I’m back! What a jam-packed weekend! We did everything! I’m exhausted… and a tad stressed– the big day is in less than 6 days, and we’ve got lots and lots and lots to do, which means a quick recap of our VT weekend. (Hope you guys understand!)
Mal and I arrived at our friends’ home in Jeffersonville, VT around 4:00 on Thursday, and immediately headed to Breakwaters on Lake Champlain in Burlington to enjoy some appetizers, beers, and fireworks. While waiting for the fireworks to begin, Mal and I enjoyed some Long Trail Blackberry Wheat beer and live music.
Beautiful Breakwater’s sunset…
As you can see by the shadows, the bar was packed with people!
After about 6 hours at Breakwaters (and just as many beers), we worked up an appetite for a late-night snack. One of the best late-night foods in Burlington is the “Rise and Shiner” sandwich from The Kountry Kart Deli.
The “Rise and Shiner” sandwich is a sub-roll filled with a fried egg, hash brown, cheese, and bacon. It is delicious… and obviously, a-mazing when you are a little drunk! 
Here’s Mr. Mal about to bite into his “Rise and Shiner.” My half is in his lap– we split one.
Here’s Mr. Mal about to bite into his “Rise and Shiner.” My half is in his lap– we split one. 
Friday morning, we woke up bright and early to head to North Beach on Lake Champlain for a day of swimming, sunning, beach games, and grilling. Before hitting the beach, we stopped at City Market to pick up some supplies.
From the City Market website: “City Market is a consumer cooperative selling wholesome food and other products while building a vibrant, empowered community and a healthier world… all in a sustainable manner.”
City Market had an amazing selection of local and organic foods, which was heaven for me! The store was also gorgeous inside! I wish so badly that we had a co-op like this near where we live.
A few weeks ago Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, visited the store. So cool! Too bad I missed his visit!
Views of Lake Champlain from North Beach…
After spending a few hours at the beach, we met up with some more friends to ride around the lake on their boat. Here’s our friend Jenny with her French Bulldog, Sophie. I am in love with Sophie! She’s the cutest!!!! Love those bat ears!
Me, Mal, Maggie, and Danielle (left to right) hanging out at the beach…
Mal and me at the beach… we lucked out with a beautiful day!
And the highlight of my weekend…
RED ONION!!!!!
The Red Onion sandwich is my absolute FAVORITE sandwich in the whole wide world! If you ever visit Burlington, Vermont, you NEED to try one of these sandwiches. (FYI: the Red Onion Cafe is right on Church Street in downtown Burlington.)
The Red Onion sandwich is roasted turkey bread with smoked Gruyere cheese, red onion, granny smith apple slices, bacon, and sun-dried tomato mayo. I got mine on toasted honey oat bread, which is freshly baked at Red Onion. Best. sandwich. ever!
Tina + Red Onion Sandwich = Very Happy Girl!
Before leaving Vermont today, we stopped at a farmer’s market in Stowe. Mal and I purchased a bunch of goodies– relish, hot sauce, pumpkin spread, and a couple other things, but I will post about them in more detail as I try them.
Another shot of the Stowe farmer’s market…
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend– just what we needed before our crazy wedding week!
Mal and I and our friends also went hiking on Saturday morning, but the photos that we took are on our nice camera. I’ll post some of them tomorrow night.
Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July weekend!!!!! I’m off to tackle our wedding to do list!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great weekend! Even better that the weather was beautiful, too.
you went to some of my favorite vermont spots! i love that farmers market in stowe! and stowe is awesome in general, i suggest anyone spend some time there
Looks like a fantastic weekend! Wow I can’t believe your wedding is almost here. Time flies.
Looks like you definitely had a fun-filled weekend :0) Aww, Sophie is such a cute dog!!
It looks like you had a wonderful weekend. You must be so excited that there is only a week until your wedding.
you look gorgeous in all of your pictures, Tina!! I love your swim suit too! It’s so cute! And the first pic with you and Mal is such a good one! Like frame-worthy!
That sandwich sounds crazy…apple, cheese, and turkey…yum!!
Glad to hear you had a great time! We missed you!!
Ewwwwww – a cafe named after red onions?!?!
You look stunning in your photos!
Good luck this week
Can’t wait to see some wedding photos!
Tina, I know you work out and eat healthfully in general – but you also have your fair share of treats. How do you look so AMAZING? Do you have a naturally high metabolism or what? I”m envious. If I don’t stick exactly to my healthy diet it really starts to show in my waistline.
You are going to look amazing in your wedding dress, I’m sure!
tina- your body looks awesome! (hope thats not too creepy.. but you look great). to the person above me, ive been following tinas blog for a few months (i think) and while she does have “treats”, the portion size of most of her meals is pretty small. and whenever she has a treat, she never lets it turn into a sugar bender, like i do..
anyway- early congrats on your wedding tina.
also- who is your suit by? i have trouble finding bathing suits because im also a bit bigger on top, and never thought a bandeau style would work for me, but it looks like the string around the neck helps.
wow, less than 6 days!!! SO exciting, glad the weekend was a great one! love stowe, too
I missed reading your blog while you were gone, Tina.
It’s so exciting that the BIG day is coming up so soon and you look really gorgeous in your vacation pictures so I have no doubt that you will be a stunning bride.
And now you got me craving a red onion sandwich.
Looks like you had said much fun! You are so relaxed for your wedding being so close
Do you have any favorite fitness magazines and magazines in general? I have read a few issues of self, but it seems to be lacking in content. I know you mentioned you are a big magazine reader.
Molly,
The top is from Target, and the bottom is from Banana Republic (about 3 summers ago). Shopping for bathing suits is a pain in the butt for me, but I usually get lucky at Jcrew and Victoria Secret, where you can buy a small bottom and a large top. I also take my tops to the tailor so the chest can be taken in, but not the cup size. It only costs me an extra $5 or so, and it is totally worth it.
Anon,
I guess I am blessed with a good metabolism, but as Molly mentioned, I balance my treats with smaller meal portions. I also lift weights 2-4 times a week, so I think the extra muscle mass helps burn some of the extra dessert calories as well.
Katie,
I read a ton of magazines! Beside Self, I regularly read Women’s Health, Fitness, Shape, Health, Glamour, US Weekly, and Real Simple.
It was fun seeing all these local places I frequent (OK, except Red Onion, but now that I have seen the sandwich, I am going!)on your blog. Glad you had a great weekend, good luck getting your wedding plans wrapped up. Don’t stress too much, things manage to work themselves out:)
What a relaxing weekend! Definitely the treat you both needed before your hectic week! Good luck getting everything done this week, and HAVE FUN next weekend!
Wow, sounds like a great weekend! Darnit – I had to go to Burlington, VT last year on business and we needed a place to eat…I wish I had known
I loved VT! SO pretty!
Sophie is SO cute! I HEART French Bulldogs!!!!!
Oh wow- I can’t believe your wedding is almost here! You must be a busy lady right now.
Love the pics!
glad you had a good time!
What an amazing weekend! The weather looks incredible along with that tasty food.
And you by the way as look incredible. You are going to be an absolutely beautiful bride in 6 days.
Take care of yourself this week with the big day so soon!!! (I don’t think I slept much at all the week before my wedding…too excited!)
It looks like you had an incredible time! and you still have so much to look forward too! I can’t even believe your big day is less than a week away. Best of luck with the last-minute preparations and try not to stress… you finally get to marry your Mal, and you two seem absolutely perfect for each other!
Tina, I really enjoy reading your blog, I have been reading for a little while now but its my first time to comment. It looks like you had a fabulous weekend in Vermont! Good luck with your wedding, you will be a beautiful bride =)
Tina, I’m inclined to agree with glidingcalm: that first picture of you and Mal here is such a great shot. You both look radiantly happy.
Any restaurant that names itself The Red Onion Cafe can make my lunch any day!
And oh! That farmer’s market! Be still, my beating heart. Those Vermonters really know how to live. But I can’t complain. The Evanston Farmer’s Market was filled with gorgeous produce this weekend, including luscious blueberries and dark shiny Michigan cherries.
Tina, you look fantastic! What kind of workouts do you do for your abs?
I enjoyed my honeymoon at the same resort in T & C a month and a half ago – have a fabulous time! Go to Hemingways (just a walk down the beach to the right) for casual drinks and lunch and Ana Caona (cab ride) for a really nice dinner.
How much fun did you have!!!! It looked fabulous. And you looked fabulous too! Congrats on your wedding.
Ohh thanks for linking to this post! Jeff and I are headed to Burlington for a friend’s wedding August 21-23 ! I will have to rememeber to try Red Onion!
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