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.

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.

What to do With an Almost 3 Year Old Comes to an End

Sad, but true, I took Henry and his mama and dada to LaGuardia this afternoon for their trip home. It was a great week with lots of activities and good times! The next time H comes to CT, he'll be 3 and we'll have to find some new adventures!

Instead of partaking in the traditional "black friday' activities we drove to Stratford and bounced our way to a good time. Bounce U is the perfect place to get out some pent up energy. They have an activity called the Open Bounce a few times a day and it's a good idea to call ahead and sign up. They break up the kids into two separate age groups, under 6 and 7 up. This is great because if you have a little one, you won't have to worry about the older kids running around and playing a little bit rougher than you might feel comfortable with. The Open Bounce lasts for 1 and 1/2 hours. They start the kids in one room then switch them in 45 mins. so both age groups can enjoy both rooms. They have T-ball, giant slides, basket ball hoops, a Sumo wrestling ring equipped with giant gloves & Sumo outfits. They of course have large spaces to bounce in. There are party options for that special day and a room where the kids can take a break and have a snack.

On our way home we drove up Black Rock Turnpike and stopped at The Rugged Bear. Henry had a little accident and the staff was extremely helpful. They let us use the restroom to clean up then let H roam around in his diaper and vest. We found a great pair of pants on sale and we were ready to go. We weren't hungry, but if we were, A&S would have been a great place to by an Italian sub for the road.

Before our ride to the airport, DeeDee had one more adventure up her sleeve! I thought a little excitement would be a great idea before a plane ride. A true adventure...EarthPlace an nature discovery center is Wetport would be perfect. I love EarthPlace! They have live animals that have been injured, a colony of vultures, two bald eagles, rabbits, an indoor play area, lab and a fabulous outdoor playground.

While we were there today Miss Betsy had show and tell. We were able to pet a bunny and snake and learned quite a bit about both. For instance, did you know that pythons eat once a week? One of the resident pythons actually went five weeks without eating once! They have exhibits, programs and a nursery school. It's tucked away at the end of Woodside and also offers various trails for walking and exploring.

After all the excitement, we went to Coco Michelle in Westport for a quick hot chocolate. It's a European style hot chocolate and they call it a ChocoLatte...yummmmmmmmm! They also offer excellent coffee and handmade chocolates along with fresh baked goods. The coffee is FairTrade which is a bonus. It is now located across the street from the Westport train station.

I hope you have enjoyed the series and that I was able to share some places you might not have known about. Stay tuned for the next series. Happy Holiday's!!!

Visiting the Firehouse in Fairfield!

Sorry for skipping yesterday, but by the time I got done, making the pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, persimmon pudding and marinating the turkey it was already Thursday so I figured I'd wait! It's not so easy being the cook and trying to entertain that almost 3 year old!

To be honest, Henry was a bit under the weather and our adventure yesterday had to be short, but fun. What better adventure could there be for an almost 3 year old boy than to visit the local fire department? When Henry was in, in June, we visited the Westport Fire House where we saw beautiful new trucks, a rescue vehicle and a diving boat! The fireman on duty was super sweet and spent quite a bit of time with us. When we left, Henry got to take home a plastic fireman hat that he still has.

Since we were crunched for time, we went to the Fairfield Fire Department. I think that one of the requirements to being a fireman, is a love of children. The firemen in Fairfield were just as sweet as the ones in Westport and showed us some things we didn't get to see at the Westport Fire Department. Henry's favorite was the pole. Yes, they really do have a pole at the Fairfield Fire House! It's the first one Henry and his parents have encountered and you wouldn't believe the excitement on Henry's face when the fireman came sliding down...priceless!! The firemen in Fairfield wear leather helmets instead of the new composite style ones that are being used today. They were very cool looking and you could almost see all the stories that they could tell. This time Henry got to take home a fireman hat and a coloring book with safety tips.

From there, we headed over to Borders for a quick tour of their kids section. It's tucked away on the second floor and they have a very good selection of books and toys. If Henry had been feeling better, we would have crossed the street and gone to either Sweet Rexies, a kids paradise, or PinkBerry for a tart yogurt.

As for today's activity, we decided to head back to Compo for some more outdoor fun. This time the beach was packed with adults and kids of all ages. There were also plenty of dogs romping around and having a great time with their owners and the kids. Starbuck's was opened so we got a hot chocolate then headed home to finish up preparing our Thanksgiving Dinner.

I'm off to finish cleaning up and to plan tomorrow's adventure. It all depends on the weather...indoor or outdoor activity. We'll see when we wake up.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Adventure Continues, Day 4

We woke to a gorgeous November day and felt that at 65 degrees, we needed to be outdoors! After packing a goody bag full of snacks and drinks and a snack bag for Cello, my Spinone Italiano, we were ready to go.

Our first stop though was Coffee an' Donut Shop in Westport on Main Street (across the St. from Bogey's). If you love donuts and want something special, this is the place to go. These tasty treats are homemade and you can get anything from a plain old fashioned to a coconut twist. My personal favorite is the cinnamon, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside...yum! We were lucky it was during the week and after 9a.m. so we didn't have to wait on line. If your travels take you there on a weekend, be prepared to wait on a line out the door. You can also sit at a table or even better at the counters and have a regular breakfast. It's the place to go for that small town feel!

With donuts at the ready, we drove to Compo Beach in Westport. I love the fact that I can let Cello run off leash and play with other dogs. You can walk for quite a stretch although if you go with your dog, part of the beach requires you to put your pooch on a leash. Henry ran around, threw rocks in the water, collected seashells and thought it might be fun to swim like Cello.

Another great feature of Compo is the large playground. It was rebuilt a few years ago and it is a kids dream. With swings, rock climbing area, bars, slides and towers, there's something for most age groups. Dogs aren't allowed here so Cello and I had to sit by the sidelines and watch Henry explore with his mama and dada while pop-pop clicked away. The area is also totally fenced in and has plenty of benches for those parents or grandparents that need a break.

There is also a skateboard park for the more adventurous!

Tomorrow is day 5 and we're going strong. How does a morning at the fire station sound? Find out in tomorrow's installment of "What to do in Fairfield County with an Almost 3 Year Old".

Stepping Stones is the Activity of the Day!

Day 3 of "What do with an Almost Three Year Old in Fairfield County" was spent at Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk. Wow, what an incredible space! Stepping Stones was closed for a bit of make-over and it was worth the wait; they did a great job. This past Saturday was the grand re-opening, just in time for the Holiday weekend...phew!

They have revamped the water section of the museum and it is now part of the Energy Lab. They have lab coats at the ready and hand dryers to dry off those wet little hands when the kiddies are done. The wind display was cute, but it seemed to need a little more wind power while we were there. Climbing up and through the tunnel was still fun.

There is a toddler play area that was packed so we ended up heading towards the health area. Here Henry was able to wear scrubs, a white coat to brush a giant set of teeth like a real dentist, scuba gear and a helmet and knee pads to ride on a bike with a skeleton that mimicked his movements. Henry's favorite was the construction site. After we geared up, a vest, hard hat and tool belt, we filled a "paint" can with paint brushes, shingles and paint sticks and set to work.

The Rain Forest had "mama & dada gorilla" with several "baby gorilla's"...Henry thought they were very cute. We took a "ride" up a tree and saw a live web cast of an Ecuadorian rain forest. We didn't make the "Rain Forest Canopy" movie...maybe next time. The outdoor playground was closed for a movie shoot which was a shame since it's such a cool spot.

After a quick trip to the gift shop, we headed over to the Westport Library. The kids section is located on the 3rd floor and is filled with books, cd's, toys and videos. Depending on the day, you can enjoy crafts, story time and so much more.

If you have a little one coming in for a visit, they have a great service called "GrandKits". You can either call or email ahead of time, tell them the age group of your visitor and their "likes" and voila, when you come in, you have a pretty sizable bag of goodies to take home. I know that when I did this for Henry, it was a real winner!

Hmmmm, what could be on tap for tomorrow? Stay tuned for day 4's "adventure"!!

The Maritime Aquarium Wins Out!

The UBS Parade in Stamford was going to be our destination for the day, but The Maritime Aquarium won out in the end.

For those of you have not been to the Aquarium in Norwalk, you should really make the effort to visit. It's right on the water and has tons of cool things to do. You can take a 2 hour boat ride, although they do have a minimum height so make sure to check, build a boat, see a movie at the IMAX Theatre or get some energy out in the indoor play space.

You can see the penguins, pet the sting rays, count the hidden flounders and gaze at the jelly fish. They have seals that you can view from the exterior of the building or the warmth of the museum. The kids love seeing them swim in circles and the best part is feeding time, which they have posted so you won't miss it.

The turtle exhibit was interesting, especially the giant sea turtle. Henry could have spent quite a bit of time just watching him swim around and moving the large stones around. He got a kick out of seeing "baby" turtle hang out right next to "mama" turtle.

I think our favorite exhibit was of the meerkats. Boy, were they fun!!!! I couldn't believe how cute they were. At only a year to two years old, they were full of energy and themselves! There was a spot were kids could crawl into and then stand, that gives them the impression that they are in the exhibit with their four legged friends. The meerkats come up to the window and run around the kids. They stand at attention, almost as if posing then jump into their make-shift swing. Like I said, too cute!

With tons of things to do, the theatre and great restaurants within walking distance, The Maritime Aquarium is a winner!!!

What to do in Fairfield County with an Almost 3 Year Old!

Yes, it's that time of the year when we start getting visitors for the Holiday's. I love the hustle and bustle, the cooking and the chill in the air. But what do you do when you don't have kids and you have to entertain a little one? Maybe, your grandkids are coming in and you're at a loss. No worries! This week, I'll let you live vicariously through me and enjoy all the hotspots for the little ones.

I headed out to LaGuardia earlier today with my husband to pick up my stepson, his wife and their almost 3 year old. I figured since they would be traveling, I didn't have to plan a formal activity. Lucky for everyone, LaGuardia's bag claim area was a perfect spot to let out some steam before our hour long ride home. A little cat nap in the car didn't hurt and when we got home it was time to play some more.

We have a dog, Cello, who was more than happy to play "catch" with Henry for awhile. Next came Pop Pop with the leaf blower...another fun activity that not only was fun, but was useful!

MaMa and DeeDee (that's me) headed out for some goodies to stock the cabinets and fridge while Henry played with the big boys. When we got home we went for our first "thing to do".

Frank Pepe's Pizza in Fairfield is a great place to go with kids of all ages. They seem to cater to them and to their hungry parents. The only trick to Pepe's is getting there at the right time. By the time we managed to get there, around 6:00, there was already a line out the door. Thankfully the line did move at a reasonable pace. Another plus was having a rock outcropping where Henry was able to practice his rock climbing skills then hit the big wood pile.

Once seated, the waitress was right there and our food came fairly quickly. A nice thin crispy crust was just what we all needed. The original Pepe's is in New Haven if you get up that way.

Tomorrow I'm thinking of driving down to Stamford for the UBS Parade Spectacular. I've never been there, but if it's a nice day, it should be fun. I'll let you know tomorrow!

Frank Bruni Comes to Westport!

The Westport Library was the place to be last night! That is, if you like Frank Bruni former New York Times food critic. Frank was the guest author and was there to speak about his memoir, "Born Round: A Story of Family, Food and a Ferocious Appetite". Frank started his discussion to a standing room crowd by explaining what he liked doing at these events. He would read two passages and then open up the floor to questions. He encouraged us not to be shy and to ask anything we wanted! Wow, now that's a dream come true...ask anything you like...hmmmm.

I was curious to know if after so obviously conquering his food issues (he looks fabulous), did he still have food demons and did he have to fight them everyday. Frank was quite candid and basically said that once he was honest with himself and knew how much he had to eat to be happy, he was able to keep a check on things. Incorporating exercise into his daily routine to offset his calorie count and controlling the size of his portions were key.

Someone asked what his favorite assignment was and he said he

didn't have one, but did have a least favorite...being a campaign correspondent. He said it was a tough assignment, very regimented and was quick to say that the candidates did lead a tough life during the trail. Another question was what were the consequences to a restaurant and/or to him if he gave a scathing review. The answer was interesting. If the restaurant is well established and is more about "the scene" then not much. He used Cipriani as an example saying that they were more about being a "club house" so his review was not detrimental. His main responsibility was to his reader and he felt that people were going out and spending good money to enjoy a meal and they deserved his honest critique. He said that his consequences were minimal and shared a story that one unhappy restaurateur took out a full page ad, opposite his review, pretty much saying that Frank didn't know what he was talking about. Frank was good humored about it and said that they were entitled to their opinion too.

He spoke lovingly of his grandmother and mother and the two passages he read (very entertaining) from his book were of these two influential women. Someone asked if Frank had visited his grandmother's hometown in Puglia and he said that he did and was treated royally. So much so, that he doesn't like to let them know when he's in town so as not to put them out.

Frank's dad was also in attendance and after spending an evening listening to his sons delightful stories and heartfelt answers, I'm sure he was extremely proud of him. When the Q & A was done, Frank was at hand to autograph his books. I told Frank that I would be blogging about the event so my inscription said "Keep on blogging and eat right!" I will make sure to remember those words of wisdom every day!

You can catch more, Authors @ The Library, by clicking on the link. If you're a Twilight Zone fan, Rod Serling will be the guest author tomorrow night, Wednesday, August, 4th.

4th of July at Penfield

What a great night at Penfield Beach! There were people everywhere, having a great time and enjoying the perfect night. If you go next year, make sure to get there early or leave your car in town and walk! Check out the video by clicking the link below...enjoy!

4th of July at Penfield

An Evening of Laughs at Bedford Middle School!

They say that laughter is the best medicine and if you were at Bedford Middle School this evening you would be cured! Roz Chast, a cartoonist, best known for her cartoons in "The New Yorker" had the 500 attendees in the auditorium rolling in their seats!

Roz presented a slide show of about 50 of her cartoons. She started with one titled "A Note on The Author". Roz had been asked to submit a photo of herself as a youngster for a publication and she asked if she could submit a drawing instead. They said yes and she ran with it. The result was a cartoon of herself laying in bed reading books on illness' and diseases, you had to be there! She read some of the cartoons and commented on what inspired her. Some, needed no comment from Roz.

There was a Q&A following the slide show where people asked a variety of questions which brought one of the funniest lines of the evening. The question went something like, "I've been following your career in cartoons and you seemed somewhat ambivalent to moving to the suburbs how do you feel now"? Roz was quick to say that she would be happy to never drive again and said that on her way to Bedford School she was stuck on Long Lost Lane. The room erupted in laughter since it's really Long Lots. The consensus after the talk was that Roz's next cartoon will be about Long Lost Lane!

After the Q&A, Roz was on hand to sign books. I was happy to have my hubbies gift signed by the author...too bad I didn't ask for a little cartoon instead! Maybe next time.

If you didn't get the opportunity to hear Roz tonight, you can check out her exhibition, Divine Comedy, at the Westport Arts Center running from April 1st to May 30, 2010.

Charming Stratfield Colonial

Come see this fabulous updated colonial in the Stratfield area of Fairfield.

Charming Stratfield Colonial

Roz Chast Comes to Westport, CT

One of the things that I love most about living in Fairfield County, CT is it's proximity to the City and all the cultural events we have because of it. I have to admit that as a born and raised New Yorker I was a little worried about leaving the big city behind.I needn't have worried! I have space, a garden, a full sized dog and all the great events I can ask for!

The Westport Library does an amazing job of bringing writers to the community. Coming Monday, April 12 The Malloy Lecture in the Arts has invited Roz Chast to be their guest. She will be interviewed at Bedford Middle School on North Avenue at 7:30pm. After the interview there is usually time for a Q&A and then a book signing. The last one I attended held at Bedford Middle School was with Joyce Carol Oats. They get an incredible turn out so you might want to register beforehand to insure a seat.

Roz Chast is probably best known for her cartoons in The New Yorker. My husband got me her book "Theories of Everything", pictured, for Christmas a couple of years ago. I was excited to see that she would be in Westport so that I could meet her and have my book signed. Roz had an exhibit a couple of years ago at Silvermine Guild Arts Center in New Canaan another great CT resource. Silvermine has been in operation for 84 years and has attracted many well known artists to teach and exhibit.I hope to see you on the 12th! Enjoy!

Cancer Care Benefit at Lillian August in Norwalk, CT

The 8th Annual, Girls Night Out benefit is just around the corner! Take part in Cancer Care of Connecticut's benefit this Wednesday, March 3. Doors open at 6:00pm for VIP tickets and 7:00pm for Premiere tickets. This years theme is Denim and Diamonds...what girl can resist? This is a fun event and is one of their most popular benefits!

The event will be held at Lillian August at 32 Knight Street in Norwalk, CT. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. The benefit will feature a luxury auction, a denim and diamond bar and a designer consignment boutique.

Enrique Alarcon and Amanda Parton of Dance Collective in Westport will be performing and then giving a mini Latin Rhythms lesson. They were such a hit at last years event that they were invited to come back and share their enthusiasm and love of dance. If you didn't get to dance last year, here's your chance!

Don't miss it, it's fun, but most of all, it's for a great cause!! Enjoy!

$75 VIP 6:00 p.m.

$50 Premiere 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 203.663.2192

or online at www.cancercare.org/girlsnightout

Don't Let the Weather Fool You...The Spring Market is Here!

O.K. everyone, Super Bowl Sunday and Fat Tuesday have come and gone, Spring Training has begun and with that, the Fairfield County, CT Real Estate Market is off to the races!

I know what you're thinking, but it's still snowing and it's raining and it's cold and the flowers aren't in bloom. So what, the time is now! Winter landscapes can be just as beautiful!

If you're thinking of putting your house on the market, don't wait any longer. If you're waiting for the pansies to survive and your bulbs to start poking through, you will miss the market. The traditional Spring Market in Fairfield County starts right after the Super Bowl. The thinking is that people will look now and start making their minds up by March/April so that they can be in their new homes by the end of June or beginning of July.

Another motivating factor for an early decision this year is the Home Buyer's Tax Credit. In order for buyers to take advantage of it, they need to be under contract by April 30th. The credit for first time home buyers is $8,000 and if they have been in their home for a minimum of 5 years, they are eligible for a $6,500 credit.

So don't be late, capture the peak of the market now!

Libraries in Fairfield County, CT

The libraries in Fairfield County, CT not only have terrific books, of course -- they also offer a myriad of activities. Check out the video below to hear about my favorites:

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Kids Activities in Fairfield County, CT

I've asked my friend Maddie to help me think of fun things to do for kids in Fairfield County, CT. There are kids' museums, playgrounds, bakeries and more!

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Cultural Activites in Fairfield County, CT

There are so many fun things to do and see in Fairfield County, especially when you're interested in drama, museums, movies and other entertainment. Check out my favorites!

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Selling a house in Fairfield County, CT

Selling your house? The myriad steps can seem complex. Please see my video, where I step you through the process. Thanks!

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