Après Ski

Spending time on the mountain is always wonderful, but there is nothing like the evening after. The Tahoe made a detour to the grocery store before heading home. Shopping with four men is always entertaining.

041This house always brings out the fun in people. There is a roaring fire for relaxing, the kitchen is large enough for the chefs and groupies, and the kitchen radio always results in a mid evening dance party.

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We started with an appetizer course and some beer and wine while the men started in the kitchen.

043 053 The girls were able to catch up by the fire while the boy broke a sweat in the kitchen.

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Once again, this year the boys did not disappoint. Last night they prepared rib eye, new York trip, and tenderloin along with the famous Brussels sprouts, and salad.

049 052 054 My plate was filled with delicious food and a glass of Pinot Noir on the side.

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Paired with an assortment of Vermont ice creams and sorbet, it was a perfect evening.

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Now, after this morning’s oatmeal breakfast, we’re ready for our second day on the slopes.

002 Have a wonderful Saturday!

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Vermont

Greetings from Vermont!

001Each year, Bo and I invite a number of our friend up to my family’ home in Manchester Center, Vermont. This home is my happiest place in the world. Over the years we’ve created amazing memories with our friends and family in this home. A large fireplace, inviting kitchen, space for 15 people, and a location that’s perfect in both the winter and summer.

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Last night, we left New York around 7pm after Bo got off work. The drive from New York to Vermont is a simple and beautiful 3.5 hour drive. 035We stopped for dinner about an hour into the trip and unfortunately our choices were limited to Starbucks and Roy Rogers.  I made the best of it by buying their Caesar salad and adding the sandwich’s turkey, lettuce, tomato.  Sure, my dinner was a bit expensive for a rest stop ($15) but it was filling and surprisingly delicious and filling.036 037 We arrived around midnight and within minutes we continued our tradition of opening the wine immediately.

039 By 7am the house was alive with excited skiers and the oatmeal and coffee were warm for enjoyment.

004 006I enjoyed a warm bowl of cinnamon oats, banana, granola, and peanut butter. This, paired with a cup of coffee, was the perfect skiing fuel.

008 We spent the day skiing at Stratton Mountain, which is located fifteen minutes from the house.

010 While the snow conditions weren’t ideal, we all had a blast. There were far less crowds than last year and the sun was shining down on us all day, helping raise the temperature to a balmy 22 degrees.

032 033Since I only ski once a year, I normally start with a half day of lesson. Luckily, Bo’s best friend, Scott, was willing to split the private lessons with me today which meant that I was able to enjoy a full day instead of a half day.

016 Norm and Scott were a perfect pair for a challenging day of skiing and day drinking!

019 028 023 025 031As my skiing partner know, I have the ability to ski quite well, even gracefully, until I hit a steep pitch. If it intimidates me, I free and immediately want to start crying. What can I say, I’m human. But, today, I conquered my first blue run with their assistance and clearly lived to tell the story.

038 Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the fire.

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A Walking Tour of Mystic, Connecticut

Unfortunately all my pictures from the Sun Wine Fest ‘12 are on my other computer. Therefore, the beer portion of that post will have to wait until tomorrow. But, tonight I get to share our Sunday adventures with you all!

Sunday morning when we woke up all we could think about was food. Luckily, we were able to enjoy another delicious breakfast at Seasons Buffet, compliments of our Media Pass.

Anne insisted that I give egg yolks a try since the vast majority of an egg’s nutrients are in the yolk. This was the first full egg omelet I’ve had in ages. I’m not sure whether it was the yolks or my hunger but this omelet was far tastier than Saturday’s. My resident R.D. also suggested that we all enjoy some water based fruit (fresh pineapple for me, watermelon for them) and smoked salmon for healthy omega-3.

001 002After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and catching up on the previous day, we all decided what our bodies really needed was fresh air and sunshine. I am so thankful that the Sun Wine Fest was smoke free as that would have really affected our ability to taste the wine, beer, and food. But, after spending 24 hours inside the hotel and casino area, we were ready to say goodbye to the smoke and stale air.

Luckily, a town only 15 minutes down the road, Mystic Seaport, was calling our name. As we drove their, I vaguely remembered spending the day in Mystic with my aunt and brother when I was 10.

033 By the time we arrived, I knew I’d been there before and was thoroughly excited to enjoy the sunshine, sea breeze, and adorable town with the ladies. It was sunny and windy but the cold air couldn’t keep our excitement at bay. 006

When we realized the Mystic Seaport museum was closed for winter we enjoyed a photo stop on the anchor before heading up the street to explore the rest of the town.

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036 I couldn’t resist popping the gamma by the anchor. After all, I am a Delta Gamma girl at heart!

The sweet lady in the gift shop recommended two places to us, Lis Bake Shop for warm coffee and the Oyster Club for a delicious lunch. Since both were only a mile away, she suggested we take the sidewalk and enjoy the sights along the way.

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Within minutes we arrived at Lis Bakeshop, an adorable bakery featuring fresh roasted coffee, tea, and a vast array of pastries including scones, cupcakes, and huge cookies. 010While I waited for my tea to steep, I enjoyed the shop’s many signs and sayings. 009 IMG_7117 (800x533)

After our warm beverage stop, we continued meandering through the town. We explored the dock area and spent time perusing the shops which included clothing boutiques, home stores, and book shops.

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The dock area was my favorite, just because of their random and unexpected signs. I wonder how often the submarines drop off and how exactly do they charge for rock throwing?

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After our window shopping, we stumbled across the famous Mystic Pizza, made famous by Julia Roberts in the 1988 movie.

Mystic Pizza Poster016After spending almost an hour wandering through town we ended at The Oyster Club, a casual fine dining restaurant which just opened back in October. 018Known for their farm and sea to table cuisine, their menu changes daily, depending on what’s available.

019The inside was just as warm and inviting as the restaurant’s vibrant exterior. Based on the fact that the restaurant was just reviewed by The New York Times, we were elated we were able to snag a table without any wait.

021 While we perused the menu we enjoyed the delicious bread basket, stuffed to the brim with warm fresh, baked bread served alongside salted butter.

025 Anne and I both started with the mixed green salad with roasted apples, feta, toasted almonds, cider soaked raisins, and a delicious ginger-maple dressing. I would love to recreate this salad one evening as it was delicious and the flavors meshed perfectly.

024 For my entree, I went with something lighter since I still wasn’t feeling 100%. The Quahog Chowder was a perfect option since it is not cream based but instead made with a rich stock. In addition to the stock, the chowder included potatoes, celery, parsley, bacon, and fresh cod since they ran out of clams.

042 I wish there was more potatoes, celery, and cod in the soup as it seemed like the ratio between the stock and the ingredients was a bit off. Overall though it was the perfect heart warming winter lunch.

After our lunch we walked the mile back to the car, taking in the last few sites before heading back to New London. 008 006 Theodora and I took Amtrak back to New York City while Anne and Tina embarked on their trip back to Boston. It was a wonderful weekend that passed far too quickly. We’re already talking about our next trip to Mohegan Sun and the beautiful Connecticut shore.

Question: were you in a sorority or fraternity in college? If yes, which one and where? I was a Delta Gamma at University of Georgia!

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