Slow Food, Thriving Community

Westport Farmers Market

My love of fresh, local food led me to be a regular shopper at the Westport Farmers Market.  It was there that I linked my love of good, clean food to the community and  the environment.  Wearing my business hat of a realtor, I became an official sponsor of the Westport Farmers Market.

Taking part in the Thursday markets, I found a kinship with a number of vendors like,

 Donny of Raus Coffee for Humanity and,

 Jerry of Nothin'But Foods and,

Erin of Erin Ostreicher Designs.

I especially connected with one vendor--Andre Kreft of Savor Fine Foods.

Originally, a graphic designer, Andre turned his visual artistic sensibility to his gastronomic senses and is now baking the most unique savory cookies with ingredients like lavender, roasted leek, smoked red onion,  chocolate and black pepper.  He is constantly finding new artistic combinations that delight the pallet.  

Working with an artist is inspirational and together we came up with an idea where we would join forces to raise funds for Breast Cancer and COOKIES FOR A CURE was born. Andre made a cookie called Pinkki which we sold in October at the Farmers Market. For every bag sold, we donated $16 to The William Raveis Breast Cancer Fund.

Pinkki a delightful cookie made with rosewater syrup, orange and cranberry with beet pulp to make it pink is lovingly made by Andre Kreft, founder and baker at Savor Cookies.

To date, we have sold 100 bags which equals $1600 for the William Raveis Breast Cancer Research Fund.  This is just a start and we plan to continue! 

Come join me this Thursday Dec 15, 2011 from 6 to 9pm at Mitchell's in Westport, and discover the gastronomic delight of Pinkki Cookies and support a cause that is of concern to all of us. For each bag of Pinkki Cookies you purchase at $8.00, $16.00 will be contributed to the William Raveis Breast Cancer Research Fund. The 2 for 1 matching contribution is being made by me, Savor Cookies and Bill Raveis.

I look forward to seeing you at Mitchell's and introducing you to this delightful cookie and tell you more about the William Raveis Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Summer Blooms to Winter Wreaths

This year I decided to make my own winter wreath using what I had in my garden.  Looking around I found so much to work with but I was most drawn to the lush mop head hydrangea blooms.  I had tons and I put them to good use. I feel like I have saved a part of my garden to enjoy every time I come in the front door. What do you think of my first home grown winter wreath?

My Front Door

After having made my first wreath, I was quickly inspired to make more.  I made this one for my friend Katie in North Carolina.  We were there recently visiting family and friends.  Katie's wreath reflects her creative and gentle personality.  She instantly hung it on her door and it suited her house to a tee.

 

Katie's wreath made of evergreens and hydrangea, lavender, gomphrena and Skimmia

Take a closer look

Getting Into the Spirit

Until this week, it's been so warm that it has been hard to beleive it's December. Today, I walked into the new Pop Up West Elm Store on Main Street in Westport and I quickly caught Holiday fever. There are so many unique home decor pieces and gift items that I was inspired to make my list of gifts for friends and gifts for me! The store will be here temporarily, so make sure you get your chance to experience it before it's gone.

Not in My Backyard! The Case of the Runaway Mountain Lion.

Oh no! First it was the moose on the Merritt, now it's the mountain lion!!!

The first sightings were last week in Greenwich, a mountain lion in CT...no way. The news told us that mountain lions have not been seen in CT since the late 1800's and that it was probably someone's pet. How a "pet" of that size could escape without being reported is beyond me, but whatever.

A week later, the news flash was that a mountain lion had been hit by an SUV and killed in Milford. So the question was wether or not it was the same "cat". This mountain lion had to have done a fair amount of running without being seen in the interim to end up in Milford.

Now, a few days later, I read that there were two sightings in Greenfield Hill in Fairfield...minutes from my home. I called up my husband to tell him and he asked if I thought that the coyote he saw with our dog was really a mountain lion instead. I couldn't help it, but I had to say it...the mountain lion wouldn't have barked...it would have meowed or worse, roared!

All kidding aside, here is info that the Fairfield Police Department has put out.


The recommended precautions at home are:
• Keep children indoors around dawn and dusk
• Do not feed wildlife that would be a potential prey
• Install or use motion detector lighting, especially near sidewalks
and pathways
• Scatter mothballs and ammonia-soaked scraps of cloth around your yard

Face to face with a mountain lion:
• Do not approach
• Gather and protect your children
• Keep eye contact and back away slowly, without running
• Give the mountain lion an avenue for escape

In wooded areas:
• Hike with a group, not alone
• Hike with a dog on a leash
• Keep children in close proximity
• Keep standing, even if you pick up a child
• Carry a walking stick or pepper spray, stones –
any weapon that comes to hand.

Any sightings should be reported to the Police Department’s emergency communication center at 203 254-4800, so officers can be dispatched to the area.

Moose on The Merritt...Really?

Yes, really! I couldn't believe my ears this morning as I was listening to the radio. There have been several moose sitings along The Merritt around the Rte. 25 interchange in Trumbull. They've also been spotted on I-84 in Waterbury and Bethel.

Moose can measure up to 6 feet high at the shoulder and if hit by a car, will be at windshield level...very dangerous. They are usually more active at dusk and dawn. They are common in Western Connecticut, but because they are hungry and it's mating season, they're expanding their territory. The word Moose comes from the Algonquian Indians, therefore, there is no plural...just a bit of trivia.

The CT D.E.P. has asked to be contacted if you see a moose along The Merritt or I-84.

Drive safely!!!

Desirable Expanded Cape, Desirable Fairfield Location!!!

Yes, it's true, 4 Large Bedrooms and 3 Full Baths on corner lot in Fabulous Location. This fantastic home won't last!!!

Check Out This Business Insider Article!

See what Gary Shilling, an economic forecaster has to say about housing prices for 2011. Click on this Link.

Video: Easton CT Home for Sale

Hip Condo in Black Rock!

Wow! Gorgeous 2 bedroom, 2 bath Condo in Black Rock. Walk to shops and St. Mary's by the Sea. High end finishes make this a fabulous deal at $174,900. Will not be around for long!!!

Stratfield at its Best!

Check out this wonderful English Cottage in the Stratfield section of Fairfield. Lovingly restored with all of todays amenities! Come see!!!

Great Website to Support if You Like Walking Your Best Friend on the Beach!

It was a perfect day to go for a walk on the beach with Cello & my husband so we headed out to Jennings Beach in Fairfield. Jennings is one of the few beaches left where you can let your dog run off leash.

Cello was exploring, running and making friends, 4 and 2 legged alike when I was asked what kind of dog he was. Not unusual for sure, but one of the people was shooting tons of pics. After chatting for a bit I was handed a card for a great website...Fairfield Beach Access.

FairfieldBeachAccess.org is a site devoted to networking and sharing information to preserve and enhance the enjoyment of outdoor activities with your best bud. There is information on nutrition, how to find a holistic vet, a place if you've lost your dog and they even have a low tide calendar. There is a section devoted to Natural Toxins and Poisons and Hypothermia in dogs. They also feature wonderful photos of dogs running free that really capture the joy our best friends feel. Bravo!!!!

I signed up for their e-newsletter to show support of the phenomenal job they are doing. I am so happy that I was introduced to this site and thought that my fellow dog lovers would find it useful as well.

Enjoy the Outdoors with your Dog -- Even in Winter!

Beat those winter blahs and head outside with your canine companion. Sure, it's chilly, but the sunshine and camaraderie will give you, and your pet, a boost. In the short video below I share some of my favorite dog-walking spots in Fairfield County, CT.