If I had chosen to take Randy’s last name when we got married, I would now be a Hill. McCormick is a name people take—not give away—I was told. I tend to agree. I have to admit, though, that I am excited for my future kids to take on the Hill name. Not only […]
A few weeks ago during the arctic blast that hit Vermont, we decided to venture out our back door for a sunny afternoon snowshoe. (Mistake #1.) We bundled up, ready to embrace the arctic tundra and take-in some much-needed vitamin D. We headed into the woods, planning to cross over […]
Although I travel often, I rarely stay in hotels. In fact, the only time I stay in “hotels” is on business travel when the possibility of a late arrival and anonymity are attractive to me. A recent stay at Hotel Vermont, one of the newest lodging options downtown and Burlington’s […]
What makes you happy? Not what you think makes you happy, but what makes you intrinsically happy? The moments when you smile from ear to ear, laugh until you cry? When you feel utterly content and at peace? It might seem like an easy question to answer: Your health. Family. […]
The town of Pittsfield is one of Vermont’s best-kept secrets. With one (awesome) General Store, two wedding venues, 50 miles of mountain biking trails, five inns and only 400-or-so residents, Pittsfield is a quintessential New England town, home to hearty Vermonters who value their community and the ample outdoor recreation […]
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’ve seen an insurgence of funny Valentine’s cards, as well as events in Vermont to bring levity to a day designed for love that more often than not leaves people down or in the dumps. Cards with sayings like, “I’d Climb a Moderate Sized […]
Rules are meant to be broken. You only live once. Carpe diem. When I walked into SILO Distilleryin Windsor, Vermont—the birthplace of Vermont—in the middle of “dry January,” all of these sayings came to mind as I decided to forego willpower and a month of abstention (which, let me tell you, […]
No matter where you live, the weather is always a subject for small talk. But in Vermont, the weather comes up in almost every conversation, especially when it’s mid-January and temperatures have been stuck in the bone-chilling negatives for weeks. People bitch gripe about their cars not starting. Icy […]
Eating out in Vermont is something I always look forward to… There are so many talented chefs hiding out in the Green Mountain State who are creating phenomenal dishes that rival the best of the best in New York City or San Francisco. To celebrate the new year and the ever-evolving […]
Brandon, a small Vermont town and tight-knit artistic community, is located between Rutland and Middlebury at the base of the Green Mountains and has a population that hovers around 4,000 people. The town is a quintessential Vermont village with many brick facades lining Center Street, a Greek-revival town hall and the Neshobe […]
For years I’ve considered myself a foodie. I’ve worked in countless restaurants (as a bartender, cook, server, hostess) and worked for a food magazine for a number of years. For the most part, we grow our own produce or get it straight from the farm in our local CSA, […]
One of the things I love the most about old homes is the unique details that carry throughout them. The Lang House on Main Street Bed & Breakfast, just a few blocks from Church Street in Burlington, has some of the most beautiful architectural details in a historic home […]
I’m a Vermonter who doesn’t ski and has never really wanted to do so. Growing up in New Jersey, I never learned to ski, nor did anyone in my immediate family. I attempted (once) to learn how as a freshman in college, but with rental snowboots cutting off my circulation, […]
This year, Randy and I decided to do stocking stuffers for each other rather than a larger gift, given we’re finally giving in a buying our very own snowblower (how have we lasted this long in Vermont without one?). I’ve put together some of my favorite made-in-Vermont stocking […]
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year, largely due to the fact that I love coming up with thoughtful gift ideas for friends and family. Living in Vermont makes gift giving easy with so many Vermont-made products, from art and clothing to beer and beauty products. […]