VermontVibes

Gardening Update Photos!

2008-07-22T11:47:00.003-04:00

I am so behind on my Vibing posts! There have been positive Vibes everywhere! Cousins coming to visit and enjoying the Honky Tonk band at The Old Lantern, canoeing and swimming at Kingsland Bay State Park, chillin' at the Charlotte Town Beach, attending the Charlotte Town Party, Vermont Mozart Festivals and Vermont Symphony Orchestra concerts, as well as phenomenal Charlotte Farmhouse cookin'! Mitch and I are starting to gather recipes for a cookbook! But, before I post further, I must report on my garden. It is insane. Today I will post a few pictures from the garden several weeks ago - you can only imagine where it's at now. Last night we had a full on harvest party - lettuce, green beans, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, kale, and tons of herbs - the first sets are drying for winter use!

Check out these pics from a few weeks ago and I'll get some current ones soon and make them current!

Sunflowers, Marigolds, and Fresh Air

2008-07-15T20:20:00.003-04:00

I wish I have been writing more. I actually have so much to share. Part of me wishes I could unite all of my fabulous blog readers and have them all magically appear at the Charlotte farmhouse for sun tea and garden walks and talks about life and the world on one of my six porches. I am trying to find balance between my crazy world of running a Vermont public relations company and actually enjoying some of the sweet, short, and lovely summer on a Vermont farm. And all while learning my trusty computer has crashed and I now need to purchase another one, transfer files, upload programs and all the fun that goes along with that. While trying to take Fridays off to enjoy my life but finding that very hard to do.

But, being out here with my tremendous garden and eating from it every day, working at home with my cats by my side, and watching love grow with my sweet Mitch make it all still very worth it. What comes around goes around and the energy I put forth will come back. Perhaps I should pick a weekend next summer and invite Vermont Vibers and enthusiasts from near and far to come for a weekend of reality, communication, and life at the farmhouse. Then I would be chosen for a Seven Daisies Best Blog for sure!!!

Today was a stress - between finding out my computer has been driven to its deathbed and discouragement in the world of public relations - as positive as I try to be. While driving back to Charlotte from a day in the big Vermont city, I passed a farm on Spear Street with a huge sunflower field and a Pick Your Own Sunflower sign - for free and by donation I believe. While I didn't stop, but almost turned around, I did smile and think had a tear in my eye at some of the simplest of beauty in the world. My cousin is visiting this weekend and I decided a pick your own sunflower was very in order for us gals.

It also made me think of something else. A little farther down Spear Street as you actually get into East Charlotte (my hood) is Trudi's Nursery. Yesterday I got a note on the Front Porch Forum that they had closed for the season and all leftover plants were outside for free to good homes. I didn't have a chance to go when the pickins were good and now I know why - I was meant to go after seeing the sunflowers to save a plant or two from possible death. (What I couldn't do for my computer?:) Sure enough were two withering six packs of marigolds and nothing else. And now I will save them - after I turn off my backup computer of course.

But before I do that - the remainder of my drive filled me with thoughts about an email I received a few days ago from the Fresh Air Fund asking me - as a popular blogger in the freshest and greenest state ever! - to help spread the word that they are in need of some host families for 200 children this summer. More info is at http://freshair.smnr.us/. I am a big fan of the Fresh Air Fund and I cannot imagine living in a city and not being in the fresh air we have up here in Vermont. And if I could actually pull away from work before 9 o'clock at night and not work so much overtime, I could actually consider it - one day as the cycle of energy comes full circle for me I can. Please consider and share with others - it's one of the better programs out there - nothing cures the blues like a blue sky, sunflowers, and marigolds.

Independent Vibes

2008-06-30T20:08:00.005-04:00

I am sad for the 4th of July. I am sad that we live in a country that I am ashamed of. I think a lot of people must feel that way about the state of the nation. I want to be able to wave a flag and sing patriotic songs and wear red, white, and blue, but I cannot. And that makes me sad. While I love Vermont and our way of life here, I also know we are all contributing greatly to the concept of escapism that I also get so agitated at - primarily because I am a major proponent of escapism - me and my farmhouse lifestyle. Escapism is also a survival technique and one that I don't think is going anywhere anytime soon. That is until the population starts to be able to sustain itself on a local, national, and global level. I mean think about it, the major issues of the world all boil down to the raw fact that there are simply too many people. I encourage you to visit Vermonters For a Sustainable Population for more information and resources on this issue - www.vspop.org.

I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and most of all happy Independence Day. May we all someday be independent from depending on escapism - or at least see a a glimmer of this in our lifetime. My quote of my life, business, and love is "it's never too late to be what you might have been." Today someone actually said to me "it IS too late to be what you might have been." I guess I would rather live my life of escapism from the horrors of the world in beautiful, green Vermont where I can make a small impact of people sharing positive vibes then dampen spirits that are already soaked underneath.

For the record, I wholeheartedly support and endorse Barack Obama. I understand the traditional political issues with this choice, but I also know that tradition is a major part of the problem in this country's political mess.

Love and Light.

Backyard Exploration

2008-06-20T11:04:00.009-04:00

The Charlotte farmhouse is located on 500 acres of farmland. Some of it is fields, but most is underbrush and new growth forest home to bobcats, deer, and moose. Mitch and I decided to spread our Vermont Vibes in our own backyard this past weekend with a small group of friends who we've been chatting about our backyard with for months. And backyard exploring we did! We started off with a hearty breakfast of farm fresh eggs and Vibe-o-Tots and made our way to the barn for backyard exploration energy stretches.

From there we headed into the higher fields of tall grasses and gorgeous views and then down into moose country. It was here we learned and should have retained that the old logging roads of Charlotte do not mean continuous trails - we were already starting to get lost when we knew where we were going!

But, we made it into moose territory and found a relatively flat and shorter grass area where we enjoyed hammocks, wildlife reading, tree viewing, and of course fanning.

It was then that we decided to try to find the Lewis Creek swimming hole with only a compass and no point of beginning or end reference. So silly. We traversed to a neighbor's field being chased by a thunderstorm - we were all literally electrified. After the excitement of the storm and the beauty of the field we lost all points of reference and got lost in my backyard!

We used the compass and sun direction to go back the way we came which in actuality took us on a very round about way, but we eventually found our way back to the very opposite end of the "yard" - all the way on the Hinesburg border. We traipsed through more fields, ridiculously drenched to the core and laughing the whole while, exclaiming it was a good thing we did our stretches.

Love and Light to the newly initiated Vermont Vibers - Jess, Kash, and Rachael - well done!

Gardening Vibes!!!

2008-06-12T16:15:00.006-04:00

Finally I get to write about the beautiful gardens Mitch and I created!!! Oh, yes, and Caitlin too who is our new fabulous neighbor as well! Tri-Vibes!!! We rotatilled, dug out rocks and weeds, scratched and hoed, mixed in compost, and planted lots of yummy veggies!!! Lettuce, kale, green beans (ick - those are for Mitch), carrots, tons of herbs, peas, brussell sprouts (ick - those are for Caitlin), spinach, chard, broccoli, onions, zucchini, and a very vast variety of cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes.

As this is more of a Plog (picture blog) - enjoy our gardening vibes!!!!

North Star Lodge/Inn/Resort - Vermont's Worst Customer Service

2008-06-02T21:16:00.005-04:00

I write about positive Vermont Vibes. But, if you cross me, I mean really cross me, I will share the experience to help Vermont Vibers stay away from those same negative vibes.

The North Star Lodge or Inn or Resort (seems to have a few names) triple crossed me. Badly. At the Essex Craft & Fine Art Show last month I entered a weekend getaway contest. I got a call a few weeks ago saying I "won." Of course in order to redeem my weekend getaway, dinner for two, and $1000 online shopping spree, I had to be over 25, be living with a significant other, and make a certain income. I also had to agree to drive to Killington, Vermont to have a tour of the North Star Lodge/Resort/Inn. I understood at the time it was a timeshare marketing gimic, but thought the hotel stay would come in handy for my travels, could use the $1000 for the numerous things I still need for my house, and best of all, I could use the trip to write a Killington area Vermont Vibes blog post.

Mitch and I embarked on our adventure to Killington just yesterday, June 1st. Without a clear understanding of just how long it would take, we gave ourselves about two hours and headed down Route 7, over 125, south on 100, where we drove through Pittsfield and realized we were going to be a little late. Luckily, my cell phone was working and I called the North Star Lodge to let them know where we were and that we were motoring our way to the lodge for the tour as fast as we could. They said we would be fine.

Now I am one who is always rushing around because I always seem to have three too many things to do. That is a part of why I love Vibing, it lets me slow down and see the world - of Vermont. I also understand that there are not excuses for being late yet there are always excuses as well.

When Mitch and I arrived at the North Star Lodge, the receptionist treated us with disrespect, the short-man-syndrome time share man with the tomato in his hand treated us like dirt, and the woman who I spoke with on the phone got one look at our youthful, jeans-and-t-shirt appearance and said we were late and that was not acceptable. I said, "But we just spoke with you and drove all the way from Charlotte and gas if $4 a gallon." She responded by saying she was aware of how much gas cost and actually had the bitter-old-lady nerve to compare the North Star Lodge to an airport in that if I was late for the flight, the plane would not wait. In retrospect I had to think, was she seriously comparing the white trash "retro style" North Star Lodge to an airline? I mean look at this place - I am not good enough for a room that looks like this?
A place that can't even cut it in the uberly stylized Killington "big mountain" ski area by operating as a hotel but has to resort to timeshare operatives run by Endless Vacation Rentals (RCI) through a marketing scam company - Summit Vacation - located in the Berkshires, owned by a partner who already had a timeshare fraud lawsuit brought against him between 2000 and 2002 while timeshare scamming at the Cedarbrook Club also in Killington? (It also looks like Cedarbrook is part of North Star which is part of RCI which is using Summit Vacations as the untraceable marketing scam company.) And wasn't it Killington that wanted to secede from Vermont a few years ago and become part of New Hampshire? What is going on down there?

Anyway, after storming out of the North Star Lodge and crying for a bit in the car - not in their parking lot of course - Mitch and I slowly headed home and watched the $30 or so in gas just waste away. Not one to usually cry over spilled milk, I tried to bounce back thinking of all of the positive vibrations I have felt and impacted upon others of my years of Vermont Vibing. It really roughed up my psyche being treated that way and I tried to think of what I had done to deserve to be treated with such rudeness and lack of civility and I realized - nothing. Many others had endured such scams and violations and it was my job to use my talents to bring this issue to light, so hence forth I share.

With this knowledge under my belt (and not to mention I thought I was lookin' pretty hot that day - probably enough so to make Ms. Panties-in-a-Bunch think I would make all the scabby and leering time share men think impure thoughts and piss of the time share wives who were paying with their daddy's trust funds) Mitch and I shared some of our own hugs and kisses and took a breather in Hancock.

We stopped at the Hancock Hotel Vermont Home Bakery where I healingly browsed for local Vermont products and chatted with the gal behind the counter about hummingbirds. Waaaayyyyy more my style establishment - local, Vermont, authentic, real... Then we headed back the way we came only this time thoroughly enjoyed the scenic Route 125 - I highly recommend this route if you happen to be in the area. I remember going to the Hancock Soup Dinner a few years back, but never having driven on 125. We stopped at the glorious Texas Falls and breathed deep for a while enjoying the sounds, smells, and sites of the waterfalls. Then we walked the entire nature path in silence, each deep in our own thoughts, thinking about the dreadful event at the North Star Lodge, our own stresses about moving and the immense time and energy it takes to get settled, and stressing about the state of the world and the inability to overcome the detrimental cost of living battle each of us is up against. Maybe the timeshare sales were dependent on the North Star Lodge staff feeding their families for the next month and maybe not. I find that hard to believe especially when the marketing phone calls said this program was for tour attendees to spread the word about the North Star Lodge. Lies are never the way to go and I am certainly doing my part in spreading the word.

Mitch and I departed from our jaunt in the woods and stopped again in East Middlebury for dinner at Rosie's where the customer service was fantastic, the food yummy, and the atmosphere filled with real, living Vermonters, like us, working hard to make life work without treating others like subordinates. Good for them.

Love and Light...

Still Vibing...

2008-05-28T10:38:00.005-04:00

Gas prices suck, moving is stressful, I miss my friends, wah, wah, wah. I LOVE CHARLOTTE!!! And, last weekend Mitch and I were able to sneak away and go on a Vibing adventure. And it only took half a tank of gas to vibe from Charlotte, out to the Waterbury Flea Market, on to some tag sales along Route 2 all the way out to Plainfield and Marshfield and then up to Hardwick and Greensboro! Yeah Vibe!!! Oh, and back to Charlotte.

Tag sales in Vermont are great - especially when you get farther away from Chittenden County, that's where good folks are trying to clear out cellar space, not buy stuff cheap and then jack up the prices for the jack asses who buy it. Case and point - folks who buy stuff cheap at the Waterbury Flea Market (which is cheap) and then go sell it to that indoor flea market along Route 2 in Richmond. That place is bunk! The stuff is waaaayyyyyy overpriced and I heard them talking about hoe they jack the prices when we were in there! People should watch what they say when the Vibers are out and about. Then we tried to buy a cool old music poster with a rip in it with no frame cover and they were trying to charge Mitch $25 because he bought it for $30 ten years ago. Lame.

But besides that, the Waterbury Flea Market rocks. Just remember to bring CASH!!! We bought more plant supplies and plants than anything else and had some great luck at Plainfield Hardware and Nursery - what a fantastic spot and the veggie packs were beautiful and a great price. In fact, I had never spent much time in Plainfield, so I thought I'd share some pics of this fun little town on the verge of the paradise known as the Northeast Kingdom.

By this point we had spent way to much time buying plants and stopping at tag sales. One last stop was the best of all - this heady organic farm nursery off Route 16 up towards Greensboro Bend. These folks were even Healthy Hippie worthy and in her honor, I bought kale to plant. We cruised up to Greensboro where some of my fam was opening up our summer cottages so we chilled for a bit and then packed up the roof of the Vibe with an authentic Chinese screen my cousin has passed on to me after my grandmother passed it on to her. This is because our living room motif if Chinese Farmhouse.

Then back to the Charlotte Farmhouse for the remainder of the weekend building a garden - but that is for another blog...

Surreal Surroundings in Charlotte, Vermont

2008-05-16T11:01:00.003-04:00

We live in the middle of high density moose territory. Yesterday Mitch and I walked through it all - someone even has a tent hidden in the brush for animal watching. Not sure who's it it, but I am going to sit in it and watch. After the rain...and after we finish this insane move. The clover patches weave in and out of soft marshes, grassy fields, large tree pockets, underbrush, and forests. It is amazing. I also saw a fisher cat one night and a bobcat ate one of my neighbors chickens. Fishers are scary and chickens are cute, but there is something raw out here in the farmland. Something primal and alive and real. I cannot express how much I love it and how this move is circling the completeness of my life. I am home in my wood nymph paradise. We have wetlands and marshlands right on our fields and roufous-sided towee's are making a nest outside of my office window. I must run off and finish the insanity of making this place my wood nymph paradise, but wanted to share some new pictures before I headed into town and out of the country (sigh).

Woodworking

2008-05-12T11:01:00.004-04:00

I have always enjoyed working with wood and the farmhouse move has sealed the deal! Woodworking is now an official added activity to my growing list of hobbies and interests. I have taken almost every piece of old wood furniture Mitch and I own and have brought it to the basement before it even gets to enjoy being in the farmhouse. I have painted a few things, fixed a few things, sanded everything, stained and re-stained some things, and mostly have varnished everything with my new favorite thing in the world - polyurethane.

Here are my Vermont Vibes Woodworking Tips:

1.) Reuse!!!! Buy the old furniture and fix it up! Get some little nails, a staple gun, and a screwdriver and tighten knobs, and sturdy up legs, backings, and other hardware depending on how it is made. I am a big fan of little nails. You may need a saw and some old wood scraps to add support pieces especially to dressers and bookshelves.

2.) Recycle!!! DO NOT go to hardware stores and buy wood unless absolutely necessary (this is more for if you need specific 2 X 4's to secure to wall studs to hang the cabinet stuff). Find jobsite recycling locations and check out places like Recycle North's Building Materials Center. I get everything there - from kitchen cabinets to light fixtures to floorboards.

3.) Rework!!! Determine of the piece of furniture you want to refinish needs paint, stain, or varnish. This is how I do it:
~ If the item is already painted, then I find a cool way to repaint it. I like working with brown paint and sponges to make an antique look of my own. I also like painting in color and then accenting by adding stenciling.
~ If the item is already stained a dark color and is pretty nasty or if the item is unfinished with no stain, varnish, or smoothness to it, I like to stain it with a stain/polyurethane in one. I usually opt for dark colors to hide old flaws and to give it a rich look.
~ If the item is a lighter colored wood and has some dings in it and just looks tired, varnish is the way to go. This is just using a polyurethane (I use oil based, satin) to shine it up and give it new life and a happy wood furniture gleam. This is my favorite!
~ Never paint on wood that isn't already painted - shame on you!

4.) The Process!!! It is a process, so plan ahead! Once you fix up the furniture, clean it with wood cleaner - I often use regular furniture polish. Then you must sand. Get a variety of sandpaper. I use lighter grades that aren't too coarse, although your first sanding should be the coarsest. Sand away as you see fit. I find sanding to be an art with the goal being to make the surface smooth for the staining. Make sure you have brushes that can be used for staining. I keep staining brushes and paint brushes separate. And have oil based paint thinner for when the project is done. If you don't clean brushes right away they are ruined.

5.) Finishing or Continuing??? Unless I am doing a quick fix-it job on adding varnish to an already almost done piece of furniture, I always so a second coat and sometimes a third. The key is to sand lightly between coats so you don't get the bubble look.

I am working on getting some pictures of my actual work, but the moving process is taking over in all life departments right now! But, my furniture is sure looking HOT!!!

Spring Break!

2008-04-28T20:09:00.005-04:00

Ok, I have to take a break from moving, talking about moving, and trying to get all the great pictures The Mitch is taking on the camera and figuring which computer is where, is hooked up to what, and where the correct wires are to be able to share with my readers! I think moving home and Vermont public relations firm, Rachel Carter PR, is reason enough to break from blogging, but now that I have a readership and have started creating the Vermont Vibes buzz, I simply cannot stop!

First, thanks to all letting me make the transition from Vibing around Vermont to Vibing around the farm and community of Charlotte. (I don't think Charlotters know what they're in for letting me move to the country.) But with the stupidly horrible prices of gas and everything else, even my fuel efficient Vibe cannot afford to Vibe around Vermont right now. While this is bad news for small Vermont towns who benefit from Vibing escapades, this is excellent news for hardware stores and Vermonters looking to sell stuff.

While the farmhouse pictures lately have been gorgeous, the work plentiful, and my fabulous Vermont hippie farmer outfits sensational (last weekend I went to Ace Hardware dressed as a pirate farmer and got skilled in cementing and brick work), these stories must wait for the photos! So, here are some of the latest tips from the Vermont Viber!

1.) Stay home this summer and work on your house - save money from traveling to find ways to make your home more cost effective in the winter, create a garden to grow your own veggies and corn of course so you can fuel your electric razor while causing food prices to soar because the corn is now too expensive for the farmers. Jeesh.

2.) Stalk Craigs List like a tweeny bopper stalks pimply boys at the mall (EW! - whatever, you know you all did it). I have so far found and bought dry wall, a wooden microwave cart, an office chair, a bamboo cabinet and continue to scour for a futon mattress, a dresser, and an entertainment center.

3.) Wear funny costumes to Ace Hardware and ask lots of questions.

4.) Make sweater sleeves into leg warmers like the Healthy Hippie!

5.) Create a music room or area in your house, collect old instruments, and have friends over for local food, drink, and merriment.

6.) Fix up your older wood furniture. Sanding and staining is one of my best secret house skills! Tips to come soon!

7.) Join your local Front Porch Forum, say hi to your neighbors, and get neighborly! Make some sun tea (tea bags in a growler bottle sitting in the sun all day, add some maple sugar, brown sugar, or raw sugar to sweeten) and invite folks to hang out - you'll be surprised at the positive vibes you spread!! (I plan to do this in the coming weeks, once the wasps nests are gone.)

For everyone's spring enjoyment, here are some of my favorites from over the past few years - love and light!

Sneaky post by the Mitch

2008-04-22T18:53:00.002-04:00

Ooooo! It is a rare chance that Rachel is away from her computer, so I am taking this opportunity to speak about my moving experience! As you all know, we have scored a great place in Charlotte. It is definately a change and I am sure it will bring many adventures. I am so excited to move out there with Rachel and start creating some awesome memories. Let me tell ya though, that Rachel, she sure runs her own moving gamet!!! Its been awesome and fun, and has had its share of stresses. I recently discovered that renting a moving truck in the middle of the week is not such a great idea after all. Have any of you out there ever tried that one? Moving tip # 1: Don't rent moving truck for a weekday! Even though this may seem easier than on the weekend, nobody is around. I know, I know, this may be a no brainer, but hey, I learn through the school of hard knocks. Moving tip # 2: When moving with signifigant others, keep in mind that moving is stessful. Attitudes may flare, tempers may soar, and some good old fashion expletives may be thrown your way. But in the end, you are moving with the one person who loves you most and the hot red attitude has nothing to do with you. Alright, one more tip before Rachel gets back: Always appreciate the amount of work that is being done when moving. It is a daunting task and we can be overwhelmed easily. Take it day by day, enjoy the progress, and love your new dwelling! Peace, the Mitch

Weekend Life in the New Hood

2008-04-14T16:52:00.016-04:00

The past two weekends Mitch and I have been, MitchaRachia - Housecleaner Extraordinaries. With the help of part time Viber, The Face, we have done the following (I feel in regards to nasty cleaning and repair activities people are allowed to brag without being accused of hubris):
- Moved all nasty old crap that wasn't ours out of the house
- Swept floor, walls, and ceiling of basement (luckily all spiders were still dead from the winter- Organized all tools and supplies and moved in lots of our basement stuff
- Investigated the property and attic spaces and discovered many things to give us permanent heebie jeebies
- Decided The Face needs to move next door

- Cleared away yard crap cluttering our space (I am so anti lawn clutter, it isn't even funny - I think it screams white trash and the wasp in me cannot handle it.)
- Swept all porch floors, walls, and ceilings (note: an entire trash bag could have been filled with the dead wasp, hornet, and yellow jackets nests) and while we only encountered two yellow jackets (probably scouting for places to be gross this summer) the heebie jeebies continued
- Brought cats out to explore new home, saw one mouse, cats ignored- Cleaned all windows which are double sided doors
- Moved rest of basement and porch stuff
- Cleaned entire inside of house from floorboards to behind toilet to inside drawers to under stove. I do not mess around. Mitch was exceptionally good natured about the business and has earned himself a free year of never having to clean the toilet and a lifetime guarantee of never having the position of the toilet seat cover mentioned in his presence.
- Oh, yes, and we used wood filler on all wood counters, sanded them, and stained them with a top coat oil based gloss
- And....we shop vacced flies daily, left a bomb for them, and have en entire shelf dedicated to our arsenal of bug killing supplies and mechanisms.

I was going to then talk about our neighbors and town and whatnot, but I think that will wait for another post. Just re-reading this has exhausted me once again. I also hope my black boogers are gone. Ew.

Goodbye Queen City

2008-04-07T19:58:00.004-04:00

I have been wishing upon stars my entire life. For as many that haven't come true, I must say that many have. It ebbs and flows. I think wishing is like many think of talking to a religious figure or speaking to the universal life force in the woods. And it wasn't until I combined the wishing with the universal life force that I was really able to start to manifest my life. While not a religious person, I am deeply spiritual. Forrest Gump sums it up best for me:

"I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I think maybe it's both. Maybe both is happening at the same time."

While I may have wished for things, it wasn't until I was able to connect my wishes with the greater universe and how my wishes affect others when I was really able to begin manifesting my destiny. It's sort of like praying for others - you cannot just wish on behalf of yourself.

I have been making the preparations all along - being studious and like a sponge as a child, being humbled and humiliated as a tween (before they were called tweens), being motivated in my teens, balancing study with party in college, being wild and crazy and free in my 20's while also slowly pushing through the beginning steps of making a career - with much of the time being angry that I couldn't get to the next step...the step of having a partner and making a home and having a fulfilling career. When the wishing got past myself and started involving others, when I was able to look more and more at the larger picture than the right now, and when I had successfully made it through my Saturn Return, it started to happen.

My Vermont public relations agency, Rachel Carter PR, is a fascinating and evolving business lifestyle I created with my wit, perseverance, and all experiences that came before it. The love of my life, Mitch, is a miraculous being who blessed my life at the perfect time and truly made it all worth waiting for. My friends - while many simmering in their own lives on the back burner - are always there with their sweet aromas and like wishes, ebb and flow when our times for each other are manifested. My family, a rock solid backbone of consistent, fair, and unyielding love and support, are the stuff of a fantastic movie. My cats, well, they are the little beasts for which my heart purrs. And my growing crop of business associates - wow! - am I thankful for how much I am learning and the friendships I am making!

With all of this said, I would like to announce that an insurmountable event has occurred! After just about 8 years living in Burlington, I am finally leaving and moving to the country, where my roots are firmly planted in the ground and have been waiting for me to rejoin them for the manifestation of the rest of my life. Mitch, Fee, Tela and myself are moving to Charlotte in the cow pastured and farm dotted countryside neighborhood of Prindle Corners. We are moving into a three story, farmhouse "condo." (if you want further explanation of what this means, you will only learn by coming to visit)

For those outside of Vermont reading this lengthy, yet deeply heartfelt and necessary post, this is only a half hour south of Burlington, so you can still easily drive and fly here, although I am on a dead end dirt road. It is also on 500 acres of farmland with porches, decks, views, the right wind angle to keep the cow poo smell away, and within a 5 minute drive to river canoeing, fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, and all things fun on the southern part of Lake Champlain. There is even a ferry.

My Vermont Vibes will now take a turn. As I will not be traveling all over Vermont as much this summer, I will be fulfilling my destiny as a true Vermonter and will be sharing my humorous tales of bug killing, Fee and Tela mouse adventures, gardening, composting, weeding, canoeing, fishing, old house fixing up tips, being a localvore, and becoming a bustling little member of a community, oh, and hopefully becoming friends with people with boats so I can tell the tales of searching for Champ (he's the Lake Champlain lake monster and I am pretty sure he lives in this part of Lake Champlain.) Oh, and don't forget about the ghost stories - those have already begun!

There will be much more on our new home which has been named: MitchaRachia where "in the farmhouse things will be alright." (Thanks Trey.) But, for now, please enjoy the first set of pictures (taken on measuring day)! And for those who want to keep updated, please subscribe - posts are weekly!!!

Love and Light!!!

Sunday Vibing

2008-03-31T13:28:00.009-04:00

I took my own advice from my last post and did indeed make my way to Cafe Provence in Brandon for Easter brunch. What a cool place! I first noticed was how much light there was and how amicably decorated it was to take advantage of all the light. And the brunch was just as I envisioned. No eggs benedict - my favorite - but no complaining because I tried new items to tantalize my tastebuds - shrimp puffs, seafood salad, and delicate ham and salmon bits. I enjoyed old friends as well such as scalloped potatoes and pate!!! Mitch was quite grossed out by my liking pate, but even more distressed by the seafood salad - there were octopus bits in it! For fun, I rested one on the side of my plate to stare at him most of the meal. I think the waitress thought we were strange, but she was super nice anyway!

After brunch we decided to take a walk in downtown Brandon and enjoy some of the third installment of Art in the Snow, a creative way to get folks to enjoy this artsy town when cabin fever strikes. A little too artsy for us hippies, but we enjoyed getting cultured in a small Vermont town. We browsed in 4 Conant Interiors - talk about uberly swanky!!! Great interior art/furniture pieces for you Vermont second home owners. Great ideas for us Gen Xers to recreate while second hand shopping. Then we headed into the Brandon Artists Guild and greatly enjoyed the varied paintings and wall art by Vermont artists. I was psyched to see pal Kimberlee Forney's work being highlighted and got really interested in Mike Mayone's paintings - I think I need some!

While the sun was glorious this Easter Sunday, it was windy and cold, so we parted ways with Brandon and vibed back north on backroads of course through the Green Mountain National Forest. We couldn't see any signs of spring yet, but for some reason our skiing vibes are diminishing and our spring life vibes are clawing to get out from under our itchy skin (well, Mitch's skin is itchier than mine because he doesn't lavish in spa time as much as I). This is due to the big surprise that I said I would unveil, and I lied! No, I didn't lie, I just wanted to get this post in first. But, stay tuned - next one is a biggie!!!!!!

And in the meantime, go do some maple surgarin' while the sap flows - you want to go when it gets below freezing the night before, but up in the 40's when you vibe around. Check out www.vtmaple.org for more info. (Tip: You can still go vibing without a Vibe, it's all about the energy!)

Vermont Vibing, Carter Roots

2008-03-21T19:14:00.004-04:00

My awesomely fantastic cousin, Rebecca, came to visit last weekend for a 24 hour stint in Vermont Vibing. Arriving at the Burlington International Airport in the early evening hours last Friday, I vibed over to get her and her lack of airport lost luggage - figures. An art professor down in the gas guzzling nation of Texas, my definitely heady-yet-more-indy cuz is in Vermont doing an artist residency at Johnson State College. We snatched up The Mitch at my place and headed where you take out-of-towners for Vermont goodness (but I never eat at otherwise), American Flatbread, followed by a lack-of-live-music Radio Bean (har-humph). But none of this mattered, because this was a night of conversation and yummy beer!

The next morning I made Rebecca Eggs-A-Vibe (see recipe in earlier post please) and we made our way out on a most authentic of Vermont Vibes adventures. Our first stop is top-secret and while Rebecca was the very first to visit, this secret will not be unveiled until the next post! From the top-secret Vibes locale, we cruised through Waterbury and stopped for a brief visit at the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Waterbury Station - a little pit stop I have never been to before and highly recommend for those traversing through the Waterbury area. From there we viberized (ooo, a new one!) into Montpelier for a water bottle and outdoor gear drooling at Onion River Sports.

We then joined our waspism forces of the Carter variety and vibed towards a place so dear to our hearts. Unfortunately we did not take any pictures, but this one of Caspian Lake pretty much sums it up.

We took Route 12 to get there and enjoyed views of Lake Elmore where people are still hanging out on the ice (this scares the crap out of me). We took some time to hang out in Hardwick and poke around the Buffalo Mountain Co-op followed by a yummy localvore meal at The Village Restaurant across from the co-op (couldn't find a good weblink for them, but it was good - and open in the mid-afternoon!).

Then we got to visit my aunt and uncle's cottage in Greensboro for Rebecca to gear up on cross country skis and yoga mats for her late winter jaunt in Vermont. And the marvelous day ended with me getting to pretend to be an art student at Rebecca's orientation meal at Johnson State - even in my hippie/VT flannel get-up, they thought I belonged.

What a truly remarkable day to reconnect with family, bond over many similarities, and chuckle at the simple things in life. Rebecca - I look forward to more positive vibes and here is a picture to maybe use in your artwork!!!

Where to Go for Easter Brunch

2008-03-13T12:08:00.007-04:00

I think going to a Vermont restaurant for an Easter brunch buffet is one of the best ways to spend Easter Sunday. Of course, it's nicer when Easter is in April and the Sunday drive can actually include seeing a few buds popping out of the Earth, but regardless, the glorious arrays of Easter brunch displays around Vermont are worth an excursion in their own right. And who cares if you don't celebrate Easter or not - to me it's a feast to encourage spring and the delight that comes with the rebirth of the Earth.

I don't think it's a buffet, but Mary's Restaurant at the Inn at Baldwin Creek in the sweet village of Bristol, offers an Easter Brunch with all the classic delicious dishes that make Easter Brunch so decadent - Crab Cakes and Eggs, Maple Glazed Ham, Stuffed French Toast - mmmm. Brunch is from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and ranges from $16-$30.

If you really want to step it up a notch and don your best Easter attire (which in Vermont doesn't mean a floral dress and sandles), head over to Stoweflake for a whopping $45 brunch buffet in the glamor capital of Vermont - Stowe. But, seriously, when the display includes Smoked Fish Display with Appropriate Garniture and Fresh Sliced Fruit Presentation with Fruit Salad Watermelon Ship, can you really complain about the price? I think not, especially when the display also includes Grilled Chicken Tournedo with Sweet Pea Puree and Caramelized Vidalia Onions and Crab-Stuffed Sole with a Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. If there was ever a time to eat like a tourist, Easter is it! The Stoweflake Brunch is served from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

In the unspoiled village of Brandon, Cafe Provence is calling my name to switch Easter brunch traditions this year - and I just might. The menu selection for the brunch buffet is uberly extensive and has all the items I love for my Easter pallet - there's a Cold Salad Buffet (with pate!!), a Carving Station, an Omelet Station, a Hot Buffet, and a Dessert Station. The price is $26.95 and there are three sittings - at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 2:00 pm.

For those looking to head into the historic town of Middlebury, the Waybury Inn offers perhaps the most traditional brunch buffet of the bunch. For $26.75, the Waybury Inn's Easter Brunch Buffet features various Tea Sandwiches, Oysters in a Half Shell, Atlantic Salmon, and one of the desserts is even a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup with Cadbury Eggs! Easter Brunch is served from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Of course, the brunch I would really like to go to is the farthest away. The Arlington Inn, down in Southeastern Vermont near Bennington and Manchester, offers a vast display for Easter Brunch featuring pate and smoked meat plates, rainbow trout, crepes. While the brunch certainly seems as delicious as the others, it is the stately Greek Revival mansion that is home to the Arlington Inn on historic Route 7A that really calls my name. Brunch at the Arlington Inn is $23.95 and is served from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Enjoy the brunch you choose and don't forget to check other other cool Vermont Vibes in the area - a great way to search can be found at www.vermontvacation.com.

Vermont Cats

2008-03-06T16:42:00.007-05:00

I am feeling kooky today. Maybe it is because I leave in one day to see two nights of my favorite band, moe. Perhaps it's because my big, bad birthday is in less than a week. Perhaps it's because my usually hanging out office cats are being upstairs non-hanging out cats which is not good for a crazy cat lady since cats are what makes us sane. I think it's really because I wanted to post a few pictures of my sweet little loves - Fee and Tela - the source of purrsitive vibes all the time (even when they're upstairs).

And since my cats are really not of interest to Vermont Vibes readers, I thought I would force you to look at them followed by some cat related news and links in Vermont.
Ok, thanks. So, besides, UVM sports teams being the Catamounts, UVM is also home to two A Capella singing groups, which are really good! The Cat's Meow is the women's group and the Top Cats is the men's. Check out their sites and catch a performance!

Affectionately Cats is from what I hear to be the best all cat animal hospital. Mine like to flirt with little pooches so we go to a co-breed vet.

Vermont Fancy Felines are the group who holds the Vermont Cat Show in January every year. Fee has been in that and has three first place ribbons in the household cat category!

Snowcats are uberliciosly heady snow vehicles that all Vermont Vibers should be familiar with and attempt to ride on one day.

And last, but probably of most interest, is the semi-famous My Himalayan Cat Goma Blog. It is imperative that you check this out. The Stuck In Vermont videoblog has a fantastic interview to give you a flavor of Vermont's best feline fun. When I finally hold a cat play group, I am so inviting Goma and Sachie!

Cure Cabin Fever with Vermont Vibes!

2008-02-26T14:58:00.012-05:00

Don't ski? Sick of watching movies? Vermont Vibes can be created at home and in your backyard (or a nearby backyard).

Spend an afternoon in your sunny kitchen, followed by a stroll in the woods, and completed with a spa night at the movies!

This past Sunday, myself and the elusive Mitch skipped skiing, slept late, and proceeded to make an affair out of breakfast. We combined a variety of tasty teas to be one gigantic herbal infusion, turned on some global tunes to keep us feeling warm, lit some lavender and lilac candles, and made one colorful and zesty breakfast!

Viber-Tots:

~ small cut potatoes (microwave on high for 3 minutes first - cuts down on boiling time and is more energy efficient than cooking on the stove)
~ finely chopped peppers of all colors!
~ finely chopped onions of all colors!
~ lots of spices - onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper powder, paprika, salt, pepper, etc.
Add ingredients in this order to frying pan with some olive oil in it and saute 'em up! While they're cookin' on low heat (with occasional stirrin') make the following...

Eggs-a-Vibe:

~ eggs (preferably cage free!)
~ Vermont milk (I prefer Booth Brothers)
~ some of the same veggies as above, but add in mushrooms and tomatoes as well
~ shredded Cabot sharp cheddar cheese
~ same spices, maybe toned down a tad
Beat eggs and spices, then add milk (enough to make it a lighter yellow, but keep the thick consistency), saute onions, peppers, and mushrooms in some olive oil based cooking spray in frying pan, then pour in eggs and scramble baby - don't stop - that's how they come out best! When they are one consistency, but still soupy, sprinkle on some cheese and add the tomatoes, stir until cheese and eggs become one, and don't worry about the tomatoes.

After such yumminess, take a winter walk. We weren't in the mood for a full snowshoe, but wanted some fresh air. Bike paths are great winter places for walks because for the most part, they are clear enough to walk along without need for snowshoes. We headed over to the South Burlington Bike Path in the neighborhood we really want to find an apartment in and walked along the path, took some detours for tree love and energy stretches in the woods, and definitely felt re-vibed afterwards!
Then we headed back for the typical Sunday night movie night - with a citrus twist! We used some fun citrus scented foot products and soaked our feet in bath salts and foot spa bath gel during more herbal tea infusions while watching a movie (Across the Universe - soooooooo good!). We scrubbed with some foot scrub using loofahs, soaked some more, and followed up with several doses of cooling citrus foot spray and then finally some moisturizer. Finding foot spa stuff or making your own is an entirely different post, but starting a collection is a must do on any Vermont Viber's list!

Happy Mid-Winter Vibes Everyone!!!