A 13 Year Old Understands

Today, I was copied on a message on Facebook from our niece Kelly regarding her 13 year old son, Andrew.  I feel compelled to share part of the message: 

"He is deeply perplexed and saddened by the recent suicides of young gay men/boys and has actually witnessed such bullying in his own school. He wants you to know that he has promised to do whatever he can to stop the tormenting, or at least help ease the suffering of the victims by being a friend, and voice for them.

He has written a letter to our senator, and to President Obama asking for stronger penalties for both bullying, and hate crimes all over the world, but especially in schools and in online forums."

As I read this message, my heart filled with overwhelming pride.  Proud that Andrew stands with those that are oppressed.  Proud that Andrew rises above social conformity to be his own person (at age 13 no less), and proud that Andrew has two wonderful and loving parents who have taught him that there is no room for hate. 
 
13 years old.  He's at a period in his  life when social pressures are at an extreme, and this young man stands up and says, "enough."  His willingness to be a voice for victims of hate, his willingness to wrap his arms around those that are oppressed and let them know that they are loved, is so moving to me.  I'm so incredibly proud of him and I'm so moved by his kindness and the size of his heart. 
 
If a teenager can figure this out and understand that hate should not be tolerated, why can't adults?

New Halloween Special From Martha

Martha will be celebrating her favorite holiday with an all new original special on the Hallmark Channel, "Tricking and Treating with Martha Stewart" on Sunday, October 10 at 9pm (eastern).

The special is being described as a virtual 'how-to' guide for doing Halloween night right, from tips on sensationally spooky ways to decorate your home to decorating old pillowcases to use as trick or treat bags. 

Actor Brendan Fraser is among the guests on the show, reprising his favorite costume. 

If you're a fan of Martha Stewart, there is simply no better way to prep for the big night as she'll help inspire you to craft your own costumes, costume your own crafts and share her unique and imaginative party ideas, recipes and more.

A Garden Hod for All Seasons

On our recent visit to Sharon Springs I purchased this beautiful garden hod from the Beekman 1802 Mercantile. 

Hods were originally used by the French and the British for carrying everything - from bricks and mortar, to laundry! The Beekman 1802 Garden Hod is styled after a traditional clam hod and is perfect for holding the last of your garden harvest.  Masterfully crafted from hard wood with a wire mesh bottom, it is a perfect gathering basket and you can even wash the dirt and any insects from your harvest before bringing it into your home.

Since the harvest is pretty much over where I live, I'm thinking of other uses for this magnificent hod.  What a great vessel for a harvest centerpiece at Thanksgiving or filled with pine boughs and pine cones for the winter holidays.  There are so many decorative uses during the off season!

The Beekman 1802 Garden Hod is NOT currently available on their website.  You can only find it in the Mercantile, located on Main Street in beautiful Sharon Springs.

Update:  Look for the Beekman 1802 Garden Hod to be available on line soon!  Visit the online store at Beekman 1802. com

Something "Fabulous" This Holiday Season

For those of you who are anxious for season two of "The Fabulous Beekman Boys," you will not have to wait until spring of 2011 to get a fresh glimpse of your favorite farming duo.  Planet Green has announced a holiday special featuring Josh, Brent, and Farmer John, to be aired in December.  The second season of "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" is scheduled to begin in April of next year. 

Laura Michalchyshym, network president and general manager is pleased with the first season.  "We're thrilled; we're over the moon, it has surpassed all our expectations and become our No. 1 original series." 

The hour-long special will partly be programmed by the fans, who'll be urged to suggest their favorite segments via Facebook, Twitter and other avenues.  "It's intended to be a tribute and a grateful big kiss for our fans," Michaelchyshyn said of the special. 

The special will feature clips from season one, never before seen clips, bloopers, and a peek into season two.

Fans of the show are sure to agree that their holidays will be just a little more happy! 

A Fabulous Harvest Festival in Sharon Springs

Last weekend, David and I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Harvest Festival in Sharon Springs, New York. An estimated 5,000 people visited the normally quiet village over the two day event. Without a doubt, Sharon Springs made many new friends that weekend.

While it was a working visit for us, our vantage point on the porch of the Roseboro Hotel (home of the Beekman 1802 Mercantile) provided us the opportunity to meet many wonderful people from across the country.  It was so great to see so many people come into Sharon Springs and experience the small village we've fallen in love with and hope to one day soon call home. 

We took a few pictures over the course of the two days.  Please take a look at the fun and excitement in Sharon Springs:

Brent and Josh spent a good amount of time on the porch of the Beekman Mercantile meeting and greeting their friends and fans.  Each visitor was treated so well and allowed to spend time with them.
           

Young and old alike were anxious to meet the guys.  The mass appeal of the "Fabulous Beekman Boys" was all too obvious! 

There were lines to get into the store and lines that stretched nearly two blocks to spend a few moments with Josh and Brent.  At one point it was VERY crowded at the Mercantile.

As the day progressed, so did the crowds!  I have to wonder just how much goat milk soap was left at the end of the two days!

                                                                                                          

Metal artist Michael McCarthy was on hand to demonstrate the finishing touches he does on every fruit spoon sold at the Beekman Mercantile.  His work is amazing!

Farmer John's sister, Shirley was at the Festival selling her wonderful quilting work.  The picture above is a quilt she crafted as a salute to her little brother (as Shirley says, she's older, but not by much!).

The area next to the American Hotel was packed with artisans and vendors selling their goods. I was so impressed with the talent and craftsmanship of the work.  I did buy a few things, but they are Christmas presents... shhhhhh! 

The American Hotel was decked out in autumns best.  While we didn't attend the Harvest Dinner this year, it was a great place to visit later on Saturday evening.  The bartender can make a mean Cosmo!

This little girl captured my heart.  She LOVES Josh and was disappointed that her family forgot to bring a camera.  I had mine on hand and offered to take a picture of her with Josh and email it to her Mom.  She was thrilled!  I loved being able to help her capture a great memory of the day.  (my thanks to her mom and dad for allowing me to post the picture!)

Polka Spot was beautiful as always.  She posed for the attendees of the farm tours.  

The second annual Harvest Festival was a weekend filled with good food, good times and good people.  I hope everyone will plan to attend next year.  It just keeps getting better and better!

Sharon Springs Welcomes the Fall Harvest

It's 530 in the morning and we are about to head to the heart of Sharon Springs and begin setting up for the Harvest Festival. 

For those Fabulous fans of the Beekman Boys, you're in for a treat!  Many of you have asked for Beekman t-shirts and they will be for sale this weekend! There are five different designs available, all in 100% organic cotton.  Stop by the Beekman 1802 Mercantile and make your selections! 

We'll be posting photos later today. 

Off to Sharon Springs!

It's Harvest Festival Weekend, and we aren't about to stay home!  We're headed to Sharon Springs, NY to enjoy the "Fabulous" festivities, see dear friends, and hug a goat or two!

Pictures, recap, and more coming next week!

We'll tell Brent and Josh you said, "hello."

We Remember

Nine years ago.  A day we remember so vividly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their lives on this day. 

New Books For October

There are two cookbooks that are on my "to-buy" list for the month of October:

Release date:  October 26

Ina Garten, bestselling cookbook author and beloved star of Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, is back with her easiest recipes ever.

In Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That? Ina proves once again that it doesn’t take complicated techniques, special equipment, or stops at more than one grocery store to make wonderful dishes for your family and friends. Her newest must-have cookbook is all about saving time and avoiding stress while having fun in the kitchen.

These are not recipes with three ingredients thrown together in five minutes; instead home cooks will find fantastic Barefoot Contessa recipes that are easy to make but still have all that deep, delicious flavor Ina is known for—and that makes a meal so satisfying. Think Pink Grapefruit Margaritas served with Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs—two classics with a twist. For lunch, Ina makes everyone’s favorite Ultimate Grilled Cheese sandwich and Snap Peas with Pancetta. For dinner, try Jeffrey’s Roast Chicken (tried and true!); Steakhouse Steaks, which come out perfectly every time and—with Ina’s easy tip—couldn’t be simpler; or an Easy Parmesan “Risotto” that you throw in the oven instead of stirring endlessly on the stovetop. Finally, Ina’s desserts never disappoint—from Red Velvet Cupcakes to Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart.

To top it all off, Ina also shares her best tips for making cooking really easy. She leaves bowls of lemons and limes on the counter not only because they look great but because they also remind her that a squeeze of lemon in a dish brightens the flavors. She shows us the equipment that makes a difference to her—like sharp knives, the right zester, an extra bowl for her electric mixer—and that can help you in your kitchen, too.

Filled with 225 gorgeous full-color photographs, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? is the perfect kitchen companion for busy home cooks who still want fabulous flavor.

Release date:  October 1

Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito’s 2008 Baked was published to national critical acclaim and raved about across the blogosphere. Since then, their profile has gotten even bigger, with continued praise from Oprah and Martha Stewart; product availability in every Whole Foods across the U.S.; and a new bakery in Charleston, South Carolina, with even more traffic than their original Brooklyn location.

Now, in Baked Explorations, the authors give their signature “Baked” twists to famous desserts from across the country. Here is their take on our most treasured desserts: Banana Cream Pie, Black & White Cookies, Mississippi Mud Pie, and more—from the overworked to the underappreciated. Readers will love this collection of 75 recipes from breakfast treats to late-night confections and everything in between.

Both cookbooks can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com.  How fun is that?

Martha Stewart Living Cabinetry, Countertops & Hardware

Pick up this beautiful design catalog of Martha Stewart Living cabinetry at your local Home Depot

Martha believes the kitchen is one of the most important spaces in our homes. It has become the hub of our families' daily lives, a place not just to cook, but to also work, relax, and entertain.  To help make our kitchen as inviting as it is functional, check out Martha Stewart Living (TM) kitchens, a beautiful selection of cabinetry, counter tops, and hardware available exclusively at The Home Depot. 

The design inspiration for the ten different cabinetry styles came from Martha's homes, like Lily Pond and Skylands, as well as the homes of colleagues at MSLO.  The result is a mix of door and glass designs, color palettes, and practical features in a wide ranges of styles, so anyone can create a look that they will love at an affordable price. 

The counters are custom designed Corian counter tops that coordinate perfectly with the the cabinets, hardware, and Martha Stewart Living Paint.  Here's a look at the different cabinet styles:

The Dunemere

This sleek design is infused with the relaxed feel of a contemporary beach house.  Blending early shaker construction with modern embellishments, it features clean lines and top and bottom frame beading.

Lily Pond

This timeless design is inspired by the sophisticated, yet simple woodwork found in Martha's modest 19th-century Hamptons cottage.  Long, triple-reeded center panels and distinctive finish options complete the classic look. 

Maidstone

Country sensibility comes through in this 19th-century Shaker design completed with contemporary touches.  Flat-panel doors enhanced with stacked crown moulding offer rustic accents that equally suite a country or urban home.

Mount Desert

Inspired by the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, this traditional design offers a classic blend of strength and subtlety.  center panel detailing and a natural wood finish create a timeless look that welcomes everyone home.

Ox Hill

Emulating the integrity and grace of the early 1900s, this turn-of-the-century country kitchen has vintage sensibility.  Flat center panels, double batten doors, and intricate corbels create and heirloom-inspired charm. 

Perry Street

Drawing inspiration from  city dwellings, the Perry Street kitchen is a sophisticated mix of subtle color, metallic styling, and frosted glass.  This modern look is easily adapted to any style.

Seal Harbor

Domestic productivity begins here, in a kitchen inspired by the rustic appeal of a New England coach house and stable but with the needed functionality of a modern home.   Accent panels featuring a furrowed-line pattern articulate an appreciation for clean and simple design. 

Kitchen cabinetry is not just for the kitchen.  In the photo above, the Seal Harbor kitchen cabinets are used to create a most useful and organized craft/project room.

Skylands

The natural beauty of coastal Maine is preserved in this nod to Martha's 1920s summer home.  Paying tribute to its architecture, history and masonry, Skylands delivers a beautifully crafted design that reflects the airy feel of the surrounding environment. 

Above, Skyland cabinetry is a cherry finish is used to create a well designed bathroom. 

Turkey Hill

This balanced Federal-style kitchen, based on Martha's first home, is designed with glass-paneled cabinetry and fluted fillers to frame its richness and color.  It makes a charming setting, whether  you are preparing a simple supper or a large holiday feast. 

Weston

This contemporary European kitchen style takes its inspiration from vintage 1950s Modernism.  Horizontal wood grain and sleek handles create the sensibility of an architect's custom-built design.

To learn more about the Martha Stewart Living cabinets, counter tops and hardware, visit your local Home Depot store location.