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Take a Strawberry Road Trip! They’re READY NOW!

UPDATE June 18th:  We hit the strawberry patch last week and THEY ARE READY!!! Juicy and sweet…they taste just like summer!!

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Yep…strawberry season is upon us.  Within the next week or so those luscious, sweet, red berries will be ready for picking.  There are lots of places to pick but OUR pick is Thompson Finch Farm in Ancram, NY.

Everyone loves Thompson Finch…including the very “picky” Martha Stewart.  These strawberries (as well as blueberries and raspberries later in the season) are not only delicious…they are also organic.  Read our blog from last June when we last visited Thompson Finch Farm for more details.  Check out Thompson Finch Farm’s website for more information as well.

This year…we’re suggesting you make a trip out of it…a  Road Trip.  On your way to or from picking strawberries at Thompson Finch Farm, here are some of our favorite stops for breakfast, lunch or brunch no matter where you’re coming from.   (Of course, at some point, we’re hoping you drop by Hammertown Barn in Pine Plains, for a little shopping!)

FROM THE NORTH:

• The Bottle Tree in Ancram.  Route 7 across from the Ancram Town Hall.  Phone 518.329.0444.  Open now on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am - 2 pm only.  Read our brunch review here.

FROM THE SOUTH:

• Red Devon in Bangall, NY.  Phone: 845.868.3175.  Go to their website for hours and directions.  Serving breakfast and lunch every day except Tuesday & Wednesday.  Read our brunch review here.
• Wild Hive in Clinton Corners.  Open Tuesday - Sunday, 9-5.    Read our review by clicking here.

FROM THE WEST:

• Another Fork in the Road in Milan, NY.  This is the newest hotspot in the area.  Route 199 about 1.5 miles west of the Taconic Parkway.  845.758.6676.  Open Thursday - Saturday and Monday: 7am - 2:30pm ; Sunday 8am- 3pm.  Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.  Read Rural Intelligence’s review here.
  
• Mountain Cow in downtown Pine Plains, NY.   518-398-0500.  Open for breakfast & lunch.  Joan’s pick for the best coffee around (it’s also Free Trade) AND they’ve got free wireless internet.

FROM THE EAST:

• Country Bistro in Salisbury, CT.  10 Academy St.  in Salisbury, CT (across from Best & Cavallero Real Estate) Phone: 860.435.9420.  Open for breakfast & lunch (and takeout).  Great cafe with a French flavor…wonderful sandwiches, soups and specials  (and wine).  No website.
• Irving Farm in Millerton, NY on the main drag.  Open everyday for breakfast & lunch and Fri/Sat until 10pm.  A favorite spot for all ages for coffee, sandwiches, salads, free internet and just plain hanging out.

HAVE FUN!!

Joan’s Best Bets in Books

There are so many books in our store that I love!

Cookbooks…design books…kids’ books…lifestyle books…even some current New York Times best-sellers (like “House of Cards” by local author, William Cohan).

I couldn’t live without my Alice Waters & Mark Bittman cookbooks; I always enjoy my old favorite design books like “An Affair With A House”.  I get newly inspired by recent releases like “Tiny Houses” and “The New Traditional”.

And, of course, I’m always on the lookout for new kids’ books that I think will capture the imagination of my grand daughters (and your sons & grandsons).

So, for the next few weeks I’d like to share our Hammertown “library” with you and sweeten the deal by taking 15% off any book in our stores.  All you have to do is tell us you read about it here on our website (or bring in our coupon) and we’ll take 15% off your book purchase!

Come on in to Hammertown and look around.  You might be surprised by what you find!

Maple Hill Farm: Part 4 (the boring but essential work)

It’s been a couple weeks since we last posted and a lot of work has been done on the house.

I will start where we left off with going through the house.  This time has been spent mostly working on the home’s systems.   We like to think of this period as boring but essential.

Read more…