Game on!

I think that's what I say every late January when I come back from my little 3ish week hiatus. Got in late last night from the last leg of a great January of fun, and with no rest for the vacation-weary, the shop is up and running once again today, snow squalls and cold spells be darned. The freezers are all awake and humming, fresh off their own little winter slumbers, and the batch freezer is churning out fresh frozen delights by the five gallon as we speak.

Much more on 'what I did on my winter vacation' to follow. Just wanted to let you know we're reopened and ready to roll, with plenty of leadtime until the big Valentine's Day chocolate push. Just about to make a few special flavors, so if there's something you've been jones'n for, feel free to drop a line.

Hope to see you soon.

Winter hrs. continue. Sunday & Tues-Thurs 12-8pm, Friday, Saturday 12-9pm, Closed Mondays.

Best of 2010 Voting is on...

I hope you're enjoying your January so far.

We interrupt our winter break to make a quick request...

If you happen to find yourself at the Valley Advocate website between now and noon February 10th, and you happen to click on the Best Of voting button (where it says 'Let the Voting begin!), we here at Mt. Tom's were humbly hoping you might cast your EDIBLES & EATERIES - ICE CREAM vote for Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream. We also wouldn't complain if you felt like also throwing us a vote under the SWEET SHOP/CONFECTIONARY button too.

Click here to vote

You do need to vote for 10 things for it to count. Here are some Easthampton suggestions if you need them:

Under GET OUT
New Bar: Cellar Bar
Neighborhood Bar: Brass Cat or Amy's

under EDIBLES & EATERIES

Restaurant - Apollo Grill or Tavern on the Hill
New Restaurant - Venus
Sandwiches - Riff's
Pizza - Antonio's
Bakery - Sunrise Pastry Shop
Breakfast - Silver Spoon


Thanks a lot in advance. We really appreciate it.

Hope all is well, and see you on or after the 28th!

Time for a little R&R.

As you probably know by now, Mt. Tom's will be locked up tight from now until Thursday, January 28th at noon for our annual winter break. As always, thanks for your understanding as we give the cast and crew a few weeks to decompress after another great year.

If you've read the story of my metamorphosis from corporate engineer type to ice cream guy back in 2003 (if not, you can read it here), you've heard me say this is the 'toughest job I've ever loved', and this year has been no exception. As Mt. Tom's continues to grow, thanks to your support and kind words to those you know, it continues to be an endeavor of immense satisfaction for me. Exhausting, challenging, and all-consuming, especially from May thru September, yet rewarding in ways I never anticipated. One of those ways has been getting to know so many great people in the cool town of Easthampton and those around it. You are what makes this job never feel like one. When my dad was in the ice cream biz, he used to say, 'I'm not going to work, I'm going to play,' and I could always tell he meant it. And I'm happy to be able to say the same thing. I'd just like to thank you for that, and if you haven't already done so, may you find a job too that feels like play.

See you in a few weeks.

Jim.

Winter in Easthampton.

Thought I'd share a few images from a morning stroll before I opened up shop today.

A hint of New Year's Eve reveling a night or two ago...

The empty pond makes for some interesting snow shots this year.

Still my favorite Mt. Tom photo composition spot. And it's even accessable by land right now...

One going the other way...

Not sure if this is what we all pictured when we imagined what 'dredging the pond' would look like, but here's a shot of the 'action' today...

And finally, one from right outside the back kitchen door...

Happy New Year to you. Buy one, get one for 1/2 price on pints & quarts all weekend. Stock up before we close up. Open today (sat.) 12-9pm and Sun. 12-8pm. Then we'll be locked up tight until 1/28/09...