Snow Shoeing

So when you don't like to Ski (as is the case with Carlos), what is one to do? Answer is to strap on a pair of show shoes and explore the winter landscape. The shoes are really important, with snow in the countryside over 2 feet deep (60 cm) if you didn't have the snow shoes on you would never get through it.

Here is George and Bonnom treckking in the snow
Terry and Steve's house backs up onto the Green Mountain Forrest . We can leave to go snow shoeing right from the back door and meet up with the Catamount trial. Once you hit the trail, its alot easier going as you no longer need to naviagte between the tree'sWhich can be a challange.

After about a 40 minute hike you come to a clearing where you can do any of the following activities before heading back to the house (up hill)

Pose for pictures

Make snow angles
build a fire
make a snow man

have a drink?

All this fun and you burn about 600 calories an hour while snow shoeing. Nothing like the great outdoors!!!!

We Actually Ski at Ski House!

So last week was the first time I could actually relax and enjoy life as a woodchuck (slang for a true Vermonter) I got to use my employee ski pass to go out and enjoy the mountain. It was a beautiful day and mid week skiing is great as there was almost no one there.

There was snow in the morning so the conditions were great, lots of powder , and all the trees were snow covered.

And no day of skiing is ever complete if you don't finish it off apres ski at the base lodge !

And then it was time to return home.

Slip Sliding Away

In 1998, Carlos and I took a vacation to Milan and after driving in the city for about 10 minutes, I put it on my list of places not safe to drive. A few years ago we drove to Sevilla and again after just a few minutes it was added to the places not safe to drive. Well I have been in Vermont for just over two weeks and in that time we have had over 6 cars slide off the road in to snow banks. So....as of today Manchester Vermont in the winter is getting added to the places not safe to drive list.

So for anyone thinking of visiting us... please drive with care!

Keeping the Bromley Burgers off the midsection

So, take working at a place that serves up deep fried onion rings, big greasy bacon cheese burgers, clam chowder in bread bowl, and sandwiches topped with stuffing and cranberries, and then add living in a house that is constantly filled with salty snack foods, and then consider the excessive beer drinking that even goes on during mountain hikes, and you have a recipe for weight gain.

With this in mind, we have started a 4 day a week routine to hit up the gym . It actually a really nice place, always empty, and a three minute drive away. Here are the shots from this mornings outing!
Carlos resting between sets

Stevie and Carlos putting in the miles

Terry Insists on going to the gym in her workout clothes. Either she is crazy or trying to prove that she is a becoming a real woodchuck.
OK, so I am actually dancing here and not working out but it is still cardio.

So This is The Wild Boar

I'm sure you have all been curious to see the magical spot of fine dining that is supporting not only Carlos and I but also Terry and Steve, Scott, George, on busy weekends Mike, Lisa, and KK. Terry and I are the only two who are full time seasonal. The rest of the wait staff are part time seasonal as during the week we have no need for 7 waiters, actually today I will be working alone on te floor. Here are a few of the characters who I spent the last 10 days with..

Happy New Year!!!!!

New Years Eve was my day off this week . I stared off the day by making Carlos his favorite breakfast ( as only a jersey boy can make) Taylor Hame egg an cheese on an English muffin. After the rest of the crew went off to the Boar, we relaxed a bit and then went off to Manchester with Jackie to get some of the things we needed for our party. Once the shopping was done we set up the house for the party and then decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet to relax in the hot tub and enjoy a few beers. it had just stopped snowing, the sun was out and it felt great!

Terry had a short day and was how by 4 and then we started to party prep and before you knew it it was ski house dance party and we were ringing in the new year!!!

The theme of the night was purpleAnd once we rang in the new year the costumes came out and there was lots of silliness but more then anything the was such a great feeling of happiness and love that I know we are all going to have a great 2010!!!

Shift Drinks and Cocktailing!

So I am fully into my life as a waiter at the Wild Bore Tavern. Christmas week was a non stop adventure. Twice during the week I stayed after the lunch shift was over to "cocktail" . We stop serving lunch at 3pm and then there are different bands that play from 3 to 6pm during which time we serve drinks and appetizers. Cocktailing is a good gig to have as you can do really well in tips. However, cocktailing does mean that you need to take drink orders while the band is playing so you can never hear a word they say and you need to ask them to repeat there orders at least three times. Also it mean you need to be running around the packed restaurant serving drinks while navigating between the drunken dancers and the ski equipment all around the place. The other down side of cocktailing is that you generally don't get a chance to stop to eat so you can find yourself finishing up for the day at 6pm with nothing in your belly except a yogurt you had at 8am, and thats when you ask Stevie for your shift drink . I did this a few nights ago and I find that having a very strong vodka and cranberry on an empty stomach will get you pretty loopy, follow it with wine at dinner and you will be sound asleep by 9:30 without a problem.