Christmas Tree Hunting in Vermont

This year finding “the perfect Christmas tree” was a little daunting. We searched alone in the “Christmas Tree Forest” at Dutton Farm in Manchester, Vermont for 30 minutes until it became apparent that we needed some professional help—back in the forest ten minutes later, now with a young Christmas tree professional, we continued our search unsuccessfully for more than an hour until dusk retired us for the day.

This way to the Christmas trees at Dutton Farm in Manchester, Vermont…

Kay’s found her spot in the forest…

Given our lack of success the day before, we’re back at it the following day, this time Kay had researched a Christmas tree farm in Castleton. A forty-minute drive through stunning countryside and over endless dirt roads, we were met again with disappointment. Even fewer trees and already four weeks since they had been cut. A brief visit had us back in the car then we discovered this very cool historic Vermont marker…

We finally found a beautiful Christmas Tree, a little smaller this year, but still perfect… On the way home we found this handsome Barred Owl only too happy to pose for us as cars whizzed by us on a somewhat busy road…

After a day of Christmas Tree Hunting we decided to have an early dinner at The Barn Restaurant, Pawlet, Vermont…

We had a lovely few days hunting outdoors for “the perfect Christmas tree.” We are both blessed and fortunate to live in Robert Frost’s Vermont.

Another great experience at Pond Mountain Inn!

Welcome to JH Forge Custom Knife Maker • Pawlet, Vermont

When’s the last time you shucked an oyster? Me, likely never… I cannot help being mindful of the force and dexterity required to open an oyster without sustaining a deep hand laceration requiring multiple surgeries and weeks in a cast. So, no oyster shucking for me! That said, I just had to have this oyster shucker – why, look at it… it’s a work of art, and the prospect of having bushels of oysters and cherrystone clams this summer may have contributed to my decision.

Now, the technical side… this 8″ oyster shucking knife has been thoughtfully developed and indestructibly built to confidently pry-open the most stubborn oyster. The wide thick curved blade with a sturdy pointed tip will ensure mangled-free oyster meat. The five-inch handle is made from black walnut, and we also have a matching black walnut handle bread knife that we also couldn’t live without!

Jim Hurlburt, the owner, not only creates custom knives, but a variety of other tools. Jim is incredibly interesting and has a full machine shop on Route 30 in Pawlet, and a few years ago Jim built a 1930s era 30’ Chris-Craft Mahogany Runabout. I hope we get an invite this summer!

Last – in the photo above, the oyster knife is resting on a giant clam shell. I actually ate the raw clam meat from this shell at an outdoor seafood market on the site where Magellan was killed in 1521 – Mactan, Philippines.