Smuggs & Sugaring

In the last 7 days the weather has been no less than gorgeous, sunshine in all directions, temperatures like May (mid-40's in the afternoons), I'm beginning to wonder if it's really just El Nino or just a sign of global warming, but I'm trying hard to just enjoy the endless sunshine and warmth - honestly,  I'd be quite surprised if we didn't see another good Nor'easter before winter's end - we're known to get snow in May after having what we thought was an "early spring." 

Whatever the reason behind it, we've been taking full advantage, working on our "skier tans" by spending 5 of the last 7 days on the mountains. 

Wednesday we spent a day of family skiing just a quick hop over the border in Vermont at Smugglers' Notch - a.k.a.  "Smuggs"  -  On such a clear day our we had views to Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, Lake Champlain and all the way to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.  The views were no less than amazing, the pictures simply don't do justice. 

  Here's the view from the lift looking to Mt. Mansfield, VT

Cole & Nikki - Mt. Washington, NH in the far distance in it's snow capped glory (looks like a white cloud to the left of the kids)

All of us  with Mt. Mansfield, VT as our backdrop- (taken by a friendly skier passing by)

George & the kids - Mt. Washington, NH in the far distance 

Our visit to the area wouldn't have been complete without a stop by the Cabot Creamery Store for some very yummy cheese samples - 
skiing works up quite an appetite.   We all shamefully tried enough samples to qualify as a meal :-()

We came home with some very yummy "Wicked Sharp Adirondack Cheddar" and some "Tuscan Rubbed Cheddar." 

We also made a quick stop at the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, VT

Don't you love their Cowmobile?  If you have a Ben & Jerry's near you, March 23rd is Free Cone Day -  from 12-8 p.m., 
but be forewarned you may be in line for a while to get this yummy treat.

Speaking of yummy treats -  we've also been quite busy sugaring this past week.  

The sap is flowing nicely and we hope to have our first batch of Maple Syrup in a couple of days.  But more on sugaring next week...

Today, I must get to the backlog of housework and my kids are actually doing school at the school table this morning (as opposed to on their lap desks in the van), violin practice is also a must today.  I have to make bread (we have none - this constitutes and emergency in our house), prep the ski gear for Saturday's race and get my seedlings started - it's time.   

Can someone please add more hours to the day?  I think it's going to be a really long one today.  I'm looking forward to the end of daylight savings time this weekend - at least then I'll feel like there are more hours in the day, even if it's not really so.

Happy Weekending!