a visit to a New England cider house

A couple years ago Matt and I went to Mystic for a long weekend and visited an old-fashioned cider mill and I just realized I never shared the pictures here. It's called B.F. Clyde's and you can watch the whole process, from the avalanche of apples tumbling off the truck to the clear brown liquid being poured off the press, all inside the little cider house for free.

The press is powered by a small steam engine, the oldest in the country. I love having so much history right in our backyard. It's one of the best things about living in New England, in my opinion. 

You can stand (elbow to elbow with everyone else) inside the cider house while the press is run by the sixth generation of the Clyde family.

Be sure to stop in shop afterwards to get yourself a steaming cup!

hooray! it's giveaway day!

Today is Sew, Mama, Sew's giveaway day and I'm thrilled to be able to participate!  Last year I found so many new blogs to read and I'm excited to browse the giveaways this year for the same reason.  Possibly winning a giveaway is a bonus.

If you win my giveaway, you'll receive a length of bunting (pictured at the top of the post - it's about five feet long), this onesie with a stitched butterfly, and... 

this lovey blanket.  I realize my fantastic zebra rug is competing for attention, but the blanket is the true star of the show.  It's half minky and half flannel on both sides with coordinating ribbons in white, pink, and green.  Of course I forgot to measure it and I don't feel like doing it now, but it's roughly 15" by 18".  

To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  Easy as pie.  Good luck!  

Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 4 days to enter this giveaway (closes Thursday, May 26th at midnight)

- anonymous comments will be ignored so make sure I know who you are and how to contact you!

- the winners will be chosen randomly and announced in my "happy weekend" post on Friday, May 27th

- the winner must respond within five days to secure the prize

- sorry, but I won't ship internationally

free ice cream? I'm there.

It's that time of year again and tomorrow's the big day.  Go here to find your local Ben & Jerry's to get your very own free cone!  I'm thinking some mint chocolate cookie is in order, but I may need to wait in line a second time to get my money's worth.  Oh wait.  I'm not paying.  Well, I still want two cones.  Find me and Matt on Meeting Street (off Thayer), whether it's raining or not.

yet another calendar, and yep, it's free

You've already learned about my love for calendars.  Well, be still my beating heart because Ez over at Creature Comforts has a free, printable 2011 calendar right here.  Be sure to let me know if you've found any 2011 gems in your travels around the blogosphere, and enjoy the weekend!

free and calendar in the same sentence

I don't know about you but I love calendars and planners, basically because I love to keep track of appointments, birthdays, holidays, and anything else that can be marked on a day at a specific time.  Red Stamp is making it easy to watch the days go by with their free printable calendars.  That's right.  I said free and calendars in the same sentence.  It's music to my ears.
via Cool Mom Picks   

free wedding printables

Can you believe this?!  e.m.papers is offering a black and white wedding printables kit... for free!  The kit includes a wedding invitation, a save the date card, a response card, a wedding program, a menu, place cards, table numbers, a seating list, and a thank you card.  Everything is completely customizable and you can print it yourself.  Talk about easy!  What more do a bride and groom need?  My favorite piece is the bicycle topped invitation.  To take advantage of this fantastic freebie, simply visit e.m.papers, add the kit to your shopping cart, give up your email address, and download away once it's in your inbox!  I can't wait to use all the pieces of this adorable stationery suite.  What's your favorite piece? Via How about orange... via iDiY.

Free Cone Day

(image via English Muffin)

So yesterday was free cone day at Ben & Jerry's and it rained for the third year in a row.  Like I mentioned before, this is not a problem because it cuts down on store traffic.  Matt and I headed to Providence with a few friends and waited in line a mere one time because the rain dampened our spirits.  We got there later than intended and it was slim pickin' so I had trusy ol' Phish Food.  Not ideal but still delicious.  The Brown Band entertained the crowd while we waited in line which was almost worth the drive, even if there hadn't been free ice cream!  They covered Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. Amazing!

free and ice cream in the same sentence

Did you know that every year Ben & Jerry's has a day where you can stand in line for a free cone of ice cream? Well they do!  This year it's March 23rd and if you live in Rhode Island your options are standing in line off of Thayer Street in Providence or on Thames Street in Newport.  I'll be heading to Providence as soon as Matt gets out of work so we have time to stand in line at least twice.  Care to join us?  Last year it was raining which one might think would be a downer.  Au contraire, my friend!  Rain meant lots of people wimped out so the line was short.  I was wearing my galoshes and carrying my umbrella so a few drops of rain were not going to deter me from free ice cream, world's best food.  Did I mention it was free?  I think I had a cone of Mint Chocolate Cookie the first time around and then Coconut Seven Layer Bar... mmm!  This year my plan is to sample Crème Brûlée and Mud Pie.  And then maybe I'll top it all off with a scoop of S'mores.  Locate a Scoop Shop near you here.  What flavors will you get?