Lilacs

Today was one of those perfect rainy days that I hope I remember for a long time.

Shelburne Farms Walk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

When the weather gets warm, the family goes to Shelburne Farms. And even if Eva whines about long walks, her mother keeps her motivated.

My mom is turning 74 this Monday. How is this even possible? When I look at her I still see the tentative, happy face of a 7 year old. I am so glad to know her and so pleased to live close enough to see her often. Thankyouthankyouuniverse.

Bugs, Birthdays and Butterflies

This bug is inhabiting my new bathtub. He is over an inch long and has many legs. I think the activity in the basement (asbestos removal) has forced him from his dank abode. This bug and I will have to do some serious negotiating because I love baths.




Yesterday was my 34th birthday. The morning was dark and stormy but soon the sun was poking through the clouds.

Suzanne brought sushi and a cake. Molly brought a baseball bat and a swell card. My family brought themselves and good times.

I wish the mini-break would never end. Having no internet access, cell reception or DVD burners felt awfully good. Me and Harry Potty got real close.

I soaked up as much atmosphere (see pics here) as I could and then...POP...back to reality....and big scary bugs.

Still, there are nice butterflies who follow me down shady wooded paths so I guess it'll work out in the end...

History and Syrup are Stuck in Vermont

"In this time, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness."

— Opening monologue from the 1984 film Dune,

spoken by Virginia Madsen as Princess Irulan

Go to Stuck in Vermont to see two brand spanking new vlogs about Preservation Burlington's "A Date with History" at the Fleming Museum and the Maple Open House Weekend at Shelburne Farms.

But I warn you, you cannot watch the sugaring video without hungering for maple syrup or something sweet. After editing this vlog late last night, I was CRAVING pancakes and made some as soon as I woke up with some Grade A Dark Amber maple syrup. Mmm...truly the nectar of the Gods.

"He who controls the [maple syrup], controls the Universe!" Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Dune

Shelburne Farms Meander

It has been far too long since I took a stroll at Shelburne Farms. I can't even remember the last time. So this weekend, with the warm weather and the Maple Open House Weekend, it was the perfect time to indulge an aimless wander.

Being uber dorks, Dan and I snapped simultaneous pics with our own cameras (pguon) and took the long trail through to the inn. It is lucky we had on our mud boots cause that trail is sloppy. If we had gotten up just a little bit sooner, we might have made the 4-H Club's pancake breakfast. Mmmm...

We stopped for maple syrup shots on the way into the woods and on the way out. I think I downed about 4 shots total. Za za zing!

I talked to Mark the Sugarmaker for a long time about the complex and nuanced Art of Sugaring (you, too, can learn Sugaring 101 in the Stuck in Vermont vlog this week, coming out Wed).

For instance, did you know that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup? And did you know that sugarmakers stay up into the wee hours burning the sugar water down to maple suger and arguing about which grade of syrup tastes best?

After strolling, snapping, syruping and vlogging, we headed to Shelburne to soak up the bar atmosphere at The Bearded Frog. After all that walking, we had worked up quite an appetite and proceeded to gorge ourselves on Bloody Marys and cheeseburgers.

Oddly enough, this meal didn't seem to upset my tummy when I performed The Trojan Women hours later. In fact, it was poor Alex who had to rush off the stage to puke mid-show. I think it was the maple syrup that kept me together. That stuff is like nectar of the Gods.