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!❤️
Thank you for the Vermont Get Away!
Probably the only snow I’ll see this winter.
Karen
I have always wanted to go to Vermont,, seeing all your pictures, made me realize that I need to make a trip happen. The sooner the better.
We lived in Vermont for 18 years and loved everything that you fell in love with. We knew Gaelic of All Things Bright and Beautiful and wished you had gotten a photo of her for us as we moved away from there in 1994. We too loved her shop and a beautiful French teddy bear we purchased there has a seat of honor in our home. You have made me homesick for Vermont!!
a sleigh ride, a valentine’s kiss andnthe cutest hotel with fun adventures in
between..
Thanks so much for the gorgeous photos. Loved it All!
Oh Susan, what a wonderful Valentine’s Day you had 💘
That maple syrup looks like nectar of the gods!! With Musica playing in the background, I took a fairy tale trip through Vermont with you and loved every minute of it!! There’s nothing like a red barn to warm the heart!! Thank you!!
It was so much fun reading this blog today and it brought back a flood of memories from our many winter trips there to go cross country skiing in the “Green Mountain” state. We never made it to the VonTrappe lodge but it is certainly something to look forward to.
We stayed at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vermont during our visits there and always made a point of taking a horse drawn sleigh ride. I don’t remember the name of the farm where we took the sleigh ride but the horses
name was Sorcha. On your next trip you must have lunch at Simon Pearce in Queeche and drive up to Sugarbush farm. They make the most wonderful cheeses and every year we get a supply so I can make the lovely Vermont Cheddar Cheese soup that we and our friends so enjoy. Can’t wait to go back to Vermont.
Vermont reminds me of Western Maryland- the mountain side of Maryland. It is just as lovely as Vermont, and has about as much history. I’m addicted to mountains, either way, and MHS– “Must Have Snow”! I’m coo-coo for snow…
Happy Valentines!
What wonderful, beautiful, snowy countryside.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for your lovely photos and the description of your get away. On Valentine’s Day we were flying to Hawaii for some sun. It’s glorious here. I had pineapple bread pudding with coconut syrup at breakfast today. What a treat!!
Maple syrup is delish on everything! Thanks for the virtual trip, I didn’t even have to put on my gloves..
I enjoyed this probably as much as you did! Loved it!
Here in Mesa, AZ it’s a beautiful rainy day so I took your advice, unplugged my computer and hunkered down with a soft throw and some peppermint tea to enjoy my virtual trip to Vermont. Thank you! Lovely Musica and all the awesome photos! I especially loved all the twinkly stars everywhere!
How beautiful Susan! Loved all the pictures (and I’m not a lover of snow) ‼ I love traveling with you and Joe…..I can only imagine how pretty it is in the springtime. I’ll add that trip to my bucket list!! Can’t wait to see the pictures of your train trip out west. Enjoy every moment with your mom💖
Dear Susan, enjoy your blogs so much! This one was so special making me feel I was right there with you enjoying the beautiful countryside and fabulous sleigh ride! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, Susan, what a wonderful post! Thank you so much for taking us along – had to smile though, as 1 inch of snow here in North East England (United Kingdom) and everything grinds to a halt!!
Yes, but WHAT a lovely halt it is. xoxoxo
What a fun adventure! Great pictures as always (even tho I’m officially “done” with snow around here; it’s been a rough winter for us but NO drought this summer!). I’ve never been to Vermont. My mother-in-law gets back there every year with her gentleman companion. She brings back Heady Topper Imperial IPA for Ray since it’s not distributed. It’s made in Stowe, VT. Ray makes amazing waffles and Swedish pancakes that I’m just certain would taste even MORE amazing with some Vermont maple syrup! 😉
I’m so happy about the drought being gone for a while. Still worried about that dam . . . hopefully it’s holding until something can be done.
oooooh… maple syrup on french toast on a cold rainy morning under a comforter with a good book… sounds delightful! Yes, Please!
Loved your post. We have been in that area a few years ago but it was September. Now I want to go again! ❤️
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for the sleigh ride. I have not been on a vacation for 20 years. But, this is the only one I want to take when the time will be right. I have a painting over my bed of people taking a sleigh ride going over a bridge to put their sleigh and horses away in the barn. Also, a little dog runs along home aside of the sleigh. It just was delightful to enjoy your trip with you. We have only has a dusting of snow and hoping for one good one before winter ends. It’s the silence that is so peaceful and rejuvenates my soul. I really appreciate you sharing your trip to Vermont. Many Blessings! Judy
This made me chilly just to read, but the pictures were worth it, traveling with you to a place I have on my bucket list 🙂 (thanks, just in case …).
What a wonderful adventure. You are so good at selecting just the right images and words that I feel I’ve been away on a wonderful adventure too. Thank you.
Considering I am in Texas and it is 81 as we speak…(I so wish for at least
one snow,not just ice….) I poured a glass of ice tea and enjoyed your so delightful trip…I was snuggled in with all of you. Thank you for all your sharing and all the detail that embellished your adventure. When traveling vicariously, all the details make a difference. Thank you..
Oh boy, did I love this blog!!! Vermont is my most favorite place in the world to be in any season. We go every year and have been from one end to the other. I could move there in a heartbeat. I have been to many of the places you visited. The Fall is so gorgeous it takes your breath away. The only other place I am as enchanted with is Mass. Being on the ocean in Plymouth and then going over on the ferry to Nantucket, next trip Martha’s Vineyard. I am so in love with that place, I was born in Canada and New England just feels so close to my heart, Thank you so much for that beautiful blog, I keep going back to look at the pictures. Talk about hygge right? Susan, you are pure hygge right to your soul. You enjoy life so much, it makes all of us appreciate our own lives so much more. Thank you again so much. Have a wonderful trip to visit your dear Mom.
Love and hugs for what you do for us,
Mary Jane
My mom traveled to school in the winter via a horse drawn sleigh – this was in North Dakota near the Canadian border. They had hot bricks to keep their feet warm.
We have few covered bridges here in WA state but I love them all!
What fun!!! This was such a great post. I felt I was right there with you! In fact, it was so “real”, I had to go get my sweater and put it on to finish your post. : ) Lovely pictures from a special trip with your friends. Thank you for sharing.
What a heavenly trip!!! I love Vermont and the snow looked amazing.
Thank you for allowing me to be a mouse in your pocket for your Valentine’s Day Journey. Just breathtaking. and even though I love the warmth of the Florida sunshine, it did make me want to have a play day in the snowy North.
Oh, Susan! Thank you so much for this luv-lee treat! I am longing for some snow here in Wichita, Kansas but it’s a crazy 72 degrees! However, because of you I feel as though I’ve had a snow day as I lounge on my bed with two puppy dogs and breezy air from the open window. The jingle bells were the best. No, all the cozy, warm fire was the best. No, no, the best was the sweet smooch between you and Joe. Ah, bliss! Thank you!
I discovered Amour de Paris a couple of years ago…it’s my “go-to” beverage for Twine parties with girlfriends! Cheers!
There have to be lots of us, because Trader Joe’s has kept in stock for years. Just a couple of bottles on the bottom shelf, and I am always grateful!
You never fail to transport me, Suan Branch. Love your books and blog.
Ah what a delightful trip. Snow, stars on the buildings, lanterns on trees in the woods,
A sleigh ride…..perfect. Vermont is gorgeous in the Winter
And not just in the Fall. Thanks for taking us along!
I love in northern Wisconsin and it is very beautiful in the snow. But I think Vermont might have it beat! Thanks for the lovely blog.
Oh yes to Bourbon Maple Syrup…imagine that over a big fluffy Dutch Baby pancake…yummo. I loved every minute of the Vermont travels and the Sleigh Ride ..hoping to hear Susan’s voice…since we love the writing and then could match the voice with the words….Such a great afternoon experience as we recover from the monsoons in Southern California! Bring your Wellies!
I was wondering if I should pack my raincoat . . . I’ve never had to do that when going to California before! I’m sure if I do, the rain will stop immediately. But if I don’t? . . .🌧
So lovely! Thank you! It would be such a hoot to win the syrup since my last name is Baker. Plus I love real maple syrup.
Dear Susan, I so enjoyed your (our) trip to Vermont. I pictured us all on the train singing “SNOW” together. Loved our tour of the town and also adored our Sleigh Ride”! Thank you so much for taking us along. A great short trip — happy to be home! Hello to Joe, Lowely and John.
Happy Anniversary!!! Loved your photos of beautiful Vermont. I know you all had a grand time and thank you for sharing.
We cruised on our motorcycle around Vermont one summer six years ago. It was splendid and exhilarating. I can’t wait to go back and shop.
Looking forward to your tweets during your trip out west.
Safe travels!!!
SO lovely–the state of VT should give you some kind of referral fee for all of us who will try to duplicate your itinerary!
Ha ha Ha!
I’ve told you this before but I’ll say it again…You lead an enchanted life….thank you for sharing…..I live in Cortez, Co so every time I hear you’ve been in “Durango, I want to yell…”Wait…I’m coming to meet you” LOL
LOL!
Thank you for the lovely retelling of such a romantic story! As a Midwest(born and bred) Girl who loves snow, I have always wanted to see the Northeastern States in Winter, and you have helped to temporarily satisfy me with the next best thing!
All of my husband’s family lives in New England so I’ve been to Vermont a few times but, alas, we live in Indiana so not nearly enough.
I’ve dreamed of going n a sleigh ride since I was a little girl. How wonderful!
Oh, Susan! What a wonderful trip! The snow is so pretty, to someone in Central Texas, where the thermometer registers 86, nearly 20 degrees above the average for this day. I shudder to think of summer!
I’ve always wanted to take a sleigh ride, so thank you for taking me along with you. I really love my vicarious trip to Vermont! Vermont maple syrup aged in bourbon barrels? Sounds a treat to me! I don’t care if your posts are long, keep showing us your wonderful travel picture.
Another train trip across the country! I loved the last one and am sure this one will be just as wonderful. Thank you for brightening my day!
PS: loved the purple haze!
Eeeek. 86 in February. Because of all these wonderful comments, I’ve been able to take a little informal poll, and I would say, there is something going on with our weather!!! XOXO
Thank you for taking us along on your most romantic get-away. I must look for a sleigh ride here in my snow country. Loved the little towns! You are so kind to include us.
xoxo
The best thing about reading all your Blogs is, you always make me feel as if I have accompanied you along the way! This trip was another great one, full of great colors, great foods, great drinks and, most of all, Vermont Maple Syrup! I’ll be celebrating my 83rd Birthday on February 20 and that morning I’ll be eating Belgium Waffles smeared with pure butter from the Amish Farm and my own Maple Syrup! Yours would be tastier, but this will do. I’m going to save this email and re-read it to myself when I get up that morning, it’s just worth it. I loved what you wrote about your Mom bathing the kids in the tub and getting wet. My Dad bathed us in a round cattle tub, the littles all together, dried us with a turkish towel, patted us from head to toe with a big powder puff, gave us a slap on the butt and sent us down the hall to our Mom to get dressed! Love the way you have of keeping our memories alive with stories!
Bath time was serious in big families! Loved your story Marilyn!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful and beautiful time in Vermont. It reminds me we live in a remarkable country. we can be so very thankful for the freedom to travel and enjoy ourselves without fear. Irene
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures….looked like a wonderful trip!!!! So fun and special…..Be safe on your next trip…and take care!!! 🙂
I think Vermont is my favorite state. Pure New England and the people are so friendly and progressive. Many “old” hippies and new ones too! They have artisans by the ton, the food is remarkably and they have Bernie. If I could have a do- over I might live there, even though the winters are even longer than here in western N.Y. I really enjoyed your trip. My husband and I spent a couple of nights in western Vermont a few years back for our anniversary( not sure which one). I would adore the syrup too.
Looking forward to the train trip. Have fun on that adventure!
Love and hugs to you and Jor🌹
The people were heaven, and of course, considering where they live, very self sufficient. Everyone was making things for home sweet home! From ice cream to milled flour, to Christmas decorations and cider!
Oh Susan what a wonderful trip through Vermont in all its snowy glory. I felt like I was right there in the car with you! I have never seen such beautiful sights! Growing up in Southern California and now living in Gilbert, Arizona my snow experiences are very limited. Because of you, I now want to take a trip there although my thin desert blood would probably freeze in my veins!!! Thank you for sharing with me. Vermont maple syrup sounds lovely. I bet it’s so tasty!!
Susan, I grew up in No. Minn. Your trip made me homesick for Hibbing. I haven’t been back as an adult during winter since I was 11 . Dad was a mailcarrier before they used trucks -thus our move to CA. in 1956. I love your blog stories and pictures. You make my day every time. Thank You so much, Gail
PS Last year I had cancer surgery and radiation. You helped me thru all of that and another surgery as well. Thanks for adding joy , beauty, and fun to my world:)
You couldn’t have said a nicer thing Gail. I’m so happy you are better. xoxo
I just LOVE VT! Our son did his undergrad there and it was so sad when we were no longer taking RT 89 N anymore…. A magical state and their maple syrup is heavenly! Loved visiting the Green Mountain State with you!!!
I am putting some Eggo’s in the toaster right now. Unfortunately I will be putting sugar water on them. I will use extra butter to make up of for it.
Sifted powdered sugar with the butter is good too!
So lovely have always wanted to go to Vermont..Now I have. Thank you
AHHH beautiful Vermont, my sister-in-law and nephews live there and my family and I get to visit quite often and it has always been one of my favorite places. We have never visited in winter however and so now, thanks to you Susan, we will make that a priority on the bucket list.
Thanks so much for that and for all of the other many wonderful things you have shared with us over the years.
I love Vermont, but have never been there when there was snow! We’ve been to many of the places you showed us, and it was fun to see them in a different season! I’ve always wanted to go on a sleigh ride, so I’m so jealous of yours!
Thank you for taking us on your wonderful valentine adventure!!!! Enjoyed it from beginning to end….
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventures!!
Loved this story! Have been to several of those places, including the cider mill and Waitsfield stores, and I have the wooden cat ornaments for each of our cats. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on 30 years, and glad you made it up and back in all that snow!
Love, love, love your story about Vermont! So nice, peaceful, full of neat ideas, and just heavenly! Thanks for the Trader Joe’s tip! Will hunt for that champagne! I also get headaches for all the other kinds!
Please, please, please come to MD or DE on the Eastern Shore sometime on one of your journeys!
Love from MD,
Carol C
I know someday we will!
Wow, you did most of what is on my bucket list for Vermont except Ben & Jerry’s and Tasha Tudor’s Dolls! Maybe this summer if I am lucky. You are very brave too because the ride looked really scary! This was a picture perfect Valentine’s Day getaway–I just reread A Fine Romance and just think you and Joe are the cutest couple ever. Thank you, as always. This truly looked magical!
💞
Your wonderful trip has always been a dream of mine too. And your blog has set me on a path to really go sometime and finally have my horse drawn sleigh ride in the snow!
You go girl!
OMG ! THIS IS THE WEATHER WE SHOULD BE HAVING IN IOWA, NO SNOW OR ICE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS RUNNING FROM THE 50’S TO THE 70’S!!!! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GET IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS? THE GIRL’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN MARCH IN DES MOINES, SURELY WE WILL HAVE A BIG STORM…PLAYERS COME FROM ALL OVER IOWA. AT LEAST I CAN ENJOY YOUR SNOW FROM INSIDE MY HOUSE…
That is a little shocking to hear. My mom used to tell me about her Iowa winters growing up in Sioux City . . . I thought you would be buried in snow at this time of year!
Thank you Susan for sharing your Valentines Day celebration. I feel like I took a trip to Vermont myself! You and I would be taking pictures of the same things-I love old barns and farms and houses. I went to Vermont thirty some years ago with high school friends, and we went to the Von Trappe Family Lodge. There was a tea room and we had tea and I think, a raspberry lindsor tart or maybe a torte. What’s the difference? It was delicious. Thanks again.
Sooo beautiful Susan !
Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventure with us lucky readers.
I so love your blog !
Anne
Oh my goodness Susan … what a lovely Valentine’s. weekend you had!! I have always wanted to visit Vermont too! But you gave me the idea and I was dreaming right along with you. Thanks for sharing your story and all the beautiful pictures … I loved it all! ❤️❣❤️
Took a dog sled ride at Lake Placid, but haven’t been in a horse drawn sleigh. Yet!
so wonderful, I feel transported!!!
What a wonderful time I spent on the couch under a blanket all cozied up reading about your adventures! Vermont is a dream vacation for me one day! And it WILL happen! Love to you, Susan! <3
Absolutely beautiful!!
I enjoyed your Vermont travel piece! Love the sign advertising “Legendary Cider Donuts”. I’ll take a dozen. Yum.
Susan, I wish I could live your life! Thank you for always taking me along on all your magical trips. Can’t wait to see where we are heading next!
Susan, Lovely trip. I commented on FB about the picture of you and Joe in the snow on Valentine’s Day. Now we know where you were. I said that you and Joe are what Valentine’s Day is all about and that is so true. Wish I could see you in Calif. but you seem to be here whenever I’m traveling. Someday…thanks for your wonderful posts.
Love the blog! Will see u at Apple Farm. Safe travels.
Such beautiful pictures!
Oh Susan, this is just so romantic and beautiful! I love the barns, countryside, old homes, the sleigh ride and of course the SNOW! We have not had much snow this winter here in NW Indiana and I am so envious. Would love to have some before Spring arrives. The sleigh ride is definitely on my bucket list. So glad you and Joe and your friends were able to go. Enjoy your trip out west and visiting with your Mom.
What a wonderful Valentine’s trip. Thank you so much, Sue, for taking us along. Loved everything about it, especially those great houses and barns. Hope you took some sticks home to make some stars for your house. My parents were born in Canada (my father in Toronto, my mother in Truro, NS, but they eloped to Burlington, Vermont. Not sure why, but my mom loved those houses too. So looking forward to your trip to California. I know it will be a fabulous sightseeing event. Safe travels.
I love taking trips with you!!!
So fun to see all the snow. We lived in Syracuse,NY for several years. Reminds me of that especially the snow plows. We are to have 70’s this week in South Carolina but everyone is wanting the show that you have. Ha Ha. Thank you for taking all those wonderful photos. It was just like traveling with you. Happy Travels. Love reading your blog.
That just warmed me from the inside out.
Glad you had a great trip pictures are beautiful ! Thanks for sharing
What a wonderful trip! Best part…you and Joe kissing!
Lovely post lovely giveaway! rainy day in Florida
Dear Susan and Joe—thank you for taking the time to delight us with your beautiful posts! Could write forever how much I loved the photos from this post and other recent ones. I agree that the sleigh driver lady’s photo would make a beautiful painting, maybe with a glimpse of the gorgeous horse’s head looking back off to her side, showing off his festive sleigh bells—and how lovely is the lady’s red hair! So Susan! Your posts are a perfect antidote to all that other “stuff” in life, so thank you again and again.
My pleasure Bev, as always, lovely to hear from you. xoxo
We passed through Vermont leaving Caribou Maine Loring AFB, in fact to get there originally we passed through. I loved the state and I loved this entry. I’m still laughing at the Runamok syrup. Clever! Enjoyed the sleigh ride, the closest I’ll ever get to one. 🙂 Most of all the verse of Gertrude Jekyll warms my heart and I hope that is how you spell her last name. Must google it to be sure.
You got it Bonnie!
What a delightful trip, Susan! Thank you for taking us along! ❤️
Happy Anniverseries(sp?) Sue and Joe! Marthas Vineyard is lucky to have you two. And you two are so blessed to still enjoy each other after 30 years. Imagine the chance of meeting your soulmate on a small New England island…Those must be lottery odds! You might not realize it but I think you teach lessons of love every day b/c of your union. Happy belated Valentine’s Day! And thanks for the new post. Winter doldrums magically gone:)
Enjoyed this soooo much!! Thanks for taking us along.
I so dearly love hanging out with you!!
And vice versa . . .!
This looks like such a wonderful trip! One that I have always dreamed of! I hope I make it someday. Looks like something out of a story book.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow, what a beautiful trip you had. Would love to go there some day
The last time I was in Vermont was several years ago. It was also in Feb. We flew into Boston and got a rental car so we could drive the scenic route to Maine. It was just beautiful. For dinner we stopped to eat. It started to snow. Blizzard style. When we had finished eating we headed for the car and couldn’t find it because all the cars had disappeared under the snow! Not to mention it was a rental which we weren’t all that familiar with, because we were looking at the scenery, not the car. So we had to wipe away the snow and try the key to figure it out. We laughed when we were finally successful.
Hoping to see you again on the 18th of March on my side of the country!
That is so funny!!! That could so easily happen!
Such a loverly post! I enjoyed every exquisite detail. It brought me back to the two years we lived in Ontario in the same rural area where part of Anne of Green Gables was filmed. The maple trees were all tapped for syrup and it is where my daughter fell in love with maple sugar candy, the kind that is tan in color and soft to the tooth. It’s made from pure maple syrup. Have you tried it?
We are going to northern Vermont in early October for a family wedding on a farm! Looking forward to that like crazy. Thanks, Susan!
Thank you for taking me to a place that I have always wanted to see.
Thank you so much for taking us along for the ride! And quite strange to see all that snow (though it is as it should be) because we are having weirdly warm weather in northern Illinois – breaking records left and right!
Once again, thank you for taking me on a trip to a place I’ve always wanted to visit. How beautiful! Your photos, musica, and descriptions take to me places I’ll never be able to go and I love you for that! And yes, I’ll be waiting to see your painting of the sleigh driver…looks just like something you’d do!
What a wonderful post! I am in California and I have never lived in the snow– I have been just fascinated by all your pictures of driving through the snow. And the jingle bells, and the covered bridges, and the stars . . . magical! I hope our weather turns nice for your trip here 🙂
How beautiful! I LOVE red barns in the snow, and red cardinals in the snow, and snow on the snow! We are not having snow this year. I do not like this. Spring will be here soon and I will have missed a season. The daffodils are poking through already. My husband makes maple syrup, but not this year! Too warm for the sap to run! All the winter is in New England.
Your Valentine Day was exquisite❤️❄️🌨. gmapat
I worry that someday, if we wait long enough to do something about it, we will look at the four distinct seasons, the wild snowstorms and the mild summer days, and think, “Oh how quaint!” So many Girlfriends are missing their snow this year. xoxo
Again, thank you Susan, for a lovely read! We just got home last night from a wedding in South Lake Tahoe. We didn’t drive thru a blizzard, but it was really snowy. As a California desert rat it was enough. Someday I too would love a sleigh ride in lovely Vermont. Thanks for the preview.
Oh, Susan! What a fabulous way to spend Valentine’s Day, and thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this. It added so much delight to my day here in SoCal, where it has been raining and raining (and we don’t really complain about rain here, even when it gets scary). With a family originally from coastal Massachusetts and me (the baby) growing up in Ohio by Lake Erie, and having moved to SoCal 30 or so years ago, I am definitely no longer a snow person. However, it is lovely to look at and makes for magical holidays. This is something I will never ever do, but what a joy to live it vicariously! And it was great to see all the treats along the way, and particularly where King Arthur’s is — the only flour I will use! Glad you all had such a wonderful time, and glad you are so very generous and thoughtful to share with all of us. And Jack is so adorable with the hearts on the dishtowel….of course, we know he is the Jack of Hearts! I had a wonderful Valentine’s day here with a dear friend (who will be relocating back East for we don’t know how long next week….SOB SOB TEARS). We watched a sunset and went for along drive up in the hills of Palos Verdes, all the way to the top, and then down again with spectacular coast and harbor light views. We did not drink wine on our trip, but waited until later. A Valentine’s Day to remember….. Much love, joy, peace and good health to you and your loved ones and all the girlfriends. We must all cherish one another, and all the prescious moments and memory making…..
Thanks for a magical tour of Vermont…enjoyed it so much…reminded me of my sleigh ride long ago in Jackson Hole Wy. Ours was in the evening and went to a restaurant for dinner. It was really special. Am looking forward to your book signing in SLO next month at the Apple Farm. I wanted to drive from Carmel down the coast through Big Sur, but they have had so many slides and bridge closures I fear it is not to be. I’ll have to take the inland route. we have been having extremely gnarly weather with record wind and rain. Have a great train ride to California . Another great train ride is from Salinas Ca to Seattle going up the Oregon coast. Spectacular scenery….
~susan
I heard Big Sur is closed, as it usually is with a lot of rain. But I’m happy you’ll be in SLO!