Pack This DIY Hostess Gift

Summer travel is just around the corner, and if you're anything like me, that means you've got maps out and are busy planning your next great escape. Sometimes, that means you're lucky enough to get an invite to the vacation home of a friend. If that's the case, and you have a little bit of DIY in you, I think I've come up with the perfect hostess gift to pack in your suitcase.

Did you know that American's use on average approximately 2,200 napkins {usually six a day} each year? By just using one less per day, more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills in the US alone! Our household tries to use cloth napkins on a regular basis. It becomes a problem when you have a house full of people or a big family, how do you keep the napkins straight. They don't need to be washed after every use, that kind of defeats the purpose of saving energy right? But the thought of using someone else's serviette is a bit unappetizing. My solution is to have reusable napkin rings with everyone's name on them.

You'll need:

A set of wooden napkin rings from the craft store

Primer white paint

Acrylic paint for the inside of the rings

Chalk paint for the outside of the rings

Fine sandpaper

Chalk or chalk pen

Paint the interior of the rings with a white primer. This will raise the edge of the wood, so after it is dry, sand lightly along the rough edges. Paint the interiors with whatever colors you have selected. This batch was for a friend with a house on the water. Again, lightly sand any rough edges.

Paint the outside of the rings with chalk paint. It will take 2-3 coats. Write the name of your hosts on the rings, along with a thank you on one, buy them some cotton or linen napkins in a color they'll love, and voila...Creative gift and good for the planet all rolled into one!

Have a great weekend.

Making Cheese from Yogurt with Stonyfield

You might know that i'm a Brand Ambassador for Stonyfield Yogurt.  Well, today I'm a guest contributor over on the Stonyfield's The Yogurt Dish. Have you ever made cheese from yogurt?
Cheese and Stonyfield may not normally go hand in hand, but you’ll be surprised how easily their Greek yogurt can be transformed into a protein-packed, low fat cheesy delight. Pay a visit over to The Yogurt Dish and give the recipe a try.  I'd love to hear about any creative combinations you come up with.  The sky's the limit!.

Happy Mother's Day

Yes, it's Mother's Day. And if there's anything that getting older has taught me, it's that holidays are a time for reflection.  There is always something to be gained from looking inward. Nature vs nurture, it's always a topic in our household.  How much can we influence, how much does the the gene pool count, and what about the surrounding environment.  What is the recipe that is shaken and stirred to spill us out into the being that we have become. 

I always like to listen to what people have to say, and then extract my own conclusions.  It's a definite that my love of the shore, beach and ocean came from both my parents.  They have always loved being by the water and having us by their side. All of our vacations and down time was centered around the water, and that's something that has affected each one of my siblings and  my children as well.

The travel thing with me is however a bit more complicated, and at lot more intense. It's a subject that I have a real passion for, yet my sisters, not so much. When we were young, we were taken on many visits to get a taste of other cultures. The experiences might have been staged for the tourists in most instances, and we didn't necessarily stray particularly far, but each time we traveled we were busy taking advantage of the surrounding activity, not just lounging on the beach.

My Dad might have instilled in me the desire to search deeper, for the spot off the beaten path. But I can thank Mom for something much more influential when it comes to travel.  You see when she was barely out of college, she went to Japan where my Dad was stationed to get married. Women just didn't do that then.  All by herself, she traveled across the ocean, to a strange land, to follow her heart.  That was incredibly brave and I admire her so much for it.  Since that is where I was conceived, I'm sure my first international trip is responsible for my love of all things Asian, even if it was in the womb!

I've been lucky enough to have my parents visiting with me for the last few months, and that time can give you pause to look at a lot of different issues, especially when you are again transitioning in roles with the ebb and flow of life. Today I thought about that first trip I took, my Mom and I as one, and the circumstances surrounding it, thanking my Mother for giving me her sense of adventure.

Happy Mother's Day!

Berkshires Getaway-Pump, Pack and Pamper

The Berkshires is one of my favorite spots for a girlfriend getaway. So much so, that its the start of my Pack, Pump & Pamper series. A gas tank or less away from Boston: Pack your bag, Pump your car full of gas and Pamper yourself to recharge the batteries.

      Three hours west of Boston, the Berkshires welcome you with year round art, culture and outdoor adventure.  How wonderful is it when you have a friend who is always up for a getaway, and loves to spend her time the same way you do.  Pretty special right? I just happen to have the perfect partner in crime.

I really feel like North Adams is a hidden treasure.  Still a bit gritty, with an underlying feel that you are visiting an undiscovered gem.  Especially if you go in the off season.The veranda is waiting at The Porches.  This block of former textile workers housing has been transformed into a shabby chic hotel.  The award winning renovation of this eco-friendly spot offers free wifi, a pool and fireplace with cozy reading nooks as well as breakfast.  Vintage themes are combined with modern amenities to prove that granny chic is just modern enough in this former mill town.

North Adams has Mass MoCA to thank for the recent uptick in tourism. The sprawling 19th century mill complex offers some of the most cutting edge art around. Xu Bing is one of the most important Chinese contemporary artists working today. His Tobacco Project {above} is typical of the installations you will see. Made from half a million cigarettes arranged to mimic a tiger pelt, it makes a thought provoking statement on the global tobacco trade, luxury and colonialism.

Aside from the monumental statement of Xu Bing's two Phoenix sculptures, they are a marvel in up cycling genius. A powerful statement on the progress of modern China and the debris left behind as it moves into the future, the artist has translated this waste into an expression of the yin and yang that is found everywhere in the country's culture.

I was fascinated everywhere I looked to see what had been incorporated into the installation. Steel rebar, girders, bamboo that you see on construction sights all over China used as scaffolding, shovels, hard hats, gloves, canisters, tools and heads made of industrial jackhammers. Its hard to translate the effort it must have taken to plan and execute this work. The artistic vision and scientific calculations to create and then transport, by sea, in crates, the pieces for the 100 foot mythical birds... I was awestruck. For someone whose motto is reduce, reuse, and recycle, it was a highlight of the trip.

The complex also hosts a variety of musical events including dance, films and houses Lickety Split, a good pit stop for ice cream, coffee or a heathful lunch.

Town itself has many galleries, shops selling vintage items and plenty of restaurants. The street art pooping up around every corner reminds you that many artists are at work in the warehouses that make up much of the city.

A favorite spot for dinner is Gramercy Bistro. Walking distance from the porches, and in the MoCA complex, it is a spot committed to supporting local food producers and farmers and their menu reflects that.

Early the next morning take a beautiful walk on the Cascades Trail a short drive away.  This hidden hike, tucked in behind a residential area is minutes away from downtown and short enough to get in and still have plenty of the day left for exploring. There are plenty of additional activities and hikes listed on the web site.

Head into Williamstown after your hike for an art filled day.  The Sterling and Francine Clark Institute houses a remarkable collection of paintings, crafts, sculpture and drawings that reflect the eclectic and comprehensive taste of the couple. Make sure not to miss the Stone Hill Center located on a wooded hillside up from the Clark with beautiful views of the mountains.  There are also scenic trails if you want to hit the woods again and usually a special exhibit housed in the modern building. Plenty of spots for lunch in Williamstown, my favorite is Poppy's Deli with a lengthy list of vegetarian options. Nearby, the Williams College Museum of Art emphasizes modern and contemporay art from world cultures.  The thought provoking exhibits dig deep and ask questions that you would hope to find at a leading center of higher learning.

Now that you've fed your soul and pampered your brain, time for a taste of spa treatments. We had a good laugh when we discovered this vintage steamer in a shop, but it wasn't quite what we had in mind for rejuvenation.

Much better were the results at the In Touch Massage and Day Spa which began its life as a grist mill in 1762 and is perched on the banks of the Green River.  If you're there in the summer, make sure to book a massage outside and drift off to the sounds of the water pouring over the rocks in the river. It was a tad chilly for us , but are treatments were heavenly just the same.
On the short drive back to The Porches, we stopped at Wild Oats Cooperative, a purveyor of natural groceries, locally grown produce, prepared foods and beer and wine.  After so much art and walking, we decided a picnic dinner was in order and were able to take advantage of the special outdoor space The Porches had to offer.

On my return home, I got distracted {imagine}and ended up in Shelburne Falls.  It was a happy wrong turn, as I had always wanted to stop at The Bridge of Flowers when on route to one of my sons many lacrosse games.  Unfortunately, a teenage boy has very little interest in flowers, let alone a bridge of them, so it remained a pitstop in my mind's eye.What a delightful wrong turn.  Thousands of bulbs and plantings on a trolly bridge rescued by a visionary{ Antoinette Burnham} who saw it's potential. The town is a step back in time, a good place to stretch your legs and spots for lunch before you drive back to reality recharged and ready for what's ahead.

Stay:

The Porches

Do:

Mass Moca, The Cascades, The Clark, Williams College, In Touch Spa, The Bridge of Flowers, 

Eat:

The Gramercy Bistro, Poppy's Deli, Wild Oats Market

5 Reasons to Love My Weekend View No.31

When the flowers are bursting, my neck of the woods is a land of wonder. It was jaw dropping to see my weekend view and the trees in all their glory

• My view of a friend's milestone birthday was filled with pretty food + warm feelings + pretty people
• Enough said of my view of the luscious blooms
• The view at my community farm was of a season just beginning, I love their motto of a place to dig, learn + grow
• Just picked asparagus-can a view  be  delicious?
• Boston Public Garden has a beautiful view any time of year, but really sings in spring.

How was your view this weekend? I'd love to hear where you've been...

Tomato Polenta Cups and Just Picked Asparagus

Meatless Monday finds me with some just picked asparagus from our local community farm. They had an abundance of rhubarb as well. The tastes of spring are such a joy to cook after a long winter. I combined the asparagus with a simple tomato polenta cup and welcomed the season!

There's something about seeing that first asparagus push through the ground that seems so magical to me.

Ingredients:
4 cups water plus 3 Tablespoons tomato juice
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
4 plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 c chopped sun dried tomatoes
4 oz goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 garlic clove, minced
Fresh chives
Fresh asparagus
1 T. Best quality olive oil

Directions:
1. In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat; stir in thyme, pepper, tomatoes, basil and garlic.
2. Spray a muffin pan {including the top area}. Spoon heaping tablespoonfuls into muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each that will accommodate a slice of the goat cheese cut into a round disc and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
3. When they are beginning to set, but still a bit soft, place the 1/2 disc of goat cheese into the indentation. {you want the polenta cups to be hard enough to hold the cheese at the top of the cakes}. Cover again and chill until set.
4. Cut ends off of asparagus. Put on roasting pan and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper.
5. Unmold the polenta cups and bake at 350' with asparagus until heated through and the asparagus is done. Top cups with chives and serve with a slice of lemon.

Pay it Forward Friday and Pack For a Purpose

Pay it Forward Friday introduces the non profit organization Pack for a Purpose. Founded by husband and wife, Scott and Rebecca Rothney, the group is dedicated to helping travelers make an impact in the communities they visit. The Rothneys are avid travelers who saw a real need in the surrounding communities of the amazing sites they visited. Basic supplies for schools, under served children using blown up plastic bags for their schoolyard soccer games, clinics in need of stethoscopes. Sound like a scene on any of your travels? they wanted to help. Inspired, they created a vision: they could learn what communities specifically need and help travelers to that region meet those needs in a simple act-by telling them what to bring. And it doesn't take much. By simply leaving that extra pair of shoes at home and packing 4 deflated soccer balls or 400 pencils instead, you can make a big impact on the lives of children in the destinations you visit.

There is need everywhere in the world. It can sometimes be difficult, however, to identify specific needs in places far from home. Pack for a Purpose believes people fortunate enough to travel to other countries often wish they could make meaningful contributions to help meet the needs of the places they visit. Such contributions are one way of expressing appreciation for the experiences and hospitality they enjoyed in other lands.
The goal is to assist travelers who want to say thank you in this manner, or who simply want to expand their generosity beyond their own communities. The supply lists for destinations on their website are provided directly by the local community-based projects that will receive them, enabling travelers to make informed decisions and bring items which meet the needs of the people who will be using them.

I have packed clothing and medical supplies in my luggage on trips to India and Mexico, and never felt better about my travel then when we delivered those supplies to a needy organization and were met with such enthusiasm. Volunteer travel is surging in popularity, but it's not for everyone. This is a simple act that takes little effort and can have big impact no matter where your next adventure is taking you.

Images via Favin and 79 ideas.