Welcome to Winter

Vermont's first major snowstorm of the season arrived late Tuesday night, and I realized this morning that I am woefully unprepared for winter. My snowtires are still sitting in the garage, I need a new pair of boots, and my winter gear is packed away somewhere in storage.

At least I got around to ordering some winter sweaters and outerwear for Phoebe last week. But otherwise, my prep for the season has been pitiful.

Still, it's nice to have some snow on the ground just as we get into the holiday season. The ski areas are gearing up as well. Stowe, Okemo, Sugarbush and Jay Peak are all opening this week. They join Killington, which opened in late October. You can find details and the latest conditions at www.skivermont.com.

Whether you're out on the mountain this weekend or spending time with loved ones at home, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

**Photo taken in Burlington on November 23, 2011.

An Underrated Season

How would you describe November? If you asked me that question 10 years ago, I would have told you that November was dark, dreadful and depressing. Right now we're in the middle of "Stick Season" in Vermont, when the leaves are mostly gone and the snow has yet to arrive.

I used to loathe this time of year, but now I love it.

Yes, the days are short and the weather turns cold in November. But there's something really beautiful about the stark landscape and contrast of colors that I never appreciated before. Now I embrace the fallen leaves, chilly air and bare trees.

My relatively new affection for November might also have to do with the wonderful, life-changing events that have happened to us during this particular month. Dave and I moved to Vermont in November 2006, and we learned in November 2010 that we were going to have a baby.

What will be special about November 2011? I'll always remember that we were home in Vermont, as a family, surrounded by beauty.


*Photos taken in Burlington, Vermont on November 12, 2011

Leaf-Peeping as a Local

Foliage on Bragg Hill in Fayston, Vermont.

Dave, Phoebe and I took a ride to Vermont's Mad River Valley on Saturday. We hadn't done much leaf-peeping this fall, so we were looking forward to enjoying some foliage over the weekend.

We traveled south on Route 100 and meandered along some back roads in Fayston and Warren. Eventually we made our way up to Sugarbush Resort ski area and sat outside to take in the scenery. The resort was packed with visitors who were either hiking, mountain biking, flying through the air on a Zipline, or just kicking back in the sunshine.

It felt wonderful to see so many visitors here for the weekend. Even better was knowing we were already home.

Dave and Phoebe in Warren Village over Columbus Day Weekend.

Finally, Motherhood

In July, Dave and I welcomed our daughter Phoebe into the world. We are so delighted to have her here with us, and we feel incredibly blessed. As many of you know, being able to have a child was a challenge for us. Needless to say, Phoebe was worth the wait.

We recently traveled to Manchester to visit my mother and spent some time walking around Equinox Pond with Phoebe. The pond is one of my favorite places on Earth. When I carried Phoebe in her new Baby Bjorn around the water's edge, I whispered to her how much this place means to me.

Someday I hope she loves it as much as I do.

**With Dave and Phoebe at Equinox Pond in Manchester, Vermont.

Scenes from Manchester Village

First Congregational Church

Village flower garden

Courthouse in Manchester Village

Equinox Resort & Spa

**If You Go: Map

The Village Green in Weston

When you live in Vermont, it can be easy to take the classic village green for granted. From Craftsbury to Chester, there are dozens of village greens across the state. Still, they all have a unique feel and wonderful sense of place.

One of my favorites is the Weston Village Green along Route 100. The entire village of Weston is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Weston Village Green is the heart of this idyllic Vermont community.

Near the village green are the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, the Vermont Country Store and historic homes. Located in the center of the village green is a small gazebo that I always love to see.

Maybe it's easy to take village greens for granted. You've seen one, you've seen them all, right? I don't think so. For many of us, it's hard to grow tired of timeless, scenic and peaceful places.

**If You Go: Weston, Vermont
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company
The Vermont Country Store
Map

Chiselville Covered Bridge

The Chiselville Bridge, built in 1870, spans the Roaring Branch on Sunderland Hill Road in Sunderland. Vermont has about 100 covered bridges, and this Bennington County bridge is one that I always remember in particular.

It must be the sign at the entrance: "One Dollar Fine For Driving Faster Than A Walk On This Bridge." I also see the Chiselville Bridge whenever I watch "Baby Boom," the 1987 film with Diane Keaton (I watch this movie more than I care to admit). The bridge was featured in the scene when Diane Keaton's character leaves New York to move to fictional Hadleyville, Vermont with her daughter.

**If You Go: Chiselville Bridge
Map