Well it took me a while to write up Adventure #10. A little thing called "The Holidays" put me behind a bit. But since we have a blizzard hitting CT today, I figured it is a good time to get caught up on a few things. Like blogging, and oh yeah, I guess I should get the rest of those Christmas cards out (today is the 26th!).
So, my Aunt Linda invited me to go up to Sharon Springs NY with her and my Aunt Gerry earlier this month for a Victorian Christmas festival.
Here is some info about Sharon Springs from Wikipedia:
Sharon Springs, after drifting into a rundown state by the late 1980s, has enjoyed a resurgence in the last 15 years. Much of this has been attributed to both a stabilization of the remaining historic structures (arson leveled many of the abandoned hotels) and an infusion of ambitious buyers from outside the area looking for an affordable community to start a business or to add rural weekends to their city life.
The restoration of The American Hotel on Main Street provided the most substantial boost for Sharon Springs' rebirth. Purchased as a collapsing, abandoned structure in 1996, buyers Doug Plummer and Garth Roberts refurbished the three-story Greek Revival (c. 1847) into a award-winning hotel with a full-service restaurant.
In 2009 and 2010 Sharon Springs became the location for the Reality television series "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" on Planet Green television network. During the last 10 years, Sharon Springs has also figured prominently in episodes of The Food Network's "$40 A Day" and "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels" series. Charles Kuralt also filmed a brief segment of his "On The Road" series here, tracking a rare bluebird only found on the stretch of Route 20 between Albany and the Town of Sharon.
Linda and Gerry went up on a Friday night. I didn't quite have my act together enough to join them on Friday, so I drove up on Saturday morning. When I got to our beautiful accomodations at the Stone Rose B&B, there they were sitting in their jammies in a sunny dining room eating breakfast. We were the only ones staying at the Inn, and the hostess (also named Lynda) and her Mom were two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Meeting them was like finding long lost friends. The Inn was beautiful!
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This is the entryway at the Inn
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This table of goodies was right outside our room!
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After breakfast we went upstairs to get into our Victorian costumes. My talented Aunties made theirs. I ordered mine off of e-bay. I did decorate my hat though so that I had a little bit of Holiday bling going on. I love hot glue guns!
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| Linda helping Gerry with her costume. They both made theirs! |
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| We decided I was "The Widow Brown" |
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| My hat rocks! |
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| We decided that Gerry was "Prudence" the schoolmarm |
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| Some more cool hats!! |
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| They are gossiping about The Widow Brown! |
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OK, so I was trying to show a little leg. Instead I look like a witch riding her broom!
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When we got into Sharon Springs, the first place we went was the Beekman Boys mercantile.
From the Beekman Boys website:
Beekman 1802 is the home of “The Fabulous Beekman Boys,” Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge. From the very first bar of goat milk soap produced on our 200+ year-old farm we’ve tried to embrace seasonal, natural living at its best. Now our natural products have expanded to include not only goat milk soap, but also beauty products, cheese, gourmet food items, and stylish designs from skilled local craftspeople. We’re dedicated to helping small farms and villages survive and thrive. If you’re ever near Sharon Springs, NY, stop by our Beekman 1802 Mercantile and shop our collection of Goat Milk Soap, Scented Goat Milk Soap, Goat Milk Soap Products, Goat Milk Cheese, Gourmet Provisions, Crafts, and more.
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| And there they are! |
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| Now the serious Victorian faces! |
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| Prudence kept losing her collar. |
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| We found these guys on the porch of the American Hotel and thought they made for a good photo-op. |
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| Some spirits to warm us up inside the American Hotel. |
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| Garth - one of the owners of the American Hotel. Thought about using this as my Christmas card this year LOL! |
Then we went down the street for a Victorian dance demonstration.
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| Yep, that's me giving it a try. Linda did too, but she's in the square behind me. |
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| I can do this. It's square dancing in slow motion!! |
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| Smile! |
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| I'm gettin' my Victorian groove on now!! |
Next we headed out into the chilly air for a Victorian parade, and an operetta performed from the balcony of the American Hotel. Brrr it was cold!!
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| The crowd watching the Operetta |
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| Loved these guys! |
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| Fabulous Me with the Fabulous Beekman Boys! |
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| Some more lovely costumes! |
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| This tree has forged iron icicles and is in the Beekman store. Really cool! |
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| My artsy picture of Linda with berries. |
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| Yes! The Widow Brown enjoys a little Pinot Noir from time to time! |
There was caroling and a costume contest too. Gerry and I both won little prizes. It was so cold though that we spent much of the afternoon hanging out in the American Hotel and then had a wonderful dinner there. they made me a delicious vegan dish!
When we returned to the B& B late that night, it was to the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!! Our hostess had those waiting for us as well as some hot tea. We got into our robes first and then joined her in the kitchen for our snack.
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| Fluffy - the dog of the house |
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| Our hostesses Mom -- she was a gem! |
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| Our teacups! |
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| Aunty Linda looks sleepy! |
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| And I am so comfy and ready for bed!! |
That robe felt so good after a day in Victorian Garb!! The next morning we woke up to snow!
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| Time to say goodbye! |
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| If you ever have a chance to stay here : Stone Rose B&B, Do it! |
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| Bye Bye Fluffy! |
After we left the B&B, we headed bck to Sharon Springs to do little exploring -- in more practical clothes!
When we stopped for lunch we saw one of the Beekman Boys was also back with the camera crew. It turns out they were having a surprise birthday party for Farmer John - who works on their farm - at the same restaurant we were at.
It was a great trip, and to top it off I found 5 dining room chairs for a steal at an antique shop on my way home and.... I fit them all in my 2-door Yaris!!
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