so, i’m having a baby!  hence, my new desire to blog all things baby-to-be.  i miss belocaling but just cant bring myself to update.  i am sure some of you can relate.

good news is that i’m still sharing at babynotes.tumblr.com.  if you’re into babies, having babies, know babies, perhaps you’ll be interested in checking it out and sharing with me there. 

i’m itching to tell you how much i like chimney hill estate and inn in hunterdon county, nj right outside of lambertsville

and how much i hated (though thats normally not my style) hamanasset bed and breakfast in brandywine, pa.  good to know though is that the river museum in brandywine is so lovely - the building itself and the art gallery within

and that if you are in the catskills near pheonecia or big indian you must MUST must visit Yvonne at her house where she is still selling home cooked pot pies and jams and all things yummy - on route 28, passing Pheonecia heading north look on your left for her handmade signs.  

but, i’d so much rather look at nurseries and pick out mobiles.  

no doubt i’ll be back - eventually.  please feel free to message me any questions for suggestions, etc. 

Swimming Holes in Pennsylvania

An amazing find.  I’m in the midst of planning a weekend getaway with friends from Maryland.  Pennsylvania is a perfect midpoint and this website - SwimmingHoles.org - is a great way to begin the search.  Who doesn’t want access to some fresh water in the summer?  

(via website - ON STATE MAP : BLUE = swimming hole, GREEN = road trip dip (click here for info) , RED = hot spring.  The map location is very approximate. Use our directions with a highway map)

click pic for website

Floating in the Delaware River

It’s hot.  So, if you’re planning to head northwest on a day trip or weekend getaway from NYC to NJ, PA area, consider checking out the water activities on the Delaware River. Click the pic for information dedicated to all the ways you can use the river.  It is full of useful suggestions and the best part is that people’s comments are up to date about where to launch, where the water level is too low, etc.  

Amma Sri Karunamayi will be concluding her tour holding retreats and giving individual blessings throughout the tristate area beginning in Woodstock, NY this weekend, moving along to D.C., PA, NJ and then into NYC on July 19th.   I’ve been wanting to meet Amma, be in her presences, since my aunt told me about her own touching experience last year. Trouble is the blessings are offered on weekdays and lines are hours long.

I’ve heard signing up as a volunteer is one way to ensure a special moment or two.  

I love fireworks!  a list … for you

July 4th Celebrations in and around NYC

New York

Brookhaven Star Spangled Blast in Farmingville, click here

Stars Over Montauk, go to Umbrella Beach, 9 - 10 pm

Fireworks in Astoria Park, but on June 30th, click here

4th Celebration at Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck , click here

White Plains High School fireworks, July 1, 6 - 9:30 pm

Nanuet Music Festival and Fireworks, July 1, 8 pm - Nyack/Piermont Area

Independence Day Celebration at West Point, July 3, 7 pm, Garrison

Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, click here

Fire Island, Great South Bay off Davis Park - any shorline from Smith Point to Bay Shore

so many more in hudson valley… click here

Manhattan

Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular “American Harmony” - Hudson River, between 24th and 50th Street. Will begin at 9 pm and is set to last about a half hour. (consider going to the Jersey side to view the display - Hoboken and Weehawken definitely, Jersey City and North Bergen too or from Long Island City at Gantry Plaza State Park or Water Taxi Beach or Maspeth in Western Queens) To plan ahead, check out this info

New Jersey

Good list of New Jersey towns and their firework plans here

The Shore:

Atlantic City Borgata Hotel

Ocean City, around 9th Street

Wildwood at 10 pm, Pine Avenue on the Boardwalk

Asbury Park Boardwalk at dusk

Boston

Spectacular, to say the least! Click here

Pennsylvania

Central PA 4th Fest Star Spangled Spectacular, click here

Philadelphia Wawa Welcome America, click here

Massachusettes

Star Spangled Springfield, click here

Amherst Stars in the Sky, click here

Connecticut

New London Sailfest, fireworks July 10th, click here (close enough to the 4th!)

Rice’s Market in New Hope, PA

This is insane - a 30 acre outdoor flea/farmers/artisan market that is a mash up of Canal Street, Chelsea Flea Garages and the most local town’s greenmarket.  Just about a 90 minute drive from NYC, Rice’s Market is family run and been around since 1860.   Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 am - 1 pm.

Make a weekend out of it and explore more of the beauty of Bucks county and the neighboring Hunterdon County in Jersey. 

pics from their facebook fan page.