Need to start your Christmas shopping?
Want to buy "Made in USA"?
Want to have fun and good food while you are doing it?
Then head toward Vergennes, VT!
All these items can be purchased on line too, yippee!!
Yesterday was an absolutely glorious fall day and we took full advantage of it by riding the bikes to Vermont. The scenery is so, so beautiful. We were surrounded by rows and rows of mountains that were baby blue and then faded into silvery blue the farther they were from us. It's a wonder I stayed on the road since I was looking right and left so much.
We decided to head toward Vergennes, VT, the smallest city in Vermont. Main Street is really cute and has lots of shops and eateries but we actually didn't have time to stop because we were headed to a few shops beyond town.
Our first stop was the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne, VT. You can take a guided tour, make you own bear and shop for bears and all their outfits. The bears are high quality and have fully articulated arms and legs. In other words, they are heirloom pieces. I already own a biker bear (no surprise!) and a gardener bear so I decided, next, I wanted the bear of many colors!
You can have a shirt custom embroidered to put on your bear to make it more personal as well. These bears would be a great gift for adults as well as children. The bears come in a very sturdy box and even include a nice big piece of Lake Champlain Chocolates milk chocolate in the shape of, what else? a bear head, very cute!
We then traveled a little ways up the road, still in Shelburne, to Harrington's Smokehouse.
They have a wonderful store and even a deli serving their smoked meats. We sat down and had smoked turkey and cranberry chutney sandwiches served with a garlicky half sour pickle and
Once we were fortified, we could concentrate on shopping.
They have all kinds of meats, cheeses, mustards, crackers, sweets, vinegars, jams, jellies, you name it. You can have baskets made there or order on line to ship to loved ones.
On a side note, Shelburne Museum is right across the street from Harrington's and is also worth seeing.
Our next stop as we headed back home was Dakin Farm. I somehow missed this on the way there, but was sooo glad we stopped on the way back. This place is AMAZING!! They corn cob smoke meats and use maple syrup to smoke their hams and bacon.
The store is huge and has a lot of different items. They have clothing and gift items too.
We bought chicken sausage and these cool looking skinny sausages.
This brie was crazy good. The firm middle was surrounded by a layer of luscious, thick cream. Heavenly.
I am a corned beef hash snob and this stuff looks promising. I don't normally buy a lot of pre-made items but I opened the box up and it was pure meat. I think there were literally 4 potato pieces in there and that suits me just fine! I can't wait to try it.
Our final stop was Vermont Flannel. I have a piece of theirs that I have had for at least 20 years. I had often wondered if they were still in business and then we saw their store!!
This is their newest location in Ferrisburgh, VT.
The flannel is thick and soft and the sewing room was right off the showroom.
They have robes, scarves, hats, blankets, shirts of all kinds, yummy PJs and they will ship anywhere.
I bought this scarf, hat and a huge blanket for Christmas gifts.
This plaid is what my shirt is made out of and my shirt is still this bright. Now Liza and I have matching outfits. You knew I was going to end up with a doggie coat, didn't you?!
She looks smashing for being 16 1/2, don't you think?
So, even if you can't get to the stores (so sorry!) you can shop online and have wonderful gifts shipped to your friends and family.
Have fun!
