Crown Maple Syrup Makes for Good Valentine's Gift

We had pancakes on Saturday, so hubby got his gift to me out early - a nifty bottle of Crown Maple Syrup that he found in the East Village. And guess what? It's made right here in Dutchess County, NY! The marketing tag on the bottle boasts of using "breakthrough processing technologies" to make "quite possibly the purest maple syrup on earth". Funny, I don't picture technologies when my dad would boil down sap into syrup in our woods growing up, but sure! ;)

It's very yummy, and tastes like maple sugar candy. A lighter flavor. I am a maple syrup snob, and bring my own into restaurant who serve imposter corn syrup. Both Homespun and Vintage Cafe serve real maple syrup for their beeakfasts. And Homespun @ Home also sells it. Not this brand, but another.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Soap Gift Basket from Beacon Bath and Bubble

Here's a little Valentine's Day gift basket I put together for you to get your honey (or yourself). Starts off with the honey bear bubble bath, which is also a great gift for kids and comes in different colors. Then, there is pink decorative soap (these have owls, but you can get unicorns, hearts, and lots of other scenes). The tall pink bottle is more bubble bath, but in a traditional bottle. To the left of that is moisturizer, especially good for these winter months.
The gift basket isn't actually available all packaged up ;) It's just my idea basket for you. Print this out and take it into Beacon Bath & Bubble located at 456 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508-7310 (845) 440-6782 and tell her what you'd like!

The Cutest Popup Book Maybe Ever

Or the most elaborate? Look at those flower cutouts of the bouquet. Available at Echo Boutique.

Yummy, Soup from the Homespun at Home

Here I am - at home, enjoying a taste of Main Street from Homespun @home at my desk while I 'preneur (a term we entrepreneurs use instead of "working"...it's more fun). Today's soup selection is New England Clam Chowder. We bought it frozen and just thawed it out in a pot (we don't microwave...unless in an office or someone else's house). Smells delicious. Am dipping buttered/salted white bread from Beacon Natural Market, a little broccoli, and I'm good to go with this delicious and easy lunch!

Boots! For kids and toddlers at Trendy Tots

Juuuust in case you wanted winter boots for your walking toddler or older kid, they are (have been) at Trendy Tots Take Two, and the prices are friendly. We just picked up a pair of sporty boots, the kind that is all rubber on the foot, lined with something fiercely warm. It's like I'm preparing for the winter of 31" when we first moved to Beacon, but I keep ignoring the fact that it's averaging 40*. hence the rubber portion, for the rain. And I buy everything big so that it lasts, so these should last until we get dumped on in April at Easter. Because we will, people, we will. The Easter Bunny is the new Groundhog.

15% off home goods at Global

This purple daisy picture frame caught my eye in Global's window on Beacon's west end on Main Street. Almost like spring! A nice hostess gift, of to freshen up your bedroom or living room. Plus, look at that other stuff that us 15% off! Global has such neat lite treasures inside.

The Ranunculus Flower that Keeps Blooming

Days ago, I posted about clipping your flowers from your arrangement and sticking them in tiny vases around the house. The ranunculus flower was the inspiration behind the post. Now, days later, it still blooms, and might actually be a full circle!

Thanks Seed to Fruit for growing such marvelous flowers.

Flowers for your Winter

Seed to Fruit, the florist on the East end of Main Street, has the sweetest flowers. These little beauties in the vace are Ranunculus flowers. They pretty much come with every bouquet, or at least the ones my hubby brings home randomly. The great part about the ranunculus, is that after the roses have finished, and you salvage them to dry the petals, these flowers are still blooming, opening more each day. And the petals are so many, yet so fine, it's a delicate, yet hearty flower that can live on in your kitchen window or dresser, bringing spring to your winter days.

30%-50% off at Paper Presence - cupcake ornaments!

Paper Presence, on the West end of Main Street in Beacon, is having a big sale. 50% off on many things holiday, and 30% off on lots of other items you've had your eye on. Sadly, she is closing, so this is your last chance to snag the goodies she's stocked her store with! Art supplies, greeting cards, beautiful wrapping paper for next year (it's the only time I buy holiday - is after the season to stock up for next year). She also carries those decorative manilla folders you can be in public with, and the file box with handles with gorgeous prints on them. It's an organizer's dream if you like to organize your bills and make that experience fun. I got a stunning maroon file box with turquoise and green birds on it to live in my daughter's room and store warranties and directions to the obscure little items she 'needs'. Oh, and the journals. If you're a journaler or just like writing on paper, she's got a great selection. I bought my currently unborn little baby journal there, and it's delightful to have at my bedside to reach over and write in (when I chose to skip Jon Stewart).

So go visit Paper Presence...for one of the last times! I'm snagging at least one of these delicious cupcake ornaments. What will you find?