December 17, 2024

Stissing House Craft Feast

This holiday season, if you come across a winter market or crafts fair where you live, try to attend and support the small businesses in your area - it's inspiring to meet the artisans and to learn about their specialties.

Over the weekend, I took a drive up to Stissing House for the second annual Holiday Craft Feast. Stissing House is a charming country restaurant in the historic town of Pine Plains, New York in Duchess County. For two days, Stissing House opened its doors to 50 collectors and craftspeople selling many collectibles and handmade items such as ceramics, baskets, wooden bowls, woven textiles, knits, etc. More than 1200 ticketed guests walked through the space and shopped. There were carolers, bagpipe players, jugglers, and lots of refreshments. It was a wonderful place to meet local entrepreneurs, shop for gifts, and celebrate the holidays.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

 

December 16, 2024

Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs

If you haven’t yet planted all your spring-blooming bulbs, try to get it done soon!

Planting bulbs can be a a very labor intensive task. Every autumn, I plant thousands and thousands of bulbs around my farm. This year, I selected bulbs from two of my favorite sources in Connecticut - Van Engelen Inc., a wholesale family-run flower bulb business located in Bantam and Colorblends Flowerbulbs, a third generation wholesale flower merchant in Bridgeport. I always find it exciting to plant bulbs in the fall that you won't see for many months - it's such a wonderful surprise of color when they bloom in spring.

Here are some photos.

December 14, 2024

Holiday Decorations

I just love how my home looks this time of year - filled with cheerful holiday decorations.

Whether I am home or away for Christmas, I always like to decorate several rooms with festive trees, wreaths, and pretty plants from the greenhouse. This year, some of my decorations include gold, silver, and green tabletop trees glistening with ornaments, coordinating wreaths on the windows, colorful orchids, and other lush green potted plants.

Here are some photos, enjoy.