You want to hear something cheesy?

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Taking a suggestion from a friend (thanks Macy!), we started out with some apple cider donuts that did not disappoint. The cider mill we stopped at displays the creation process for those cinnamony cidery clouds of happiness, and has piping hot cider to wash them down with. We both ate a couple *cough* three, before a drive up Smugglers Notch to Mt. Mansfield for a hike. After we got up near the top, the temperature dropped approximately 9,000 degrees. If any of you know me and cold—you know that that hike sure as heck didn't happen. I am a strong person, but once you add a little chilly weather and I want to sit in fetal position, cry, and hibernate for the rest of my life. Why I keep traveling to cold places in the fall, I don't know... just a glutton for punishment I guess. Inside our toasty warm car (named Ichabod, for his first adventure in NY), we saw the best of the best of New England fall leaves. I wish I could think of words to describe it.





Okay, now let's get on to business. Cheese business. Cabot's cheese business.



Let me collect myself and wipe the drool off of my chin...





The Cabot's cheese store just outside of Stowe has a table full of maybe 50 kinds of cheese for tasting. I ate so much cheese in that store—but it was mostly their fault because they don't have any signs limiting the amount you can eat. If you don't want someone circling the table three times, then say so. Am I right or am I right? Oh and guess how many blocks of cheese I bought? Eight. EIGHT BLOCKS OF CHEESE. All different flavors. I even had to buy an insulated bag to tote them all home in!





I LOVE CHEESE SO MUUUUUUUUCH!





Do you want to hear about how my day just got better and better?? Well right across the street from the cheese store is the Lake Champlain chocolate factory. A chocolate factory. One more time- a chocolate factory. I have never smiled so much in my whole life! Cheese + chocolate in one day?? Is someone trying to kill me up there?! Breathe, breathe. Okay step three of the day was down the street to the Ben & Jerry's factory. The tour was short and sweet and we were able to learn all about the company and the way that they make their ice cream. Afterwards we got a free scoop of triple caramel chunk and toured the flavor graveyard. They actually bury a pint of the flavors they are retiring and have headstones made up for them! So cute and creative.





My tummy was full of sunshine and rainbows and glitter—at least thats what it felt like. The drive to Portland brought us through the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where we stopped and ate a late lunch. I had a seafood alfredo- scallops, lobster, and shrimp; the seafood I have been craving since we got here. So fresh and juicy, I could barely even stand it!





Reviewing the food for the day—apple cider donuts, vermont cheese, chocolate, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, shrimp, scallops, lobster, and pasta.





You're welcome.

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