Archive for the ‘Alison’s favorite things’ Category

Alison’s favorite things (vol. 17)

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

It’s been over a month since I’ve given a shout out to one of my favorite things and since my husband discovered something super delicious this week at Marvin’s Country Store in Johnson (something I happened to discover a few weeks ago at Sweet Clover Market in Essex!) it feels like a perfect time to spread the word about Effie’s Homemade Oatcakes and Corncakes. The owners, Joan & Irene, say “great flavor comes from quality ingredients, simply prepared” and the proof is in the pudding…or biscuit as the case may be!

They are simply delicious and make any cup of tea or coffee a little bit sweeter. I think they’d be a great wedding favor or gift basket addition–especially if anyone has a Scottish or English heritage that deserves a nod!

They are ooh sooo yummy. Try them! Find a store near you here!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 16)

Friday, June 18th, 2010

When I was in college a friend said to me, “You say faaavorite a lot.” After he said it I had to agree! “I guess I do”, I said. “It’s cool”, he said, “I just don’t have that many favorites.”

This particular habit is amplified when we are talking about flowers because I truly have a lot of favorites in the flower world. Dahlias are my favorite…so are ranunculus and poppies…and peonies, of course, and anemones…oh yeah, and lisianthus. And tulips. (I’ll stop there because this could go on for a while.) Oh wait, I love orchids, too.

I have taught a few beginner flower design classes at Burlington City Arts over the past few years and I always make a disclaimer in the first class that they will probably hear me say the word favorite a lot. Then, they usually laugh at me each time I say it over the course of the next few weeks! I suppose a fairly regular blog post series entitled Alison’s favorite things kinda comes naturally to me!

Today I want to share some dahlia pictures from my garden this year. An annual bloom that is a perennial faaaavorite of mine! What’s your favorite flower?

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 15)

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

My brandy new favorite thing is Ben & Jerry’s Fudgy Brownies! Thanks to the handy popsicle stick it’s a portable novelty which is perfect when you have to eat your ice cream on the go! It is seriously delicious. Seriously. You have to try it. And love it! It’s the perfect summer treat. If you love chocolate you will not be disappointed!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 14)

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Harrilu.com makes some of the cutest screenprint tee’s. I truly adore them and think they are one of the best things to come out of Texas! There are some eco-friendly options here and seriously, how cute is this dress? I’ve got a collection of 5 or 6 of Megan’s designs and after checking out her site you may want to start your own little collection, too. Delivery is usually very prompt and the shirts arrive wrapped in tissue & tied with a ribbon which is exactly the way I like to receive presents I buy for myself!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 13)

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

So far most of my favorite things have been products you can buy, many made in Vermont, and I love to share the love about things I think you’ll enjoy, but today I will be totally self-indulgent and share one of my absolute favorite new things (drumroll)…this adorable little purse that my friend, Kate, gave me for my birthday. I think it is beyond adorable–I can’t decide if I want to use it every day or put it on a display to admire it! As she gave it to me she mentioned that she’d grown kind of attached to it and would like to reserve the right to borrow it…to which I agreed! Kate is such a doll to have found this little gem and gifted it to me! I love it and, of course, I love her! Isn’t it the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? The floral clasp is the topper for me!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 12)

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

This is a new-found favorite for me since I tried them for the first time last week, but Whitney’s Castleton Crackers are now on my list! Not only would these Vermont Artisan Crackers be a great addition to a Vermont Welcome Basket, but they could make a truly tasty wedding favor as well. I tried the Middlebury Maple crackers and while there are suggestions for pairings on the website, I personally enjoyed them on their own for a snack and then dipped them in some chocolate for dessert! Give them a try and I am sure they’ll make your favorites list, too!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 11)

Friday, March 26th, 2010

When the weather gets warmer and the sun is shining I’ve always loved a good sun tea. I’ve spent countless summer days placing a pitcher in the sun to capture that heat and make my brew, but last summer when I heard about refrigerator tea while listening to The Splendid Table I gave it a shot and said Sayonara to my sun chasing days. It is so refreshing and you can make it rain or shine all year long!

Here’s how I do it: I fill a half-gallon mason jar (64 oz.) with water, add four tea bags–any kind you like will work, but I personally prefer green tea, peach tea or black tea, twist the top on the jar and put in the fridge overnight. I’ve left my tea for anywhere from 8-14 hours. It’s a true “set it and forget it” situation. In the morning you can remove the tea bags and enjoy this simple, passive, cold brew. Note: If you prefer to use a loose-leaf tea you can estimate the amount of tea so it measures about 3+ tablespoons depending on how strong you like your tea.

I have no doubt you will love it!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 10)

Friday, March 19th, 2010

It’s Arthur’s Fault! I found out that Arthur actually lives up the street from me when I met his wife on a walk with my husband one lovely summer day so this “local love” is about as local as it gets! When I bought his black bean & garlic sauce at the Jericho Farmer’s Market and tried the peanut sate sauce I knew I hit the jackpot! All summer the veggies from my garden are covered in these delicious sauces and voila, dinner is served. He makes marinades, BBQ and dessert sauces that are really yummy. Enjoy! And remember, It’s Arthur’s Fault so you can blame him for your future addictions–not me!

Taste some of Arthur’s yummy sauces and marinades TODAY at Sweet Clover Market in Essex from 4-6pm! You can find his products at these stores in Vermont (according to their facebook page):

Cabot Creamery – Cabot, Quechee and Waterbury
Gourmet Provence – Brandon
Cheese House – Arlington
Clover Gift Shop – Woodstock
Earth and Sea Market – Manchester
Healthy Living Natural Foods Market – So. Burlington
Henry’s Market – Bennington
Irish Family Farm – Jericho
Jeffersonville Country Store – Jeffersonville
Mountain Cheese and Wine – Stowe
Mountain Greens – Bristol
Sam Mazza’s Farm Stand – Colchester
Shelburne Country Store – Shelburne
Sweet Clover Market – Essex
Winhall Market – Bondville/Winhall

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 9)

Friday, March 12th, 2010

At the risk of sounding kinda boozy–I do realize that I have blogged about vodka already!–I just have to mention Layer Cake Wines as one of our favorite things (Dave is on board with this one, too!). Not only is the story on the label so up my sentimental alley (the layer cake being the soil–oh so romantic sounding to a Plant & Soil Science major), but the wine is simply delicious. I stumbled upon it at the Jericho Center Country Store a few weeks ago and am just about ready to buy out their entire stock. Try it with a lovely homemade meal or a slice of pizza and it will be equally yummy. Worth the price and worth seeking out! Cheers!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 8)

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Okay, so maybe it isn’t right to put a human being on my list of favorite “things”, but Linda at Rapunzel Salon has got to be one of my absolute favorites. When I moved to Vermont from New Jersey to go to UVM in 1996 I was sure that I was doomed when it came to maintaining my short, styley do. I did have a few great hairdressers in Burlington before I found Rapunzel, but I have had such a long relationship with Linda they seem like ages ago. After my first appointment I was hooked. Not only does she do a great cut, but she does amazing color. (I mean, I am naturally blonde and everything, but I’ve heard she does great highlights!) It’s a special relationship a gal shares with her hairdresser and Linda is pretty fantastic. If you are looking for someone to help freshen up your look you should give Michelle & Linda a shout at 802-658-7883 to get pretty. They’re located in Burlingtonon Center Street right next to the Daily Planet…well, actually they are left next to the Daily Planet and up the stairs as a true Rapunzel should be.