A Local Product Christmas

T and I went up to Vermont for Christmas and while most of our time was spent in family homes, I did get out to a couple spots that I love love love. We left a few presents until the last minute, mostly because we knew they weren't going to be available to us until we were in Vermont. Though shopping for gifts just days before Christmas is not my style, it had to be done. We were in the North East Kingdom which limits access to big box stores and therefore enhances reliance on small, local businesses, not complaining. First we went to Wright's Sports Shop on Community Drive in Newport, VT which sells equipment for hunting and fishing but also doubles as a resale shop. Wright's specializes in auctions so the backroom is full of furniture and housewares that sort of feels like you're walking into somebody's garage. Probably a great place to find a piece of furniture to refinish or update.

The next stop was All About Home on the Newport-Derby Rd. which is another combination store. On one side you'll find supplies for painting, wall papering, and home improvement projects. On the other side of the store you'll find two floors of kitchen and house wares which T's mom accurately described as a "mini William-Sonoma." We did the bulk of our shopping at All About Home because we found stocking stuffer sized kitchen gadgets and could have gone for the whole hog with entire sets of pots, pans, and dishes. The husband-wife team that runs the two sides was very helpful and engaged with us and the other customers in the store. It was in this store that we witnessed a dumbfounded husband weaving and whistling his way through the aisles seeking the gift that would send an appropriate message to his beloved wife. Lucky for him and lucky for his wife, the shopkeeper jumped in to save him from certain disaster.

I couldn't stay away from the NEK Tasting Center where we spent a good chunk of time last month when we visited. This time around I was more focused on gifts and found some crowd-pleasing local products. The first was Switchel which was originally used by Vermont farmers as a sort of homemade sports drink. The next was Tree Tap or the water harvested from Vermont's maple trees. After that I found a selection of Dunc's Mill rums including their Backwood's Reserve, Elderflower, and Maple varieties. I left with the maple, naturally.

While I'm talking about it, the generous haul of gifts given to me by family and friends had some distinct products from this region also. Most noteworthy were my bottle of Eden Ice Cider, the heritage blend. This sweet alcoholic beverage is about 10% alcohol by volume, making it somewhere between a beer and a wine. Because it is so sweet though its not something I would drink a ton of at once. A small glass after dinner or at 5 o'clock will do the trick.  I also was given Grade A Medium Amber syrup from Butternut Mountain Farm in Morrisville, VT. The wide variety of Lake Champlain Chocolates that I received didn't hurt either. T got a giant chocolate Santa from LCC and I've been eyeing it since it came home.
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Eden Vermont Ice Cider and Vermont Maple Syrup from Butternut Mountain Farm
Like any long vacation, we felt at liberty to drink and since we were in Vermont and then came back to Rhode Island, T and I filled up our tanks on local brews. Where do I begin? We loved the Farmhouse Ales coming out of the Long Trail brewery in Bridgewater Corners, VT. I also always make sure I have at least one Hibernator from Long Trail during the cold weather months. Then we loved The Long Thaw from Harpoon in Windsor, VT which is a Spring IPA but since it was on the shelf we grabbed it for Christmas Eve. Then we moved on to The Shed Mountain Ale originally of Stowe, VT which has been a staple in our house the past month or so. T walked away from Christmas with a highly coveted four pack of Heady Topper from The Alchemist of Waterbury, VT. Brews I missed out on while I was home? Edward from Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, VT. I just didn't get around to any of my usual spots that serve it. Next time I'll just swing by the brewery.
Once back in RI we committed ourselves to a couple days in a row of strictly Foolproof of Pawtucket's Backyahd IPA and Raincloud, a robust porter.

The last place we went before heading back to RI from VT was the Jericho Cafe and Tavern which has changed its name at least three times in the past five years. I couldn't tell you how dinner is because I only ever go there for breakfast, and breakfast is good. It's not so good that I crave it from hundreds of miles away but when its right down the road (by Vermont standards) when I'm at my parent's house, its often the best place to pop in for eggs benny and a coconut latte. The scenery is beautiful and if your planning on spending any time in Jericho, you might as well start your day at this restaurant. It just so happened that we ate breakfast there in the midst of the ice storm so of course I got some snowy pictures.
The restaurant was called The Fields at one point, probably for this reason.
"Vermont must be beautiful this time of year...all that snow."
Although too cold to even bare now, this porch is ideal for Summer breakfasts and catches a nice breeze.
The newest signage.
Like many New England businesses, this restaurant has its roots in an old brick home.


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