Dec
22
Public Tours and More
Good news! You can now purchase tickets for on-site tours of HGTV Dream Home 2011. Get home tour details here.
Also, as a special holiday gift to all HGTV Dream Home fans, I’m launching a Super Fan double video feature today. Enjoy!
Hi everybloggie !
What a good idea to donate the public tour ticket takings to the school ! If I'm lucky to win the Dream Home, I'd like to be considered as a host family for the students who prefer a home setting, rather than boarding at the school ~ plenty of room in the ski dorm ~ and the kitchen is big enough to feed hungry athletes :O)
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Actually one of my former students boarded there when she was in training.
Hi Nebraska,
That's amazing ! What a small world. I had never heard of the school before this HGTV website.
I hope your former student turned out well ! Children are the future stewards of our planet and it's wonderful when they have a love for the outdoors and respect nature.
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Actually she hurt her knee and never recovered enough for the Olympics. I teach at the college level – not children.
Bummer, sure hope she recovered mentally and emotionally and is able to achieve in other areas.
Nebraska, did your student compete at the elite leve? Is she still competing or is she now an instructor? Wow, must be nice to personally know and have some influence with such a student athlete.
NOW I'm having a great day here in New Hampshire !
Thank you Gail for such a fun double feature video ! Bring on the virtual popcorn and we'll all sit back and enjoy the show ~ What fun to hear PFG's creative Ode !!!
My favorite space is the kitchen ~ light and brightness just stream in, there are no gloomy spaces in this Dream Home :O) I would choose to have one large Douglas Fir tree in the Gathering room, so I can enjoy it while I'm cooking… I wonder how tall that ceiling is ?
H G T V Dreaming :O)
GoldieLocksBear
XO
GoldieLocksBear, one tree in that home is only the beginning. Wonder how many Christmas trees would be "just enough" for the 2011 Dream Home.
(I posted this on the previous thread) For those who will be attending the Public Tours make sure you're familiar with the guidelines before attending. http://stowe.com/mountain/index/page2718/
Thanks for that info Kathy!
Well thank you Gail for that Gift that we will be impatiently waiting for and about the tour that is very generous of HGTV you guy's rock.
Let's go !! everybloggie
I'm looking forward to reading all of your perfect poems and loony limericks about the HGTV Dream Home!
Let's strut our stuff and show what a fun crowd of brilliant bloggers we are :O)
H. G .T. V.
The envelope's stamped
and ready to go.
To enter and win
this Dream Home in Stowe.
My keyboard is primed
on-line entries to send
And hope this Dream Home
comes to THIS blogging friend !
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Hi Goldie, great one….Let's absolutely stuff those ballot boxes with wildly fantastic, fanfilled, fervently, foreverly, everready, get ready, okay to be greedy, entries, entries, a little pleady. Merry Christmas kid, and joyous, healthy happy, wonderful, lots of lights, everything spectacular. Good, Great, Luck. Love Janzee
Great poem, Goldie Locks Bear. Anyone volunteering to collect, publicize, and oversee the judging on this year's haiku contest?
With a double video release by Super Fan Gail and details about the upcoming Public Tours of this magical mountain lodge posted compliments of MARY, it's a perfect time to share my tale about a recent surprise Dream Home visitor.
So in honor of the 2011 Dream Home, the spirit of the Holiday Season, and my very well-known love of bears(!) — with a few alterations to a story that first appeared in the 2010 DH blog, I've refashioned this daring adventure for dreamers everywhere.
GOLDENLOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS IN A VERMONT DREAM HOME ADVENTURE
Part One:
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldenlocks. She went for a walk in the picturesque Stowe, Vermont mountain community of Spruce Peak. Pretty soon, she came upon the most lovely house. Walking up the newly paved driveway, she admired the landscape design and plantings that complimented the rustic ski lodge style home so well. At the covered entry terrace and impressive front door, with its wood-carved sign proclaiming this the "Home of the Beare Family" (who were, coincidentally, actually three bears) she knocked and knocked, and knocked some more. When no one answered after several long moments, she tried the door, and finding it unlocked, she walked right in.
Part Two:
"Oh my," she exclaimed, as she stepped into the Entry, "the views are simply stunning, and the decor, why it couldn't be more perfect." After an approving peek into the very practical Mudroom, she stepped into the expansive Gathering Room with its cozy fireplace and generous seating in greens, deep red and golden yellow, amazed at the scenic winter wonderland beyond its floor to ceiling windows. She gasped in delight at the cozy furnishings in the Annex, a tree-house-like sitting area, with its four amply-sized leather recliners that were so perfect for taking in the mountain views. She turned to marvel at the ever so charming open Kitchen and Dining Room, and the large wooden deck that invited her outdoors to overlook snow-capped Mt. Mansfield. "Why, it's as if I could nearly reach out and touch it," she thought contentedly.
Part Three:
"And this Kitchen is such a work of art," she said with joy as she gazed at its gourmet-chef-pleasing appliances, soaring timbered ceiling, and mile high polished range vent hood. Waiting on the oversized kitchen island with seating for six, and set with dinnerware and accessories that smartly carried on the mountain lodge theme, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldenlocks was hungry. She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.
"This porridge is too hot!" she exclaimed.
So she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.
"This porridge is too cold," she said.
Then she tasted the last bowl of porridge.
"Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up.
Part Four:
After she'd eaten the three Beare's breakfasts, she decided she was feeling a little tired. So she stepped into the Gathering Room, where she saw the comfy-looking seating. Goldenlocks tried sitting on each of the two light green sofas to rest her feet. "What wonderful sofas, but a bit too big for just one" she thought to herself.
She sat on the smaller golden-yellow chenille sofa. "Ahhh, this one's just right," she sighed, as she settled down into the chair to rest a few moments before continuing her discovery of the home's remaining treasures.
Part Five:
Goldenlocks was very sleepy by this time, She walked back towards the Entry, and turned to descend the stairway that beckoned her to explore more of this lovely home. To her surprise, she discovered even more spacious and light-filled rooms, with a convenient refreshment serving area and a wonderful L-shaped sectional sofa in a soft yellow-green. Not only that, but a large and ingeniously laid out Ski Dorm and a generous Dorm Bath in bold contrasting colors. She lay down on one of the bunk beds, but it was too difficult to fall asleep, for try as she might, she couldn't decide which of the eight bunk beds to choose. So she slipped out past the downstairs Living Area once again and peeked into the very inviting Guest Bedroom. "Oh, certainly," she exclaimed, "with its warm earth-toned furnishings and elegant pearl-white linens, this is just the right bed for me." Lying down and closing her eyes, she found that, tired as she might be, visions of a Master Bedroom Suite danced in her head.
Part Six:
Up the stairs she climbed, and padding ever so quietly about the house, she discovered the door that must lead to Mr. and Mrs. Beare's private Master Bedroom. "My, my," she exclaimed, as she admired the rich cranberry wall color, the imposing, draped, four-poster bed, the framed black and white photographs by Vermont artist Peter Miller, and the tempting Master Bathroom beyond. "It's truly everything I could have wished for." There, overwhelmed by the delightful soaking tub, the forever views from every angle, and the thoughtful blend of graceful style and masculine fabrics of the luxurious Master Bedroom Suite, she lay down on the plush ebony-detailed master's bed, and it was just right. With radiant floor heating and a snuggly duvet to warm her, Goldenlocks fell fast asleep.
Part Seven:
As she was sleeping, Mr. & Mrs. Beare and little Baby Beare, the lucky Dream Home owners, came home from their walk. Hanging their coats and hats in the Mudroom, they stepped into the kitchen, where their steaming bowls of porridge would be waiting to warm them up.
"Someone's been eating my porridge," growled Papa Bear.
"And someone's been eating my porridge," remarked Mama Bear.
"Someone's been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!" cried Baby Bear.
Turning to the Gathering Room, Papa Bear's eyes widened and he growled, "Someone's been sitting on my sofa."
"Someone's been sitting on my sofa too," said the Mama Bear.
"Someone's been sitting in my golden yellow chair very recently," cried Baby Bear, "and it's still warm!"
Part Eight:
They decided to look around some more and when they got to the Ski Dorm, Baby Bear wailed breathlessly, "someone's been sleeping in my beds." Even though Baby Bear had a bed for each day of the week, and one favorite spot for holidays, all eight beds had indeed been mysteriously ruffled.
Carefully peeking into the Guest Room, Mama Bear exclaimed loudly, "someone's been sleeping in the guest bed, too."
The Beare family scurried up to the Master Bedroom Suite, where Papa Bear growled angrily, "someone's been sleeping in our big bed, Mama Bear, and she's still there!"
Just then, Goldenlocks woke up and saw the three bears, glaring at her in annoyance. With a surprised scream, she jumped up and ran out of the house through the bedroom's private balcony door, down the covered walk, and off into the forest. She never returned to disturb the owners of the Dream Home again, and the three Beares lived happily ever after.
THE END
Hi DBCoop,
I enjoyed your bedtime story ~ are you sure the Seven Dwarfs weren't taking an afternoon nap in the ski dorm ?
What a sad ending thought ! Perhaps the bears could SHARE the Dream Home with Goldie ?
Or at least the baby bear should get his porridge…
" Oh Papa ! " Cried the little bear,
"My porridge's gone ! It's just not fair !"
"Then go upstairs", Papa bear said.
" Your porridge is upon the bed".
" But as it's inside Miss GoldieLocks,
~ eat her up, then lick your chops!"
GoldieLocksBear
XO
LOL! Talk about Christmas cheer…first it's Cami with bear skin rugs, and now it's little Miss Goldenlocks being devoured by Baby Bear.
I guess I'll have to interview prospects for next year's Dream Home 2012 in order to come up with another main character for the Mr. and Mrs. Beare and Baby Beare series.
….and they all lived happily ever after gets my vote. THE END
Goldenlocks simply ROCKS! Thanks for the smiles!
Coop, you're such a great story teller. Enjoyed reading your story. Happy New Year!
So lets load up the next bus and head over to Stowe, get that lumberjack breakfast, make some of those tourist stops along the way, and see the DH.
Hi MerleandShirl are you planning to get us all on that bus, and are you going to feed us?
They are keeping me on a short leash these days, but when ya have a crew to feed, I guess I'll have to put on my apron and make a country breakfast and with all the fixins.
Well untie that apron MerleandShirl, and take a wander in the wide open fields of Vermont, when you ring your bell we'll all come to breakfast at the Stowe DH. Welcome to the site, and good luck to you in 2011.
I love this house! Everything speaks to huge family gatherings and good times. LOVE it. I've poured over all the pics and the only thing I can't figure out is what's behind the pocket door to the right of the bed in the master bedroom? Does it lead into the master closet too. That's one thing I wish they had pics of. They always do such a good job with the master closets. Maybe they'll post pics later on? The pics of everything else were so great. They really had me daydreaming.
You're right evaq24. There's no pictures of the master closets. Probably his and hers. Maybe Gail will give us more details about the master closets in an upcoming vlog.
I am curious about the pictures outside the entry to the master, as well as that entry (is there a mirror there?) and the one once in the bedroom where the closet can be seen in one picture. Also would love a virtual tour of the stairs at the bottom to see that space with the bookcase and how it would look going into the living area.
Truly, a lot of work has gone into this beautiful home. My hats off to the architect. Whoever wins this home is one lucky person. It is also set up to rent out as a ski resort and bed & breakfast with that fantastic kitchen. I loved everything in this home.
Hi MaryMead,
I think that's a pretty neat idea. In these times, it is a really creative way of keeping this amazing home putting your vested interest in it, and have your family work with you to build a business. You would probably get a whole lot of support from the community. They are a conservative group of folk, but very welcoming to new people and new ideas. You may be on to something.
? <DIV>Hi Janzee:</DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>I thought it would give whoever wins this home an idea on how to keep it. You have a master suite w/bathroom, guest bedroom with bathroom and a dorm. I'm pretty sure the girl scouts or boy scouts would even love to stay at a place like this. The kitchen is sufficient for either hiring a local chef or if you are a good cook, you can do some down-home cooking yourself.</DIV> <DIV style=”FONT: 10pt arial”>
These are all workable ideas, and hope that there should be a way to do this with HOA's. The bloggies on this site as you know are a pretty staunch proud, creative, stategic, smart gang and I would betcha that if one of us one we would hold on to this house and could hopefully figure in yur plan.
Good idea MaryMead but I must confess that I'm not interested in running a bed & breakfast. Renting interests me though as long as I have great people to help me clean and maintain this beautiful Dream Home.
Gail, I am so in agreement with you about the acoutstics and what can be done in the house with parties, dancing, performances, community gatherings, I do love the ceilings, and just eyeballing them they look like the artwork of rustic gone wild. A favorite place at this moment, is in the living room on the couch watching the fireplace and the view from the big windows. The focus for this house is always, looking out, or up. Bright sunny, full of vim and vigor. Yep!!!! I am somewhat of a material girl, not in the financial sense, but attracted to the way materials pop with old style soft patterns up against color and new design. You could never get bored in this house with a constant and wonderful sensory experience. Always finding a place to hide at the end of day, I think the guest room, with the large bed, muted colors, and meditation feel to it reminds me of an eagles nest. Sometimes a loner going out when everyone is watching the Sound of Music, there is time to stowe away for a dip in the hot tub, and then into that UNBELIEVABLE kitchen for whipping up a vegetarian feast and some fresh salmon, simple piled high with a mountain of sauteed veggies.
Miss Janzee if you are the lucky winner can you send me and invite? the vegetarian feast sounds to good.
Dear pixelcho69, When I am in Vegas or LA, we can get together anytime, and I'll take you to some cool vegatarian hang outouts. We all dont need the winning house to do that, although that would be the coolest. And I know this blog will generously invite each other if someone wins. Vegetarian cusine I'm finding is plentiful, filling, puts color and festivity on a table or counter top, and then when you chow down your flavors are out of this world.
well thank you I accept, If I win you are more than invited you can come over any time.
From: notifications@intensedebatemail.com
To: echopixel@hotmail.com
Subject: Janzee replied to your comment on Public Tours and More
Dearest pixelcho, please check this post, your email is coming through and I wonder if Intense Debate has made an error. On getting together, you are always invited my dear, and so is anyone on this site. Footnotes about this group— we are all very close, respectful, fiercely independent, fiercely competitive, loving, smart as can be, brilliant, fun, researching, and the list goes on.
P.S I think you'll find this funny. I am not completely vegetarian, although that's probably in the works. Just before you posted, I snipped a little off an already prepared chicken, offered some to my half King Charles, and had some quinoa. Then I opened your email, and had to laugh. There are times that a buffalo burger sounds very interesting to me although I've never had one. I think Prescott has some great restaurants that serve them.
Next time you are in L.A. Gracie you can take a boat out to Catalina island. I flew into the airport there with a friend and two of my oldest sons. They had really good buffalo burgers. Taste is very similart to beef but lower fat. When i lived in Ramona a gentleman used to ride his buffalo into town on occasion. That was an impressive sight!
Georgie Eddie Oregon Merry Christmas to you and a stocking full of surprises that keep coming to you for fun, great, adventure, happiness, health, joy, travel, good food, peace, lots of good reading, winning, all good. I think if I saw that critter mozying down the road, I couldn't eat a buffalo burger if I tried. I sure would love to take a boatroad to Catalina though. I have some friends that work with the Maritime tribes and nations, that have restored a 500 year old canoe and went sailing around the island. Very cool stuff.
Janzee, regarding the 500 yr. old canoe model : have you ever read "Island of the Blue Dolphins " ? If not, it might deepen appreciation of your friends' project to read it.
Coleman hi, I saw this film many years ago, and yes you are right this canoe could very well be a vessel used by the one of the tribes who so dearly loved the Catalina islands. Thank you for reminding me about the film- I am going to check it at at Blockbuster or Hulu .
I remember scenes of the film, but I saw it long ago.. it was made based on a children's book ( too classic a book to classify only as juvenile literature… I think it is a great read for any age.)
It's interesting how so many classic films started with the seed of an idea in juvenille lit. This is not my cup of tea, but the gal who wrote a novel years ago called Vampire Diaries, got picked up a few years as a teen series. One of my bestest buds writes for the show.
Half King Charles–what an interesting expression.
I adopted her so I am not so sure what the other half is. Alls I know she is my better half. I will change up the tree avatar soon, and show a picture of her.
Can't wait to see your new avatar. Want to see what a Half King Charles looks like.
I may do something else for the new year-something a little comical.
It's a new year, why not do both.
Janzee, as usual your vivid descriptions make me want to join in. I can envision you as a material girl wrapped in warm soft fabrics sitting on the deck. But then you're not a sitter so maybe you're standing on the deck contemplating your next adventure.
Hello Lovey, Happy Blessed New Year. Yep you got me down to a tee, but you are right there with me, with attraction to adventure and love of beautiful things, and so is the rest of our blogging sisterhood. P.S. Did you get my post to you about how you have inspired me this year with prayer walks. They are changing my life. I think of you often before I have this 'tea party with G-D as I like to call it.".
Janzee, you are so full of it—-encouragement to fellow bloggers! Happy New Year to you too! I read your comment about the prayer walks but have been so busy. Two deaths in two months have been stressful but things are much better now.
Tea party with God, I like the sound of that. May it enrich your spirit and bear much fruit.
Yes I am full of it, I love it!!! You are full of it too Lessie, and quite a character to boot. Thank you for one of the greatest blessings of all time. Grandma used to say something like this to me." May everything you think, touch, plan, be crowned with happiness, health, success, and fruit". She loved fruit, so I wish this to you and your family at this time, and always. I would like to add an exotic fruit, or maybe a Vermont fruit. Love Janzee
Janzee, there you go again–blessing others with your wonderful words of encouragement! Your grandmother was an extremely wise woman and you are following in her footsteps. Thank you for your kindness. To add to your grandma's statement, "May the fruit from the work of your hands and heart cross generations into eternity." Love ya.
Dearest Lessie,
I can't find the amazing blessing, so I reprinted them here.
Janzee, there you go again–blessing others with your wonderful words of encouragement! Your grandmother was an extremely wise woman and you are following in her footsteps. Thank you for your kindness. To add to your grandma's statement, "May the fruit from the work of your hands and heart cross generations into eternity." Love ya.
I wanted to respond to you and tell you that this prayer is so dear to me, I can almost smell my conversations with my grandma. Thank you for your words and blessings. Love you!!!
I love that annex! The cozy little space is just right for me! I am an early morning person. I would curl up there with my first cup of coffee for the day with a book and just snuggle in. Talk about a room with a view!
I feel the exact same way!!
You're right moon_lady, that is an exceptional view!
$1879 for full season ski pass!
Im from Stowe and it is very expensive thats why I cross country
)
Cross country is good. You still have great views as you exercise.
We ride our bikes in the snow when visiting NY in the winter — just not during a blizzard or if there's too much ice…not bad for grandparents, eh?
$1879 is a great way to keep the slopes open for elite or professional skiers. Must be why the Dream Home has so many spectacular views of the mountain.
Set us up for that ski pass Nebraska we are all ready for some lessons, although I would probably be a little funny on skiis. Just today I went out to price and buy ski garb. I put a whole bunch of things in my basket, like long Johns, acryllic thermal pants, a breathable sweater to match the pants, a jacket, and the list kept growing and the salespeople were smiling. One lovely woman approached me, and said "you are a newby right?" Then she proceeded to scale down exactly what I would need on the baby slopes. What I eventually walked out with was long Johns.
SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!
I'm looking forward to this year's Dream Home Giveaway, but want to be sure that all of my entries are acceptable, since postage gets really expensive quickly. Can anyone tell me:
1. Can we use handmade postcards made from card stock?
2. Can we use large, 8×5 in., index cards to enter?
3. Can we make entries out of unusual shapes of card stock?
4. Is card stock even acceptable, rather than paper?
5. Can the postcards/entries be 3D, with embellishments of any kind?
6. Can we include photos (printed by home computer) on our postcards/entries?
I hope someone has an official answer about details on what's acceptable for entries. It would be fun to play around with the entry forms/postcards, but I don't want to take any chances on having mine thrown away/disqualified. Good luck, everyone!
All good questions mtmama, and the card stock is certainly worth saving and recycling in this way especially if you have a storehouse of it, like some of us did in the teaching profession. I cant give you an answer, now but it's worth going back to the rules to check it out.
Here are the guidelines on mail in entries. If it is not specifically addressed then it is not outlawed. As long as you stay within these perimeters you will be fine:
"(iii) hand printing your name, complete address, phone number (area code included) and date of birth either on a postcard or on a separate piece of paper no larger than 8½ x 11 inches, and mailing the postcard or paper in an envelope with proper postage affixed to: HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, PO Box 52226, Knoxville, TN 37950 (the "Mail-In Address"). Entrants using U.S. mail may enter as often as they wish. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by February 18, 2011 and received by February 25, 2011. Limit one (1) entry per stamped outer envelope. Mechanically reproduced or hand-stamped entries or mailing labels or entries generated by script, macro or other automated means and entries by any means which subvert the entry process will not be accepted. Incorrect, illegible, and incomplete entries are void."
**I do want to straight out say, because others have gotten very mad about wasting their money in the past, the odds are much less that it will be a write in entry (not to say that it won't be though)…just be smart to not spend more on postage, etc. than your are willing to lose.
Thank you Our Army Family for making this info very clear. Although the rules are pretty clear, I wrote down info in case I decide to send in an entry. I'll bet Mtmama appreciates your taking time to do this.
Thank you Army for taking the time to go back to the rules and print them out. You have reached out to many folks over the last year to share your wealth of information.
If you read the guidelines it specifically says to use a postcard OR a separate piece of paper no longer than 8½ x 11 inches.
The guidelines on the website might not mention to not use unusual shapes of cards or cards with embellishments because postcards have a standard size and shape (and are not 3D), and if you mail anything else it has to be inside an envelope.
My suggestion would be using your card stock to make standard postcards or using regular paper in an envelope. Good luck!
Excellent advice brenabessa. I love your name, as it sounds like a family name. Good luck to you dear.
You should know in advance the agency supervising the drawing is well experienced in all the ways people try to make their mailed in entries have better than random chances and probably coach the person drawing (in the case of a mailed in bin number being picked from the hopper) to not pick anything with an unusual look or feel so as to not offend other entrants who will see the video footage.
yeah it had me a little confused too. Im glad you brought these good questions up.
Its the same thing for the wording in the e-mail entry
(limit one (1) online entry on the HGTV Website, per valid email address, per eligible person per day)
So does that mean as long as you have different e-mails under your name you can enter with each one ?
or
1 entry with a valid e-mail a day
Hmmmm maybe im just reading it right? Too many cookies are confusing the brain
)
If i were you go to the rules and read them over , and over. I am going to mail just post cards that you can get any were. But make sure that its not bigger than the size specified in the rules. My post cards are of the senery of the area were i do live at. Goog luck to you.
mtmama1000, you're really into mailing entries. In previous Dream Home sweepstakes, some entrants have done unusual things to attract attention to their entries. Too bad none of them were selected. Considering the economy and how it personally inpacts you, I'd say you can do anything you want as long as you remain within the HGTV guidelines.
You have given me so many good ideas, but we are only able to enter verry few times, becouse it is expensive to mail post cards, but if we were to break the rules some how your entry for the day you decorated the post card, Well for me you have given me some really good ideas. Its just not worth loosing my entry for that day. Good luck to all of us bloggers
OK well here is my version of "Up on the Housetop"
Up to the doorstep,
HGTV is sitting
Out jumps good ol’
Pederson and Gidding.
In through the door
with exciting news
Telling the family,
“put on your shoes”.
Stowe Ho Ho!
Who wouldn’t go?
Stowe Ho Ho!
Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the Mountain top
Fun ,Fun, Fun
Many thanks to
Linda Woodrum and Jack Thomasson.
DavidandDiane, I gave you a thumbs up as thanks on your other entry that appeared later. I don't
know how the blog works but here's your response to my song ahead of my song. It makes us
look like we have ESP! LOL!
davidanddiane, great job on your revised version of Up on the Housetop.
Super Fan you have a mini fan! I played the newest vlog and my super cute almost two year old said, "It Gail!" and pointed at your picture (video). At first I was sure that I couldn't have heard her right… so, I asked, "who's that?" She answered again, "It Gail!" Then again, she's been curled up in my lap for pretty much every vlog of yours I've watched these past two years.
Love your story. Kids are like sponges!
A lot of people asked on the kitchenette, the written description says: "An adjoining kitchenette services both the living area and the terrace. The nearly 10-foot-long counter features storage space, a refrigerator and oven/warming drawer unit." Though technically by dictionary definition it is not a kitchenette as a kitchenette (according to Merriam-Webster) has a cooking aspect to it and I don't really know that the warming drawer counts as that. Either which way, it is convenient to at least have a fridge for drinks.
link to the warming drawer for those who are interested: http://www.wolfappliance.com/WarmingDrawer/Warmin…
With all the glassware, and dishes in the "kitchenette", and no visible means to clean them, there will be a whole lot of schlepping going on to get them upstairs for cleaning and back. A dumbwaiter would be nice, and a laundry chute, both ideas we've heard applied to othern HGTV homes.
Schlepping is good for the waistline, but maybe not so good for the back. I do like the fact that there is a fridge, and microwave.
There is a microwave isn't there?
Yup I found it. There is enough room there for and island – it could house a 2 burner cook plate and a sink (and a drawer dishwasher). If someone didn't need all of the space (an older retired couple) they could close off the main level and rent out the lower level and still live upstairs in comfort.
Our Army Family, take it in stride. Don't get too technical, but then you're an English major so I should expect perfection from you at all times. How was your Christmas? Hope your New Year is one of the best you've ever had!
Well done Deerspring!
Thanks! Happy Holidays!
Thanks to the bloggers who have given us wonderful rhymes and stories for the holiday season, and to the HGTV crew who gave us this sneak peek at the fantastic Stowe DH as an early gift! Christmas has been cutting into my blog time (not that there's anything wrong with that!), but I did want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday, and to leave you with this seasonal song in optimistic anticipation of DH 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvGKUXW0iI&fe…
Enjoy the holidays no matter where you celebrate!
CplusE, I wouldn't expect any other Christmas greeting from you. We all know you love Hawaii.Maybe the next HGTV Urban Oasis will be in Hawaii.
The one thing that I feel that the living area needs is a real wood burning fireplace. There's nothing like coming into a ski chalet after a day of skiing and having real wood burning fire, so I was sorry to see that it didn't have one.
Wow I totally missed that !! Yes a must have in a Vermont home! Nothing says Vermont like Snow, the smell of pine & a wood burning fireplace.
Rosalie, usually I prefer wood but where would you store it? For this Dream Home, I'd prefer the quickest easiest fire since my toes are nice and toasty from the heated floors. But I do understand your love of a wood burning fire–the smell is great. So are the sounds.
Twinkle, twinkle, Dream home star
And all the wonders that you are
Upon the ridge top way so high
A perfect diamond near the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, dream home star
Arts of clouds and bronze delight
This is when you show your light
Twinkle, twinkle, through the night
Twinkle, twinkle, dream home star
Embrace the magic that you are
All the skiers in the dark
Thank you for your tiny spark
They now can see which way to go
It’s all because you twinkle so
Twinkle twinkle dream home star
This special diamond that you are.
Happy Holidays to all. LOL from MKS
Happy Holidays to you, too. Your star shines bright!
Love the poem !! So perfect for this home I call the "Nordic Hobbitat". Warm holiday wishes to you.
I love this—–Nordic Hobbitat—-is so perfect description of our wonderful Stowe Dream Home. Hope the rest of your holiday season is wonderful too.
Dear MeKhazSimi, what an amazing poem laden with dream like "a candle in the window images." Only someone who could take that house through a personal time lapse journey could see its possibilities. Let's make that dream a reality.
The holiday season brings out the poets. You're one of them MeKhazSimi. Continue to entertain us.
Look up the mountain and watch people ski
Sitting in the dream house – how happy we'd be!
As a teacher, my family and I would spend our holiday break
Away from Ohio, in Vermont I would wake
This house is amazing – it is easy to see
The creations by the designers from HGTV!
We gaze at the pictures with anticipation
And dream of the kids nestled in the bunk room on vacation
We will win? I can only hope
I'll try each day hoping to be on the slope!
So from our "HGTV fan family" with fingers crossed
Please, Gail, don't let our dreams be lost!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas to you hobby4me, and good Luck and Merry Christmas. Great Poem!!!!
Thanks, Janzee! This house is absolutely stunning and I can't wait to see the show on Jan. 1st. My husband, kids, and I will all tune in to watch!
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas as well!
It is such music to my ears, to see the joy and pleasure everyone gets from entering the HGTV contest, and all of the creativity, stories, humor anecdotes, poetry, and research that happens along the way. Thank you for the smiles, Good luck hobby4me1!!
hobby4me, your poem expresses the sentiments of many. Enjoy the holiday season!
I really like the rug and recliners in the annex! Spent some time trying to find them.
Gail mentioned singing and dancing at the DH in Stowe. Soney decided to check it out. Sure enough there is a party going on at the DH in Stowe. We will try to pop in and out here but so much to do yet. Don't know why we wait until the last minute. It was always a tradition to go shopping the day before Christmas for our family just to see all of the excitement downtown. So tomorrow Soney and I are going to go see Santa. Happy Holidays everybody. Love from Alice and Soney! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHaieh_Hcn4&fe…
Be sure that Soney's Christmas list is all filled out so that Santa knows just what gifts to bring!
Love you DBCoop!!!!!
Warm wishes to you and Soney..take care on your shopping trip & have a great time.
Thank you LLColeman warm wishes to you and your family this holiday season. Soney can't wait to show Santa his Christmas list so we are off and running!
Dear ali,
At first I thought that all that rockin and lights was your house. What a warm and wonderful Christmas greeting card with lots of fun and happiness from you and your soney. As always we would love to follow you downtown to see all the lights.
Hi Alice and Soney The girls and I hope you and Soney had a warm, wonderful Christmas. As the new year approaches we're guessing you two are also dreaming, planning, and jotting down ideas for the make-over of your home this spring.
I asked the girls if they had any new year's resolutions they wanted to share with me—-they both looked at me and walked off—-so I took that to mean subject closed—–and status quo for the coming year—-more or less—"Cats Rule" ha
But—-in the mean time—-there's the excitement of the countdown for the DH 2011 Sweeps, and DH float in the Rose Parade—and on and on. LOL
QUESTION
about photo 19 of the Living Area, GROUND LEVEL Where is this bookcase?
I found it. I sure wish they had made it easier to find.
I still haven't found it! Help Please! I am making myself crazy.
It is next to the stairs (to the right coming down). You catch just a glimpse of it (just a corner really) in the video. The floor plan helped me place it.
Thank you! Wow, I watched that a few times and missed it. I paid very good attention this time and even saw a door in the master bath. It didn't look like there were ANY!
Nice deerspring – I wrote a version of "Up on the housetop" too, however it was awaiting approval, not sure if it will make it or not. Your lyrics are awesome!
Thank's Gail for the new video. I do plan on being the number one blogger to win this beuitiful HGTV dream home. This home will be perfect for me to live in . All i can do to see that i am the winner of this fabulous givaway is to make sure that i enter the givaway daily, wich i will do as long as my computer doesn't break down again. My computers do break down often. I am verry happy to finally get to see the inside of the home. It is not easy for me to wait. However it's not like i really had a choice. Not much longer now , and we will be able to start entering in hopes to be the big winner. I am glad to have an oppratunity to be a blogger , and to find out what all the rules are. I am thankfull to still be alive to take part in these givaways in some day hopes to be able to win my own home, that i feel like i do deserve. The dream team is awsome. I thought monica pederson is going to give the online tour again this year.
I also do feel like being a blogger with the rest of you on here. We all are a part of a small comunity , and i do enjoy it verry much. I am not a poeit yet but i will give it some thought in hopes to be the winner about spring next year. I will do alot of thinking with hopes i will come up with something different. Does any one know were monica pederson is at? I am hoping to see her on the computer soon.
I did a little blogging last year on this site, and 15 yrs. of entering the contests ! The online tour is like a preview or sneak peek, and then the tv show Jan. 1st will be different: then you will see Monica, and John will be outdoors showing the landscape and terrace.
A winner's name is drawn at random every year, just like a lottery–it does not matter whether we blog or not; it only takes one entry. (The Urban Oasis was won by the young man who only sent in one entry !) Others enter every day, some both mail in and online–it will not matter, just the luck of the draw.
There are some very gifted writers and poets who add their talent to the blog; I love reading their posts too.
With inspired poetry and sounds of the season ringing throughout the Dream Home blogs, I thought this would be a good time to revive these few verses about Vermont Dreams that I originally posted in early July 2010. And so, to enliven the holiday with rhyme:
VERMONT DREAMS 2011
1.
If your Dream Home's a lodge
Then Vermont it must be
Spruce Peak is the place
Your home from HG-TV
2.
Country lanes that delight
Soft red clover for show
With scenery and sights
The best is in Stowe
3.
Green Mountains to hike
And fall foliage to see
Pure snow brilliant white
Powdered slopes there to ski
4.
Covered bridges tell a story
Babbling brooks run below
For water that sparkles
Lake Champlain's where you go
5.
Holsteins and ice cream
Teddy bears and honeybee
Small towns and kind folks
They're strong, proud and free
6.
The land's oh so verdant
From Cartier this we know
White pine, fir and spruce
Even cedar does grow
7.
For syrup it's known
That glorious Maple tree
Hotcakes in a stack
A half-dozen for me
8.
Sleigh bells ring out clearly
Sounds of the season bestow
The magic of Christmas
Colored lights all aglow
9.
The fun's just beginning
And I think you'll agree
Dream Home number fifteen
Our dreams are of thee
Our Dearest DBCoop, your words and poetry ring through this entire blog with delight, enthusiasm and joy for this season. I sure could see you as Santa Clause or a master story teller retelling your poetry and stories to the children in Stowe Vermont, Thailand, California, South Florida, or anywhere you may travel. Merry Christmas for all of all and everything joyous and blessed.
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us again.
I do enjoy getting to see and listen to super fan gail daily, However some of what i do see and listen to her on the blogg are reruns/ old videos. I will , or need to make sure that i enter this awsome givaway daily. I do like to main bed room alot, and i love the spaw. This is were i do plan on spending alot of my time soaking up my nice aiky body, Becouse i get sore at times. This will be good to finally have a spaw.
I was a little disopointed when they took us on a tour of the car barn ,and there was an empty space were i thought there would be a secret room like i am sure that we all talked about it, and there is a window above the car barn. There was no room above the car barn. I think the dream team could have put a room above the car barn/ garage. Well im not sure why they didn't put a room above were the car is being parked, Hwever i still love this year's HGTV 2011 dream home. Erverything is still perfect to me. I have been looking over the ground at the HGTV dream home , and came to the conclusion that i think this year's HGTV dream home is protected from wild fire's. This is good to me. I am glad that i am a member of this small comunity. The blogger's comunity. This has a good ring to it.
They dont get too many wildfires in stowe " not that I remeber? Could be wrong "
but if they do they have a wonderful fire fighting team. Yeah I would have liked to see a secret room over the car barn but over all the whole thing is awesome !!!! 
Love the annex
In the picture you are kissing some one? I think this year's dream home is awsome as well. Now i have learned how to spell awsome. I was spelling it with an owsome, now i do know different. I really love the HGTV dream home this year. Each year that goes by the homes just keep getting bigger and better. You got married in stowe vermont? In the picture the sign above your head say's stowe. I am glad however they dont get too many wildfire's. All it takes is a smoker throwing a cigarett out there car window. I am glad that i have never smoked. I think it's a really bad habbit. I have nothing against people who do smoke as long as i dont have to breath it in. Erverything about this years HGTV dream home is verry awsome like you said. Thanks for being my friend
Yes thats a pic of my husband and I on our wedding day in front of the covered bridge in Stowe. I used to live in Stowe " well 20 min outside of it" but I went to high school there. So we decided to have a small wedding in the place we love the most and can hopefully get back to one day
Yeah I have issues with a few spelling words too
) Awesome is tricky 
)) I hate the beautiful I always get that wrong 
I just wanted to say Ive been reading the little song/poems and they bring a huge smile to my face !!
)
Merry Christmas everyone and good luck to all with the dream home
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!!!!!!!!
STOWE 2011 !
HA HA HA LOVE IT !!!!!!
)
Thanks, ctbenson11! I love good jokes but I'm not generally known for telling good jokes.
I'm glad this one gave you a good laugh because it was fun to do!
I was wondering if there was a powder room on the main floor or if guests have to use the master bathroom? I also agree with everyone that wishes they had put a sink in the kitchenette area. Don't get me wrong, I think the house is great but like most homes needs just a bit of tweaking.
If you look at the floor plan for the main floor you will see the powder room next to the mud room, to your right as you first come into the entry hall:
http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/hgtv-dream-home-20…
Yes in the entry – next to the mud room.
Thanks, I was looking at the tour floor plan and missed it. I thought it was very odd not to have a powder room on that floor. Maybe a sink is hidden in the kitchenette. Someone else mentioned adding a sink and a coffee/cocoa bar in that area. That would make a lot of sense. I'm very spoiled and I have been in my home for close to 30 years and have tweaked to my personal preferences. I think that's part of what makes it yours. I guess I'll be tweaking this house when I win it.
)
WOW….2011 Dream Home is amazing! Our family love the mountains, especially our 3 year old dog….Snow is his favorite & ultimate playtime! My favorite rooms in this home are the ANNEX, KITCHEN, GATHERING RM. & all the outside decks & landscaping…. The masters bedroom & bath is just perfect…. the guest room is a precious suite as well….The ski dorm room is the prize of that home for all your future guest to visit and be comfortable! I would like to take this opportunity to thank HGTV once again for an incredible home & wish all Happy Holidays ……also a Happy & Healthy 2011 New Year! *GEM95 in R.I.
I would in the future like to see a fenced in yard, at least a small area in case the new owners have a dog. Im not sure what comes with the doggie gift ? A house? Toys ? I think its cool that HGTV thought about peoples pets !!
)
I think I would fence in a small area off the MB balcony. That is after I made sure the covered storage was really covered storage!
A nice big storage place over the barn would be perfect. It looks like open space now but I suppose the owners could add one in ?
Merry Christmas all! Its been a pleasure to blog with everyone this year!
Please remember to log in and sign up for the housewarming gifts and at DIY for the $25,000 cash during the next few days.
I'm off to a Christmas Eve party, but I just wanted to stop by and wish all the HGTV Dream Team and each and every blogger here a very Merry Christmas!
! Merry Christmas everyone ! have a good time with your family and friends and most of all stay safe.
Best Christmas wishes to you all! We may even get a white Christmas in Georgia, not unusual at the Stowe DH perhaps, but something not seen since the 1800's here, so of course I will leave you with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CcaNw2CM6o
See you after Christmas!
Merry Blessed Christmas, brilliantly lit, joyous, loving, peaceful, happy days, all of the all, goodness, success, fun, adventure, and fruitcake lots of fruitcake, and dancing, and trail rides, Love Janzee
My husband and I finished up our xmas shopping in Stowe today and took a drive-by the house. Real estate stalking is a favorite passtime
He is Mr. nay-saying-doubty-britches, but he got excited when he saw the place! Can't wait for the tours to start. I will definitely take him with me at least once! 
(Cute) I have a Mr. nay-saying-doubty-britches too. I'd sure like to surprise him with a major win one of these days. If not it's still fun.
Ali I cried and was chilled when I saw this video. We all share your salute my friend and bless you for your sentiments. G-D bless our troops and bring them home very soon!!!!!.
Janzee I can relate so much to this video for so many Holidays but the one that stands out the most in my mind is Alabama when I went to basic training. My little son wrote a poem and sent it to me it read "Alabama is the Cotton State hope Santa won't be too late!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg81vGuZx7k&fe…
Dear Ali, from the song I captured "Peace On Earth Tonight", Sung in that hometown southern style, one would hope that message could be heard throughout the world. Your son has alot to be proud of in you, and so does soney boy. Love Janzee.
Well i am back to let ervery one know that i really like the spaw, and the fireplace is really cool. The fire place will keep me worm on those cold nights. I will enter ervery day as lng as my computer does not break down on me again. When the computer's break's i send them in through the place were i bought them through , and the company is best buy, But it take's 3 to 5 weeke's for me to get the computer back. That is really a long time. I am glad that i do get insurance on them, when i do buy them. Just incase they do break down on me. And yes they do break down often . I wish that they didn't break so fast. Good job dream team on a job well done
Dearest Deerspring and great author of this poem,
This poem brings giggles and love as I watch Santa make his rounds fixing up the DH for little Will and Nell In my silent prayer tonight before Santa makes his trek across the country I hope that one of our dear bloggies is lucky enough to watch him show up at their doorstep. Happiest Merriest joyous, great love, and blessings to you Deerspring, and Merry Christmas. Love Janzee.
Merry Christmas to you, Janzee. Your wonderful comments were much appreciated and
I wanted to make sure you know that I consider it an extra special Christmas present today!
I hope you are having and continue to have a wonderful day, too!
Thanks Deerspring, everytime I say your name I think of a well spring of joy. thanks for your wonderful message, I am having a wonderful day, and going for a special walk to see all the Christmas lights.
Love the lyrics, Deerspring– I will stand w/ Santa to admire the copper, and my eyes are VERY pleased with the pillows, like those of Little Nell !!
Thanks, LLColeman, it was your previous blog to me that made me think of Santa
eyeing the chimney!
It's The Night Before Christmas, And wouldn't you know
Some bloggers are dreamin' of the DH at Stowe…..
My apologies to Julie Andrews, Rogers & Hammerstein :
MY FAVORITE THINGS
Wood doors and slate floors
And storage for goggles
So many cupboards that my mind just boggles
Mudroom to handle the gear a guest brings
These are a few of my favorite things
Copper-clad chimney
And cathedral ceiling
Windows so tall that my senses are reeling
Remote-powered blinds glide; conceal all the "bling"
These are a few of my favorite things
Boulders and plants
Make the landscape seem native
Hot tub, the terrace, Design so creative
(And More…)
Annex, the backsplash
And birch bark containers
A kitchen to thrill all the chef / entertainers
Windows to watch the arrival of Spring
All these a few of my favorite things….
Paul Rouselle had
The great vision
For this Vermont home
Linda has brought warmth
With textures and hues
The silver, tin, glass, and chrome !!
Have a great and loving Christmas, all you bloggers !!
It's so hard to belive that the kid only entered one time to be the big winner. Do you like this HGTV dream home? I myself love the home . Erverything is still perfect including the post card like setting. Do you know anything about monica pederson. She was going to be the one to give the online tour of this years HGTV dream home, But i havent seen her yet. Have you?
LLColeman, "My Favorite Things" is great. It makes me want to sing along with you and Julie!
Dear LLColeman Merry Christmas to you. You shine in all ways. You wrote this poem with such love, plain and simple– it's a masterpiece!! I could only imagine that you are a university professor,or that you rennoiter around great libraries or bookstores. Perhaps a lover and saver of great art, and poetry, undoubtedlly published. I relished your mechanics of words, good cheer of Christmas,the delivery of all the fine fine detail of the DH house. Delivered with perfect timing, you touched on all of the elements with razz matazz.I love it, and it's saveable in the archives of great work.
Deerspring & Janzee–hope the holidays have been great for each of you.
I thank you so much for the kind feedback. Both of you are such stand-outs among a field of talented bloggers; I enjoy reading all your posts and am very touched to receive generous compliments from writers whom I admire !
Janzee, I do love great works of art, which is the reason I enjoy reading so many creative posts on these blogs–and all the things I have appreciated about the Dream Home this year.
Great Job!
You are quite skilled at poetry, Hallmark Cards just might be looking for someone with your talent! Thank You for sharing it with us.
Happy Holidays, AnneElise ! It has been fun reading all the blogs, and I have enjoyed the creativity and imaginative posts from others all year. Thanks for your warm comment; have a good 2011…
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVEEE… the ceiling!!!!!!!! spectacular!!!!!!!
I will seee it in person!
:.)
Good luck to all!
dribug.
I am verry glad to be a part of this small comunity as a blogger. I litteraly studied the HGTV dream home web site for day's, before i figured out that we could write as a blogger. I have made great progress, however i do still have a lot to learn. Now it is christmas day. I thought if i stayed awake i would get to see santa claus. I have seen him in person before when i was a young boy. I do vote ten times a day for the house worming gift's. I do enjoy taking part in this. MERRY CHRISTMAS to ervery one who read's this. However in twin falls we dont have snow again this year, furthermore it is still christmas and i do love it verry much. Thank you HGTV dream team for all the talent that you have displayed in the making of this years HGTV dream home home . They all did a good job.
I just wanted to take a moment to say how beautiful the HGTV Dream Home 2011 is. It has so much space and seems to be so family friendly. I can’t want to get my name in there for the drawing. Happy Holidays HGTV!! And thank you & your staff for all your hard work again..
With love: Jessecca, Jazmyne & Noah Kuhn
I absolutely swore to myself that since today is Christmas, that I would devote myself soley to my family here at home and my good friends, whom we are spending the afternoon with. Well best intentions and all that! Here I am, voting on the gifts and of cousrse entering to win them. And BLOGGING! Isn't there something one could take for such obsessive behavior? I should be baking my pies or something! Well here's to all of you fellow bloggers…Very Merry Christmas and hoping you all get something wonderful under your tree. For me, just having my family and friends around me will be enough.
Just enjoy the obssession! If blogging is what gives you joy, consider it a gift to yourself.
After all, there's still plenty of you leftover to share with the family, and your joy will be contagious.
Merry Christmas!!