Summer days in Vermont

At the end of July, Jon, Miren and I spent a few days visiting Nadia in her home in Vermont. Our friend Romina also joined us for some laid back New England summertime. We had no real agenda but to enjoy nature and let the children take part in farm chores.

I wanted some real summer days of berry picking, strolling, and sitting on a field of wildflowers and I knew we would get it in Vermont.

We arrived in Albany on an early afternoon. Jon and Miren could not hold their excitement – bursting with joy to see their Nadia. They sprinted all the way to baggage claim to jump into Nadia’s arms. And they jumped… and jumped and jumped.

It feels me with joy to see they trust her with every pore and she is family to them. There is no substitute for that feeling.

We spent that afternoon on the hill tending to the animals, walking through the tall grass and picking apples straight from the tree. A prelude to days to come.

Every morning, Nadia took Jon and Miren to let the chickens and ducks out, gather eggs, and get ready them ready for the day.

Nadia cooked breakfast for us with the eggs the children collected. “Can you make me another egg sandwich?” Jon asked Nadia. “There is something about Nadia’s eggs…” he said and he meant it.

Windows wide open – we took time to savor breakfast and breath fresh air.

Nadia harvested carrots, tomatoes, peas and beets from her garden that she turned into salads. “I want to pull carrots” repeated Miren as she followed Nadia around. She is a mirror image of me as a child when I loved helping my grandmother in her garden. Carrots were particularly delectable – sweet with a touch of pepper.

On our first day, we visited Hudson, New York. Strolled along main street stopping for lunch and espresso. Unique vintage shops drew us in. We had intended to visit the Saratoga farmers’ market that afternoon, but time escaped us.

Every afternoon Jon asked Romina for one of the madeleines she had brought some with her from her pastry shop in Salt Lake City. Definitely his favorite. We also had a serious macarons testing session with the macarons Romina brought back with her from Montreal. Coquelicot, apricot, yuzu… our little treats.

We drove through the Green Mountains into Brattleboro. I thought about my dad and how he enjoyed it when he visited last autumn. The rolling hills, the forests, the wild apple trees on the side of the road and the still damaged rivers from last year’s hurricane were as beautiful as ever.

There was a severe thunderstorm warning in the area that day. The ominous sky brought out the deep green and blue of the landscape.

We stopped for a quick bite in Brattleboro and then headed to Grafton Cheese Farm for some afternoon fun. There is a petting zoo that the children loved and a storefront where we learned a little bit more about the local cheese-makers.

On our drive, we stopped at a farm stand where I bought some black raspberries, brandy wine raspberries (new to me and so delicious) and red currants. I knew I had to make a tart with these – the berry and yogurt tart that we shared with Nikole.

We stopped at their berry-picking fields but they were closed for the day. The heat of the previous weeks had forced them to close the fields early to water them properly.

The stormy weather continued throughout the duration of our stay, but we welcomed it. A slower pace. Staring out at the beautiful fog is on the top of my favorite things to do.

We did not mind the rain at all.

We photographed the berry and yogurt tart story around Nadia’s property close to her berry bushes. Rain droplets still on the fruit and the dappled light of the clouds opening up. It was perfect.

“Why can’t we stay five more days” asked Jon with a frown on his face. I shared his feelings.

There was still too much for us to do – or even not do.

Just be.