the snow in vermont

We have fallen asleep on the job (actually, I misplaced our little camera, but describing it thusly has allowed me to use the cute picture above). But now, we're back, with more flavor!

So Presidents' Weekend happened a while ago. I figure since the Presidents' Day sales are still being advertised on TV, I felt like it was okay to post our Presidents' Weekend happenings.

It all started with dinner from our favorite CMF missionary, CDR P! It was nice to see him and catch up while he was in town for a very quick trip.

Then we drove to Vermont to join the CGA cadets attending a ski retreat sponsored by OCF. On the way to our final destinations in Barre and Orange, we made some fun stops. First was a pit stop in Putney, the home of Green Mountain Spinnery (they have yarn, they spin yarn, this is an interest of mine, in case you didn't know).

It was a really interesting visit. And I showed a considerable amount of restraint with Papa Seal's wallet.

The shop was really small, but very well stocked.

Then, proceeding north, we stopped at the Farmer's Diner in Quechee.

I figured if it was good enough for Barbara Kingsolver and her family, it was good enough for us.

It was very good. And the philosophy behind the food was something we liked the idea of supporting (go local!).



It was really good, actually.


We also stopped to visit Ben and Jerry, don't they look so familiar?

Because everyone wants ice cream when there is 30 inches of snow on the ground.
The pup really enjoyed his visit to the place of so much ice cream.

But, seriously, if you need to eat ice cream with outerwear on, maybe it's too cold for ice cream... Just a thought for the future.

It was a good trip. And in case you were unaware of this fact, there is a great deal of snow in Vermont during the winter.

As is our standard operating procedure, more pictures can be seen and downloaded from the flickr site.

like politics, sustenance can be local too

I recently finished reading Barbar Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and it has me looking at the food I eat in totally different ways. After Papa Seal and I talked about the book (I summed it up for him, it's not about electrical engineering, financial management, sailing or pedagogy so, therefore, not his thing), we decided that we should try and do our part to (at the very least) support local farmers and do what we can to lessen our impact on the planet and all of that. We aren't going to any extremes or anything, but we wanted to do our part. To that end, we figured going to the farmer's market at the soon-to-open food co-op was a good place to start.

Not only is local sustainabilty good for the local economy and our health, it's fun!

The seal pup was a little overwhelmed by all the people (hey, lots of people want to do their part); but he was very interested in the violinist (live classical music, culture while you shop consciously).

It was surprising to find out what was growing "in season" here in the dead of winter, a truly exciting time to live in New England (no, not so much).

Of course, my favorite thing were the baked goods.

We were all proud of ourselves for being so responsible, and then I went to the big box grocery store and bought some strawberries shipped in from California. They were so pretty and I wanted to make something red to celebrate Valentine's Day. I felt a smidge guilty, until I tasted it. Guilt gone.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

a low-fi kind of birthday

It is no secret that I really (really) like birthday celebrations. I will take any and every opportunity to drag out a week long (or 8 day's worth of) celebration out of my own or a friend's birthday; but Papa Seal, he isn't so much into the fun of it all. I once threw him a surprise party to which he responded, "we've done that once, let's not do it again." He liked seeing all of his friends and family but he hates being the center of attention, I get that; but I like celebrating.

A big part of celebration is food. Weight Watchers is going to hate me; but, it's true, at least in my world. Food plays a huge part in celebration. So you can understand my dissappointment when Papa asked for...a boxed cake. Seriously? Do you not know who I am?

Far be it from me to argue. So I made the boxed cake (or, birthday is a box, pick one). But then I made him a "real" cake later in the week, because seriously? Asking for a boxed cake from me on your birthday is just insulting on so many levels.

It's the souped-up-from-scratch version of the boxed cake, American Chocolate Layer Cake. I have become very close friends with Maida Heatter of late, she and Martha Stewart, they are my homegirls (they of course, don't know this; but, between you and me, they are).

Because who doesn't want 4 layers of birthday happiness?

This cake was enjoyed a few days after Kelly's birthday. On his actual birthday I was in Northampton, Massachussetts at Webs again (my own Utopia, of sorts) learning to spin on my new spinning wheel and Kelly was home with the Pup (I know, who's birthday was it, right?).

It was fun.

After my spinning weekend, Kelly went to San Diego for a conference. I thought the timing worked well, he got to see his family for his birthday...sort of (what's a few days when you are dragging out the celebration, right?).

After his return home, Anders decided to really help Papa celebrate right by getting the stomach flu and passing it along to him first and then to me. The last couple of days have been kind of miserable (we didn't even want look or think about food), but we are on the mend (the Patriots losing the Super Bowl didn't help, of course). Chicken soup, anyone?

Mom, tell Papa to get you an external flash, the built-in isn't worth beans.

In case you are curious, the first picture was how Anders felt when he thought he was going to be able to keep Papa's birthday scarf. No, not so much.

adventures in the culinary landscape

I think about food a great deal. I love making it and Papa and the Pup love eating it, so it all works well. The seasons are a good inspiration for food, what's fresh, what's in season, what will make you feel cozy? It's been cold here in Connecticut, some would say ridiculously so. When faced with cold temperatures, my mind immediately wanders to soup...making it, eating it, being warmed by it. I can't be the only one. So I figured, if I am going to make it, I might as well go all out. So I made pho. It made us very happy indeed (mostly because we didn't have to drive for more than an hour for soup, which we would totally do...we've done it before. We'll do it again, I am sure.).
And for dessert, banana cream pies--which Kelly noted would be a good summer time pie, but it's my favorite so perfectly suitable for today, tomorrow or next week. And it's pie. Today is National Pie Day, how could we not celebrate?
Clearly, one of us was really excited about Pie Day.

a trip to paradise city

So there is this place in Northampton, Massachussetts called WEBS. Fiber enthusiasts know it to be something akin to Shangri-La. WEBS is also called America's yarn store. Obviously, I had to go and assess this for myself, so right before the New Year began (I know, this is the last one, everything else from here on out is all about 2008!) we wandered west. I think the boys knew we were in for some fun.

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. It was difficult chasing the pup, grabbing yarn, reading books, touching fiber, and playing with fiber equipment all at the same time. Something had to give, especially since I left my superhero cape home that day.

Kelly has decided that of all the yarn shops he has been to ("which is many") WEBS has to be the best. There is a "gentlemen's" (I guess anyone could sit there, really) seating area with really comfy chairs and all sorts of magazines, like Sports Illustrated. Kelly said the only thing that would have made it better would be a big screen TV.

Anders was pretty entertained with the yarn. It was everywhere, a beautiful thing, really. The main store front was nice, bright, and pretty; but the most fun (for the Pup, anyway) was to be had in the yarn warehouse. Seriously. It is a warehouse of yarn (if you can not find joy in that, frankly, I don't know what to tell you).

There is a loom room for those into weaving. I peered in and looked around, but I tried not to get too interested. I need a new hobby like I need a hole in the head, particularly one as costly as weaving. The looms are a bit steep at around $9,000. Fun things to look at though.

It was a good visit; and, we left without spending too much. The main point (besides just seeing the place) was to register for some classes (more on that later); that done, we counted the trip as a success. And of course, I can not wait to go back to the place that, I am convinced, is truly America's yarn store.

Shopping for yarn is hard work.

to boston and back

We recently wandered to Boston for a day trip, it was the weekend before New Year's day, so I can't really classify it as the first trip of 2008; but, I am going to post about it all the same.

Since we once lived in Boston (pre-pup), there wasn't a long list of places that we felt like we absolutely had to go. I wanted to go to Windsor Button (boasting the largest selection of buttons in the northeast, it's not impressive to everyone; but, I think it's the bee's knees).

I found what I needed (buttons, shocker). But I am pretty sure Anders had the most fun.

What is this thing you call a choking hazard?

He often found himself overwhelmed by the craft selection available for the consumer.

Whoa.

We walked through Boston Common.

We went to Keihl's for the fun of it (thanks Jess).

And then we went to the Public Garden to see the ducklings.

We tried to find Pho Pasteur for lunch (we love Vietnamese food), but we were unsuccessful as all but one of the resturants are now closed (it would have been useful if that information was updated on the website).

After some fortification, we went to the Boston Children's Museum.

You know there is going to be some fun involved if your hand gets stamped.

Go, team!

Programs available for toddlers were not many; but, the pup has no problem hanging with the big dogs (or children 4-8, whatever).

Okay. So now what?

Hey, kid, it's upside down!
We thought his favorite part was the bubble factory area. But after he got soaked and needed to change his shirt you was done with it.

It was the ball area that was a thrill a minute, we had to drag him away.

We managed to get out of the museum before the $1 public entry rush (a courtesy granted on Friday evenings to the public). And we stopped for dinner at Le's Vietnemese Resturant/Cuisine (pick one! Formerly Pho Pastuer of Allston) on our way out of town.


The perfect end to the perfect day.

There are a ton of pictures over in flickr. We were testing out our new camera, the ease of point and shoot with the picture quality of our SLRs. It's a winner!

happy new year

We did some wandering recently; but, while we go through and edit the photos we thought we'd share this message from the Seal Pup. Happy New Year everyone!