Oh Girlfriends, we’re going to have fun with this one. Last month our friends (and neighbors) Lowely and John suggested we all go on a Valentine’s getaway together, up to the big snow country of Vermont! What a good idea! Cozy fires, hot coffee drinks, flannel shirts, lots of barns (love barns, have a collection of barn photos, needed more!), Vermont maple syrup on our pancakes, who could ask for more? But there was more, there was a sleigh ride! And you’re coming along! So, here we goooooo! (It’s very long! Unhook the computer, take it to your sofa, get cozy with a cup of tea, and settle in for a virtual trip to luv-lee Vermont!)
MUSICA. It was, I admit, a wee bit hairy on the way up. There was a huge storm. It never stopped snowing and blowing from the second we hit the state line. Luckily Lowely and I were in the big back seat, sharing a cozy blanket, where we could see nothing, therefore could not comment on any sort of driving anomalies. Best for all involved. Trust being the main item of the day. We were strapped into a monster SUV of safety, which was filled with wonderful music! So there was lots of singing along. We had fun! Our map men did a great job, as I am reporting, now, alive, and back home, safe and sound, so it must be true.
And the snowplows were out in full force.
And when our windshield wiper stopped working, Joe popped out and fixed it! Because he can!
But it was gnarly sometimes. And did we mind? No, we just clicked away with our cameras! Lowely is a pastel artist and takes photographs for inspiration. I think some of our more out-of-focus photos look like paintings already! And I take pictures so I can show you! Look at this! Isn’t it beautiful?
I’m always in the mood to share the magic when I see it! I think I forgot how BEAUTIFUL Vermont is. Red barns and red brick chimneys with smoke curling into the white sky ~ softly painted clapboard houses, and everything polka-dotted with snow.
Not to mention old covered bridges, 104 of them in Vermont . . . the most in all of New England!
I liked this photo because of the juxtaposition between the rearview mirror, the bridge opening and the GPS screen. Visions and views, old and new.
Most of the buildings had good steep roofs, and here you can see why . . . the snow slides off in big sheets. Would not like to be under it when it happens! But, then again, it might be fun (if it doesn’t kill you!).
From right out my car window. Lowely and I were always teasing each other, I thought she had all the “good stuff” on her side, and she though I had it all! In this case, I was definitely the lucky one. But she probably had something just as good on her side, as you will see…. it’s all beautiful. Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, 🎶everywhere we go!
This homeowner put a pine-tree wind break around his house. Isn’t it cute? Talk about Christmas! Look at the tiny green building on the right. Snow on roof tops is very pretty! These people would never have to worry about a Christmas with no snow!
Had to be careful though. See that pole in the middle of the church? Didn’t want that in the picture, had to snap it at just the right time! Luckily the icy roads slowed the car down! Look below ⬇️, the graveyards were lovely. My favorite part about anywhere I go is the history, and Vermont is old and wonderful and filled with history of our country, and the people who built it, mostly of course, immigrants! AND, related to us, building America, fighting for our country in wars and buried here. See the little flag? 💝
Even the smaller barns had cupolas and weather vanes on top. Why? Because they can. It’s small-farm country around here, and beauty, little graces, which we see everywhere, seem to matter. I always appreciate efforts of home owners who make the world a more lovely place to be. They have such power and often don’t even realize it, they do it because that’s just who they are.💞
And it’s big-farm country too . . . and pride makes them choose blue and red paint to make the whole world brighter.
So we toodled along, taking pictures of everything. Besides wood, which was plentiful in all the local forests, they also used lots of brick for their buildings. This New England is as close to Old England as we can get in America!
Almost everyone has traded his wooden roof for one of these slippery metal ones where the snow can cause no water-intrusion problems for the homeowners.
Lots of the pick-up trucks come equipped with their very own snow plow! Smart! Taking no chances!
Sweet little log cabin in the woods. I will always be a lover of houses, all shapes and sizes.
Almost there! Our hotel is in Warren! In the Mad River Valley! Mad River, what a great name!
Just because it’s out of focus, doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful! By the time we got to the hotel, it was around 5 o’clock, and we had fallen madly in love with the whole countryside. MAS MUSICA? Oui! Favorite travel musica!
We’re there!
And this is our hotel. The Pitcher Inn in Warren, Vermont. Plan ahead if you go there, because their hotel packages give a significant discount if you do! Romantic, perfect for Valentine’s, set in the smallest little town, but right in the middle of everything.❤️
Here’s the parking lot. With this darling little clock building in it, a converted barn we think is probably offices for the hotel.
And there’s our beast-like vehicle that got us here alive.
Here’s the view across the street.
Snowy Warren, Vermont, says, “welcome!”
Quite a cute little store attracting our attention across the street. Lit up with stars and twinkle lights. Looks like a country general store. Probably a good one. Note to selves, go here first thing in morning!
The hallway display on the way to our room.
Here’s the entrance, with a look into the dining room, and the stone fireplace far beyond. Every room had a fireplace of course.
Charming lighting in the hallway . . .
We unloaded our bags and went right down stairs to the cozy pub to drown our driving jitters in hot toddies and cold toddies and all the toddies in between!
Below, is one of the lovely views from our room. Note starry curtains.
And this was the ceiling. Painted with stars . . .
And this frightening thing with wild eagles on the posts, was our very comfortable bed, with ice cube light tables on both sides! You just never know!
And at the foot of the bed, this . . . a crackling fire made with white birch logs . . . Every night, or any time you asked, they would come and make you a real wood fire.
And this bathroom was SO good, I’ve never seen one like this. For anyone thinking about building a house, you might take a look at this! (The reflections from the windows behind me get in the way a bit, try to look past them.) For one thing, the entire floor is heated, 
including the tile in this glass room, which is totally enclosed, right up to the ceiling, with a glass wall and a glass door. On the left is the whirlpool tub (you see the bathroom counter in the reflection, but that’s the tub) ~ there are two shower heads, a really good drain in the heated non-slip tile floor, a steam control, so you can take a steam bath, and a little wooden seat on the right that folds down in case you are the sitting-steam-bath-shower type. It’s very possible to spend the day in this room. I couldn’t help but picture my mom, who could only bathe three kids at a time, (all that would fit in tub, with her on her knees getting soaking wet), putting herself and her babies in here for group shower! Would have been very handy!
From our room, looking across the street . . . colored lights. How could we not love this!
And here it is again, looking from their side back to our hotel . . .
Birch trees are snow art . . .
The dining room where we had breakfast every morning. Breakfast comes with your room: French toast or flapjacks and Vermont Maple Syrup, delicious coffee and ice-cold fresh-squeezed orange juice with all the delicious pulpy parts intact ~ poached eggs, all white and soft and juicy with yolk, and crunchy seedy toast, with jams and honey and every good thing, and so much more. Fruit and yogurt and granola too. . .
We were happy. Nicest guy waited on us. Remembered all our little preferences from day to day.
Then across the street we went through softly drifting snow to the “almost world famous” Warren Store, built in 1839 as a stagecoach stop, which, from all the action, people going in and out, seems like it’s probably the community center, both for locals and for our kind, the not-so-local, but-still-very-appreciative, too.
First thing I noticed, in all the cuteness of this store where they pretty much sell everything from groceries to home goods, clothing to champagne, with worn wooden floors, the fragrance of fresh coffee brewing, was the extremely hygge wood stove that you couldn’t help but cozy up to. (This store reminded me of the one in the wonderful movie Baby Boom, where Diane Keaton sold her Country Baby Food, remember? SUCH a good movie with a darling Vermont house in it, in case you haven’t seen it . . . you’d love it!)
These are my people. Lowely, Joe and John as we go upstairs to the WONDERFUL clothing store, where they also sell home things, like beautiful hooked rugs and pillows! I found a darling little wool vest up there.
Then there was this framed print hanging over the cash register that made me laugh. So much, I had to go home and show it to Jack, and this is what his face did:
Did someone mention ball? Wait a minute, does someone have my ball? Where is it …. you took it? You took it to Vermont and gave it to that strange zebra cat???? Jack was very confused.
They had children’s books too…isn’t this book cover adorable? Not to mention the play on words. Had to take a picture of this!
A label on a box of chocolates. Quite cute. Have I mentioned how much I love barns and lettering?
Then it was into the car, and back on the road for a day of serendipitous meandering. And more adorable red barns (just like the one on the chocolate box!).
If you really want to get in the mood . . . look at this old video. Because on the actual day of Valentine’s Day, this is what we’re going to be doing ourselves… eeek.
Store window in the neighboring, somewhat larger town, of Waitsfield. X’s and O’s for Valentine’s day.❤️
Across from where Joe was walking is this wonderful store, All Things Bright and Beautiful, on Bridge Street. Filled with stuffed animals, and glass and wooden ornaments. Gaelic, the woman who’s owned the shop for 52 years, was there, making her homemade wooden ornaments.
And there were these . . .
And these . . .
And this . . .
And on Gaelic’s art table, was a box, with a cat in it! A word of advice: resist temptation! Do not put your hand in the box with the cat. #wordtothewise
He is waiting for you to try it. He had me so riveted on him, I forgot to take a picture of Gaelic making her wooden ornaments . . . but Lowely took this picture of a wall display . . .
So now we know how she does it . . . Nothing is what you think it is. The work that goes into all the lovely things there are in this world is phenomenal. This just proves it.
Next to Gaelic’s store is this bridge, 2nd oldest in Vermont, hence “Bridge Street.”
We walked through it and around it, and on the far side, we looked across the snow meadow and there was this huge bonfire.
I know what my girlfriend Diana would say, she would say, “What would you do if you saw that?” Seemed like a pretty safe time to burn though, I could feel the heat from where I was standing. Had to video it!
XOX
See the snow coming down? All wonderful.
Perfect photo op.
And more meandering, more town, getting hungry . . .
Lunch started with a toast and four Bloody Mary’s!
Then more meandering . . .
Couldn’t drive past this sign . . .
Because what’s Vermont without cider and syrup, and these . . .
Legendary!
Cider donuts! Yum!
All kinds of goodies here . . .
Beautiful bottles ~ think I’ll get . . .
This! One Bourbon Barrel Aged Pure Vermont Maple Syrup for me, and, one for you!! Yes! A GiveAway! Just leave a comment at the bottom of this post (if you ever get there), and you’re IN!
Out, munching do-nuts, drinking cups of steaming hot cider, we slip into gallery, then back in the car . . .
for more red barns . . .
And green ones, and floaty snow flakes . . .
And picture-taking from open car windows . . .
It’s a big ski area up there . . . you may have heard of Sugar Bush and Mad River Glen . . .
And apparently golf is popular too! Though we did not see a lot of it going on!
The slopes were packed with brightly colored people!
The mountains are criss-crossed with ski runs and chair lifts . . .
And gondolas . . . to which, I say, thank you, but no thank you. My adventurous spirit, which brings me right to the edge, has its limits . . . I’m best in the lodge. With the cocoa. And the book. I can go, but drop me at the lodge and bring on the whipped cream.
Luckily, Map Man is right there with me . . . a lodge guy.
So, speaking of immigrants, we then arrived at the chalet of the famous singing Von Trapp Family (Yes, from The Sound of Music) who, with their ten children, left Austria just before WWII, and brought their American Dream to this gorgeous mountain top with the long views of Vermont and made it all come true.💞
They built this amazing ski lodge . . .
Always wanted to see this place and here we were. If you are a skier, I would say this would be a wonderful place to come stay. As you can see, it wasn’t all snow and blizzard while we were there, it was sunshine too!
Now a quick word about stars. Something about birch stars that the locals adore, because they are lit up and on everything. You may have noticed them on the Warren Store. Here are a few more photos to prove my point.
Upstairs and downstairs . . . I think they know that twinkles in the snow make magic! That’s why they do it!
And they are really everywhere . . . hanging from trees . . .
On barns . . .
All sizes . . . we think they make them from scratch from the trees in the woods . . .
Some more into it than others . . .
They don’t look store-bought, or uniform in size . . .
Little ones too. . . next to the cute blue door . . .
And even, or especially, in front of the wonderful New England churches . . . quite pretty. I could go on with stars, and restaurants and food and everything, but I think NOW is the time for the Main Event, our sleigh ride in the snow which I have been dreaming of doing for years . . . and now we finally did!!!!!! It was everything I hoped it would be for us four Valentines.❤️ And so nice to be able to take you Valentine’s along with us too!
“Gentle Giants” in Stowe, Vermont . . . that’s the name of the sleigh people, and there’s their phone number . . . just in cases.❤️
We brought champagne with us, for before we got out of the car, for a pre-sleigh-ride warm-up and toast to Valentine’s and our wonderful friendship. (BTW, want to taste the MOST delicious champagne, that does not give me a headache like all the others do, costs about 7 dollars a bottle and is from Trader Joe’s? It’s called Amour de Paris (good name), is peach flavored, and I tell you, it’s good cheap stuff. Very celebratory! Perfect for brunch! Yum! Write it down! You’ll love it!)
Now we are happy! 💖
Joe goes in to talk about what we do next!
I go toward the horse. Horse sees me!
He’s coming! I’m happy.
SO beautiful
Much friendlier than the kitty in the box! Note feet (mine) in snow. But totally warm. Uggs boots. Oh yeah, only way to go!
We had a bag of apples and we forgot them! Don’t let this happen to you!
Boys… while we’re waiting . . . (Hay truck, make a wish!)
So you can see. This is the basic lay of the land. That little red house in the middle, the smallest one, was where Joe was talking to Rochelle our sleigh driver . . . and there’s the horse Lowely was petting off on the left. Isn’t it pure heaven there?
Lots of lovely horses here . . .
xoxoxoxo
So here’s “Jack” (another Jack, they are everywhere these days), our horse, being hooked to his sleigh. See how smart he is, when Rochelle asks him to move he does it in just the right tiny increment she was asking from him. I was thrilled when Rochelle put on the bells. I was so hoping there would be bells.
John is bringing his blanket. It belonged to his grandfather, we’ve had it in the back seat for the whole trip, and it’s definitely coming on the sleigh ride! Right, Lowely? Right!
And here we are, loaded up and ready to go. They wrapped us in furry red blankets. We are toasty and warm, and just a few small flakes are coming down. It’s perfect. We’re really doing this!
XOXO
Here we go! Under the covered bridge . . . !
Look at Rochelle. Isn’t she the perfect sleigh driver? Her hair color is wonderful!!!! This is one of my favorite photos of our whole trip! I could paint her!
So into the pristine white woods we go, cold and crisp . . . see all those branches? That’s what you make those stars from!
As we walked along, we noticed there were lanterns hanging from the trees . . .
While watching little blobs of snow fall out of the trees and turn to powder in the breeze, I said to Rochelle, “How fun, do you go out in a sleigh at night?”
(See the lantern?) She laughed, and said, “No, we just put them there so you’ll think we do!” I’m confused. Is she messing with me? I’m a perfect stranger. There were candles in there! I still don’t get it! 😜
We were out there for about a half hour ~ we saw these cross-country skiers go by . . .
And one other sleigh . . . which was fun, because then we could see how cute we looked!
Delightful. You should do this if you can. Must be sleigh rides all over snow country no matter where you are. Imagine, if you are Louisa May Alcott, this is how you travel in the snow, not because you’re a dreamer per se, but because it’s your only choice after walking. And this is how you go to Boston too. And take your book, Little Women to the Publisher to see if they want to print it! Which of course they do! ❤️ It wasn’t so long ago that everyone traveled like this, so all of Beacon Street would be sleighs and horses in the snow. This is one moment I’d like to slip back in time and take my camera with me.
They understand the value of RED in the snow. ❤️
But way too soon we were heading back for the covered bridge . . . Yes, we were singing Winter Wonderland to go with our sleigh bells ~ even Rochelle was singing with us. She must have heard people do that a thousand times, because you just can’t help but break into song. Never was there a more appropriate time to sing that song!
Time to go! ❤️
But not before a Valentine’s Kiss.😍 This was our 30th Valentine’s Day together. So lucky to be loving him.🎶 Came a long, long way to do it.
And good bye to Rochelle. One of the many things I liked about her, is how good she is with her horses. She takes wonderful care of them.💞
Back in the car once again, with back-row seat view to everything.
More wonderful scenery, colors in the snow…
Stars and frozen roads . . .
and luv-lee graveyards . . .
And road views . . .
Another truly delicious dinner, this time at the Common Man, just FANTASTIC. I have the menu, I took pictures of the food, I could show it all to you and go on (I was going to say “all day” but it’s already been all day!) and I’m afraid you may want to reclaim your life now!
So here’s our last glimpse of the winter sun . . .
Before we hit the road, because the blizzard started right up for our ride home. And the four friends were on the road again.🤞Fingers crossed for safety!
We stopped here at King Arthur Flour on the way home, a place Lowely and I had always wanted to see. Really interesting, they have classes there ~ would love to do that sometime, and lots of good stuff in the gift shop! But, blizzardsville, USA.
This was our boat ride home. The snow had stopped. It had been raining. We looked outside to this really strange sky. Finally went outside after remembering, “No, the windows on this boat aren’t tinted.” It was that under the total cloud cover, somewhere up there, must have been a gorgeous sunset, that made it’s way to earth in a giant, and I don’t get to say this often, Purple Haze!
HOME SWEET HOME, with Jackie cozying up to the heart dishtowel I bought at King Arthur Flour. What a wonderful time we had. Got a lot done in a very short time! We left on Sunday, drove all day, had Monday and Tuesday to Play, and came home on Wednesday.❤️ Perfect! Only 2 pounds heavier! Could be worse!
Hope you enjoyed our trip! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re interested in some Vermont Maple Syrup! Be sure to heat it up before you pour it over your waffles or pancakes or French toast! Hot syrup melts butter, yum, rivulets! And, come again soon . . . next week we leave on the train for a cross-country trip out to California to be with my mom on her Birthday! Very excited. Will “Twitter from the Twain” along the way! Lots to tell you about still, but enough is enough is what I say! Love you! Byeeee! P.S. Here are some interesting facts about Vermont I’m sure you would love to know!❤️
Vermont Maple Syrup! A little piece of paradise. Gorgeous pictures!
I love your blogs. I travel vicariously with you. The pictures are lovely . Do glad you enjoyed the sleigh ride too. At 72, I am remarrying a wonderful man I have known for fifth years. He is a widower and was my ex husband’s best friend. We marvel every day at the great fortune which brought us together. Traveling is what we look forward to doing I after I retire from teaching in May. Vermont would be lovely . Your trip has inspired me.
How wonderful Paula, just lovely. I’m so happy for you! Life is good! xoxo
What an amazing holiday..love those coloured homes and the red barns..and so much snow.what a time you had..thank you for sharing it with us it was magical to look at all those photos.
Bless you for sharing and making it all so atmospheric.
Watched Baby boom last week..love Diane Keaton and the house she went to in Vermont too.
Keep warm and blessings to you both
Sandra
Beautiful blog. I love Vermont also. Have lots of connections to it. My Aunt graduated from Middlebury College back in 1928. My husband’s grandparents owned a dairy farm in Craftsbury Common and are buried in a little cemetery there and now my nephew lives in Burlington and works at the Phoenix Bookstore.
I love all of the towns that end in “bury” because my maiden name was Lounsbury and the Phoenix Bookstore because my married name is Phenix. My husband’s Gt Grandfather deleted the “o” in Phenix. He was an immigrant from Quebec.Thanks Susan for taking us along.
Love the sweet family history, Kathy!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip. Just beautiful..
I too am afraid of the gondola’s, I braved one in Breckenridge 2 yrs ago, only because I thought they’d see a moose and I’d miss out!
I must say that I think this is the most beautiful post I’ve ever seen you do. I am absolutely mesmerized by the beauty of Vermont. I’ve always had a visit on my bucket list, and now I know I’ll have to move it up on the list. My sister and I talk often about Vermont, the snow, the building, and the fact that you can stop and enjoy the moments. This blog helped affirm that for me. Being a Kentucky gal, I particularly liked the beauty and majesty of the horses and the sleigh ride. Nothing better!! Thank you again for sharing so freely and allowing us to live vicariously through your adventures. God Bless and safe travels to California. Happy Birthday to your mom.
You have described so beautifully the Vermont I have always dreamed of seeing! Now I almost feel I have actually been there and loved every minute. Thank you!
I’m over here in Washington state and have never been to Vermont….until today! I was there having toddies with you all by the lovely fire at the Inn, meandering through the snow, eating cider donuts, out on a sleigh ride and enjoying all the barns (oh the barns!!). Would sure love some of that syrup! Glad you guys made it home safe & warm (I was safe & warm wrapped in a blanket on my couch during “our” trip). Thank you for letting me tag along Susan!
Another perfect Susan Branch
adventure….Perfect because you
soak up all the details that so many
people never take the time to notice.
So ~ thank you for being a detail
notice-r and sharing them with us : )
I adored every single one!
xo Suzanne
Feel like I just went on vacation to Vermont !! Thank you !! It has been many years since we took a fall tour there. Lovely and with great friends. What could be better.
Loved the tour of Vermont! What a beautiful area. Loved the stores, the box kitty and the birch stars. Hope to remember them when Christmas comes again. Thank you for the beautiful trip.
I was given a bottle of bourbon barreled maple syrup awhile back from my best friend. Oh my! Yum! Of course it’s all gone now. Boo-hoo. Well, gone that is ’til now, if I turn out to be the luckiest commenting girlfriend here! And ~ I want you to paint Rochelle. Please. Thank you for being you.
I just LOVE “taking trips” with you Susan….I save (and savor) reading it for my
“siesta” time (just after lunch) my husband and I grab a book (or your blog in my
case) and sit together reading with a cup of tea. How you see things and where
you go is always a delight to share with you and enriches my day.
Thank you darling lady for being so overflowing with your delight in living and
letting us all share it with you.
after living through our warm winter here in the South your post was wonderful!
Vermont is magic! It comes just as advertised with covered bridges, darling white chapels, cozy restaurants and sticky syrup perfect for breakfast. But a snowy Vermont AND a sleigh ride in Stowe after a visit to the Von Trapp Lodge AND a Valentine twist must have been New England perfection!
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos and for flooding my mind and heart with memories of my own visits there with my family. Here’s to 30 more years of love and great adventures!
I’m loving all the comments so much this time. Especially loved the story of Thomasina the cat who came to stay with kathiellen 🙂 Victoria’s ride on the new train last night was perfect timing for you about to climb aboard soon. Can’t wait for Tweets from the Twain 🙂 So much fun checking in here.
I love the comments too Sylvia!
What a joy it was to travel to Vermont with all of you!! It was almost as good as being there..Thanks so much!! Would love to win that maple syrup!! Have fun in California will look forward to reading all about it!!!
Susan,
Thank you for the sleigh ride in the snow! One of the many things on my bucket list.
Goodness what a trip! It looks so beautiful there. I’m excited to follow along on the train for your next adventure . I’ve always wanted to take the train but don’t usually have the extra time needed for that mode of travel. Like you I hate air travel!
I LOVE SUPER LONG POSTS ABOUT VERMONT (or anything) FROM SUSAN BRANCH!!! The snow, the musica, the awesome pictures of everything to make us feel like we got to experience everything too. This has been a very very mild and depressing winter in TX and I was beyond thrilled for this white out, blizzard like, winter wonderland. I was blissed out by all my favourite things of the season and thrilled for that magical sleigh ride. Who was the hot tamale kissing Joe??;) Susan Branch, you never cease to amaze!!! GREAT pic!! I Love that map man guy. He is so handy, cute, and quick with a smile. Loved seeing all the wonderful camaraderie too. And learning all about Vermont and seeing lots and lots of pictures. I love that peach bubbly from Trader Joe’s too. Have you tried Lindeman’s Framboise? It’s actually a Belgian beer. I really don’t like beer very much at all, but I think it tastes like pure tart fresh raspberries and it is bright red and gorgeous. Like dessert in a glass. Great with anything like chocolate cake or brownies etc. I am off to watch Baby Boom for the first time! Don’t know how I missed it. I love that diane keaton. It’s free on amazon prime. I just can’t thank you enough for all that you do… Inspire, Cheer, Teach, Enchant. With much admiration, thanks, and love xoxo
Let me know what you thought about Baby Boom, Charissa!
Loved it. Loved her. Loved Vermont. Her stove reminded me of yours. Sooo 80s. Sooo me. Sometimes, I swear, I wouldn’t mind going back. It seems so much simpler then. Plus, the craft bazaar s that actually had quality items that people put effort into making, the music, the side ponytail, the clothes, that funny little goose that was everywhere. Yep, I think like I could totally, fer sure do it Love, An Ex Valley Girl 😉 xoxo
Oh, how I loved reading about your Vermont trip! My list of places to see in my neighboring state just grows and grows.
Oh, Susan! Thank you so much for sharing your delightful trip with us! Tears kept springing up along my eyelids, simply because everything was so perfectly lovely, so beautiful, blessed, and bountiful! Happy Trails, as you travel to visit your mama! Be safe. Be healthy. Be blessed.
Awww…, Thanks for the Vermont memories. I currently live in North Carolina but I was fortunate enough to live in the Green Mountain State for 22 years. It was the best place – EVER – to raise my kids! My oldest had her 9th birthday party at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe…, followed by fun and dessert at Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury. Cold Hollow was THE place to go for apples, cider and donuts! And best of all…, I lived in Norwich – home of the fabulous King Arthur Flour complex! Your photos and words brought me right back. Hooray!
It’s so great to see all that lovely snow without having to shovel it! Here is Saskatchewan we are having a February thaw so the snow looks dirty and uninviting.
I’ve always wanted to see Vermont. Thanks for taking me.
What a magical trip. Loved every part of it and I felt as though I was there with you, Joe and friends. Thank you for sharing your trip. My nephew and wife sent a text with picture saying they were skiing in Vermont this past weekend! What a beautiful, charming place.
Very rainy here in California so bring your rain boots! Nancy in Marin ~
Maple syrup Mmmmmm! We drove through Vermont five summers ago and promised that someday we’d be back in the Autumn. I might have to switch to Winter, too. The winter has been so mild; we haven’t lit our woodstove much since Christmas. :(. Thanks for the virtual trip through Winter Wonderland!
I loved spending time with this journey! Felt just like I was there too! And all of the stars scattered around, so awesome! Thank you for including all of us!
How lovely! A wonderful trip for you, Joe and friends and a lovely ride-along for the girlfriends. Thank you for all of the pictures. <3
Dear Susan,
This is my first time writing you so bear with me. I have been reading your books for as long as I can remember and have made just about every one of your recipes (DELICIOUSNESS!!!). I have been reading your blog just as long and I hope you dont think this is creepy but I print off some of your pictures and have made little homemade scrapbooks with them. I keep them in a box in my closet so when I am old and someone is going through my home they find a surprise! Because I love going to old estate sales or garage sales or flea markets and finding old things in books and just things people kept that no one really finds important (cards, wrapping paper, pictures etc.) and I keep them for someone else’s one day and even my own. Thank you so much for sharing every bit with us. You are a true kindred spirit!
Happy Heart Day!
Sarah Norman
Happy to meet you Sarah, thank you so much! I love the sound of your collections!
Thank you so much for bringing us along on your many adventures and sharing your very loving life with us. I love going to your blog because it reminds me of all the magic and beauty there still is in the world.
We’ve made the trip from Seattle to VT only once 5 years ago to visit Groton – a town my ancestors settled in the 1700’s. I can’t wait to get back. Thank you for sharing your trip with us, it brings back wonderful memories for me too- we went to many of the same places. Your room/bed made me chuckle- we had a similar kind of scary room in Salem MA.
I created a little bucket list of sorts for myself over the last couple of years and one of the items was “visit Vermont.” I just LOVED all of the details of your trip.. in particular .. the birch bark stars and how they adorned the different local buildings.. how unique and lovely. I also could practically TASTE the maple syrup upon seeing the description on the label. What a wonderful trip in the country.. I would love to win. Thank you
You could sell this post to the Vermont department of tourism! Who would go traveling a blizzard? You. I have been a fan of King Arthur since 1987 when Yankee Magazine was small sized and published the recipe for Hearth Bread. My all time favorite bread recipe beause it always works 😊. Thanks for the lovely visit. Enjoy the train.
Sitting here in Waikiki as the sunshine pours over my shoulder, I’m now shivering—just a little bit—while looking at all your lovely snow scenes.
That’s magic, isn’t it?
Looking at a digitized photo of a someplace snowy thousands of miles away, has just dropped my perceived body temperature so that our 80 degrees now feels just a little bit nippy!
What a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing😁
What an absolutely lovely way to spend Valentine’s Day! LOVED this post…all the photos were just terrific. And an iconic sleigh ride…wonderful! We haven’t had much snow this winter and I’ve missed it, so it was great to live vicariously in your trip. Love real maple syrup, would love to have the real deal for our Kansas waffles. Have a safe trip west. Know you’ll have a good time with your mom.
Thank you for letting us ride along. Loved all those stars! Your enthusiasm is delightful!
Oh my, how very sweet a time I’ve had adoring your Vermont adventure! Brings back memories of a time not too long ago when my husband surprised me while visiting my daughter in Connecticut with a week-long trip to Burlington and every beautiful place between! I’ll never forget touring The Vermont Teddy Bear factory followed by the yummiest cider donuts at the very same store shown in your pictures! My purchased maple syrup has long since been gone due to the slew of delectable Vermont recipes assembled after returning home.
Many, many years ago, I went to Vermont in the summer – didn’t know what I was missing until I read your delightful post! It’s wonderful that you take us along with you! Thank you for sharing your hopes and dreams and adventures!
I’ve fallen in love with Vermont! Love, love your post about your fabulous trip, and as a born and bred New Englander (born in Arlington, MA but moved to PA), I love all of New England.
Bless you for this romantic and heartwarming blog about Vermont.
Wow wow wow…wow!
We loved the post– I took notes and names. My husband, who doesn’t like the cold, said that we should go there! Thanks for such a lovely pictorial journey.
You really are living the fairy tale life! ❤
Susan, you have a way of making me feel like I just had a mini-vacation. I enjoyed the beautiful pictures along with your prose. Thank you for the opportunity to win the maple syrup–I would love it. Once I started using real maple syrup, “pancake” syrup just won’t do.
Your Vermont adventure was like an old-time movie.All that beautiful snow and New England scenery gave me a thrill. I’ve never been to the North East but I kinda feel like I have been, with you. Thanks for all the love and beauty you spread around us. Hugs to Jack who had to stay home.
What a perfect post! I grew up in CT and am currently living in Mexico. I miss beautiful New England. Thank you!
Valentine love to you all! thanks for a road trip to a most favorite state we visited for our 10th wedding anniversary in 1994! Maple Grove Farms was our syrup place we visited in St. Johnsbury and to be entered in a giveaway for such
liquid amber is such a treat! Thanks for sharing your barn love. as I , also, adore the structures! Second to houses! There’s no place like home, as we all know, and I am so glad you and Joe had a wonderful time away from idyllic and magical
Martha’s Vineyard, isle of dreams… .
From an earlier posting, I don’t believe those of us in parts of the country affected by tornado weather would ever consider the deadly, powerful force to be as referred to as “quaint” like snow, rain or other weather factors. Many lives and entire neighborhoods are lost every year. A person has time, even days, to prepare for a blizzard, hurricane or other extreme weather. With a tornado, from the first sighting to the siren, you may have up to seven minutes of time to seek shelter underground. This is not the Wizard of OZ or a scene from a movie. It’s major loss of life and communities destroyed. I am one of those who took shelter in farm cellar dugouts, crawling into wheat field ditch culverts, grocery store meat lockers, interstate overpass structures, huddled in interior stairwells, and house basements hearing everything above being wiped off the map, coming out to find destruction beyond belief. As someone who has experienced blizzards, hurricanes, and earthquakes from living many places, I put tornadoes at the top of the list as there is no time to prepare. Nothing “quaint” about writing your SS number with a felt tip pen on the back of your child as the sound of a tornado sounding like freight train above you yanks houses and trees up like toys. Hoping that when the debris is cleared, someone will use this information to notify family they are alive, just in case you don’t make it. Nothing “quaint” about the reality of what a tornado really is. Death, destruction, lack of basic needs as water, food and shelter. I live in major snow country and am prepared for just about anything the weather can bring. Once you have heard the piercing sirens knowing you have less than 7 minutes to find shelter, once you have seen the destruction, you will never be able to place this in a minor weather category. To the people of San Antonio this Sunday, the people throughout the heartland and south, my heart is with you.
That is one weather condition I truly fear . . . out of nowhere! Horrible! How it takes some homes, and leaves the others, even right next door. Your description was evocative and terrifying.
I am terrified of tornadoes, I was in 1 once and that was enough for me. I was in Germantown, Ohio at the time and it was summer, the day was hot, humid and the air was strangely still. I was with a few cousins looking around at this old tobacco barn when the sirens broke out. never having heard that before I had no idea what was going on, not until one cousin yelled to take cover in the barn, so we ran for the barn, left the doors open to prevent implosion and took cover in the farthest corner. one cousin, Danny, came running in and yelling ” I’ll save you.” and jumped almost on top of me, covering me with his body. and between the sirens going off and the sound of that tornado as it passed by I was terrified, that sound was horrible, like 1,000 freight trains going by one after the other. anyway between that noise and Danny I was ready to pass out, mostly because Danny forgot to shower or brush his teeth… so when it was over and he got off me I politely told him to please make good use of a good deodorant and a good toothpaste and mouthwash, his body odor and bad breath nearly killed….. phewy!!!!! but the sounds and sights afterward are things I will never forget. I don’t know how folks can live in areas with tornadoes, but then again I am sure most people wonder how folks on the west coast live with earthquakes… its all in how you view it.
What a wonderful getaway! I lived in Vermont for quite some time – it was fun to see some familiar scenes and sweet memories! So glad you all had such a marvelous time ((hugs))! Glad you didn’t have any real trouble with the winter weather. I always get rather nervous about driving in it. Can’t wait to hear about your cross-country trip – coming soon!
These photos are amazing and thank you for sharing them with us. I couldn’t believe it at the end when you showed the photo of King Arthur Flour because I order from them all the time and would love to visit too.
Such a wonderful trip! I feel like you brought us along with you! My husband, kids and I have been to Vermont a few times to many of the same places and you brought back so many wonderful memories. Thank you so much.
So awesome! Your photos are amazing!
Thank You, Thank You for such a fabulous “Winter Wonderland ” adventure!!! Enjoyed every minute. Will be going on this journey again only this time will have a fire in the fireplace, my cozy blanket and a great glass of wine! Such a great way to go on a “stay cation”!! Thanks for the invitation 🙂
My father was born in Bennington and my uncle and aunt lived on the main street. I can remember visiting them (from California) when I was six and I still remember how green everything was — obviously it was summer. My dad always said he moved to the West because he hated being snowed in and Cold. Every Christmas my relatives would send some maple syrup, in a log cabin shaped tin, and maple sugar candy leaves from Bennington. I think a piece of my heart is still there. Thank you for inviting the rest of us along for the ride!
So many midwesterners in California, including my own family! Probably doing what your dad did!
Oh my….. what a wonderful way to spend an Anniversary!! So romantic and beautiful and full of surprises….I was definitely ready for a nice trip with snow and wonderful buildings/houses. The rain on the Central Coast has been WET WET WET and I am beginning to think it will not stop. I would much rather see SNOW!! Again…….. you are both so special to each other and to all of us. Hugs to you both and tons of LOVE!!!!
I’ve been hearing from Kellee that it’s bad out there. She sent me a very windy rainy video of it . . . I guess lots of trees are down. We’ll soon see. California is wonderful, but it certainly does get some amazing rain storms.
Hi,
This post was right on time. I am home from work with th “sick bug” ( this is what I tell kids at my school). My head is so full, that I can not read or do much before I fall off to sleep, but this was just enough before I was back off in to a slumber with good thoughts.
Thank you
Get well Deanah!
We went to Vermont once in September. Lovely that time of year as well.
Love Vermont, maple syrup and King Arthur Flour!
I have been to Vermont twice… in December to see Tasha Tudor! I love it. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Your blog always brightens my life Carla n
Awww! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, who asked me to marry him after a magical sleigh ride. Here’s my little sleigh ride story…
After I completed my last final of graduate school (I obtained the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching.), he sent me on a two-day scavenger hunt that included all my girlfriends. The last clue led me to a beautiful sleigh that took me through a tiny town decorated in Christmas lights. Along the route, I came across a gazebo lit with twinkle lights, and standing in the middle of the gazebo waiting for me was my very own Prince Charming!
Since then, my husband and I have made sleigh rides “our thing.” My husband and I will now add this Vermont adventure to our list of must-do sleigh rides, for now it’s our tradition. (We took our second sleigh ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle on our honeymoon!)
Now that’s what I call a proposal!!! Well done! xoxo
Loved your Vemont blog! Brought back many happy memories of visits from childhood (dad was in the granite business) to adulthood. It’s a great state for wanderlust and exploring. We have it all right here in New England.
I really enjoy “traveling” with you and Joe. 🙂
We did a horse drawn sleigh ride one evening in the mountains beyond Montreal. It was well below freezing. We were saved by another passenger who began singing old campfire songs. We all sang into our mufflers and made memories!
Loved taking your Valentine trip with you. The scenery is beautiful. The perfect winter vacation. I love pure maple syrup on my oatmeal with pecans. Mmmmm!
Thank you for sharing your trip with all your friends. I do feel like I was there in Vermont! A cup of hot tea was exactly what completed my “travels with Susan”.
Dreamy!!!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Valentine trip! You guys have more fun. Being mindful of the small beauties as well as the big ones are a gift you have. Doesn’t snow, love, friendships and good food make for perfect memories!
I had a long day with my five year old. This post was perfect to read and relax too. A true sleigh ride in the snow sounds perfectly romantic. Have you ever seen The Winter Guest starting Bette Davis? There is a a great scene with her taking a sleigh ride. The whole movie is wonderful and perfect to watch on a snowy day.
Looked for it, found Winter Guest, but not with Bette Davis, although it sounds familiar! Must find it! For dreaming, I go with the sleigh ride in Christmas in Connecticut!
The movie is called, “Winter Meeting”. I checked it out on e-bay because it sounds like a movie that I would like. Thanks Shell! I have never seen this one before and am looking forward to getting it.
What a wonderful trip. I have always wanted to go to Vermont!! It is so beautiful and me being from Texas with very tiny if ever any snow, I love the snoe . So excited to hear more! I would love to hear about your vist to King Authurs. I get their catalog and order, but have never gotten to go. Going thru you makes me feel like I have gone in person. Also your sleigh ride looked incredible. Thank you!
I LOVED this post!! Many years ago, right out of college, I moved from GA to Maine. This post brought back so many memories of that time! I often make sweet potato pancakes with blueberries in them and your maple syrup would be DEE-LISH on them. Vanna, PICK ME!!! 🙂
Vermont is absolutely gorgeous! i would love to visit there!
Thank you for bringing back many good memories of Vermont. I want to return some day, too! Have a nice trip to see your Mom and family. With love, Barb 💕💕💕💕💕💕
Ahhhh! I finally had time to sit and savor this wonderful trip to Vermont! Love that you stayed in Warren; my daddy, son, and grandson are all named Warren. It is such a lovely British name! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the houses, barns, stars, stores, bridges and the sleigh ride. You took amazingly good photos from the moving car; the yellow house with the pine tree set in a perfect spot was one of my favorites, along with the red barn that looked like the one on the chocolate box. I am so thrilled you were able to fulfill your sleigh ride dream.
I love seeing practical Joe in action. Seeing him in the pictures has a calming effect. You looked darling in your hat and coat, Sue!
There are too many things to comment on in this Blog, so I will just add: Thank you very much and sign off.
One more thing; I have not seen a picture of Girl Kitty for a while. Is she still with us?
Hygges, Paula Johnson
No, I’m sorry to say, Girl went to heaven last August. 😢 Jack is doing double duty now. xoxo
Oh, she went before your trip to England. If I had known, I would have given you an extra hug. Girl Kitty appeared to have a stable, wise presence. Many blessings of comfort on all fronts, and lots of love to you, our example of a loving, faithful Girlfriend. The big trip is nigh; have a wonderful time. 🙂
You are truly an amazing woman!! I have been enjoying your beautiful books and watercolors for many years, and cherish them…and now I am so delighted since my friend has just shared her precious trilogy of your life with me…I simply could not put them down. Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful life, and especially your Vermont Valentine’s Day trip with us!! I am feeling blessed and happy on this long February evening, having experienced it all through your eyes!
You’re a sweetheart Jan, thank you for saying hello. I’m SO happy you enjoyed the books!
Beautiful! What a great part of the USA!
Sounds like a wonderful adventure
Thanks for sharing with us
Have a safe and happy trip to “Mom”
Hugs G
Dear Sue and Joe,
I was just browsing through your post again, and I had a thought. I know you are taking the train soon and thought you might want to delight the people who see the train passing by by putting the Christmas lights you used last fall in the windows at night again. I know you will love it if you see some houses still lit up along the way. There are still some houses lit up in upstate NY. Maybe I’ll stay up late and drive into town to watch your train go by on Thursday night and see if any windows have Christmas lights on. Just a thought. Have a safe journey.
Love Sue
LOL, well, we are so far behind in the packing department that I’m not sure we’ll get to the train decor, but I will tell Joe and see what happens!
Dear Sue, Vermont seems like such a beautiful place to visit at this time of yrar. I had lots of fun following your adventures there. Thanks for taking us along.Love, Crystal
My husband and I went on a sleigh ride on our honeymoon on New Year’s Eve 31 years ago! So wonderful! (Baby Boom is my favorite movie!)
Beautiful!
I loved your post! Thank you for sharing, and next time share the pics of your food! 🙂
What a wonderful trip!!! Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed every minute.
This is so wonderful, as my husband and I had planned to be in Vermont, ourselves, for Valentines (which was our 25th anniversary!) Alas, our checkbook did not agree and we had to postpone our trip–only to find your blizzard probably would have kept us away, anyway. Thanks for this peek in to the loveliness we’ll find once again there when we return a few weeks from now (Lord willing!)
Wonderful post! So “loverly” to go with you on a sleigh ride! Thanks for yet another wonderful post! Love, Marsha
Lovely trip…I have always wanted to go to Vermont! I will someday😊
Thank you for sharing your holiday pictures and for this great post.
It’s amazing how many colours show up even when photos are taken in the snow.
Lovely, lovely!
Snow is a good background and reflector! Lowely, in her art, paints snow all the time, and was talking to me about the colors in it. Very interesting!
Would love this! We are going to Vt in two weeks☃️
Nice timing!
Loved “visiting” the picturesque New England countryside with you 😘
We visited Vermont in the autumn and now I have a strong desire to return in the winter…how fabulous…. a sleigh ride…I would be in heaven. You bring everything to life and make me feel as if I’m there too….wonderful.
Jacqui…East Sussex. Uk
Heavenly East Sussex. xoxo
Hi Susan,
I posted a comment and don’t see it. Im sure Im doing something wrong as I am kind of computer illiterate. I still write letters and thank you cards. Any idea what it might be?
I saw one from you Rhea . . . I think I wrote back, but go look again. I would find it, but I’m not sure how!
Oh yay! I’ll look.
Your Vermont Odyssey kept me cosy while sick in bed 🙂 x
I DREAMT about you last night Susan Branch! In my dream I wanted to ask you questions but you were not hugely forthcoming haha! I’ll ask one of them now just in case your earthly self feels like answering… out-of-context with this blog post, but something I’ve often wondered. With all your special nostalgic pieces and knick-knacks around the home, have you ever accidentally dropped or smashed something that could never be replaced… that you’ve never stopped grieving for since? I have a couple of pieces like that (eg. a beautiful Christmas plate in a set of four — now depressingly a set of three)… 🙁
Was just curious!
Yes, and because you find them at a flea market or antique store, it’s not like you can go out and get a new one. And money has nothing to do with it. I love things just as much that cost $3 as those that cost more. In fact most of my things DO cost $3!!! 😄 I’m a very good shopper! Joe has glued so many things, it’s almost ridiculous. But some things can’t be saved. I’ve been known to cry! One thing we lost, there was an earthquake in California and 7 of my 10 little delicate hand-painted-with-birds tea cups shook off the shelf and shattered. 😢 So, then I went and got tape for everything that earthquake didn’t get. My housekeeper has broken things, which kills me, but probably kills her more. So that’s why I clean my china cabinets ~ better for me to break things than her. Funny dream!
Loved the trip to Vermont. Again, thanks for taking us on vacation with you! I do have to say that driving on snow covered winding roads to me is akin to getting on an airplane for you! I was holding my breath and hanging on the edge of my seat for the photos and video of driving in the snow, especially with the other cars so close!!! Yikes!!!! Also very good to know about the TJ champagne–can’t wait to try it. I love, love, love champagne but always get a headache from it. Save travels on your upcoming trip out west.
Thank you Natalie! Hope the TJ champagne works for you like it does for me. I can actually, if I want, have TWO glasses of it, and no headache. Never happens with any other kind, one and I’m a goner! So I never drink it.
Fabulous post. I’ve been to Vermont in the Fall and loved it. Winter looks so magical there. It’s so wonderful that you have such terrific traveling companions. Can’t wait to see your return trip to CA. Your Mom must be so excited that you’ll be there. Safe travels!!
She is and I am, and we just can’t wait!
Hi Susan,
Love it when you take us on your trips – takes me away even when I can’t get away! When will we get to see the cute coat you picked up on your trip to England?
I keep forgetting…I’ll try to take a photo today ….
Oh what a beautiful trip! I have always wanted to go on a sleigh ride!
One of my priorities is to visit New England someday in the not-too-distant future (I’ve never been–yet). And even though I’m not so fond of snow, you make it look wonderful! I really enjoyed this post 🙂
I opened your blog this morning and am sure to look at it again and again. It might have been long, but I was sad when it was over. I spent Valentine’s Day in Sunny Florida enjoying sand,sun, shells and seafood which is all wonderful, but just the same I thought lucky you to be able to enjoy your snowy trip. It was so romantic and full of all the perfect things… friends, family, horses, homes, barns and champagne. Thank you for sharing your adventures Susan, it’s always a treat to open your blog and taken for a ride into your travels and view of this wonderful world.
Barbara Kuzdzal
I loved this post, Susan, thank you! I have also never been on a sleigh ride in the snow! I did go on a magical old-fashioned coach ride(lanterns on the sides!), pulled by horses, in the snow, in Aspen, in 1989, on our way to a fancy dinner, after we got engaged! Magical ski trip for Valentine’s Day, too, so this was my fairy-tale trip! It more than sufficed! I had to bring my pretty shoes (heels) in a shopping bag, and wear my boots. The restaurant was lovely and there were huge glass walls with water flowing over them between the tables, so romantic! We were staying at an inn called “The Deep Powder Lodge”, in their only little cabin, named “Honeymoon Suite”, with 2′ long icicles hanging off the steeply pitched roof. It was cute but “charming” in a homey way, and we even got in trouble with Gus, the owner, for not making the bed (rule was circled in red marker in a note when we returned from skiing the next day)!
I need to write all of this out, as it is in our memories and we joke about it every once in awhile. I looked it up and now a fancy-schmancy resort covers the entire block where this lodge once took up a small corner.
Thanks for the fun time you shared, and bringing up fond memories!
Lovely memory Nancy!