Almost every Sunday for at least the past 5 years has always been pizza day at the Flowers' house. Originally we'd buy it, but then I got really into making it myself. I've spent countless hours mixing dough, cutting toppings, and making my own sauces. But why go through all that work when Trader Joe's has us covered? It's Pizza Party Potato Chips!
Today we've got a fun taste test with one of the best Easter treats around!
Cadbury Mini Eggs! I have to limit myself every year these come out because I seem to have no willpower when it comes to refusing them. These crunchy shelled chocolate candies are difficult to resist and I can go through an entire bag of them in no time.
And as a special treat, as a family, we just returned from Canada where I was able to find Cadbury Mini Eggs too! And in the cookie section, I found even more Cadbury Mini Eggs inside Chips Ahoy! cookies. This should be a good one!
You might recall that back in the summer of 2024, we visited Vermont and were able to go on our very first Ben and Jerry's Factory Tour! At the end, when we came to the tasting room, they joked and said the flavor we'd be trying was going to be Broccoli Cheddar Chunk. Then they were kidding, that's an April Fools Day flavor. They always do a weird flavor for April 1st. I joked with Theresa that I'd like to come back here for it... Except I wasn't really joking. I really do want to come back for their April Fools Day ice cream flavor!
Luckily Maple Sugar Season is around the same time as April Fools Day, so we were able to visit our friends in Vermont with the Maple Farm and see how real maple syrup is made, plus combine it with this trip to Ben and Jerry's to try some weird ice cream! Perfect!
We're in Vermont visiting our friends, Pauline and Jake Couture! They own a Maple Farm along with a Bed and Breakfast in Vermont! And it's Maple Sugaring season! It's the time of year where the temperature at night goes below freezing and then during the day things thaw back out. That only happens for about 6 weeks each year, so during that time, things are especially busy if you're a maple sugar farmer!
Today we're in for an extra special treat! We are in Vermont during the maple sugaring season! And even better, we're with our friends, Jake and Pauline Couture!
How we met them is an interesting story. Way back in 2021, in our first year of full-time RVing, I was still very new to driving the truck and RV and was having a hard time backing into our site since the way was lined with trees. Jake came and asked if we'd like help and I gladly took it. To say thank you, I baked them a rustic loaf of bread and took it over to them. Turns out they were celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary and the bread would go great with the ribeyes they were cooking for dinner to celebrate. From there we just started talking and they asked the kids if they've ever had real maple syrup, then brought out a jug to sample it. Turns out, they're maple syrup farmers, along with dairy farmers, and they've got a place a few hours north. They invited us to come visit them and see how it all works!
Well, it was September and the maple sap wouldn't be flowing, but we took them up on that offer and drove up later that week! We kept in touch over the years and when our travels brought us back out that way in 2024, we stayed with them again, this time in August. "But you've got to come back when it's sugaring season," said Jake. "The air smells amazing."
And so, Theresa and I made it a point to clear our calendar around the end of March when the maple sap should be flowing well. Let's go on another adventure!
It's our second day after a very short stay in Maryland, but it marks a very important occasion for us!
It's been just over 3 years since we started this whole crazy full-time RV adventure. 3 years of memories, adventure, friends, and family. Theresa has been an awesome planner, keeping us booked in different parks in all the different places. We've been keeping track of all the states we've visited on a map on the side of the RV. With last night's stay, we can check Maryland off the list.
Continuing with our Summer 2024 Road Trip, it's time to travel into Maryland!
