V is for...

Vermont!

One of the best things about Vermont is Norma.  She and her welcoming committee member, Vincent, greeted us with open arms.

Norma certainly has her own style and while she may lack true 'Martha-ness' she makes up for it in being 'real', as in being real-ly fun, real-ly crazy, a real-ly good cook!  We had delightful meals, even though we had dessert for breakfast just before heading to Rhinbeck.  But the day before, when we were schedule-less, she made yummy omelettes.  Sadly we were having so much fun that few pictures were taken.  Norma is wicked wacky and the very best host. David, her true blue hubby, is a very fine gent and he and Smith had (and have) stories to share.

Let's go back to the 'V'.

The minute we crossed the border into Vermont the landscape changed.  Large farms were nestled in the green rolling hills and mountain peaks in the distance reminded us that Vermont is the Green Mountain State, a name it deserves (and we know our mountains).

Norma proudly drove us around her State of residence and we fell in love with its beauty.  Vermont's landscape could not be more different than our own beautiful State.  One of our stops was Smugglers Notch where even the rocks are green! Norma took a very nice picture of me and it turns out she's a real-ly good photographer as Smith didn't have such good luck.

The leaves were in the last gasps of color when we 'did Jeff'. We enjoy a nice meal where Anne and Norma would meet for lunch before Anne moved across the plains to Utah. Smith had the 'The Bill Sandwich which consists of 'Liberal Amounts of Ham, Left cut Swiss, Stone Ground Mustard, Pressed & Grilled on Rye Toast, served with Bush Fries'.  Needless to say Vermont is our kind of place.

Vermont has that romantic New England look of white churches with tall steeples. While we stopped for this classic photograph we spotted what every good knitter has built in radar to find...a yarn shop!  We perused the small, but nice, selection and reminded each other that Rhinebeck was in one day.

Near the end of the sight seeing day we stopped at a rest area and found it had tractors for tables! Norma knows how to drive a tractor as surely any 'real' Vermonter would. After seeing 'Watch for Moose' signs every where, Smith finally found one.  He was quite the guy and Smith enjoyed his company. 

The last picture of the day is of a colorful shoreline taken as we drove across Lake Champlain to the islands. Thank you Norma for a showing us around your beautiful home State.

Smith and I both fell in love with Vermont and it's rural beauty.

~~~~~~~~

It seems Ferdinand Magellan made his way to Utah while I was exploring Vermont. Michelle sent a box full of luscious rovings from Spunky Eclectic (and other fine goodies, too) as she was my Yarn Aboard pal!

From top to bottom you see Delphinium, Hyacinth, Navajo Gems and Poppies.  Michelle said they are all easy spinning rovings which is just what I need to try on my new wheel! Yummy candies are shown, but were soon enjoyed.  She also sent a charming set of note papers and a sample of Eucalan Wool Wash.  It is a fabulous package that arrived just in time. Thank you Michelle and I wish we could have met at Rhinebeck.  Now, I need to ready Ferdinand for his journey to my pal.

Comments

[pippi]

Yay vermont! as much as i tend to complain, mostly about winter here, it is a beautiful place to be!
it looks like ya'll made it down to my neck of the woods.
that little quilt/yarn store is cute. they don't have a whole lot, BUT the ladies who work there are nice and sweet. (and i can't say that for all the LYS here.)

[Marcia]

I don't get to Vermont as often as when we skied, but occasionally, when I make the two hour trip to WEBS (I know, I'm so lucky!), it's only another forty or so miles up the highway to Putney, Vermont and the Green Mountain Spinnery! Maybe when we accept the invitation to come stay with friends in Burlington, I'll pop in on Norma and check out her Marthness for myself!

[Judy]

yep, yep, ye-up

[susan]

Look, at you. One week in New England and you're saying "wicked" just like a native.

[Cara]

I got married in front of a building just like that! In Vermont no less!

Glad you had such a good time with our Norma.

[Lucia]

I love Vermont -- of course I love all of the New England states, like siblings but each with her own unique personality. There are at least six different ways of saying "wicked."

Those rovings are making me want to spin the day away.

[Kathleen]

Sounds like a wonderful time. Norma is awesome. Such a nut. But in the best way. :)

[Kim]

Looks like a great trip! I've never been to Vermont, but I've heard it is gorgeous!

[Carole]

I'm so glad you got to see Vermont and all it's beauty. I know firsthand what a wonderful tour guide Norma is.

[hillary]

I really love Vermont. As a child I spent vacations on Lake Champlain and we'd take trips accross to Vermont to wander the crafty spots. It's deginitely somewhere that I hope to visit again soon.

[Norma]

Oh, you made me laugh with that opening photo. I really DID greet you with open arms, and I didn't even remember it. I have some other good photos of you I took up on the mountain. I'll send them along.

[Stitch-n-Snitch]

Beautiful!!!

[amanda]

Those are great rovings to inaugurate the new wheel with and beautiful colors too!

Isn't Vermont lovely? When I lived in Montreal I'd head down to Burlington every other month or so -- the drive was always well worth it!

[Wendy]

That photo of Norma and Vincent is great! I'm so happy you had sucha wonderful trip. :-)

[Vera]

Vermont is so beautiful, and I'd like to visit someday.

Hurray for Vs everywhere.

[Roxie]

Thanks for giving me a vacation back east. Lovely pictures!!

[Anne]

Sigh. I'm really homesick now. Really really really. Sigh.

[Martha]

"Wicked wacky"? Boy, you learn fast!

When I moved to Boston, my roommate and I pledged that if either one of us used the word "wicked" sincerely (and not to mean "evil"), the other was to adminster a slap across the face. Luckily, she moved back to Pennsylvania, so I'm safe.

[Alison]

Great package! And beautiful pictures!

[wool winder]

You were in the same part of Vermont my husband is from. In fact, you probably drove by his old house on your way to the islands. What a beautiful state!

[Birdsong]

Great photos and delightful travelogue... Vermont is maybe the one place in New England I could feel at home!

[Laura]

Great photo of Norma and Vincent. I've been thinking all morning about what her "V" post will be and here you are with yours. I really need to do the ABC along next year!

Lovely Vermont photos - and NummyNumNum rovings! Can't wait to see how they come out with your new wheel! :)

[scout]

Glad you enjoyed my home state!

[Leah]

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all!

Love your YA haul! Those rovings are yummy! They should make your new wheel just purr with happiness!

[maryse]

so pretty! everything -- the roving, vermont....