Hey y'all! I took advantage of the few posts I set up for myself to ease back into the new year before jumping into our holiday recap which is now going on almost a month ago. Driving straight through to Vermont takes quite a toll when you're driving over 12 hours so we've had to split up our time and go halfway, take a rest night then on to our (hopefully) winter wonderland. Welcome to a tick or two past middle age! We can't fly because I bring the merry and that is a lot of bags, boxes and a whole suitcase so we're left to the open road. When we arrived, I brought the jolly cuz that's what I do!
Those big ass snowflakes are just big enough for a bit of privacy from neighbors through the trees |
I'll tell you, there is nothing better than those battery operated fairy lights to make sure that your travel house still feels just as festive. We absolutely love those things and the colored ones had a timer which was awesome. Each runs on 3 AA batteries and I want to say it was about 10 days before you could tell they were dimming - I'm thinking maybe switching out one of the batteries at that point could've lasted us the rest of the trip. Duly noted. Unfortunately we couldn't do a cut down tree this year so we went to Paine's Tree Farm and got a pre-cut and they strapped it on for us. I was too distracted before we left to plan a real motif for this year so I wanted a kind of plain Victorian feel and got some flat ornaments, red velvet bows and pearls for garland strung with white lights. It was simple but nice. Some IGer talked about using a round plastic tablecloth for a tree skirt and to catch any water and needles that first day or two and that worked really well. I also saw another video about how a week after they set up their real tree, the living room was FLOODED in giant aphids (look like huge ticks) and they had to rip the tree down. So you can bet your ass I got some neem oil spray and squirt diatomaceous Earth in case anything tried to climb down before we even got the tree!! Luckily we only saw one aphid and it wasn't even on the tree but nothing else. Still makes one feel skeevy with the heebie jeebies.
The time was going fast and we tried to get in what we could without getting sucked into the crowds that have all seemed to pour in the past two times. I made Christmas cookies and on the 23rd we got a surprise 'winter storm' of 5-7" but it was so cold (0 degrees) so no big fluffy flakes just kind of super fine snow that wasn't conducive to building a snowman. We had a pretty good sled hill out back and the Mr had fun getting a track embedded for us.
Oh and for anyone who thinks sledding couldn't possibly be a workout:
Bye Felicia! - The Mr |
We always love going into Stowe Village at night and looking at it all lit up even if it's 5 degrees outside and your breath condensation is freezing inside your nose.
From Christmas morning on, we woke up to glitter snow every morning with the sun shining over the mountain.
It was like living in a snow globe every day and it was magical. Not much gets to the Mr but he was excited to see it every day which was wonderful to see. Christmas Day our new tradition since Covid has been to stretch the day out as long as possible. We get up and have our traditional cinnamon rolls like I did every year with Mom. We watched a few Christmas movies, went sledding for 45 minutes, took a little nap and at 5pm I started dinner. Grandma's roast had been in the crockpot since morning so I got her noodles going, mashed potatoes, my cheeseball and some green beans.
It's not Christmas in our family if it doesn't look like this. Yes, I travel with these dishes. |
We watched another Christmas show and before getting too sleepy, at 9pm we opened gifts. It was a wonderful, peaceful yet fun holiday.
The next day we crammed in all of our shopping. I scored an antique find from a hippie natural store that was sadly closing for 50% off. We visited Trapp Lodge and saw the cows, waved to my friend on the outdoor camera and shopped off a gift card I got from my friend. Before we knew it, it was time to deSantify the house, pack up and leave to go down to suburban Woodstock but if you think I only decorate the Christmas house and not the new years house...
source |
Yep, this year we got one of those pop up pencil trees because I still wanted one that looked kinda like those old school silver trees and like a NYE party. I did what commenters said and added a strand of 300 mini lights and it looks fabulous lit! I loved it!
One of our favorite traditions is on NYE (or, this year, day), we love to walk the town after dark to look at all of the lights.
I joke with the Mr the town must know flesh eating zombies come out and prey on tourists because literally the second it's dark, there is NO ONE walking the streets anymore. Those were taken at 5:30pm! But we love to just take it all in and have the town to ourselves because Lord knows we don't during the day. That place is utter chaos at all times.
One of my favorite traditions at that place was a nightly wood burning fire.
Le sigh |
It was cozy and I love tending to fires as the Mr knows so it's a relaxing thing for me. The place we stayed was nice but it's in that weird spot where it takes you 20 minutes to get anywhere so you go for a round trip deal and that's 40 minutes of your day gone. So you do have to plan your outings carefully. However, we loved the peace so much and I've purchased a few things to help with the privacy issue (ZERO blinds on the first floor) that we booked it again.
Also, because it's Vermont, you must do the obligatory covered bridges to squee over.
One of my favorite souvenirs are something I've wanted since the first time we visited Woodstock but didn't know was available for purchase. We love going to Simon Pearce which is a glass maker of all kinds of crazy expensive stuff like ornaments, bowls, lamps, candle holders, etc. We've purchased a few 'seconds' (products with imperfections) but I've always been mesmerized watching them blow glass.
(The glass magicians at work at Simon Pearce) |
If you've never watched Blown Away on Netflix, you should and watch what those people can do. (Ignore the manufactured drama) Well, they've always had this art display of the molds they use for some products.
At the outlet store about 20 minutes away, they sell some of the old used molds! You can bet your sweet bippy I pick some up and by some, I mean four by the end of the trip. This is an idea of what could be made out of one of the molds I purchased.
I'm super excited to figure out the best way to display them. I have an idea but it has to wait right now unfortunately with the reno boys tearing the place up again.
We had some snow but there were also higher temps so a TON of fog which was also beautiful.
Because of the moisture in the air, we were able to roll out a snowman at my insistence knowing he was not long for this world but it was fun for the day or so we had him.
(Yes, I travel with a corn cob pipe. What self respecting snowman maker doesn't?) |
Before we knew it, it was time to pack back up again and head home. Every day I strapped Mom around my neck and took her along for our adventures. We honored her by buying each other presents from her and opening them on Christmas Eve and enjoying her veggie pizza just like we would've done. I have to think she was smiling seeing us on our Vermont adventures the first time for herself. I would've given anything to bring her along when she was here but, you know. I was afraid I would torture myself with thoughts of "the last time we were here, she was alive." Thankfully, that didn't really happen. I think my soul needed it so much and I know how much she loved our pictures that I told myself she was there and that just had to be enough because unfortunately, it's all I've got now on that front.
I hope you guys enjoyed this recap of our adventure!
Now back to reality (as the reno dudes are smashing up our bathroom. Vacation zen...gone. 😜)
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Great recap of what was a great trip. It was much needed and I'm grateful for all the memories. Thanks for making it special as always!
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures of a wonderful vacation! So glad you guys had such an amazing time because you both needed it. Awesome memories to look back on!
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