random 5 friday - random vacation thoughts

Happy Friday -

and a very happy birthday to my sister!

 it's time to join Nancy over at A Rural Journal for a little randomness

1) We were fortunate to begin our winter vacation with our daughters, Maggie and Laura.

Hiking the Overlook Trail  in a couple feet of snow was probably not one of my brighter ideas,

but we were pretty happy to have made it to the top.

2) Warming up between runs with a cup of hot chocolate,

Greg and I noticed a group of snowboarders taking photos of this snowboard hanging in the tavern at Bromley Mountain. Apparently an underdog - Alex, who grew up in Vermont, won Bronze in Sochi.

3) Turns out there were 16 Vermonters participating in the Sochi Olympics. 

This little state sure is proud of all their olympians!

4) Normally at this time I'd be feeling a little bummed out that vacation is coming to an end.

But not so fast - we are so lucky to have one of our very favorite couples joining us for the weekend!

:-)

5) Earlier this week, we got a call from our oldest daughter, Maggie -

letting us know she is headed to Georgia (today) a week earlier than planned to begin a through hike

of the Appalachian Trail.

This worried mom surely would appreciate all your prayers and well-wishes for her safety and well-being as she spends the next few months in the woods (eeek!!)

That's it for me - I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

rurality - the mountains are calling -

- and I must go

Yep - it's February

and I know that many of you were wishing me a vacation on a warm, sunny beach -

not that I would turn one down

- ever - 

But a week at our mountain getaway

relaxing, exploring, skiing -

watching the snow fall -

(not to mention trekking up our long steep driveway because our little Subaru won't - seriously?)

is just what the doctor ordered - figuratively speaking.

So - we drive past this beautiful little farm often

- and we always slow down as we pass to catch a glimpse of the "oreo" cows.

The other afternoon, sitting in the car with my camera on my lap, I mention,

"Wow, look how pretty this farm is in the snowfall"
(Which is really code for "stop right now - I want to take a picture")

Greg: (drive, drive)

Me: "It would make a cool photo"
(Also code for "stop right now - I want to take a picture")

Greg: "Hmmm, what? Should I turn around?"

Me: :-)

Have a great day!

Rurality blog hop

random 5 friday - buried

buried...

in snow...

Yep - it's February in Vermont -

Which is okay with me.

Because - you know, it's kind of hard to ski and snowshoe without the snow.

The other night after a stressful and s-l-o-w drive home from work, I walked in the door asking-

"So, did you buy the winning lottery ticket today?"

Greg: "No, but I ordered a winning dinner."

Me: shrug  "Yeah, okay, that's almost as good."

-because - having a husband who understands when that whole cooking dinner thing is just not happening,

is kind of like winning the lottery.

This week I've been drinking Jillian Michael's detox water.

I'm really  not sure what it's for - 

or why I'm drinking it - I saw it on Pinterest and thought-

Yeah, okay, why not?

I'll let you know next week when I'm feeling fabulous

Although - that's likely to have nothing to do with the water -

next week I will be on vacation :-)

and not a moment to soon -

All week I've had this song playing through my mind

"We've got to get out of this place" the Animals

Yep, it's an oldie, but I can't get it out of my head

Have a wonderful week!

a snowy village of good random fun

good - random - fun

Well you all know the saying -

when life gives you snow...

make snowmen!

(or is that lemons?)
My random sighting for the week - this gathering of snow people.

Is there a party going on, here?

And since we had lots of snow last week - (and I mean lots)
we decided to head out to the forest for a little snowshoeing fun.

Greg and Maggie (formerly Chicago-daughter) are blazing a trail for me
while I lag behind shooting photos.
This turned out to be an unexpectedly good work out!

So that's my week in a nutshell.
I am joining Tamar at Random-osity for some good, random fun.

nestled in the mountains

It's been a while since I've made asked Greg to make a u-turn while out driving

- and I know, I know

- we're all tired of winter and snow...

but then, you know how hard it is for me to pass up a snowy barn

- especially one with weathered sides and a red roof

- nestled in the mountains...

- besides -
 Vermont and snow and barns go together
like
America and apple pie
like
baseball and hot dogs
like
well, you get the idea...

From my snowy home to yours - have a wonderful day!

Rurality blog hop, 

random five and my little chickadees

It all started when I began to wonder what kind of birds

I heard singing in the forest.

- and then, these little chickadees stole my heart -

Now, I think I'm feeding every bird on our side of the mountain -

So - it's Friday, and you know what that means -
Time to join Nancy at A Rural Journal for Random 5 Friday

1) I enjoy talking to my chickadees as I fill their feeders. My kids are worried that I'm turning into
 a nutty bird-lady -
but I'm okay with that.

2) We had an unexpected snow day this week - and I got so much accomplished around the house.
I kind of wish I could have one every week - snow and all...

3) Since learning about the closing of my favorite coffee shop, I am having dreams of chucking my city life and running a small village coffee shop.
Yep - crazy, crazy dreams.

4) I found my old point-and-shoot in a cabinet while cleaning, and thought,
"gee, you're so cute and small. I really need to start taking you everywhere I go - like I used to"

5) Yeah - sometimes I talk to inanimate objects.
Maybe my kids should stop worrying about me becoming a nutty bird-lady -
and just plain worry
:-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

coffee shop musing

A cold winter day in the tiny village of Jamaica, Vermont...

- snow flakes gently falling

I took this photo from inside our favorite coffee shop
- playing with my camera

- enjoying the friendly banter and a steaming latte
- a perfect winter afternoon...

Earlier this week, we found out that this wonderful little hang-out is closing.
I will greatly miss the Jamaica Coffee House and it's warm, friendly atmosphere.
In small rural areas such as this one, these small businesses are the backbone of the community.
I wish the owners well - and hope they are moving on to an exciting new venture.

Best of luck, Dave and Jamie!

Rurality Blog Hop