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Kimberly may be getting ready for her next New Hampshire escape, and
this blog has been discontinued. Thanks for visiting and happy travels!
 « October 2005 | Main | December 2005 » November 28, 2005
Time to Trim the Tree
Even though Thanksgiving was but a few days past, Christmas season is in full swing as soon as that turkey's digested. Finding the perfect Christmas tree is item number one. In NH there are many options for making a day of it and cutting your own tree. Start a family tradition where ever you choose to go... Christmas Country Finnegan's Fine Firs - Choose and cut Christmas trees. 371 Cherry Valley Road, Bethlehem NH 03574. Phone: (603) 444-6275 Lavoie’s Farm - Choose and cut your own Christmas trees Zahn’s Christmas Tree Farm - Christmas trees River Road Plantation - Choose and cut Christmas trees Warren Farm - Christmas wreaths and boughs, saws provided, trees bagged, trees tied, trees tied, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms. 30 Warren Road, Barrington, NH 03825. Phone 603-868-2001 Rocks Christmas Tree Farm - Choose and cut Christmas trees Windswept Mtns View Christmas Tree Farm - Choose and cut Christmas trees. 323 Fitzwilliam Road, Richmond, NH 03470. Phone 603-239 4005 November 26, 2005
Come One, Come All...Antiques at Mayfair
On paper, New Hampshire is perhaps best known for its Antique Trail running along Route 4. But others are getting the picture that Route 101A is in the running for the state's best Antique Trail - with Antiques at Mayfair most often drawing the biggest crowds and most far away guests. I love to browse in antique shops, get ideas for my home and buy unique gifts, and Mayfair is my favorite spot in the state. Two giant red barns are filled with tens of dealers who care to turn over their stock, present gorgeous displays, and offer very fair prices. It's a place to find vintage clothing, fiestaware or Limoges, and full dining room sets made of mahogany. There is no telling what you'll find at Mayfair, every experience is truly one of a kind!
Antiques at Mayfair is so diverse due to its many dealers and their many interests, that holiday shopping here is truly one stop shopping! If there's a gardener on your list, come to Mayfair for its garden art, benches and old watering cans. Do you have an avid reader on your list? Great, find many vintage books, antiquated magazines and scrolls at Mayfair. Do you wish you knew where to find an antique, cherry red cooler? Come to Mayfair - it's about 3 booths down on the right when you enter Building #1! And it's in pristine condition!
And as I like to report, there is icing on the cake when shopping at Mayfair. The owners are quite community oriented, collecting items and donations for the local pantry and church thrift stores, as well as delivering news and good wishes to the troops overseas. Antiques at Mayfair is always a drop spot for the area's SHARE food pantry during the holidays.
New this summer was the opening of a second Antiques at Mayfair, located in Salzburg Square, Route 101 Amherst, NH. On December 10th, the shop invites you to a Christmas Party and Fashion Show featuring vintage clothing. Join on in from noon to 4pm...refreshments will be served. November 23, 2005
NH's 10 Best Places to Shop [and Avoid the Crowds] on Black Friday
I love to read the fliers preparing shoppers for early bird hours, late night specials and deals of day, to take place the Friday after Thanksgiving - commonly known as Black Friday. Toy shops opening at 5am, lines of parents waiting well before that, just to be assured that this year's crop of RoboRaptors do not sell out before little Johnny gets one. I am not one of the pack this day, but I do love a good deal. Forget the box stores, escape to my 10 best picks for shopping Black Friday 2005: 1. Antiques at Mayfair, Route 101A, Amherst NH - scores of dealers within two huge red barns, selling everything from weathervanes, florist frogs and mint condition biscuit tins. Even if nothing to purchase, this place is surely worth a day's browsing and wading amongst the nostalgia. 2. Toadstool Bookshop, Lordens Plaza, Milford NH - 603-673-1734.....[for those of you who have been to this blog before....the Blackbird is sadly,...dust, done for, gone-zo, closed its doors for good in the past month...my apologies for leading anyone excitedly down to Main Street Nashua for a good book and coffee - I never even got a chance to say good bye myself...] A wonderful shop with a knack for signing great author readings and packing in the locals. Don't miss out on December 27, at 7:00 PM...Please Meet Fantasy Author Robert Newcomb, author of Chronicles of Blood and Stone. Newcomb will sign Savage Messiah, the fourth book in the series, the first in a new trilogy. 3. The Casual Cat, 112 Route 101A, Amherst, NH 603-882-1443 - Come shop amongst a unique collection of artwork, fine crafts, jewelry, and pottery. The shop is small but worth every nook that's filled. A favorite photo for someone to give as a gift? Perfect, the Casual Cat is also a full service frame shop. Plus, Bess the cat lives here. 4. The Wine Society, 650 Amherst Street, Greystone Plaza, Nashua, NH 603-883-4114 - Not only is the staff extremely helpful in choosing wines, but you may also sample cheeses to pair with that bottle - the perfect host gift! 5. Zeb's General Store, Conway Village, North Conway, NH (800) 676-9294 - Who wouldn't want to fill bags at their 67 foot penny candy counter! Zeb's also only sells products made in New England, claiming they sell the largest selection of New England made specialty foods in the coutnry. Don't miss out! 6. Innisfree Bookstore, 312 Daniel Webstre Highway, Meredith, NH (603) 279-3905 - A bookstore with a fabulous children's section and frequent author readings. Its novelty gifts are quite unique as well. 7. The Alphabet Soup Company, 263 Union Square, Milford, NH 673-1033 - Shabby chic meets antique meets Country Living. Just my taste. Yours? 8. Brookdale Fruit Farm, Hollis, NH - Handmade fresh and dried floral arrangements, Christmas ornaments, and natural products abound. Or assemble your fresh fruit basket here! 9. Alapage, 175 Main Street, Nashua, NH, (603) 882-2441 - Gorgeous clothing and jewelry, plus some Carrie Bradshaw accessories. A wonderful shop for women. and 10. New Hampshire Gold, Route 104 E, New Hampton, NH, Toll Free: 888-819-4255 - Products made in NH including maple syrup, incredible dried flowers and artichokes, chile peppers etc. Specialty products and inspiring displays. Right off Exit 23 on Route 93 North. November 21, 2005
See NH on a Snowmobile
I don't know about you, but I have already heard enough complaining about our winter. Mind you, the one that hasn't even started yet! It's a funny thing about New Englanders, that complaining about snow, cold and ice is just a given, with the exception of the Bode Miller's of the land. Put your best boot forward this winter and try exploring with Alpine Adventures of Lincoln, NH, on a sled. Snowmobiling just may have you wanting for winter!
As the holiday season arrives, think out of the box - think snowmobiling adventure! There are half day and full day un-guided rentals, as well as guided tours running from 1 to 3 hours. How exciting would it be to discover the morning tracks of a moose, or watch the sunset and ride home by moonlight? Or drag out the fun and look into the many Snowmobile & Stay packages available through Alpine Adventures. Whether you can escape for a weekend romance, on the trails and later at the Glynn House Inn, or make it a family affair, and stay at the Comfort Inn [indoor pool equals happy kids, equals happy parents!], you may have found a gift worth making a tradition! I will not let Old Man Winter beat me this year. My outlook is positive and I can prove it - I booked the Scenic Sport Tour for my husband's birthday gift, and we plan on bringing our 3 and 5 year old boys with us on the 2 hour guided tour. My camera will be in tow, the service, conveniences and fun will be personally brought to you in a follow-up blog...we can't wait!...to be continued...
November 16, 2005
A Walk of Art, An Art of Walk, the Art Walk!
There are many reasons to visit the Main Street Community of Nashua, NH, but the Art Walk is a perfect first reason. On three Saturdays this year, November 19th being the second, you can walk the streets of downtown Nashua and its historic Millyard, wandering aimlessly and starry-eyed in over 20 shops that participate in the event. Among the participants, do not miss some favorites: What is art without food? Heck, food can surely be art! Dining in Nashua can satisfy my, and hopefully your, every whim and want. Since the weather is supposed to be great this weekend, albeit brisk, leave early and hit Patisserie Bleu for a scone, muffin and hot tea or coffee. Walk Main street and side streets finding unique shopping and holiday window browsing. When the tummy grumbles for lunch, stroll into Ireland's past at The Peddler's Daughter. Try the potato and leek soup, a corned beef sandwich and dark stout. And lastly, when the sun sets and you've seen all the art you can possible see, seek out dinner, and stick with chef/owner Michael Timothy's places - Surf and Michael Timothy's Urban Bistro and Jazz and Wine Bar. I would start at Surf for some grilled mahi mahi and raw bar and then walk directly across the street to Micahel Timothy's bar for an African Merlot and jazz. Art Walk Nashua November 15, 2005
Coffee With a Little A & E
Here's where coffee gets simple. Fresh roasted beans make the freshest cup of coffee. If socially aware in the least, then it gets even simpler. Beans bought through Fair Trade and grown on organic farms, makes that cup taste even better. The locals know that a steaming cup of A&E joe, comes with a side of good conscience. Sure, there's no drive-thru or wall of donuts to be had, but again, I said there was good conscience. A&E Roastery will be your new favorite place.
Carving a niche in the coffee game seems far fetched, but A&E has proven it's attainable in several ways. A&E offers a Custom Coffee Club membership which sends fresh coffee to your doorstep. With several Club offers, there is a price that fits everyone's budget, with fresh micro-roasted coffee costing less than 25 cents a cup! A fun twist to the coffee muffin match, is A&E's Roast & Toast program. Your cup can be paired with a hearty slice of toast made from Mont Vernon, NH's own Good Loaf breads - made organic and natural as well.
A&E is also host to several area bakers, including: Kizo Cakes from New Boston, NH [granola bars]; House on the HIll, Mont Vernon, NH [spiced nuts]; Jake's, Amherst, NH [biscotti]; and Amelia's Kitchen, MIlford, NH [baked goods]. Be sure to give the greatest host gift this Thanksgiving, the perfect coffee to pair with the pumpkin, apple and mince meat pies. A&E Roastery is having their Thanksgiving Sale November 21st-23rd, where you will find 20% all coffees and teas. A&E Custom Coffee Roastery November 8, 2005
Best Bets for NH Music on November 20th?!
Who can go without live music? Not I said the NH Blogger gal. Though sold out, it's worth strolling on over to the fantastic city of Portsmouth, to the Music Hall, November 20th to try and, ah, buy tickets once there, to see Nashua NH native Ray LaMontagne. His debut album, Trouble, draws comparisons to the song writing greats of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. Arlo Guthrie's 40th Anniversary Alice's Restaurant Massacree Tour takes place November 20th as well, in Concord NH's gorgeous Capitol Center. Guests such as Abe Guthrie and NH's own folk hot shots, The Mammals will join in for the fun too. OK, Berlin is a bit far for me to travel on a whim, but being on the edge of the White Mountains, some of you seeking out local NH charm might be in the area on November 20th. This day 21 local musicians, who have been performing together since 1987, offer jazz favorites and easy listening at The 5th Annual Berlin Jazz fest. The show takes place at the St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts at 2pm. November 5, 2005
Cool Jewels and More
The striking teal blue of a caribbean sea. The emblazoned golds of iconography. The deep brown of earth after a rain. If for no reason at all, groove on down to Cool Jewels in Keene, NH for all that color and more.
Co-owners Barb Bradford and George Russell travel to Mexico two to four times a year and Bali/Thailand for a month once a year, to search out the ideal crafts for their store. In Mexico, they buy directly from families making the crafts and travel to some of the smaller villages for more unique items such as Catrinas. In Bali, there are many families who create beautiful crafts and jewelry in their homes. Their jewelry maker, Ketut, is their guide and driver when touring Bali. A driver is a must in a country that has recently been a target for terrorism. It takes long days of walking the craft and jewelry village to find the right mix of gifts for their store.
Cool Jewels is full of fun and unusual art, crafts and jewelry. The cases gleam with sterling silver jewelry from Mexico, Bali, Thailand and India. Solid silver pieces and beautiful stonework of turquoise, moonstone, malachite, amber, lapis, coral, onyx, and dichroic glass line the walls and shelves. The crafts range from unusual tin and copper wall art from Mexico; to candles, dresses and sarongs from Bali and Thailand, and in between you'll find unique hand painted fish, lizards, and exquisite wood carvings. Cool Jewels inventory changes all the time, as they search out new crafts people with different styles in order to bring a fresh store to their customers. As the holiday season approaches, not to mention the cool white of winter, travel to Cool Jewels for some warmth and specialty buying. Cool Jewels November 4, 2005
Brookdale Thanks You!
Hi Kim, I love your place and believe every word I wrote...thank you! November 3, 2005
Kid-Friendly Ideas for Southern NH
Hi Kim, We have a vacation home in Jaffrey and now that our daughter is 5, we Karen Hi Karen - I just had half this email written before my computer some how froze and deleted it! Ugh... Anyway, depending on which side or corner of Jaffrey you are on, there are different options. For rainy days I suggest this always - local libraries. Milford has an incredible library. The children's room is loaded with endless books, books on tape, videos and role playing toys like dress-up outfits or play kitchens. IF you are there during the week you might want to check out their children's programs where they learn about music, art or even cooking. On the other end of you, is Keene, and their library is fantastic too. Of course near every library is a well place coffee shop or eatery for the parents too! Also in Milford is Hampshire Hills Fitness Club, if health is attractive to you. This facility has everything under the sun, and a lovely day care. They do allow non-members to purchase day passes. www.hampshirehills.com If semi-rainy, or just muddy, Milford also has a wonderful playground called Keyes Field. They have a skate park, tennis courts, huge sand box and several play structures well suited for a 5 year old [my oldest son is 5]. If a bit of a drive is ok, then head east to Derry and check out the small, yet extremely well done Children's Metamorphosis Museum is. Check out www.childrensmet.org The old town hall theater in neighboring Wilton is full of eye candy and offers Sundays matinees, sometimes featuring kids movies. Also, due to the season, there are a slew of craft fairs around southern NH that are billed for entire families. On Saturday November 19, there is a SUPER one in Merrimack, NH at Thorntons Ferry Elementary. They have incredible raffles, silent auctions, over 50 vendors, a Santa store for kids, ornament and face painting and all kinds of Santa stuff for them. Look at the calendar of events in the local paper, The Milford Cabinet. www.cabinet.com I hope that helps...at this point in the year local papers are you best bet for their jammed packed calendars. Email me any time with questions... Good luck November 2, 2005
Oh My Gourd!
Around every corner in New England you'll find someone some where retorting, "...yada yada yada...I love fall...yada yada yada..." But this might be the first time you hear, "I love gourds." Welcome to my weird world...I LOVE gourds. The kaleidoscope of colors, confusing shapes and tantilizing textures woo me. Year after year, there's not much new, but they still steal my heart, as the dozens of frames whiz by, film canisters dropping to my feet. Brookdale Fruit Farm is a family favorite year round...so of course, the fall brings a cornucopia of apples, pumpkins and gourds.
Greeting you on Route 130 is the farm's giant hay bale man, complete with gourd eyes and nose. His lap situated always for the feverish frenzy of parents wanting photos of the kids on such a display of New England cheer. Robust orange pumpkins spill out of crates, over wagons and onto the parking lot, while the smallest of tots and the oldest of pops, spins them round hoping they've finally found their chosen one. The gourds steal your gaze, ok, maybe just mine, and keep you staring. They're beautiful! The hardest decision of the day lies in how much you can spend, and which ones should you choose. Base your next painting project at home on these natural delights, and bring those same feelings home.
Inside you'll find a bushel and a peck of everything fall. Please try the McCoun apples...they are my favorite! Warm cider or cocoa sits in their carafes with tiny cups beside them...a perfect way to shop. The Brookdale gift shop offers items such as Stonewall Kitchen products or Burt's Bees, items made from NH, and others hand made else where and sweet no matter where they came from. Know someone interested in bird houses? Garden sculptures or bulbs?...It might be a time for some early holiday shopping at Brookdale.
It's also nice to know how your food is being grown and cared for in today's world of genetically altered everything. [Have you seen the size of today's children!?] Brookdale offers a small selection of fruits and vegetables that will keep you away from any Stop & Shop. At Brookdale, they have received awards for staying true to clean water and air, healthy soil, sustainable forestry, improved habitat and open space, and a quality environment for all. It was also one of the first orchards in NH to adopt Integrated Pest Management strategies to reduce pesticide use and enhance environmental quality. Feel free to snap right into that Mac!
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