Happy Spring!

Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way. – Dr. Seuss

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Yay! Spring has arrived. Although it has been a bit cold, it still has beautiful signs of new life everywhere you look. The grass is green, the gardens are popping up, and we have things to do before the official gardening season begins!

In my last blog we wrote about our daughter moving to California. How did we adjust to our empty nest? We kept busy, did some home projects, and went on some vigorous hikes and long walks.  We also ate out a lot!

Our guests always ask us where to eat, and what our favorite restaurants are.  One of our favorites is Elizabeth’s in Pittsfield, about twenty minutes away. It’s a casual place with an incredible menu. We almost always get the same thing, Eggplant Provencal. We are usually full before the main dish because they serve a huge family style salad, and Berkshire Mountain Bakery Bread!  After our dinner at Elizabeths, for about a week or longer, we eat our version of their salad and bread!

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A salad for two! After all we have to make up for all of that eating out. And the bread! Berkshire Mountain Bakery is located in Housatonic, about 20 minutes away. It is our very favorite bread, and extremely healthy. Flour, water and salt. That is what real bread is, and it is our favorite. In the photo above, I tried to recreate the hummus the owner brought to our table. It was chunky and very light, with chopped tomatoes. He said it was a staple in his house growing up. Delicious.

Fun is good. Dr. Seuss

Another favorite restaurant we both love, is the Starving Artist Creperie. Just two blocks from our house. We order numerous things off their menu. One of my favorites, when we are on a salad kick, is their Vital Vegan Salad. So we come home and recreate that too. They aren’t open for dinner, and sometimes you just need that salad at dinner! We also love the owner and the staff.

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Salad for two again! Wow. I bet you think we live on salad alone – no we do not!

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Tuscan Mashed Chickpeas on grilled bread.

This is a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. Pop over to my facebook page for the recipe. Of course, we use Berkshire Mountain Bakery bread for this too. See why we eat so much salad!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. – Dr. Seuss

We also did some home reno projects. And, after recently becoming addicted to HGTV, Fixer Upper,  we felt like Chip and JoAnna Gaines while we were doing it! Here is a peak at some of our projects:

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Jeff made this table out of repurposed wood with pipe legs. Very Fixer Upper! And perfect for my kitchen. He was not overly excited about the pipe legs, but then he got a kick out of putting them together.

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Our next project was new wallpaper in the dining room hallway. I fell for this last year when we started this re-do the whole house project. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and even though the wall paper in that are was still cute – this had to be done. I’m in love with it. As you all know I am mad, crazy and wild about blue and white. This chinoiserie paper goes perfect with my entire house! 

We did some other projects too, and I still have a list, but the highlight of spring so far…is not to be missed!

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We went to San Diego to see our girl! She has been gone three full months. She has an adorable apartment, and a new job. She guided us around like she had lived there for much longer. We had the time of our lives! While we were there, we saw our beautiful niece Kate. She drove down from Los Angeles.  She is living a very successful, and ambitious life. Her career is in the business world. We loved catching up. We had a hard time leaving these amazing young women.

It’s moments together that change us forever. Dr Seuss

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Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.  Dr. Seuss

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Thank you for coming by my blog today ~ I hope you come back soon.

p.s. While were visiting Julia, we went to La Jolla where she is now working in a Gallery.  We visited the Legends Gallery, aka The Dr. Seuss Gallery. A highlight of our trip, hence the Dr. Seuss vibe of this post.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. Dr. Seuss.

Winter Hiking in the Berkshires

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. ~ Helen Keller

This new year started off with a major change in our lives. Our beautiful daughter, our one and only, moved to California! Any one of you with children who have moved away know the feeling. We have been through this before when she went to college, but this time instead of an hour away, she is 3,000 miles away. We have to pull out all of the stops to stay and to be happy about this big move. Within 3 weeks, she has set up her apartment, had friends visit, and started to look for a job. She is happy and excited about this new adventure and we are thrilled for her too.

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. Dalai Lama

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This little one, also known as ” little j “,  is the light of our lives! She fills the house with excitement, drama and great entertainment! Having her around full time, since she graduated a year and a half ago, has been really enjoyable to say the least. She is a such dear soul who is fun to be around. Her humor, sweetness, and creativity always inspire us. And, boy do we miss her cooking! Oh, did I mention she is beautiful too?

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Here she is the day she moved. Saying goodbye to her car, Thelma. Thelma is not just a car, she has a personality too. Leaving Thelma was not easy for Julia. This little power house, ” jalapy”  took Julia through most of high school, college, and beyond ~ they had a bond! Poor Thelma found out Julia was moving, and switching to a new car named Fraiser. She decided the week before she moved that she could no longer go on without Julia’s love! She is on life support and hoping someone will adopt her, with all of her little quirks, and love her.

So what are us empty nesters to do? Keep busy, be extra healthy, and plan our next vacation to San Diego! That’s what we do!

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One of the greatest things about living in the Berkshires is that nature is right outside our door, and the woods are only five minutes away! We need to be extra active this year, and this winter with the lack of snow, it has been great for hiking. I adore snow shoeing and we are pretty close to the smaller ski areas, so there is plenty to do when it snows too.

Nature is the art of God. ~ Thomas Browne

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Hiking at The Tyringham Cobble about 6 miles away from Crabtree Cottage. 

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After our hikes we like to come home, make soup, and light a fire! For the recipe for this vegetable curry go to my facebook page. Easy, healthy, and very comforting.

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Cuddling in front of the fire is magic after a vigorous hike!

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Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

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Hiking again at Laura’s TowersTrail.  Because of the snow and ice you need your yaktracks for this. I wish we took pictures at the top of the trail. The lookout views are amazing.

The following pictures we taken hiking at October Mountain – a gorgeous woodland hike with streams.  Max and Margot are thrilled with all of these weekend hikes. Watching them navigate across a stream, or decide whether or not to jump over or go under a log is fascinating. These little athletes need nature and freedom from the leash on a regular basis that is for sure.

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Need a little lovin’? Get a dog or two!

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Last weekend was the best hike of all! We went on a Full Moonlight Guided hike at Hilltop Orchards in Richmond. About a 15 minute drive from Crabtree Cottage.  Although the orchard and trails had some snow, we were able to wear hiking boots. When there is deeper snow, they have a snowshoe hike. The sky was completely cloudy all day because of the big northeastern storm that hit NY, Baltimore, and DC, but we didn’t get any snow. Amazingly, the full moon showed itself for the entire hike. The hike ended with a bonfire, wine tasting, and entertainment inside the lodge. By the time we finished the bonfire, the moon was covered again by clouds. It was a quite a dramatic hike with the full moon guiding us. We will take this hike again – hopefully with snow shoes. It was a bit vigorous and fun. We had chit-chat, silent walking, and the setting of intentions that we released into the bonfire at the end. Then we tasted some of the wines in the wine tasting room, sat by the stone fireplace, roaring with warm flames, sipped on wine, and listened to a local musician. It was simple, magic, and perfect for our bodies, minds, and souls to be in the woods that night.

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Besides hiking we have eaten out a lot too! We have some of our favorite restaurants right here in Lee. All within walking distance to Crabtree.  Tonight we don’t really have anything to do, nothing we have to see at the movies, so we are going to The Lions Den, in Stockbridge. They have pub-fare and local entertainment. If we time it just right we might just get a seat in front of the fire.

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And… I might just order my new favorite drink, inspired by my daughter Juliia;  gin and tonic (although I get it with club soda, to avoid the extra sugar) with bitters. I had never been on a bitters kick before. Imagine, that little baby at the top of this blog knowing about this! One of these does the trick and it feels healing because of the bitters, haha!

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And lastly, a new recipe. I started making apple cakes around Christmas time. It became Julia’s favorite breakfast treat, and also what she wanted for her birthday just before she moved.  So in honor of our little j, without further adieu, the Crabtree Cottage Apple cake! Visit my facebook page. So far my guests have been loving this too!

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Thank you for coming by my blog today. Part of my empty nest therapy is going to be some more home renovating. Not only to please us, but to please our guests too! Stay tuned. My new theme includes more black paint!

For the Love of Birch & Holiday Decor.

“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”

~ Helena Bonham Carter

Welcome to our holiday home! This year we went with a simple and natural look, with touches of red, and mercury glass for accents.  Fresh greens, birch, and pinecones helped bring the outdoors in. As always, our favorite decor includes lots of candles, festive music and comfort food ~ all with a twist.

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Notice Max & Margot ~ always part of the Crabtree scene!

IMG_1543Every time Jeff and I go walking in the woods I seem to collect another birch log. I love using the birch in my arrangements, but especially Christmas decor.IMG_1545

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We go walking and hiking in the woods, and before you know it I have spotted a piece or two of birch! On our last walk we noticed these cairn rock formations here and there.

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“I believe in the cosmos. All of us are linked to the cosmos. So nature is my god. To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals. Being at one with nature.”

~ Mikhail Gorbachev

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FullSizeRenderThere is the prize! Birch Loot! Then the protest …. “this one is much too big.” Bringing a chainsaw into the woods is also a no no according to the birch carrier!
FullSizeRenderThen I notice this!  We load up the car, and go home to play!

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The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.  ~ Thomas Moore

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Now that the outside is complete, we move inside.

IMG_1515This year I put my carolers on the tree.
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This lovely galvanized cake stand is a gift from my neighbor Sandy. We went out shopping one day, and I got to pick out my Christmas gift. Sandy is my dearest, neighbor/friend/decorator – cohort! She also loves all things birch, and galvanized!  After we shopped, we embellished it with birch, pinecones, greens and mercury glass.  I will do a blog on her house soon ~ she is such an inspiration to me.
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Now, it is time to invite my parents over to lounge in front of the fire. We served this Tomato Bread Soup, PAPPA AL POMODORO, from our favorite cookbook author, Chloe Coscarelli. It was a major hit ~ very hearty and flavorful.  I have posted the recipe on my face book page if you would like it.
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I follow some very inspiring home decor blogs. One of my favorites is Susan Branch.  I saw this on her previous post, and thought it was a lovely blessing for all of us. Susan is an artist, author and lover of the Home Arts! I think you will love her page too.
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Thank you for coming by my blog today.  May everything that makes for a happy holiday come to you.

A signature recipe and creating a signature style!

My uncle ordered popovers
from the restaurant’s bill of fare.
And, when they were served,
he regarded them with a penetrating stare.
Then he spoke great words of wisdom
as he sat there on that chair:
“To eat these things,” said my uncle,
“You must exercise great care.
You may swallow down what’s solid,
but you must spit out the air!”
And as you partake of the world’s bill of fare,
that’s darned good advice to follow.
Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.
And be careful what you swallow.”

― Dr. Seuss

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We love to serve our favorite popovers once during our guests stay here at Crabtree Cottage. If you are here for the weekend, you will be sure to have these.  Even though we try to offer new twists on our favorite recipes for our repeat customers, we never worry about repeating popovers – over and over again!  We have been serving them since we began our B&B. We thought it was a unique breakfast item compared to muffins, coffee cake or scones, although we do love to serve those too!  These have become our signature breakfast treat.  Some of our guests have never had a popover, some from England compare them to Yorkshire Pudding, others remember them from long ago.  This is also our most requested recipe! They are simple to make and make a great impression.Pop over to our facebook page for the recipe.

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We call Jeff the Popover King. He makes the popovers each morning and takes great pride in that task!

“Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others. ”  Orson Welles

I also love a signature decorating and fashion style. Who doesn’t? When we think of our favorite designers or iconic fashionistas, there is something so inspiring about their unique signature look, or design style.  It is like a personal autograph, unique and recognizable.  Oh that is so …. Janis!  Haha. I was going to say Jackie O, or Frank Lloyd Wright, but I just couldn’t resist!

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With our home I have tried to re-create a seaside cottage style that I just adore. My passion for that approach to home décor fits this house perfectly. This house lacked a special character before it underwent our major transformation.  By adding exuberant gardens, a picket fence, a seaside color scheme, and lots of love, it became Crabtree Cottage!

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On the inside, I am always trying to create a traditionally comfortable home with a twist!  My signature has also been my color scheme. I love color! I express myself through color too.  One of my favorite colors has always been navy blue. I have it throughout the entire house in some way or another.  I think I would go into a deep depression if I became color blind to the blues!

IMG_1410 Next to sharing my popover recipe, I also share the navy color (Benjamin Moore, Hale Navy) in my dining room, our front door and our barn.

During this updating frenzie, I also read the book, “the life-changing magic of tidying up,” by Marie Kondo. This is where the real art of paring down entered the scene. In her book she asks you to look at every single object in your home and ask this question…

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I have this on my kitchen chalkboard as a daily reminder. This question made me re-think many of the objects in my house, and even activities in my life.  My pile of tag-sale items grew, and the cellar became the dumping ground.  Time for a tag-sale!

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This  picture was for my Tag-Sale/Craigslist advertisement. Isn’t that lovely? Notice the color scheme, it follows me everywhere I go! I am afraid my staging vision, with this lovely preview, went right out the window.  It drizzled almost the entire three hours, on that frigid, early October morning. Oh well, I got rid of lots and lots of STUFF!!

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Now, back to my year long home decorating project.  I have upped my decorating antics to stay unique and personal.

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This new mirror added just a bit of a modern twist and made the room feel updated!

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I thought I could update my living room with the color green (Benjamin Moore, Herb Garden Green). My blue in this room is almost an equal partner, and yet it stands out. Sometimes, I feel like this green is a neutral, and the blue is the dominate color. I love blue and green together ~ perfect for a bright sunny room.  I have shared this green numerous times with my guests. It is Herb Garden Green from Benjamin Moore. One couple from England had never seen a green room ~ imagine?? I wrote down the information for them so they could replicate the color.

This is my living room mantel before…classic and traditional.

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This is my mantel after…classic and traditional with a new twist!  My mother said it was royal and regal looking!

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Can you guess what my new strategy is?  BLACK! I never did the black thing before! Next, I painted the piano and a candlestick table black ~ I should have done this years ago!

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Now there is a subtle statement of black in the living room ~

My mother, my neighbor Sandy, and many other designers, often say that every room needs a little black. My mother has been using black forever on miscellaneous furniture. She even has two black contemporary wing chairs.  It is showing up a bit more in the trade magazines, and as always, in more modern décor. In my house it is my new twist!! I am getting inspiration from this tried and true trend, but interpreting it in my way to fit my style, and house. That way I hope it will be a classic touch, without being totally dictated to following a trend.

I am also still doing this updating in my kitchen.  How to be in style, yet unique?  We started the entire home update a little over a year ago in this space.  As the decorators I follow always say, a room evolves and becomes more of itself, over time, not over night.  I guess that quote is symbolic when you think about it ~ as we evolve, we also become more of ourselves over time too. Don’t you just love that?

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I didn’t intend to go for an industrial look.  Of course, this is my version of a modified industrial approach, maybe a bit farmhouse too. I think the wainscoting, white cabinets, and the copper sink are timeless.  First, it was the new countertop, and then it just snow balled. Now, I have contracted my favorite carpenter, you know who, for a new table!  He is going to use barn boards from the inside of our barn. Of course, Jeff is the master of creativity, so I have no idea what the actual finished table will look like! I wonder if it will be the finishing touch…. Stay tuned…

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Thank you for coming by my blog today ~ I hope you come back soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers to Summer

“To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie –
True Poems flee.”
Emily Dickinson

It sure is hard to say good bye to summer. Business wise, it was one of our best. We truly enjoy our guests, and even though it is our busiest time of the year, we do manage to pack in lots of Berkshire Activities. Our favorite hobby is patio life. A special way to end the day! Candles lit, table set, wine poured, perhaps an evening chiminea to set the tone,  Ahhh…. connecting with my favororite people!

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I think in order to be an innkeeping couple you have to share a love of of all things home.  Tending to our guests, home and garden gives us immense feelings of joy.

One of my morning rituals is to go out and count my morning glories. Hot tea in hand, I walk about the garden and explore what the morning garden offers. Morning glories like cool nights, and the September gardens benefit the most!

The morning glories are climbing the roof!

The Morning Glories are climbing the roof!

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The Morning glory which blooms for an hour differs not at heart from the giant pine, which lives for a thousand years.  ~ Allen W. Watts

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“Summer should get a speeding ticket.”

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Herbs and vegetables straight from the garden.   Flavorful omlettes and frittata’s ~ what a great way to start the day!

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I love prepping for breakfast. Jeff and I have the routine pretty much perfected after 18 years!!

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Suddenly, we realize that the summer clock is ticking! It’s time for someone else to tend to the garden, and do the dishes!

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“Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”

~Maya Angelou

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The one thing the Berkshires are missing is the beach!

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I don’t mind being a tourist at all, and a gawker. I just walk around.

~ Ann Robinson

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I love to check out other peoples gardens and houses!

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“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”  winnie the pooh

Thank you for comming by my blog today.  Come back soon!

 

 

 

 

Summer Living

“Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat: it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill.”  Scout in To Kill A Monkingbird  (Did you know that Dill was based on Harper Lee’s real summer neighbor Truman Capote?)

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Ahhh, summer living! Is there anything more relaxing than a good book and a lazy day?  When you work from your home, and all things home are your work, you have to make the time to relax.  Jeff is actually better at this than I am, believe it or not.  He gets up early and tends to his business. Sometimes quotes and paperwork are complete before he leaves the house at 7:00 a.m. When he returns, and transisitions into relaxation, in the pool he goes ~ splash! Then, just about for the rest of the night, between splashes, he reads until he falls asleep. He just completed a 29 book mystery series that takes place on Martha’s Vineyard.  Sadly, the author has died and there are no more left in the series!

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A good book has no ending. ~ R.D. Cumming

With the anticipated release of Harper Lee’s, Go Set A Watchman, I pre- ordered two copies from The Bookstore, in Lenox. One for us, and one for our daughter.  I had always loved To Kill A Mockingbird – who didn’t. Scout was every girls herione! Need I say, Atticus Finch, in the book and in the movie, was every girls dream!  As I eagerly awaited the release, I emersed myself in all the interviews and stories about Harper Lee. I  re-watched the movie, To Kill A Mockingbird, and then re-read the book. Then I learned all about actors ~ total emersion! Now the time was mine to read, Go Set A Watchman.  Jeff finished it quickly and quietly.  Now that I have finished the book, I am searching for another theme to pursue. I feel a little lost. My thoughts are filled with emotion, and letting go of Scout and Atticus isn’t easy. Processing this new book may take awhile. Understanding the current state of our country, and the complexities around this everlasting topic seem disheartening, and totally disappointing. Yet, even though I feel I have gained some understanding, and I am a  bit more enlightend, I am no more comfortable. So, it is time to pursue my new theme!

I think it is time to dig in the dirt!

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Jeff solved a flooding issue last summer, but left it incomplete.  This project is next on our list.  Our back yard is always a work in progress. My biggest challage, dry shade. I want this little area to be used more. I want it to have that feeling of serinity and peaceful beauty.  Nothing flamboyant needed here ~ just a little more interesting.  The one place in our yard that is shady and cool on a hot day, needs something to draw us up there.  Hummm……. what shall we do here?

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Of course, I want it lush and full like this! This area is also dry shade, and after a few years, it has filled in nicely.  I have a dry shade plan!  I hope my assistant is up for this!

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Play in the dirt because life is to short to always have clean fingernails.

Living in the Berkshires with such a myriad of cultural activities, and with abundandance of beauty everywhere, we have places to go and people to see!

Tanglewood picnics have been plentiful. We had four concerts in a row begining with Cheryl Crow and ending with James Taylor.  We love packing a picnic. Although, when we zip over to Tanglewood on Sunday afternoons, we just bring our chairs and a bottle of wine. We go to the consession area to get a sandwich, and we just totally relax and people watch. This new book has beautiful photo’s of many different types of picnics from very simple to very fancy!

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You bring your own weather to a picnic.

Then we go on Garden Tours and Open Days. Last weekend we went to the Berkshire Botanical Garden. I came home totally inspired and realized I need a few more plants! Since the garden tour and the Botanical Garden visit I have been hitting the garden center’s again!  Jeff does not understand. “Where are you going to put those?”

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Berkshire Botanical Garden.

This weekend we are going to Jacob’s Pillow. We love to start with the Inside Out performance on Saturday nights.

 

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Another tradition in our Berkshire summer is going to The Red Lion Inn.  You haven’t experienced summer here unless you go sit on that big porch, order a refreshing drink, and people watch.  After an afternoon at the Playhouse, a visit to The Rockwell Museum, Naumkeag, or Chesterwood, this is highly recommended. Last weekend after we went to the Botanical Garden thats where we ended up.  The Red Lion Inn feels like home to us. The Courtyard, or The Lion’s Den, end this visit perfectly. Of course, a quick visit into The Red Lion Inn Gift Shop and County Curtains make the visit complete!  Since the calendar has flipped to August the summer bucket list is quite full. So many more activities are on the list!

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Red Lion Inn Porch

Food is my best friend!

The main subject of my day always involves food. What to serve for breakfast. I am always looking for a new twist for my repeat guests especially.  Anything new, easy, fresh and healthy for dinner? Here are some of our new favorites:

IMG_1161Peach, raspberry & blueberry clafoutis

IMG_1154Olive oil pancakes with dark chocolate ~ pop over to my facebook page for the recipe!

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IMG_1193With an abundance of Eggplants from the garden we have been getting creative!  Homemade Baba Ghanoush

IMG_1220These two adorable grandparents came to their grand dogs birthday party ~ bearing gifts!

IMG_1202Max and his birthday football! He was so happy!! We had a summer party to celebate with everything from the garden and farmer’s market!  Max is 13 years old!

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Celebrate the good times every chance you get!

A few snapshots of The Crabtree Cottage Garden:

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IMG_0965Color schemes in the garden….. well not always!

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IMG_1243The red flower in the background is Crocosmia ‘lucifer’   ~ it makes spectacular cut flowers too.

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IMG_1230Every morning I go out to see how many morning glories there are for the day!

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IMG_1247A beautiful butterfly captured in the Crabtree Cottage Garden!

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I hope you are having a wonderful summer. We are savoring every moment of this glorious season and we hope you are too! Thank you for coming by my blog today ~ come back soon.

 

 

Crabtree Snapshots

“Green was the silence, wet was the light,
the month of June trembled like a butterfly.”
― Pablo Neruda100 Love Sonnets
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Max enjoying a cigar on a beautiul summer night!
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Simplicity at its best!
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Lemon Olive Oil Cake ~ pop over to my facebook for the recipe.
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Today for breakfast I offered a special cheese omlet topper ~ fresh basil, farmers market tomatoes sauted in olive oil, avacado, olives, and a twist of Himalayan salt. A big hit!
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The Crabtree Dishwashing Team ~ Jeff! I really love this man!
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“Do small things with great love.” Mother Theresa
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“Basil ~ Basil ~ Basil. You can never have too much Basil!” Janis Monachina, lol
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IMG_0958 IMG_0964 IMG_0966Years ago we went to Garden in the Woods. I bought these blue pholx (that look purple) and they are just starting to bloom! They last about a month ~ I adore them! I will post again in full bloom!
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A passion flower! It closes up on cold rainy days
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A smoothie bowl ~ we haven’t served these to guests, but perhaps one day someone will request a bowl of health! This was created by Julia. She loves to eat and cook healthy.  Always delicious  and nutritious! That’s our Jules!
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One night she made us this wonder! A beet and bean falafel with a cilantro/basil sauce. An invention any true Greek restaurant would love to have on their menu! We had her make it the next night too! A new summer favorite!
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i have lots of garden areas on my tiny 1/2 acre lot…… my herb garden may not be the show stopper, but it is my very favorite!  Subtle and very useful! Wild and Wonderful.  We have noticed a decline in the bee population.  We have about 10 bees at a time on a good day, compared to a guestimate of 100 at a time.
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These ferns are as tall as I am.  No ~ don’t you dare! 5’3 is a tall fern!
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Thank you for coming by my blog today ~ come back soon.

Creative & Fun Spring Projects at Crabtree

Cozy

: small, comfortable, and warm

: friendly and pleasant

: suggesting or showing a closeness between two people, groups, businesses, etc. : very close

 

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I remember when I first started my B&B, eighteen years ago, searching for a word to describe my B&B.  The word cozy kept coming up.  I learned in the advertising world that cozy was not a good B&B description. It was overused and too cutesy for some people.  Well, there really isn’t a better word, in my humble opinion, to describe my B&B. Yes, this is a gray shingled home, with a picket fence and a cottage garden, some might say cottage-y and even cutesy, but I think the feeling that people feel here is cozy!  Come along, I’ll show you how we have been cozying up around here.

THE MASTER’S CHAMBER REVEAL!

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Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.  Arthur Ashe

~ During ~
~ During ~

It all started with Jeff replacing the tiled ceiling, adding new crown molding and painting the rooom.  Then came the new carpet. A shopping trip to Pine Cone Hill, Pottery Barn, Lamps Plus, Country Curtains, Home Goods and our even our own home and…. Tada!

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At first I had some white chairs in this space. When my father saw the new room he said it just wasn’t cozy.  Imagine that! So in moved the chairs destined for somewhere else in the house! Viola ~ cozy, cozy, cozy. This newer, slightly modern look I was seeking, needed more color.  He was spot on!

For the moment these are the only pictures I have of the new Master’s Chamber.  It is very difficult to take pictures of rooms without a professional for lighting and wide angles. I have that next project on my list.

Next, came another project for Jeff, the deck. The deck had been such a dissapointment from the get go.  The ceder that year had many issues with rotting. Our deck was very close to the ground, held too much moisture and I had chosen a solid stain.  Every year it took major sanding, board replacing and painting.  Well…. Jeff solved that problem!IMG_0798

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Tada!!

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The very best part of this low maintenance, gray stained cement patio with its composit railing system is…………

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This garden gate!!  The railing system didn’t come with an acceptable gate. Pure ugly.  Well, that wasn’t going to work.

Creativity is intelligence having fun. Albert Einstein

I remembered going to the Norman Rockwell Museum a few years ago and seeing a hand crafted and artsy gate display on the lawn. It was a vague memory for both of us, but it was very inspiring and whimsical.  I wanted Jeff to make one for me at the time, but no gates were needed.  The idea was in storage, somewhere deep down it was waiting to be created.  We of course needed a fun theme ~ a garden theme! This is what Jeff created!

Are you catching onto one of the themes of this blog yet?  Pop over to my facebook page and see who won the Crabtree Employee of the Year!!!IMG_0851

After a long and very cold winter we couldn’t wait to get our pool going.  Ugh. This year the lining was in very bad shape. Ought oh! We have realized we are already on borrowed time with this liner.  Eighteen years old, and every year we wonder as the cover comes off… with this be that year?  Not with Jeff around.  Out came the hair drying and lots of muscle!  Fixed! Notice his little assistant, Max offering his input.

Next came the new fence. Another story of wood that was eighteen years old!

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As you can see lots of Spring projects are completed and we are looking quite fresh around here in our cozy cottage.

Here are some spring scenes from the garden.

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These next garden photo’s are from my neighbors Sandy’s house.  She has a very English style garden that always inspires me.

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 Respond to every call that excites your spirit. Rumi

Thank you for coming by my blog today.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Projects & Updates

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy, Ann Karenina
 Max says, “please stop winter now!” I have promised him no matter what we are not going to put on his coat or his booties again, until next winter.  I hope the weather will cooperate because there isn’t a more disappointed face than when Max has to sport his booties!
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We have so many exciting spring projects ahead of us.  We can’t wait until our summer guests arrive to see all of the makeovers we have done! Soon after the holidays we undertook our living room! It had been on the list for the last few winters, but it was such a daunting task that we always seemed to avoid it.  The “look” was begining to feel very dated, and we finally had enough!
~ Living Room Before ~
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After ~  Herb Garden Green ~ Viola!
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Max loves this spot!
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I almost repainted the living room the same color because of these labor intensive booksheves. We had a painter paint the living room, but we tackeled the shelves ourselves! We had a limited window of opportunity for the painter and had to juggle weekend guests without disrupting our entire house with all of these books and nicknacks! We took the opportunity to clean, sort and downsize our chachki collections! We are loving the simplicity and freshness so much. We have decided to wait before we hang any pictures.
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I think upolstering this loveseat made my livingroom complete. It sometimes costs more to upholster furniture than buy new, but I would have never found a piece with this much character or personality in any funiture shop. It was worth the investment to us to re-do such a unique piece. Personality Plus ~ that’s what it says!
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Now the stained glass piece stands out more which was an unexpected bonus because of the green.  This piece belonged to Saint George’s Church right here on Franklin St.  It was removed to make a handicap accessible ramp. One Sunday afternoon there was an auction in the park and Jeff was the highest bidder! What we were going to do with this gem was not the question – Jeff wanted it and that was that! When asked what he was going to do with it he responded, “I’m sure I’ll find something.”  Within a minute of arriving home, he knew that this doorway would be the perfect place. Without a moments hesitation he was measuring, and to his surprise it fit perfectly. He only had to box it in. It is always a topic of conversation as to where it came from. We fell in love with the colors, especially the blue.  It seams more artful than religious to us, and we also respect it’s historical character.

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Now of course we had to include the hall with our living room plan. Here it is before ~ Gold

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After!  This time we used Forest Hills Green. A bit brighter incoporating the room, but keeping it seperate too. Will anyone notice? Probably not, but I happen to be obsessed/passionate about color, and it makes me happy!

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Now onto The Master’s Chamber! This room has also been on that list.  Dated and ready for a makeover ~ here we go!  Before ~
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~ During ~  Jeff has a full schedule with his own work, plus this on his time off. I think he may win employee of the year award again! I think a man with a tool belt on is one of the most impressive sights, don’t you?

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Rugs are scheduled to be installed soon, so the clock is ticking! Jeff will also be re-tiling the bathroom floor.  We will have a facebook reveal and blog when we finish.  It is very exciting because this is the most extensive of all the makeovers.  I am so excited to share this with my repeat guests. I do hesitate to share it on my blog because I hate to take away the surprise when they arrive to their room remodeled. Some of my repeats have already booked for summer so maybe they won’t see this post.
Setting goals is the first step in turning the inisible into the visible. – Tony Robbins
This work has to be done before the real spring arrives! There are garden projects waiting in the wings too! When we finish up inside, we have lots of outside plans too! Maybe by then the iceburgs will have melted and we can get down to business!
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We have a deck to rip off, and a patio to create to replace it! Here it is all lovely looking in the summer. Beneth it lurks the not so lovely rotted wood. Another job for dear old Jeff! Here is the before in the summer.
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A rotting fence to replace too! This photo doesn’t show the peeling rotted wood of today!
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It was such a pleasure to sink one’s hands into the warm earth, to feel at one’s fingertips the possibilities of the new season.”  – Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
Of course, we have been eating well.   During March I served these scones to our guests. Instead of Irish Soda Bread, Irish Soda Bread Scones.  Pop over to my facebook page and get the recipe. Simple, delicous and very Irish!
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I also have a couple of other surprises up my sleeve to share with my repeat guests, or perhaps intrique a future guest who might happen upon my blog.

Thank you for coming by my blog today.

Winter Romance & Chocolate All Month Long!

Take time to NOTICE the things that other people are OVERLOOKING ~ the slowdown challange
The Berkshire winter landscape is magnificent even on a cold and frigid day. It is always a good idea to fight that inner voice that wants to stay in by a warm fire, a good book, or a great movie.  Instead we must bundle up, and get moving! Once we are out there we are always inspired and invigorated!

Photo by Judith Monachina

My sister and I usually walk the same walk every week, during every season. We are often chatting away, when all of the sudden, one of us notices something we have never seen before.  We wonder how we could have missed an incredibly unique view, a detail on a house we always see, or some other wonder of nature.  These little winter wetlands and puddles made us stop and take notice. Had we ever seen anything like this before, or had we missed this miraculous scene of nature completely?

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Photo by Judith Monachina

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Photo by Judith Monachina

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Photo by Judith Monachina

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive you will see it. – Thich Naht Hanh

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Photo by Judith Monachina @ Naumkeag

Right now the skiing conditions are fantastic after our recent snowstorm this week. One place many of my guests love is Canterbury Farms  They have ice-skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing including rentals. They are located in Becket – just 20 minutes away.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.  – Tich Naht Hanh

I love to snow shoe right up the street at the Greenock Country Club, just 2 minutes away!

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We have a few new cookbooks here at Crabtree Cottage. Lately my daughter has been obsessed with pancakes from her favorite cookbook, Chloe’s Vegan Desserts.  During her birthday week I made these everyday for her.  I rarely make pancakes for my guests.  I never want to serve anything that they might eat at home or a diner. If I do make pancakes I like to serve unique ones they will never have anywhere else. These Tiramisu pancakes are now a guest favorite too.  To be honest we were never a pancake family ~ Chloe has changed us all – forever!

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Pop over to my facebook page to get the recipe. Or, better yet, book a night during the month of February, and I will serve them for breakfast. February is all about Romance & Chocolate! We are offering a special to entice you!

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Stay two nights and I will be serving chocolate and raspberry crepes on  one of those days.

Of course during the winter it’s all about healthy, hearty food! This year as usual it’s soup, soup and more soup!

IMG_0642This Curry Butternut Squash Soup was inspired by Emmy from the The Starving Artist Cafe, and Ina Garten from The Barfoot Contessa.

Curry Butternut Squash Soup

3 onions chopped

6 Tablespoons olive oil

1 large butternut squash chopped into 1″ cubes

3 carrots sliced

3 celery stalks sliced

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup unsweetend coconut milk

1 tablespoon curry powder

2 dashes of cayenne powder

salt & pepper to taste

Carmelize the onions with the olive oil. Add the butternut squash, carrots and celery. Stir in the spices and if needed a little more olive oil. Add the vegetable broth and simmer until the vegetables are fork tender and soft. Blend and return to pan. Add coconut milk to make a creamy consistancy. Season to taste. Garnish with olive oil, avacado’s and unsweetend shredded coconut.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing towards the future – Tich Naht Hanh

When I am not eating my own soup I go to my very favorite lunch spot, The Starving Artist Creperie & Café.  I usually order crepes, delicious salads or a fabulous sandwich. In the fall and winter I always include soup! Their soup inspires me to come home and try to repeat what I just had!  Emmy the owner, is an amazing cook and makes up her own recipes. I love being inspired by her! I think she serves the best soup in the Berkshires! The Creperie also has my vote for the best lunch in the Berkshires! We all love the food and atmosphere equally. The attached gallery is always featuring colorful and interesting art. On Sunday’s they offer a musical brunch too.

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The Creperie also has the best latte’s!

Thank you for coming by my blog today. I hope you come back soon.