A Stroll Through Historic Deerfield

Part II of our explorations in Vermont and Massachusetts. 

We left Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont with a steady rain falling. But as we travelled southward, the light seemed brighter and the clouds thinner up ahead. We were hopeful. I'd looked forward to walking the dog through the Historic Deerfield area, and rain wasn't part of my plan (meaning, of course, that riding two hours home with a car that smells of wet dog was definitely not part of the plan).

Historic Deerfield is the historic part of the town of Deerfield, but its buildings are interspersed with privately-owned homes and a large boarding school. The original settlement was part of an Indian raid, and the story is hauntingly told in the minister's diary of his experience, The Redeemed Captive. I highly recommend that book!

We arrived, and the rain had stopped! Out came the dog, and after a brief stop at the communal dog water bowl, we were off walking the streets of Historic Deerfield.

Our purpose in coming was to walk the sidewalks, enjoy the autumn decorations of the homes, and photograph it all. So, come along and we'll show you what we saw...

A delightful day! I hope you enjoyed your brief tour!

Exploring Vermont's Orchards

Last week, Colette and I stuffed the dog into the car with us and headed off for a day of countryside exploring in Vermont and Massachusetts. The foliage was just past peak and beginning to take on that more monochromatic aspect of late autumn. The day was partly sunny by the time we got to Walpole, New Hampshire, where we could take in the view looking toward Vermont. Looking pretty Vermont! Very pretty!

We stopped at our favorite chocolate stop, L.A. Burdick, to stock up on a tiny box of chocolates and some hot cocoa to keep us warm as we journeyed further.

We crossed the bridge over the Connecticut River and entered Vermont. Our first stop was Green Mountain Orchards in Putney, Vermont, where Colette had heard they had excellent cider donuts. Not only that, but they had breathtaking foliage!

We highly recommend their cider donuts...the BEST we've had all autumn! Super friendly people too!

Then we headed down the road to our next destination, but whoa! We brake for great farm stands! 

Colette purchased a jumbo pumpkin, which was plunked into the middle seat, and promptly named "Fred". On we went...

Our next destination was Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont. The farm is located down this dirt road, on the former estate of Rudyard Kipling.

It was here that he wrote "The Jungle Book" and other classics. His home is available for rental and still contains many of his furnishings. We passed the home later in the day, when it was pouring rain, so I have no photos to share with you of that. But here's a glimpse at the beauty of Scott Farm.

We set up, with the view you see above, for a picnic (ham on focaccia sandwiches, orzo salad, sharp cheddar cheese, Izze sodas, and chocolate chip cookies and cider donuts for dessert).

Bailey, our sweet 12-year old golden retriever, was was ecstatic to be out of the car and exploring with us.

We had barely finished eating, when rain began to fall. Slowly for a couple of minutes, then a solid, steady rain. We shoved the dog and our picnic fixings back into the car just in time to keep them dry. Then we explored the farm store, where we purchased some heirloom apples and cider. Fabulous cider! We are sweet cider snobs, because we were spoiled by our friends in California who make delectable cider. So, it's really hard to please us with cider. But Scott Farm's is GREAT!

Then we dashed through the rain (with our arms overflowing with apple deliciousness) to the car and journeyed on down the road to our next destination. More about that in my next posting.

Would You Look at That!

I did a little happy dance at the news stand at Barnes & Noble last week! Look at that! One of my Christmas stockings was featured in the latest issue of "Cottages & Bungalows" magazine! Click here to visit my shop and see this and all the stockings I offer. 

Squash Love

I went for a stroll today and met this. I've never met a squash I haven't loved. Love squash. Just love squash!

Scenic Drive in a New England Autumn

Hubby was gone on a business trip all last week, so hadn't had an opportunity to see the beautiful countryside in all its autumn splendor. We decided to take a Sunday drive through a few of the scenic small towns near to us. And we chose our day well, because the foliage was truly breathtaking. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that we really live here, surrounded by all this beauty! What a blessing! Here's a glimpse at the sights we saw! 

First stop was Francestown (est. 1772), where we walked up and down Main Street and around the leaf strewn lawn and graveyard that surround the Francestown Meetinghouse. 

Then we drove over to Hancock (est. 1779), where I didn't snap as many pictures (raining just a bit by then), but this profusion of yellow was dazzling!

We passed Skatutakee Lake.

Then we arrived in Harrisville. 

Their town website describes the town as...

Harrisville is a small New Hampshire town centered around a uniquely preserved and historic 19th century industrial mill complex. Located in the heart of the Monadnock region it is comprised of 10 lakes and ponds, a rehabilitated brick and granite mill surrounded by a quaint village with a traditional New England general store and a summer farmers market. Our beautiful town, set just off Route 101 and nestled against a picturesque rural backdrop, boasts a vibrant community with active farms, people practicing traditional and digital-age trades, and a wealth of artists and artisans. It is a much-loved vacation destination for families escaping hot urban summers as well as a great place to live year-round, raise a family, or retire in peaceful quietude. 

First stop was the general store, where our patient dog was happy to finally escape the car. And the general store sells dog treats!

And they sell very tasty little gingerbread cakes dusted with confectioner's sugar...just right for sharing!

Then we walked about the town, which is dominated by this mill, Harrisville Designs. It is still a working, water-powered mill, and sells looms, yarns, and all sorts of wonderful goods!

Ahhh...it was a delightful drive! Then it was home and Sunday dinner, followed by hot chocolate and Poldark. A perfectly lovely day!

Autumn's Bounty

Thy bounty

Shines

In autumn

Unconfined

And spreads a

Common feast

For all that live.

- James Thomson

The Autumn Front Door

Every year, we try to do something a little bit different to decorate the front door and porch for autumn. Last year, we filled the urns with a variety of cold weather-hardy plants. This year, we used our own homegrown cornstalks, filled the urns with pumpkin topiaries, and plunked down a giant pumpkin on the top step. The giant pumpkin was named...Mortimer.

Pumpkin Choosing with the Littles

This week, we made our annual trip to our favorite farm stand, Lull Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire, to meet Felicity with the little ones for some pumpkin choosing fun! They really do have a stupendous display of large carving pumpkins, tiny pumpkins, and heirloom pumpkins! As an adult, I find it dazzling. It tickles me to think of the memories the kiddos will have of the place with ALL those pumpkins!

You've got to love that arched eyebrow!

These beauties came home with us!