A' Brunching We Shall Go!

Okay, if I was serious about this post, I would have shared it back in October, when you could still make holiday brunch reservations at my favorite places for Sunday celebrating.  But at least I get to savor the memory of each one.

The closest - The Waterwheel, off Doylestown's beaten track - is the oldest structure (the milll was constructed by 1722, but wasn't transformed into an inn until the 1930s.  But it LOOKS wondrously old.  And never more charming than at Christmastime!  It's famous brunch draws people from way past Bucks County's borders.  Looks splendid, everything tastes wonderful!  Best to make early reservations (go to an early church service);  sort of slows down near the end.  Cap off your festivities with a ramble around beautiful Bucks County!  

From heart of the country to downtown Wilmington...  THE brunch destination of Lockharts is The DuPont Hotel.  Although it hasn't been served as a buffet for many a decade (I think desserts are still laid out for you to pick & choose), the menu still delights & the setting is a stunner.  Expensive & worth every penny!  Cap off your festivities with a ramble around Wyeth Country.

Where The DuPont's Green Room is a stunner each & every time I see it, The Jefferson of Richmond will totally blow your socks off.  Seriously.  The hotel's Rotunda Lobby is transformed into a spectacular dining space.  It's a knock-out at any time of year, but at Christmas it will leave you slack-jawed in amazement.  

Sweet serendipity!  it not only was designed by the same firm that designed Cairnwood - Carrere & Hasting - it opened in 1895, the same year Cairnwood was completed.  The firm made elegant sense of the eclectic combination of styles popular at the turn of the 19th century.  Today, it’s considered one of the finest examples of Beaux Arts style in existence. It continues to serve the use for which it was designed – still welcoming devoted Richmond citizens & their guests.  

Full Disclosure:  The Jefferson is, hands down, my favorite hotel in the world !!  

Can never decide what blows me away more - the architecture, the brunch or the service.  Would happily spend years trying to decide their order. 

“The Jefferson’s Sunday ChampagneBrunch is a Richmond tradition, “ is no idle boast.  It absolutely is!!  Their chefs really & truly lovingly craft menus that feature the best in Virginia’s seasonal fare, which delights & tantalizes (the Christmas offerings are quite different at Easter).  I can’t describe how it feels to walk down the grand staircase (rumored to have inspired the design of the staircase Clark Gable’s Rhett carries up Vivien Leigh’s Scarlett) to the magnificent buffet spread.  You’ll wish you could clone yourself, seeing all the different offerings!  As much as I have enjoyed sitting amongst the marble columns, my favorite time was a summertime brunch, where a generous sampling of my family sat at a large table at a balcony overlooking the incredible scene below.  They are not kidding when they say, “Brunch at The Jefferson is a culinary dream, reminiscent of a bygone era of grand buffets and lavish feasts – music by a trio, beautiful ice carvings, and genuine, friendly service make this an event to remember.”  I could echo that…  No, I could shout that from the rooftops!  It is not total lunacy to drive down on a Saturday & back after Brunch – staying at The Jefferson, of course. (Or maybe meander eastward to Williamsburg, with perhaps a stay at The Williamsburg Inn or one of the many colonial houses available as lodgings.)   sigh......  It's wonderful to have such glorious memories of such an unforgettable place, but I long to have enough spare cash to head down again for a joyous reacquaintance!!

Stunning LAHASKA

Oh my gosh - the illuminated trees at Lahaska's Peddler's Village are even more GORGEOUS than ever before!! It is SO worth the drive at night, just to see them.  Pile the kids in the car, plan a date night for two, or just head up by your lonesome, but GO, before Christmas or the week after.

Our annual Christmas jaunt always includes stops at Pine Wreath & Candle, The Mole Hole, The Paper Chase, Journey's Spirited Gifts (all near each other), Town Crier Bakery, Truffles, Canterbury Tales, and Cookery Ware Shop. Whether you're stocking up on presents or simply browsing with dreams of Christmases to come, they are loads of fun.

Much as we are tempted to head across the road to even MORE great shops (caveat - -  Giggleberry Fair IS a must-do if you have kids for its amazing carousel & so much more), it sort of breaks the magic spun by being surrounded by the millions of little bitty lights covering all those great big trees.  Enchantment!

Dining options include Peddler's Pub (not to my liking - feels closed in), Hart's Tavern (casual, tasty) or the Cock n' Bull (colonial theme, more formal, $$, but charming).

Beyond well worth the gas!!

New Hope

Ah, New Hope.  In the 1920s & '30s, the country get-away for Broadway luminaries; in the 1960s & ;'70s, Pennsylvania's version of hippie dom.  

Today, yesteryear's hippies are in their 60s & 70s, some way more Tea Party than flower power.  But New Hope remains a magnet for artists & creatives of every sort, plus theatrical types, drawn by the newly restored & reopened Bucks County Playhouse, currently putting on the very well received It's A Wonderful Life, A Radio Play.  

The town is a far cry from the hip counter-establishment art colony of the last century, with a Dunkin' Donuts & a Starbucks anchoring the intersection of River Road & Bridge Street.  The way cool '60s shop with peace signs & tie dye that was just before the bridge closed a couple years ago - rumor is the couple that ran it retired to Florida - and my beloved Strawberry Jam closed last year when its owners retired.  

But New Hope endures, its charms still drawing folks from far & near.

Parking can be a pain & the meter maid is ever vigilant, so be sure to arrive with plenty of quarters. And double check how long you need to be feeding your meter.  Just because it's 6:00 p.m. doesn't always mean the meters retired for the night.

Luckily, the price of parking during the run up to Christmas is moot - parking is free (hence the red-hooded meters.)  There are great shops all over New Hope, but I'll limit myself to a favorite few.

And the town is still a shopping mecca for folks near & far.  

My meanderings would start at the New Hope outpost of A Mano gallery.  Oh, I long to have a lot of time & a massive bank account whenever I am in A Mano, whether in New Hope or across the river, in Lambertville.  I am totally loony about Sticks furniture & home accessories - some day!  It would take hours to explain why I love A Mano - just check out their website.  

Head north on the River Road, crossing the bridge, passing Bucks County Playhouse (which looks remarkably like it did in its previous golden age).  There, on your right, is the most beloved shop in all of New Hope - Farley's Books.  Countless people weep that Strawberry Jam is now longer right next door, but that doesn't lessen the joy they feel opening the door to Farley's. Keep an eye out for Butter, the bookshop's resident cat (Butter's book suggestions are always worth your consideration).   One of the infinite ways that Farley’s stands out is its partnership with several small, independent presses.  Ponder just a few of the names:  Black Widow Press, Raw Dog Screaming, and Winter Tribe Books.  Tantalizing!  (But then, everything about Farley’s is.)  

Head up the road a few stores, to  Heart of the Home/Hearts Afire.  So many beautiful things for the home, so little time!

Further up the road a piece is C'est La Vie, a  tres magnifique French patisserie.  But there's a reason it's one of New Hope's best kept secrets - the fabulous place is practically impossible to find!!  Keep your eyes peeled for the sign - it's located off the main road.  But so worth the effort!

Restored with a bracing cup of coffee & butter-laden pastries, take a brisk walk north, crossing Bridge Street, going past the bank parking lot, going past The Landing & Mother's.  Cross the street to Topeo, a gallery featuring stunning glass art.  Adore this place.  The glass work in incredible.  Could design an entire house around one of their pieces.

There are several choices for meals in New Hope.  If I was visiting New Hope & wanted a good breakfast, I'd head to C'est La Vie or head across the bridge to Lambertville, NJ's Bucks Ice Cream & Espresso Bar for a neighborly breakfast & Barbara's exceptional coffee - a home away from home.  (Heads up - parking meters start humming at 10:00 a.m. in New Hope, but at 9:00 a.m. in her sister city across the river.)  Lunch or dinner, I'd head to The Landing.  Consistently good food & a nice view of the water, even in cold weather.  (It's pleasant terrace is open in pleasant weather.)  

That's enough to get you started.  New Hope is perfect for browsing, check out this place or that. Head west on Bridge Street a couple blocks & you'll find Union Square, very much new kid on the block but already massively popular.  Triumph Brewing Company is a popular spot to meet & greet & eat & check out their brews.  I heard mixed reviews of Sprig & Vine's vegetarian fare -  sort of like the little girl with the little curl in that when it is good it is very very good & when it is bad it is horrid.  It's strange that Union Square's website includes Fred's Breakfast as a place to dine, as it's technically "for members only" (complete with key);  I suspect they listed it because they want people to check out the hilarious RULES.

My John would be horrified if I omitted the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.  Its train station is right next to Union Square.  So, Keet, I’ll close with this - -  Relax as you travel through the rolling hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and experience first hand the sights, sounds and romance of the Golden Era of Steam Railroading.  

Climb aboard the New Hope & Ivyland passenger train and travel into a scene from the past. Relax and leave your cares behind as you journey into history, learning what rail travel was like for your parents, grand parents and great-grand parents. Behold the continuously changing view as the train traverses through the rolling hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Enjoy our restored 1920s vintage passenger coaches, antique bar car, the authentic steam locomotive or one of our historic diesel locomotives. The train will take you along the same historic route that was filmed in the 1914 movie series Perils of Pauline. 

At this special time of year, you can Ride the rails with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a host of holiday revelers for a truly unique holiday experience the whole family is sure to enjoy! Children and adults of all ages are invited to ride the special holiday train, sip hot cocoa and enjoy cookies while Santa visits with each child and presents them with a special gift. Also on board, local musicians play & sing Christmas carols for all to enjoy and participate in. Children are encouraged to come dressed in the pajama's as well 

Doylestown

A week to Christmas!  The closer it gets, the closer to home I like to stay with my shopping.  Doylestown keeps me close while providing a post card-perfect setting for some great browsing & buying.

There are so many wonderful little shops & cozy stores to choose from, way more than I can share.  Will keep my comments to the places I love the most.

First off, take quarters for parking.  This town is not the greatest when it comes to parking.  If you can't find anything, there's a parking lot way down past the Court House, on Broad Street.  Have parked there once or twice - all I can say is it was worth the walk,even though ALL of my fav shops are many blocks away.

Ideally, I'd bag a parking spot on Oakland Street (first main + intersection in D-town central;  one-way to your right).  Ideally, right outside Raymer's Candies.  

Raymer's Homemade Candies is dear to our heart for more than their caramel-covered marshmallows (a must-get in Murphart stockings), luscious chocolate hand-dipped on site & terrific cards.  For several years, Mark & Sue invited John to be their "in-residence" artist on First Fridays.  It was wonderful exposure for John & we always enjoyed their warm hospitality.  It made a difference, hearing all those wonderful comments about his artwork.  As for their chocolates - it's practically impossible to find such top-quality chocolates these days, and finding a place that actually makes them on site...  Incredible!  I swoon over their chocolate-covered orange peel, any of their luscious truffles, and both of us love their caramels.  So worth a visit, especially with kids  - the kitchen area is walled off with glass, so you can watch Mark making his delectables.

Turn left outside Raymer's, walk down to Pine, then up to State Street - turn left.  Voila!  You're at Busy Bee Toys!  Oh, calm my beating heart.  This is NOT a shop to take a doting grandma or grandpa, if you want to leave in under an hour.  Their website says it best ~ Bucks County's Busy Bee Toys is a European-inspired toy store, right in the heart of the Doylestown borough, specializing in Europe- and U.S-made toys with a focus on wooden, battery-free, hand-made, organic and natural playthings.  We are so much more than a toy store.  Come pay Busy Bee Toys a visit and explore a world of discovery, fun, learning, and special kid events - - through the eyes of a child.   Did I mention Busy Bee is home to Cyd Noble's exquisite Waldorf-style dolls?  That alone is worth a long linger.  

Turn left outside Busy Bee.  Shield your eyes from all the shops that will beckon you in.  Steer a clear course for Poor Richard's (there are two Poor Richard's in D-town, but this is the real deal, the original).  Hmmmm...  How to describe Poor Richard's?  It's a large gift shop with a lot of unusual & interesting items to entice.  First place I ever saw Jim Shore's work (still wish we'd bought his bird bath atop a three kitty pedestal).  Every Christmas, John or I or both are shore...  oops, I mean sure to receive a gift from Poor Richard's.  

Heading out from Poor Richard's, turn - you guessed it - LEFT.  Take a moment outside the County Theater to pay homage to a wonderful spot for art house movies, indies & AAA-list new releases.  Turn LEFT into Bucks County Dry Goods. According to no less a source than Fodor's, Bucks County Dry Goods has got the goods—a varied assortment or jewelry, mid-century furniture, house wares, design books, gifts, and hip clothing.

Out the door & turn (sigh...) LEFT.  Cross Main Street and turn...  left, into The Paper Unicorn.  The Paper Unicorn is the Tiffany's of gift stores.  I totally adore it.  It's small, but elegantly packed with treasures, plus the BEST single card selection around.  THE place to come for ultra chic or whimsical napkins & paper goods for that over-the-top elegant party.  Of course, they have an exceptional selection of invitations - ones you can customize on computer or special orders.  The Paper Unicorn defines the word swanky!  It has a large stock of Byer's Choice, Godiva Chocolates, and Crabtree & Evelyn.  The place to go if you're looking for that  "WHERE did you find it?" baby shower gift.  And could do all my stocking stuffer buying in just this one spot.  This place is for me as Busy Bee is to my grandparent friends - you practically have to pry me out.  Not so John, who knows to simply bend over to my ear & whisper two words - Doylestown Bookshop.

Works every time!  Carefully exit The Paper Unicorn (step combo can be a bit tricky), turn RIGHT!!, then RIGHT again.  Walk down a short bit to our dearly beloved independent book emporium - The Doylestown Bookshop (cultivate community, buy indie).  Did YOU know that April 23, 2013 is World Book Night?  You'd know that (and the fact that 04/23/13 is William Shakespeare's b-day) if you were a Doylestown Bookshop regular. Before John & I enter, we agree to how long we'll stay - and we usually only go over that by a mere hour.  Small but savvy selection of books, great cards, unusual calendars, children's toys, and our favorite magazine rack.  All this, plus knowledgeable staff who let me bring in coffee from Zen Den to sip in their small eating area.  About ten chairs - some downright comfy - dot the store, welcoming a long linger over a good book.  We love  you, Doylestown Bookshop!!

Out the door, turn right, walk a short ways down to the light, then back across Main & down Oakland. Think we're going to the car?  So WRONG!  Turn left directly after Raymer's & head up across the tiny parking lot to The Zen Den.  The Zen Den totally earns it's name.  Food is excellent, vibe is mellow, setting is comfy cozy, staff feel like they're your favorite cousins.  This place puts caring into their concept of community ~ ~  military personnel (with i.d.) get FREE coffee or tea; police, firefighters & EMTs get FREE coffee or tea beverages when they're on-duty - if they're off duty, they get a 50% discount;  D-town Hospital employees (with i.d.) get 20% off their entire order; and local D-town merchants get a 20% discount.  The Zen Den is THE best place to rest & restore before heading home.  (With one last stop at Herb's Hobby, if John is with me.)

There is so much more in Doylestown.  Will do a couple bloggy rambles in January to keep up spirits.  Which will mean I'll have to take at least one drive up to confirm winter hours.  Anyone want to ride shotgun?

Winterthur & Longwood Gardens

A perfect holiday pairing - Winterthur (at the far northern edge of Wilmington, DE) and Longwood Gardens (over the state line but not far away, in Kennett Square, PA).  

Winterthur (winter-tour)

Yuletide at Winterthur steps guests back through time, to American Christmases past.   Considered the premier museum of American decorative arts, Winterthur's Christmas displays reflect early American traditions, as well as some of the du Pont family's.   The exhibition Uncorked! Wine, Objects &Tradition takes a look at the evolution of the holiday meal, from the colonial period to the early national period.  

Winterthur was designed in the early 20th century by H. F. du Pont and his father, Henry Algernon du Pont, who looked to the spirit of 18th- and 19th-century European country houses for inspiration. The younger du Pont added to the home many times thereafter, increasing its number of rooms by nearly sixfold. After he established the main building as a public museum in 1951, he moved to a smaller building on the estate.

My guess is that Mr. du Pont would have been delighted that Winterthur has a delightful online presence.  I confess to being hooked on it's garden blog - it's spare narrative & generous number of photos leaves me feeling like I've just nipped down for a short visit.  And its online shopping site is treacherously beguiling!

Teeny bit of trivia:  a contemporary of Raymond Pitcairn, Henry Francis du Pont was born five years before R.P. & died three years after.  

Winterthur is a great place to visit in the late morning or early afternoon.  Once you can pull yourself away from its gracious allurements, get back in the car & head up the road a piece to.... 

Longwood Gardens

Longwood has a far longer history than it's cousin, Winterthur.  

History:   Although many generations helped create Longwood Gardens, it was Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) who made it what it is today.  Industrialist, conservationist, farmer, designer, impresario and philanthropist, Pierre du Pont was the great-grandson of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), who arrived from France in 1800 and made a family fortune that continues to this day.  But it was his great-grandson who turned the family business from a gunpowder works into a corporate empire specializing in biotechnology.  Looking around at Longwood, you can see where a lot of his fortune was invested.  

The original inhabitants - the native Lenni Lenape tribe who hunted, fished, and farmed the productive wilderness - gave way in 1700 to a Quaker family who purchased the property from William Penn.  They first established a farm, then in the late 1700s started an arboretum.   

By 1850, the site was known as one of the finest collections of trees in the nation, and one of the first public parks, and its aesthetic qualities were as important as its botanical significance.

In 1906, Pierre du Pont purchased the farm with the intent of preserving the trees and building on its foundation as a public garden.  From then through the 1930s, he created most of what is enjoyed today. 

Today ~ forgive me for digressing into its history, but Longwood Gardens has such a rich, beguiling history, its hard to just stay focused on the here & now.  Be grateful I didn't prattle on, as I could have, about its background!

Onto today!  

Exquisite flowers, majestic trees, dazzling fountains, extravagant conservatory, starlit theatre, thunderous organ—all describe the magic of Longwood Gardens, a horticultural showstopper where the gardening arts are encased in classic forms and enhanced by modern technology.  The BEST time to visit over the holidays is from mid-afternoon through the evening, when it is filled with Christmas spectacle.   

There are sure to be stars in your eyes as you wander through half a million twinkling lights, thousands of poinsettias, and magnificent Christmas trees. Beautifully lit fountains dance in a starry holiday wonderland.

Longwood Gardens covers many acres. Walking or using a wheelchair orelectric scooter (see below) are the primary ways in which to experience it. There are no shuttles within the Gardens.

It takes about 1½ hours to walk the entire 20-room Conservatory, which covers ½ mile. To walk the 20 outdoor gardens (2¼-3¼ miles) takes two to three hours. The Heritage Exhibit in the Peirce-du Pont House takes ½ to one hour.

On crowded days there may be a farther walk from the parking lot to the Visitor Center. Our double traffic lane in front of the Visitor Center allows you to drop off passengers at the main entrance before parking. 

Tickets are issued for a specific date and time and tickets are available for advance purchase now. There is no admittance to the Gardens without a timed admission ticket if you are not a Member. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly!

Alice du Pont was famous for her parties & there was no time she loved to indulge her passion than at Christmas.  Childless, the du Ponts started a  tradition of hosting extravagant holiday parties for employees and their families, including spectacular Christmas trees, music, as well as presents.  That tradition continues today at Longwood in the guise of concerts & other special events.

Garden Railroad

Of course, I'm going to give the Garden Railroad top billing!  This is the 12th year the G-scale model trains, set in a whimsical display, is delighting kids of all ages, custom trains traveling in and out of bridges, tunnels, and (of course) special water features.  The Garden Railroad operates during regular Gardens hours, weather permitting, through January 6, 2013.

Organ Sing-Alongs & Concerts

You can bet that Alice would be pleased at the Organ Sing-Alongs & Concerts that play such a special role in Longwood Gardens' Christmas celebrations.  They take place in the Ballroom, through January 6, 2013.  Performances are free with Gardens admission BUT limited seating is 1st come, 1st served.  

Choir Concerts 

Listen as local choirs share the sounds of the season during select evening performances,  most Mondays-Thursdays these choirs give 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm performances.  The Ballroom performances are free with Gardens admission BUT limited seating is 1st come, 1st served.   

New Year's Eve

If Alice du Pont was 1/5 the party lover they say she was, my bet is she would have loved the New Year's celebration at Longwood, December 31 from 2:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.!  Longwood Gardens will set up your farewell to the old year with a bouquet of musical treats & the gardens will be open until 10:00 p.m.

Tips

Every good host wants to ensure guests have the best possible time with least stress possible, so Longwood Gardens has put together a helpful list of tips for guests planning a Christmastime visit.   

fred haas on the wanamaker organ 12/14/12

interesting flip!  posting on my blog a share on my fb page - usually do the opposite...

introducing two grannie clients to the LOCKHART ladies version of urban exploring. going into center city on friday for perhaps the most special concert of my life. training it from jenkintown station. after the long stroll through market street 

east, will rest & revive in the lobby of center city's marriott. restored, we'll head thru the marriott to reading terminal market. as john checks out the holiday model railroad, the olders & i will scope out best places for an early supper. well fed, return to market street via the marriott. cross market to loews hotel to rate comfort of lobby seating - ahhhh. onto macy's (nee john wanamaker's) for a bit of browsing before the 10-minute light show spectacular, followed by fred haas' 35-minute concert on the world famous wanamaker organ (the kimmel center houses the fred j. haas memorial organ).  ~  

then we head home!  ~ 

Tip of the Santa hat to HATBORO!

A tip of the Santa hat to HATBORO!

Hatboro is so close by, it’s easy to overlook.  Sure, it was the site of the Battle of Crooked Billet (alas, a British victory).  It’s got the wonderful Holiday Parade held the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  And boasts Daddypops, a diner whose breakfast scrapple won it national acclaim on Guy Fieri's  Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. 

It’s all that & way more!

Have kids? Head this Saturday to Hatboro's New Galaxy Diner  for Brunch with Santa, Saturday, Dec 15 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  In all my years as a diner afficiando, NEVER EVER have I come across a place with a more "Hail, fellow, well met!" staff. They're unbelievably generous with & shower oodles of attention on two of my grannie clients, who bask in their attention. Food's yummy too, with truly special Senior Specials that my grannie clients love. (We used to alternate restaurants; now, I’d get disappointed looks if I headed anywhere except New Galaxy.) HIGHLY recommend checking it out, especially this Saturday afternoon for the Brunch with Santa. For extra fab service, tell 'em, "We're friends of Marg's." 

Heading out of New Galaxy, turn right down York Road (Rt 263), to Moreland, then cross over.  Perhaps no store in Hatboro offers the step back in time that the Philadelphia AthleticsHistorical Society does, dedicated to honoring the exciting history of the Philadelphia A’s, baseball legends & Hall of Famers like “The Tall Tactician”, “The Beast”, and one of the most colorful people ever to play the game of baseball–”Rube” Waddell. These people are serious about honoring the A’s and preserving the memory of their important place in baseball history.    The Society’s Gift Shoppe includes unique collectibles, from figurines to autographed memorabilia to caps et al sporting the Society’s logo.

Thought that was testosterone heaven?  HA!  Get into some hardcore fix-it guy (ok, and gal) stuff at Village Hardware.  Do you have any idea how rare it is to find a genuinely independent hardware store these days?  And you’ve GOT to love a hardware store owned by someone named Al Wipplinger!!  Here we go again  – it’s small, seems out of another time PLUS it's  packed with wonderfully useful things, with a hobby corner to boot!  Perfect place to come if you have a fix-it guy or gal on your list.

If you have someone who can’t bear to stop talking to Al about getting your screens or lamps repaired or swooning over his sharpening services, remember that Lochel’s is just down the street, beckoning with their to-swoon-for cakes & pastries.  NO ONE in the area does wedding cakes & special occasion cakes as creatively as Lochel’s!!  Get your wedding cake there & they decorate a specially-sized, specially-decorated cake as a gift for your 1^st anniversary.  What’s not to love??  Right now, their bakery specialties include pumpkin cheesecake, butter cookies, florentine’s, rum balls, springerlees, holiday cookies, their pastries are my downfall (john’s is their brownies),   Check out their special occasion Christmas cakes.  Hard to find a family-run, over-the-top FABULOUS bakery like Lochel’s. 

Now that you’ve been refortified, head down a couple doors – past Gamburg’s Furniture (a rare independent furniture store, beautiful pieces, superb service – to the Sweater Mill.  I admit to longing for a shopping spree at Sweater Mill, with its wonderful sweaters & knit tops that do NOT look like they came from the mall.  The quality is great, the service is top notch, the prices aren’t low but they aren’t astronomical & when they have their seasonal sales you can walk away with a lot of great fashion for a very low investment.  This is one place where you can find that truly special sweater that will be ooooed & ahhhhhed over. 

Out of Sweater Mill, turn left, down to the light, carefully cross York Road (it’s a busy intersection).  Almost immediately to your left is the time-out-of-time Burdick’s News Agency.   Walk through the door & you’re suddenly zipped back in time.  A counter like Wally Cleaver or Ricky Nelson would have felt at home hanging out at, with folks who make honest-to-goodness milkshakes in a style thought to be lost in the fog of time.  And check out their “gee, I haven’t seen that in decades!” candy selection.  Spend some time checking out their magazine selection (hey, this IS Burdick’s NEWS Agency, remember?).  If your circle of friends & family includes cigar smokers (gag), they have a fine selection of stogies.  Did I mention the card selection in the back?  Small store that packs a lot into their square footage. I always come here to find that hard-to-find magazine to tuck into John’s stocking.

Walk down the steps, then turn right, heading past a few shops.  There, tucked back a bit is KP Kitchen Crafts, where you can find just about anything you need for baking up a storm.  Like so many Hatboro shops, it’s small, but packed with so marvels to stir the hearts of bakers.   Absolutely agree with the person who wrote, “I love this store and Kathy! She is wonderful. The few negative comments that I have seen are because people don't understand what a small town business is truly like. Kathy is a family person and very down to earth. I have been going to KP Kitchens for about 25 years. I moved away for a few years and now I am back. Love, love, love all of her supplies. Sometimes, I go in and walk around getting my creative tool going, then start my buying frenzy. Kathy has saved me on many occasions when I needed specific supplies and she was the only one in the area that had them. She also ordered a few supplies for me. Granted, the hours are irregular sometimes, but that's what comes with a small family business. She is a Godsend.”  Great place to find that unusual cookie cutter for a baker’s stocking, lots of other WOW Christmas gifts. 

That's just a sampling of this close-by must-see All-American town.  Is Hatboro a wonder, or what??!!!  

Dickens Festival - TOMORROW!!! Sat Dec 8

I love Narberth, a "Main Line" village that goes unnoticed by most folk.  It's smack dab on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, but not on any main road - not on Lancaster or Montgomery Avenues.  You have to LOOK to find it.  It's well worth the bit of exploring.

It's been quite a few years since I was in Narberth, but will always remember trips there with Mom & Mim - we'd park the car, then just ramble around the small, cozy shopping area.  Special.

Almost missed posting about tomorrow's Dickens' Festival.  This free annual event, held on the streets of Narberth, draws thousands of visitors.  (The local boast is that it's the fastest-growing holiday festival in the Philadelphia area!)  It's colorful, festive & about as interactive as you're going to get.  

Each year, the two becomes sort of its own version of Brigadoon - for one afternoon a year, it transforms into 1840s London, with Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt, Little Tim & all the characters from The Christmas Carol walking about the streets.  

Activities for all ages include a scavenger hunt for children, sending them searching high & low for Dickens characters.  But the event is soooo much more!

The 2012 Narberth Dickens Festival includes:

• Ebeneezer Scrooge and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol”
• dozens of period-authentic costumed performers
• free scavenger hunt & free prize for kids - 1pm to 3pm or while prize supplies last
• horse and carriage rides through the Narberth streets
• professional musicians
• authentic Victorian carolers
• free craft activities for kids 
• professional ice sculpting display
• free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol - on two screens at 11am  at Narberth Stadium 2 on N. Narberth Ave  
• free "Nutcracker" dance performances from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm
• Dickens "tattoos" and face painting for kids 
• 3 free hot toddies from local establishments (one from each) in any souvenir mug
• free first cup of coffee or hot chocolate in any souvenir tin cup, plus drink and soup discounts all day 
• period-authentic vendors and street food 

Wonderful family fun!  

WEGMAN'S - Warrington

If I had to choose a place for one-stop-shopping, it would be Wegman's - the closest one around these parts is in Warrington.

My first Wegman's - the one where I signed up for my Wegman's frequent shopper's card - was out in Downingtown.  It was the ONLY Wegman's in the entire area.  Mom & I were coming home from a bop out to Lancaster County, taking the "southern" route (aka Rt 30) home.  The store caught my eye & in we went.

Can remember the awe I felt at what seemed like a smaller, American version of Harrods food halls.  

Mom & I would always drop into Wegman's whenever we were nearby - several times, Wegman's was its our only destination.  

What joy when I heard we were getting our very own, up the road a piece in Warrington!

Wegman's aren't all that rare anymore, at least not in our neck of the woods.  You'll find them in Princeton & King of Prussia, Cherry Hill & Collegeville, Malvern & Mount Holly.  And, yes - there is still our FIRST Wegman's, out in Downingtown.  I've visited most of them - my Holy Grail is the trio of stores in Bethlehem, Nazareth & Allentown.  

The store isn't rare, but the shopping experience is, perhaps due in large measure to the fact it's still family owned & operated.  The first food market was opened by John Wegman, back in 1916 - the Rochester Fruit & Vegetable Company of Rochester, NY.  The Wegmans (John partnered up with his brother, Walter) were always innovative and they always focused on their employees, customers & community, a dedication still evident today.  Walter's son, the legendary Robert Wegman, set the bar for the innovation that's a company hallmark.  That same commitment to unsurpassed excellence was passed on to his son, Danny, and Danny's two daughters, Colleen & Nicole.  I've felt their personal touch in every Wegman's I've visited.  

They're up to date when it comes to online support.  Their website had loads of helpful information, tools for a simpler shopping experience, a well-presented blog, and so much more.

It still astonishes me to find a supermarket offering a fabulous beer selection ~AND~ a wine boutique!   You can mix & match bottles of beer and find a decent $6 bottle of wine.  As someone beleaguered by state-controlled liquor stores, that sort of freedom & selection is mind boggling.

Wegman's is especially fun at Christmas.  I always pamper John with one of a pretty spiffy selection of smoked salmon.  Linger longingly in the jaw-dropping cheese section, check out international foods for stocking stuffers, take a look up at the model training heading around a track set above the diary section.  Take your time browsing through their extensive magazine selection.  Marvel at all the different types of gluten-free, dairy-free & organic selections are available these days.  You need Christmas cards?  Something for the kitchen?  The newest best seller?  You'll find them here.  

Hungry?  Their baked goods are legendary.  They not only have someone constantly making fresh sushi and an above-average salad bar, they also offer a Chinese buffet and a yummy selection of hot entrees, along with a nifty dining area with a section for kids.  They even have live music on some evenings!

They say the proof is in the pudding.  In this case, the proof of Wegman's excellence is found in its impressive range of awards.  Most recently, company president, Danny Wegman, was named to Fitness Magazine's first Fit 50 List, celebrating 50 people who "effected real change in women's health and fitness."  Real Simple magazine named it a recipient of its Shopping-Made-Easy Award.  Danny W. was named to Ethispere magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics.   J.D.Powers & Associates ranked Wegman's pharmacy Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Supermarket Pharmacies.  Businessweek included Wegman's in its list of 25 Customer Service Superstars (included a wide range of companies).   The Food Marketing Institute gave him (how appropriate!) the inaugural Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which honors the food retailer or wholesaler responsible for creating exceptional retail innovations.   Did I mention that it's consistently in the top 5 of Fortune magazine's annual Best Places to Work??

Whew!  And those accolades are just since 2008!

If you want a fun shopping experience, a place where you can literally indulge in one-stop-shopping for all your holiday needs, get thee going on over to Wegman's!  

WHOLE FOODS & TRADER JOE'S

We are so blessed to have a Whole Foods & a Trader Joe's that basically share a parking lot (if you head down from TJ's to WF, not in reverse).  They can't be beat when it comes to finding interesting goodies for holiday entertaining & spiffy gifts to please any foodie on your Christmas list!  

Go when you don't have any regular shopping to get done.  Personally, I'd finish up at Whole Foods, head up a few doors to grab a bagel & big cup of hot chocolate, then onto Trader Joe's.  Maybe when I finished at Trader Joe's, would nip right next door to pick up a nice bottle of wine or Blue Sapphire.

Yes, I live in foodie paradise!!

O Come, All Ye Faithful - TABLEAUX at Bryn Athyn Cathedral

It took me several years before I could bring myself to go to the Christmas Tableaux once they were moved to Bryn Athyn Cathedral.  

My heart still belonged to the ones I took such deep delight in at the Assembly Hall.  (Never could warm to them in Heilman Hall - felt disloyal.)  

But to put such a tale told in small, intimate scale in a stunning setting like the cathedral??  Surely, the  magnificent location would overpower the story.

Was I ever wrong!!  Think me crazy, but I can feel the joy of the building at holding the event in its very heart.  

And I thought that having "shepherds" with live animals outside, around a campfire, sounded hopelessly hokey.  

Was I ever wrong!  The sight feels so right, instilling a palpable sense of innocence - am always awed by its impact on my husband, who was not raised with a strong background in the spiritual aspects of Christmas.

Tableaux  are "living pictures" portraying the birth of Jesus through reverent participants, beautifully costumed, accompanied by inspiring music and words of Scripture.  It is an experience that enters the heart, forming memories that that transcend distance and time.  

They are early this year  ~ ~ Sunday, December 9.  Services are at 3:30 (the favorite of families with small children), 5, 7 and 8:15 p.m.   On your way in, take time to notice the shepherds & animals, include sheep, a donkey, and a young camel experiencing his first visit.  Enter into the innocence of the moment.

All are welcome.  Share the joy of this holiday celebration.  

Children's Tableaux - Heilman Hall:   Few, if any, people loved the Tableaux more than my mother, but in her final years it was too taxing to go even to the 3:30 cathedral service.  We found that the Children's Tableaux, at Heilman Hall, were perfect for her.  Portrayed by elementary school-aged children, the four Advent scenes are part of a worship service enjoyed by all ages.  Services are at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. at the Bryn Athyn Society Building.

All are welcome to either Tableaux service.  Because they are worship services,  you're requested to not take pictures at any time before, during or after the service.

Come & share the joy of this holiday celebration!  

 

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Lockhart Ladies' Holiday Trip to the Big Apple UPDATED

It’s possible to write a blog posting about the Christmas shopping joys of Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C., and even San Francisco – all places I love at Christmastime.  

But one blog to describe the high revels that’s Christmas shopping in NYC?  
No way!  
Can’t be done.  
Too many places, too little time.  
Today, my NYC meanders are dedicated to an area of interest - a certain item, a certain location, even a certain food.  

Not so back when the Lockhart Ladies hit Manhattan.  We did our best to do it all.  The classic holiday jaunt (often with Margaret York, now Gladish) started with parking across from the Algonquin, reviving with a cuppa in that hallowed hostelry, then off on a glorious hike up 5^th Avenue!  First Scribner, then Rockefeller Center, nip across to Saks, then onto Fortunoff, Asprey’s (in Trump Tower), Tiffany, and FAO Schwartz.  We'd top off our 5^th Ave jaunt by cutting through The Plaza, turning left on Central Park South to our beloved Rumpelmeyer's Ice Cream for a bit of decadence.  Refueled, we'd taxi back to the car and nip over to Kitchen Arts & Letters and (if we had the time), Bloomingdale’s – especially if Margaret was with us.  Our last shop stop was Zabar’s, then it was back in car & head down to dinner at Panchito’s.  Alas, some of our best beloveds are either long gone or transformed out of anything we would have recognized.  But I digress!  Will write up memories of times past under Sneezing Chickens - - this blog is about things to do NOW!

A  Holiday Trip to the Big Apple is still a great destination.  So, strap on some walking shoes & let’s get hiking!

The Algonquin ~ ~ My preferred parking garage is across the street from the legendary Algonquin.  Be sure to continue the tradition with a quick nip in to give holiday greetings to Matilda, the famous Algonquin Cat.  Too much to do to stop for a cuppa!  

NYYC ~ ~ Cross over 44th St, turning ever-so-briefly left toward 5^th Avenue.  Stop!  Look back across the street, at 37 West 44^th Street.  The architectural embellishments of the NewYork Yacht Club are so sublime, perfect for the club it houses.  Soak it in – NYC at its best!

NBA Store ~ ~ The next stop is heaven for basketball lovers - the NBA Store, between 47^th & 48^th Streets.  (lots of WNBA goodies, too)  Think FAO Schwartz or World of Disney, only for basketball fans.  How to entice them away from a sales staff steeped in basketball stats?  

Scribner Building ~ ~ The next stop is actually a long look.  From the west side of 5th Avenue, look across to the Scribner Building, one of my favorite bits of NYC architecture.  Scribner Books relocated years ago, but take a few moments to contemplate & appreciate the beautiful Beaux Arts architecture of the building still proudly emblazoned “Charles Scribner & Sons.” 

American Girl Place ~ ~ Continuing up the avenue, you come to American Girl Place!  Barbie marketing is piddly compared to American Girl.  Mattel never built a palatial emporium dedicated to a doll – okay, a hug of dolls, each set in a particular period of American history, complete with stories, books & an ever-expanding wardrobe.  You’ll find versions of the store coast to coast, from the Big Apple to the Big D, Atlanta to Chicago, D.C. to K.C., in the Colorado mountains to Minnesota’s prairies – even Boston Brahmins aren’t immune to the charms of these lasses.  But the 5^th Avenue store is the ultimate American Girl paradise!   Shopping is just the beginning - so many other things enchant girls of all ages – dining (brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), a photo studio (have your real life American girl’s photo on a mock cover of  - of course, American Girl magazine), even a doll hair salon!  Sounds outrageous, but every moment in this temple to merchandising is unforgettable fun for girls from toddler to ancient!  (Dads & uncles & even big brothers have been known to be swept into the charm, too!)

  

Saks ~ ~ A hop, skip & jump from American Girl Place gets you to another holiday shopping mecca – Saks 5th Ave.  Yes, there are Saks locations all over the world, but the 5^th Ave location is the utter real deal.  I love to go there to be reminded of what shopping was like 30, 40 years ago, when stores knew it mattered that they maintain a high level of service.  It speaks volumes that Saks was honored this year by J.D. Powers with a Customer Service Champion - one of only 50 U.S. companies to be so honored.  

THE Tree ~ ~ By now, you need a breather.  Head across the street to Rockefeller Center to ooo & ahhhh over the epic Christmas tree, presiding over an iconic setting, skaters doing their thing on the rink below.  A must-see NYC sight! 

Be strong & press pass all the stores beckoning you – Cartier,  Fortunoff,  Takashimaya,  Lindt (be strong!),  even World of Disney (gasp!), the Apple Store &  Trump Tower.  You’re heading to the most iconic of all NYC jewelry stores – Tiffany. 

Tiffany ~ ~ ~ There is something special about getting a gift wrapped in that iconic (there’s that word again!) blue with white satin ribbon.  Tiffany & Co. has been part of the Lockhart Ladies holiday shop since Mim first introduced us to the elegantly cavernous sale floors eons ago.  My sister could find shockingly affordable gifts, from ornaments to beautiful wine glasses to whimsical Santa mugs – she was a wonder!  Even if you don’t go in – and I heartily suggest you do – do not miss their always exquisite windows.

Which says “Manhattan” more – Tiffany or FAO Schwartz??  Gotta go with the latter.  

FAO Schwartz ~ ~ The Toys R Us store in Times Square gives it a run for its money, but to me FAO Schwartz is the ultimate U.S. toy store (for me, THE ultimate will always be Hamley’s, although I might have to start saying “Je l’adore”).  Neither store really cares, since they’re both owned by the same company!!  Wander the halls, enjoy being a kid again.  Glory in the tradition & joy that is FAO Schwartz.   Interesting tidbit:  despite what we all saw in Big, FAO Schwartz had NO oversized keyboard – it was designed for the movie;  demand to see it became so great, the store had to get one made!! 

Time Warner Center ~ ~ Tired?  Good.  One last trek before getting something substantial to eat.  Across Central Park South to the Time Warner Center.  There are two reasons for heading to this tres elite urban mall – bathrooms & Bouchon Bakery/Café (at last - food!).  (Learned at an early age to never ever use public restrooms, not when grand hotels & fabulous shops have way better facilities.)  TWC offers surprisingly little in the way of food choices that are delectable & affordable.  Bouchon Bakery/Café is one of the few (maybe the only) place that fits the bill.  I confess to being addicted to their quiche, although tempted by their yummy looking salads & sandwiches.  Not cheap, but excellent value for the money. 

Mandarin Oriental ~ ~ Little would you guess in the hubbub of the stores that TWC hosts is one of the best of all Manhattan hotels – the AAA 5-star Mandarin Oriental, 202 guestrooms & 46 suites occupying floors 35 to 54, with knock-out views of Central Park and the Hudson River.  My “first” Mandarin Oriental was in San Francison – love at first sight!  Being way beyond my price bracket has never meant being outside my experience, since I can at least take a ramble through even the grandest hotel lobbies.  But my first Mandarin Oriental NYC experience went waaaay beyond a simple ramble. 

Have enjoyed a special relationship with several of our local elementary school classes – gave each member the same 8^th grade graduation present:  a trip to NYC, chauffeured  & chaperoned (until they turn 18 & are out of high school) by yours truly, good to the end of time. They get to set the theme, I research & serve as guide.  Two young lasses who took me up on the offer asked for a “Bling Tour” of Manhattan.  We hit Fortunoff, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany, then headed over to TWC    I kept mum about the actual reason for our foray across Central Park South.  Once there, headed straight up to the Mandarin Oriental.  The girls couldn’t figure out what was happening, as I headed straight for the Concierge.  “Hello,” I greeted the young woman.  “I am Deev Murphy.”

The woman broke out into a huge smile – “Ms. Murphy!  We’re so glad to meet you.  We received your e-mail.  Are these the young ladies?”  She looked at the two girls, then turned back to me – “Did they bring bathing suits?”  

I’d contacted the hotel ahead of time, letting them know about the girls’ request for the Bling Tour & that the Mandarin Oriental would be the one hotel spotlighted on our excursion.  No idea if they'd even gotten the e-mail, let alone if they'd care.  They certainly had & did!  From the concierge to staff throughout the hotel, they practically went through barrel loops for us.  Their brochure says, “We always love to welcome our Younger Fans.  Let us know if you have any special needs or requirements and we’ll endeavour to help.”  Yes -  if the girls had brought bathing suits, they could have enjoyed a swim in a swimming pool with a wow view of the West Side, the Hudson & the New Jersey Palisades!!  I can say, from experience, they live by the marketing adage to under-promise & over-deliver.  The girls & I had the run of the hotel, from inspecting a guest room to checking out the afore-mentioned spa swimming pool to peeking into the hotel's restaurants & soaking in the epic view of Columbus Circle/Central Park/NYC skyline from the lobby lounge.  Will always think of  Jazz & Aven whenever I’m at TWC and the INCREDIBLE  memory the staff of the Mandarin Oriental gave three non-paying voyeurs. 

Rambling Back Roads (not for the faint of heart) ~ ~ After getting refreshed & revived at the Time Warner Center, grab a cab back to the Algonquin & pick up the car.  This is my favorite part of the drive in Manhattan – driving over toward Madison, heading east to the funky roads around Grand Central Station, nipping up Park Avenue past the Waldorf Astoria, bopping over to then up up up Madison, heading west on 79^th, across Central Park,  across Central Park W, to Broadway.  Start looking for on-street parking (used to be easy; not now, with a mega Barnes & Noble at 82^nd St), but settle – if we must – for a parking garage.  And off we head to that fabled shrine to kitchenware & incredible eats – ZABAR’S.  

Zabar's ~ ~ Immortalized in You’ve Got Mail, Zabar's is the place where Meg Ryan’s character didn’t realize she was in a cash only lane & her arch nemesis (or so she thought) Tom Hanks ended up saving her bacon when she only had a credit card.  Yes – do not make the same mistake!!  Neither the staff nor the loyal clientele suffer fools gladly.  

Forever thanks to Margaret for introducing us to foodie heaven!!  Whoever described Zabar’s as “Old School soul food” almost got it right – I would have said “Old World.”   It’s like you stepped back in time & across at least one ocean.  My favorite sections are cheese & fish, although the whole place is awesome.   Check upstairs for terrific kitchenware.

Cafe Eighty Two ~ ~ Unlike my sister, I can resist the lure of driving down to the Village & Panchitos (now that I think about it, she never did the driving).  These days, if we have dinner in the city after Zabar's and before heading home, it's at Cafe Eighty Two, just a block or so up Broadway.  Great food, friendly service, reasonable prices AND gluten-free options!  

If we want to head back to hearth & home, we stock up on goodies for the road from Zabar's next-door bakery/coffee shop ~ ~ an assortment of their totally toothsome pastries, a bagel “with smear” for each of us, and a cup of coffee (be sure to order “black” as some New Yorkers think “with cream” when they hear just “regular”).  Then, it’s back to the car, a short nip up the Henry Hudson Parkway to the George Washington Bridge (taking care to be on the top level, not the closed-in bottom), over to NJ, then southward. 

I rarely take the NJ Turnpike to Manhattan (am a back roads gal), but it’s great to take home, especially at night.  Love the area around Newark Airport – lots going on.  If you do get off at the I-78 exit (an option, if you’re interested), chances are a passenger jet will roar over your car as you pay the toll!

You’re going to want or need to stop along the way –  there are some nice rest stops along the turnpike.  I’d LOVE to find a dandy diner off one of the exits – any suggestions greatly appreciated.