Historic Homes in Connecticut Ready for the Holidays

Only three weeks until Christmas, and still so much to do: presents to buy and wrap, cards to be written and mailed, a holiday menu to plan and social dates to get on the calendar. A day trip might be the furthest thing from your mind. On the other hand, if you looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit and discover new ways to celebrate the season, consider visiting one of the following Connecticut Historic Homes.

Following are just some of the festivities; visit each website to get all the exciting details.

William Gillette, also known as Sherlock Homes, built Gillette Castle in East Haddam in 1914. Tour this ingenious masterpiece, complete with Holiday Decorations on weekends in December: 8&9 and 15&16 from 10-4. www.ct.gov/dep/site. Click Outdoor Recreation; click State Parks & Forests; Click Select a State Park or Forest.

Florence Griswold House & Museum in Old Lyme continues its holiday tradition of the Magic of Christmas. Enjoy teas, performers, decorations, shopping, and hands-on fun for families. In the main house, see how families celebrated Xmas in 1910. In fact, Florence Griswold celebrated her 60th birthday on Christmas of that year. In the museum check out the 12-foot Artist Tree, back for its 9th year with over 130 painted palettes by artists from across the Country. www.flogris.org.

The Mark Twain House & Museum along with Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford will present the sights and sounds of a Victorian Holiday Celebration at Nook Farm. Enjoy a guided tour of both homes to see how the families decorated for the holidays in the late 1800's. www.marktwainhouse.org.

Visit this blog again soon for more ideas for holiday day trips, all from my book Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket 3rd Edition.

Also, check out my website for two specials. www.cruisingconnecticut.com.

1. On my "What's in our Picnic Basket" page there is a free recipe from my book. Crab and Crackers is a good appetizer for any occasion, but if are looking for something new and special for the holidays, this is it.

2. On my Order page, check out my special "gift book" price. Two books for less than the cost of one. This is a limited offer so don't miss out.

Little Known Facts About Well-Known Attractions in Connecticut

For years I had been visiting Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, enjoying the Mansion, the gardens designed by renowned Beatrix Farrand, and just strolling around the spacious lawns leading down to Long Island Sound. I thought I knew everything about this park.Then I discovered that just a few steps from the mansion, although hidden from view was an endearing pet cemetery with names and dates of deceased family pets.

Recently, I got to wondering what other destinations had treasures that visitors might not know about. For instance, residents spend many hours each summer at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison without being aware of the wonderful picnic area right across the street from East Beach. Just in back of the Nature Center, tables sit on a green lawn near the Friendship Pond and Butterfly Garden.

Speaking of scenic picnic areas, when you visit Gillette Castle, do you drive straight up to the castle without knowing or being aware of the lovely pond on the right just past the entrance? The summer is especially pleasant when the pond is blooming with pink, fuchsia and white water lilies. Picnic tables are plentiful.

How about the two very distinctive museums in Connecticut that are free and practically within steps of each other on Chapel Street in New Haven. Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest university art museum in the Country and Yale Center for British Art is in possession of the most comprehensive collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom.

All this information and more are in Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, a day tripping and picnic book with recipes. The 3rd Edition has just been released this month. Check it out on my website www.cruisingconnecticut.com.

Oh, and if you want to visit the pet cemetery next time you're at Harkness, send me an email at jan@cruisingconnecticut.com and I’ll let you know the exact location.

Enjoy the Holiday Season

The newspapers and magazines are chock-full of things to do in Connecticut during the holiday season and I'd like to join with all the other revelers out there and share some of my own favorites:

Florence Griswold Museum: "The Magic of Christmas, A Holiday Tradition." www.flogris.org
Gillette Castle: The castle has been transformed to reflect "The Nutcracker Suite." www/ct/gov/dep/site. Click Outdoor Recreation. Click State Parks & Forests.
Mark Twain House & Museum: Variety of Christmas functions are being offered. www.marktwainhouse.org
Mystic Seaport: Check out the popular "Annual Lantern Light Tours." www.mysticseaport.org
Mystic Aquarium: "Breakfast with Santa" and "Winter Waterland." www.mysticaquarium.org
Connecticut Trolley Museum: "Winterfest." www.ct-trolley.org
Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Various Christmas exhibits and displays. www.stamfordmuseum.org

In addition, many of Connecticut's vineyards have organized special events and extended hours for the holidays: A sampling worth checking out:
Gouveia Vineyard (www.gouveiavineyards.com)
Haight-Brown Vineyard (www.haightvineyards.com)
Hopkins Vineyard (www.hopkinsvineyard.com)

For complete information on these destinations and others, check out the special price of $8.00 (half off retail) for Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket purchased during the holiday season. And, remember, a personalized and autographed book is the perfect holiday gift for all your favorite people. www.cruisingconnecticut.com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Q&A's From My Book Talks About Connecticut Attractions

For the past five years I have had the privilege of traveling around the State talking to folks at libraries, garden clubs, civic organizations, church groups, newcomers clubs, and book stores about the great destinations for day tripping and picnicking in this state. During some 180 appearances I been asked many questions, a few of which are posted here along with my answers.

Q. What is your favorite day trip?
A. It would be impossible to pick just one, plus the favorites sometimes vary from visit to visit. But I'll tell you about some of my personal favorites in each season: In the Fall,the wineries,and it’s also a great time of year to hike up to Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park. Plus every year, on a weekend day closest to October 15, I take my annual fall foliage day trip to Kent Falls in Kent, Cornwall Covered Bridge in West Cornwall, and Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, the latter to marvel at the beautiful foliage on the banks of Lake Waramaug; in the winter, Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, and especially during the holidays when they are decorated, Gillette Castle and Mark Twain House; in the Spring, Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury and Connecticut College Arboretum in New London for spring wildflower hunts and almost any place in Mystic; and in the summer, Main Street, Essex, and any place in or near the water, one of my favorites being the Thimble Island Cruise in Branford.

Q. What is your favorite place to picnic?
A. My favorite picnic is always the one enjoyed at the same location as my day trip/activity, but if I take the activity out of the equation, in the summer it’s the pond at Gillette Castle State Park (on the left before you drive up the hill to the Castle parking area) filled with pink, white and fuchsia water lilies. I like picnicking at the Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park at any time of year for the diverse areas available at the top of the mountain, all with great views, and Gouveia Vineyard in Wallingford because of the option of picnicking outside in the nice weather or in a comfortable room inside when the weather is questionable.

Q. After scouring the state day tripping for so many years, you must know about everything that is available?
A. Even I find it hard to believe, but I’ve hardly scratched the surface. There are numerous state parks that I have never visited, all with their own unique points of interest, historic homes I will probably never get to, hiking and biking trails, museums, and new wineries seem to be springing up faster than I can count.

Q. Was it hard to decide which places to write about.
A. Yes, I struggled with this decision, but I wanted diversity, not only in activities, but in locations throughout the state. This meant I had to leave out some great places because they were too close to another destination. Others did not have a suitable place to picnic. And, still others went out of business or changed drastically between the time of my research and years later when I finally got around to publishing my book.

Q. How did you decide on the recipes?
A. First, I designed a suggested menu for each day trip that suited both the activity and the picnicking facilities. For example, my picnic basket looks very different when I am visiting a state park with picnic tables and grills than when I am taking a walking tour of Hartford and stop for a light lunch on a park bench. Then, I found or designed recipes that covered all the food categories, because I wanted them to be enjoyed at home as well as on picnics.

Historic Homes in Connecticut Ready for the Holidays

Yikes! The Thanksgiving Holiday has passed and that can only mean one thing: Christmas is less than 4 weeks away. Along with the holiday shopping, there will be parties, plays, concerts and other events are all vying for our attention. Even historic homes are dressed up for the holidays. A visit to any one of the following will put you in the holiday spirit with renewed enthusiasm and energy.

GILLETTE CASTLE in East Haddam will be "adorned in its holiday finery" for special tours complete with live musical performances. Evening tours are scheduled for the first three Friday evenings in December from 4-8 pm. Daytime tours are scheduled for the first three Saturdays and Sundays as well as December 28-30 from 10-4. A free day of children's programs takes place on December 28 from 10-4. www.ct.gov/dep/site (Click Cal. of Events.)

FLORENCE GRISWOLD HOUSE & MUSEUM in Old Lyme showcases four elaborate "Fantasy Trees plus a 12 foot "Artists Tree" decorated with 100 artists' painted palettes. See how families celebrated Xmas in 1910. Also, check out the family programs on Sundays through January 10, and Christmastime Teas in December. Museum and Home tours are Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, closed Xmas and New Year's Day. http://www.flogris.org/.

Note the new fun graphic on this website, which is a copy of the well-known painting by Henry R. Moore. "The Fox Chase" depicting artists in unique and amusing poses hangs over the fireplace in the Griswold home. As you "Race into the Past" you can click on 25 different icons to learn about these Lyme Art Colony artists.

ROSELAND COTTAGE in Woodstock presents an annual Christmas program highlighting decorations based on the Bowens 1887 celebration in New York. First floor tours of the house are offered along with holiday music and readings from A Christmas Carol. Date: Sunday, December 6 from 12-4, admission free. www.historicnewengland.org/things/calendar/Events.

THE MARK TWAIN HOUSE & MUSEUM in Hartford offers the Connecticut Yankee Holiday Dinner Tour on Saturdays in December in conjunction with The Kitchen at Billings Forge. Also, the 29th Annual Holiday House Tour takes place this year on December 6 and HartBeat Ensemble's "Ebeneeze: A Hartford Holiday Carol" will be performed in the auditorium three times in December with free admission. For information on all events: http://www.marktwainhouse.org/.

NOTE: The above 4 destinations, along with 38 others, are described in detail in Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket. Along with "Historic Homes & Gardens" there are 10 other categories of exciting activities suitable for all ages and interests. In addition, each venue has picnicking facilities and recipes. Special holiday price. http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/

Romantic and First-Date Picnics

A reader recently asked me about the best places for a romantic picnic, and a first-date picnic. First, a romantic picnic.

I love this question, because there is a kind of romance simply in the act of planning a picnic, thinking about where to go and what to pack for the ultimate experience. One of my favorite picnic menus is also the simplest; go to the market for a loaf of good crusty bread, a hard cheese (cheddar?) and maybe some brie. Add grapes, or fresh strawberries, and your favorite beverage. Don't forget the bread and cheese knives, napkins and a cloth to use as either a table cover or ground cover. If you want to go all out, include a candle and a portable CD player. Now, where to go?

Hammonasset Beach at sunset: Arrive late afternoon, take a walk on the beach, then sit on the sand or at a picnic table and enjoy your picnic while waiting for the sunset.
The Pond at Gillette Castle State Park: Before you drive up the hill to the parking area, look for the pond on your left. In the summer, the pond is covered with pink, white, and fuchsia water lilies, and the picnic tables surrounding the pond are set far enough apart for a feeling of privacy. Later, a visit to the castle can also be quite romantic, as is the view of the Connecticut River from the balcony.
The top of the mountain at Mohawk Forest State Park: A 4-mile drive brings you to the top of the mountain where there is a small roundabout with 2 or 3 picnic tables. Although there is no guarantee, there is a good chance you will have the space to yourselves. The panoramic view is breathtaking.
Wineries: Picnics at wineries can also be romantic. First the wine tasting and agreeing on the perfect wine to go with your picnic, then finding a secluded spot on the scenic grounds to enjoy the picnic and each other. Check out the wineries in the Connecticut Wine Trail for hours and picnic facilities.

First-date picnics should be stress-free, so don't overlook something as simple as picnicking at a local park. Pick a scenic park with unique attractions, such as Elizabeth Park in West Hartford (enjoy the flowers, especially the rose gardens peaking in late June and the duck pond), or Wickam Park in Manchester (ornamental gardens, woodlands, pond, panoramic view and plenty of walking around space. Picnicking options are plentiful at parks and the fun is to let serendipity guide you to the perfect spot. Check out the local parks in your area, and also the state parks, such as Kent Falls State Park in Kent, or Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford. Just like city and town parks, each state park has its own unique features.

More ideas: Tour a historic home, such as Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, Mark Twain House in Hartford, or Roseland Cottage in Woodstock. (Check with your local library for free or reduced passes.) Or, spend a relaxing afternoon poking around Connecticut's charming town greens and scenic main streets like Essex, Stonington Village, Mystic, and Litchfield where, after your stroll, you can always find an inviting place to picnic.

Finally, the perfect day trip and picnic for romance or first-date, suitable for any age group as well as families, take a boat tour of the Thimble Islands, available at the Stony Creek section of Branford. Picnic at the small beach adjacent to the dock.

Although space is limited here, more information on all the places mentioned should be easily accessed on the web or at the Connecticut Visitors Center. Hopefully these ideas will get you started in thinking of your own romantic and first-date picnic ideas. I'd love to hear any success stories!


I don't usually use this venue to talk about my book appearances, however, I will make an exception here since it's an exciting opportunity for folks to meet 7 Connecticut authors with books of diverse genres. The date is June 7th at Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, where at 3:00, we will briefly introduce ourselves and our work and autographing our books until 5:00. Come meet and greet the authors and check out the great selection of books.

The Picnic Season is Far From Over

September is a bittersweet month for me. I find it hard to flip the calendar from August to September without bemoaning the fact that the carefree days of summer seemed to fly by ~ again, and sad there were so many events I did not get to. On the other hand, September has some lovely warm days with comfortable cooling breezes, plus the state's breathtaking foliage is on this month's heels. And, best of all, both months are great for picnicking. Now, this is a happy thought.

Speaking of picnics, I recently happened upon an interesting website, http://www.picnicrecipesandgames.com/, which bills itself as the "webs foremost authority on picnics and picnic planning." Check out the various topics, such as Free Picnic Table Plans, Picnic Products Guide, Picnic Baskets, Picnic Games & Ideas, and Free Cookbook.

One of the most interesting topics for me, under a heading titled Picnic Related, is Find a Picnic Area, which brings up a map listing 109 locations in America to picnic. You simply find a state and click on a flag for a pop-up of the destination. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on Connecticut and found zero destinations. I thought, how can this be, there are so many wonderful spots to picnic in this state! But, I rectified this omission when I saw an invitation to send in your favorite picnic area. And, when I checked back a short time later, there was my blurb about Gillette Castle State Park. No doubt I will send in more suggestions, and perhaps some of my readers will do the same, no matter where you live.

Most important ~ while the weather is still nice ~ get out there and PICNIC!

What do you do when it Rains on Your Parade?

Or, rather, what do you do when the weather does not cooperate for your outdoor picnic? The answer: If it's overcast or only a light intermittent rain is threatened, think about changing your destination to one that has picnic shelters, such as Devil's Hopyard State Park, Gillete Castle, Roseland Cottage, or one of the wineries, all described in my book. (http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/)

What if the weather keeps you indoors? In Connecticut, there were many times when the weather did a 90-degree turn in the time it took me to toss the salad prior to packing it in the cooler. When this happened, we usually just ate your picnic at the diningt room table like any other meal.

But, the most fun was when I continued to pack up the goodies, declaring we would still have our picnic and to follow me. In the living room, I spread my colorful picnic cloth on the floor, inviting everyone to take a seat around the perimeter, and proceeded to unpack the basket. By the time this ritual was finished, everyone was back in the mood for a picnic, especially since I tended to make everyone's favorite dishes. (Doesn't everyone do this for a picnic?) We played word games while we ate and soon forgot all about the weather outside. Children especially love the spontaneity and absurdity of a picnic on the living room floor.

One good thing about a home picjnic, if you forget to pack the condiments, or heaven forbid, the corkscrew (the thing I forgot most often until I bought a spare one to keep in the picnic basket) ~ they are just a few steps away.

I'll let you know if the weather cooperates for my first-day-of-spring picnic here in Florida. (Yesterday, the high winds prevented most outdoor activities.) Wherever you are, Happy Spring! At the first sign of pleasant weather, enjoy an outdoor picnic.

Testimonials

“You may know that Connecticut has a Clocktower Museum, but did you know we have one because two packrat brothers couldn’t stop collecting, so they started buying museums in which to house their stuff? And you may know that the state is loaded with nice little picnic spots, but did you know how to find them? Connecticut is full of such little gems, and Jan Mann has gone out to find them. Plus, she’s sweetened the pot with some quick though tasty recipes. Now, why didn’t I think of that?”

Susan Campell, Columnist, The Hartford Courant,

Author of Connecticut Curiosities.

“From the moment I park the car and step outside, I know it is going to be a memorable day. The sun is shining and the resident mocking bird greets and serenades me all the way to the Carriage House. Inside, friendly staff members are welcoming, and the Bowen’s 'company drink', pink lemonade, has been prepared for thirsty visitors."
~ Roseland Cottage

“Even during the short walk from the parking area to Heckscher Farm, we imagine we could be in Puddlyby-on-the-Marsh, the town where Doctor Dolittle’s practice became so successful after his parrot, Polynesia, taught him animal language. It is fascinating to watch the interaction between visitors and the animals and, yes, the animals do talk back.”
~ Stamford Museum & Nature Center

“One hour after game time—I finished my research almost one hour ago and want to go home. I am still looking for my car. That “Tips from Tailgaters” suggestion on Joe’s website, the one about tying a helium-filled balloon to the antenna—it’s a good one.”
~ Football tailgating Party

“After lunch, the ambience of this country setting causes us to linger—but not for long. There is more shopping to do!”
~ Marlborough Barn

“No one else is outside on this September weekday afternoon, and only the unpacking of our picnic basket and the melodious river flowing amidst the rocks interrupts the quiet.”
~ Brookfield Craft Center

“The first picnic option is next to a large pond to the immediate left after entering the park. On this day in mid-summer, it is covered almost entirely by variegated shades of pink, fuchsia, and white water lilies, and on closer inspection we see a frog hopping from one green lily pad to another. Really!”
~ Gillette Castle

What are some of the things you carry in your picnic basket? Jan Mann