Epic Year.

In reflection of 2012 I realize what an epic year it has really been...
We moved to our Village officially on January 1st, the best decision we could have made. I fell in love with this view...

Brought the kids snowboarding for the very first time!
















Met this special family who have made this village feel more like home than we could have ever imagined.

Bonded with winter root vegetables...

Ran into a farm and had a lovely early spring park dinner...

Watched SPRING come!!

Got super crafty and planned the most fantastic Easter celebration ever. 

I witnessed this...

I got a job and therefore started celebrating these...

I welcomed summer and its abundance of corn!!!

Got a SURPRISE VISIT!!

And survived yet another dance recital, PHEW!

Then my mom moved to The City, my very favorite city...

and we discovered this place... right down the street.

Then we had the most fantastic summer EVA!!

to be cont'd...

A visit for Raw Milk...

It's Monday folks and I am so looking forward to a week of thankfulness, family visits, and some delicious Thanksgiving dining!

  Today I am so very thankful for the two-in-a-row visits with Grandpa Jay and the Lovely Sue.  As if seeing them for a long weekend in Montreal wasn't enough we get to have them here in Vermont for a Village stay!

Before moving here I knew that I wanted to have an active part in the local community and explore everything that these great people have to offer.  The main form of this being food of course.  I am in awe by the farms that surround and overjoyed at the prospects of eating Farm to Table.  When my familial guests inquired about raw milk I knew just the place to take them...

200 Leduc Farm Drive  Shelburne, VT 05482 

 

 

Upon arrival we had a peak around to see what was available...

 3 seed bread baked fresh

A welcome board....







and Ta-Da...

Vermont's finest raw produced milk.  Problem was, the container seemed slightly large for the short weekend stay.  While in debate on whether or not to purchase such an amount a kind farm hand appeared and offered a taste...

 We asked several times if he was sure that he should open this for just a small taste and he assured us that it was (another reason I heart this place).  He poured a glass for the long distance travelers who have been waiting a long time for this.  He poured himself a taste as well and they cheers(ed).  Matt and I refrained due to our attempting vegan ways....   I must say though, if I were to drink milk it would absolutely, hands down, be from this place!

After one sip they say...

We'll take it!

 I think they liked it.

Then they paid on the honor system which I love.






Then we headed to the Farmhouse for a magnificent lunch.  Matt and I shared the squash and apple sandwich and a to die for salad...

And that was just the beginning...

Shelburne Farms Festival!

This weekend we ventured here....

By way of these...

To pay homage to this ...

What I wouldn't give for a obnoxiously large mantle and this very banner hanging over it, only to remind me everyday of my love for corn.  Silly I know, but it just is and always will be.  

Check out this fantastic fire pit they were roasting the corn over!  

 And it was only a dollar and I should have bought two!  Did you know that, over the summer, we went to an amusement park (where I discovered how much a loathe an amusement park) and I paid EIGHT dollars for an ear of corn and a small bottle of water?  EIGHT.  and it was all I found there that I could stomach.  

The whole day!

 But this corn was a buck.  We all had one.  It was scrumptious.   And if they had asked I would have paid eight dollars for this taste of cob... hold the butter and the salt, for its natural state right off the fire can not be topped. period.

 These next few photos presents a sequence of events that proves I am still a timid country bumpkin.  The city in this girl is still predominate.  I cannot tolerate bugs, the rain makes me frazzled, and as it seems; working with plants flat out stumps me...

 trying to look like I have an inkling of what is going on around me.... yes, okay, I can do this...

 ...then, after mere moments, I admit defeat and look to my Mr. for a life preserver... I am drowning in failure in enchanted land...help.

Good thing Matt is familiar in all things awesome...

 and created a crown for our young lass...

I suppose I have some work to do in the areas of awesomeness. 

After corn munching, crown crafting, Scottish music listening, necklace making, maple cotton candy gawking, and BEFORE leaving... we had to check out a bale maze.

  Fortunately we had a couple of very sly foxes to lead the way. 

and after it was over we took in the view.  and expressed gratitude. because it was lovely.

Tomorrow is the annual food festival at the little farm down the road... ya know, the gorgeous 1400 acre working farm nestled right on the loveliest lake... check it out HERE.

We are looking forward to a farm fresh lunch, the tunes of some  local musicians, hayrides, and seeing what a bale maze is all about!

I hope to see these sweet birdies too...

Come along why don't you??

Summer foooooood.....

 I do not know how my body survived this winter without all the summer food I adore.  I practically starved to death.  Wine and cheese with a touch of cereal saved my life.  Literally

For a person that enjoys multiple servings from the fruit family a day and lived in the orange mecca of the world, I was a mess.  But look what has popped up...

.

WATERMELON!

Oh how I have missed you.  Desperately.

So to celebrate... a dinner on the grill on a Saturday with a beer.  I don't even drink beer!

Two veggie burgers for man and child, grilled lettuce and asparagus, and a yummy piece of Canadian salmon just for little ol' me.

 A new summer drink, introduced by a Mr. Taylor, sparkling water with a slash of juice.  All the deliciousness of a carbonated soda without the hideous soda ingredients.  LOVE!

An IPA in a tall glass.  I have learned, for myself, to sip beer like a fine wine or a cheap wine.  Not only do I like it... I LOVE IT!

There it is, my favorite meal.  Simple, lite, scrumptious, and warm. 

I am so thrilled to be reunited with my grill.  The last time I was with you the wind had  

knocked you over!  

 

When I ran out to save you the wind knocked me over and when I finally got you up it knocked us down together.  First I cried, then laughed, because it was hilarious.  Then I called Matt at work and cried again.  You are a little banged up but you still work just fine. 

 

And legion joined us....