woodstock weekend

So, last Saturday, Colin took me to Woodstock, Vermont for a little birthday weekend getaway. We checked into the Woodstock Inn right in the middle of town. It's an amazing old hotel with a huge fireplace in the lobby. Our room was very nice with a big cushy bed and marble tile in the bathroom.





We decided to take a walk around town before dinner to explore a bit. But it was past 5 and I guess that's when things close down there. So we headed back to the hotel and got a drink at the bar instead.


We had dinner reservations at the Simon Pearce restaurant in Queechee. They sat us in a little nook right by the window overlooking the water fall. The meal was amazing and they served everything in their gorgeous glassware and pottery. We ordered appetizers, salad and dinner. We ordered a bottle of Abbot's Table.


And even though we were both totally stuffed, Colin made me order dessert too. So I ordered creme brulee thinking I could handle it, but it was GARGANTUAN! I couldn't finish mine, but Colin ate the whole thing. The sugar crust was perfect.




The next day we went back to Simon Pearce to watch some glass blowing in action. It took two men and several minutes to make just one goblet. Amazing. We have a new appreciation for their pieces. It's like drinking out of a one-of-a-kind piece of art.


On the way home, we decided to stop by Stowe to get in some sunny snowboarding on their last day of the season. The snow was soft and cushy, the sun was warm and bright. We took a couple of runs and headed home. It was a fabulous birthday weekend.

29

That is my number now. I'm totally cool with it. I like how it feels. Not so hyped up as birthdays past, but real and genuine and reliable. Maybe that's why yesterday was so great. I didn't hype it up, I didn't have unruly expectations. But Colin and I both took the day off work and that in itself was amazing.

We slept in (till 10!)—that never ever happens. We drank coffee in bed. We got up slowly and got ready to go into town. It was sunny and in the 60s—that also never happens on my birthday. My parents had arrived in town and we met for lunch at Magnolia, our new favorite brunch/lunch spot. Kevin and Sapphire joined us too (Emi was working).

My birthday lunch: coconut oatmeal pancakes with maple syrup and homemade strawberry jam and my first iced coffee of the season. Oh boy, it was good! I can't remember what everybody else got but they all enjoyed it. Sapphie was very well behaved and in very good spirits. She let us all hold her and pass her around and just kept giggling and cooing like a good little girl! Mummy and Colin were trying to stick spoons on their noses. Mummy finally got it. Then I said, "Mummy, What would Granny say to this behavior?" And she put her spoon down.




After lunch, we walked around a bit and did some shopping. Then we went home to rest up for dinner at our favorite Trattoria Delia. Mummy and Papa treated us all to a lovely birthday dinner there. I got what I always get: wood-grilled smoked mozzarella on a bed of arugula, grilled tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini. Then for dinner the orecchiette with fried tomato sauce. Nobody got dessert—we were all so full! But we did finish off with some espressos and cappuccinos. Em and Kev gave me a birthday present: an adorable little jersey dress with bell sleeves and a funky peacock print on the front. I think I might wear it tonight! More on that later... Here are some pictures from dinner. You wouldn't know it from the pics, but Colin and Sapphire were there too. Col was behind the camera and Sapphie was sleeping like the little angel she is in her carrier.






Now it's Saturday (love long weekends!) and we're getting ready to go to the farmers' market. Then Col and I are heading out of town for a romantic getaway—first to dinner at the Simon Pearce restaurant in Queechee, then for an overnight stay at the Woodstock Inn. What a lucky girl I am!

day 2 & still running

So, apparently Kev doesn't think I'm a runner anymore. I'll show you! Got home from work tonight and it was so nice out. Still, I was armed with a gazillion reasons why I should not go running: I'm tired, shouldn't overdo it on the first week, better let my legs rest, I'm hungry, I have to make dinner, go grocery shopping, vacuum the house... Yet, despite all these murmurings in my head, I decided to hit the pavement. Same hill, different street. It was hard, but I feel like my lungs and legs are already getting stronger.

After my run, I really was hungry. But I still had to go to the grocery store and get some food. So I decided to go in my running clothes (gasp!). I had a sweatshirt on, so I put the hood up so no one would recognize me. But as I was walking down the block, I saw Mary, our old landlord drive by and pull up at stop light a few yards away. I ran over and waved and yelled hello.

She was with her two awesome kids, Peter and Sarah. They were all in a bit of a fright, because their pet ferret had just been electrocuted. But they brought him to the vet and he's going to be okay. Before I could ask how on earth he was electrocuted, the light turned green and they were off.

I took my sweet time at the grocery store. I just love wandering through the aisles when I'm by myself and buy all of the things that I don't get to buy when I'm with Col: pickled kimchi, tomatoes, avocados and lots of other fruits and vegetables, expensive skin products, curry cashews, fair trade vanilla, half & half in the glass jar... woah, wait, is that how I spent so much money??

Ran into some more friends at the store, hopped on home and then made these yummy chickpea burgers that I've been meaning to try for a long time. Sooo good! And quick too. When Col got home (he was hanging out with some friends) he had one for dinner too and requested that we have them at least once a week from now on. Okay!

run again

I went running today for the first time in a very long time. I got home from work and it was still light out. So I threw on some running clothes and my trusty old sneaks (I'm thinking I need some new ones by golly) and set out to get some much-needed exercise.

The Burlington golf course at the top of the hill hasn't opened yet, so I decided to run in that direction and take advantage of the beautiful paths there before we get kicked out for the summer.

Let me just say that the three blocks up the hill to Prospect Street are killer. And might I remind you that I haven't run in months?

Crisp April air iced my lungs, made it hurt to breathe even. And it was all I could do to keep my legs from giving out at the crest of Cliff Street. But somewhere, deep down in my innermost core, I dug up a tiny piece of will-power. I grabbed hold of it and used it to burst up and over the hill. My will grew stronger.

Before I knew it, I was on the golf course, jogging by a pair of beautiful ponds, one with a tall lone tree sitting on an island in the middle. The water rippled gently, casting bits of reflected sky this way and that like silvery leaves in the wind. (I've only ever seen the ponds in winter on a night snowshoe or snowboard excursion, lying dormant under the cold winter snow. What life they have come spring!) How lucky we are to have so much right outside our doorstep.

That sight alone gave me new energy and I sped along the path with ease. Before I knew it, I was back on the main road and running home. Feeling tired and winded and exhilarated. I stopped by Em and Kev's on the way home (they live right by the course). Emi gave me a cookie. Sapphire was being giggly and cute. After a while, I ran the rest of the way home.

Will I really keep this up? I hope so. A few years back, Em and I used to motivate ourselves by signing up for the Smokejack's 10k races in the fall. It would keep us running all summer, then by the time the race was over, we were so fit we just had to keep on going. Sadly, Smokejack's is no more, but I want to be that motivated again. I'm going to try. Anyone know of a good 10k in the fall?

full moon

Erratic would be a good word to describe the goings on of late. And unsettled. This week has felt like a brief staccato movement in a large composition. It came from nowhere. But it must have come from somewhere. And just as quickly as it came to life, so too shall it fade and life might possibly resume its normal course. Possibly.

It's a full moon tonight. They say that the moon has an effect on things. On people. Well, it's strong enough to move oceans. Why not little old me?

I think it's the moon, among other things.

We're driving down to Katonah tomorrow to spend the weekend with Col's family. We're really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to feeling settled again.

before and afters: foyer

We painted our entryway recently. It was a big change. The color is darker than we intended and took two whole coats of paint. It's still growing on us. But I love how it complements the blue in the den. Isaac asked us why we keep painting our walls. I think it warms up the dark wood trim and makes the rooms feel more cozy. We left the gray crown moulding as is, but maybe we'll paint it white eventually. Okay here are the pics.

Before:

After:

full

Friday night. First weekend in April. Drizzly. Full tummy.

Amanda and Ryan were here for dinner.

We talked about weddings.

And camping. And high school. I hate camping.

Amanda reminded me that I used to love camping. In the winter. In summer fields. In Island Pond in the lean-tos. In cars. In hunting cabins. In the back yard.

It's pretty much all we did growing up in the Northeast Kingdom. Camping.

Now all I want when I'm away from home is a nice hotel room with clean, crisp sheets and a big clean bath tub.

Go figure.