GIZMO'S GOSSIP 

Hi again everyone.  Gizmo here.
Ever notice how cats and dogs clean after themselves ? Always giving ourselves tongue baths, scratching the ground or our litter box after we do our duty, never messing our cage, etc not so with humans. Witness my sister Kate and her friend Megan.

Both have spent the summer working here, painting the pool fence, porch railings and posts and numerous other tasks. I would rank work - excellent, work habits - iffy, cost of labor - tiffany like. I mean, who leaves full paint cans uncovered at night, paint brushes on tables, paints as much grass as railings, and paints in the rain - THE RAIN ! Dad of course gets all nervous and jerky, patrols like a POW prison guard, peers through his glasses like an absent minded professor and generally gets in the way. Not that Utah is much better. I think there's been as much paint on him as on the railings. He's just too curious. My fur masks what tiny specks may have floated my way.

Anyhow, the place is in fact sparkling, We have a wedding reception and rehearsal dinner here this weekend so we're spick, span and ready. Utah and I both love these affairs. Not only do we get lots of attention, but the table droppings never end.

PS Utah agreed to have his photo shown this month, because I'm so embarrassed!!  Mom decided to give me one of those home fur cuts to keep me cool...well the clippers ran away from her a few times...and voila the "Canine Iroquois".
Love  Gizmo

Lemon-Dijon Chicken

During the weekend of July 28 we hosted a wedding reception for 130 people and catered the rehearsal dinner. This is one of the recipes. Enjoy!

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic peeled and halved
1 large shallot peeled and quartered
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp dried rosemary
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
6 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1.	In a food processor or blender, combine the parsley, garlic, shallots, dried herb blend, rosemary, mustard and lemon juice. Process until the ingredients are finely chopped. Drizzle in the olive oil and run until the mixture is fluid. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2.	Wash chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a zip-top plastic bag and spoon marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

3.	Preheat grill or outdoor grill on high for 5 minutes. Place chicken on grill and decrease heat to medium. Grill the chicken for 7 minutes per side, until juices are clear and internal temperature is 170 degrees. Serves 4.

Shelburne Farms

 May 14th  to October 29th

Visit a 1,400-acre working farm, stroll the walking trail to historic Farm Barn or hop a tractor-drawn shuttle. Explore Children’s Farmyard, visit farm animals and participate in daily activities from brushing a draft horse to gathering eggs. Watch award-winning Farmhouse Cheddar being made. Guided tours four times daily Mid-May to mid-October.

 In 1902, Shelburne Farms encompassed a 3,800-acre farm dedicated to demonstrating innovative agricultural and land use practices, a hackney horse breeding enterprise and a grand family residence.

 For a brief time, Shelburne Farms was renowned as one of the foremost model agricultural estates in the country. The scale of the venture, however, could not be sustained. Beginning around 1910 and through the forties and fifties, farming and related operations shrank.

In 1972, family descendants incorporated Shelburne Farms as a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation education.  Web Site

A Buck Hollow Wedding!

One of the true pleasures of owning our inn is the opportunity to host weddings. Over the last 17 years there have been more than 40 receptions held here, with many of the ceremonies on site as well. Though we ourselves could not cater large events, we do cater receptions, showers, parties and meetings of up to 40 people. Thus, this past weekend, we not only hosted a reception of more than 130 guests, but catered the rehearsal dinner the night before. With the expansive lawn, beautiful pool, perennial gardens ( and no neighbors) guests feel relaxed, comfortable and ready to party. We hope these photos give a sense of what a typical event can be.

The inn offers 400 acres of untouched beauty creating an authentic country wedding experience whether one decides on an outdoor country tent wedding or a smaller more intimate indoor wedding.

For help in planning a Vermont wedding visit Weddings Vermont.  It showcases Vermont wedding vendors, and features articles on the Vermont wedding industry

 

Michelle Tilton (see photo) (the not so blushing bride) is the first Buck Hollow Graduate to be married here. A local resident, Michelle worked here for several years while in High school and dreamed of getting married here. She reserved the weekend two years ago and then proceeded to find a groom. Thank goodness she has married a cop, who now has the responsibility of keeping her in line., We all wish them decades of happiness.  

Brad & Jacquie
 

VERMONT EVENTS August 2006

Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival, August 11-13th- Alburg World Class Bands, Camping, Workshops, $3000 Fiddle & Banjo Contest, more... . Fri 4-11 pm, Sat 9am-12 am, Sun 9-6pm. Entry Fee. 802-482-8110 Web Site

49th Annual Stowe Antique and Classic Car Show , August 11-13, Stowe Selected as one of the top ten Summer events in Vermont for 2006. Featuring 900 vehicles in 49 classes. Nichols Field (Route 100), 8-5:30 pm. Admission. 802-253-4897 or 603-763-2112 Web Site

WILLIE NELSON live in concert! , August 9th- Shelburne WILLIE NELSON live in concert!. The Green at Shelburne Museum (Route 7), Gates 5pm | Show 6:30pm. Admission. 802-652-0777 Web Site

85th Annual Champlain Valley Fair , August 26th - September 4th- Essex Junction The Champlain Valley Fair is Vermont’s largest agricultural and entertainment event drawing nearly 300,000 people during its 10-day run in Essex Junction. The 85th annual fair features grandstand concerts, motor sports, giant sand sculpture, racing pigs, home crafts, vegetable, flower competition, giant pumpkins, farm animals, horses, oxen pulls, 4-H and Grange, Heritage Trades, commercial exhibits, food, parade, thrill shows, free shows and 40-ride midway. Web Site

Champlain Valley Folk Festival , August 4th-August 6th, Ferrisburgh The Champlain Valley Folk Festival is a jewel of a music weekend celebrating tradition- based music from Vermont, NY, Quebec, and beyond. Enjoy three days of music, singing and dancing on five stages and a dance pavilion at beautiful Kingsland Bay State Park. Each year the musical delights include Celtic, English, and French-Canadian styles plus many surprises! Casual atmosphere and the children’s area make this a family-friendly event.  Web Site

Guest comments

Congratulations Scott & Michelle!

 

"Somehow you made us feel we were on vacation, but at home. We had a wonderful time." Lisa, Julie & Zoe, Bloomsburg, PA

 

"A wonderful place. I like all the antiques, the lovable dogs, cats and even the horses. The slide was so much fun; I rode down it a million times. The beds were very comfy and the food was spectacular and my favorite part was watching the fireflies. My brother caught one and I got to see it light up. Magnificent stay!" Lauren (age 13), Newbury Park, CA