Merry Christmas!

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!"

- Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

♥

I'm Still Here!

Pudgey assures you!

It's just been incredibly hectic in my neck of the woods

with Christmas events, illnesses... and particularly finals!

But tomorrow morning, I'm due for my last exam, which means 

until the end of January, I'll finally be permitted to sit back and relax (and blog!)

Until then, I'm wishing you all a wonderful week

♥,

Erin

Nantucket Christmas Stroll!

Christmas 2009

Happy December, everyone!

Okay, so I'm a couple days late, but hey...

I'm still excited, aren't you? ♥

Today marks the beginning of a very special event

that takes place on Nantucket every December.....

Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend!

From the evening of December 3rd continuing until the 5th,

the island of Nantucket is transformed into a Dickensian wonderland!

The holiday festivities first kick off with the Chamber's annual tree lighting 

ceremony in which hundreds of trees lining the island are officially lit.

Beautiful Main Street

Other events throughout the weekend will include: Holiday story-telling,

caroling, decorating contests, walking tours, Christmas bazaars, house tours...

 And how could I forget? 

The big man himself, Santa Claus, accompanied by 

his wife, will formally pay a visit to the island (from the help of a Coast Guard 

vessel) on Saturday, parading up Main Street for a merry meet and greet!

Ho-ho-ho!

So those of you who live in or around the Cape Cod 

area, I strongly suggest you check it out!

... this is one Christmas memory 

you won't soon forget!

- - - - - - - - - -

For a more detailed calendar of events,

click here

♥

Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

Hello, everyone!

How was your Thanksgiving?

Mine was very delicious, thank you

.... Come to think of it,  I feel I still might be full of stuffing!

♥

While we're on the subject of merriment, let's move on
to another subject that never fails in making me so:

New England!

The other day while I was looking for some bedding

online, I stumbled upon a new New England-based company:

Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

Based in Portland, Maine (can't get any more New England

than that!), Sturbridge Yankee offers hand-made, 100%
American home goods that are completely drool-worthy.

I myself bought a beautiful crochet sheet set, pictured here:

$99.95

But I'm sure that won't be my last purchase...

check out what else they have to offer!

Farm Table, $399.95

Heritage Braided Rug, $49.95

Sturbridge Lantern Lamp, $89.95

Primitive Star Mirror, $59.95

Flower Vine Quilt, $79.95

Christmas Shortbread Pan, $39.95

Calico Braided Square Chair Pad, $14.95

... and that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Take a peak at their website for more

♥

A Good Afternoon to You!

Just dropping by to let you know I haven't disappeared, and 

will be making an official post very soon, once I get some time.

Hope you all have been having a wonderful November!

Mine has been very busy indeed, but I hope to
wind down as soon as Thanksgiving comes around...

which appears to be right around the corner. Yippee!

Enjoy your Sunday

♥

An L.L. Bean Christmas!

Hello, everyone ♥

Wow... sorry I've been absent for so long!

As you might guess, school has continued to

be totally hectic for me, leaving me barely any

time to myself. Fortunately, I'm off for the rest

of the weekend now, and am ready to relax.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only two weeks away?

I truly love this time of year; it's so exciting!

I've already planned the desserts I'll be making

(I'll save showing you the recipes for another day),

and have also begun to prepare for the Holidays ♥

So, for those of you who have also begun to get in the
spirit, or are in dire need of some, I thought I'd share with

you some wonderful Holiday items from L.L. Bean

that I've been persistently drooling over for days!...

Coastal Evergreen Wreath

$44.95

Traditional Balsam Centerpiece

$39.95

Coastal Evergreen Centerpiece

$54.95

Woodland Holiday Swag

$44.95

Ski Lodge Advent Calendar

$109.00

Gingerbread Lighthouse

$39.50

Woodland Pillow, Moose

$24.50

Traditional Balsam Tabletop Tree, Pre-Lit

$89.95

Heirloom Needlepoint Stocking

$24.95

- - - - - - - - - -

Humming Christmas carols yet?

♥

Glimpses of October

'Evening, everyone ♥

So, October is over-- naturally, this makes me very sad.

My favorite month... gone with a sweep of leaves and candy wrappers!

It had its ups and downs for me this year; a huge down being the 

loss of my Cuddles, and a minor down of not being fit enough to 

travel to New Hampshire. But, there were some memorable 

moments and excursions that did indeed cheer me up,

and those are the things I'd like to share with you tonight!

Now, I must point out that these photos aren't technically
New England, but they do invoke the homely spirit of tradition
and celebration that our favorite region practices so well....

So enjoy!

 ♥ My October ♥

My Lola relaxing the first night of October

Schmitt's Farm Haunted House

Horse-drawn hayrides at Windy Farm

Pumpkin picking!

Jericho Cider Mill-- best cider on Long Island!

Fun at Deepwell Farms Fall Festival

Yum

Lovely scene at the Huntington Apple Festival

Friends at the Bayville Haunted Firehouse!

Eek!

My house the first night we completed our decorations

Halloween parade at Old Bethpage's 1880s Halloween

Am I in New York or New England?...

Sleepy pig

The Headless Horseman paid us a visit

New England, is that you?

Ghostly spectre

♥

My living room

Happy 12th Birthday, Lola!

Lola with her monogrammed L.L. Bean "Wicked Throw"

A ghostly bride walking the streets of Sleepy Hollow

The Old Dutch Church

Awaiting the annual reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

My house on Halloween night!

Boo!

My pumpkin-head all dressed up ♥

And for the grand finale, a video of my yard on Halloween night:

- - - - - - - - - -

So, I hope you all had a spooktacular Halloween!

Though, as much as I miss it, I must exclaim:
I'm ready for the Holidays!
♥