Thursday, October 7, 2010

Welcome to Pumpkin Time!!!!


I LOVE pumpkin!!! I just love how bright and cheerful they look. Seeing them begin to populate the grocery stores and farmers markets tells me that Halloween is coming soon with all it's mystery and spooky goodness.

I guess you could say I'm a Pumpkin head - although I prefer Pumpkinaholic. I love to carve pumpkins for decoration, cook them for everything from appetizers to dips to dinner to dessert, make

Honey Pumpkin Face Mask, and just have them around to look pretty and bright.

I also enjoy experimenting with these favorite Autumn squashes. Last year I tried make pumpkin jelly, but it didn't really work. It never really jelled and had a rather slimy and gloppy consistency. It did make a great Halloween prop though!

This year, I'm going to expand my pumpkin experimentation by trying something Native Americans did with pumpkin skin. Native Americans would take the skins, cut them into strips and dry them and weave them into mats.

My other experiment will be the predecessor of pumpkin pie. During the Colonial times, they would scoop out the seeds of the pumpkin, then add milk and spices and place the whole pumpkin in the hot embers to cook. This makes a type of pudding, which is basically the filling of pumpkin pie. In fact, the Colonials used to use pumpkin mush as an ingredient in their pie shells. I don't know if I'll be that brave, but when Pumpkin fever strikes, you never know what can happen! I'll keep you posted!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Renaissance and Harvest Festival Weekend in Cape May - Huzzah!

A beautiful vineyard kissed by ocean breezes. Baskets of fresh produce, harvested that very morning. Music and entertainers, a craft market and Queen Elizabeth! All this to be found at the


Cape May Renaissance Festival and Elizabethan Harvest Market
Saturday and Sunday, October 2 & 3, 2010
10 am to 5 pm
Willow Creek Farm & Vineyard
168 Stevens Street
West Cape May
Brought to you be Access to Art

We're very excited to be a part of this young festival. The entertainment sounds phenomenal - The Renaissonics, bubbles, madrigals, and performances by members of the East Lynne Theatre company. Celtic Chairde will be there to help welcome in the harvest and lend a mighty huzzah! Make a weekend of it in lovely Cape May!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

This Saturday Join Us At the Allaire Annual Fall Crafters Market


Annual Fall Crafter's' Market
Saturday Sept. 25 (Rain Date Oct.2)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$2/Adult Under 12/Free
Historic Village of Allaire
Farmingdale, New Jersey

There is nothing as lovely as Autumn in Allaire Village. We'll be returning there for the Annual Fall Crafters Market. This is the largest of the craft fairs in this wonderful location.

Over 100 crafters will gather to bring in the fall season with unique crafts like hand thrown pottery, beautifully designed jewelry, home decor and more. We'll be on the main path across from the General Store, with all our goodies and maybe a few surprises.

Stop by and say hello! Mention this blog post and receive a thank you gift.

Welcome Autumn with us at Allaire!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Huzzah! Time for the Lakewood Lions Renaissance Faire!

The shire of Pine Park recreating Renaissance since 1981
Saturday and Sunday, September 18 & 19, 2010
Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Adults - $10, Children under 5 are free
Pine Brook Park, Lakewood, NJ



Stroll the shires Village and browse the many merchants with wares from the corners of the world. Partake of the numerous food purveyors that will please anyone’s taste and thirst. Keep the young ones amused with games and activities, ponies and knighthood. Test thy skill with bow, axe, or knife.

Throughout the day,
poets, minstrels, and jugglers will wander the grounds, amazing you with their skills.

Partake in raffles, contests and all manor of outstanding entertainment. See the rousing joust and cheer on your champion!

Return on Sunday to witness the crowning of the Faire’s King and Queen chosen from amongst those aged 10 or younger that have dressed in appropriate Renaissance attire.

It is always a wonderful weekend at the faire! We hope you'll come and visit us there and celebrate the waning summer days with all those wonderful knights!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

It's Beach Plum Festival Time!!!!


13th Annual Beach Plum Festival
Sunday Sept 12th 9am-4pm
Island Beach State Park
Ocean Beach Bathing Area #1
This is probably one of the best festivals that we attend each year. It may not be the biggest, but it seems to be one of the friendliest.

Run by Friends of Island Beach, this festival is a wonderful wrap up to the summer. Guests can shop among the many vendors (like Celtic Chairde Creations), learn about the beautiful park and wetlands are home to a wide variety of birds and animals, go swimming on one of the nicest beaches in New Jersey, and even go Beach Plum picking. There will be children's activities, seine netting demonstrations, nature walks and beach plum ice cream! It is the perfect way to wind down to the final days of summer.

Join us at the 13th Annual Beach Plum festival. We've made it a regular part of our summer calendar. Once you see the natural beauty of the park and enjoy the friendly and festive atmosphere (and taste a beach plum or two!), we know you'll make it part of yours, too.