Stocking Up

[DWhittles]

When you "stock up" on supplies for winter, what do you get? I've never had to do this before but if all goes well, I'll be living in Vermont this winter and will want to have a pantry full of "stuff"

 

[justhat]

Okay, we've never had to do this either, but maybe frozen/boxed foods that don't require perishables to make? Are you guys looking to move to Vermont?

 

[poohandwendy]

Vermont? I thought you just signed a lease in NJ?

As far as stocking up...depends on how far off the beaten track you are and what items you can't live without for a few days. Are you planning on moving somewhere that is completely isolated? I don't think I would want to live anywhere with 2 small children where I would need to stock up for the entire winter, LOL.

 

[mickeyboat]

Greetings from Vermont! Where in Vermont do you think you will be?

Don't worry, you won't get snowed in so much that you need to hoard supplies. Snow removal is very efficient up here. I have never missed a day of work due to snow - although school is sometimes closed if there is ice or if a snow storm hits in the early morning and the road crews don't have time to get it cleaned up before the busses go out.

Once in a blue moon there will be an ice storm which knocks out power, there was one several years ago. But I never lose power, living "in town."

There are plenty of grocery stores and convenience stores. There are even chain stores like Home Depot and Wal Mart. I doubt you will be without basic necessities for any length of time. We have a BJ's right across the border into NH, and we stock up with things from there, but I suspect no more than someone in NY would.

What you will miss is the convenience of malls .

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

Denae

 

[MScott1851]

That's what I was wondering, PAW...

Is it some Grizzly Adams situation where you'll be snowed in until June? One trip to town before the roads close? Are there no supermarkets? I just guess I never thought of Vermont as being isolated. I've never been there.

My "stocking up" for the winter consists of keeping supplies for making chili in the house, because DH only wants it when it's cold.

 

[DWhittles]

Vermont? I thought you just signed a lease in NJ?

As far as stocking up...depends on how far off the beaten track you are and what items you can't live without for a few days. Are you planning on moving somewhere that is completely isolated? I don't think I would want to live anywhere with 2 small children where I would need to stock up for the entire winter, LOL.

LOL, we did. DH is in the process of interviewing for a position in Vermont. It's actually the first job out of the tristate area he's ever considered. It's really a move that makes sense for our family if only from the view that your dollars seem to go SO much further in VT. I've been doing research and it seems to be a really "safe" state, has good schools, low insurance rates and it's so beautiful.
If he's offered a position and accepts, I would find someone to sublease this apartment till the end of our lease. That way our landlord wouldn't be out anything.
We are such nomads it's insane. It's a joke at this point. We have been married 6 years and have moved 5 times.

 

[DWhittles]

Greetings from Vermont! Where in Vermont do you think you will be?

Don't worry, you won't get snowed in so much that you need to hoard supplies. Snow removal is very efficient up here. I have never missed a day of work due to snow - although school is sometimes closed if there is ice or if a snow storm hits in the early morning and the road crews don't have time to get it cleaned up before the busses go out.

Once in a blue moon there will be an ice storm which knocks out power, there was one several years ago. But I never lose power, living "in town."

There are plenty of grocery stores and convenience stores. There are even chain stores like Home Depot and Wal Mart. I doubt you will be without basic necessities for any length of time. We have a BJ's right across the border into NH, and we stock up with things from there, but I suspect no more than someone in NY would.

What you will miss is the convenience of malls .

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

Denae

Hi!
That's great info. The area is called Warren. It looks like a beautiful area! I'm looking at maybe putting up our circus tents in Burlington only beacuse it's a "city" and it seems to be a bit more populated and urban than Warren does.

 

[NMAmy]

Well, I'm a huge believer in stocking up just because I don't like to run to the store for some item I may not have known I was going to need. Also living in Michigan, when the weather's bad I may put off the grocery store because I don't want to go out in it. I have a friend who calls my basement pantry area "Amy's Store."

We keep coffee, canned goods--vegetables, tuna, salmon, soup, Spaghettios, spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, spam, corned beef--just a ton of stuff. I also have my mom's canned items like jam, tomatos, turkey stock, pickles, etc. I keep a large selection of cake mixes, brownie mixes, and frosting, pasta salad, Rice-a-Roni, Zatarains, etc. Then we keep toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates, plastic silver. Dried milk for the winter if I can't get out. Really anything I use on a regular basis--I have a stock of. I buy stuff on sale or at Sam's Club. This way, I don't really have to worry about running out of anything but perishables and I don't have to have a set dinner menu for every day of the week. Anything I might need is in my "store." This area of my basement has built-in shelves that are just the right size for these items--it was one reason I bought the house!

My mom is the same way--I think I picked this up from her. We're getting a big freezer soon and then I'll be in seventh heaven!

 

[Maleficent13]

Wow, Amy...organization like that makes me dizzy. My idea of stocking up is making sure the peanut butter no more than half empty. If we have jelly...yeehaw! We're set!

 

[mickeyboat]

Hi!
That's great info. The area is called Warren. It looks like a beautiful area! I'm looking at maybe putting up our circus tents in Burlington only beacuse it's a "city" and it seems to be a bit more populated and urban than Warren does.

I am not familiar with Warren, but Burlington is a beautiful area. Lake Champlain is gorgeous, and there is a lot of life in the area because it is a college town. There are also many nice, smaller towns surrounding Burlington which are just a short distance away.

We paid a short visit to Burlington over Memorial Day weekend, and if we could find work up there, we would go in a heart beat. You are also very close to Montreal - so you can get some big city flavor if you want it.

Denae

 

[poohtown]

I don't know if I consider it 'stocking up' at my house but there is usually a couple jars of spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned ravioli, canned fruit/vegetables, chunky soup, hot cocoa mix, etc. Just things in case you don't feel like running out to the grocery store...or can't at that moment.

I do also make sure I have some edible foods that require no cooking (in case we loose power) like tuna and mayo.

 

[swilphil]

Is it some Grizzly Adams situation where you'll be snowed in until June? One trip to town before the roads close? Are there no supermarkets? I just guess I never thought of Vermont as being isolated. I've never been there.

MScott--I was thinking the same thing. The last time I checked Vermont had fully entered the 21st Century. They have E-LEC-TRICITY, and even them new-fangled snow plows. It's hardly Outer Mongolia, but I'm a little confused about the need for circus tents.

 

[DWhittles]

I am not familiar with Warren, but Burlington is a beautiful area. Lake Champlain is gorgeous, and there is a lot of life in the area because it is a college town. There are also many nice, smaller towns surrounding Burlington which are just a short distance away.

We paid a short visit to Burlington over Memorial Day weekend, and if we could find work up there, we would go in a heart beat. You are also very close to Montreal - so you can get some big city flavor if you want it.

Denae

I went to camp in that area years ago and I have clear and fond memories of the day "off" when campers would get $25.00 and go into Burlington for the day. (with chaperones of course) I remember that area that is blocked off just for shopping and how the water in Lake Champlain only comes up to your knees for what seemed like forever!
Having grown up in NYC I love the thought of a slower paced style of living and VT seems to have a great mix of the slower pace but it also has the "stuff" should you want to go to galleries and go shopping or skiing.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very excited at this potential move. I'm trying not to get too excited beacuse he hasn't been offered anything yet and it might not even happen.
Diana

 

[greenyskp]

I live in Florida. Sometimes it goes down to 58. Brrr thats cold! lol.

Joking aside. Canned goods would probably be a good idea. Other non-parishables. Water, If you have a big freezer, freeze some meat!

 

[mickeyboat]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very excited at this potential move. I'm trying not to get too excited beacuse he hasn't been offered anything yet and it might not even happen.
Diana

Good luck!

Denae

 

[DWhittles]

MScott--I was thinking the same thing. The last time I checked Vermont had fully entered the 21st Century. They have E-LEC-TRICITY, and even them new-fangled snow plows. It's hardly Outer Mongolia, but I'm a little confused about the need for circus tents.

LOL, you would understand the circus tents if you knew what a 3 ring circus my household is.
I'm aware smarty pants that VT has entered this grand Century and no longer uses outhouses or blocks of ice to keep food cold.
Truth be told... VT winters kinda scare me. I'd rather keep the essentials and then some on hand so that I can keep trips to the store to a minimum. Maybe I'm mistaken and they aren't as bad as I think though...

 

[C.Ann]

. It's hardly Outer Mongolia

------------------

Thanks.. I just spit coffee all over my keyboard for the second time today..

 

[swilphil]

I live in Florida. Sometimes it goes down to 58. Brrr thats cold! lol.

Hey, how come you didn't call her Smarty Pants? Is is because she has PeeWee as her avatar? I've been thinking of changing my user name, and Smarty Pants appeals to me. Thanks for the idea!

 

[mickeyboat]

Truth be told... VT winters kinda scare me. I'd rather keep the essentials and then some on hand so that I can keep trips to the store to a minimum. Maybe I'm mistaken and they aren't as bad as I think though...

They aren't really that bad ... just long! Burlington tends to be colder than you would expect because of the "lake effect."

Denae

 

[Disneyworldreaming]

Hi!
That's great info. The area is called Warren. It looks like a beautiful area! I'm looking at maybe putting up our circus tents in Burlington only beacuse it's a "city" and it seems to be a bit more populated and urban than Warren does.

well, well, well I lived in Waitsfield - Warren. rt 100. not to worry PLENTY of places to shop. It is "ski town" waterbury is near by and the rodes are always good. as for burlington and the commute, I think your talkiing around 78 miles..not wortht he commute. look in maybe waterbury, or even waitsfield

here is a link to waitsfield vt sugarbush ski area... down the street from warren

http://www.sugarbush.com/

http://www.vermont.com/Lodging.asp?SelectRegion=5&Region=5