A Bleary-Eyed Monday Morning Update

American Bald Eagle at VINS

Yes, this is a deja vu post. I went back to Vermont. Hee hee! My husband and kids were jealous I went last weekend with my mother, so we all went this time. We added a couple of extra fun outings...including VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science) to see the raptors. My favorites were the snowy owl and great grey owl. The kids loved this American Eagle--he's missing half of a wing... :^(

We also made it to FH Gillingham and Sons General Store in Woodstock, VT. It's an incredible old-timey general store (been around since 1886) that has an eclectic mix of stuff--from toys to wine to kitchen wares to a hilarious selection of beers from around the world. 

Gillinghams in Woodstock, VT

Super quickie reading update:

I read Seducing Cinderella by Gina Maxwell, which was a cute, sexy erotic story I would definitely recommend. I gave it 4 stars.

I also read More Than One Night by Sarah Mayberry which I LOVED. Gave it 5 stars. It's a terrific Harly about an unplanned pregnancy (of course!) but it's not your average, generic Harly. The story was surprisingly sweet and emotional and genuine. I may have teared up at the end, but since there's no photographic evidence, I'll never admit it!

Next up: Recommended on the Ami boards, Still Life by Louise Penny is supposed to be a fabulous mystery/romance, and I can't wait to start this series. Folks were gushing about how great it is.

Two and a half weeks until school starts. ACK! My to-do list is cray cray, so regular blogging will still be on hiatus until the fall.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week,

Penelope

I Left My Heart In White River Junction, Vermont

I know. That doesn't sound as romantic as "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" but nevertheless, that is where my heart lies.

I lived in Vermont for 5 years. Five wonderful years. Vermont and I are like chocolate and peanut butter. Like martinis and olives. Like Hugh Jackman and beards.

I love Vermont.

❤❤❤ PENNY + VERMONT = LOVE 4-EVAH ❤❤❤

Here's a run-down of some stuff I did with my mom this past weekend.....

1. On the way up to Hanover, my mom and I stopped at Peter Christian's Tavern for lunch. It's an adorable spot in New London. Many moons ago, I was a teacher at Proctor Academy which is down the road in Andover, NH. I fell in love with New London. It is a sweet and charming town. Love it!

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2. Mom and I arrived at the Hanover Inn in Hanover, NH (where Dartmouth College is located). The inn just had a huge renovation and was looking very modern inside, in spite of its still traditional facade. Folks like to hang out in the rockers and check out the Dartmouth Green. It's a lovely hotel.

Super cute mom!

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3. Next up: King Arthur Flour! This is an amazing spot in Norwich, VT which houses a cafe, huge kitchen where you can take classes, and a wonderful shop. It's a cook's dream-come-true. My mom and I did some serious damage at this store. Yeeee hawwww! :^)

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4. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at my very favorite general store in all of the universe....Dan and Whit's in Norwich, Vermont. Their logo is "If we don't have it, you don't need it." Hee hee! And this is crazy true. This store has EVERYTHING. It is insane. And awesome. And I miss it like crazy. :^(

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5. In a pouring rainstorm, Mom and I headed over to Simon Pearce Restaurant for dinner. We got the premiere spot looking over the waterfall. Sweet! Unfortunately, the covered bridge is still under repairs after the horrible flooding problem they had this past spring. But Mom and I enjoyed sipping our glasses of wine while watching the beautiful falls.

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6. The next morning we got a quick breakfast at King Arthur Cafe, and then headed over to my favorite shopping extravaganza EVER! The Quechee Gorge Antique Mall. OH MY GOD! Two stories of millions of antiques. Millions! Ga-zillions! IT IS FABULOUS! Glassware, old tools, linens, toys, jewelry, china. Holy Macarena. I could spend 15 straight hours in there and it just wouldn't be enough. One of my collections is antique planters: I have McCoy, Majolica, and lots of others. On this trip I found a S. Ballard Vermont planter, McCoy bulb dish which is very cool, another nice green pot, and a lovely Crown Staffordshire China basket-weave dish with sweet flowers on it. 

SQUEE!

And then it was time to return home. Oh, Vermont, how I miss you! BOO HOO HOO!

I have a lot of stuff to do this week. Edits on Lumberjack--it's almost ready for publication. Yikes! And Natty is doing a 1980s dance number at camp on Thursday--to Madonna's Get Into The Groove. That should be....interesting. (I'll take pics!)

Hope everyone has a great week, 

Penelope

(To order a tote bag, T-shirt or bumper sticker with the cute logo at the top of this post--The Greenest Place on Earth--head over to the Vermont Clothing Company!)