Favorite 'Go To' Shop in New England

Let me introduce you to my favorite shops in New England, "The Christmas Tree Shop".  They are scattered throughout the Northeastern states.  This store has all sorts of things for your home, at very reasonable prices.

It's called "The Christmas Tree Shop" but it's not just for Christmas.  Yes, they have great seasonal items but also many, many other great things not associated with the holidays.  

I thought I'd post a small sample of what was in the store last Thursday.

Cottage Furniture: (this is actually $169)

Daniela is looking for a cabinet to hold her daughter's many paint brushes and art supplies. 

Pottery and Glassware:

Primitives, Country, Rustic?... (I'm not sure what this style is called).

French-y styled storage chests:

At unbelievable prices!

Cute miscellaneous stuff:

Only $6.99 each.  If you had a country kitchen, these would be great above cabinets.  

I loved buying China here.  In the past, I purchased tea pots to hold flower arrangements as gifts.  

Unfortunately, traveling by airplane with only a carry-on does not permit large purchases.  However, there is one thing that I always stock up on every year.  It's the reason we make a beeline to "The Christmas Tree Shop" the first night I'm there:

The napkins!!!!

Made in Germany.  I guess they're technically "expired" by the looks of the date... but do napkins really expire?  
Anyway, the most expensive for forty napkins is $1.99!  I think that's a great bargain.  So, I stuff all these in the bottom of my carry-on luggage and I'm pretty much set for the year.

If you're ever up that way, go to this store.  Don't let the name fool you.  They have health, beauty, stationary, seasonal, food, lamps, pictures, storage...  I could go on and on.  

Love from Whippoorwill Road,

Bernadine

To the Norman Rockwell Museum

This past Sunday morning, we decided to head west.  Daniela had never been to the Normal Rockwell Museum.  I had been there only once before, about ten years ago.  It was the perfect opportunity.

We entered the Berkshires mountain area on a perfect day.  

We stopped in Stockbridge, the town where Norman Rockwell lived as an adult.  It's an absolutely picturesque, charming, wonderful place.  Once there, we had to have lunch at the Red Lion Inn.  (humph, no picture.)

The Red Lion Inn has been around since the late 1700's.  The Inn is full of beautiful antiques.  There are no ropes saying, "Hands Off". If I must say, one thing I LOVE about New England people is they are down to earth, honest people.  No pretentiousness here.  We came into the Inn with jeans, messy hair and a highly wrinkled linen shirt (last two were me) and we were graciously welcomed without one glance at our attire.

During lunch there was beautiful live piano music in the background. I just had to get a photo of this man playing for our enjoyment.  

In the main dining room (I'm bummed I didn't get any photos), you're served by the waitstaff with these charming outfits.  Traditional and classic: very New England.

In this Inn, there is also the Country Curtains store.  A few tables over, was the founder and owner of the company, Jane Fitzpatrick.  After lunch, we passed by her table on the way to the store section and met her.  She was gracious, as were the two ladies at her table.  My friend complimented her products and thanked her for such a wonderful company.     I hope we made her day.

This is the pub area.  A gentleman offered to take a picture of us together.   My only request: "Make sure you get the lion.  Make sure you get the whole lion!"  Next time I'm in the area, I'm definitely having a glass of wine in here.   I hope it's not another ten years.

Then it was a few minutes of a tranquil country drive and we were at the museum.  It's amazing to me that a person can get inches away from these famous paintings.  (Side note: I don't know why I'm leaning to touch the pumpkins except maybe for the fact that it gives me something to do other than stand stiffly by the sign.)

This is the basement area of the museum.  (I snapped this with my cell phone.)  It's magazine cover images he painted throughout the years.  There's something about Norman Rockwell paintings that make me get teary eyed at times.  Maybe it's the expression of human emotion that he captured on the canvas.  

After viewing Rockwell's paintings, we headed over to his studio.  His studio was originally located in the town of Stockbridge but the building was relocated to this museum property.

It's a leisurely stroll on this path to get to his studio.  I would love to walk around this property on a regular basis if I lived closer.  

There were paths through the woods too.  

Then we entered the actual studio.  This is where he posed the men, women and children he painted.  That's his actual chair, palette and easel.  The pipe was lost long ago.  This is a replacement.  
It's spine tingling to realize this is where some of his most famous paintings were created.  

This lady was the docent when we first entered the museum. I was so thrilled to see her again and tell her how much we enjoyed her lecture.  She welcomed photographs.  

It was great being back in this museum.  It was a spontaneous decision to go and I'm so glad we did.  Daniela's already planning to go back with her husband.  They'll ride the Harley as the leaves change.  Hmmm... maybe I can tempt He-Man to do the same one year.  

Love from Whippoorwill Road,

Bernadine 

Zip Lining for Fathers Day

For Fathers' Day weekend, I took the family on a zip lining adventure.

We went to Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Georgia with the extended family.

Some of the family camped.  We rented a cabin.

We arrived Friday afternoon.  Here's a few shots of our nice rustic lodgings.

It was comfortable.  This was the downstairs bedroom.

The loft had three beds.  

From the loft looking into the living and dining area.  Loved the fireplace.

The kids went kayaking and paddle boating in the lake.

Very quickly they found a rope swing.

Family came from South Florida and from around Georgia.  It was nice for the adults and children to catch up on life sitting around a campfire and making s'mores.

Saturday morning, we gathered for the zip lining adventure.
This is my Aunt Barbara (the purple arrow is pointing at her).  She's the hero of the group.  In a little while, I'll tell you why.

We received instructions from our guides, put on gear and, if someone needed help, we checked each other.

When this picture was taken, we had no idea what we were in for.

That's me probably on the first zip line in Level One.  Oh yes, there are five levels!

Some endured the first level, aka the instructional level.  That was it for them.  After that, they dropped their gear.  They were done...for the rest of their lives!


I was done after Level Two.  I had my fill.  I enjoyed crossing the life threatening bridges and zipping through the trees.  It was just that first step off the platform that became increasingly terrifying for me.  I had to encourage my daughter to push me off the platform because I would freeze.  

Remember my Aunt Barbara?  She's 76 years 'young'.  She went on to Level Four!!!  You reach speeds of 60-70 miles per hour and the last zip line is half a mile long!
This is her sailing by while we're screaming her name.
My children are so impressed and amazed by her.

Later we gathered to unwind, grill and laugh.

Then on Sunday, my daughter and I took a hike on the trail.

Very interesting ruins.  I imagine all the heavy labor it took to construct.

We hiked by the river, climbed rocks, explored, huffed and puffed all the way back to the cabin.  Then it was packing up, more visiting and time to say goodbye.  

And when I arrived home, the first thing I did was check the garden.  This is what was waiting.  My first Roma tomatoes!  Delicious.

I hope you had a great weekend.  Bye for now.  

Owww... my stomach muscles are sore today... 

From Whippoorwill Road, 

Bernadine