Fall vegetable garden: Radishes | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Fall vegetable garden: Radishes MNN - Mother Nature Network
cannot
wait to plant garlic!!

where did it go....?

it seems so strange....i turned around and they were gone!! where did our lovely carefree summer days retreat to?  in my opinion, labor day doesn't qualify as a summertime holiday. and it is certainly not one to look forward to-- it is more so one to dread as it symbolizes not only the end of our summery days that beckon the question; where should we go and what will we do today? but it also symbolizes the beginning of school which is good on many levels but does sort of creep up and smack us on the side of the head with the reality that we are back to early days and to one ever-loathed detail ... schedules.

so as sure as the content and frequency of posts to this blog will ebb, my thought processes and perspective about this area and the topic of finding interesting and relevent and affordable things to locally with my children will forever flow...
thanks for reading and enjoy your place, wherever that may be.

"so if you see your neighbor carrying something
help him with his load
and don't go mistaking paradise
for that home across the road."
-b.dylan.

Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze Recipe : Tyler Florence : Food Network

Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze Recipe : Tyler Florence : Food Network

made these for breakfast. had to split the dough as one of my little pals prefers his sans blueberries. i also modified the recipe a bit; used 3/4 c whole wheat flour, swapped white refined sugar for course demerara and substituted the heavy cream with silk brand soy milk.... just a few simple tweaks and i am usually happy with the scone recipes that i have tried thus far.

apple raspberry pie

pickycook.com - apple raspberry pie

so... it's an early mac season this year, so early that it overlaps the late summer raspberries... mmm-- don't mind if i do...


**easy pickins' orchard - enfield, ct still has:
blueberries and garden vegetables along with late raspberries, cortlands & macs

                                http://www.easypickinsorchard.com/

Wasabi Tuna Burgers

Wasabi Tuna Burgers Bethenny Frankel


making these tonight....i hope.

new britain museum of american art today... details later

hoping to score the free pass from manchester public library for the nbmaa.....dying to have the kids create something in the art lab there.


details later on...

*******
we had an absolutely fabulous time...here are some direct quotes from the boys:

"i love to look at sculptures." -dan

"seeing the big blue glass form hanging from the ceiling."  -rich

" i like the art lab." - adam

memberships to nbmaa are really worth considering as there are reciprocal memberships to at least a dozen or so other new england museums as well as discounts on classes, cafe and giftshop... current exhibit MC Escher runs through november- a great opportunity to see one of the largest Escher exhibits...

the museum also boasts a great art lab for kids; a place to create, play and learn which is open to all museum guests. classes for adults and children offered throughout the year as well.
located at the base of beautiful walnut hill park- you could even take a walk afterward (we had our doggie izzy with us, so we planned on it.) it really is a great way to spend the day, or at least--we think so.

greater hartford arts council a&e forecast

great resource for local events worth checking out...

cupcake top

so, i have been craving cupcakes for weeks and finally thought today was a great weather day to bake. what i expected was a cure for my cupcake urges. what i discovered was a cupcake that was nothing more than a vegan chocolate cupcake that failed to rise to traditional cupcake heights producing one of the best cupcakes i have ever tasted! my family agreed, so, maybe this will be the new craze... sssshhh. don't steal my idea...vegan cupcake tops... the next hot sweet.

tag sale yesterday. my oldest boy made lots of dough, which is now burning a hole in his pocket. i realize now that tag sales are a really good way for kids to learn about commerce while also grasping the notion of how little we need most of the items that clutter up out lives on a daily basis. his lemonade stand was a hit as well- so cute.

hiking with my boys: McCann family farm somers ct

as i had mentioned last week, i would like to spend the remaining summer vacation days finding local trails that the boys can manage and that won't bore me to death. bingo! yesterday we ventured two towns over to the trailhead of the McCann family farm property (part of Northern Ct landtrust) for a REAL hike on it's 2 mile blue blaze trail. (the yellow blaze trail is roughly 3 miles)... maybe we will conquer it next.  there is no cost, however, we really were supposed to wait to go until the weekend however there was one other woman out there who explained that is was ok. the property is cared for by volunteers of the nctlt of which this woman belonged.


a little back story: i had taken an english course from an instructor who belongs to the nctlt and who actually has written a book about his time spent on the property of the McCann family farm titled; Loop Year, (i'm sure that he won't mind the tiny plug.)

*** trailhead is just off of rte. 190 in somers.                          

                                                                  

                      
                                         

peculiar little flowers on the trail..look like goldfish ...any ideas?

the boys and their dog. mccann family farm trail, somers.

Connecticut Magazine : Summer Bargain Blitz

just sharing- some of the info. here has passed by... some not.


Connecticut Magazine Summer Bargain Blitz

Consumers Find Ways to Spend Less and Find Happiness - NYTimes.com

would you?...could you?... do this...?



Consumers Find Ways to Spend Less and Find Happiness - NYTimes.com





   

coming up ....Bolton - Fish Family Farm Has Cows and the Milk They Make - Review - NYTimes.com

summer is already winding down? naah. bite your tongue. nevertheless, call it what you will. I plan to begin posting late summer events- really want to make this event happening at fish family farm in bolton, ct. August 28 10am-5.
free fresh ice cream, tie dye, hayrides, games and ...fun. $6 see related ny times article.

Quick Bite - Bolton - Fish Family Farm Has Cows and the Milk They Make - Review - NYTimes.com

be sure to see their site as well...

http://www.fishfamilyfarm.com/

sharing local events...arts and ribbon cutting at the new ymca

so, my schedule is a little different this week. while the kids are at day camp i'm trying to cram all of the things that i need to do (that are easier to get accomplished alone) into these few hours. but i have a couple
things to share;
firstly, the much anticipated opening of the newest greater hartford ymca - the indian valley family ymca located on pinney st. in ellington, ct . grand opening with ribbon cutting on saturday august 14th! this newest ymca features 2 pools, wellness center, team sports, onsite pt, outdoor walking trails, childcare, steam room/sauna and much more in their green- built facility.   join the fun, take a tour- get involved- this will be a great asset to this community.   http://www.ghymca.org/



also; i had to share this great link for hartford arts council and the 7-day arts and entertainment calendar. wishing that i was going to be around this weekend- lots of great free events for families and individuals... music, art - even a free celebratory carousel ride. maybe you will LOOK and hopefully, DO!

Weekend Getaways Starting at $0. - CTvisit.com

Weekend Getaways Starting at $0. - CTvisit.com


and i have to add a few more to their list to include; nw park in windsor, central village hatchery, new britain museum of american art open art-lab for kids ++++ many hikes and walking paths- many of which we plan to explore over the next few weeks....

by the way, the dinosaur park was a phenomenal place with super low admisssion and great opportunities for learning, the boys really got a lot out going. i won't give it all away but in addition to the amazing fossil beds and displays, the trails and grounds are stellar. great butterfly garden where several varieties of butterflies seem to frequent.... lots to see and do and even an area to create a little fossil of your own- fyi, byopop...(bring yer own plaster-of-paris.)  which we will be sure to do next time...





way too cute...the boys need some new skips

Mount Tom State Reservation

Mount Tom State Reservation

so much fun with the boys & izzy today hiking @ mt. tom holyoke, ma and then to sam's in nhampton for slices and cannolis....dark chocolate dipped cannolis. hmmm. i could make those...








                                                                                                             

in a mean baking mood

in
 a
mean
baking mood......just waiting for the weather to cool down to avoid heating up the house. maybe tomorrow. for some strange reason i think i need to have cupcakes i have also been dreaming of those dark chocolate pizelles and some other highly evolved chocolate chip cookies from a blog i now follow.. called
:: steph chows ::

Ill be seeing you...Peaked Mountain, Monson, MA

Peaked Mountain, Monson, MA

when we reach the top we'll be looking at you... (maybe not all of us) i would like to check this out myself tho- claims of a view of mt monadnock from the top.

Dinosaur Footprints, Holyoke, MA

Dinosaur Footprints, Holyoke, MA



another choice for dino-tracks to our south just over the border- planning to go here as well as to peak mtn.....monson, ma

ehem... totally FREE.

not the mama

Home Page for Dinosaur State Park

on the menu for tomorrow... serving up a heaping helping of dino-fossils @ dinosaur state park in rocky hill ct kids under 5 get in free!! all others $2 and $6 for me. not bad at all... see blog in the next few days for review of the park and more

right-o....

Kripalu - The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen

Kripalu - The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen


eat well......

our favorite cd for long car rides........

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo



i don't have much time to read these but i guess they are pretty great based on their poularity...

quiet place

sometimes, spending time in a different place just for a change of scene and scenery is all anyone needs- or at least all i need. driving over four hours to northern new hampshire with the whole family for a simple stay to visit with people we love is something that the kids always remember. the dog crammed in the way back between the scooters and the cooler, the boys fighting over seating arrangements for different legs of the trip with hopes of having their own window and my hope to see a moose on the SIDE of the road; not the middle, equals success on all fronts. happy to have had our four days, complete with juvenile moose spotting. and... he was just where i wanted him.

Environmental News and Information | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Environmental News and Information MNN - Mother Nature Network

Old Lyme Midsummer Festival Schedule of Events

Old Lyme Midsummer Festival Schedule of Events

heading to OL tomorrow, so maybe - we will...
.. and i just learned that a friend of mine will be a featured artisan.... we have had a great time here in the past. the kids are able to build small  wooden sailboats that actually float among other things...

Living large: A look inside the tiny house movement

Living large: A look inside the tiny house movement


cool idea. these are obviously single person dwellings but the concept makes sense... do we really need all of this crap surrounding us?

dog park and trash museum

it's..... a beautful day in the neighborhood. izzy needs a walk. heading to the dog park and then we're off to the hartford trash museum this afternoon....look for updates and my review of the museum to follow shortly.....
caio...! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ahh. a very cool place indeed! the kids learned all about recycling, the things that are recycled (typically) and were able to view the process through large second floor viewing windows which overlook the work area. there were loads of displays and hands on activites as well as sculpture and a structure made up of trash (aka) re-purposed and re-used material. there was a craft area to create new things out of old and tons of colorful recyling/trash-related info "littering" the walls. i must admit, i wasn't sure what to expect when a friend tipped me off about this place but i am pleasantly surprised-a place truly worth checking out in the city of hartford and... admission is free!

Member's Only Garage Sale - West Hartford REI

Member's Only Garage Sale - West Hartford REI

maybe worth checking out if you happen to be a member, which i am...
this saturday \westhtfd REI

get out...

well.... we have been out of town for a bit, back to my native nh to visit with some folks and just enjoy being there. one superlative byproduct of this visit was that in just 48 short hours i was able to visit with some of those people that have been in my life- all of my life but who i very rarely get to see. and THAT is a beautiful thing....

on the agenda this week.... i hit the jackpot last week when i discovered and snagged, (don't worry they handed them out back in may but this was THE last one and it is all mine) a very comprehensive guide to almost all of connecticut's hiking trails.
so today we will check out a rather simple route in windsor locks which is more of a walking path than a trail but the kids could potentially ride their bikes or whatever...so, thanks connecticut forest and park assoc. and ct woodlands; http://www.ctwoodlands.org/ it will come in handy.

plannning more... i'll post later....

farmington river bike trail

we had a fantastical day riding along the farmington river trail yesterday...

don't you just love his children's books? eric carle museum of picture book art

looking forward to visiting this museum in amherst ma. with the boys .we have many of his books... free admission with the public library pass, however, there are also several other ways to save on admission according to their site.

Jimmy Cliff: Tiny Desk Concert : NPR

Jimmy Cliff: Tiny Desk Concert : NPR

so .. thinking about going on saturday to see him in vt... it may be a long shot tho, so there's also that wilco show in n. adams ma. well just in case anyone is interested these are the two shows coming up this weekend... however i have been kicking myself for years for passing up the chance to see jimmy cliff in stowe vt. many, many years ago...

jimmy cliff:  http://www.pentanglearts.org/events/event.cfm?EventID=190

wilco..& more: including the great mavis staples and avi buffalo:  http://solidsoundfestival.com/

Ashlawn Farm Coffee - Specially roasted coffee in Lyme, Connecticut

Ashlawn Farm Coffee - Specially roasted coffee in Lyme, Connecticut

i adore this place. when i lived in this area fulltime it was the only place that i would buy coffee... also**they offer a farmer's market here on fridays and saturdays throughout the summer. the farm animals don't seem to mind the smell of roasting coffee beans...

cacti in connecticut

as a small aside, i wanted to take a moment to apprectiate the unique cactus that my grandmother delia nurtured for years along the side of the cottage. i sometimes glance outside in the summer to find people passing by with heads turned pointing to this prickly plant that seems almost juxtaposed in this part of the country. until now, i never really knew what type of cactus it was. i am pretty sure that it must be the eastern prickly pear- (which happens to be edible by the way.) this winter-hearty plant seems to thrive here- maybe beacuse of the salty-sea air. in short, it is true; cacti grow in connecticut.
thanks dee.

Spotlight on: Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) Prairie Blog Prairie Moon Nursery

more things i'd like to cook

Ohh May…

did i mention that i love to cook...? this blog has a few good ones

Vegan Lentil & Black Bean Chia Burgers « Ohh May…

Vegan Lentil & Black Bean Chia Burgers « Ohh May…

think i'll make these.

another cool event in ct

great day at the beach today and a friend told me about this event which happens each year in griswold, ct. Home Page buttonwood farms sunflowers to suport make-a-wish foundation donates 100% of proceeds from sunflower sales to the charity... check out their site. coming up in july.

la playa

well, it seems as though the weather may shift soon giving us some rainclouds after tomorrow, so... beach it is for friday- right after the white elephant sale and coffee. hoping that the kids are finally ready to let me shop this year...

The Willimantic Food Co-op

The Willimantic Food Co-op

did you know that one of the largest fish hatcheries in the east is right here in the constitution state?? yep...!! so, we are heading off to central village, CT to the: quinebaug valley trout hatchery in the morning to check out the fishies for ourselves. and... admission is free!


after that, it's off to: willimantic food co-op to stock up on the good stuff....not free, but that's ok.... a girls gotta eat!

...guilford Art Center :guilford, CT next week & white elephant sale old lyme this weekend!

*guilford, ct ... Welcome to Guilford Art Center : Guilford, CT **great event- great art.  adults $7, children under 12 are free***

**this weekend white elephant sale lyme st. old lyme, ct.  held at the first congregational church...

it's that time of year again. bargain shoppers unite- strollers NOT recommended,) I found this out the hard way years ago. this event is big and super crowded. normally falls on a smokin' hot new england wknd- so be prepared.
cars lined up all the way to the venue, free parking. 2 days- fri 9am-2pm/sat 8am-noon.  get there early, second day is 1/2 price... great sale for used sporting gear, art, furniture... just about everything!~

Sailfest : Sailfest in New London Connecticut CT

Sailfest : Sailfest in New London Connecticut CT

haven't been to this yet but have always wanted to check it out. maybe this will be the year...admission is free

52 Great Getaways in Connecticut, attractions, travel and hotels

52 Great Getaways in Connecticut, attractions, travel and hotels

ok, so now i've really done it... just signed up to be a CT ambassador... hopefully this will lend itself to my finding even MORE great and potentially free things to share with ya'll.... just you wait.

Oil in the Gulf Live Video

Oil in the Gulf Live Video

A sad sad sad REALITY.........

we sometimes just leave this running and watch. my son cannot get over how fast the numbers fly, think it is about five gal./sec?

Facebook | SHACK AT THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM (6/24, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/12)

Facebook SHACK AT THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM (6/24, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/12)

free music

crabbing

do you know that crabs love dino-shaped chicken nuggets? found out last year by accident... crabbing tomorrow with the boys. maybe we'll switch up the bait this year...hmm, taco shells perhaps...

Splendid Cheap Eats: The Splendid Table

Splendid Cheap Eats: The Splendid Table

free movies for kids.... en plein air art fest and free yoga on the beach!!!

free: MOVIES you cannot go wrong really, but pick and choose. marquee cinemas in westbrook,ct does this every summer... we think it's pretty cool. not first run but not ancient either. check out the schedule for YOUR area...there are several states listed...


free festival: old lyme's annual 'en plein air fest offering locally grown  and hand-made products as well as activities for families... free..  !!   Midsummer Festival -- Old Lyme, CT (see below)


July 30, 2010 to July 31, 2010

Kick off the weekend with an outdoor performance on Friday evening on the banks of the Lieutenant River at the Florence Griswold Museum; on Saturday, the town becomes a Market En Plein Air offering fresh Connecticut-grown flowers, vegetables, fruits, breads, fine cheeses, herbs, and hands-on activities. Location: various throughout Old Lyme. Time: Friday, 7 - 9 p.m.;Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 860-434-5542 or visit http://www.oldlymemidsummerfestival.com/
 
..... lastly,  my favorite; yoga on the beach...
free YOGA: thursday:6pm: Yoga on White Sands Beach, Old Lyme, class is free, donations are accepted for the Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau. White Sands Beach is off of Old Shore Road off of Route 156.

**hopefully this is current info. i have attended these yoga classes in the past and yoga in the evening on the beach is really fantastic!!

annual fourth of July kids parade

this must be our 6th year participating in this parade, it is lots of fun...

line up sat. july 3rd at 9:45am hartford ave. sound view beach old lyme, ct

prizes for most festive bike, stroller and individual....dogs, bikes, virtually any type of velocipede you can imagine are welcome here....!

free carousel ride after parade for all....courtesy of jerry & dee vowles of the carousel shop. hartford ave. old lyme...

red, white & and blue makes a monkey out of you. '...see you there!

Michael Pollan Had a Picky Eater, Too - KitchenDaily

Michael Pollan Had a Picky Eater, Too - KitchenDaily


...because feeding children is always such a pleasure.... (  :

by the way, I am currently reading:  Michael Pollan's book:  In Defense of Food

check it out...
http://michaelpollan.com/books/in-defense-of-food/

new britain museum of american art

have been neglecting my little blogspot of late...

: (    HOWEVER.... this week has been busy with the first Rockcats game my kids have ever been to.....such a fun place for kids!!! checkout the website http://www.rockcats.com/ 

cheap but not free.... sooo worth it.

heading to the beach for the weekend... I'll keep you posted on freebies from Old Lyme, CT area over the next few days..... by the way- heading to New Britain Museum of American Art next week.... totally free for kids 12 and under.

happy independence day!!

http://www.thechildrensmuseumct.org

http://www.thechildrensmuseumct.org/

FREE 1st sunday each month....although this Sunday is the 4th of july & we will be @ the beach.....good to know for next month!

Andy Warhol: Flowers, 1974

Andy Warhol: Flowers, 1974

i do believe this is sooo worth the drive to bruce museum in greenwich ...!

ok, really fast because it is already past midnight; we had the library pass for the Lutz children's museum in Manchester today so, of course it was completely free and the boys had an out of sight time... they were bananas for the most part... see pic. even i could not stop laughing when i took it!! i wonder if ANYONE is reading these posts... hmmm.

A Catskills Cottage Remade on a Budget - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

A Catskills Cottage Remade on a Budget - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

neato...

Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies

Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies

love this site....

Savvy Shopper - Shopping Deals, Cheap Deals News, Coupons & More

Savvy Shopper - Shopping Deals, Cheap Deals News, Coupons & More

The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe : Tyler Florence : Food Network

The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe : Tyler Florence : Food Network
....this should be a great place for my raspberries...

today....

today was great fun for the boys. nw park in windsor is a such a wonderful spot with so much to offer very close by. ponds for exploring creatures like bullfrogs, tadpoles and turtles, misty sprinklers for the kids,a barn and fields full of cute animals, a playground, hiking trails, x-country ski trails in the winter, a sugar house, a picnic place and tons of trees...all free! richie was able to ride his bike everywhere but on the trails so we ditched it in the tall grass while we hiked. danny especially appreciated visiting with the animals and the young amphibians..
raspberries were good but we only picked 3 pints - they will be even better in a couple days.
swimming with a friend and then new training wheels courtesy of daddy when we arrived home around 9:30... love days like this...!


**free family saturday at the wadsworth tomorrow 10am-1.
caio for now!

Family Fun in Central Connecticut! - Home

Family Fun in Central Connecticut! - Home


found it....phenomenal resource!!

Around Northwest Park

Around Northwest Park

tomorrow's am destination... yes!! maybe i will actually take my bike along too...

Mumzyboy's Blog

Mumzyboy's Blog
this is the first entry for my new blog that I have attempted to import from wordpress- not really sure what I am doing tho...oh, and the blog is now titled 'go free'... not mumzyboy as per richie's request. anyway, click on mumzyboy's blog above to read first entry.... ( :

hot days at home....

well, yesterday, we sort of laid low. the boys had a modified version of a bike rodeo after adding streamers to their handlebars and cardboard to their spokes. it was a hot day so the sprinklers were on and the baby pool was full- that $9 pool was THE best investment I have made for them by far!! later in the afternoon the boys worked TOGETHER on a great big traintrack that stretched through three rooms of the house.... a masterpiece to them...
off to the drive-ins last night to see toy story three... we have been waiting for a loooong time to see it. wednesday night is family night... only $18 per vehicle..woohoo!! bargain for a fam o' five.
.... fyi for Thursday: free shows at both manchester libraries 3:30 and 6:30 and free music in the eve @ evergreen walk.... I will continue to try to post free local kid-friendly stuff as i get better at this!