For The Love of Chocolate

Heather and Jennifer, the co-founders of NibMor Raw Vegan Chocolate, joined us on our Good Commons vacation. On our last night in Good Commons, Heather conducted a truffle making class in the kitchen. Here is Heather making coconut truffles.

Then, she made cacao covered truffles.

Of course, a truffle making class is not complete without a chocolate food fight between Heather and Jennifer.

After enjoying the hot tub and a brunch the next morning, we packed our bags to board the Good Bus and return to New York where we began experiencing the heat wave of 2011.

And Vermont's Number One Snack Is....

The next stop on our culinary immersion tour was Green Mountain Sugar House. We visited the candy store to get a cone of maple creemee. Even the local townsfolk stopped by to get their maple creemee. After tasting one, I understand why Vermont loves it maple creemee.

WAAWWE (We Are All What We Eat)

After our visit to Jersey Girls, the Good Bus brought us to WAAWWE Farms Market in nearby Gassetts.

WAAWWE is a co-op that houses live chickens and a market that sells homegrown eggs, meat and dairy products.

Speaking of chickens...

While in Vermont, my personal goal was to buy a bottle of Vermont maple syrup and was in luck.

I also enjoyed drinking the maple soda which is also sold by WAAWWE.

Down On The Farm

After Saturday brunch, we hopped on board the Good Bus to visit the Jersey Girls Dairy Farm in Chester.

We met Lisa the owner and she led us to one of the areas where the cows live and get milked.

Lisa milks 24 registered Jersey cows. They all enjoy a diet of hay and look forward to their daily milking.

Here is a machine used to produce milk from the cows. In addition to raising the cows, its milk is sold directly to the public. You read correctly. You can buy raw milk from Jersey Girls Dairy. Regular customers from the neighborhood bring their empty containers to fill with milk.

Train tracks cross through the farm's entrance. As you can see, the freight trains were busy.

Lisa also introduced us to the chickens.

And For The Wine Afficionados

We crossed the street to visit The Wine & Cheese Depot

When I was there, there were unopened boxes of inventory that arrived earlier that day.


As you can see, there are a wide variety of wines for sale.

 This store also attracts English literature buffs.

 Wine goes well with chocolate.

After spending about 15 minutes, I decided to buy a bottle of chardonnay, a bar of chocolate and some goat cheeses. Here I am with my prized possession which will remain unopened until I return home to New York.

A great wine to bring to birthday parties.

Let's Go to The Downtown Grocery

After the post-breakfast meeting in the yoga room, we boarded the Good Bus as Tesha drove us to The Downtown Grocery

Abby greeted us with wine and raspberries.

Her husband Rogan demonstrated how he makes salami using a sausage maker.

After filing the sausage wrapper, Rogan poked holes into the salami to prevent oxidation which causes the meat to spoil.

Next, Rogan ties the sausage wrap at the end.

Finally, the finished product which will spend two weeks in the refrigerator before it can be eaten.

Meanwhile, Abby served various meats and cheese. Since it was not lunch time yet, I choose the cheese.

Breakfast

Admit it. You want to wake up to this.

Especially the egg quiche made by chef Matthew.

After I woke up,

I decided to take my camera and take a picture of another bed & breakfast which was across the street from my bedroom.

We Have Arrived

Just after 11PM, we arrived at our destination. Upon entering Good Commons, we were greeted by the proprietor Tesha Buss. I got the bedroom on the 2nd floor next to the living room. By the time I finished unpacking, I was ready to fall asleep.

Journey to Good Commons

Last Thursday, I began my four day vacation at Good Commons, a bed & breakfast located in Plymouth, Vermont. From Manhattan, I boarded the Good Bus for the 5 hour trip. Chef Matthew Wexler served sandwiches, chips, bean dip, and peanut butter cookies for the on-board dinner.

And all guests received a free water bottle with the Good Commons logo. Here is my bottle with my name taped on it.

Fortunately, we did not experience any traffic jams after we crossed the Lincoln Tunnel into New Jersey. The highways were practically empty.

No Longer a Weblog Virgin (This is my very first blog)

After reading various blogs from friends and acquaintances, now is the perfect time for me to join the blogging community.

The important consideration for me in starting my own blog is what topics I should blog about. I am most passionate about vacations and New York City.

I look forward to sharing with you, the reader, my upcoming adventures in the Big Apple and beyond.

Later this week, I will be traveling to Vermont on vacation and staying at Good Commons for the Green Mountain Culinary Immersion weekend. For more information about Good Commons, you can click on the following link:
www.goodcommons.com

I look forward to your feedback and other comments.