh my....

and lastly, feeling over the moon in love... Because life is good. And it doesn't get old, to write it down here... I cry often, and get crabby, and argue with my kids, and get upset with my husband, and complain to my mom, and pout in my room. I rarely write those things down, and I if I do it is usually not here... so let it be known that life is never perfect here, for me. I upset easily and well up often. But when Mister Witt looks lovingly across the room at me and makes his way over for a smooch and makes me feel like the luckiest woman alive... well, I must write that down because that is the very good stuff that one puts in her treasure box, for keeps you see. Not to be forgotten and to be taken out when in need of a reminder...

Grilled pizza...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:53:00 +0000

I prefer my pizza to be less traditional than most.

The thinner the crust the better.

No red sauce, ever.

Lite on the cheese and no grease please.

Also, I grill my pizza. Which makes it awesome, more awesome than most.

Let's just go ahead and make it like this...

First:

roll out your pizza dough, circle shape preferably.

Place on the grill for about 2 minutes then remove

Then:

spoon on the peanut sauce. **I buy mine from a local thai restaurant b/c it is like liquid gold.

layer with sauteed scallions/carrots/bean sprouts and mozzerella cheese.

Proceed:

to place flatbread on the grill on super low heat until cheese begins to bubble.

enjoy a beverage while doing so.

Finally:

remove from grill and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

eat outside on a sunny evening with family and friends.

Please:

report back.

My postal pix came...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:28:00 +0000

and they are so rad!

What to do with these new tangible photos?

Not just to be flipped through on the apple screen but can be touched and turned, held and hung.

The joy, the joy!

I am not ready to commit to photos in the house.

This is a sensitive situation, requiring thought and calculation...

Strung up on a string or lacquered to the wall?

Framed oh so nicely or held by mighties on the fridge...

decisions.

I just might be up all night.

**if you are on instagram I am there too... brittanywitt

and you can order your photos from postal pix HERE!

It is recital weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Please help me be a better dance mom.

And remember all the hair ties.
And to make a good bun.

And to turn the costume upside down on the hanger.
And to not forget extra tights.
Or the ballet slippers.
Or the flowers.

And to smile and enjoy and not stress or worry. And to make Gabi feel like she is the bestest and that she owns this.

pray for me. the frantic mom who was never a dancer and has no idea what she is doing. the only mom who sneaks her child on stage without all that make up and who can still see her just fine from the audience. the one who better learn how to make a bun WITHOUT wispies because she is not three anymore and the other mothers stare... seriously pray.

"I don't know mom, something about ballet just relaxes me. I just love it."

- Gabrielle 2012

"Some of the kids at school were making fun of dance, but I would like to see them do my class for an hour. It is hard, just as hard as other sports! And I don't care, I love to dance."

- Gabrielle beginning of school year 2011

Today...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Today I love those big blue eyes.

The depth in which you feel.

The soul that is so old.

Today I rest in knowing you.

for all that you are.

for all that is to come.

Today I am proud of you who are.

your giving heart.

your mindfulness.

love, mom.