Join us at the Rutgers Gardens Open House!

Join us this Saturday, July 31st at the
Rutgers Gardens 45th Annual Open House Festival
10 am to 4 pm
112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ

This is bound to be a terrific day. The weather should be wonderful. There will be

a wine tasting (a slight extra charge), a farmers market, classes and tours, music and of course vendors - including Celtic Chairde Creations!

But the star of the show will be the amazing Gardens at Rutgers. Tours of the gardens will be conducted throughout the day, including a tour of the Donald B Lacey Display Garden which reflects “Now and Then in 2010”.

We hope you'll stop by and wander the grounds of one of the best kept secrets of central New Jersey. The staff and volunteers at the Rutgers Gardens are helpful, knowledgeable and generous when sharing their time and information.

Stop by the Celtic Chairde booth as well! Mention this post and receive 10% off of your order of $10 or more.

Summer Craft Market at Allaire this weekend!

It's time one again for the

Annual Summer Crafter's' Market
Saturday July 10 (Rain Date July 17)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission $1 Adults • Children Under 12 Free • State Park Parking Fee $5.00


We love going to Allaire. The setting is beautiful and everyone always seems to have a good time.

Along with the crafters (and there are over 100), there are the fascinating historic buildings to investigate. The volunteers at Allaire are always happy to chat with visitors about life in the Village during the 1800's.

There is a rain date for this event. If you're uncertain, call the Village Office at (732) 919-3500. See you then!

It's National Blueberry Month!

Time to get on your Red, White and Blueberry!!!

This succulent little blue berry has been gaining quite the reputation. Filled with antioxidents, manganese, vitamin K, beta carotene, Lutein + zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin A, choline, potassium and so much more there are one tasty little healthy and nutritious berry.

And did you know that cultivated blueberries are not that old? And that the first cultivated blueberries were developed right here in New Jersey? Yep, the international phenomenon of the blueberry all began with Elizabeth White in Whitesbog, NJ in the early 1900's. Whitebog Village is a wonderful place to visit if you're looking for terrific blueberries from their "home field", and a great historic place to visit.

Recipes abound for blueberries. I always have some in my freezer. Some of my favorites things to do with good old American blueberries are:

Include a handful in smoothies.
I like to use them in my barbeque sauce for a little extra sweetness.
Munch them straight from the freezer or refrigerator or container!
Add them to sun tea.
Sprinkle over ice cream.
Make Blueberry Lime Sorbet. There are some great sorbet recipes in the Herb Companion Magazine.

What are you favorite ways to indulge in the summer time yumminess of blueberries?