Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Monday, May 14, 2012

Won't you stay a while?

I have exciting news! You can now stay in the at Dumfries House Lodge
from GBP 85-145/$136-233/night.  If you're considering attending Royal Ascot or the summer Olympics in London you might consider a trip to see Dumfries too!  

Built in 1750 and in use a few years prior to the completion of Dumfries House, the ‘Garden Cottage’ as it was known in the18th century, became the Factor’s house and remained so for over 200 years.

Over the past nine months, an extensive programme of renovation works has transformed the property into an exclusive, luxurious Guest House featuring six individually designed guest bedrooms, each with its own en-suite facilities.

Each room enjoys all of the modern facilities expected by the discerning guest including discreetly integrated Plasma screen, WiFi and luxury tea/coffee facilities.               




You may remember the exciting story of the saving of the contents of Dumfries House from the auction block by Prince Charles in 2007.



Dumfries House is one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes and best kept heritage secrets.
With its sumptuous interiors and magnificent furnishings, all set in two thousand acres of land, there is something to delight and enchant visitors of all ages.

Built between 1754 and 1759 for the 5th Earl of Dumfries, and with a unique collection of Chippendale furniture, the House has been described as an 18th century time-capsule since the principal rooms and their contents have remained virtually unchanged for 250 years.

In June 2007, HRH The Prince of Wales, under his title as the Great Steward of Scotland, headed a consortium of charities and heritage bodies to purchase this unique house, its contents and adjoining land, in order to keep this historical jewel intact and accessible to the public.
However, the House is only the beginning. HRH The Prince Charles has also set in motion several exciting projects that will not only reinvigorate the surrounding area, but will also create a lasting and creative legacy for many years to come.
These heritage-led regeneration projects include, amongst others, apprenticeships in skilled crafts and labour such as Animal Husbandry, Stone Masonry, and Sustainable Organic Farming. There will also be a petting farm created, along with a large portion of land given over to allotments for the local community.
Perhaps the most exciting and challenging project will be the creation of a complete Eco Village named Knockroon, which will provide environmentally friendly, affordable housing to the public.
In addition to these facilities, an eye has also been turned to developing the business aspect of Dumfries House, and so a Hotel is planned on the site to enable better conferencing resources as well as offering accommodation to complement private and corporate events.
However, this is only the beginning, and much more work will be required, as will much more funding. This funding will come, in part, from the projects being set up, but the rest will need to be raised by the continued and generous support from corporate and private donors, members of the local community, and the goodwill of everyone who would like to answer the call of The Great Steward of Scotland, and help preserve this national treasure.
As you can see, Dumfries House is an historical gem that is perfectly set for a brighter future...a future that involves supporters young and old and from far and wide, and that includes you!
You can find out how to get more involved by clicking here

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Cinco de Mayo

I thought this was the most clever Cinco de Mayo item I'd ever seen.
It is the Laika pinata desingned by Matt Singer.



Do you know why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Mexico?

If not, please read this: cinco de mayo history


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Do me a favor

Here is a fun party idea.  It is festive and reminiscent of a Christmas cracker but just colorful enough to be appropriate for non-Christmas events as well.

Kate Spade Prize Ball


Unwrap yards and yards of crepe paper streamers to reveal hidden surprises. It's a melange of trinkets and treats that are both festive and fun. The crepe paper wrapped ball is filled with surprises including: tic tac toe game, barrel of monkeys, pop balloon, custom spade tattoo, custom mini book, mini deck of cards, beaded necklace and a whistle! enjoy!

I thought it would be a cute idea to put one at each place for a dinner party.   The customer care people at Kate Spade assure me that they are about the size of a grapefruit so not too big.
Click here to order

This could work too

dressed with our colorful ribbon, this go-anywhere thermos is the perfect companion on chilly afternoons spent sledding or making snow angels.


  • holds 16 ounces


  • stainless steel interior


  • 10" h x 3" diameter



  • Click here to order thermos

    ~ Happy Holidays! ~

    Wednesday, November 9, 2011

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    I am a lousy cook.  This is through no fault of my mother, who is a wonderful cook and who kindly and patiently taught my sister and me how to cook.  She also had the very cool idea of each of us making dinner one night a week once we were old enough to handle the responsibilty (at about 8 years old. I'm kidding!  We were at least 12.) I never liked it and insisted on following the recipe to the letter.  My sister was a natural and went freestyle with a recipe and never freaked out if we were out of an ingredient, she just substituted and ended up making it even better. I ended up trading with her so she would make my dinners and I would do her laundry and ironing.  Now she is an amazing cook and I can iron a shirt.  The irony is that I send everything (except lingerie) out to cleaned and pressed.  So for those of you who are lousy cooks like me or just want to enjoy Thanksgiving, I share with you the fabulous Epicerie Boulud option!

    Yum!

    Tuesday, October 25, 2011

    Holiday Home Decor

    I love rep stripes!
    I love silk!
    Any way I can incorporate them into my life is a joy to me!
    I was thrilled to stumble across these today on the Brooks Brothers website:

     
    How great would they look for the hoildays?!
     
    Matching pillows too, these would make a great gift for someone who has everything!
     

    Friday, July 1, 2011

    Happy 4th of July!

    I work for a British company so the "Independence Day" jokes have been flying all week.


    Have a super fun & safe Fourth!

    •  

    God Bless America indeed,
    ABG

    Thursday, June 16, 2011

    Father's Day ideas

    Father's Day is on Sunday, June 19. "News flash!" (Read with dripping with sarcasm) I find men to be a bit difficult to buy for.  We all do.  You do know why don't you?  It is because when we are small we don't have any money of our own (or access to money if we do have some of our own for some reason.) So the money we spend on a gift for Dad is usually his money.  This coupled with the fact that men hate to shop equals this response "Nothing!" or worse "Socks & underwear." when you ask Dad what he wants for Father's Day, Christmas or his birthday. Here is what, I think, is a genius suggestions for a fun Father's Day gift:

    & a standing date to do it together on Sunday night. 

    A one year sub is about $40 or you can try it out a month at a time for $7. No shipping! If one of you is terrible at XWs the Monday puzzle is up by 7:00 p.m. EST Sunday night. If one of you is great (& patient) The Sunday puzzle is still up at 7:00 p.m. as "Yesterday". You can call your Dad up on the phone & speak while you work on the XW or there is an Instant Message (IM) panel on the right hand side of the page which you can use to "chat".  Remember to log off with GG (Good Game) at the end of each match. 

    If you want to try something a little different, there is a Challenge option. This pops up older puzzles & allows you to play against each other (or collaborate if you don't want to compete.) There is also a WordPlay Blog which is fun to read.



    CAVEAT: The site can be wonky.  Also, it can be confusing to get in to the Play with a Friend site the first few times you try it.  It is NOT intuitive.  You feel like you should click on the TODAY'S PUZZLE text when what you really need to do is to click the PLAY box in the Solve with a Friend Section. 

    We both know you know you won't make the Sunday date every week, but if you put it on the calendar there is a better chance you'll make it or at least reschedule.  I don't speak to my parents every week.  I know some speak everyday(!) and most try to speak them every week which is noble.  I'm not making judgements or casting aspersions, I just think as we & our parents get older we should make it a point to reach out to them more often. 

    You should be sure to introduce your Dad to the amazing Rex Parker blog.  He does the puzzle & explains the rationale of the overall theme & individual clues, he's really witty!  The comments are very creative, illuminating & downright hilarious at times.

    Also, taking your Dad to lunch, dinner or drinks is a nice thought.  Just the two of you, his favorite spot.  Or maybe a lecture?  My Dad took me to hear Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. speak at the Midland Center for the Arts when I was a High School student.  We discussed policy all the way to the lecture & all the way home and I think for many days after.  What a great gift & it wasn't even my birthday!

    Hope this post gets the creative juices flowing & you come up with something really terrific for your Dad!

    ABG
    *or I suppose you could do it in paper & talk on the phone while you do it!

    Friday, June 3, 2011

    Around the Town

    Post # 3 of 3 "Around the Town" Here are a few pix from around the town of Nantucket over Memorial Day Weekend.

    This is a great store, actually it is two stores, antiques on the top & maps in the basement. The sign over the basement window says "Scrimshaw".


    
    
    Antique Store & Map Store
     

     There is an interesting story about the name Petticoat Row
    
    
    Petticoat Row Bakery
     

    
    The window boxes are shaped like boats.
    
    Outside the Jared Coffin House
    
    
    First Congregational Church
    

    
    "Secret Garden" on West Chester St.


    
    American Seasons
    



    SECRET TIP:  This sign is on West Chester Street just up the block from Centre St. If you take a right here and walk up the hill, you will find the Oldest House.  It has a huge front yard and a garden in the back.  If you continue straight on, through the front yard, you'll see the house & the garden on your left.  Keep going straight ahead, you see an opening in the back fence.  This is the entrance to Coffin Park.  Follow the path and you'll see some picnic tables.  You've ended up at Something Natural! Treat yourself to a sandwich, cookie, Matt Fee Tea or all 3!
     Corner of Centre & West Chester Streets
    
    Sunset at Galley Beach
    
    Photos: ABG

    Where the FIGAWI?

    Post # 2 of 3 - "Where the FIGAWI?" We were on Nantucket for the Holiday Weekend.  It was also the 40th Figawi Race weekend (Hyannis-Nantucket-Hyannis.)


    
    Photo credit
    

    Here are some of sights:





    Photos: ABG

    How did you spending your long weekend?

    Wacky Alpaci!

    I was on Nantucket for Memorial Day Weekend.  I snapped a few fun photos which I am going to post as three separate "themed" posts. Post #1 "Wacky Alpaci!"

    Initially I thought that these were GIANT Llamas then someone (a small child, truth be told) informed me they were actually Alpacas (or is it Alpaci?)

    CLICK PIX TO ENLARGE

    3 of 5 Alpacas (alpaci?)
    The MSPCA (on Crooked Ln.)  is in the background.
    The other 2. I like how the brown one is peeking out from behind the white one.
    Their barn is in the background on the left (wht. bldg.) the MSPCA is on the rt. (grey/brn/shingled bldg.)
     

    Photos: ABG