Made in Vermont has a whole new meaning for me!
This week I have been travelling with my husband, Rick, to one of his forestry association meetings. We got really lucky this time because it is in Stowe, VT. Boy is this state ever beautiful! It has a new European feel to it and guess what? I haven't seen a Walmart or Target or Joann's Fabrics ANYWHERE! They must have a no big box store rule here or something...I HAVE had some of the best chocolate EVER, the best MILK ever and been amazed by the beautiful views of the farms, the mountains and the small cities scattered about the countryside.
A picture at every corner - look at the patterns on the side of this building in the granite district in Middleberry - this city is so picturesque! and the college there is just gorgeous!
I am sure you all have heard about all the rain in Vermont - it kept us off of most of the roads in the south part of the state - but check out this mini Niagara Falls right in the heart of Middleberry! amazing...
We heard of so many bridges being blown out by the flood waters - thank goodness this is intact!
Christmas Trees! We don't have these in Florida! Can you imagine this full of snow?
The granite buildings just make such a cool exterior - I see quilt patterns everywhere I turn!
Hard to see this antique Singer sewing machine in the window! drool......
Ok - so everything is local in Vermont - people by their bread and cakes and goodies from the local bakers and farmers markets - the goodies in this bakery made me drool! so we stopped in for a bite...
Dogs are citizens too! aren't these little guys so cute just waiting patiently for their master who is inside? of course, they liked Rick and said hello to him...
In case you are ever in Middleberry, VT check out the Otter Creek Bakery...well worth the stop.
Oh the flowers are so pretty in all the main street pots! does your mainstreet look like this? wonderful!
I see a future quilt in this colorful painted sunflower! isn't it great?
These overflowing window boxes of flowers were everywhere - reminds me of Victoria, BC - they scream out paint me! quilt me!
This shop had all products Made In Vermont! the cow theme is pretty funny and we picked up a few Christmas presents...the staff were uber friendly and fun!
My Favorite reads "Vermonter Looking for Mate - Must have Chain Saw. Send Picture of Chainsaw"...who said they have no sense of humor!
Travelling north on SR 7 (also called Ethan Allen HWY) what did we find but a quilt and yarn shop called Knits & Bolts in New Haven, VT! Look at the side of the building - simply says - Yarn Fabric...ahhhhh the universal language...and inside? what a little gem of a shop! yummy yarns - and good brands, too - to pick and choose from not to mention great project books and samples to entice you...and a SALE wall! yeah! just what I needed - more yarn! and then to the quilting side of things.... a NICE collection of batiks along with more of the traditional fabrics for quilters. I loved talking to one of the staff who designed the recent Shop Hop Quilt - which she proudly showed me -
Here she is on the right - isn't that a great smile? and a wonderful quilting talent - we put together some batiks for me to make a keepsake project from out trip to Vermont. The lady on the left is the gal who told me about which MILK to drink - Mansfields - so we promptly went across the street to the quick mart and got some milk.....ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my gooodness is it good - even the 1%!!! thanks Girls! I did ask if they had ever heard of Lollipops - but no...its okay - these girls are so thrifty not sure that store bought bias would be their thing...but they are so cute!
Vermonters are very proud of their local made and they are pretty darn good at what they make! We stopped in at this chocolate shop - the Daily Chocolate - again, in a quaint little town called Vergennes along SR 7 heading north to Burlington, and bought some very expensive but very yummy chocolate to go with our milk, of course! the chocolate was so rich, you only need a small piece to satisfy - loaded with pistachios, dried cherries, a touch of cayenne (yes, cayenne) and coconut in dark chocolate - yes, check them out if you ever come to VT! Doesn't their logo remind you of Starbucks? you never know...
Now, if you know me, you know I LOVE flowers...and these hydrangea bushes are like none I have ever seen! look at how full and lush they are! When I retire, I have to learn to paint so I can paint these in water color - the trees and bushes are so full the look like they will break off!
and check this out...kids walking home from school...WALKING!!! ok - so we saw busses, too but I was just thrilled to see kids walking home like we used to do - wonderful...things are slower here and it is so impressive to see the simplicity.
More Christmas Trees! I just love these evergreens - wish we could grow them back home! I would make wreaths every season...
More from Stowe tomorrow!
