This morning, as I stood, hands warming by the woodstove, peeking out the window of Jenna's farmhouse, I was utterly content. The world outside was white, covered in delicate snow falling softly and amply from the sky. It was idyllic, a scene straight out of a vintage Christmas card, or a Frank Capra film. As the snow tumbled down, my mind was full of joyful, anticipatory thoughts.
Someday soon, perhaps today, Jenna's goats would give birth to their adorably dorky kids. New life would enter the world, and we'd (hopefully!) get to see it. As well, some neighbors on Maple Hill Road had contacted us, and we planned to meet this afternoon to see their maple sugaring operation. If the wintery weather and Tasha Tudor-esque plans weren't enough to make this My Favorite Weekend Ever, Jenna broke my reverie with some exciting news.
If we were interested, we could head to her friends Patty and Mark's house for breakfast, and possibly a one-horse-open-sleigh ride. I may have shrieked and fist-pumped like I'd just won the lottery. "WHAT! REALLY!? NO WAY, REALLY?! AHHHH!" I have dreamed of going on a real sleigh ride ever since I was a little girl!
Honestly, it feels like I have won the lottery. I regularly feel that this new home of ours (Veryork as Jenna likes to call it) is some sort of magical fairytale realm where all of my dreams come true. Goat births! Maple Sugaring! Sleigh rides! Just a few miles away there is a beekeeping store! And a sausage-making store! In my book, it really doesn't get any better than this.
Breakfast at Patty and Mark's was served at a long wooden table, in front of a roaring Rumford fireplace that warmed me to the core. While chatting about many subjects, ranging from historical cookery to our latest experiences being on national news, we chowed down. There were scrambled eggs with sauteed vegetables and bacon, along with buttery toast and jam. We washed it all down with large mugs of coffee clouded with swirls of Battenkill Creamery half and half. Yum!
After breakfast, Patty and Mark proudly took us on a tour of their barns. There, we met Patty's chickens (who are treated to constant classical music—they must be the most cultured chickens ever!), and Magpie, the cat. After the complete farm tour, it was time to go for a ride! Unfortunately, there wasn't enough snow on the ground to use the sleigh, but that didn't deter us.
Instead, Patty hitched her horse (named Steel) to a wheeled cart...
...and off we went down the road! Yahooo! With snow in our faces, the sound of hooves clip-clopping on the pavement, and a cart full of cheerful friends, it was almost as fun as I imagine a sleigh ride would be.
Patty and Mark, thank you for making our morning a memorable one!
