Parents Visit - Wrap up

The rest of my parents visit went by in a blur. We looked at potential first homes for Marc and I, ate lots of good food, shopped, cooked, baked, played games and even planted some herb seeds for the spring. In the end I was left feeling that 4 days just wasn't enough. On the other hand, there is definitely more to see the next time they come to visit!

Since my parents departure on the 9am Dartmouth Coach Tuesday morning I've been busy doing laundry, cleaning and preparing for our next set of visitors who arrive this weekend - Marc's brother and his family. I have to admit it's been really nice to have visitors to look forward to. It definitely helped us get through the unpacking pretty quickly and it means we are making the most of the two bedroom condo we are renting. Most importantly it means I get to explore the area more to come up with ways to entertain our guests.

Below are photos of a few of the delicious things we ate this weekend.

Meatball Time! 

Vermont Cheese

Homemade French Apple Pie

Parents Visit - Day 1

Yesterday, we all headed out to celebrate the 11th Annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend. After a delicious breakfast of homemade waffles and crepes, we packed into the car and drove out to Woodstock, Vermont to Sugarbush Farm. Sugarbush is a family run farm that specializes in both maple syrup and Vermont waxed cheeses. After stopping for a brief photo-op we headed inside to taste the different varieties of waxed cheeses. 

Glad to see I can still convince my parents and
my husband to take part in silly things. 

Once inside the store we were able to see some of the staff hand waxing the cheese bars. We were also  presented with a paper list of 14 cheeses and the question, "What would you like to sample?" Marc immediately responded, "We'll sample them all!" Which was a great idea because not only were the cheeses delicious but it was also around lunch time and was the right amount of snack to keep us going. 

Waxed Cheeses for Sampling

After sampling the cheeses we were encouraged to go outside to the sugar shack as they were only going to be boiling sap to make syrup for about a half an hour more.  

Sugar shack on the left with the steam coming out of the roof. 

As we walked towards the sugar shack the smell of maple syrup in the air became stronger and stronger. Once inside we were amazed by the size of the maple syrup making machine (I'm sure it has an actual name but this sounds much cooler). Underneath the whole machine is a fire that the maple producer keeps stocked with wood to regulate the temperature of the boiling sap. At one end of the machine is a pool of sap that boils down to become maple syrup. It takes somewhere between 40 to 50 gallons of sugar maple sap to boil down into about 1 gallon of maple syrup.

The maple syrup making machine. 

Fire!

Where the sap boils and turns into syrup.

Syrup!

After watching the syrup being made we headed back to the shop to load up on our cheeses and head back into Woodstock. We made a brief stop at the Long Trail Brewery and then wandered around downtown Woodstock before heading into Norwich for dinner at Jasper Murdock's Alehouse inside the Norwich Inn. 

It was such a fantastic day of wandering around and really getting to show my parents what Vermont is all about.

Ahhh!

Mother-Daughter Day

Last night the first (out of area) visitor to our new home arrived - my mom! Coincidentally Marc's car arrived in Boston when my mom was arriving so instead of making her take the Dartmouth Coach from the airport to our area, I was able to pick her up in person. This meant that we all arrived home at 8pm instead of 10pm and we were all able to enjoy a home cooked meal together.

Since it was a workday for Marc today I was lucky to have a mother daughter day with my mom. We started off with a trip to Walmart where we bought some flowering daffodils and herbs to grow from seed. Next we went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the weekend and my mom treated me to a bouquet of flowers. After lunch we spent some time perusing the King Arthur Flour store. So much to look at and such a fun experience with my mom. Then we finished off the day with the ultimate girly outing - manicures.

I've had such a great day spending one on one time with my mom. I hope this encourages her to come visit us often! I'm also excited because I know the weekend's only just begun and later tonight my dad arrives to join us!!

CA versus VT

In California it wasn't uncommon to wake up to see the following on the thermometer:

In the 50s inside?! Brrr!

In Vermont we have this fabulous propane powered wall furnace called a Rinnai. This little guy is located in our dining room and he heats up our entire two bedroom condo in minutes. Minutes.  

In California I remember that even with an appointment the DMV was unfriendly and took forever. But you might remember from this post that the DMV here in Vermont is actually here to help you. I especially enjoyed the experience of visiting the mobile DMV. Not only was it quick but the people were super friendly and welcoming.

In California there was always a line at the post office. Near work it would often take 20 minutes, near home I was surprised when my shortest visit lasted 5 minutes. Today I went to the post office here in Vermont and it was empty. 1 car besides mine in the parking lot, not a single person in the office and a cute sign next to a bell that said "Ring for Service". I think I will be mailing things more often if it is always like this.

On the flip side, I'm having a little trouble finding some 6x6 inch picture frames as there is no Aaron Brothers, no Michael's, no Target, and no IKEA in close driving distance. In CA I would have had at least one of those within a 20 minute or less driving radius.

Boothbay Harbor

Marc and I just spent the last three days in Boothbay Harbor, Maine on a vacation treat to ourselves. We went back to the Inns at Greenleaf Lane which is where Marc and I stayed on our first trip to Boothbay Harbor back in July 2010. I cannot say enough good things about our experiences at this bed and breakfast. Helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff, delicious breakfasts and an Inn that feels like home when you walk through the front door.

Our breakfast table at the Greenleaf Inn looking out over Boothbay Harbor

We arrived at Boothbay Harbor on Wednesday night which left us just enough time to check in to the Inn, have dinner and wander around town. During our wander it even started to snow a little bit. Although it has snowed a few times since we've arrived this was the first time we were actually out walking while it was snowing, which this California girl really enjoyed. 

On Thursday we decided to drive out to Rockland and visit the Breakwater lighthouse. This lighthouse is located at the end of 8/10 mile long breakwater wall. On the walk out the wind was at our backs so it didn't feel too cold. However, on the way back the wind was right in our face and we found ourselves walking a little bit more quickly to return to the warmth of our car. 

On the way out. The white speck in the middle of the photo at the end of the stone wall is the lighthouse.

Heading back to shore. 

On our way back to Boothbay Harbor we stopped at Phil's Route 27 Lobster Shop. Phil, who still runs the shop, is probably around 80 years old and is a man of few words. He took our lobster rolls out of the fridge, slathered them in butter and then placed them on a panini press. Hot, buttery and just what we needed to get us back to the Inn. Coming from California I never thought I would sit outside on a picnic bench in 40 degree weather and be enjoying myself, but Phil's Lobster Shop changed that.

Phil's

After our outing to Rockland and Camden and returning with our bellies full of lobster roll we decided to enjoy our afternoon by sitting in front of the fire, reading and sipping some prosecco and white wine. It was quite possibly the most relaxing afternoon we've both had in a while. The best part was there were absolutely no boxes to think about unpacking and the inn keeper had left us a half dozen fresh homemade cookies and fruit to snack on.

Ahhh

To wrap up our Thursday in Boothbay we decided to head out to Robinson's Wharf for a traditional lobster dinner. Just our luck they were having a special on twin lobster dinners. Which meant we ate two lobsters each, cole slaw and a serving of fries for the price of a normal one lobster dinner. 

Two lobsters walk into a bar . . . and get eaten for dinner. 

On Friday it was time to pack up and say goodbye to Boothbay Harbor. On our way home we stopped by Freeport and the flagship LL Bean store and then made a quick stop in Portland for lunch at Five Guys Burger and Fries. It brought back memories of our wedding weekend (only 7 months ago!) and all the friends and family we had around us. It really is great to be back on the East coast and able to vacation without getting on a plane.  

Until next time Boothbay Harbor!

Unpacking

Since Saturday, when all of our worldly possessions arrived on an Atlas moving truck, it's been a whirlwind of unpacking around here.

Initially the truck had trouble getting in front of our condo. Apparently our move has coincided with the unofficial start of Vermont mud season. This means that the smooth drive around our condo community is currently a rutted, smooshy mess. It also didn't help that there were three inches of fresh snow on top of that mud. Thankfully our driver was able to chain up his tires, drive in the "out", then turn around in the cul-de-sac across from ours, and park at the end of our carport. A little bit more walking with each of our boxes but close enough to not have to shuttle our belongings on another smaller truck.

Saturday we probably put in 7 hours of unpacking to setup the master bedroom and closet. Sunday was our busiest day with about 14 hours to unpack the kitchen, setup the bathrooms and arrange the furniture in the living room. Monday was our big push to just get it done with about 12 hours to unpack the guest bedroom, dining room and living room. That left yesterday as our easiest day of rearranging a few things throughout the house, taking boxes to a friends house for storage, getting the internet and propane setup, and relaxing at home for the evening.

It's definitely nice to feel settled and feel like we are home. There are still some living room boxes to open and pictures to hang on the wall but at this point it all feels manageable as opposed to overwhelming. The pictures below show the unpacking mess from before. I hope to have the "after" pictures posted next week.

So from now until Marc starts work on Monday, we are officially on vacation.

One week

On the one hand it's hard to believe we've already been living in Vermont for a week. It seems like just yesterday that we arrived on the Dartmouth coach. Time seems to be flying by.

On the other hand it's hard to believe we've only been living in Vermont a week. We have Vermont drivers licenses and memberships to the local co-op grocery store. We've visited Marc's mom and uncle, been to the movies and spent an afternoon on the ski slopes. We've been to the offices of the propane company, the bank, our car and renters insurance. And, as of today, we have one car and all of our belongings here with us.

Tonight we started the unpacking. We have a long way to go but we got through 17 boxes and completely unpacked/setup our master bedroom. Even though we lose an hour of sleep tonight because of daylight savings time, I am thoroughly looking forward to a great nights sleep in our bed.

Appliances

A quick update for you on our progress ...

The heat in the house is working perfectly. With temperatures ranging from 9F to 54F outside I have not yet felt cold.

The washing machine and dryer have both been used and also seem to be working great.

And, as of yesterday, Marc and I have both secured our necessary appliances.

Our New Microwave

Marc's Replacement Grill, yet to be assembled

It's beginning to feel like home.

Mobile DMV

There is no department of motor vehicles (DMV) located in the town where we live. Having recently moved and needing to switch our California drivers licenses to Vermont Operator's Licenses we were really hoping we wouldn't have to drive to the closest big city. Thankfully I can report that every Wednesday a mobile DMV comes to town.

What is the mobile DMV? Well as you can see in the picture below the office arrives in a trailor towed behind a large truck. The DMV employees unpack their gear and set up a temporary office for the day. It's very similar to when I used to travel for outside clinics at WIC. I even snapped a quick picture of the "office".

Honestly I have to say it was my most pleasant trip to the DMV. The only trip I could refer to as quick and painless. And Marc and I both walked out with Vermont licenses in hand. What more could we have asked for?

Day Three

Work hard, play hard seems to have been the theme of today. This morning while the weather hovered around 9F, Marc and I busily accomplished as many errands as we could. Mainly we got our first grocery trip out of the way and now have a stocked kitchen.

As soon as the temperature moved north of 20F we packed up and drove the 30 minutes out to the Dartmouth Skiway. Not a huge resort by any means but 30 minutes away and a $20 lift ticket was an opportunity not to be missed.

We were probably 2 out of 20 people on the mountain. Peaceful, beautiful, perfect ski afternoon. You probably won't believe it but this was the first time we have ever skied together. Thankfully we quickly found out we ski at about the same level. Today was so wonderful we are already thinking about the next time we can get out there.

Home

Just a little post to share that we've made it! The electricity and heat seem to be working well. My car should arrive tomorrow and the rest of our stuff should be here by the end of the week.

Goodbye San Diego

Today is our last day in San Diego. Marc closed out his 5 1/2 years of working with John Deere this morning while I packed up all our remaining possessions.

We briefly stopped by Beacons beach to say goodbye to the surf spot that had served us well. Now we are relaxing downtown enjoying a celebratory drink of bubbly.

Officially we are both unemployed, homeless, and on our way to Vermont!

Photo Friday - Week 5

I'm posting these one day early this week because it's not February anymore!!

Day 25 - Green

Going away present

Day 26 - Night

One of my favorite nights in San Diego

Day 27 - Something You Ate

Last batch of garlic knots from Knockout Pizza

Day 28 - Money

Money we made from selling stuff before the move

Day 29 - Something You're Listening To

One of my favorite HGTV shows: Property Brothers!