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Friday, April 30, 2010
3D Snowboarding wallpaper
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Bitten by the bug: a "Southern belle" at Budleigh Salterton Flea Market
To Budleigh Salterton's excellent Thursday flea market in the Public Hall, pictured above, where my friend Annie and I have often found interesting and collectable pieces at bargain prices.
The market is run by Hittesleigh-based Hyson Fairs Ltd, http://hysonfairsltd.co.uk/ whose Sheila Hyson has been successfully staging Antiques & Collectors Fairs and fleamarkets for over twenty years. The company is proud to support Leukaemia Research and four times a year it holds an Antiques & Collectors Fair at Chagford, to raise much needed funds for this worthwhile cause.
The stallholders are a friendly bunch of people, always ready to haggle or just to chat about their sale items. Like the producers at our Farmers' Markets they do a lot of good for the town by bringing in visitors. Some of the stallholders come from the Budleigh area like Sue Chapman, who contributed a piece for this site at
http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2009/06/bitten-by-bug-budleighs-flea-market.html But generally they come from all over Devon to liven up Budleigh with their colourful presence, and on this occasion I was intrigued to discover one who'd come all the way from California via a remarkable family connection in Tennessee.
The market is run by Hittesleigh-based Hyson Fairs Ltd, http://hysonfairsltd.co.uk/ whose Sheila Hyson has been successfully staging Antiques & Collectors Fairs and fleamarkets for over twenty years. The company is proud to support Leukaemia Research and four times a year it holds an Antiques & Collectors Fair at Chagford, to raise much needed funds for this worthwhile cause.
The stallholders are a friendly bunch of people, always ready to haggle or just to chat about their sale items. Like the producers at our Farmers' Markets they do a lot of good for the town by bringing in visitors. Some of the stallholders come from the Budleigh area like Sue Chapman, who contributed a piece for this site at
http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2009/06/bitten-by-bug-budleighs-flea-market.html But generally they come from all over Devon to liven up Budleigh with their colourful presence, and on this occasion I was intrigued to discover one who'd come all the way from California via a remarkable family connection in Tennessee.
Dealing with a customer: Maria at her stall in the flea market
Well actually, Maria Sykes, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at her antiques stall, has been living in Devon for five years. But that tan and the sunglasses perched on her head did give the impression that she'd just crossed the pond that day to sell her varied collection of curios and memorabilia.
Maria grew up in Chicago before moving to California, where she lived with her family on Camp Pendleton, the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps. After attending San Diego State University, graduating in Psychology as well as in Spanish, she worked in Mexico City, editing a book in Spanish and English aimed at investors in the US and Mexico for the American Chamber of Commerce.
Maria grew up in Chicago before moving to California, where she lived with her family on Camp Pendleton, the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps. After attending San Diego State University, graduating in Psychology as well as in Spanish, she worked in Mexico City, editing a book in Spanish and English aimed at investors in the US and Mexico for the American Chamber of Commerce.
With a late 19th century edition of Punch
But now with a husband working in the finance department of Devon County Council and a son who attended Exmouth Community College it looks as Maria has put down roots in the local area. She still has a strong link to the US - her son is getting married there next month, and her daughter will shortly be graduating from California State University Fullerton, hoping to make a career as a DJ. The daughter can be heard online at the University's radio station on http://tir.fullerton.edu/
"My entire life I have collected and sold things," says Maria to explain her interest in antiques and collectables. "As a child I owned a real 1960 barbie as I was born then, and I owned and collected as a child to make my own pocket money." Her family history and its colouful past, which included a famous grandfather, also played a part. "I was raised by an older mum as I am the eighth child of a total of nine. The baby girl. She and I discussed the things she grew up with in detail and it intrigued me all the stories she had and the things she knew."
Maria's grandfather 'Slingshot' Charlie Taylor was a world famous slingshot shooter from Tennessee who travelled the world displaying his trick shooting using a slingshot, or what we know in the UK as a catapault. He even shot waterfowl with it and travelled to Hollywood where they made a movie about him. "My aunties bragged that the Elvis Presley Foundation bought the rights to his story but Elvis died before he had a chance to actually finish that project," says Maria. A picture of Charlie Taylor and one of the wooden slingshots that he sold to the public can be seen at Tennessee State Park Museum at Reelfoot Lake
Maria at her stall with another of her treasures, an embroidered purse
So my mom grew up with nice things like a Shirley Temple doll, life size and I was very interested in her history and the many things she enjoyed as a child," Maria told me. "She had a very colourful life."
It was after she left the US that Maria started dealing properly in antiques. "I probably started really selling here in England, but as a single parent and from a poor family I made a contribution to my own home and the needs of my family, " she explained. "I worked as a teacher and I enjoy learning but collecting was a hobby and could become a mainstay here in England if things take off well."
Maria loves the freedom and variety that flea markets give her. "I do enjoy working on my own and have been self-employed many times in my life as an artist. I enjoy meeting people and hearing about their things and making a difference in either giving them some money or helping them get sorted in what they want to get for something they owned or cherished or are happy to get rid of for a fair price. It's fun to know that I can make some money and still pass on a good deal to either another dealer or a member of the public."
"Deals, deals, deals is what I like. I find it a lot of fun to make someone happy and tell them about something they have or own and what it could be worth even one day," she says. So a visit to the flea market is an entertainment in itself quite apart from any bargain you might pick up there.
The Budleigh Salterton Flea Market is held every Thursday, in the Public Hall, situated near the High Street of this busy seaside town. Free carparking is available and refreshments are served all morning. The Market is open from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Admission is free.
Note: Occasionally there is a Thursday that is not available
The real Budleigh
As most local people know, the village that we know today as East Budleigh was a thriving and relatively wealthy community long before Budleigh Salterton became popular as a seaside resort. Not until the end of the 19th century did Salterton become a parish in its own right, with its own church of St Peter's, consecrated in 1893.
By contrast there is evidence that the origins of All Saints Church in East Budleigh go back to Saxon times. You certainly feel that you're in an important historic place as soon as you enter the village with its winding main street lined with picturesque thatched cottages. In fact visitors from our sister-town of Brewster should probably start in East Budleigh if they want to explore the area, if only because of the village's centuries-old links with America.
By contrast there is evidence that the origins of All Saints Church in East Budleigh go back to Saxon times. You certainly feel that you're in an important historic place as soon as you enter the village with its winding main street lined with picturesque thatched cottages. In fact visitors from our sister-town of Brewster should probably start in East Budleigh if they want to explore the area, if only because of the village's centuries-old links with America.
For a start East Budleigh is the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh, the Elizabethan courtier, poet, soldier, and explorer who was responsible for pioneering some of the earliest European settlements in what would become the United States. And then, remarkably for what seems such a quiet and hidden-away village today it was also from where Roger Conant set out with a company of fishermen to found the city of Salem, Massachusetts in 1626. Even when Budleigh Salterton had long eclipsed its more ancient original settlement a few miles inland, East Budleigh should be a place to visit for historians of modern America; one of the church's most attractive stained glass windows commemorates Admiral Preedy, commander of HMS Agamemnon, which laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Europe and America in 1858. The Admiral is buried in All Saints churchyard. There are more details about him at http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2009/07/another-link-across-pond.html
All this remarkable history and more is contained in a recently published booklet about the village of East Budleigh and its church, commissioned by the Friends of All Saints. Hanneke Coates, who has lived near East Budleigh for many years, was responsible for the research and writing the text. A talented artist she also created many of the etchings and colour illustrations in the booklet. Her drawings of the church bench ends show particularly well the amazing detail of medieval craftmen's work. The example pictured above, showing the Seafarers' Seat, appears on the booklet's back cover.
I almost gave up on my search for Admiral Preedy's grave because the churchyard was so overgrown, feeling just a bit surprised that a national hero's last resting-place should be so neglected. But Hanneke Coates points out in her booklet that ancient churchyards are effectively miniature nature reserves, noting that 100 species of wild flowers have been identified. All Saints really is a place where you could quietly compose an Elegy in a Country Churchyard.
The booklet is most informative without being too 'heavy' about many other aspects of East Budleigh and some of the surrounding places of interest such as the Salem Chapel, even including Bicton St Mary's and the mausoleum a few miles away. It's an attractive publication which is certain to find its place on both residents' and visitors' bookshelves. All Saints Church and the Village of East Budleigh is on sale at the Church, East Budleigh Village Shop and The Card Shop Too in Budleigh Salterton High Street.
All illustrations above are from the booklet.
For more information about East Budleigh click on http://home.btconnect.com/eastbudleighvillage.org.uk/
For more information about East Budleigh click on http://home.btconnect.com/eastbudleighvillage.org.uk/
I think I May Have "Jumped The Shark"
Last weekend while in Sonoma Wine Country, we passed through the nice little town of St Helena. It has a great main street with all kinds of interesting shops, cafes and interesting sites to get you to spend your money. In order to defend my honor and pride, I feel it is necessary to explain that by this point, I had been away from my dogs for four days and really missed them a lot. So fast forward back to St Helena Main Street. I was tired. There was a little bit of cash burning a hole in my pocket and I felt compelled to buy something. We moseyed into a shop with an interesting array of stuff...a crazy statue of an Egyptian woman caught my eye. I feigned an interest in it and mumbled something about it being perfect for the front foyer (it wasn't). I just wanted to see if John was paying attention (he wasn't). Then I saw it- a wall of linens, towels and such...but behind the counter was a massive embroidery machine. I was fascinated watching and listening to it hum along, the machine whirring as it stitched various patterns, letters and designs into towels, sheets, and pillowcases. I started to dismiss it as completely ridiculous until I saw the sample patterns hanging ever-so-conveniently within reach. Instantly I spotted the Standard Poodle design. I thought about my poor poodles sitting at home pining away for me to return. Without hesitation I beckoned the sales girl and asked her embroider two dish towels for the kitchen. One with a black poodle and the name Sheldon and another with a brown poodle and the name Duncan. After paying a ridiculous price for these novelties, I waited as the machine did its thing. I'm not sure why but it really held my attention. I was so pleased with myself for finding something to buy that day. I was smiling just thinking about my dogs and how much they would appreciate their new dishtowels when I got back home. (think about what I just typed there). The day continued...
above: I stopped at Woodhouse chocolates and paused in front of their display-window. It featured a number of hand made chocolate lollypops shaped as flowers. It was so nifty. For a brief moment I felt like I was the Mayor of Lollypop Land, wherever that is. I was still thinking about my dogs back home alone, with just the pet sitter to keep them company.
When I returned home I was so happy to see Duncan and Sheldon. They are such happy dogs. I promptly unpacked their new embroidered dish towels and ceremoniously put them on display. Sheldon walked over and sniffed them, and walked away, unfazed. As I stared at the towels, I realized I may just have "jumped the shark" in buying something so ridiculous, especially for a guy. (the term "jump the shark" is an idiom to describe when something went from cool to absurd). Suddenly I had become my great grandmother. Not even my grandmother collects stuff like this. Oh well, there are worse things to be I suppose. Besides, my great grandma was pretty cool. And so are my two poodles, don't cha think so?
-Rick Rockhill
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Iolanthe in Budleigh, Saturday 8 May 2010
Following their success with The Pirates of Penzance on their first Springtime trip to Budleigh in 2008, Imperial Productions return with another Gilbert & Sullivan classic, Iolanthe.
"We feel sure that Imperial will be able to present an excellent show to the good people of Budleigh, given the talent and enthusiasm on offer," say show directors Sarah Hargreaves and Wendy Norman.
Iolanthe or The Peer and the Peri, was the seventh of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, and opened at the Savoy Theatre in London on 25 November 1882. It pokes fun at the British legal system and government, especially the House of Lords. With its absurd plot combining fairies and peers and its tuneful songs Iolanthe has always been seen as one of the most entertaining of G & S works.
There are two performances in The Public Hall at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Tickets at £10 are now available at Budleigh Salterton Tourist Information.
The cast list is as follows:
Lord Chancellor - Tony Baker
Lord Tolloler Tim - Sawers
Lord Mountarrarat - Neville Hargreaves
Fairy Queen - Lorna Perry
Iolanthe - Kirsty Bennett
Celia - Heather Caddick
Leila - Georgia Dobson
Fleta - Mary Groom
Strephon - Philip Errington
Phyllis - Yvette Litchfield
Private Willis - Jim Fisher
Farewell King Billy... Welcome Ocean House!
Ocean House Café & Deli
Yet another local landmark has been lost with the demise of Budleigh Salterton's King William pub. It's a sign of the times, with 52 going out of business every week at a cost of 24,000 jobs over the past 12 months, according to research carried out last year for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
Yet another local landmark has been lost with the demise of Budleigh Salterton's King William pub. It's a sign of the times, with 52 going out of business every week at a cost of 24,000 jobs over the past 12 months, according to research carried out last year for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
The King William Hotel, fondly known in Budleigh as the King Billy
Equally a sign of the times is the success of King Billy's replacement, the Ocean House Café & Deli, where new owners Robin and Nikki Townsend have made their mark on the Budleigh gastro scene by providing healthy food with a strong salad theme and a dash of the Mediterranean.
I tried one of their platters some months ago and was impressed by the care which had gone into the arrangement of all those green leaves and other healthy items on the plate. A few days ago I went back with a hungry son-in-law and two noisy grandchildren, this time with my camera to record the happy family scene as well as the colourful dishes.
The food took just a little longer than expected to arrive, but we'd arrived at a busy moment, the waitress was politely apologetic and of course the Ocean House Café's boast is that "We don't serve fast food, we prepare good food as fast as we can." Anyway, just sitting and waiting in the light and airy surroundings which make for a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere is no great hardship. And there is a good selection of beers, wines and soft drinks.
I was relieved to hear full marks being awarded by my demanding foodie family from Tunbridge Wells when the dishes did arrive. "The best steak pie I've ever tasted" was son-in-law Tom's verdict. He'd arrived before us so I finished off the remains of his bean and chilli soup (£4.95) to keep me going. Deliciously hot and spicy.
I then had a bruschetta, shown above, with slices of Parma ham and shavings of Italian Pecorino cheese (£5.95).
Meanwhile my friend Annie was tucking into the excellent hand-raised Ocean House platter of hand-raised pork pie and salad, pictured above, which I'd had on the previous occasion. The platters range in price from £6.95 to £8.95. I noticed pizzas on the menu (£6.95/£7.95) to match the Mediterranean theme but there was also Devon Rarebit - "Cheddar cheese with a pinch of English mustard, a glug of Devon ale and a dash of Worcester sauce served on a generous slice of toasted artisan bread (£5.95).
There was a large range of delicious-looking cakes and pastries but the grand-children were getting restive and we felt it was time to move on. Maybe next time.
The Ocean House Café and Deli is open every day from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm and serves lunch from 12 noon - 2.30 pm.
Ocean House Café and Deli
7 High Street
Budleigh Salterton Devon
EX9 6LD
Tel: 01395 442676
For more details click on http://www.oceanhouse.biz/
There was a large range of delicious-looking cakes and pastries but the grand-children were getting restive and we felt it was time to move on. Maybe next time.
The Ocean House Café and Deli is open every day from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm and serves lunch from 12 noon - 2.30 pm.
Ocean House Café and Deli
7 High Street
Budleigh Salterton Devon
EX9 6LD
Tel: 01395 442676
For more details click on http://www.oceanhouse.biz/
The changing face of Budleigh (2): Social Networking on the High Street
The Houses of Parliament, photo by Adrian Pingstone
MPs are increasingly using sites like Facebook for their work
It's been criticised for encouraging paedophiles, accused of failing to keep our personal details safe, and banned by anxious parents in many homes. And yet social networking sites like Facebook are used as a normal tool of communication not just by young people but by businesses and charities such as Oxfam. Arts events organisers use it to promote literary and music festivals from London to Ledbury and from Edinburgh to Exeter. Social networking in general has seen a 660% percentage in its use by MPs over the last three years.
Here in our little corner of East Devon Facebook is being increasingly used by clubs and businesses as a free and easy way to advertise activities and products and to communicate with members and clients. Group sites include St Peter's School with 277 former-pupils, the town's Cricket Club, East Budleigh Football Club and a Tobias restaurant fan club.
There's even a Budleigh Salterton Interfaith Ping Pong League, described as "a closed group dedicated to monitoring events and following developments within the fast-growing Interfaith Ping Pong scene in the British Coastal town of Budleigh Salterton." A match report ends: "Father Conway now proceeds to play Rabbi Samuel leewhacker in the semi finals of the Seaton Open." Is this for real?
The new face of Budleigh Wines
One of the latest 'serious' users of Facebook is Budleigh Wines, the independent wine store on the High Street in Budleigh Salterton. In fact the site was originally called Threshers Budleigh & Exmouth, started by Paula LeBlanc with 11 members, but with Paula and her husband Serge taking over the business the Budleigh Wines Facebook group now has over 50 enthusiastic fans.
Click on http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Budleigh-Salterton/Budleigh-Wines/106815689349461?ref=mf and you'll find a running commentary from Paul and Serge on their courageous bid to make Budleigh Wines into one of the thriving independent High Street businesses of which Budleigh Salterton is justifiably proud. "Feels great to be free!" they commented on 28 March, shortly after acquiring the shop from the collapsed Threshers group.
But of course the LeBlancs, married for three years this June, are also using the site to promote their products to loyal followers. "We're very happy with Facebook," says Paula. "It's a good way of telling customers what's on offer, and of course we can update it easily ourselves." The couple organise regular wine-tasting sessions at the shop on Fridays and Saturdays and the Facebook site is the perfect place for comments on their recently acquired Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc such as "Deliciously crisp and fresh, packed full of vibrant and long lasting lime, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours."
In these recession-hit times a site like Facebook, which costs nothing, is a good solution for a small business's marketing strategy. "I'd certainly recommend it to other small businesses in the area," says Serge.
MPs are increasingly using sites like Facebook for their work
It's been criticised for encouraging paedophiles, accused of failing to keep our personal details safe, and banned by anxious parents in many homes. And yet social networking sites like Facebook are used as a normal tool of communication not just by young people but by businesses and charities such as Oxfam. Arts events organisers use it to promote literary and music festivals from London to Ledbury and from Edinburgh to Exeter. Social networking in general has seen a 660% percentage in its use by MPs over the last three years.
Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club is a Facebook user
Here in our little corner of East Devon Facebook is being increasingly used by clubs and businesses as a free and easy way to advertise activities and products and to communicate with members and clients. Group sites include St Peter's School with 277 former-pupils, the town's Cricket Club, East Budleigh Football Club and a Tobias restaurant fan club.
There's even a Budleigh Salterton Interfaith Ping Pong League, described as "a closed group dedicated to monitoring events and following developments within the fast-growing Interfaith Ping Pong scene in the British Coastal town of Budleigh Salterton." A match report ends: "Father Conway now proceeds to play Rabbi Samuel leewhacker in the semi finals of the Seaton Open." Is this for real?
The new face of Budleigh Wines
One of the latest 'serious' users of Facebook is Budleigh Wines, the independent wine store on the High Street in Budleigh Salterton. In fact the site was originally called Threshers Budleigh & Exmouth, started by Paula LeBlanc with 11 members, but with Paula and her husband Serge taking over the business the Budleigh Wines Facebook group now has over 50 enthusiastic fans.
Click on http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Budleigh-Salterton/Budleigh-Wines/106815689349461?ref=mf and you'll find a running commentary from Paul and Serge on their courageous bid to make Budleigh Wines into one of the thriving independent High Street businesses of which Budleigh Salterton is justifiably proud. "Feels great to be free!" they commented on 28 March, shortly after acquiring the shop from the collapsed Threshers group.
Paula and Serge LeBlanc, owners of Budleigh Wines
But of course the LeBlancs, married for three years this June, are also using the site to promote their products to loyal followers. "We're very happy with Facebook," says Paula. "It's a good way of telling customers what's on offer, and of course we can update it easily ourselves." The couple organise regular wine-tasting sessions at the shop on Fridays and Saturdays and the Facebook site is the perfect place for comments on their recently acquired Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc such as "Deliciously crisp and fresh, packed full of vibrant and long lasting lime, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours."
In these recession-hit times a site like Facebook, which costs nothing, is a good solution for a small business's marketing strategy. "I'd certainly recommend it to other small businesses in the area," says Serge.
Berton vineyard in South Australia, a supplier to Budleigh Wines. The company, started in 1996, has grown further through the acquisition of a modern winery complex in Yenda, NSW. Naturally Berton Vineyards - Fine Australian Wines has its own Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191509&id=259063494656#!/pages/Berton-Vineyards-Fine-Australian-Wines/259063494656
The couple are currently on a tour of Australian vineyards and hope to upload photos of their trip on their site, not just when they get back to the UK but 'live' from 'Down Under' thanks to the internet. I'll look forward to seeing them displaying the various bottles that they discover out there. The name of our local wine shop may have changed, but as Serge says, "We're the same faces inside." And that's partly thanks to Facebook.
The couple are currently on a tour of Australian vineyards and hope to upload photos of their trip on their site, not just when they get back to the UK but 'live' from 'Down Under' thanks to the internet. I'll look forward to seeing them displaying the various bottles that they discover out there. The name of our local wine shop may have changed, but as Serge says, "We're the same faces inside." And that's partly thanks to Facebook.
A sunny outlook for Brewster in Bloom 2010
Above: Doris Franzago, co-founder of Brewster in Bloom
Just as I was boasting at http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2010/04/all-about-twinning-little-sister-and.html that Budleigh Salterton with its famous micro-climate was benefiting from the early arrival of spring, compared with our sister-town of Brewster in Massachusetts, the sea mist swept in and the rain came down as if winter had suddenly returned.
I doubt that World Dance Day at Budleigh Salterton which I'd promoted at http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2010/04/world-dance-day-at-budleigh.html ever happened. My friend Annie and I were about to set out in time to catch the 10.30 am start of the spectacle on Budleigh beach when the heavens opened. When we finally made it through the murky mistfulness an hour later to the event's location at Steamer Steps only the pebbles were there to greet us. The beach was empty.
Well, that's the English weather for you. And we are still in the month of April showers. And the gardens were desperate for a drink.
Cape Cod Highland Light Scottish Pipe Band playing at the Brewster in Bloom parade 2009
By contrast, over in Brewster according to the online forecast they can look forward to sunny skies and a high of 19°C this Friday for the start of Brewster in Bloom 2010. Saturday is even better, hotting up to 21°C and no rain in sight.
Twenty-four years ago, to celebrate the profusion of daffodils gracing Brewster's Main Street and other roads, residents Bob and Doris Franzago sparked interest in a daffodil festival. Before long, Brewster in Bloom was born and grew into a wonderful three-day celebration of spring. Proceeds from early festivals were earmarked for the building of the bandstand at Drummer Boy Park, which is the site of weekly summer evening concerts by the Brewster Band. Proceeds from this year will go to the Elder Brewster Scholarship Fund.
Brewster's brownies on their parade float
The weekend celebrations in our American sister-town start tomorrow, Friday, with many of its shops and galleries holding open house during the day. Two music events will take place in the evening: one in Brewster Baptist Church performed by the Brewster Band, and a 'Swing into Spring' Big Band Dance at the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club http://www.oceanedge.com/ raising money for the scholarship fund.
Saturday's events include an all-day Antiques & Collectables Fair on Drummer Boy Park, the Brewster in Bloom Run starting at the Brewster Inn and Chowder House at 10.00 am and Brewster Historical Society's staging of a blacksmith's shop with 'colonial craftsmen' demonstrating their skills in iron and tin and making horseshoes.
The Brewster Coffee shop team
There's also a pie-baking contest, and - something I've never come across before - a Fire Truck Golf Drop Fundraiser where the town's Fireman Glen will apparently drop hundreds of numbered golf balls at 3.00 pm from the top of his fire truck ladder. Tickets cost $5 a ball or 5 for $20 and could earn the winning holder a big cash prize if his or her lucky golf ball finds its way onto the bulls-eye marked on the ground.
Sunday 2 May at 1.00 pm sees the start of the famous Brewster in Bloom parade. And then from 3.00 - 5.00 pm, if you feel like learning about the town's interesting architectural heritage you can go on a Historic Inn Tour. Many of Brewster's most celebrated buildings such as the Candleberry Inn http://www.candleberryinn.com/ and the Old Manse Inn http://www.oldmanseinn.com/ , included on the tour, were the homes of some of America's great 19th century sea captains.
All in all, it looks like being a fun-filled and interesting weekend, with wonderful spring weather that we in Budleigh will be envying from afar.
For a full list of events click on http://www.brewsterinbloom.org/
Pictures of the 2009 Brewster in Bloom parade are from this website.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Funny Friends...
I recently attended a benefit for a non-profit animal rescue group, held at a comedy club in West Hollywood. It was a night of big laughs, with the help of some really funny c
omedians, including Lily Tomlin, Paula Poundstone, JoAnne Worley, Dick Van Patten, Arte Johnson, Gary Owens, Billy Barnes, Peter Berman, Debra Skelton, Carrie Snow, Suzanne Whang, and Rainn Wilson. It was a great night and raised a bunch of money for animals in need. We paused for a few photos- I love this one picture above with JoAnne Worley, Lily Tomlin and Dick Van Patten, all really nice people and friends of animals in need too. Paula Poundstone brought the house down with her incredible wit and great jokes. I had forgotten how funny she can be. The event also reunited the cast of TV's Laugh-In and had the audience roaring. Lily did a few bits such as "Ernestine, the telephone company operator", and also reprised her hysterical "Lucille the Rubber Freak" skit, during which I nearly busted the seams of my trousers I was laughing so hard. Lily is one funny lady. I love going to things like this, its clean fun entertainment, it's surprisingly hard to find anymore.-Rick Rockhill
Hayden Pannetiere wallpaper
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Loud(est)horn Inn
Albie Rock's in town.
He made it this time,
he's here, and it's on.
As if the volume between the two of us wasn't loud enough,
our friends Todd H and Ryan hooked us up with some brass.
A trumpet arrived in the mail a couple days ago,
and a tuba was delivered tonight after dinner.
A fucking tuba.
We don't know how to play, yet,
but he's here a whole week.
And we're not stopping till we have it figured out,
or Meryl's ears bleed.
Louderhorn Inn, indeed.
It's going to be the fullest of weeks.
Before Albie arrived,
before I even left for work,
this went up on my street.
Bets are being taken on how long it might stay up...
My guess is six months.
He made it this time,
he's here, and it's on.
As if the volume between the two of us wasn't loud enough,
our friends Todd H and Ryan hooked us up with some brass.
A trumpet arrived in the mail a couple days ago,
and a tuba was delivered tonight after dinner.
A fucking tuba.
We don't know how to play, yet,
but he's here a whole week.
And we're not stopping till we have it figured out,
or Meryl's ears bleed.
Louderhorn Inn, indeed.
It's going to be the fullest of weeks.
Before Albie arrived,
before I even left for work,
this went up on my street.
Bets are being taken on how long it might stay up...
My guess is six months.
Abstract Blue Light wallpaper
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Monday, April 26, 2010
Final Fantasy 13 wallpaper
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Olivia Wilde wallpaper
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Jessica Alba wallpaper
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Sunday, April 25, 2010
Exploring Wines: Part 7, A Weekend in Sonoma
This weekend I am in California Wine Country enjoying the beautiful sights and tastes of life in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Admittedly I am somewhat partial to Sonoma, Napa is probably better known, more developed and busier with tourists. (I prefer the quiet, more relaxed atmosphere of Sonoma). My trips to wine country are preceded by great deal of planning and preparation to maximize our time here. We select which wineries we want to visit, schedule appointments for tastings, make dinner reservations, etc. It sounds very scripted but I've learned from experience that its all too easy to lose a few hours of a precious weekend get-a-way waiting for a table or driving around aimlessly. Over the years we've found our favorites wineries, and have signed up to a few wine clubs (where they send wine to our home regularly). In addition to discounts off of list price, being a member of a wine club brings other perks, such as free, private wine tastings with friends, etc. It really enhances the wine tasting experience when you can sit down and talk about each wine and savor the experience. It sure beats standing in a crowd 3 or 4 deep, elbowing to get to the wine tasting bar to sip. We visited a number of great wineries in both Sonoma and Napa Valleys, and discovered several great wines that we've added to our wine cellar at home. During this weekend, we visited Ledson, Cade, Kunde, Rubicon Estate and the Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves. Each have their own unique aspects of wine making and varieties offered. Over the years I've been visiting the wine country, tasting and collecting I think I've visited over 30 different wineries. California wines have come a long way in their history. Up until the Paris Wine tasting in 1976, American wines were previously viewed as inferior to European wines. Today, California wines in particular rival and compete with the finest wines available as world-class. I may not be an expert, but from my perspective, these wines in Sonoma sure are terrific!Wine is the subject of this week's episode of The Palm Springs Savant & Co radio Show on Blog Talk Radio. My guest this week is Mr Jerry Padilla, Assistant to the Winemaker at the famed Ledson Winery & Vineyards in Kenwood, CA. Ledson is nestled in the Sonoma Valley, housed in a magnif
icent castle that stops passers-by from the sheer beauty of its structure. Inside are some of the most fantastic wines we've encountered here in California. It was this reason that prompted me to invite Jerry as my guest for the show this week. He did a great job explaining wines and shared a great deal of valuable information.I thought I'd share some information directly from the Ledson website about Food and Wine pairings. I couldn't say it better myself, so here it is, from Ledson:
"Though it can sometimes seem complicated and intimidating, harmonizing food with wine should be a natural and enjoyable process. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer; it is essentially all a matter of taste. Trust your instincts, often times the flavors you think will go well together, do. With a little common sense and a few basic tips, you will be able to navigate through this culinary challenge like a pro."
- Balancing Weight & Texture
Choose a wine and food that are similar in weight, or body. This will help to make sure that one does not overwhelm the other. For instance, a thick sirloin steak would pair wonderfully with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. A lighter wine would be lost to the heaviness of the steak. - Balancing Flavor Intensity
Pair light-bodied wines with lighter, more mildly flavored foods and fuller-bodied wines with heartier, richer, and more intensely flavored dishes. - Matching Flavors
This is when common sense comes into play. We often top fresh fish with a squeeze of lemon juice because the flavors complement each other. For the same reason, a crisp, Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavors would be a good choice to drink with this meal. Likewise, an earthy Pinot Noir would go well with a mushroom dish. Follow what your palate already knows and it will most likely be a winning combination. - Opposites Attract
Sometimes the best pairing for a food is to find its opposite. Opposing flavors can often play off each other, creating new flavor sensations and cleansing the palate. A classic example of this is pairing spicy Thai food with a sweet dessert wine such as Riesling or Gewurztraminer. The sweetness will help highlight and tame the spicy flavors in the dish.
Exploring Wines: Part 6, Learning Grape Varieties
Exploring Wines: Part 5- Key Attributes of Wine
Exploring Wines: Part 4- Pairing Suggestions with Turkey
Exploring Wines: Part 3- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandels
Exploring Wines: Part 2, Tasting & Enjoying
Exploring Wines: Part 1
Tune in to The Palm Springs Savant & Co Radio Show #109 to hear this fascinating episode on wines! -Rick Rockhill
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