Scenes Around Rutland

Yankee Candle

Steve woke up early to capture some of the beautiful sites around Rutland. We've been driving past these places almost every day.

Later we took all the children up to Yankee Candle Company in South Deerfield, Mass. The trip takes almost all back roads. The winding roads and beautiful farms are like a picture book. We set up a code: honking twice when we wanted to stop for pictures. Some children began to express doubts that we would ever get there.

This house and barn are our favorites. They are so beautiful together.

At long last, we did arrive at Yankee Candle. It was shocking to find a place in the middle of nowhere so crowded. The flowers around the store were so beautiful, we just couldn't believe the hundreds of mums!

Naturally, this became a prime opportunity for picture taking!

Our first stop inside the store was the fairly empty candle making museum. The chandler in the museum was quite terse to begin with, but Steve soon won him over with his interest. He then gave us a great presentation, lasting about 45 minutes. The boys were fascinated, very polite, and all asked great questions. The man even let them help make some candles (very unusual). I think, by the end, he enjoyed it as much as we did.

We then hit the store. It is an immense maze of room after room. The toy section was, naturally, the favorite. This giant LEGO Bionicle was considered awesome!

These pictures were taken in a room of nutcrackers.

When we returned home we all stacked wood.

Notice the partial woodpile behind Spencer.

Because the house was sixty degrees inside, we lit the first fire for the winter. Jennie and Adam heat with wood all winter long. We have loved having the fire. It keeps the whole house toasty.