Say Yes to New England

The Snow is Finally Here...

2012-01-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Finally there is snow...not just snow but great snow. Ski conditions last weekend were incredible. I actually got to ski solo with my kids on Monday...they are incredible skiers....so I just follow them. Of course I am much slower then them and I kept thinking they would ditch me. But I always found them waiting.

People are complaining about winter but I love it...it gives me a chance to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. It is great for my kids as they too are outside and away from all video games and technology.

Not to mention the great conversation we have in the long car ride back and forth to Maine.

If you don't ski then try snowmobiling, cross country skiing even snow shoeing and tubing.

Enjoy!

We love winter....and Mt. Abram!

2011-12-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

As I look at my window...I am hoping "please snow"!! I know most people want warmth and sun. My family and I just can't wait for snow. Because snow means skiing.

I rediscovered skiing when about 8 years ago when my friend Lauren bragged about skiing and this place called Mt. Abram in Greenwood, Maine. Well --after one weekend trip, we were hooked and my family became weekend ski warriors for the next 8 years.

I was never a good skier but now I love it. (still not a great skier but who cares). It gives me and my family a chance to be outdoors all winter long. We even kind of enjoy the long car ride because we know the prize at the end of the trip. Not to mention our beloved mountain. Mt. Abram and their lodge "Loose Boots" have been our home away from home each winter. Mt. Abram may not be the largest mountain but it is the most fun. The people that work and ski there are very special and it feels like being back in college again. Mt. Abram is perfect for young families as it gives you a chance to do something great with your family.

When you become a parent you sometimes lose your sense of your old fun loving spirit. As your kids get older--you become not just a caretake but a driver---as you are now driving your kids from one program to another, always sitting on the sidelines --just watching but not participating.

When you ski--even a grown up gets to have fun. And you can leave all your day to day stress at home. Your kids are well taken care of by the incredible Mt. Abram instructors and staff and you get to ski and then even enjoy apre skiing at Loose Boots.

Mt. Abram is always helping us parents enjoy all things social. Always good music, very fun bar (at all times of the day), great pizzas and food and my new favorite-- are the moonlight hikes.

We have grown with the mountain and so have the many families that come back year after year. It is our version of "Cheers" where everyone knows your name and each year you just resume your winter life and fun.

8 years later my boys look forward to ski season as much as or more than summer and Christmas. They are now ski and snowboard instructors ready to take on the tiny tots and patrol the Saturday night kid's movie night.

I invite you to come and enjoy our winter magic at Mt. Abram.

Have a perfect Holiday and very happy New Year!

The Twelfth Day of Christmas--Gift Giving for the Bird Lover

2011-12-16T12:06:00.000-08:00

Teacup bird feeder

Purchase a teacup and saucer set.

(we got ours at a thrift shop for $2)

Use clear caulking (tube) from the hardware store

to "glue" cup to saucer.

Let dry for 24 hours, fill with birdseed.

Place in a clear cello bag and tie with festive ribbon.

Enjoy!!

The Eleventh Day of Christmas-Handmade Gift Wrap

2011-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Handmade Gift Wrap

Ever make your own wrapping paper???

Its so easy...use shipping white paper or brown kraft paper.

Stencil in any motif (snowflake is fun).

Let dry...Wrap

Enjoy!!

The Tenth Day of Christmas--Sea Inspired Wreaths

2011-12-14T07:08:00.000-08:00

Rustic Seaside Wreath

Decorate any green wreath,

Real or artificial wire on 5- 5 white finger starfish

Cut one inch x 24 inch piece of natural burlap, tie into a bow

and leave long tails- use red permanent marker to write, Merry Christmas on on side,

and your families name on the other,example:

The Smith Family

I drew stars on the bow, tie to wreath and accent with pinecones and silver ribbon

ENJOY!!

The Ninth Day of Christmas--Starfish Ornament

2011-12-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Modern Starfish Ornament

Use a 5"-7" white finger starfish

Paint any color with water based paint

Let dry and spray with clear coat to seal.

Hot glu large rhinestone in center.

Cut 12" ribbon and glue onto back, or I drilled a small hole.

ENJOY!!

The Eighth Day of Christmas-Recycled Gift Card Ideas

2011-12-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what you can do with all

those Christmas cards you get each year?

Cut out your favorite part of the card,

make a hole with a hole punch,

and tie with a recycled ribbon from years past...

Enjoy!!

The Seventh Day of Christmas--Cookies Anyone?

2011-12-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Santa Cookie Plate

Use a clear glass plate 10"- We got ours at IKEA

Clean plate and use alcohol to make sure there is no residue.

On the back side...Use number and letter 3" stencils

Sharpie, oil-based pens work best-

Make sure words are backwards to they show

forward when you flip the plate over.

Outline the edge of plate with the same color.

Let dry--handwash only

ENJOY!!

The Sixth Day of Christmas-Sea Inspired Wreath

2011-12-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

Seaside Rustic Wreath

Take a 9" grapevine wreath, spray white

Hot glue pinecones ( cedar rose ) to the wreath

Cut a 1 1/2" x 18" piece of natural burlap

Tie in a bow and accent with a white starfish.

ENJOY!!

The Fifth Day of Christmas-Great Holiday Card Idea

2011-12-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas Fish

Make your own cards....

We used a stencil on a blank white card...

We used two shades of green and white with a sponge brush..

Cut out a santa hat from red paper, glue onto card..

Stamp your favorite holiday saying inside.....

ENJOY!!

The Fourth Day of Christmas-Holiday Candles

2011-12-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Burlap Votive

Take a clear glass votive holder. Ours is 3"x3".

Wrap in natural burlap using hot glue to secure.

Trim top with any ribbon.

Use a red sharpie pen and write a holiday word,

monogram, or design.

Fill half way with sand, and set tealight candle in sand.

Another use, fill with candy canes,

fresh pine or holy branches.

ENJOY!!

The Third Day of Christmas...Another Easy Decorating Tip

2011-12-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

Vintage Starfish Ornament

Use a 5-7"' white finger starfish, spray with glitter

Glue or drill a small hole to use a narrow silver ribbon to hang

Accented with a Vintage Style sticker from the craft store

Hang on your christmas tree or hang it on a lamp shade

ENJOY!!

The Second Day of Christmas-Check this Out

2011-12-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

Rustic Seaside Garland

Take a 48" piece of natural jute, hot glue pinecone( from my back yard) about 4"-5" apart..let dry.

Glue a small white finger starfish on the top of each pinecone. Tie a loop on both end so you can hang it up. Enjoy!!

The First Day of Christmas --Check this Out

2011-12-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

Create a little candle light on your table...

Beach Cottage Style.

Use any large shell--We used a scallop baking dish.

Spray Silver and Let Dry.

Fill with Sand, and then put a tealight into the Stand and Accent with any Shells or Seaglass.

Enjoy!!

The 12 Days of Christmas- Beach Cottage Style

2011-12-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Monday, Tomorrow, December 5th

We will share with you our 12 Days of Christmas--

One for each Day

Each day will have a new post of

Entertainment, Decorating, Gift Wrapping,

and Gift Giving Tips--

All inspired by the Seashore.

Create A Coastal Holiday!

Holiday Entertaining....Think Outside the Box

2011-12-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Think outside the box when you are entertaining. The wreath ornament can have double duty.. Use as a placecard/napkin ring at you holiday dinner party, attach a 6"x1" piece of paper, fold in half and write your guests name on it- then let your guest take home as a favor.

Cape Cod-Life as it used to be and should be

2011-12-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

Cape Cod is the way life used to be, should be, and in many regards still is, Once you get here, you feel like you took a step back in time. We have a Cape Cod commission that has worked really hard to keep our towns, small town-like. Each town has a main street, library, local events, bike trails, road races, music festivals, and the beaches are voted some of the best in the world. It is not high-tech, but it is a simpler life. When you come here you really feel like you are on vacation.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is a must see while vacationing here. In 1961, President Kennedy signed the legislation that makes this what it is today. It is a 40-mile stretch of unspoiled sandy beach in Outer Cape Cod, with 559.6 miles of beautiful and also unspoiled coastline.

There are hundreds of light-houses, which some people like driving from light-house to light-house. We are famous for our seafood, in fact some people get their clamming license for the weekend. We just have cute quaint villages with that typical New England architecture. Most all the houses are that salt box cape style with natural shingles having pretty yards with beautiful landscaping.

Ice Cream! Cape Cod is super popular for Ice Cream. All of it is homemade, and there is competition between the ice cream venues. There have been many traveling road-shows coming to Cape Cod to sample that ice cream. On any given night you can see the lines of people waiting to get ice cream.

For the baseball enthusiast, Cape Cod has the best summer league for current college baseball players all across the country. It offers a great family outing while staying on the Cape during your vacation. This is part of our lifestyle. Every little town has a baseball team. All the talent scouts from all the major league teams come to watch these players in the summer. It doesn't cost anything to go to the games, you can donate a dollar or two or more if you want. It is old-fashioned fields with old fashioned bleachers. The kids can meet the players on the field before the game starts.

Every town in the summer has their own music festivals, art shows, craft fairs, antique shows, and so many things for kids. The Cape is also a great vacation get-away for those that like to run.

The Cape is also famous for road races.Every weekend starting in the spring, all the way through the fall, you can find a race to participate in. They can be as small as 5k or up to half marathon. We have runners that book their vacations around these races.

Come on Say yes to the Cape!!