My Baxter State Parka from 1995 (aka my Joel Fleishman Jacket)
This has been an unusually cold and snowy winter. We have not even experienced the usual coastal bonus of having the snow cut by rain. So last week's storm left us with close to four feet of snow on the ground, which meant we had to bring in men.
It took a backhoe, a plow and three men to deal with our driveway
Our carpenter/handyman spent half the day on various roofs, or if you prefer, rooves.
The chickens had to have Hoth-like tunnels dug for them.
With weather like this you value, and count on, the staple garments. Nothing keeps me warmer than my 15 year old L.L. Bean Baxter State Parka. And having spent time in Baxter State Park in northern Maine, I can attest that it is aptly named. Year after year, it does its job.
At night, I double up my Hanna Andersson long johns. We like to keep the upstairs fairly brisk for sleeping, so each bed has two down comforters with white flannel comforter covers.
Our month-and-a-half old Men's L.L.Bean Zip-Front Wool-Lined Boots were taken out of action by some bad stitching
What surprisingly let us down this year were the new Men's L.L. Bean boots, which came unstitched at the heels only a month and a half into the season. This was genuinely problematic as my husband and son then had to share the one good pair of boots. Shoveling was done in shifts instead of in conjunction. And Beans is currently out of stock in this and similar styles, so even their guarantee doesn't help much. 
We have many pairs of L.L. Bean Men's Flannel-lined khakis and these are worn every day (including by me). These have served us well and are still going strong with no obvious signs of wear.
We are bracing for yet another storm in two days, but at least Sampson is enjoying his new view.
20 comments:
Muffy,
I'm appalled to hear about what happened to your L.L. Bean boots. This really makes me think less of company.
I hope your keeping warm otherwise.
Side-note: How are your hens holding up? Still only 1 egg a sitting?
Cheers
@Izzy - The hens are fine, though they seem a little bored. They are often all lined up on the back steps looking in the door. And yes, most days we get just one, or if we are lucky, two!
That is shocking about the boots, I guess they really don't make anything like they used to. Sampson has the right idea, making the best out of the situation. Stay warm and safe.
I giggle when I think of your "chickadees" (as I called my great grandmere's chickens and chicks as a little girl), huddling in that snow tunnel. Little, feathered soldiers in trenches! :) Do they have a coop?
I, too, am disappointed about the boots! So frustrating when anything of perceived quality fails.
I also have a Baxter State Parka from 1995 that I have worn in ice cold winters in Europe, New England, NYC, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Utah; it still does the job year after year. I am curious, are your faulty boots from LL Bean made in the USA?
Recently, it was time to purchase some new boots for winter and I have grown leery of the quality of LL Bean. Living out west, I turned to several colleagues who hunt and ranch in Utah and Wyoming for advice and they both have also lost confidence in the quality off LL Bean's boots. They introduced to thinsulated boots from Cabela's which are wonderful; durable and warm.
Holy Crow!That snow. I'm very superstitious, so I won't say anything out of fear that it might hit us.
We are expecting some cold weather in a couple of days, but nothing near what you've been experiencing. I can't even imagine.
I particularly enjoyed the "Joel Fleischman" reference. I had to say the name a couple of times to figure out how I knew Joel Flieschman. Then it hit me Duh...Northern Exposure. It was one of our favorite shows. Still is...reruns.
Love those Hanna's.
If you can't count on good quality, long lasting LL Bean boots, what's next? The boat/tote bags? What ARE the people at LLB thinking?
Hope you don't get clobbered with the next storm coming across the country. Looks like people in the northeast have had enough snow this winter.
Hi Muffy,
Thanks for your post and your blog, most interesting. I'm a new reader and enjoy it very much. I didn't know there was such a thing as flannel-lined khakis!
However, I see they are only in clear colors. Do you know of any offer in darker colors?
I'm living in Luxembourg, and over here clear color pants look slightly out of place, so I'm defaulting to jeans or to gray flannel pants. Any ideas?
Thanks again for your very interesting posts.
I am saddened to see your boots failed. One would think LLB might keep a few pairs on standby just in case they need to replace a pair or two.
Congratulations on your book!
Dear Muffy,
I like those mittens--they look warm. I have dress gloves, good with a topcoat but not for prolonged outdoor cold (such as shoveling a long driveway). Where do they sell such mitts?
Muffy,
Sorry about the boots! Just had my wife's LLB resoled for Forty something bucks, they turned out ok! They even fixed the leather wear my Jack Russell got to them.
About the Snow last Wednesday in the Northern Virginia area we had the commute home from hell...left my office at 4:30pm did not arrive home to 1:00am, all due the Federal Government early departure! What a mess!
Disappointing news about the L.L.Bean boots. Really enjoy reading your blog!! Stay warm. xoxo
Goodness I thought Germany had bad winters, I must say this is the one time I'm glad I am not in CT! Although sadly enough it's probably going to be cold here until... forever :/
“Hoth-like tunnels…”? You are wonderful, Muffy.
@James - I am actually wondering if you are in the path of this storm?
@Christina - "Chickadees" is awfully cute. Yes, they have a coop. We purposefully selected a small, low-roofed structure so that their collective body heat could help to keep them warm on cold winter nights.
@Pete - What is so disheartening is that all of the L.L. Bean boots are made in Brunswick, Maine. These should be their flagship item. And to be fair, the ones I have on have held up very well.
@Susan - You got it! One of my favorite shows as well. Recently we went through the entire series again, which we took out from the library (although the last season lacks juice). I always loved his giant jacket.
@Billsburg - What a horrible thought about Boat and Totes! And yes, we are watching the storm and hoping our roof doesn't collapse!
@Suburban Princess - What a great idea!
@Michael - I bought them almost twenty years ago at an Artisan Show. I believe they came from The Leprechaun Sheepskin Company, based in New Hampshire.
@j.mosby - My goodness, that sounds unbelievable!!
@Preppy 101- Now that we managed to get the oil truck down the driveway, we can stay warm! Thank you.
@Sheena. G - I grew up in Connecticut as well and remember some tough winters. Hats off to you and your husband's service!!
@Rob - Just trying to keep everything shiny!
I know how you feel about the winter boots. LL Bean has definitely turned into a 'cash grab' company. I too just hate it when my flip-flops fall apart here on the beach in San Diego.
Long time reader, but never posted. I was in the eye of the sortm in the Chicago area yesterday, and as I dug out our driveway, I realized I was wearing 4 decades of LL Bean clothes--Maine Hunting Shoes that I bought in 1986 in college, a duffel coat that I bought in the mid-90s, ragg wool socks from the OO's, and a Chamois shirt I got this Christmas.
All this gear was well-made, and has obviously lasted well. What's sad is that in the desire to chase trends and increase the bottom line (which already was, I'd have to assume, fairly healthy) Bean has moved so far away from these classic, functional clothes and shoes. They still have a few great items (that navy Chamois is my new favourite shirt), but they ain't what they used to be.
How could you neglect to mention the Shetland, madam? Venture out to Press as they are currently 40% off.
I wear Bean Boots that belonged to my son when he was 12 years old - he is now 25. Boots still going strong.
Post a Comment