Great Food, Impressive Beverage and Unique Shopping Experience in Brookline NH

I came across this little gem while I was driving through NH and stopped for gas. It is not easy to spot if you're not looking for it. IT is the Cozy Tea Cart. It is behind a gas station and bank and adjacent to a real estate office. You need to look for it, especially in winter, because the parking spaces might be buried in a snow pile. However it is well worth the extra effort. Here are directions if you need

They have been featured on local TV several times.Click here to see the  WMUR TV 9 recent video from February 2014. Tea Tastings, classes, lectures and special functions are all available for a reasonable price.

The claim to fame is the tea and the wealth of knowledge and supply for tea making on hand at the shop.
Teas come from all over Asia. Owner/Operator Danielle Beaudette has lectured at Yale, provides educational classes onsite and is available as a group guest speaker or consultant on health benefits and social impact to name a few subjects. There are two rooms at The Cozy Tea Cart Cafe. The split entrance opens left to a gift shop and right to the cafe.
My experience was wonderful. The atmosphere is so soothing. The cafe has multiple seating arrangements. There is a bar style for a group. Small tables for a few. And a sofa facing the fireplace for a couple. In the summer there is outdoor cafe seating as well.

I sat at a table by the window. The music playing  in the room was very relaxing. (NOTE: Do not go to the Cozy Tea Cart Cafe if you are rushed.) The woman waiting tables and working in the gift shop was one and the same, the owner.  WIFI was available so that I could use computer, tablet or phone with no issues. It is a wonderful place to bring a book and sip your tea while watching whatever goes by the window, in a tranquil state that is a lot less expensive than a vacation or even a massage. It is so inexpensive, I felt guilty.

I chose a tea that is somewhat seasonal. It is a flavored green tea called Breakfast Nut Crunch. I couldn't get enough of the aroma. The flavor and taste is phenomenal. The color is clear and nut brown. It was lunchtime so I decided to go full in and get a lunch item and ponder for awhile the concept of dessert. Almost everything on the menu is under $5 with few exceptions. (You can get larger items for take home.) I opted for the 8oz Macaroni and Cheese with breadcrumbs. I was told that all menu items are made for the store by their chef. The mac and cheese was delicious.  8 oz was just right for lunch and left me with a desire for dessert. I chose a scone from the  seasonal menu . It was served with jam and butter. Delightful is not too strong a word. The whole meal came to $9.75. I asked if she was sure she had counted everything. I tipped her more than 50%, How could I not.
Did I mention the gift shop? There are Teas and Pots and gifts of accessories. Many of the offerings are locally hand made.

With gift in hand I left the shop for $13.75. NH has no sales tax. I could not have been a happier camper. I will surely return and bring others with me.

NOTE: use the links throughout to get to selected pages on the website or Facebook

Bookstores and Coffee Shops in NEW ENGLAND - #1

Everyone one loves a coffee shop bookstore combination, especially in the winter. You want to shop for something you can enjoy indoors and you want to be warm and comfortable. This year especially with the long winter cold snap we are looking for someplace we can spend some time and not be in and out in 10 minutes.
Well, there are many of these combinations in New England and we will get into those over the next month or so but for a start lets mention one that might not be your first thought when you think New England coffee shop but maybe should be, Barnes and Noble.
In the New England states there are quite a few that have a Barnes and Noble cafe featuring Starbucks coffees. Beyond Starbucks offerings there are hot lunches, dessert and breakfast items from other vendors such as the Cheesecake Factory. Most cafes offer seasonal beverages for a limited time. There is usually the opportunity to pick up some great Godiva Chocolates for your sweetheart before you leave as well.
The experience is inviting and relaxing and offers more than just food , coffee and a chance to preview your book purchase,  there is also complimentary WiFi for those with enabled cell phones or tablets or laptops.
Most stores offer children's activities or story-time (such as the Friday morning story-time in the Braintree MA store and the Manchester NH store or Saturday in Leominster MA store)  which allow a parent a wonderful opportunity for alone time and some adult relaxation.

Many offer Nook Book Discussion groups or classes to boot (like the Breakfast Nook at the Bellingham store or Worcester MA store and Warwick Center RI).

Or just visit one for a relaxing rest stop when you are in town, like the one that can be found at the Prudential Center in Boston MA.  There are several in CT( for example Canton where there are American Girl Club Meetings), one in Agusta ME and one in Burlington VT.

If you can find the right one with the right schedule this could work out to be a very eventful shopping experience without spending a lot of cash.
Not every Barnes and Nobles has a cafe and not every cafe has an event scheduled. Check with the B&N site store locator if you are looking for something specific in a specific area. It is a good time if you know what to expect.

January is a time for fun

Fun in New England in January can translate into many different forms. I will list a couple and there could not be any greater contrast between the two that I am going to list than the physical exertion required. They both require a huge amount of concentration and brain exertion.

Skiing in New England is available in every state. Yes, even Rhode Island. Where you choose to ski depends on how far you want to travel, how good a skier you are and how much you are willing to pay.
Check out more about each ski area at the 60 individual ski area links below:

Connecticut has 4:

Mohawk Mountain

Mt. Southington Ski Area

Ski Sundown

Woodbury Ski Area

Maine 11

Bigrock Ski Area

Black Mountain Ski Resort

Camden Snow Bowl

Lost Valley Ski Area

Mt. Abram Ski Resort

New Hermon Mountain Ski Area

Saddleback Ski Area

Shawnee Peak

Sugarloaf USA

Sunday River Ski Resort

Titcomb Mountain

New Hampshire 16

Attitash Resort

Black Mountain

Bretton Woods

Cannon Mountain

Cranmore Mountain Resort

Crotched Mountain Ski & Ride Area

Dartmouth Skiway

Granite Gorge Ski Area

Gunstock Mountain Resort

Loon Mountain

Mount Sunapee Resort

Pats Peak Ski Area

Ragged Mountain

Waterville Valley Resort

Whaleback Ski Area

Wildcat Mountain Ski Resort  Massachusetts 11 Berkshire East Ski Area Blandford Ski Area  Blue Hills Ski Area  Bousquet Ski Area  Jiminy Peak Resort Nashoba Valley Ski Are Otis Ridge Ski Area  Ski Bradford  Ski Butternut  Ski Ward  Wachusett Mountain  Rhode Island 1 Yawgoo Valley Ski Area  Vermont 17 Bolton Valley Resort  Bromley Mountain  Burke Mountain  Cochran Ski Area Jay Peak Killington Resort  Mad River Glen  Magic Mountain  Middlebury College Snow Bowl Mount Snow  Okemo Mountain Resort  Pico Mountain  Smugglers' Notch Resort Stowe Mountain Resort  Stratton Mountain Resort  Sugarbush Resort  Suicide Six

Another winter pastime in New England is Casinos and the options are growing all the time. Most casinos offer hotels, spas, restaurants as well as concerts along with gaming.  Again the choices include Rhode Island but not Massachusetts or Vermont. Another option in most coastal states gaming is accomodated via cruise ships. With Vermont you have neither but across the border in New York there are several. Massachusetts has several proposals on the table in several areas, eastern, central and western parts of the state. 

New Hampshire:

Hampton

Ocean Gaming at Hampton Beach

Hampton Falls

The Poker Room

Keene

Keene Poker Room

Manchester

Manch Vegas Poker Room

Milford

The River Card Room
Connecticut

Mashantucket

Foxwoods Resort Casino & MGM Grand at Foxwoods

Uncasville

Mohegan Sun

Maine:

Bangor

Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway

Oxford

Oxford Casino 

Rhode Island:

Lincoln

Twin River

Newport

Newport Grand

Shop Local this Holiday - Pick # 2

Kringle Candle Company in Bernardston MA was started by the former owners of Yankee Candle. Yankee Candle was sold in 1998. Kringle Candle was started in 2009 by the father and son, both named Mike Kittredge. From the humble beginnings of one building in 2009 which supported production, packing and shipping as well as showroom and retail space, it has grown to a multi-building complex beyond the production facility, featuring the main retail building, a separate Christmas holiday and specials (food and toys) retail store,a chocolate shop, a bakery, a restaurant.
If you are shopping for candles, you can not find more variety in color and fragrance as well as style.
Their seasonal fragrances and styles rival any other candle maker you might be accustomed to and everything is brought to you by a wholly American owned and operated business. Another important point to make is that Kringle Candle is green. Kringle produces paraffin not soy candles which is both natural and domestically produced. 

The Farm Table, a subsidiary of Kringle Candle and part of the complex is a full service restaurant that is also one of the most green restaurants in America. In addition to the indoor dining, there is an outdoor dining area featuring a fireplace which is quite unique and allows for fall days on the veranda.

 It is in the specialty store you are greeted on the main floor with comfortable surroundings.

Featured inside  you will find that Kringle Candle is a good neighbor and supports many local and regional businesses that compliment their offerings. For example, you will find BBQ sauces from  Wild Thymes in the Hudson Valley of NY , sauce and pickles from M&M Green Valley Produce in So. Deerfield Massachusetts, Chocolates from Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington Vermont, maple candy from Sugarwoods Farm in Glover Vermont and so much more. Upstairs is a great Toy Store with unique toys  of the current day and

many reminiscent of days gone by in New England. Downstairs you will be transformed at any time of year and filled with the Christmas spirit. There is a train traveling around the ceiling and trees of every theme to entertain your brain as well as handmaid mittens and hats and giant stuffed bears. Whether you want to browse or buy you will not be disappointed.

Outside this triple floor extravaganza is an outdoor bakery connected to the chocolate shop.
The  bakery features coffee and pateries, including Apple Cider donuts from Atkins Farm which is also one of Kringle's signature candle fragrances. The Chocolate Cottage has candy of all varieties from chocolate bars to hard candy and fudge. Samples are available for daily promotions, like pumpkin pie fudge which is remarkable. All this is in a setting in Western Mass. that rivals any picture postcard.

If you are pressed for time, needing some time to relax and unwind but worried that you have shopping to do and must get started, feed your self appreciation by taking a ride out to Kringle Candle  and accomplishing so much while treating yourself to a mini vacation of the mind and support local American owned small business to boot. 

Shop Local This Holiday Season - Pick #1

On the western border of Worcester County Massachusetts, in the sleepy little town of Athol, just off route 2, there is a unique and rare find. A dying breed, the small town local bookstore, is alive and well. Bruce's Browser  has so much to offer, you just might be amazed and wonder why you did not stop here sooner (as I did). If you are, as are many people, looking for a way to support small businesses and intend to spend your money locally this holiday season, check this out. It includes soda fountain, card department, gift department, a generous magazine stand and much more. 
As a bookstore offerings cover a wide variety of hardcovers, paperbacks, magazines for adults and children covering both fiction and non fiction subjects. The store highlights local authors and subjects  prominently in a large easy to find section. In the local section you will find interesting titles which speak to the attempt to support the commitment to be a vital part of the North Quabbin community. 

One aspect of the shop that is a bit unexpected and quirky is the cybercafe. You can bring your own laptop or tablet and take advantage of the WIFI and comfortable seating for free or hook up to one of the several computers provided for a small fee.

Another unique aspect is the retro soda fountain. Whether coffee and a pastry for breakfast or soda and ice cream anytime there is a comfy place to sit and enjoy. 

In the cafe/soda fountain Bruce's promotes a fellow local business by serving Dean's Beans coffee in several varieties both decaf and regular. Dean's Beans is located in the neighboring town of Orange. You can also purchase a bag or two of Dean's Beans to enjoy at home or as a gift. Speaking of gifts there is approximately a third of the store dedicated to cards and gifts. From  Whistle Creek Walking Sticks, to toys for all ages and genders including favorites as Lincoln Logs and K'Nex to a large selection of Yankee candles and local crafts, you will surely find several items that you can not do without this holiday season.

Remarkably there is still more for the shopper to browse. You will find an interesting eclectic music selection and a section by the checkout specifically highlighting local artists. The owner Diane Lincoln is an award winning artist in her own right having won awards and honors such as being named "Musical Artist of 2009" in the 2009 Pride In The Arts Music Awards. You can find her music on sale there and her profile via the link above. Her family has owned this business, a pharmacy that she eventually converted to this bookstore/gift shop, since 1948. 

Now maybe not on your shopping list but also something to think about for the holidays, there is a "back room" at Bruce's that is booked for small functions, meetings and events. There are often book signings or poetry readings scheduled there and you can occasionally find the local WJDF radio host doing interviews with historians, authors and artists in the cafe or back room. 

Regardless if you are holiday shopping for gifts or for yourself or just want to get away to a little oasis where you can browse and enjoy a simpler time, Bruce's Browser will fill your bill. 

New Englands Pick-Your-Own Experience

Pick Your Own (PYO) is a New England tradition. Starting in the Fall through the rest of the year PYO consist mainly of Apples, Pumpkins and Christmas Trees.  The following list is a good example of unique experiences for some or all of the above in each of the New England States.

RI

A stone's throw from Newport in Middleton RI, Sweet Berry Farm/Market offers all three PYO experiences. Apples and pumpkins available in September and October.  Christmas tree tagging begins November 1^st. 

Their signature Ice Cream and Sorbet was described as "best ice cream in New England" by Yankee magazine 2011 . A must have, any time of year,  for ice cream aficionados   


Several award winning original art mosaics by co-owner Michelle Eckhart are on display, along with arts and crafts by other local artists, at the Sweet Berry Farm Market.  

The Farm Café offers breakfast or lunch with both “to-go” and “eat-in” menus.  

In the summer, SweetBerry also offers a  concert series on the lawn or in the barn in case of rain. Food from the café is on hand.

NH 

Getting ready, in Hampton Falls NH,  for new farm stand, bakery and farm-to-table restaurant, the existing 200 year old barn will continue to be a centerpiece of Applecrest Farm . The farm stand/grocery offering apples, pumpkins, cider, creamery , apple cider donuts, etc. is only a small part of the overall experience. The fall festivals and events start first week in September and continue through to the end of October. Fall is a great time for PYO Apples, Pumpkins and Rasberries at Applecrest.

Not to be missed are the Story Book Hayrides taking place October 19^th, 20^th, 26^th and 27^th which also feature live entertainment concerts and other events such as Antique Tractor Shows. AppleCrests's Gift packs can be ordered via email or phone

ME 

Boothby’s, in Livermore ME.,   offers PYO Apples, pumpkins in a patch as well as apple crisp, hand pressed unpasteurized cider, honey and much more at the farm stand.  For the short term fall foliage getaway they also offer a farm (guest) house furnished in vintage style for $300 for 3 nights or $125 a night.

Boothby's Orchard   is uniquely Handicapped Accessible, featuring dwarf apple trees grown on a wire trellis system. This orchard offers a pick-your-own experience like no other. 

The grounds are even and mowed to perfection and the apples grow low to the ground allowing the youngest of children and those with physical disabilities to enjoy picking their own apples. No ladders needed. Private tours and school tours available midweek by appointment.

VT

Scott Farm in Dummerston Vt..  offers both PYO apples and pumpkins and so much more. There are workshops on site such as; October’s  Heirloom Apple Pie Day, and the On the Farm Heirloom Apple Harvest Dinner  taking place on Saturday, October 26, 6 p.m.. There are several options for a wedding on at Scott Farm and the lodging is especially unique. With properties accommodating from 2 to 8 guests and prices from a little under $200 a night to almost $500, the historic lodgings include the likes of The Carriage House, part of the Rudyard Kipling estate, offering views of the Connecticut river valley. 

A much different experience could be had in the Rustic Sugar House that sleeps 2 with a wood stove and an open concept of knotty pine post and open beam ceilings.

There are several other competing lodging options as well. And by the way Dogs are welcomed.

     

MA

Outlook Farm in Westhampton Ma., is full-time farm complete with orchards and gardens, a butcher shop, a country store and restaurant . Pick your own apples is offered between Sept 7 and mid October, and on Sunday afternoons the additional treats of Horse Drawn Hayrides and BBQ Smorgasbords can be had for an additional cost.  The country store offers a little bit of everything with fresh fruits and vegetables, sweet apple cider, farm fresh pork and homemade baked good. Outlooks breakfast and deli menus include smoked ham and bacon or sausage with melted cheese on homemade toast, pulled pork and kielbasa sandwiches, homemade soups and salads, blueberry muffins, chocolate chip cookies and apple pie made from scratch. Unlike most other orchard farms, since pork and fruits are naturally compatible and have been served together for centuries,  Outlook farm has been providing premium pork products from extra lean, all natural hogs since 1962 in their Smoke and Chop house.

CT

Holmberg Orchards, in Gales Ferry near Mystic Ct.  offers something that the adults will enjoy for sure. The Wine Barn offers tastings from Memorial Day through October. The wines are produced onsite. The Connecticut coast offers a climate well suited for the Alsatian whites; this also includes varietals such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and the Pinots. 

Although PYO at Holmberg Orchards includes such things as raspberries  blueberries, peaches, nectarines, pears and cut flowers, in the fall the pickings are apples and pumpkins.

Baked fresh daily are pies, cookies, muffins, turnovers, breads, quiche, pot pies, whoopie pies, and of course, our famous Holmberg Apple Crisp. You can also get prepackaged prepared fresh salads and artisan sandwiches for your meals on the go. Pies and fruit baskets can be ordered online as well.  Come early fall the greenhouse is stocked with hay bales, pumpkins, gourds and colorful mums. As the holidays approach, it is converted into a holiday gift shop.

Holiday Cheer in Townsend Massachusetts

According to the United States Census Bureau, Townsend Masschusetts has a total area of 33.1 square miles (85.8 km²), of which 32.9 square miles (85.1 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.6 km²) (0.72%) is water. Townsend has the largest land area of any town in Middlesex County but is by far not the most populated.

Townsend is a beautiful old town with many historical buildings a beautiful river feeding into a pond which feeds into a water fall in what is called Townsend Harbor. The river and pond support the annual Townsend Lions Club Canoe Race.  The Reed Homestead shown above is only one of the houses the Historical Society oversees , there are several such properties in town. Townsend Harbor is a village in Townsend, Massachusetts, containing Harbor Pond dammed from the Squannacook River.

The painting above of the harbor in fall was commissioned of a well-known local artist, Samuel Thorpe, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 71.

At this location Jonas Spaulding and his brother Waldo started a mill in 1873 that made leatherboard (composed of leather scraps and wood pulp). They did business as Spaulding Brothers. Operation of the leatherboard mill at Townsend Harbor ceased in 1957, after the last two surviving siblings, Huntley Spaulding and his married sister Marion S. Potter, died.

The town is also home to Willard Brook State Park including Damon Pond and Townsend State Forest which includes Pearl Hill. Pearl Hill's campsites in Massachusetts are spacious and private. There are 51 campsites with a modern bathhouse. A day use area includes a 5 acres (2.0 ha) pond with a beach. A recently completed and somewhat challenging trail connects to Willard Brook State Forest. The Willard Brook property has 19 campsites and one Yurt at Damon Pond. Campground office hours are 9 am – 10 pm. The regular camping season is from late May to early September. The fairly challenging "Friends Trail" that connects the campground to the one at Pearl Hill State Park takes up to 3 hours to complete and hikers should be in good physical condition.

Steeped in so much history it is no wonder that Townsend also has a large antique shop community.  Starting on the Eastern edge in the Harbor with small individual shops like Harbor-side Antiques and Estate Service or  B and G Antique Clock Repair Shop the antique trail finishes on the Western edge with large group shops like  Hobart Village Antique Mall and Antique Associates  as well as individual vendors like   J Delaney Antique Clocks a family business that has been featured on the Antiques Roadshow.

Great food is also a part of the Townsend Experience.  Lunch or Dinner or Sunday Brunch at Bailey’s Bar and Grille is a treat. They offer senior discounts along with vegetarian and gluten free options and a special burger where a portion of the proceeds supports various local fundraising and charitable organizations.  Live entertainment at the full  bar or on the deck (seasonal ) is a real draw. 

Several other local establishments are hometown and visitor favorites, like Cliffs Café for breakfast , indoors or out on the porch (weather permitting).   The Townsend House , as another example, is host to several local and surrounding town organizational dinner meetings proving that the food has to be good. 

Holidays in Townsend  provide many shopping and entertainment delights.  Beginning with the  events such as the library's Winter Holiday Art Showcase opening November 5^th , an indoor church fair November 23^rd at the Congregational Church on the common, followed quickly by the Townsend Lions Annual Christmas Tree Sale which begins the weekend following Thanksgiving with the delivery from a local NH tree farm to the back of the Townsend Common. 

The library will open their Festival of Trees on December 7^th which will display many artificial trees decorated by local businesses and families. 

 One of the most magical of events is deemed “Christmas in Townsend”.

This is a choreographed light and holiday music display put on annually by a Townsend teenager, Chris Puglia. It will rival any professionally developed display you might encounter.  2012 was their third and a record year for the display. Chris attributes that partly to a video segment appearing on the Groton Channel News, click here and see. The songs are advertised on the website ahead of time and each year the results are documented .  Bonus!  There is a mobile site that works for Windows, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, check it out here. It is very well done. 

So much to see and do.  Too little space and time to write.  I will cover Townsend again in the spring.