I spent two months last fall at Penland School of Crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. During my time there I worked on my Contain-Her Collection of hand-built clay pieces. The work at resemble containers of different sized and shapes. As a child of the Sixties I have spent a great portion of my life struggling against the conventions that tried to restrain me and women of my generation and beyond. Come by the Helen Day Art Center tonight to celebrate with me sixty-five years in which life has tried (and failed) to Contain-Her. Opening starts at 5PM, I will be speaking at 5:30, the opening ends at 7PM.

I hope to see you there!

Most people don’t think to head up to the Mountain during the summer months, but the Stowe Mountain Resort offers plenty of summer fun! Kids will enjoy sliding down Spruce Peak on the Alpine Slide and bouncing on massive trampolines. Fridays offer a diverse framers market from locally grown food to a variety of crafts. The Stowe Mountain Farmers market is open this Friday the 20th of August from 11-3PM on the Spruce Peak Plaza. For more info on the Farmers Market click here.

Let’s also not forget the world class spa for those rainy days. If you are lucky one of those rainy days will fall on a Friday afternoon between 5-7PM, where you can enjoy a hand or foot treatment along with cheese and wine for a mere $20. No appointment necessary, what a deal! For more information about this special Stowe Mountain Spa Treatment click here.

If golfing is your thing, don’t miss the Stowe Mountain Golf Course, recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the “top ten new courses in the US.” Check out their Stay & Play deals by clicking here.

Frida’s Taqueria & Grill located on Main Street in downtown Stowe offers authentic Mexican cuisine. It’s been open just over a year; if you haven’t been by to check it out yet, put it on your to-do list. They expanded their original menu to include more small plates like the baja and carne burritos. I also recommend the tres tacos for a perfect light meal.

Not to be missed is the homemade guacamole which is made table-side and served with their very addictive handmade tortilla chips. The margarita’s are also some of the best I’ve had.  Even my daughter who doesn’t like margs can’t get enough.

Frida’s offers a great atmosphere if you eat at the bar or at one of their booths or tables. In the summer months they also provide seating outside on their deck, which is a great way to spend an evening. If you’ve been able to resist any of their delicious desserts you can pop next door to the Stowe Scoop Shop. Try one of their original flavors and take a pint home with you!

The Stowe Farmers Market is open every Sunday starting May 16th through October 17th from 10:30AM – 3PM rain or shine. The Stowe Farmers Market offers an array of fresh produce, local crafts and prepared foods. Whether you’re in the mood for Asian or BBQ, you will find it here.

Not only is the farmers market a great place to pick up locally grown produce for the week, it also offers entertainment with live music. It’s a great way to spend a few hours with the kids outside on a warm summer or fall day. Your kids can even enjoy a horseback ride while you’re there.

The Stowe Farmers Market is located right off the Mountain Road in the field next to the Red Barn shops, directly across from the Stoweflake.

Just got an invitation to a last minute cocktail party? Need a something to wear and a bottle of wine as a hostess gift? You’re in luck! Look no further than In Company Clothing, conveniently located right next to the Fine Wine Cellar. Stop by In Company and say hi to Devon. You’ll find her there ready to assist you in finding that perfect outfit. In Company has everything from the perfect summer party dress, to designer jeans and cashmere sweaters to keep you warm on a cold night. Be it bangles or business attire Devon and her staff will help you find just what flatters you.

Once you are outfitted with your new party dress, pop next door and ask Ed or Roy for their suggestion on a wide selection of wines. Covering all major wine regions and price points, you’ll be sure to leave with at least one, if not a dozen, excellent choices.

For more information on In Company click here.

For more information on Fine Wine Cellars click here.

This is my current piece in the Exposed! show at the Helen Day Art Center. It is my Beehive. In the last number of years I have been working with materials that are not biodegradable. My goal is to figure out how one can create art from these items that are not typically used and are commonly discarded without much thought.

In the past I have created art using grocery bags. This year I decided to work with k-cups form Keurig machines. The cups reminded me of a beehive, it gave me the theme for the piece. Over a year I collected over, 350 k-cups, yes we drink a lot of coffee, and formed them into the inside structure of the beehive. The outside of the beehive is covered with expansion foam which was originally gray. You’ll see it has taken on a yellow hue due to pollen and sun, as I had been storing the piece outside on and off while I worked on it.

It will be interesting to observe it over the next few months, where it will live full-time outside, to see what the patina does. The artistic question is do I keep it true to the color of the beehive or allow the environment to effect the piece. Only time will tell.

You can view my Beehive hanging near the Helen Day Art Center now through October. Join me and the other artists in the Exposed! show tonight for a walking tour of all the works. Click here for more information.

HGTV has decided on it’s 2011 Dream home and it will be at  Spruce Peaks at the Stowe Mountain Resort.  It will be the first home they’ve selected in Vermont. The Stowe home is a custom built home nestled in the trees with a direct view of Mount Mansfield.

For more information visit the HGTV site by clicking here.

Part III

The day arrived when the phone rang and I heard those magically words, “Hello, this is your closer.” Ah, it was like blue birds burst into song, the sun shone out from behind the computer and all was right with the world. I could see the sale happening in a month, perhaps a couple of weeks. This was not so bad, it was easier than I expected. And then… more demands, more documents, countless HUD statements. As if that was not enough, weeks go by and another phone call stating that the government has just come out with a new form that must be filled out by the owner of the property, a form that did not exist two weeks prior.

What totally mystifies me is that each time I have asked these handlers and closers if they have every bit of information they need, they say yes and I should hear in 48 to 72 hours. I hear nothing. Then when I call back to find out why I haven’t heard, they want another document, or they want it revised. It is frustration beyond words. Just as you think you have the brass ring, it slips away and you have to wait until you go around again.

What I have learned is to treat my handlers and closers with the utmost respect, warmth, humor and cooperation. I only once lost my temper, at the request for a new form that had to be filled out. The number one rule in working out a short sale with the bank is: DO NOT GET PISSED OFF AT YOUR HANDLERS. I apologized.

I have scanned, faxed and re-scanned and re-faxed the same documents over and over, still they insist that they do not have them. Where they are (perhaps a nice shredded bed for some rabbit)? So here I am stuck in the middle of the tunnel waiting to come out in the daylight. Will I succeed in getting the second mortgage holder to accept the offer made by the first mortgage holder? Will the first mortgage holder sell at the price they have told me?  Stay tuned.

My advice… this is not a money maker for a real estate agent when you consider the time and frustration. Why am I doing it? It fascinates me. It is a puzzle to solve, it appeals to my creative side, and it makes real estate interesting.

After several days  I succeeded in getting to the right department. I was given a “list” of all required documents. Once those were gathered together I was told to expect to be assigned a “handler.” In the meantime, if you call in to check on the status of your offer and you have not received a “handler,” you have to go through a whole explanation of who you are, and why you are calling. The only fortunate thing is that they make notes on the computer about all conversations with you. The unfortunate side is you must wait until they read all the notes and ask you some of the same questions you have answered before. Then it is your moment to ask: “What is happening?”

In most cases there is yet another form that they are looking for. It does not seem to matter that you were diligent sending the owners financial information, the purchase and sales agreement, the listing agreement, the buyer’s mortgage qualification; they will want some other document. If you succeed in accomplishing all their demands you are rewarded with a “handler.” You will dance around, sing hallelujah and feel like you hit pay dirt on Match.com.

My “handler” and I began a relationship that lasted over two months. Alas, I have to admit I was a two-time unfaithful mate. Behind my handler’s back, I had another handler from the second mortgage company. I actually preferred him, as he was upbeat and friendly, but the first one was funny. Everyday was exciting to me as I waited with baited breath to hear from them. Although, I would immediately respond to their demands, there would always be another one the next day or week. My true quest was to get to the “closer.’ This was like dating the ugly step sisters to finally have an audience with Cinderella.

Stowe Bike Path, known locally as the Rec Path is a fun way to spend the day outside getting to know the town of Stowe. It’s great for families and anyone really! You can pick up the bike path in various locations along the Mountain Road. It start behind the Stowe Community Church right in town and take it all the way to the Topnotch Meadows, a 10 mile round trip. Take your time and stop for a dip in the West Branch River. Grab a bite at any number of restaurants long the path or a locally brewed beer at the Shed. You will even find the Percy Farm Corn Maze just past the half-way mark. For details on the Stowe Bike Path click here.

Map of the Stowe Bike Path