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!❤️
This is all so wonderful❤❤. xoxoxo
Dear Susan,
What a wonderful Valentine’s celebration for you, Joe and your friends! Nice to meet Lowely and John. I would love to visit Vermont someday. Gorgeous! So many wonderful photos and memories filled to the brim with Hygge! Absolutely love the stars, I have a thing for stars too! They are so classic and so pleasing to look at whether they are handmade, lights, rustic, modern, shiny, wooden, vintage, and especially in the sky on a clear night…..I just love them! I have a handmade star made of tree limbs that my SIL brother made years ago, it hangs on our barn! I may have to rescue it and hang it someplace better than outdoors! I have an acquaintance that owns Percheron horses and give wagon rides for weddings and festivals. They are wonderful animals and yes, they do have their own language.
Mmmmm, maple syrup! Love it! I have been reading Gladys Tabers’ books (love them) and she wrote quite a bit about maple sugar time. Thank you once again for giving us all a glimpse of your travels! Have a safe and enjoyable journey to visit you Mom!
Hugs, Candice
So lovely that you had friends to share this beautiful trip with. Enjoy being with your mom. My awesome mother will be 99 this week. Just want to say sweet Susan you are so funny, traveling there and back in a blizzard and wouldn’t ride in the gondola. Thanks for sharing.
Susan, another beautiful post. Everything looked magical. Happy Happy Anniversary to you and your Joe. <3
Thank you for a wonderful trip through a magical land while I enjoyed my tea this morning 💕
I have just added this spot to my “bucket list” for winter travel! I did drive through Vermont on a bus tour several summers back and saw a moose! Unfortunately he was running parallel to the highway due to his home being disturbed because trees were being harvested. He was magnificent!! We don’t see these guys here in Illinois!
If not for you, I would not know of such delights!
It seems like forever ago that I skied at Killington in Vermont. It rained! Hah, but I did it anyway. Hot maple syrup sounds heavenly on this damp, dreary winter day. Thanks so much for sharing the beautiful photos. Loved the bells!
Loved being along for this amazing trip. Could have read about this all day… Thanks for taking us along!
What a lovely trip and so lovely, too, that your dream came true. I really enjoyed all of the photos. I was wondering if whoever was driving would stop when you wanted to take a photo. It was (sort of) answered when you said the roads prohibited your going fast…and then the blurred shot. I chuckled at that one. My hubby and I go on photo rides, and he’s so sweet about me shouting, “Back UP!” when I see a bird I want to capture on film. I love that you and Joe both prefer the warm fire and cocoa to the ski slopes. Isn’t it wonderful when your love and you are kindred spirits. I’m looking forward to your tweets from the twain, and pray for a wonderful and safe twip.
Blessings,
GG
We enjoy a family sleigh ride every year, the day after Christmas. My parents started that tradition for us many years ago. There are about 18 of us that go each year, and we LOVE it! It’s a great way to spend time with those you love, and to extended the beauty of the Christmas season! Thank you for sharing with us.
Susan, what a wonderful travelogue you just gave us. I felt right
there in Vermont with you. Great photos for sure, but loved your
anecdotes too. You are a great storyteller. Love maple syrup.
And would love to savor it on pancakes and french toast.
You are very generous with your time, experiences, and the syrup.
Connie from Michigan where it is supposed to be in the 50’s today.
Susan: what a wonderful travelogue of Vermont. I felt like I was right
there with you and your husband and your friends. Loved all the photos
and especially the anecdotes. You are a great storyteller. And I love
maple syrup especially on french toast. Very generous of you. I will
read this blog over and over again.
Connie in Michigan where it is supposed to be in the 50’s today.
This is so beautiful. It makes me want to move there. Vermont is on my list of “Awesome states that I haven’t been to yet but want to go to”! Thanks for sharing your trip.
Oh Vermont, how do I love thee . . . thorougly enjoyed this post. Vermont is my favourite place on earth. When I lived in Canada we always travelled through Vermont on our travels East and West. My mother’s cousin lived (and still does) in Vermont and one of my favourite childhood memories was visiting the family in their old red farmhouse which sat atop a hill just outside Rutland. We picnicked outside at a wooden table and had green bean casserole (my first time ever) and corn on the cob and cucumbers and I can’t remember what else, but only that it was all delicious. I think anything eaten at a wooden table next to a red farmhouse sitting on top of a hill in Vermont would be ambrosical (is that a word?) don’t you! Thanks for a lovely post. You certainly had a wonderful visit. My favourite Christmas ever is the year we organized a sleigh ride on boxing day for the whole family, inlaws, outlaws and everything in between. The children still talk about it! What fun! Safe travels on your journey West! xo
Hi Susan what a wonderful blog I have wanted to visit Vermont for years now I must go! I also loved the cat in the box picture I have four cats and I know what would happen if you put your hand even near the box. Ouch! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures they made my day. xoxo sherry
Thank you for taking us along – what a wonderful trip and all the pictures! I have started a Vermont trip file with lots of notes from your trip. The sleigh ride was magical. Who doesn’t want to go on a good old fashion sleigh ride and with bells too. Loved the music you chose to go with blog. I can taste that delicious Vermont maple syrup already! Have a lovely weekend.
Thank you so much for such a lovely post! I am sure that I will read it again and again. Love the photos, too!
Hi Susan,
Just loved your pictures and comments. Never been to New England – looks magical!
This was so much fun to read. My husband and I have been planning a trip to Vermont for the fall this year. Can’t wait.
Dear Susan, I never used to like winter but after reading your last book I decided to look for the beauty in it, this last post only makes me like it more!
Thanks for sharing your lovely trip. Loved everything – the snow, stars, sleigh rides, B&Bs, maple syrup, Rochelle (I can definitely see her in one of your paintings – I’m sure she would love it)… I’ve never been to Vermont, but it is on my list and has now been bumped up a little. Thanks again
DEAR SUSAN,
Thank you so much for this post, it was fun to see Vermont from inside a snow globe. I can’t imagine anything better than a sleigh ride with the one you love. I especially loved the picture of the sun at the end of the post. That was a picture that would be nearly impossible to recreate. Two incredible trips in less than a year, how lucky are you. You really need to go back in the fall, and experience a whole different view of Vermont, it truly is breath taking. Go way up to the north country. Make reservations well in advance. You could also visit the Shelburne museum in Shelburne Vermont. I think you would like it.
Love Sue
What a lovely trip! I’d love to visit King Arthur Flour….I’m a bit obsessed with kitchen bits and bobs!
Have no words to express how much I enjoyed this!
Wow! That was a fun trip, especially without feeling the cold (I’m a Texas girl!). We were in Vermont last Fall to tour Tasha Tudor’s home. They served cider donuts -yum! I sure would like to win that maple syrup. I use it in my Sweet Potato Pone that I make for Thanksgiving and it would really be good on my pumpkin pancakes.
What a glorious recap! My best friend and I visited a friend in Hillsborough, NH this past Thanksgiving and couldn’t help but feel we were in a lovely Christmas greeting card while traveling through Vermont! Had to stop over in the charming little town of Wilmington, VT as we were traveling from Wilmington, OH.😊 Thank you for sharing this delightful adventure!!
Thanks for taking us along on your Valentine’s trip. The photos and your descriptions made me feel almost like I was right there in the car, inn, and sleigh!! Some real maple syrup from Vermont would be nice because I just ran out of the kind I buy at Target!
I love all the house, barn, graveyard, and churches on any trip and these were fantastic. Thank you soooo much! XO
Susan L
Hi Susan! Oh, lovely Vermont! Even the name is special… I haven’t been in a few years because, alas, my friends no longer live there, but I spent many happy times in Vermont with friends of my mom’s who lived near Middlebury. I would be there at least twice, if not three times a year for days or a week, and saw all of the beautiful state. Only area we did not get to was the Northeast Kingdom – now isn’t that a magical name for that part of the state? I have been to the Von Trapp Family Lodge and loved it, to Montpelier, Burlington, all along the Lake Champlain area of VT (I did not see “Champ”), Shelburne (and the Museum there), to Woodstock, Grafton, the Robert Frost Trail, and of course, Manchester. I’ve loved taking pictures of the covered bridges, country roads, small villages with red barns and little Inns, cows, silos, the beautiful mountain views, and the stars at night. My friends lived on a country road, near farms, and at night, I would go out lie down on the grass and stare up at the sky. I was amazed at all the stars up there – away from the city lights – it was amazing! We would take a trip over to Dakin Farm and pick up Vermont Maple Syrup, cheddar cheese, and other goodies; go to neighboring farms and pick strawberries – so sweet, and the best blueberries you could eat. Every July 4th, we would go to a local town and watch the parade, then go to the local church for their annual Ice Cream Social. Most of all, I got to meet so many wonderful Vermonters and also “flatlanders” – who aren’t native Vermonters, but have moved or retired there. Life is laid back and enjoyed – especially outdoors! Where else would you find the most incredible Fall colors? Like you, one of the first things I did the first time I visited there, was to walk across the street from my friends’ home to the old cemetery. Grave stones from the 1700’s, 1800’s – all tell a story of the brave people who settled our country. Thank you for sharing your visit with us – it has brought back so many wonderful memories. My personal email address even begins with “ilovevt” – I just may have to take a trip up there very soon!
I loved your trip to Vermont – just couldn’t believe all the beautiful pictures. I have never been to Vermont but I love it! I love everything Tasha Tudor loved. I collect her books and Corgyn dogs (Tasha and Meggie). Several years ago, I visited my daughter in upper state New York and visited a wonderful farm store where I bought a bottle of delicious maple syrup. It came in a gorgeous bottle with a lovely maple leaf etched on it. I would love to have another maple syrup bottle to display with it. Thanks for the trip!
Another lovely trip for our senses! I grew up in New Jersey and people who have never been there don’t realize how beautiful it can be! It’s not all steel, oil refineries and parkways. As a kid we used to go farms and pick green beans, corn and apples, then my mom would start canning for winter treats. Thanks for bringing up lovely memories. I think tonight we’ll watch “The Sound of Music”!
A sleigh ride in the snow has always been a dream of mine. But, California to Vermont is quite a distance! We have gone with our friends to Fish Camp, just outside of Yosemite and gone once but it was a wagon!, with sleds! Not quite the same but fun. Thank you for the wonderful trip, the stars, the snow,the barns, and the ride. Your blog always makes me smile! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with all of us! I have been to Vermont many times and adore the simplicity and the beauty.
Your photos brought me back and I enjoyed the trip enormously!
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day~ know you are loved by all of your fans!
Thank you for all the beautiful snow pictures! Much needed on the “usually always sunny, but now very rainy” Central Coast. It made me very nostalgic of growing up in four seasons. Now I have Vermont in the winter on my to-do list 🙂
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the wonderful Valentine’s Day treat.
My birthday is on February 17th, so my husband has dubbed these days as “the extravaganza”, especially this year because I turned 70.
We have finished the fourth season of “A Place To Call Home”….LOVE it and can’t wait for Season Five to start…thank for the recommendation!
Fondly,
Debbie
Happy Birthday yesterday Debbie!
Ohh DO please paint Rochelle!–red hair and rosy cheeks!
…with equine friends covered in sleigh bells, snow and stars, blankets and scarves, white-laced barns and crackling fires!
…an immortalized Winter Wonderland for us ALL to experience… on one of your calendars maybe??!
Right now in NC the daffodils and cherry trees are blooming with temps in the 70’s! Lovely but Absurd! It’s FEBRUARY for Heaven’s Sake!
My grandma and grandpa traveled all over the US during their retirement and often took us grandkids with them 🙂 I asked my grandma once which state was her favorite to visit and she said Vermont (a far cry from the Ca desert where she lived). I look forward to the day when my husband and I take a trip there!! Thanks for sharing this beautiful post with us. So magical! I can see why my grandma found it so beautiful! xoxo See you at the Apple Farm!
So happy you got to experience riding in a horse drawn sleigh. As you know from the picture I posted to your twitter account, I did harness work with my horses for years. The video you posted was totally accurate. My favorite memories are driving my beloved horse, Sham, on a snowy evening complete with bells, buffalo robe and foot warmers in the sleigh for me. Moving out at a trot was the most fun, feeling the sleigh jerk against the traces and me sliding on the seat as he would round a turn. A great friend of mine once told me, “harness horses are born not made.” So true. Putting a horse to harness is becoming a lost art.
I wish it wasn’t!
Think I’ll have to put a trip to Vermont in the winter on my bucket list.
Susan – I loved this post – every picture. Thanks for sharing your trip.
I live in the desert so it was especially fun to watch videos of snow falling and hear the horse bells. Last trip to Vermont was years ago. Makes me want to go back. Loved all the pictures – felt like a mini-trip to a snowy fairyland.
Thanks again!
What an extra special Valentine’s memory you made! Thanks for sharing. Made my weekend.
What a perfect time, I loved the sleigh ride, reminded me of when I lived in Park City Utah…. just being outside in the WinterWonderLand…. Thank you for sharing!
What a great time you all had! We were in Park City, UT in January and I took my first sleigh ride, tons of fun, but cold! Again, congratulations on 30 well deserved and awesome years! Yes, ok, I would love bourbon flavored maple syrup! Continued safe journeys!
Fun to see New England from a sleigh! Extra fun to see the Von Trapp family lodge! Thanks for the trip . . . ☃
What a wonderful post! Had to google Vermont stars, and here s what I found: wcax.com/story/30811013/stars-shine-bright-in-the-mad-river-valley
Such fun reading about your Vermont adventure! I love red barns, too–they’re just the exact color the world needs in winter. 🙂
Susan n Joe – many thanks for the Lovely Snowny Beautiful Cozy trip!!!
I so enjoy reading your blogs!! It is a nice thing to look forward to on the weekends! Life is too busy, but this is when I DO make a cup of tea, cuddle up on the couch, and enjoy your adventures vicariously!! Thank you so much!! Enjoy your trip to California!! Someday I would like to take a long train trip!! That sounds so fun!! 🙂 Have a happy day Susan!! 🙂
I cannot begin to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Vermont with you !My senses were awakened on this dismal day in California.
Hugs, Debbie
Loved being along on this wonderful Valentine’s adventure! What a delightful trip! Thank you so very much for sharing.
This was a fantastic trip to Vermont! Thank you so very much for taking us along with you guys.
My cousin, who lives in NH sent us a bottle of Pure Maple Syrup one year. She told me all the work it took from getting it from the tree to the bottle. Very interesting to say the least. They made it for years. After that, I only buy pure maple syrup from the grocery store. Wish it wasn’t so expensive.
I loved seeing all those barns, etc.
Have a great trip out to California on the train. Will be following you on Twitter as you journey across country.
xoxox,
Carol M
Oh what a wonderful blog today! I so enjoyed the beautiful countryside and your wonderful sleigh ride. That is definitely on my bucket list! I’ve been to Vermont, visited the Trapp Family Lodge and Ben and Jerry’s but it was summertime and no snow. It’s a beautiful part of this country year round! Thanks for letting us share your lovely valentines get away.
The best ever blog yet Susan. I just want to pack my bags and visit Vermont – its picture perfect. What a lovely way to spend Valentine’s Day.
So lovely…I spent part of my Honeymoon in Warren and Waitsfield…after a few days at The Plaza in NYC…my husband had a cousin who lived in Waitsfield and had a grove of sugar maples…we tapped fifty trees while there. Had sugar on snow with pickles and doughnuts…lovely lovely memories. We had lunch at the Von Trap lodge…the old one that later burned down. This was 45 years ago.
I just opened a package from your studio… Heart of the Home and candles for Hygge 💕
Thank you for this lovely post.
What a great memory!
Gotta love New England! I am so blessed to live here my whole life! Love your photos.
Oh Susan ! Thank you so much for sharing! I loved this post, I have always wanted to go to Vermont, and now after reading this and the pictures you shared, I will have to go there this winter, and definitely take this sleigh ride. I love your books, I read all your blogs, you’re my kind of person 🙂 I am 24 mom of 3 and I love you!! xo 🙂
Oh, Susan, made me very homesick! i loved driving the roads of New England ! Thank you for this trip! And as for maple syrup…..yum. Would love to have some. My brothers actually went syruping one year many years ago. I have traveled quite a bit but the syrup bottle they brought home has come with me. Most be fifty years or more ago! One year I was a special guest for a local second grade class. They were doing pilgrim projects. I brought indian popcorn and maple syrup to dip the popcorn in….totally successful visit! They had never had pure maple syrup. Love the ‘visit’ home.
What a wonderful trip, thanks for taking us with you! I’ve been on 2 fall New England trips and they were so great. Fun to see it in winter. Happy travels back here to Cali!
So beautiful Susan! Loved every bit of it! I didn’t even know you had a new blog up, I was checking to see if y’all had left for California because the storms there sounded and looked awful. Hope all your folks are safe. I know winter driving is something y’all don’t think twice about but here the word “snow” causes a massive rush to groc store and the all bread, milk and toilet paper disappear. So while I loved seeing the snowy roads, I was a nervous wreck!!
You just have to think of the pioneers who made it through all the winters before there were grocery stores and suddenly it begins to look much easier!
You are so right! Easy to forget how hard life was not all that long ago.
What a wonderful post – enjoyed every single thing you shared. Think my favorite part were all of the sleigh ride pictures – so much fun! Thanks for another great post to read – you bring a lot of joy to the world.
How lovely. My niece and her family live there and we are anxious to make a visit. This looks like a perfect place to go also. I love all of it.
Be still my heart…Rochelle looks like she was painted by you…love Lowely’s festive coat and her name…Vermont is definitely on my bucket list…(and I have a grandson named Jack)! Love to travel and vicarious travel works, too. Thanks for taking us along!
Oh, biggest sigh. You know, this Michigan girl, despite her locale, has never been winter’s greatest friend. But when I see this, I simply fall in love. Because this is what I want winter to be — snowflakes and barns — red and green and white — sparkly stars, sleigh bells, horses, fireplaces and warm toddies… it truly is magic. All that and the von Trapps, King Arthur and those adorable stores. Oh, yes. You know how to do winter and how to do Valentines and even more important, how to do life itself. Years ago I put together a photograph book called “Drive By Shootings” of all my favorite from-the-window photos. You have some winners here. And there was one in particular — a whole scene with lots of buildings and snow, of course — I thought if you didn’t already probably design your own splendid Christmas cards, you’d have a winner there! (Probably more than a few!)
Thanks for taking us on your journey — I hope I win that syrup but even if i don’t, I will already feel like I’ve been there!
Absolutely splendid. 😃
you did it again:::::::: made me feel all cuddly inside—like knowing everything is all right with the world.
thank you, darling!
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Teri
Oregon
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sharing Vermont with us. Two of my favorites, pure maple syrup and Bourbon. Never had them together, though!
When you write it is a long one, I laugh because I don’t care how long it is, I’m ready for a break in my day. Cup of tea in hand, I read. I loved this post. Vermont is on my list and your photos brought it to life for me. Beautiful photos, and your words pulled me in and I felt like I was under the blanket with you and Lowely. What a fun trip and thank you for bringing us all along.
Terri
A lovely trip. You always make me feel as if I was there with you.
Well that was fun to see considering that it is a crazy 63 degrees here in Wisconsin in the middle of February! Being from Upstate NY, Vermont is one of my faves. I love King Arthur Flour and can meander for hours to the boredom of my wee traveling companions. For now, I have to settle on online meandering. Thanks for taking us along!
Love Vermont!!!! Went to Stowe in early 90’s after my dad passed with my Mom, she just turned 94 on 2/12/17. We went to see Fall foliage love to see your pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing this little bit of Heaven, Susan! The closest I have ever been to Vermont is the Vermont Country Store Catalog which I read avidly from cover to cover. I grew up in snow country in Colorado and still miss the seasons even after fifty years in California. Your photographs are stunning! Thanks again for bringing us such beauty with your posts.
Loved this! Thank you! All this beauty and Bernie, too…love Vermont! ❤
Bernie…too political????
A perfect Valentine Trip. This is the wonderful rambling sort of travel I love….and tasty treats too! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Have a wonderful trip across country on the train. Hope you don’t have to sleep in the top berth as I did when my mother and I went to CA in the 90’s.
That maple syrup would be delicious in a pie😋
We had maple pot de creme for dessert at the Pitcher Inn, and now we are all madly in love with it! Went back for more on our last night! Lowely already made some and brought it over!!!
Don’t worry Susan, I definitely made it to the end! You had me from Valentine’s Day getaway! I love this blog–watched every video and listened to all the “musica” too! Thanks so much for sharing and I would surely love that maple syrup! ❤
The people in Vermont are as lovely as the scenery! We were there for a few days in May 2016 and I loved Woodstock & the wonderful Woodstock Inn. We also stayed in Middlebury at the Swift House Inn—.charming & a wonderful breakfast! Want to return AFTER I visit Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard! Thanks for the memories!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful trip! I had a great time!
Thank you, Susan for taking me along on your trip. The sleigh ride was absolutely wonderful! Wish I could have tried a doughnut, too. Have a safe trip home to visit your mom.
Laurie
=:3
I love Vermont, and I love you. Perfect for Valentine’s Day! I also love real syrup.
The photos of houses, barns and Rochelle have me thinking I might try to paint today. Always thanks for your blogs!
Thanks for taking us on your lovely trip, but……. I think I’ll keep the California sunshine (when it hasn’t been raining, YAY!!) Keep warm!! Stay cozy!!
How exciting, you were in my neck of the wintry woods ~ I’m proud to be from 802! I’m so glad you two and your friends had such a lovely time… and a special Valentine’s day sleigh ride, nothing better. Thank you for sharing it with us.
The winter sun in one of your last photos almost looks heart-shaped, or is it just me? You make joy wherever you go, thank you so much, Susan.
Kindred spirits share the joy pretty well! Love that we’re all in it together!
This one nearly out-does your England ones….what a wonderful trip for you to share. And I didn’t even get cold doing it. Thanks so much…very well done, and all the pictures, as usual, make a person feel a part of the experience. True genius. But having lived in Maine for several years, I do know the feeling…
Sharon in warm Houston
What a wonderful Valentine to all of us here–sharing that magical visit to beautiful Vermont. And the sleigh ride…on my bucket list too tho it hasn’t happened yet. When I was little, neighbors had a sleigh (no horse!) that they put outside every Christmas and filled with gaily wrapped packages, as if Santa had just stepped away for a minute. I was transfixed. Have never forgotten that image–and it looks just like your sleigh!
You are so lucky to visit these delight places and thanks for being so kind to share with your many fans. Looks like a place of where fairy tales do come true.
I am a Lodge Person too! I am glad to know there are others! We live in the Midwest, Madison County area with covered bridges too…I also live in a red house on the hill…maybe there’s a bit of Vermont in me?! Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Vermont is a state of mind and a heartwarming happening. Thanks for the the whole trip, especially the sleigh ride!!
Another barn lover! My husband is in the process of designing ours for our new “farmette”. Thank you for sharing your trip! A winter trip to Vermont is on our bucket list for when we’re empty nesters! Feel a little bit like I got to go sooner! Thanks again!
Thank you! That was simply gorgeous.
::)Thanks for a great ride!! It was all lovely, start to finish.
Susan,
Thanks you for this wonderful respite. I was sitting here on a gray Oregon day, wrapped in a favorite afghan with my wonderful Joe the cat cuddled up on my lap and recovering from my most recent bout of chemotherapy when I opened this up and was transported to a wonderful place and time with you joyous people.Thank you so much !
Thank you for the winter wonderland trip through Vermont! Too many favorite parts but I love the stars!
How I have missed snow this 2017 year! Today, it’s 74 degrees outside in our town of Liberty, MO. with BRIGHT sunshine…glorious, albeit strange. With that said, I so enjoyed looking through your blog, Susan!
Loved every picture! Agree that you should paint the picture of Rachelle driving the sleigh – would be amazing. How fun to find and visit King Arthur Flour,too. Looking forward to March 18 at The Apple Farm, SLO. If you have time, visit us at The Monday Club that morning at 10 am for our 66th annual Music Competition. Wonderful high school junior and senior classical music students will be competing for $1500 first prize and $1000 second price.
See you then!
What fun!
Oh what fun! Valentine’s Day just happened to be my dad’s 80th birthday and we surprised him today with a party! Our cat, Ziggy, was not impressed with the helium balloons we had floating around the house until it was time to take them to the party. It was not snowing here; no, we enjoyed lovely spring-like weather in Sandusky, Ohio right on the shores of Lake Erie. The sleigh ride looked so fun and our granddaughter’s horse is named Jack, too!
What a lovely trip. I have always wanted to go to Vermont. Ever since my 8 year younger sister was able to go with friends during a college break to ski in Stowe ! There I said it ! No jealousy there ! But I could top her trip with that devine maple syrup !!! Thank you so much for taking us on your trip I so enjoyed the barns, churches, covered bridges, and the beautiful snow !
Oh Susan!
Your Vermont blog made me teary-eyed. I grew up in a CT dairy community and try to return each year to visit family and old friends. I still subscribe to Yankee magazine and dearly miss those days. Maple syrup is a wonderful as a snack-by-the spoonful. I live in southeastern CA now but as still am New England-er in my heart.
It gets you, and pulls you in, and there is no escape.
What a fun trip! I know the perils of winter driving and the relief of safe arrivals and returns. The sun is shining and it hardly seems like winter in mid-Michigan today. Thanks for sharing your travels, near and far! xoxo
Thank you for taking all of us along on your wonderful trip. I could have sat and looked at your pictures all day. I just love Vermont!
Oh you are living the dream! Beautiful pictures. I love snow but I am stuck in Florida (not really complaining)! My family had apple orchards in New York state for generations (sadly sold now) and my aunt made the best donuts and cider. Boy do I miss her, the donuts and the farm! Thank you for taking us on your fantastic trip!
An apple farm, how very idyllic. xoxo