jectaspecta: verving in vermont

a lovely lighthouse in Vermont.

Vermont is an incredibly beautiful, beautiful part of the United States. It was established in 1777 and has charmed the life out of me with her colours, perpetual twilight and golden hues. My friend Kyle kindly invited me to join his family there and roam the areas showing me some of the highlights of his hometown.

This week my gastronomic behaviours weren't the healthiest but they certainly were a wonderful insight in to some of the local cuisine.

Dear waistline... please forgive me.

The Fort
Naughty naughty blueberry pancakes and pumpkin muffins with real locally made maple syrup at this lorry stop cafe. Coffee refills. Do not try this at home.

VINS Bird Sanctuary
We wandered through a lovely sanctuary where birds of prey had been rescued. I made friends with a snow owl and we had a glorious trek around the lake and through the surrounding woodlands.

Visiting Woodstock & Kyle rocking out with the kids.

Need I say more? Besides enjoying some meditative moments in the local church, I found inspiration at a beautiful antiques store full of birdsong and nests that inspired a little photo project to the name of 'home'.

Being serenaded in Strafford's incredible Town House by an amazing gentleman, Jackson Beecham.

West Peak Trek
Incredibly stunning golden brown leaves coated in snow. We sat on a waterfall and I ate my very first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Wow.

Chocolate Heaven, Hot chocolate
Apparently a must after a hefty trek through the breeze and over snowy rocks. I drank it with a teaspoon. Enough said.

Ben & Jerry's Ice-cream Factory
My inner child was in heaven and said her farewells to the ice-creams that didn't quite cut it at the Ben & Jerry's Ice-cream graveyard. I'm not going to lie. I was incredibly excited and may or may not have had not one but two ice cream samples...

Burlington Dobra Tea House
We had such a delicious time taking inspirations for a pot of the 'iron goddess of compassion' oolong tea. This lovely teahouse boasts teas from remote areas of the world and Kyle, being the tea connoisseur, was delighted to teach me a thing or two about the tea brewing process while mulling over some of the profundities of life.

Badmington at the local school gym

Being in an America gym kinda reminded me of being in an american movie involving vampires and Buffy. Apparently my game of badminton is 'tenacious'. Clearly inspired by my grandmother who gave me my first shuttlecock. Go inner granny.

Watching the game
I admittedly had very little understanding of what was going on but shouted and screamed good things at appropriate moments while Kyle gave me the insights in to American football strategy, which was a bit like getting dating advice, I decided I'd leave the thinking to the players and enjoy the atmosphere, snow and banter.