We’re back with another edition to the new column of Libby’s Likes. I have so many fun things to share with you that it’s hard to decide which to feature. I’ll try to keep them varied in each post, and of course, the subjects will change with the seasons and what I’m liking at the moment.
Real Vermont Maple Syrup
This week it’s one of our family must-haves: maple syrup from Vermont. Nothing else will do. Ever. You can always find it at grocery stores, in those small pint and mini-pint bottles for an exorbitant price or you can go to Vermont and buy some. While I realize that isn’t possible for many of you, try and mail order by the half gallon or better yet, the gallon. It will stay totally fresh in the fridge for a long….time (years?). We brought back a gallon last summer from Weston, Vermont and now I wish I had bought two gallons.
In this slide show you will see how I “decant” the syrup into a glass bottle for easier use (and hope my husband doesn’t drink the entire thing by the next morning!) If I’m feeling really generous, I might decant some into a bottle for some very special friends as a house gift…
Here are two sources for some of the best syrup around, and they are located in Putney and Brattleboro our sort-of-stomping grounds and home to some of the best people we know!
Brown Family Farm
and
Hidden Maple Springs
Smoking Loon Wine
This is one of the “preferred” wines around our house. My brother introduced us to it maybe ten years ago and we’ve been hooked ever since! Red and white… they are all good, reliable wines for a very reasonable price. We buy them at our local Harris Teeter, but they are available everywhere. My latest love is the Petite Syrah: smooth and rich.
Chapstick
Chapstick you ask???? Yes, I use chapstick all the time! And no brand, not one, measures up to good ‘ole Chapstick. I keep a tube everywhere: in the kitchen, my office, the car, and my purse.
Quirky, I know…but hey, we all have our things.
I would love to hear your comments on these, and the series in general. We aim to please!
The video slide shows are such fun to put together, but time consuming, so I think I will stay with once a month for this column.
