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The Simple Life-Two Weeks in Vermont...What a Treat!

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Real Estate Agent with Long Realty West Valley SA559207000

The Simple Life-Two Weeks in Vermont...What a Treat!

Vermont Organic Vegetable Farm

Sometimes it's good to get away from the daily routine.  Mine is pretty much a routine, but it is one that I like, or I wouldn't do it. 

Normally I would take off for the entire summer and escape the heat we experience each summer here in Arizona. I have been gone for up to 7 months at a time, not kidding!  I have had so much fun and have seen so many awesome places in our country.  Not to mention been personally satisfied at what I found when I reached my destination, not just physical things but the emotional pleasure of discovery and exploration.

Vermont ChickensSo, this Vermont trip has been planned for quite some time.  There was a family reunion of about 200 people which was something that I did not want to miss.  I met some awesome family members from all over the country and Canada too.  They accept me just because I am part of the big extended family and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a loving family.  I have new connections and I can't wait to see them again and will stay in touch.

Let me just say that I have a deep appreciation of where our food comes from.  I have a great appreciation for the people that work so hard to bring fresh organic (or Vermont Organic Dairy Cowsnot) produce and dairy to our stores and ultimately to our table.  What a humbling experience to take a step back from the life that I know and step into the lives of my family and friends. 

The cows need milking twice a day.  The vegetables need weeding.  The vegetables need watering and to be watched for disease and bugs.  As a matter of fact last summer the potato and tomato crops were hit pretty hard by late blight.  It has been confirmed that late blight is back again, not good news for many farmers.

 

There is so much in life to be thankful for if we only slow down and take the opportunity to recognize it.  Whatever it is in life that makes you happy make sure you take the time to enjoy it for yourself or give to someone else.

Vermont Sunflower

 

 


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Comments (30)

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Wow that looks beautiful.  Nothing like a great vacation.  I'm headed to Alaska soon

Aug 15, 2010 02:38 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Vermont is a beautiful state. New England reminds me of Virginia where I grew up. Thanks for sharing your perspective on your vacation and your lovely photos. They are refreshing!

Aug 15, 2010 03:05 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Josee -- I've been skiing a few times in Killington and there is something special about Vermont, the scenery is gorgeous and the things you list are so critical to a healthy way of life.  I lived in Maine for a year, used to be on the slopes in an hour after leaving work, etc., and all the wonderful things the Northeast provides.  Each part of our country has something special.

Aug 15, 2010 04:46 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Quite a change from Arizona to Vermont, and it sounds like a wonderful trip.  Nothing like stepping out of our comfort zone to experience renewed appreciation for the things other people do.

Aug 15, 2010 04:49 PM
Amy Jones Group
South East Valley - www.AmyJonesGroup.com - Chandler, AZ
4 Time BEST OF OUR VALLEY Winner

Loving the green!  I'm jealous...here in the brown and the heat.  Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

Aug 15, 2010 05:04 PM
Lori Liveston
Virtual Homes, Real Estate - Waltham, MA

Great post Josee!  My sister and her husband run a farm in VT and I love going to visit them.  So relaxing (as long as I'm not working on the farm...) :)

Aug 15, 2010 06:06 PM
Kathy Anderson
Arizona Luxury & Lifestyle Living - Cave Creek, AZ
Arizona Homes For Sale

I would love to have seen the sights in VT.  I'll bet you feel renewed/refreshed and ready to sell a bunch of real estate.

Aug 15, 2010 07:21 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Vermont is a lovely place to visit in the summer and there is great skiing to be had in the winter months.  It sounds as though you had a refreshing getaway.

 

Aug 16, 2010 01:07 AM
Keith Sellers
Sellers Real Estate - Kalamazoo, MI
Greater Kalamazoo and Lakeshore

Thanks for the nice perspective shared on your trip, Josee.  We'd love to go to Vermont because its the home of the late Tasha Tudor, a yesteryear gardener and homesteader, and we are living the dream homesteading and gardening in Michigan.  

One of the most delicious tastes of Vermont -- maple syrup!

Aug 16, 2010 01:16 AM
Gordon W. Miller
Green Mountain Real Estate - Burlington, VT

My perspective is biased, however I can agree with the comments; Vermont truly is a "special" place. As soon as one crosses the border into Vermont one realizes that they are in a different world whatever the season.

And for those readers who haven't visited Vermont, please do, as you too will enjoy the Vermont experience. However, until you are able to make your trip to Vermont, just go to your local grocery store and pick up a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for a small "taste of Vermont". 

Aug 16, 2010 01:57 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Josée, I lived in Vermont when I was growing up. A very picturesque state. Glad to hear you have a wonderful time with your family.

Aug 16, 2010 02:10 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Glad you made the time to get away.  I live in NH and have visited VT many times.

Patricia

Aug 16, 2010 02:27 AM
Sun City Grand Homes; Surprise AZ Real Estate and Homes,Josee Plant Long Realty West Valley
Long Realty West Valley - Surprise, AZ
Arizona Retirement Communities Specialist

Lenn-I agree, as soon as we were circling in to land, I said to myself, this is so different from AZ.  I love AZ but it's nice to enjoy green too.

Jennifer- It is a great place to relax and simplify and take advantage of the harvest.

Deborah-I like the fact that you mentioned you like it in "the summer"  don't blame you, the winters can be very cold.

Daniel-No fall colors yet, but you could see that some of the trees are starting to lose their "green".  Not until October will it be in full swing, which I have enjoyed myself and wish I could see it again.  Ah, time will allow it again in the future for me.

Blake-It really does afford you an opportunity to take a look at things when there aren't so many hustles and bustles going on around you.  Simplify is a good word.

Valerie-Thanks Valerie, the reunion was such a great opportunity for me and even though there were so many people there is was very low key, well, until the DJ started atleast :).

Russ-Alaska, I'm very jealous, what a great state.  Where in Alaska and are you going to do some fishing?

Sharon-Glad you liked the pictures and thanks for your comments.

Chris-I agree with you about each part of our country having it's own special qualities.  Thanks for your comments.

Margaret-You said it!  That's why I take the time to actually work on the farm, it REALLY gives me a feeling of knowing what it takes to get the vegetables to my table, HARD WORK.

Amy-Hey Amy, I can totally relate to the brown heat.  I might have to go to Flagstaff for a green fix before too long.

Lori-Where in VT?  Working on the farm isn't that bad because you don't have to do it day in and day out.

Kathy- You should make plans to visit sometime.  I am relaxed and refreshed and ready to roll.

Claudette-Thanks Claudette, it was refreshing as it always is.  Great summers and great winters in VT (if you like skiing and all of the snow sports) if not it's pretty cold.

Keith-Wow, good for you that you are living your dream.  And yes, maple syrup is liquid gold.  Mine arrives sometime this week.  My uncle has a maple orchard of 2200 taps.  Can't wait for my syrup to get here.

Gree Mtn RE-That's so funny, but true.  Go get your Ben and Jerry's fix anytime.  That was the last thing I ate before boarding the plane on Thursday as we had lunch down on Church Street (another favorite place of mine to visit) and I had a chocolate cone at Ben & Jerry's yummy stuff!

Michael-Hopefully you get back to visit once in a while.  It is definately a great place to get away.

Patricia-I love NH too.  We hiked to the top of Mt. Washington twice and took the train down one of those times.  Very beautiful state indeed.

Aug 16, 2010 03:38 AM
Mike Calhoun
iMarketLuxury - Seminole, FL

Two of my employees are from Vermont...and even though they don't live there anymore they pretty much never stop talking about it!!

Aug 16, 2010 07:40 AM
Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group - Burlington, VT
Listing and Buyer Specialist

Josee, so glad you could enjoy our wonderful state. What parts of Vermont did you visit? I opened my office here ten months ago and couldn't be happier.

Aug 16, 2010 08:39 AM
Sun City Grand Homes; Surprise AZ Real Estate and Homes,Josee Plant Long Realty West Valley
Long Realty West Valley - Surprise, AZ
Arizona Retirement Communities Specialist

Mike-Well then it sounds like you should go for a visit.  But if you do, go in late September-Mid/late October.  The colors are great.

 

Mark-So awesome to hear from you.  Thanks for your comments.  I stayed in Johnson and spent time in:

Eden, Irasburg, Morrisville, Waterbury, Burlington, Stowe, Lowell, Hyde Park, Jeffersonville, Cambridge and Newport at Lake Memphremagog.  It's always fun and always a treat.  The family reunion was at the Boyden Farm in Cambridge

Aug 16, 2010 10:11 AM
Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Josee...Vermont is a very special place!  I can, literally, see it from my home in NH.  Such a beautiful part of the world.  I know many farmers and do a little dabbling in organic gardening myself, so I know what you're talking about re: the late blight!  Totally wiped out my tomatoes last year, and while we've seen some signs of it again this year, it doesn't yet seem to be as devastating.

It sounds like you had a wonderful experience this year.  Catching up or meeting new family members is always rewarding.  To do so in such a beautiful location, all the better.  And don't forget..all the Vermont relatives might be in touch with you before long...it gets mighty cold in the winter, and AZ sounds awfully good come late January-early February!  :)

Aug 16, 2010 03:10 PM
Sun City Grand Homes; Surprise AZ Real Estate and Homes,Josee Plant Long Realty West Valley
Long Realty West Valley - Surprise, AZ
Arizona Retirement Communities Specialist

Kim, thanks so much for your comments and thoughts.  I did have a wonderful experience and I must say NH is beautiful as well.  I love it there and it's so close as you know. 

The late blight doesn't seem as bad, but I haven't spoken with my brother since my return to AZ. 

Yes, those in cold country have and will continue to travel south in the cold winter months there in New England. 

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your own garden.  Have a great evening.

Aug 16, 2010 03:59 PM
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

It is always good to get away from the daily routine and s-l-o-w down.  Lovely post, Vermont is on my list of places to visit.

Aug 17, 2010 02:49 AM
Sun City Grand Homes; Surprise AZ Real Estate and Homes,Josee Plant Long Realty West Valley
Long Realty West Valley - Surprise, AZ
Arizona Retirement Communities Specialist

Linda, what a beautiful profile picture, where was it taken?  Thanks for your comments.  Enjoy Vermont when you do visit, you'll love it.

Aug 18, 2010 01:58 AM