Category: Uncategorized

Road Trip! Vermont

 A drizzly morning turned  into a wonderful day as we weaved along Vermont Route 30 and on into Manchester to do some land looking, leaf peeping and apple, cider and pie hunting.

  After a hearty breakfast at Cracker Barrel on I-91 in Massachusetts, we headed into Vermont via Route 30, stopping in Dummerston (oh, that beautiful covered bridge.. see previous post HERE).. While in town, we visited   Scott Farm.   I read an article in this month’s Yankee Magazine about an old  state owned 571 acre farm and orchard lovingly cared for and overseen by a fellow named Zeke Goodband  who believes in cherishing the heirloom gems of the past that few of us get to experience in todays mass produce world -(think your standard Red Delicious, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious).  100 years ago there were at least 100 other varieties of apple, all with distinct and unique flavors. 

The Hidden Rose variety was our pick for the day… 

 
Zeke makes this cider himself from all the varieties of apple on the farm.
We brought home two LARGE ball jars full – the limit for any one customer,
that’s how popular it is.  It is LIQUID GOLD, that kind of delicious.

 
The buildings all have a beautiful slate roof, the slate originally from Vermont
and a very popular affordable roof material back in the day. As you can see, they last
and survive the Vermont winters just fine… much like the hearty people of the land.
 
 


While we were at the farm buying some delicious jams, crisp tart Hidden Rose apples and the best apple cider you’ll ever know,  Zeke walked into the farm stand.  He’s easy to recognize with his gentle expression and long beard.  I was thrilled to meet him and told him I so enjoyed the recent article in Yankee Magazine.  He is a lovely, quiet,  gentle soul and  appeared embarrassed at the recognition.  The dedication and hard work year round it takes to do what he does, preserving these gems that for a while were all but abandoned, serves us all in an immeasurable way.  I wish there were 5,000 more like him.

photo of Zeke courtesy Yankee Magazine/Michael Piazza

   To read more about Zeke Goodband and the centuries old farm once owned and loved by Rudyard Kipling… article HERE.

  Next stop along Route 30 was the Heritage Fair in Newfane.  I’ve blogged on it before… the apple pies the church ladies make are divine, as is their corn and potato chowder. Crafters come from all over and their work is beautiful.  There is a charming house I am in love with, it’s right on Main Street and I’ve photographed it before.. but it’s worthy of another shot.   We also got to listen to the down-home folk music of The Bourbon Shuffle…   and there was some tractor lust.

 

   On to Manchester, an upscale Vermont town with many fine shops, dining, book stores, ski slopes such as Bromley and Stratton, … and some gorgeous mountain views.  We did some land searching just for the fun of it and found more than one spot we could fall in love with.

 See what I mean?   *sigh* 

Thanks for coming along for the ride –

 

Forgiving

   One of the toughest things we are asked to do in this life is to “forgive”.  It’s wonderful to hear stories of forgiveness, even of some of the most heinous crimes. We are so inspired by the people who have the grace to rise above the evil act to forge ahead without malice or ill will, but when it is asked of us individually, that row can be tough to hoe.  Anger and blame are eager to keep a firm grip on our ability to do so…. and don’t ever underestimate it’s power to hold you back from living your best life.   Did you know that many studies have shown that one of the keys to a long life and good health is a habit of gratitude and letting go of things that have hurt us instead of holding on to them?  

  I recently learned something about someone I love that initially really hurt me.  Anger and blame… yep, my first reactions. But as I sat with myself and this roiling boil of anger, if I’m being honest I have to remember that the person in question is a good soul in so many ways.  The issue itself was not an intentional wound inflicted on my being.. it was a typical thoughtless behavior when one is ‘caught up in the emotion of the moment’.   And you know… sometimes you might have contributed to the reasons the offense happened in the first place.  I’m not implying that’s always the case, but when it is…it’s hard to admit to oneself  that it might be truth.

   Then there is the judging which is ooh, so easy to do.  Have I been a model human being every step of the past 49 years?   Hell no.   Have I hurt others, even if it was unintentional?  Yep.   Most of the time, every fiber of my being wants to avoid -hurting- anything… but somehow I have managed now and again.   And there’s that feeling.. you probably know the one… of dragging around that weight of anger…. so damaging to your own self – it’s really just not worth it.

  I’m getting better at this forgiveness thing as I get older. And part of that process is forgiving myself for not being 100 percent of what I WANT to be made of 100 percent of the time.  We are human, we are imperfect, we all make mistakes.  The key is to learn and grow from them.  And to forgive when it’s possible, forget if you can… or at the very least.. acknowledge it, because you have to…. and then…. let it go.

  One of my favorite places to escape to unwind and throw my wounds to the wind is the ocean.

  I swear I was a mermaid in another life.

  
 

Restoration Revisited – Part 2 – the Take Down

 
 After the Vines and old shrubs and dying trees were removed… the house looked like this….
 
 
New foundation was built about 40 feet behind it because we really wanted to
get off the immediate roadside with kids and animals residing here, etc…
 
Then the painstaking work of taking down the house, saving it’s bones
and bits and pieces… thanks to the help of good friend and restoration
expert Jeff Klausen –
 
 

 
 

The old house rear view … with new foundation waiting….
 

 
Piecing her back together on the new foundation….

 
Before shot…
 
 
 
Same location now….
 
 
 
  So, you may notice that we added a dog leg to the original house…
See LARGE WINDOW area.
THAT house.. was also an 1830’s federal that was at the base of the Chester Airport
runway and the new owners of the airport wanted it gone.  Jeff took it down
 in 2005 and stored it for a while…then Mike and Jeff brainstormed to make that house
our family room and loft/pool/bar room.
 
Chester house before take down.
 

 
 
 
 
And I just had to share this with you… how much we age in five years.
Below is a picture of Ben and I during that same summer of 2009….
 
 
*sigh*
 
Time flies, friends.   Time flies.

The Restoration Revisited – Part 1

 This blog was originally set up to document a very special journey for us.. restoring This Old House from it’s decrepit state of existence about six years ago.  Now I kick myself when I think of how I deleted the whole blog after two years of documenting all the work that went into restoring this farm… all the neat finds, the choices, the people who helped us get it done.   All because of some creep who left stupid comments.

 ANYWAY…. What I will do for the next few weeks is revisit the re-do in my posts for those who have asked and want to see the before and afters.  From now on, these posts will be found under the label on the sidebar titled  Restoration. To see the house in it’s original state (actually after we cleared out all the tangled vines, etc.)… click on the – old-  picture on the side bar.

And here we go…

The Take down…

The big brown building was once a sculpture studio, apartment, dog kennel – (small building you see at the forefront), garage and turkey coop. We took it down after much consideration because it had no historical significance (wasn’t old enough) and was falling apart in ways that would be too costly to fix. We did rebuild a simpler structure that is now garage and gym.

The same view now…

Notice.. no barn on the hill yet.

The same view today…

This … is my kitchen.. before.  see the exposed beams?  Right back where they were and we left them exposed.  The window configuration had to change because of the cabinet design and the wall you see on the far right, closest to you.. is now gone. That was a very narrow staircase no longer needed once we restored the original stairway in the front hall.

Mike’s office fireplace – we saved all the stonework and mantle and put it back when complete.

The original house plastered the ceilings. We left the wood exposed when done..
in my opinion it lends a warmer feel to the interior all around.

My office.. before… again, mantle and stone re-used.

 ..and now…

This bathroom was not replaced. It  was over the original stairwell which was altered about 60 years ago and a small bathroom made downstairs instead of the stairway that was originally built for the house in 1835.  We restored it to it’s original design and the stairway was rebuilt by our restoration guru, Jeff.

 
This hallway is where the above bathroom used to be.
 
 
 
And this stairway (which is original design of house)
was a teeny tiny bathroom when we bought it
 
 
 
 

This is a shot of the main fireplace “hub” in the -keeping room- downstairs.. which is the main gathering spot in the house – the kitchen, seating and dining area.

 
 
 
Today…
 
 
 
The plumbing for this bathroom upstairs  was reconfigured to make two separate baths for the kids bedrooms  in the same location. Out of respect for their privacy I won’t post those pics.
 

 
 
 
The upstairs hallway as it was.. which is now a mini laundry area between the two bedrooms.

 More before and afters in my next post… Have a good day, all!

Just Do it

     I’m a worrier. Always have been.. as it always shall be.  Unless they come up with some miracle cure for worry, and then I’ll be first in line holding my hand extended out for that magic pill because oooh, wouldn’t it be nice not to worry.  My 93 year old neighbor across the street told me the secret to longevity is to try not worry too much.. what will be.. will be. One foot in front of the other, take it as it comes, and don’t imagine what isn’t even there.

 Sounds like a great plan!! Easier said than done, my friends.. easier said than done.

  Some months back I went for my yearly mammogram and thankfully “all appears normal”.  Then I got a notice in the mail from the radiology group that my boobs are “moderately dense”… and we’re not talking IQ here.  Because of this fact, they now recommend a follow up ultrasound because it can detect things a mammo can’t.       The notice said that it wasn’t an urgent matter, talk it over with my Dr. next time I had an appointment.    So I did discuss it at my yearly ob-gyn exam. My Dr. just happened to be recovering from breast cancer which was detected by ultrasound, NOT the mammogram, which appeared normal.  The same is true of my own mother, who is a breast cancer survivor of three years now.   Given the family history, I was advised to get the ultrasound along with the mammogram. 

*sigh*

 Another test to agonize over and procrastinate on and kick about in my ever worrying mind.  I finally got around to it, remembering the words of a dear blog friend, Vicky,  who is battling Stage Four breast cancer with a dignity and grace, courage and strength that amazes me every step of her journey.  She said.. I don’t think there are any regrets for tests taken… just regrets for tests -not- taken that could have prevented something worse.

 With that in mind and my own mother’s experience, I finally made the appointment and had the ultrasound exam.  I’m very relieved to report that all is well.  The technician was a lovely woman who explained the importance of getting both screenings done because neither detects all cancers, but both together are an excellent tool for early detection.

So.. if you’re told you have dense breast tissue, get the ultrasound as well.  So far, I believe statistics are that it’s only mandatory for the labs to notify you in 9 states. This year..Connecticut is among them.  Ask for yourself if you’re not notified.  Do I have dense breasts?  Can I also get an ultrasound? ….

 Ok, on to something more pleasant…

 Here are some images from my late summer/early fall garden … the leaves are beginning to change.. sugar maples among my favorite and the first to turn….

The Durham Fair Seasons of my Life

The first time I visited the Durham Fair I was a brand new Connecticut resident and college student.  It was also my first experience with large agricultural fairs.  Love at first sight for me…… the food! The animals! The rides! Crafts! Games! The Commercial tent! Live Music Entertainment!..and we’re talking some of the greats…  Loretta Lynn, 38 Special, Charlie Daniels, REO Speedwagon… KC and the Sunshine Bank, remember them?

A really cool fact –  Established in 1916, it’s one of the largest in New England and is still run entirely by a volunteer staff without paid management or employees.  Amazing.

As a young person the Durham Fair was exciting for it’s pick-up potential.. so many young folks hyped on the night time vibe at the fairgrounds. The bright lights of the rides, the crowd energy and the fantastic food smells were intoxicating.  Those who were not already coupled and engaged in  playing the games that might win their sweetheart a big stuffed animal were strutting and preening and showing off or standing together  peering shyly all around, hoping to be noticed.  Those were nights of excitement and  potential.   That was the “Spring” Fair season of my life.

These two Durham Fair images taken from internet – yes it really gets that crowded.
That’s just one of the main throughways.


I entered the Summer fair season when I began bringing my small children along. Oh, how their eyes lit up as the bright lights came into view.. especially that big beautiful ferris wheel that inspired both terror and delight.  The Food! The Animals! The Rides! The Games! Those big stuffed animals that Daddy might win  (or buy after 78 tries for ten times the actual cost of the thing).  Maneuvering a stroller and  young children through those crowds was a new challenge, but oh so worthy of the awe.

The Summer fair season started waining when my kids each turned 14 and wanted to go to the fair without the ‘rents.  WHAT???….  But.. but the Fair is for Family!   ..and I need to know where you ARE!  (insert hyperventilation here) and what about all the stories of the kids who bring alcohol or pot    … and what if they offer it to you  or  what if you get lost and what if … if .. if…   *sigh*.

*in all “Fair-ness” Durham Fair is well patroled by a  solid police presence and does a good job monitoring the kids activity.   

  Those first few years of – oh my God they’re out there all by themselves–  with 15 or 100  other friends or so, I dropped them off and picked them up and they had such a good time I was glad I got over myself and  let it happen.  The look on their faces was one of exhilaration and – youth un adulterated and uninhibited– Their giggles and laughs and gossip and jokes about what had transpired that night as we drove home were like little gold nuggets from the Fair just for me.

 I realized yesterday as my husband and I walked alone among the canned goods and produce displays  that we have indeed entered our Fall Fair Season. The kids still go to the Fair…. but now they drive themselves and their significant others. They meet  up with friends and are home at a respectful hour. They’ve started commenting on how Friday and Saturday nights are not the best time to go because – the crowds!  The Parking! … and it’s no longer uncool to be seen sometimes at the fair with the ‘rents.

 While I miss certain aspects of my previous Fair Seasons, this one is just as delightful in it’s own way and I’ll savor every bit of it.  Especially the FOOD! The Animals! The Craft Tent!    If you live within two hours drive of Durham, CT… I recommend you take a day trip…and stop by The Lions Club Hut for a corndog.. because man oh man,  they are ridiculously delicious . The Lime Rickeys just up the hill are awesome too and if you buy the green cup, you get a free refill throughout your visit.  It’s quite a trek around the fairgrounds, the hills are pretty steep. You’ll work up the appetite, believe it.

 
This type of chicken is called a “frizzle”.
I think I need  some frizzles in my coop. 
 

 

 
Is it Fair Season in your neck O’ the woods?  Do you have a favorite Fair Activity? Food?
Story? Share it in the comments section, I’d love to know.
 
 


   

It’s All About The Dogs

   Just weeks ago a bunch of us got together and said.. “hey, what more can we do for all those dogs out there who are sitting in shelters by the thousands?”   Well.. we can’t save them all, but no effort is wasted when you’re doing something good, so we banded together and having experience with it already, the first adoption event is shaping up in record time.  The site for the event was donated (a Christmas tree farm with a large barn – perfect!)  and we’re raising funds for the other expenses.  The rescues have pulled the dogs from kill shelters and they are now in quarantine, vetted, spayed or neutered if they weren’t already, being temperament tested and kid approved.

Some of the faces who will be attending the event, looking for their forever home….

 
 
 
This is our FB “face”…. if you are on FB and want to support our efforts,
like us  – Homeward Bound CT..

If you want to do even more, our t-shirts and mugs are now available
simply send us a message on FB with your request or e-mail itsallaboutthedogs2014@gmail.com
… all proceeds go to the dogs you see above plus about 40 more… and the efforts
to get them home.  Local people interested in adopting a dog can attend the Homeward Bound innaugural adoption event posted on the page – November  8th & 9th  at Hale Hill Tree Farm in Portland, CT.


 
 

Picking it up where you left it

 I envy all you folks out there who manage to keep yourself on a consistent fitness schedule regardless of how busy your life might be.  I am not one of those people.  It might have something to do with the fact that for about an hour each day I am doing physical work outside with the horses, chickens, etc shoveling manure, lugging water buckets, hay, raking and sweeping the isle. Or it might be my tendency toward procrastination.   I have learned not to beat myself up over the lapses in exercise.  It is what it is… and what it ISN’T is an excuse to  not pick it up again.

 So if you find yourself stopping and going like me… don’t let that STOP you from GOING again.  Pick it up when you can, and maybe even push yourself to do it.  It’s important for our mental and physical health, all of us.  For me, walking the dogs a few miles a day is what I stick with most successfully.  Choose what you like to do and you’ll be more likely to make it a habit. I know I’ll never be a gym rat (not that there’s anything wrong with it) . The  treadmills, stairmasters, elipticals, etc. resemble a hamster wheel to me.  Walking outdoors keeps my mind busy and the view in front of me everchanging.

Yesterday I took Ben and Frasier for a walk in the woods and it sure felt good.  Autumn is not yet here, but the crisp morning air and few scattered changing leaves tell us it’s just around the bend.  I’m looking forward to it.

 
 
 

  

 It’s a new day, all –  pick it up again!
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
 
 

Season Finale

 Our last horse show of the season came and went this weekend. Team KMax did very well and has won two awards in their division for the year.  Decisions for next year need to be made. Max will be 19 next Spring and our plan is to retire him to the farm, where he can relax and live the life of a “home” horse instead of the more rigorous role of a “show” horse. That’s all he’s known and he’s good at it, but I always feel they deserve a comfortable retirement after serving so many for so many years.  He’s had atleast five show owners and some of his life as been on the road.

  The question K debates is… should they do another year before Max retires, moving up to the next division?  The next level of competition takes more skill and while Max is awesome, he’s not as awesome (fancy, athletic) as many of those who will be riding in their classes. He’s very fit for his age and it’s important to keep them going to a certain extent, just like us.   So, would it be satisfying to ride just for their own personal goals but not place well, or would it be more frustrating after all?   We always say we’re all about the relationship between horse and rider, but honesty dictates that not placing well can be discouraging regardless. 

 We have time to figure it out.  Right now I am thankful for another successful, safe year for these two.

Team KMax getting their hair done….

 
 
Warm up in the ring before Classes start…

 
 
 
K with boyfriend D after a great ride in Western Pleasure
and a first place win.

 
It’s all good –