Headlong into Fall

I don’t know about where you are, but Connecticut has rushed headlong into fall.  I woke up on Monday and the drive was covered in leaves.  It smelled like fall and I needed real shoes and another layer of clothing.  Immediately I thought, “Ok, its time to re-decorate!”  The grocery must have been studying their almanac because they set up a table of those tiny pumpkins and clusters of dried cornstalks at just the right time.

Autumn is the time of year that I don’t remember that I love until its here again.  I dislike that it is the end of warm and wonderful summer, but then again, it is something of a relief to turn off the AC and snuggle under the covers with the windows open at night.  Plus, it is so beautiful.  Vibrant, saturated ruby and mustard colored leaves are shockingly surreal.  (They were just green!!!)  

Of course, the weather will break for at least another week and we will again be in summer, but it will be short lived and Autumn will fully encompass us all.   It isn’t too far now.  Are you ready?

.

 It is nearly time for apple orchards and decorative gourds and Hot Toddies.

.

Falling leaves and rosy cheeks,  football and tailgating.

.

.

Flannel blankets and plaid shirts, thermoses and apple pie.

.

.

Sweaters and scarves and boots and wool socks.

.

.

Earth tones and natural wonders.

.

.

I’m ready, if a little sad to see this summer go.  Maybe an extra Hot Toddy to push this bittersweet feeling away.

Yes.  That’s exactly what I need.

.

My Favorite Hot Toddy:

1 good sized mug

1-1/2 oz. Jameson

1 bag of Lipton black tea

Top with hot water

2-3 lemon slices

honey to taste

Sip for about 10 minutes then feel the warmth that reaches all the way to your toes.

MMMmmmm…..mmmmm….mmmmm

-A.

Read Full Post »

Beer for Kids Announcement

.

The RESCHEDULED 2nd annual Kent Children’s Center Beer Tasting fundraiser is July 28th here at Kent Kitchen Works.  The final list of breweries isn’t available quite yet, but here are some possibilities...

• Thomas Hooker Brewery (Farmington, CT)
• New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
• Oskar Blues Brewery (Colorado)
• Saranac Brewing (New York)
• Dogfish Head (Delaware)
• Smuttynose Brewery (New Hampshire)
• Lagunitas Brewery (California)
• Victory Brewery (Pennsylvania)
• Barrington Brewery (Massachusetts)

The tasting will be from 4 – 7 pm.  Space is limited, and last year we sold out, so make sure to buy your $27.50 early-bird ticket to reserve a spot.  You can do that by calling 860.488.9218, emailing kccbeertasting@gmail.com, or visiting Eventbrite.  However, if you are the spontaneous, fly by the seat of your pants sort, tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event for $30, space permitting.  We are located at 6 Kent Green Blvd. in Kent, CT.

.

View Larger Map

.

Its great fun and a wonderful opportunity to help a really wonderful organization.  Hope to see you here!

.

The Kent Children’s Center is a Non-Profit Early Childhood Program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

.

In conjunction with Kent Wine & Spirit.

Read Full Post »

Unique Privies ~ The Second Installation

From traditional style with grand scaled mirrors and graphic wallpapers to eclectic spaces with re-purposed vanities – all of the bathrooms in installation two of Unique Privies have one thing in common: I haven’t seen it done anywhere else before…

.

Add a chaise and I would have no need to leave.  Ever.

.

.

.

.

.

For the world traveler.

.

.

I LOVE the shots of turquoise in this bath.  Fabulous light fixtures!

.

.

I really like this vanity but all I can wonder is how many broken bones I would have from stubbing my toes.

.

.

.

.

.

This takes “bringing the outdoors in” to a whole new level.

.

Straight from Greece for your minimalist bathing pleasure!

.

The greenhouse of my dreams.

.

.

It is possible that the English, with their charming old cottages scattered over the countryside, don’t find this to be a unique space at all, but it is worthy of attention in my American opinion.  Nancy Meyers bathroom from “The Holiday”.

.

I’d still like to have one of those tri-fold mirrors.  Round preferably but I’m begging, not choosing.

.

.

I love that the bike basket stores the hand towels.

.

 All images via Pinterest.

.

Happy Friday!!

Read Full Post »

Beer for Kids

The 2nd annual Kent Children’s Center Beer Tasting fundraiser is next week here at Kent Kitchen Works.  There will be over 50 micro & craft beers to sample, really good food, and the founder of the Cavalry Brewing Co. in Oxford, CT, will be discussing his English style ales & brewery.  Cavalry is just one of about a dozen breweries that will be available to try that is produced within 25 miles of Kent.  Watch the video below to get an introduction to the brewery, hear Mr. McCreary’s story, and learn what his beer is all about:

.

This year’s featured beers include:

• Thomas Hooker Brewery (Farmington, CT)
• New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
• Oskar Blues Brewery (Colorado)
• Saranac Brewing (New York)
• Dogfish Head (Delaware)
• Smuttynose Brewery (New Hampshire)
• Lagunitas Brewery (California)
• Victory Brewery (Pennsylvania)
• Barrington Brewery (Massachusetts)

The tasting is on Saturday, October 29, from 4 – 7 pm.  Space is limited, and last year we sold out, so make sure to buy your $27.50 early-bird ticket to reserve a spot.  You can do that by calling 860.488.9218, emailing kccbeertasting@gmail.com, or visiting Eventbrite.  However, if you are the spontaneous, fly by the seat of your pants sort, tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event for $30, space permitting.  We are located at 6 Kent Green Blvd. in Kent, CT.

.

Its great fun and a wonderful opportunity to help a really wonderful organization.  Hope to see you here!

.

The Kent Children’s Center is a Non-Profit Early Childhood Program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

.

In conjunction with Kent Wine & Spirit.

Read Full Post »

Fall is Here!

Don’t you love the autumn season?  The chilly temps have already had us turning on the heat and dressing in layers here in Northwest Connecticut.  My little town is gearing up for tourist season.  October is dedicated to “Leaf Peepers” in Kent.

.

.

It’s a term I never heard until I moved here, so if it is foreign to you it’s okay – you aren’t the only one.  Peepers are those who travel around in search of  the glorious, unbelievably vibrant colors of the changing Autumn leaves.  They are die-hard Sunday joy-riders and escapees from the city.  Motorcyclists and hikers and novice photographers.  People come in by the bus load like it’s a pilgrimage one must make before they die.  It’s kissing cousins to a religious act – and why not?  I mean, how often do people really stop to appreciate this beautiful world?

.

.

Kent, CT, has won the title of The Best Foliage Town in New England by Yankee Magazine the past two years running.  Not that the townspeople have much to do with it, but its a fact we are very proud of!

.

Besides enjoying the seasonal scenery (& sweater weather), how do you get into the Fall spirit?  I don’t have the patio to do this but if I did gourds and Indian corn, cornstalks, pumpkins, & mums would occupy every inch…

.

.

with wreaths on the windows & doors…

.

and my mantle (also something I don’t have) would be blessed with any variety of fall feeling paraphernalia…

.

Leaves up to my shins in the courtyard remind me of when my sister and I did cannonballs into the piles of leaves Dad raked up.

.

.

I love entertaining, but I love the party prep just as much.  Personalized invitations, place cards, & party favors take a little extra effort, but they are charming and leave a lasting impression on your guests.  You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to do it, either.  The Graphics Fairy is an indispensable resource for DIYers out there.

.

.

Don’t forget the table centerpiece, which can be as subtle…

.

or…

outrageous as your imagination takes you (or time allows).

.

I crave comfort food when the temperatures drop.  Don’t you?  Soups, stews, and roasts are my favorite.  Anything warm, rich, and decadent works, too.  Luckily, Mother Nature plays along with my aesthetic preferences and provides a hearty, colorful palette of root vegetables and earth toned fruits, cheeses, & mushrooms.

.

.

.

.

Any friend of mine knows that, as far as I am concerned, there is never a bad time for a cocktail.  I don’t discriminate against warm or cold totties, but there are certainly times when a warm beverage can do wonders for chilly fingers.  Mulled wine is one of my favorite things, a friend of mine can get very excited about hot buttered rums, and my mom makes the most amazing egg nog in the wholewideworld!

.

.

Do you have a favorite?  Fall pastime, decorating idea, childhood memory, or drink?  Please share them with me.  I’d love to hear from you!

.

All images are from my Autumn Pinterest board.

Click on the link for image credits and more images, recipes, decorating ideas, and articles.

Read Full Post »