Looking for local gifts this Holiday? In a season that grows increasingly materialistic every year, why not support the local economy while showering your loved ones with presents? Hunterdon County’s and Central New Jersey local artists, assortment of farms, independent businesses, amazing restaurants, all make for endless gift options. Our suggestions below lists nearby sources for holiday gifts that fit every price range and taste. Lets say ‘Goodbye Wal-Mart and Hello Hunterdon’ !
Dancing On Air Balloon Adventures - Town: Flemington – For: The Adventurer ~ An unforgettable gift and the ride of a lifetime in a hot air balloon!
Old Broad; aka:Broad Street Antiques - Town: Flemington – 110 Broad Street – For: The Collector ~ This shop has been opened for years and they have the best selection of antiques and collectibles in all of Hunterdon County! One could spend a hefty sum on antique jewlery or any number of artsy pieces, but great gift options also exist for smaller budgets. The extensive collection of ornaments, some antique and some “good replicas” include great stocking stuffers.
Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse - Town: Milford – 369 Stamets Road - For: The Baker ~ Treat the baker in your life to a bread-baking class with master-bread-baker Nina White at Bobolink Dairy Farm. Nina’s skills and old world style of bread baking make this class such fun and oh-so informative! ( Not to mention the many loaves of bread you’ll have to savour all winter, long after class is over!) OR just stop in at the farm for some of their bread and farm made cheese to enjoy together through the holidays!
Main Street Massage - Town: Flemington – 4 Walter Foran Blvd – For: The Stressed ~ Invigorating or relaxing, massage is sure to re-balance that someone in your life who needs some ’just me’ time!
Teaberry’s Carriage House Boutique - Town: Flemington – 2 Main Street – For: The Tea Lover ~ The tea aficionado in your life will appreciate most anything in this lavish emporium of tea-related gifts and items of finery for ‘ladies who lunch’. Teaberry’s Tea Room also offers gift certificates for a proper English High Tea or lunch Wednesdays-Saturdays.
Kissimmee River Pottery - Town: Flemington – 12 Mine Street - For: The Artsy Person ~ Choose from John Fulwood’s one-of-a-kind pottery creations or give the gift of pottery classes to that wanna-be OR artist in your life!
Chef-Owned & Operated Restaurants - Towns: Flemington, Milford, Frenchtown – For: Anyone who appreciates a dining ‘experience’ ~ Our faves: Matt’s Red Rooster Grill, 55Main, The Milford Oyster House, The Race Street Cafe. Eclectic, exciting, unique and creative…thats how we describe all these nearby dining spots.
Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn - Town: Flemington – 194 Main Street – For : Those in need of a respite. Fireplaces, featherbeds and comfortable elegance are just a few of the things you’ll love about our inn. We source all our produce and foodstuffs locally and do all our own baking right here on premises. Local wine tastings are complimentary with a stay @ the inn and our gift shoppe features locally produced gift items. Gift certificates are available in all denominations…Stop by this Holiday Season for a tour of the inn all dressed up for Christmas! Merry Christmas and Holiday Blessings to you & Yours!
Posted in Artists, Christmas, From The Innkeeper, Handiwork, Local Interest, Shopping!, Traditions, Uncategorized, Wintertime
Tags: art, Christmas, countryside, Eat Local, Farm, Food, food. local, handicrafts, Holidays, locavore, pottery, Traditions, wine
We are thrilled that Flemington’s Stangl factory building is bringing the art of pottery back to town. Now known as Stangl Factory Artists and Artisans, the historic pottery factory building is being beautifully restored and updated. The ‘new’ Stangl Factory will provide artisan workshops, art galleries, shops and food venues.
The first resident to occupy the space is Kissimmee River Pottery who will be hosting an opening reception this Friday evening from 6-9pm. In addition to the opening reception, Kissimmee River Pottery will hold its Student Pottery Sale all this weekend at the Factory. We are planning on making a visit to see their work and to support the artists and this new project!
Kissimmee River Pottery offers adult classes in the day and evening in 8-week sessions; parent and child programs are also available. The studio hosts two student sales a year, one in Spring, the other in the Fall. The sale this weekend will be the first at the new location, 12 Mine Street in Flemington, NJ from Friday, November 18 – Sunday, November 20th and the sale is open to the public.
Kissimmee River Pottery was opened by owner and master potter John Fulwood in Southwest Florida in 1989. The studio and school has been operating in nearby Frenchtown since 2003, but has now relocated to The Stangl Factory on Mine Street. John’s classes feature a loose structure and relaxed environment where a community atmosphere allows students to learn from talented instructors as well as each other. Classes attract beginners as well as experienced potters who continue to learn and share their craft.
Founder, John Fulwood’s work is sold is in galleries across the country. He has received a BA from Mercer University, Macon Georgia in 1976 and an MFA from the University of North Texas, Denton Texas in 1981. John has been making functional pottery for over thirty years and still finds himself fascinated by what he calls “the ever-changing characteristics of clay. Although I have specific ideas about function, I believe that you have to allow the clay to have some control, some freedom of movement within the form, if you want your pots to have life”.
We look forward to John and the rest of the artists bringing new ‘life’ to Flemington’s Stangl Factory… We’ll keep you posted on the goings-on there as they occur. For now, visit Stangl this weekend and get to know our local artists!
As long as we have owned the inn, fall has always been the busiest season for us here at Main Street Manor B&B, especially mid October leading to Thanksgiving time. The colorful leaves, the crisp, cool weather, our award-winning rustic apple cake or pumpkin-spiced pancakes…all of these could be reasons for the steady stream of visitors. Or maybe its that there is soooo much going on nearby, through Thanksgiving and even into December! Here’s a sample of some FUN to-do’s for Fall just minutes from us:
Old York Cellars ’Wine Under the Stars’ & 1st Anniversary Weekend!
Clinton’s ‘Haunted‘ Red Mill!
Flemington ‘Fairgrounds’ renowned Artisanal Craft Faire
Thanksgiving In The Country House Tour
Covered Bridges Artisans Tour
Thanksgiving ‘Wine Trail Weekend’
Check this link out for specific dates on tours & festivals and even more seasonal goings-on right here at the inn! (Even Thanksgiving Dinner, right here in our Dining Room!) We’de love to have you be our guests and are happy to help you plan an itinerary to maximize your time with us. We wish you a Wonder-Fall Fall!
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Fantastic Fall!, From The Innkeeper, Handiwork, Local Interest, Uncategorized, wine
Tags: artisan, bees, country, fairs, festivals, house tours, thanksgiving, wineries
Homemade Peach Ice Cream!
I’m passionate about peaches this time of year…and if you’ve ever had a real, grown- in- New- Jersey-peach in July or early August (especially those grown by Sweet Valley Farms), you’de be passionate about peaches too! Thats why when we were visiting friends last weekend for dinner, I decided to make Peach Ice Cream my dessert contribution.
Its not that difficult to make…you just need an ice cream maker (I have a Cuisinart), about 8 ripe peaches and some ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
So here’s my simple recipe for peach ice cream…! Make sure you use the ripest, local peaches you can find…that makes ALL the difference!
Perfect peaches from Sweet Valley Farms
Ingredients: 4 cups of sliced and peeled peaches, 1 cup half and half, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 +1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract…
Then: place the peaches in a blender or food processor; process until finely chopped. Combine peaches and remaining ingredients in a large bowl and stir a little. Pour peach mixture into the freezer container of an ice cream maker and allow it to mix/process for about 30 minutes (thats how long mine takes!) After the mixing process, spoon into a freezer-safe container; cover and freeze for about 3 hours until firm. Then when its frozen…Enjoy!
The Inns Garden Arbor for Intimate Weddings
Wedding season is upon us here at Main Street Manor…and in full array! Our new outdoor space for weddings is blooming with roses, and lots of perennials and has already hosted two happy couples this past month.
Our Bride entering the yard with her Dad
Ali & Bob were our first couple to be married outside this year…and although there were a few drops of rain…no spirits were dampened!
Ali & Bob after the vow exchange
Sometimes the weather doesn’t ALWAYS cooperate…so we did have to bring one wedding onto the front veranda due to a torrential downpour 5 minutes before the ceremony…We are thrilled to have such a charming spot outside, but protected for our secret couple’s very intimate wedding!
Over Memorial weekend another outdoor garden wedding took place at Main Street Manor with out-of-town guests taking the inn and enjoying the weekend to the fullest!
Standing room only for Lisa & Paul's Wedding!
The day was hot, hot, hot…but with the help of iced teas, lemonade and come icy cold champagne…the couple and all their guests had a great day!
Rings exchanged while the birds sweetly tweet!
We provide a formal sit-down dinner or casual buffet luncheons for our New Jersey wedding couples. Each couple can choose what they prefer - either casual or formal inside the inn or on the breezy front veranda.
An intimate table setting inn-side our Dining Room
A beautiful cake & champagne table!
We love hosting intimate weddings at the inn and look forward to a Summer-ful of more to come. Check back from time to time for more Wedding & Bridal Shower photos we’ll be sharing. If you’re planning an intimate wedding or a romantic, private elopement in Central New Jersey, give us a call. We would love to have you come and tour the inn and the property and we still have a few fall and winter wedding dates available…(including 11-11-11)!
Amazing Peony bouquet!
Just-Picked Strawberries from Honeybrook!
Just a quick post…this springy-clean-bright salad is soooo excellent, we just had to share! First farm picking & pick-up day was last Thursday and I was thrilled to pick a quart of amazing strawberries, a big bag of arugula & 2 bunches of radishes. After the harshness of winter it was wonderful to get out in the sun and back to the land for picking…and the colors and taste sensation…just miraculous!
Anyway…here’s our recipe for the most refreshing Spring Salad with arugula & fresh-picked strawberries…you’ll just have to make the poppy-seed dressing! (or buy your fave at the grocery store). The flavor combo may seem weird to salad-purists but trust me on this one…it is out of this world flavor!
Arugula & strawberries awaiting being dressed!
Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 c honey or 1/8 c white sugar
1 t dijon mustard
1 t salt
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp minced shallott
1 c canola oil
2 T poppy seeds
Measure the honey, mustard, salt, shallot & vinegar into a blender or food processer. Mix until smooth. Start your mixer of choice & gradually add the oil in a slow stream. Process until thoroughly blended. Stop the blender and sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top. Mix gently and transfer to a bottle. Will hold for about 5 days refrigerated.
Put your arugula in a bowl and gently sprinkle the arugula with the sliced strawberries. Top with your poppy seed dressing and toss really gently, so not to bruise the strawberries.
Arugula & Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Sit back, relax, dig-in and enjoy! And please let us know if you enjoy OUR FAVORITE springtime salad! For other lovely and local taste sensations and experiences, check out our website for our locavore escape … AND the inn’s ‘Local Flavor’ Getaway . Come and taste what’s best at our nearby farms here in bucolic Hunterdon County. Visit us at the inn sometime this glorious season and let us spoil you!
*A great resource for New Jersey Strawberry picking !!!
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Feed The Need, Food, From The Innkeeper, Local Interest, Our Kitchen & Recipes, Uncategorized
Tags: countryside, Eat Local, farmers, Farmers Markets, Food, food. local, garden, honeybrookfarm, Organic, recipes, strawberries, Traditions
- Hunterdon Land Trust ~ Dvoor Farmers Market
For those of you who’ve been to the inn, you know why we’re so in love with Hunterdon County. The amazing farms and countryside surround us…and this time of year, I could not imagine living anywhere else! Just last week we had our first taste of locally grown fresh asparagus… beautiful & delicate green-purple spires just bursting with flavor. And so our love affair with fresh, local produce & Mother Nature continues.
Amazing cheese in Bobolink's cave!
In an effort to share our excitement with the world, we have created a Local Flavor Getaway Package for guests of the inn…so read on and come let us introduce you to a taste of the country!
‘Local Flavor’ Getaway
Enjoy local flavor and discover the region’s fields and farms with our two night *Locavore package featuring regional products, tours & cuisine. Main Street Manor B&B supports local and sustainable farmers and we are thrilled to introducing our guests to what we believe is ‘the best of ‘ local in Hunterdon County! Your getaway includes a local cheese plate, a guide & map to nearby farms & farmstands, a visit to a local dairy farm and bakehouse for a tour along with a cheese and bread tasting, a tour of a sustainable local winery and a wine tasting, vouchers for dollars-off at the best nearby Farmers Market at Dvoor Farm, just steps from the inn and eco-friendly farm market bag filled with a bottle of local wine, a copy of Edible Jersey magazine, and a souvenir of local honey to assure sweet memories of your stay with us.
Organic Beets & Carrots at the Market
Our Local Flavor/ Locavore Package includes a 2-night stay in your queen guest room with private bath, a farm to table breakfast each day, all inn amenities and all items mentioned above – Stays are Friday through Sunday (2 nights) May 15-October 30, 2011 and cost is $449 plus tax / double occupancy.
* Locavores are people who make a serious effort to understand where their food comes from, and then do their best to commit to eat locally produced food as much as possible.
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Feed The Need, Food, From The Innkeeper, Inn The Garden, Local Interest, Shopping!, Spring Has Sprung!, Traditions, Uncategorized, wine
The quote above is a Chinese proverb and I believe, oh so true! The chill of winter lingers in the New Jersey air and we are still not really sure that Spring is on its way…even though its March 16th! But crocus & daffodils pop and promise us hope. I itch to get outside & scratch the dirt, but I’m afraid to disturb some of my still-sleeping delicate babies. The urge to plant pansies & feed the spring bulbs as their green tips push through the ground has gotten the best of me…so I am there! 
For others of you who need a fix of playing in the dirt and a shot of blooms after the long, hard winter, here are some suggestions for some flowery ‘local color’ and garden-related to do’s, many nearby Main Street Manor!
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve - the premier destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of the Delaware Valley region.
Duke Farms - A 2,700-acre property in Hillsborough, N.J., is a destination for the residents of The Garden State and beyond. As one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, it is rich in agricultural, horticultural and ecological resources. Floral & gardening classes are offered as well as guided nature & birding tours.
Margaret Roach of A Way To Garden fame appears on Saturday, March 26: Lecture at annual Garden Symposium, Mercer County (N.J.) Master Gardeners. (Just 30 minutes from the inn)
Visit the Garden Conservancy web site for ’Open Days’ throughout all of New Jersey…the 2011 Open Days season begins in late March and extends to early November.
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Feed The Need, From The Innkeeper, Handiwork, Inn The Garden, Local Interest, Spring Has Sprung!, Uncategorized
Tags: bloom, bulbs, countryside, daffodils, dig, Eat Local, garden, gardening, grow, horticulture, MotherNature, nature, Organic
1.) To enjoy Winter Wine Weekend and stay at the best inn nearby all these cool wineries and this amazing family owned and operated farm! Stay with us Saturday, January 15th – Monday, January 17th and visit Unionville Vineyards, Old York Cellars, Hopewell Valley Vineyards and Terhune Orchards For their First Winter Wine Trail Weekend! WooHoo!
2.) What better to do in Winter but drink wine and learn even MORE about it! Take part in the Winemakers ‘blending seminar’ at Old York Cellars on Sunday, January 23, 2010 at 1pm… A must-do for wine lovers…see their beautiful new facility and its just a 5 minute drive from the inn.
3.) For those of you missing the Farm Markets of Summer..have no fear- there’s still one here! Visit nearby Stockton Market (in a comfy warm indoor space) and all those amazing local food & craft people you discovered last year! The Market is open Friday 1-7pm, Saturday & Sundays 10-3pm. Fresh baked goods, artisanal cheeses and all things ‘local’ are always in-season! Visit the Stockton Market at 18 Bridge Street, Stockton & ENJOY!
4.) To be nearby Lambertville’s Winterfest! (Dates Jan 22 beginning with the Fire & Ice Ball through January 30) With fewer and fewer B&B’s in Lambertville open for business, Main Street Manor is happy to welcome guests that are attending Winterfest in Lambertville, 2011! Take part in the ‘Chili-Cook-Off’sponsored by River-Horse Brewery (for all you craft-beer enthusiasts)! Save the date…Sunday, January 30. Visit http://www.winterfestival.net/ for more info!
5.) For Outdoor-lovers and birders just itching to get back to nature this cold and snowy winter…visit nearby Duke Farms for a Winter Sparrow & Bird Walk led by NJ Audobon Naturalistson Saturday February 5! We’ll supply an early and amazing breakfast so you can get there early enough to catch the worm! Let us know and we’ll secure your spot for the tour!
6.) Pre-Valentine’s Day Weekend Special Package for guests staying Friday & Saturday night, February 11 & 12…we’ll jump-start your happy hearts day with a split of champagne & some chocolate covered strawberries in your room upon arrival our gift to you for staying with us!
7.) Celebrate Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend with us at Main Street Manor! Visit nearby wineries and take our Wine Trail for all things wine & chocolate February 12 & 13!
8.) Enjoy our Special Valentine’s Day Package and escape from the world for a day with your honey! All-inclusive Valentine one-night getaway includes overnight stay on Monday night (February 14), a $50.00 gift certificate to Orvieto Restaurant (a cute little italian place just down the street from the inn!), a bottle of wine to take to dinner,and a framed keepsake photo of you and your sweetie at the inn, fireside, taken by our innkeeper!…all this in the package for $299.00!
9.) For those late-bloomers….enjoy our mid-week romance package ALL WINTER long any Monday through Thursday night! Stay for 2 nights, dine at Matts Red Rooster Grill AND enjoy a bottle of wine…our treat to you for $405.00 for a 2 night getaway!
10.) Do you really need MORE reasons to visit us???…Well if you do, here’s a few more…Come frolic with Quincy and see him bulldoze through the backyard snowpiles with the greatest of ease. High-fives and sloppy kisses are his specialty…we promise you that he will win your heart…so visit for a dose of Labby-love, sure to warm the coldest winter day!
The solitude of Winter is truly a magical time at the inn. Catch up on your reading or pour over the inns endless collection of inspirational garden books. Play a board game, work on a puzzle or just while away the hours on our chaise aside the crackling fire. Whatever catches your fancy, do make time to visit us this wintertime…you’ll be glad you did…and while you’re here we promise to spoil you!
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Birdwatching, CHOCOLATE!!!, Food, From The Innkeeper, Local Interest, Quincy's View, Uncategorized, wine, Wintertime
Tags: birding, birds, chocolate, countryside, dog, labrador, Quincy, solitude, Stockton Market, Valentines Day, wine, winterfest, wintertime
What a thrill to live in the country and drive just 10 miles to the best Christmas tree farm ever right here in New Jersey! Last weekend our Christmas tradition continues as we we chose and cut down our Christmas trees at nearby Cherryville Farms. The picturesque farm is totally storybook and offers about 6 different species of trees from beautiful blue-spruces to the aromatic concolor firs. Cherryville Farm has a sweet gift shoppe, offers hot cocoa and is family owned and run.
Main Street Manor’s Christmas trees have come from this wonderful New Jeresy Christmas Tree Farm for the past four years!… and this year, a 9 foot blue spruce grace’s the Inn’s parlour and is decorated with vintage and antique glass ornaments…many from my childhood tree! A smaller tree in the library is decorated in sort of an old world theme with animal, bird and vintage glass ornaments and is a tribute to the love we have for all animals, especially our Labradors!
If you are in search of the perfect tree this Christmas, DO visit Cherryville Farms where you’ll find the perfect tree…AND if you need some Christmas inspiration, come by Main Street Manor on Friday evening, December 17 from 7-9pm when the Inn will be open to visitors for self-guided Candlelight tours of the inn’s common space. The tour will benefit a local non-profit, K9Soldiers. Join us in celebration of the Season and in the process, help support our K9 heroes.
Posted in Ahhh...Mother Nature!, Christmas, From The Innkeeper, Local Interest, Quincy's View, Traditions, Uncategorized, Wintertime
Tags: Christmas, ChristmasTree, dog, Farm, K9, labrador, Quincy, retriever
