Jolie Tea Company, Hamilton

The day we saw the coaches, we decided to explore downtown Hamilton. We ate at the Black Cow Restaurant and then we went to the tea shop next door.

Jolie Tea Company is a lovely shop located at 26 Bay Road in Hamilton. The exterior was inviting and when we entered the store we were given a free tea sample. As you can see, there were many varieties of tea to purchase.

I almost opted for the Autumn Cranberry but decided to stick with my fave, Earl Grey. I also bought a canister of Lavender Earl Grey for a friend.

The store was well merchandised, neat and clean, and very easy to navigate. Books in one area, tea canisters in another, etc.

I loved these tea towels but I wanted to buy a book so the tea towels will have to wait for another visit. Sweet, aren't they?

This is Kyra, the store manager. She was very professional and knowledgeable. She answered by many questions about the shop. The store has been open for three years. And I honestly don't know how this gem slipped by me.

There were some very pretty cups and teapots for purchase.  This display had a museum quality to it.

I could have purchased so many Christmas gifts at this shop. I know my friends would have loved it. Jolie Tea offers tea tastings and tea classes and I may sign up for one in the future.

Next time you visit Hamilton stop by Jolie Tea Company and say hi to Kyra and Liz. If you can't visit in person click here to visit their website.

The Historic Horse Drawn Coaches of Hamilton

A friend posted on Facebook that the coaches were coming to Hamilton. I thought it might be Coach Bellichik of the Patriots so I read on. I thought it would be great to hear him speak. It turned out it was about historic horse drawn coaches that were going to visit the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Even better!

I called my friend Debbi who has a love of horses and asked her to go with me. So I took a day off from work and we headed up to Hamilton.  After a quick Starbucks salted caramel mocha we headed to the Myopia Hunt Club.

I am guessing the little jaunt to Starbucks cost us some time as the coaches were nowhere to be found at the Hunt Club. I had looked online the day before and I knew the route the coaches were taking to Appleton Farms. We headed down Cutler Rd and lo and behold....

We got stuck behind the coaches and the police escort. Those flashing lights can be really annoying! Then it started to rain, hard. And the horses pooped on the road, a lot!  I thought wow what a fun day!

The coaches stopped at Appleton Farm and we were allowed to see the coaches and the horses and drivers. The drivers were friendly to us and were agreeable to photo opportunities.

At this point, I was in heaven. The setting was gorgeous. The foliage was fantastic. The horses were majestic and the coaches were spectacular. And then the downpour started.

This coachmen wanted to take a photo of me taking a photo of him. I had to constantly hide my camera beneath my coat because it was getting drenched. I can't believe the skies opened up almost the minute we got out of the car! Oh well, we would not be deterred. We were going to see each and every coach.

I especially liked the white horses. They had their raincoats on too. They took a rest while some of the drivers had a picnic.

The coaches were so regal. And shiny! You can tell they were lovingly cared for.

Everyone had their jobs. Some just stood with the horses as others were on the coaches. There was one accident. We saw an ambulance arrive and I wondered what was going on. We were told by a man who was there taking photos that one of the coachwomen had slipped on the wet step of the coach, fallen and got her foot caught in one of the coach's wheel's spokes. It was suspected she broke an ankle or leg. I hope it wasn't that serious.

As I said the setting was breathtaking. Old stone walls, dirt paths, beautiful foliage. Such photo opportunities! I think I was overstimulated.

Oh look! The Queen made a special appearance just for us. It's fun hanging out with the horsey set.

The ladies looked good even in their raincoats. I wish we could have taken a ride in the coach but we were just there to look.

With horses and coaches surrounding me, I felt as if I were back in time or perhaps even on a movie set.

Imagine how old the stone walls are. This part of the North Shore is so beautiful!

This woman agreed to pose with Ellie the horse. Funny I didn't catch her name but I remember the horse named Ellie.

My friend Debbi posed with Ellie. Debbi's mother is named Ellie so this horse was the most special to us.

You have to admit, this horse is really beautiful. All the horses were so gentle. We were allowed to touch them.

The picnic was actually a boxed lunch for the coachmen but a few of them had lunch under a tent.

This coachmen looked a little scary. He definitely could have been from another time.

Lunch on the go as it was almost time to leave. The horses had rested and everyone had eaten.

Still raining at this point and getting muddy. So glad I wore my suede shoes. They have since recovered.

These ponies are German and so adorable. What fabulous coats they have!

This border collie was safe from the rain in this old fashioned car.  Lucky dog!

We heard that the coaches would be crossing this little bridge on their way out so we staked out our spots.

The border collie was the first to arrive over the bridge. I was all set to get some awesome shots when a photographer came up to me to say I was going to be in all her shots. She said she was getting paid for this shoot and so I offered to move.

Since I moved from my spot, most of my shots ended up being too close. I like this one anyway.

The last coach left Appleton Farms, we were hungry and soaked. We had a lovely time at the coaching event and now it was time for lunch at the Black Cow.

Don't forget to come back for my next post about my trip to Concord, Massachusetts.

A Touch of Autumn

When it's time to decorate for Fall I always take out my old magazines and look through them for inspiration.

It's fun to shop your own house for decorations. Or maybe even the backyard. I was planning to go with a neutral palate. Perhaps I have read one too many Jeanne D'Arc magazines lately.

I brought out the velvet pumpkins and the Fall wreath.  It looked boring. So I added a strand of battery operated twinkle lights I had tucked away for Christmas and voila just the right amount of bling it needed!

I picked up this little Fall wreath and decided to put it around a flameless candle. The brown transferware gravy boat finished the vignette.

 I looked to see what Fall touches I might add to this corner of my kitchen. I decided it did not need anything more. It has a lot going on already . It's good to know when to say when.

Percy for once was staying out of my way as I put a few decorations in place.

But then of course, he had to photobomb my shot. I knew he wanted his coffee. Yes, he is a caffeine addict. He gets high on the smell of coffee. He has tried numerous times to snag a sip of coffee. Luckily he has not and never will succeed. He's wired enough!

I had a great weekend. I decorated, spent time with the kitties, did a daytrip to Hamilton and another one to Concord. I'll post about all my adventures throughout the week so don't forget to check in often.

The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

The best and the brightest students in the world attend MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Cambridge. It is a very prestigious college.

On Saturday, I attended the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch fundraiser at MIT.  Before I reached the Kresge Oval where the event was held I saw this sign. This may be Not Art but across the street there was art a plenty!

This year's event was the biggest ever. The students in the glass blowing class had created 2000+ pumpkins at the MIT Glass Labs. 5-7 students created each pumpkin.

The day could not have been more perfect as the afternoon was warm and dry. I viewed each of the small pumpkin patches. Pumpkins varied in size and color and in price. Most were under $200 and some were under $100. I did see one for $1000. These women told me they already had two pumpkins in the car and they came back for more!

What a one of a kind gift this would make. I really liked this one but it was over my budget.

And this one was going home with this young man. I heard his mom say she really liked it but it was a little expensive. He said, "Well, you do have a birthday coming up". What a sweet son!

We were told not to pick the pumpkins up by their stems because they could break but this one looked pretty sturdy.

This woman liked them all. I think she was having a hard time deciding. Some people were buying more than one. Early Christmas shopping perhaps?

I think this woman was making her final choice with a little help from her friends and family.

            It certainly was a beautiful day for looking at pumpkins and fundraising. I hope the students made lots of  money!