Off to Vermont....see you on the 21st July!!!

Yeah, that's right....the kids and I are on our way to Vermont tomorrow.......so excited!!
So I just wanted to let y'all know that I might not be able to post on my blog until the 21st July. If I can I will, but don't all hide away, and not come back, thinking I have deserted you for ever!

Do come back and check now and then to see if there is any latest news!

In the meantime, I will love and leave you with a really cute video, my friends Lee n' Jackie, waaaaay down in New Zealand sent it to me a few days ago, and it's really fun, and sums up how the kids and I are feeling right now............we're going to Vermont......woohoo!!

We'll be back!!!!!

The 411 on Vermont

Well, the kids and I are off to Vermont on Thursday for 12 days...woohoo!! Andy is in Germany during that time, on business, and yes...he would much rather be with us!

In honour of our upcoming trip I have decided to give y'all the 411 on Vermont (had to do some research myself anyway...)
As those of you who have been following this blog know, I am a fan of interesting facts, and useless snippets of information about places. Therefore, I didn't want to disappoint you all, by not giving you some more of these nuggets of information. Which I know you all can't wait to read, and are sitting on the edge of your computer chair in anticipation , *wink*

So here goes.....

1. Vermont is 160 miles long and 80 miles wide.
2. Vermont is the second smallest state in population.
3. Vermont has the least amount of violent crimes out of all 50 states.
4. The capital of Vermont is Montpelier.
5. Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the U.S.
6. Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonalds.
7. More people live in a rural setting in Vermont than in an urban setting.
8. Rudyard Kipling, living in Vermont in the 1890's invented the game of snow golf.
9. In 1846, the first postage stamp in America is printed in Brattleboro, Vermont.
10. The Green Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, run up the center of the state. In fact, the state’s name is derived from it: Ver, from the French word for green, vert; and -mont from mountain.
11. Ben & Jerry's Ice cream gives their ice cream waste to local farmers who feed it to their hogs. The hogs seem to like every flavor except Mint Oreo!
12. In 1886, Ebenezer J. Ormsbee and Levi K. Fuller ran for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. Each were one-armed amputees. Their campaign slogan was "two good arms between the two of us."
13. Until 1996, VT was the only state without a Wal-Mart.
14. Three quarters of Vermont is covered with forest, including ash, beech, birch, maple, hickory, oak, pine and spruce trees.
15. Champ is a legendary sea creature believed to live in Lake Champlain. Champ might be a reptile, fish, or mammal, or just an old myth or story passed down through the centuries. There have been over 300 Champ sightings recorded: the first as early as 1819, and most recently in 1995.

Well, there you have it, my expounded list of all things Vermont!! Or "The Green Mountain State", as it is also called.

Never let it be said you learn nothing from reading this blog!!

4th July....our first!

We had a tiring but lovely day out in the Woodlands yesterday. Festivities started around 6pm, and we braved the intense heat by taking the kids to Waterway Square to cool off in the interactive water park. There were bands and inflatables, watermelon and hot dog eating competitions, (not at the same time, mind you..) and numerous other activities.



We witnessed again the intense patriotism of the American people. Red, white and blue everywhere, on people's balconies, in flags, on hats, and whole families from Grandpa to baby wore colour co-ordinated outfits fitting in with the theme.



We then hunted for the perfect spot from which to view the 20 minute fireworks display. We found a piece of lawn and laid down our blankets and enjoyed the rest! The temperature was cooling a little, and a wonderful breeze had started to blow, which really helped! The sun went down around 9pm, and about 9:30 the fireworks started. It was really loud, but really beautiful! The kids had never seen a fireworks display like this before, so after their initial shock at the loud bangs going on around them, they were soon squealing in delight!



I tried my best to get some good shots, but nothing can do the real thing justice, it's was a great show, and the finale erupted in about a minute of non-stop continuous multiple rounds of fireworks illuminating the heavens. And the crowds and crowds of people broke out into applause at the end. A truly memorable evening.

Kevin the chicken catcher from Kentucky

Image via Wikipedia

It's the season for America's Got Talent here again, and as usual there are the good, the not so good, and the truly incredible!

We saw our first episode on Tuesday evening, and were delighted to watch a man by the name of Kevin Skinner. He introduces himself as an ex-chicken catcher from Kentucky. What fascinated me about him was his very strong accent....and his very casual, and laid back attitude to the whole business. Also really interesting was the reactions from the judges and audience. You could guess what was going on in their minds, before he even started to sing!

Yeah, I suppose this smacks of Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent, but hey....I'm a sucker for the underdog rising up, and showing everyone there's more to them than meets the eye!!

And I'm no big fan of country music, and definitely no expert, but I thought this guy was really good! Take a look, and decide for yourself..................

Gushers

The whole family has been busy trying out the local foods since we arrived here, and sweets of course, are on top of the list. Chocolate is definitely better in South Africa, and the UK. There is NOTHING like Cadbury's chocolate. I have yet to find anything that can compare, even remotely with a Kit-Kat, or Peppermint Crisp. Many sweets here have Peanut Butter in them, and a lot of chocolate bars are made by Hershey's (no, not related!). And they all pale in comparison!


Just today however, the kids have found some sweets that they really love, and climbed into them with great gusto! OK....I'll admit it.....I did too.....don't hold it against me!


I decided to mark the occasion by taking some photos.......because there's just NO WAY anyone can eat these sweets on the sly...the evidence was clearly visible......



These little gems are 'Gushers'.....and they are soft jelly-like sweets, with juicy, runny....gushy...centres!! They literally burst in your mouth...and if you're not careful, all over your suede lounge suite and beige carpets!!!

They were definitely a hit in the Hersey household today!!