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 Susan for such a wonderful time! Just like in the movies! A sleigh ride in the deep snow in Vermont. Something I dream about doing one day! So nice of you to take us along.
Janelle
Adorable views and fun times.
Took your advice!! Enjoyed my tea and your lovely trip!!!!
It looks so nice up there in Vermont because down here in North Carolina we are literally raking leaves in our shorts!!!!!!This post about Vermont is one of my favorites!!!!Please send more.Courtney Corcoran
Wow! Somebody elses adventures @ pictures to draw dreams from….. Thank you for the opportunity. A chance to win a bit of real maple syrup – priceless. =>/<=
Thanks for sharing. What a wonderful trip. Wish South Carolina would get some snow like that!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience! Vermont is beautiful! Belated Happy Valentines Day to you and all your loved ones.
Every picture is enchanting and magical. Thanks for sharing. We’ve had an unseasonably warm winter so far in Missouri. It’s been near, or in the 70’s for most of this week. Not complaining though.
Always wanted to go there. Thanks for Sharing. I couldn’t have had a better trip and didn’t even have to get my toes cold.
Susan,
Greetings from Carpinteria California where my husband and I spend a few months away from our home in Norwich Vermont. When you were at King Arthur Flour, you were just about a half mile from my bookstore, The Norwich Bookstore. Glad you liked Vermont. I love The Vineyard. I also enjoy you books and your blogs. Safe travels to the lovely left coast where it has been raining. Bring your rubber boots.
Ps, we usually travel out here via train too.
From the deep snow, to the pouring rain this year!
Loved your post from Vermont. You always capture the essence of the places you visit. I’ m so jealous. I’ve always wanted to go on a sleigh ride. Maybe some day. Thanks for a lovely read.
Oh, what a delightful Valentine’s getaway. Thanks for sharing with us. Love traveling with you.
What a wonderful post and treat for me as I recuperate from carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand….I am right handed so it’s been somewhat interesting…..I could read all night….thank you so much for these beautiful pictures and glimpses of Vermont….makes me want to go!!!
My husband and I plan to go to Nova Scotia and Maine and Vermont this summer. I’d love to go in the winter. We will see what the future holds! Must go on a sleigh ride at some point! Love your blog so much! Thank you!
I hope you love Maine, Peggy. We live there for half the year, and have been going for over 30 years. While the scenery is stunning, the people are the attraction for me. We also go to Nova Scotia every 2 years, for a few weeks. Love it as well. Enjoy!
Debbie in Tampa…..for now
I love Vermont! Thanks so much for sharing your trip!0
Remember the book, ” Vermont is Always With You” ? I do not know if it is still available but the title sure seems to resonate. The photos are just lovely. Each town or village seems picture perfect. What lovely memories you are making !
Thank you for sharing ! Kim N
Thanks so much for wonderful pictures & trip. I use to live in NH so it brought back lots memories BUT I never got to go on sleigh ride — it looked perfect.
hi Susan!! What a delightful blog post!! I enjoyed every bit of it!! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. 💟❤ I’ve never had Vermont syrup, sound so lovely. ☺ Take care enjoy the rest of your weekend. xo
OMGoodness do I miss skiing! I skied (checked the spelling) Stowe and Sugarbush. Beautiful. Stayed away from Mad River Glen! The place had a reputation for having the most challenging runs and not a lot of grooming. Icky.
I want that cherry red winter coat!!! Can you put the coat in the drawing too?
Pretty please with a cherry red winter coat on top? I went straight to amazon to look up the Churchman’s books ‘SheepOver’ and ‘Brave Little Finn’. How lovely. Makes me want to adopt a lamb as a companion for my kitties Bitsy and Betsy. They would never bite you from a box. As a matter of fact, Bitsy bites boxes (not fingers) and spits cardboard crumbs all over the place! I have had a sleighride experience with ‘gentle giants’ right here in Connecticut. So wonderful.
Love, Carol from CT … tra la
Susan,
Thank you so much for taking us with you on your Valentine adventure to Vermont – it was beautiful and the sleigh ride was the “cherry on top”!
OH MY how enchanting!!! Thank you so much! Your lovely photos and descriptions make me feel I was right there!!!!!
Thank you for sharing the beauty of Vermont.
Dear Susan, you and New England were just the tonic I needed on this dreary, overcast Northwest day. I’m sad because my Daddy is edging away day by day. Thank you for the lift in spirit! (There’s always time for a menu and picture of your culinary finds.)
Touched by your sadness Donna. I’m so sorry, but while he’s here, there is still time for showering of love. xoxoxo
What a fun mid winter vacation!
What a great trip! I would love to put the Von Trapp hotel on my Travel List! What is the specific name? Also, thank you for the maple syrup giveaway! That’s very thoughtful and if I were to be picked, my husband would love you! 😉
Ooo thank you so much for this beautiful post!! Happy Valentines Day!!❤
What a lovely trip! I have always wanted to go to Vermont! I loved the barns, birch stars, and just everything about it!
I have taken the classes at King Arthur Flour many times. I just absolutely love the classroom. It’s so organized with the best of everything equipment. They really have it all together. I took a class on making French macarons. The course was a day and a half! What an art to making macarons. You have to have the perfect foot and the perfect dryness and the perfect to have them perfect.
The teachers are all pros. Another plus is you’re just a mile or so from the Dartmouth campus. I’m watching the class schedule for some classes I might fancy. I hope you purchased a string of sleighbells to hang on the inside of your front door forever and ever! Every time they jingle you’ll remember your kissy 30th Valentine’s Day sleigh ride. If you forgot, why you can just go to the New England Bells website. Made in Lempster, NH the old-fashioned way. You’ve just gotta do this! newenglandbells.com/ They even have one that looks like Jack! newenglandbells.com/designer-door-chimes-cat/ Aw go ahead and get yourself a little jingle memory!
Love, Carol from CT again … tra la
If I lived up there, I would love to teach a class … I bet you meet the nicest people!
Just charming!! Thank you for once again taking us all along! Best phrase: “speaking of immigrants”! <3
Thank you for taking us away from all the rain and wind even for
just a little while….what a lovely way to spend Valentine’s Day
with your Sweetheart.
‘
Suggested MUSICA for another time:
youtube.com/watch?v=vc8MddDFRw4
KITTENS! Adorable.
What a lovely time. I too would love to go there. Winter has always been my favorite season. And I have always been drawn to snow scenes and you have provided so many. Thank you for sharing with us.
Ahhhhh. Thank you for sharing. Just beautiful. What a wonderful road trip to share with your friends.Very dear.
Lani
Love Vermont. We are photographing all the covered bridges and putting them in a scrapbook. Can’t wait to see them all. About half way there. Loved your trip! Safe trip to California too. My son got engaged last August on Martha’s Vineyard to a California girl and I gave her your book, Isle of Dreams for her birthday this week! She LOVES it!
OH Susan, thank you for the trip to Vermont, a state I’ve always wanted to visit! Now I feel like I’ve been there. I share your love of houses, all shapes & sizes, and think the log cabin as my favorite. Congratulations on 30 Valentine Days with Joe! You are so blessed~Gratefully, Julia in Cincy(born in Virginia)
Ahhh! How I love real maple syrup! Will have some tomorrow, albeit down south and in 70 degree weather! Glad your trip was so much fun!
OH my stars!! Time for me to create one of the charming celestial sparklers for my cottage.
Enjoyed traveling along with you on your winter wonderland ❤️ adventure. Thank you for allowing us to join you.
Happy anniversary Sue and Joe,
You went over the moon on your trip. wonderful!!!
I am a member of the I Love Snow Society and this made me very happy as our winter in Wisconsin has gone AWOL. Pray for snow!!
I cleaned the cupboard of my Eastlake hutch last week and found a quart of maple syrup from 5 yrs ago. That fine man gave up his sugar bush and this is like finding gold in your fridge. I am savoring every spoonful.
Have a wonderful time with your mom and a great trip. Until soon! xoxoxo from Peggy and Sparky in Madison
Thank you Susan for taking us along. Vermont and sleigh rides are definitely added to my bucket list. So glad they had bells on the horse. That is the best! Love all the barns too. Have a great trip to the left coast. Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Debbie R from Valencia, CA
OMG…..I just wanted to immediately fly like a bird (with a good, warm feather coat, I would hope) to that magical place! Thank you so much for letting me experience something I might never have had the chance to do otherwise. Maybe, one of these winters I will be able to replicate your wonderful trip. Your recommendations for places to go and goodies to eat sound heavenly, and there is nothing better than that fabulous maple syrup on french toast! Merci beaucoup for taking all of us on another incredible journey. Enjoy your trip to California….but I hope the rain has let up by then. Its been pretty gnarly here the last few weeks!
Susan, I can’t think of a more romantic Valentine’s trip. I sit here in Texas where the temps were up into the 80s today, and think how different it is up north in the snow country. I loved every one of your photos. Each one made me feel as if I’d been on that little get away. You must paint Rochelle with her fiery red hair peeking out from the colorful knit cap. Classic!
My “chef” husband wants to go to bread making classes at King Arthur Flour. He is passionate about baking bread these days. Lucky me! ‘-)
Love the tea towel souvenir. Glad you had an adventurous Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart of 30 years. Our day wasn’t very adventurous, but I was with my sweetheart of 42 years. That’s what matters!
Just looking at your pictures and reading every word you said brought me down memory lane we live in nh and have been to Vermont many times so glad you and Joe had a wonderful Anniversary and Happy St.Valentine’s Love and thank you!
Sensory overload – the barns, the stars – all just too lovely!
Oh, how glorious! I loved every minute. As a quilter, I saw so many things that made me want to run to my sewing machine and get started on a quilt. Thank you for sharing your trip, and the inspiration!
So excited to read your blog. We spent 4 days last summer in the Mad River area of Vermont. We spent 4 days with wonderful friends. We ate at the Picher Inn and had wonderful picnic lunches by the covered bridge in Waitsfield. Such wonderful memories. Reading your blog brought it all back. It was like I got to go there again. Thank you. If you ever get to go back, try and go in the summer and fall when they have their farmers market. It is wonderful! The best we have ever been to.
What a beautiful trip…I’ve wanted to go on a sleigh ride in Vermont for years! Thank you for sharing your Valentine’s Day adventure!
This looks like heaven!!! What a beautiful area, your pictures are gorgeous!! I love seeing such snow, probably because it was 82 here in Houston today. In February! So your wonderful escape helped my soul. Thank you, and thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful trip! I am so jealous as a trip to Vermont has long been on my bucket list. I fell in love with the idea of maple syrup making and Vermont in the fourth grade while reading our basal reader,” Singing Wheels”. One of the stories had Sally learning how to tap the trees and make maple syrup. She even made maple sugar candy by putting the hot syrup in the snow! I was hooked! To make it even worse, we lived in Florida! Definitely not the capital of maple syrup! I would love to be the recipient of that maple syrup, but I did get some great pointers for my future trip to Vermont!
Dear Susan, I was hoping that you would tell us about the red heart ring you showed on Twitter. Was it a gift for this Valentine’s Day? Is it a ruby? I loved it! I am waiting to see the picture of the sleigh driver, she is exactly what you paint! Also from your last blog, you could be Macca’ little sister. You do look like him! See you on the train! Debby
LOL, no it’s red glass, a big heart ring that might have come from a gum-ball machine in years past! But so sweet and cute from him. Yes, on Valentine’s Day a few years ago.
WOW! I really need to leave this most wonderful “trip.” Clicked on your Vermont houses site, & got lost looking at some of my favorite old movie houses, via “Hooked On Houses.” Happy “late” Valentines Day…
I might have to sneek out of the house TONIGHT and move to Vermont!!!! That was an incredible journey!!
Dear Susan, I loved this post so much. Born on Long Island, NY, my husband and I retired to Cuttingsville, VT. When we were shown the acres of beautiful grassy meadows, surrounded by tall trees, and with a great view of the mountains to the west, we fell in love with Vermont. We even fulfilled our wishes for stone walls and a brook. That was in 1972. What really clinched the deal was we were still looking for property in October and we re-visited the Cuttingsville, Shrewsbury area again, we walked down to the brook and
it started to snow those wonderful huge soft flakes and it was a sign to me that yes, this is the place we will settle on. We never got to take a sleigh ride in a one horse open sleigh though. Thank you for sharing yours.
I was thinking of Baby Boom the whole time I was looking at these pictures. “New York plates. Uh-oh.” 🙂 Cider donuts. Those are the BEST. When we lived in Virginia there was a barn country store down the road that made them. They are heavenly. One day a dog showed up in our yard and I called the owner from the number on the tag. When he showed up, he had a dozen cider donuts to show his appreciation. I told my husband, THAT guy knows how to say thank you! 🙂 I have yet to make those donuts successfully, but I do have a recipe for apple cider donut cake, that while is a cake in texture, definitely has the flavor of those donuts. I’m happy to share it with you if you’d like. I LOVE King Arthur Flour and all their stuff. It used to be so hard to find their flour anywhere but now my local grocery store carries it. I love using it for baking. I’m definitely going to Trader Joe’s next week to look for that champagne. It gives me a headache, too, which is unfortunate, because I like the taste, so I’m anxious to try your recommendation! Thanks for the tip, and for this lovely post. 🙂
Your pictures were absolutely beautiful, what a wonderful trip!
Thank you Susan! That was beautiful, charming, magical, fantastic! We haven’t been to New England in years. My aunt lived in Boston and we went to visit about yearly. The most fun was being “leaf peepers” in the fall. My aunt was all about touring the countryside and showing us all the sights .. she was not about stopping .. anywhere .. ever! All my pictures were as we whizzed by and at stop lights. No antiquing, no nothing. She did, however, take us to the farm stand at apple time. We always bought her apple cider which she loved. She would bring it home and put it in the freezer! I don’t think we ever had a taste! I know it must be wonderful because we love that kind of thing but .. oh well. Her favorite saying was “MINE”. And she wasn’t kidding 🙂 Seeing your pictures sure makes me a little nostalgic for that beautiful land. Now we have lots of dogs and lots of cats, birds, bunnies, fish and a goose. Our home is my castle and vacation land. I love traveling precariously along with you and Joe on your many wonderful adventures. England was, by the way, my aunts favorite spot on earth! She went often and had lots and lots of friends there. It is fun to see England through your lens. Your sleigh right looked like lots of fun! We have some real sleigh bells. They’ve never been worn by a horse but they sound just the same! Gosh they are really heavy! Those horses sure can carry a lot of weight and a buggy effortlessly .. it seems. Glad to know they are well cared for, they deserve to be! Happy 30th Valentines together ❤️😍😍❤️
Your aunt sounds like a character! Opened a few doors for you though, with the things she loved. xoxo
What a lovely trip into New England for a midwesterner! Thank you for letting me tag along.
Thank you for taking us along! We’re going on a New England fall foliage tour next fall and will hopefully travel some of the same roads! Also coming to Martha’s Vineyard for a day!!!!
Beautiful pictures & comments. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences in Vermont. Have a safe trip to your Moms.
Yum! Maple syrup from Vermont! Enjoy your train trip. I’ll see you next month in San Luis Obispo! Woohoo!
Hi Susan: Thank you for sharing your wonderful get away with us. So Charming! Yes, post photos of the food from Common Man! Must live vicariously 🙂
I received requests so put them up on Twitter yesterday … you don’t have to join Twitter to just look at my photos … click HERE…
~Thank-you for taking us on that holiday excursion. Vermont is beautiful during a snowstorm….lovely to cozy up with the one you love, a warm fire, hot drink ….what else is needed? I’ve lived in New England my entire life and still have yet to go on a sleigh ride! Definitely on my to do list after seeing all your photos!!!
That looks like it was a delightful trip. I have always wanted to go to Vermont. I love history too and barns and stars.
Have never had the pleasure of a sleigh ride. ..but we have the sleigh bells from my husband’s mother’s horse she used in up country NH growing up. I lived in Vermont one summer…it was Heaven. What a WONDERFUL way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Safe journey to the West to see your Mom. Will be joining you on the trip by reading your posts! Best to Joe and hug Jack for me!
Dear Susan,
Your trip looked positively magical and love the little details you always notice, especially the starry curtains, “purple haze” and gorgeous handmade ornaments! My mother has been collecting me specialty ornaments since I was a baby. Some of my favorites come from a place here where elderly and disabled people make everything. They are so talented! There is no snow or seasons in Alabama, so it’s wonderful to vicariously live through your winter white adventures (especially the sleigh rides)!
Sending love from the Heart of Dixie!
Amanda
Dearest Susan, I wrote you a newsy reply tonight after reading, looking and listening to this wonderful trip. While writing I listen repeatedly to Gerard Lenoman. I just kept writing and before I knew it, I realized my notes were far too much to put in an e-mail. So it will follow in GAYLEMAIL. 😊. But know I had a wonderful trip with all of you, hiding on the floorboard as not to see what was going on out side the window on those icy roads. So you will have a letter waiting for you once you return from your visit for your mothers birthday. Have a wonderful time, and I do hope you will not be anywhere near all the bad weather out that way. With love and gratitude for this wonderful armchair trip to Vermont. Your friend Gayle Hall
I thought those first photos looked familiar! We’ve lived in the Mad River Valley for twenty years, having moved here from the cape. Your photographs make it look like a true winter wonderland! And it really is, except when the snow and cold get too much for us non skiers, but I rarely say that out loud! Especially as most of my family is employed on “the hill”. Thank you for spreading the word on all our little towns have to offer. As you know from living on the Vineyard, getting people to visit is very important to us. If you can leave the island in the summer, come back. It’s beautiful then too!
Oh don’t worry, we will! 😁 What a gorgeous place to live!
Wow! Oh, Susan such a cozy, gorgeous post. Just loved all the sweet pics…each one more wonderful than the last. Reading it was a nice way to spend a cold February evening. 😊 And the movie Baby Boom was always a favorite! Fun that you mentioned it because I was just thinking of it and no one I know remembers it. For some reason it made a big impression on me back in the day… seemed so romantic escaping the big city for the country and all the funny situations she faced and triumphed. Looking forward to your next post. Enjoy sunny CA and time with your mom. Happy bday to her!☺️🎈🎂
Wow! I’m envious…that was such a beautiful blog. In this case, I think the photographs DID it justice. They were all so beautiful and told such a lovely story of the area. Thank you for taking us with you. I’ve only been to Vermont once…long ago…my dad and I drove through on a road trip around New England. Fond memories.
After a fairly stressful day it was such a delight to read through this wonderful blog about your trip to Vermont, Susan. It looks like you, Joe, Lowely and John had a wonderful trip……. What a great idea to go with good friends. There were so many great photos, I felt like I was along for the trip for a few minutes. Such great fun! xoxo Robin
So beautiful and romantic!!! I love Vermont but have never been there in winter, now I think I must go!!
Wowie, winter wonderland indeed! Thanks for taking us along on your romantic Valentine’s holiday. It is just wonderful there in Vermont – so different from Georgia, where I was born and remain, reluctantly, still. I guess it’s for the best since I can’t drive on ice, but it looks more like ME in New England! I actually want Rochelle’s job – gorgeous horses and what fun to go on sleigh rides all the time with happy singing people. I love the cold and I adore horses, so it would be perfect! So cool to see the Von Trapp place. Oh and thank you for reminding me of Baby Boom! I have seen it at least five times. That was my dream as a single childless mother – someone to hand me a baby and to move to an awesome farm with an apple orchard! The twins that played the baby were the cutest little girls. Oh and then in my fantasy I would meet a nice vet and get married. Oh well, I got the kids at least! Don’t ever apolgize for long posts – I always want them to go on and on!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip!!! Isn’t King Arthur flour great?
As always a delight to “trot” along with you, Joe and your adventurous friends to see a different kind of beautiful travel fun. Love all the pictures, makes it more real.
See you in SLO. and the magic continues…..
Susan, that was SO fun!!! Vermont is my favorite state to visit. Every little town has church steeples, cemeteries, barns, and bridges. I felt like I was right there with you!!! Safe travels to see your mom! Hugs!!! Donna (Idaho)
Love your sleight trip!! I was remembering Elizabeth Von Arnim in her winter picnics!! Really lovely… Sure you enjoyed a lot. Kisses
This is definitely picture perfect! Thank you so very much for sharing these beautiful photos. I felt as though I were there! I will save this blog so I can look at these photos over and over again. Absolutely gorgeous! Hope you and Joe will have many more wonderful trips like this one! Thanks for the videos too!
Oh, that was a fun read! Just like Laura Ingalls riding in the sleigh with Almanzo! Thanks for allowing us to share the trip and always focusing on the positive fun things! And mmmmmm, would love to taste that bourbon maple syrup! Sounds yummy!
Susan,
What a beautiful getaway! Thank you for including us
on the trip! This is now on my list. So appreciate you and the
Way you see beauty❤
It’s early Sunday morning and what a wonderful way to start a busy day with your blog. Thank you for the armchair trip through the snow!
I am so grateful for the way you share your travels and adventures in your books and blog! This account of your trip to Vermont is particularly wonderful and inspiring and a beautiful cure for cabin fever (computer-screen-as-car-window). I have loved traveling along with you to the UK, which I have been lucky enough to visit often, but lately I have been thinking, why am I going all the way over there when just across the Hudson is all of fascinating New England to explore? Your post and your delight in everything feel like a sign, lit by birch branch stars. NEW England it is. Meanwhile, your post reminds me to feed my own happy gene with the charm one can find almost anywhere if one keeps one’s eyes and heart open. Thank you for the reminder as well as your treat of a post!
Happy to have you Annette. We do have so much here to enjoy! Upstate New York is wonderful!
Thank you for sharing!!!
My husband and I were in Vermont last year in autumn. I loved it there. We, too, visited the Von Trapp family lodge. Awesome family cemetery behind it. Vermont in winter is so beautiful and I will NEED to try to make those stars from branches with lights. I loved them.
Absolutely beautiful snow pictures! Thank you for,sharing. Would love to visit the King Arthur Flour store.
Thank you for reminding me that Vermont is so gorgeous. I sometimes take my home here in Vermont for granted and forget about the lovely landscape. Come back in the summer when you can travel over “The Notch” from Stowe and end up in the cute village of Jeffersonvile and surrounding towns.
love your pics of vermont!
Your lovely trip reminded me of our delightful ski weeks in Vermont forty+ years ago. My husband and I enjoyed the small towns and wonderful people. Thank you for bringing back warm (and chilly) memories.
What a wonderful Valentine’s trip you 4 had! So happy for you all! I love Vermont (and all of New England), having been an avid skier in my younger days; know the Vermont ski areas very well. You brought back sweet memories for me with your photos; thank you.
Thanks for the great ride, and please count me in.
What a wonderful post! I have been through it all very carefully 3 times and I don’t think I am finished. I have never seen those birch stars before! Love it! I love seeing that everything is still decorated with twinkle lights and wreaths! Here everyone rips down Christmas December 26. It bothers me.
And your sleigh ride brings back a very cherished memory of my Ohio life. We had a winter storm that blew in and left over a foot of snow one day. That night the skies cleared and a full moon appeared and lite up the snow like daylight. I went to the barn and got a bridle and jumped on Jazz bareback and went out on the only night ride I have ever been on. So quiet, so beautiful, so magical! Just my horse and me!
It was 87 here today! Worked out in the yard! 😃 yikes! Too warm, too soon.
Thanks again Susan for this delightful post! ❤️
Tears in the eyes beautiful Chris. What a lovely memory.
My kind of trip! Looks like so much fun. 😀
Thank you so much for “taking” us on this trip with you! Maybe one day I will go for real. You should start the Susan Branch Tour group….I think you’d have more than a few participants! Enjoy your upcoming trip, be safe, look forward to sharing in that as well! much love……
Thank you so much for “taking” us on this trip with you! Maybe one day I will go for real. You should start the Susan Branch Tour group….I think you’d have more than a few participants! Enjoy your upcoming trip, be safe, look forward to sharing in that as well! much love……
No idea why this posted under JoAnne Daniels name…..I posted it and I am Julie but it put her name….(Hi JoAnne, whoever you are!)
Very strange goings on right here . . . the gremlin is playing with us . . . see the next comment!!
You’ve reminded me that I need to visit Vermont! I’m sitting here recovering from the flu and so enjoyed your trip diary that I felt better when I’d finished reading and seeing the lovely photos and videos. I’m glad it was long!!!
Feel better Nanci!
I had to stop reading and make this comment right in the middle of our sleigh ride…the picture you took of Rochelle already looks like a Susan Branch painting…how perfect was that…that on your special Valentine day…an SB painting comes to life !
I know, seems redundant to actually paint it!!!
No you’ll add even more charm…go for it!
OMG!!!! Did you see that Julian Fellowes is writing a Downton Abbey prequel series??? Yayayayayayayayayay😍😍😍😍😍😍
You mean a prequel? BEFORE the time period we saw of Downton????? YOUNG Violet the wonderful Dowager queen of Downton???? That sounds fantastic!!! Going to Google now! Details!!!
Yes, with the young Cora and Robert meeting and falling in love and the YOUNG VIOLET QUEEN OF DOWNTON!!! If this dream comes true my life will be complete😍😍. Happy Dance!!!!
Ps…can you only imagine the young Carson, young Mrs. Patmore, finally meeting Violet’s husband, Lord Grantham, young Shirley Maclaine??!!! Toooo exciting!!
It really is, brilliant. And the costumes! And tons more servants downstairs, in the days they could still afford them.
Saving this to read again in the heat of summer! Love the stars tooo
I used to love going to Vermont. When I lived in Ct my BFF had a couple of houses in Vt in the middle of nowhere. Gorgeous country! I hadn’t been in over 30 yrs and while up in Pittsfield., MA a couple of yrs ago we took a meander up into Vt just to look. It all just made my heart pine. The houses, barns, stone walls. I didn’t realize growing up what a special place New England was. I just thought everyone had this around them. Man, was I wrong. Now excuse me while I kiss the sky.
You are excused. xoxoxo
Thank you for the incredibly lovely post. My husband and I love Vermont! and your post brought back such happy memories. New Years Eve, as 1999 turned to 2000, we were with friends and all the children (now grown) were so little…We took them on a horse drawn hay ride through the starry night to a roaring bonfire in a field. The children were singing!! and horses came up to us as we sat on hay bales, nosing us for treats! Magical!!
I am going to dig out the old scrap books:) And I am sending your blog to my friend!
PS My grown daughters are now entranced with their favorite Christmas present… Your Home cooking book and both are writing down their favorite family recipes..like Your Queen’s coronation chicken salad. You certainly are very present in the heart of our home!!!
Awww, thank you Caroline. Loved your New Years Eve, and at that very moment, Joe and I here in a snow storm in the high mountains above the town of Durango, Colorado, doing almost the exact same thing! Hugs to the daughters! xoxo
Your inspiring account of exploring the nooks and crannies of Vermont makes me want to go back. We were there 36 years ago. I am a barn girl myself. I used to pass a darling red one when driving to visit my folks and one of those trips, I dared to pull into the property to ask if I could take a picture of me in front of that barn. Nobody was home so I took the picture. I call that barn my favorite one but seeing all of the varieties in Vermont makes me realize that I don’t get out often enough! Everything you shared about your Valentines Day weekend was special….even the ice cube tables in your room. Love those birchwood stars too. We were given the opportunity to have real maple syrup on our pancakes last fall and there IS a difference when it’s real. Would delight in having some from your trip. I think I’ll save this particular blog….and make plans to visit Vermont again. We are getting so close to being free to do that kind of thing whenever we want to. Thanks for the inspiration…..you are our unquenchable source of ideas for making life like it is in the movies. XOXO
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharingyour lovely trip with us all! My boys and I went through Vermont on our way to Maine and went through Woodstock. I want to go back to visit…..I love NewEngland. ❤️
Oh, what a lovely blog…one of my favorites. My Mom Ruth Winkler (along with my brother) live up in God’s country–Vermont! You captured all the best things about the green mountain state: colors, snow, buildings, decorations, birch and pine and yes, BOURBON barrel maple syrup! I also loved seeing the bloody Mary drinks, as it is our go-to drink when I visit (extra lemon, please). You are a living doll to include videos too <3