Grateful Vermonter

09/10/2026

My beautiful Rutland! Can you believe that I get to see these views every single day? Rutland hasn't always been my home, but it sure feels like it.✌️ I am so grateful. Living in Vermont is where I feel the best and where I am the happiest and healthiest. - Brooke

Hey Rutland! Here's the view over downtown on this Monday afternoon.

09/02/2026

🍹🍸We are excited to share our brand-new line of small-batch cocktail infusion kits! Unlike mass-produced mixers, we freeze-dry every single ingredient ourselves right here at the shop. By doing it in-house in small batches, we lock in peak, vibrant flavors, and aromas with zero artificial additives or preservatives.

They are the absolute perfect Vermont souvenir or unique gift for the cocktail lovers in your life. Just add your favorite spirit, let it infuse, and enjoy a flawless craft cocktail at home.✨

Discover Our Flavors:
🍎Vermont Spiced Apple: Autumn warmth and crisp orchard sweetness in a jar.
🎃Vermont Pumpkin Spice: The ultimate cozy, aromatic seasonal treat.
🍁Vermont Maple Cranberry Spice: A tart and sweet New England classic.
🍍Spicy Pineapple Margarita: A sweet, tropical escape with a kick of heat.
🔥Campfire Smores: Toasty, nostalgic sweetness.
🍸Chocolate Espresso Martini: Rich, bold, and velvety smooth.

Whether you want a unique taste of Vermont to take home, are stocking up on holiday gifts, or want to treat yourself, these small-batch jars bring artisan quality and pure excitement to any home bar.

08/28/2026

🍁 Happy Friday, Rutland! 🍂It is surprisingly quiet downtown today. After two months of bustling Friday Night Live block parties and concerts, the silence hits a little differently.

It really sank in today: school started this week, college students have headed back, and Fall is quickly on its way. We know our whole community is adjusting to this big change of routine!

But the weekend is here, and we want to remind you that The Vermont Farmers Market will be right outside our doors at Depot Park tomorrow! The market runs every Saturday from 9a-2p until Halloween.

You can catch us in two spots tomorrow:

🛍️ Grateful Vermonter Gift Shop at 9 Center Street - will be open from 11 AM - 5 PM for your indoor shopping. Come in and browse our cards, local maple syrup, and beautiful Vermont goods like ornaments, pennants, and prints—plus our brand-new cocktail infusions!

🎪Our Market Stand will be right out there at the Farmers Market, fully stocked with all your favorite freeze-dried fruits and candies!

Please come by, say hi, and let us know how your family's first week of school went!

Small businesses and local farmers need your support the most during these seasonal shifts. We would be so grateful if you came downtown to shop local and buy straight from the creators this weekend. See you tomorrow! ✌️Brooke

08/26/2026

Proud Mama Moment: From the NICU to UNH🎒We are so proud!

Looking at this picture of Audrey and Evelyn, I am carried back to the NICU. They were born early at 30 weeks, after I had already spent 6 weeks in the hospital.

Early on, doctors told us they were conjoined and urged us to terminate. We chose faith instead. We had already lost a child; we weren't going to make the decision to lose two more. We left it up to God—if He knew they weren't viable, then He would stop their hearts, not us.

Two months later, we got the miraculous news: they weren't conjoined, but were rare mono-mono twins sharing the same sac. Despite a dangerous pregnancy with tangled umbilical cords, our story ended in victory.

We spent months holding our breath, never taking for granted that we would get to hold them—let alone watch them step into the world as independent, brilliant, and kind young women.

We are so proud of who they are today, and I know they are going to make the most amazing teachers!! Audrey and Evelyn, we hope you have the absolute best time at college and soak up every single second of this new chapter. We are all cheering you on! ❤️

Thank you, God. I am unbelievably grateful for every single breath of this beautiful journey. 🙏

08/22/2026

✌🏼Live like Brooke

Walking into work this morning and seeing this right outside my shop felt like a hug from above!! We are sending our twins, Audrey and Evelyn, to college next week and I’m just not ready. Holding onto faith and gratitude to get me through this bittersweet milestone!

08/14/2026

We hope to see EVERYONE come out tonight from 5p-10p to CELEBRATE the end of Summer with a bang! We'll be outside the gift shop, look for Junebug! We'll have your favorite and a limited amount of our new cocktail infusion kits available. Ask us about them!

08/13/2026

One more Friday Night Live and it’s TOMORROW! Hope to see all my friends, neighbors and customers come together for one last Summer block party!! ☀️✌🏼

08/06/2026

✌🏼Today marks the grand opening of Maplewood Commons, co-developed by Cornerstone Housing Partners and Evernorth. Beautifully built by Naylor & Breen, it features 30 new affordable apartments right here in Rutland, VT! 🏡 It's a true testament to collaboration.

As a resident and business owner, I want to extend a huge personal thank you to both CHP and Evernorth for truly investing in our community and its future.

This is my husband Dan’s second competed project since he became Director of Real Estate Development at CHP. It follows last year's opening of Marble Village, which brought 24 affordable apartments to West Rutland. (See first photo)

As the owner of Grateful Vermonter Gift Shop in Downtown Rutland, Vermont my heart is always full of gratitude for the incredible community support that surrounds us.

Every day, Dan tells me how hard the team at Cornerstone works to bring safe, affordable housing to Vermont. I am so grateful that his work surrounds him with like-minded people who are truly devoted to the greater good of our community.

Being part of such a positive environment does wonders for his health and mindset. I truly believe that when you focus on a positive vision and project that energy out into the world, it ripples back into your life as a wave of happiness and abundance. ✨

I am deeply grateful for the lasting impact Dan is making right here in our community. Together, we work hard to support our community, and we have built a beautiful life here in Rutland, Vermont, with our four incredible kids.

We are so incredibly proud of him! I'm thankful for our love and partnership. Dan, I love you beyond words. Congratulations! 💖

Naylor & Breen Builders, Inc.