We went to Burlington this past weekend to visit Curt and Kim. I found a great place to stay on airbnb.com. It's a converted carriage house to one of the large older homes that is now residential housing to Champlain College. We actually stayed in a small, beautifully decorated suite that doubles as an in-law apartment when visiting relatives are in town. You can see what once was the arched carriage entrance. The windows that are now in place look out from our sitting area. The second floor and turret are part of the main house.
It couldn't have been more perfect. It had one bedroom, kitchenette, sitting room, bathroom and a delightful hostess.

We got into town with just enough time to check in, and head right back out to watch Curt and Kim play soccer down in Shelburne. Fun to see Curt play again! and who knew Kim had those mad foot skills- not to mention the impressive job she did in goal for the last ten minutes of the match.
Time for a quick change for the kids and sandwiches on the road to our next venue: Warren Miller's "Like There's No Tomorrow" at the Flynn Theater downtown Burlington. We've seen a number of Warren Miller ski movies over the years and they never disappoint- great music, incredible footage laced with a little humor. Although I always feel they are just a tad too long- much like Route 89 going to Burlington.
After the movie we headed back to their apartment for a quick look (sorry- I don't have any pictures to share), then Flip and I headed back to our carriage house retreat. Justin stayed with Curt and Kim.
Saturday morning Flip and I went grocery shopping and headed back to the apartment to cook up a feast for later. Curt made homemade meatballs, and I made stuffed shells. We connected with Lauren, Steve and Emma at Vermont Pub and Brewery for some brew and snacks around 3. Then we all headed back to our homes, agreeing to meet around 7 at Curt and Kim's for our dinner party. Emma headed south.

dog days

Flip has us all hooked up with floaties, complete with cup holders!
90 degrees and humid? Bring it on!

paint reveal...almost

Stage two in the family room transformation at 73 Hillcrest took place two Saturdays ago. Who can forget "Stage One", when the shag carpet from the 70's got tossed out the windows and hauled away in Dave's trailer?

It took another year to convince Dad to let us paint over the paneling that contributed to making that room so dark. To his credit, it was top of the line back in the day, and I'm sure he paid a lot of money for it. I think the fact that Brenda, our professional painter friend, offered to help, finally convinced him it was time for the change.

I went down on a Friday night and got up first thing Saturday morning to pick up supplies at Home Depot. Once back at 73, I started in so the "Paint Boss" would see that I was no slacker. Brenda showed up a little after 9:00 and I really had to step up my game to keep up with her! The primer they sold me at HD was oil-based, which didn't set well with Brenda. She wasn't too hard on me though, understanding that I'm a rookie, and of course I'm going to get what the paint department people are going to insist is the only sure coverage for wood paneling. And cover it did! I primed the grooves with a brush while Brenda rolled, and Dad wandered in and out of the room making comments about changing his mind and wanting to wallpaper.

At some point we switched off and Brenda was doing trim while I rolled. This was when I got upgraded to a "big girl" tray for my paint...YAY! Once primed, we broke for a trip to down for finish coat paint and Subway. Quick lunch then back at it- no rest with the Paint Boss! She really could have her own show on HGTV.

Here's Paint Boss Brenda putting a second coat on the trim. This is the best picture I got of the wall color. I was dead set on a beige and Brenda wasn't going to have it. Soooo glad she convinced me. I think the Wedgewood Blue (Benjamin Moore) is perfect. Very beachy.

I know you are expecting to see a room shot here but honestly, after a long day of hard work, culminating with Maggie stepping in my paint tray and walking across the room with her painty paw, all I wanted to do was go home and have a glass of wine on my deck. So I left without the final photo.
To come...

in search of veggie burgers and cool typefaces

I've been thinking about goals for summer lately. Because the summer always seems to slip away from me leaving me disappointed that I didn't do all the things I thought I'd wanted to do. Today I decided that a good goal for the summer of 2011 would be to visit 11 classic hamburger joints. Unusual quest for a non-meat eater admittedly, but a challenge that I am up for nonetheless. It's not just about the food now. I have already made it into a study in signage and graphic design. But, you may have guessed that from the image I chose for the post. Rest assured, if I come across a great meatless meal on my quest, I'll take a picture of it.
First stop- Harry's Place in Colchester- serving burgers for 90 years.
The fish sandwich wasn't great- I imagine it's not what has kept them in business for 90 years. But I'd definitely go back for the typography.

about those toilet paper rolls...

I'm not sure when or why it started, but when the cousins were all together for a weekend at Noni and Grampa Chuck's they would save all the used up toilet paper rolls and stash them all over the place. I was at Dad's this past weekend and saw a bunch of them in the magazine rack beside the toilet. Recently dropped there when the roll was changed, or leftover from the cousin's last visit or have they been there for years? Not a clue. But keep that family tradition going- those toilet paper rolls are art waiting to happen!

Junior Fritz Jacquet is the creative genius behind this toilet paper roll art.

family

Emma & Jill

It was a celebration of epic proportions. Lauren's college graduation, Emma's grad school graduation, Dad's and Dave's birthdays. And, the rare occasion that all the cousin's were in the same place at the same time. Between food prep, serve and cleanup, it's always difficult to document the event. Invariably I am disappointed at the outcome. I did my best, and Nancy grabbed the camera to take some random shots too. The best of the best are below- sadly not many. I think there's enough material here to see that a good time was definitely had by all. Missing from the pictures: Dad, Randy and me. Missing from the event: Kim. As the summer progresses I hope to master the art of shooting people shots indoors. I really have to stop turning off the flash...



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Beautiful, fragrant, and they refuse to grow in my shady yard.
Thanks to my friend Cindy A. for keeping me in supply of peonies.
Happy weekend!