Yankee Candle Co.

The candle scents are delightful, and each one becomes a favorite!  Years ago there was also an antique car museum that the Hubby would enjoy visiting, but sadly, it’s no longer there!

We took the grandkids on a daytrip and enjoyed the Christmas Village, dip-your-own DIY candles, visit with Santa, the food court, Pandora jewelry display, New England furniture decor,  specialty foods and so much more!

 

 

 

 

My favorite scent for Christmas is Home for the Holidays.  What’s your favorite Yankee Candle scent?

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Fairs In September

For the last several weekends in a row, my family has visited quite a few local fairs.  We’ve been to the Farm Day Festival, Haddam Neck Fair and The Big E in Massachusetts,  (Eastern States Exposition.)

Owned and operated by the Durham Agricultural Fair Association, Inc., the Durham Fair is the largest fair in North America managed entirely by unpaid volunteers.

My Hubby and I have been going to the Durham Fair since even before my own kids were born, and now it’s an annual event with the whole family, especially the grandchildren!

It was an extremely hot day today, especially humid for this time of year in Connecticut.  You would think it was Mud Season in Vermont because it had been raining for the last several days, and many of the fields that normally allow parking just ripe for muddin’ !

Despite the heat, we enjoyed the live entertainment, rides and games on the Carnival Midway.  There were first-class animal competitions and discovery events on the Corn Stalk Stage, along with my favorites, the crafts, exhibits, shopping and fun food. Yummy!  We always try to eat at civic organization booths, and ate at the Lions Club booth.  We sat under a tent for shade with plenty of picnic tables, and a live guitarist playing Folk Music.  The cheeseburgers were huge and tasty, along with the foot-long hotdogs, and fresh apple cider from Lyman Orchards.  We decided that next year, we’re going to try one of the chicken barbeque dinners that several of the church groups put on.

We walked through the permanent buildings housing the displays of award-winning baked goods, gingerbread houses, canned vegetables, jams and jellies.  There were also floral arrangements, and vintage agricultural antique farm machinery.

Slugger and his sister enjoyed climbing on the John Deere tractors!

If you choose to leave the fairgrounds early, you can return by getting your hand stamped as the live entertainment on the main stage for the weekend included KC and the Sunshine Band; Blues Traveler and Steel Magnolia.

The first fair in 1916 was held entirely on the Durham Town Green but now is spread over 45 adjacent acres of farmland, and there are many permanent structures.  What was once a local event now has turned into the largest of its kind in Connecticut.

For the kids who live in the Durham area, Opening Day is like a major holiday, and they get a half-day off from school!  The first fair drew about 2,000 people mainly from Durham and the surrounding towns but now, if the weather is good the fair may draw over 200,000 people from all over Connecticut and surrounding states.

The Durham Fair remains 100% volunteer run and a true agricultural fair, contributing academic scholarships and charitable donations totaling over $50,000 through the work of the Durham Fair Foundation.

Scenes from the Durham Fair

[Show as slideshow]

Put the Durham Fair on your list of things to do in Connecticut if you’re looking for good old-fashioned family fun!

For More Information visit:  www.durhamfair.com

Do you have a family and kid-friendly attraction, lodging, restaurant or event that you would like me to visit, write about and feature? To forward information and passes please Contact me.

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

My granddaughter ‘Lil Moomette celebrates her birthday in October and will be turning five.  There’s so many opportunities for a birthday party theme!  Several of the local farm stands offer hayrides, and birthday celebrations can be set up in the picnic areas.  She’ll be inviting her Kindergarten friends along with her pre-school brother, Slugger and his buddies!

How to Make a Halloween Wreath 

This is a fun and easy Halloween craft project for kids that you may want to break up across a couple of days, so be sure to start a few days before the big night. Mom, Dad, Grandmom and Grandpa can join in the fun as well and make a Halloween wreath of your own too!

Material List

•  Paper Plate (One per child/adult)
• Scissors
• Leaves
• Glue Sticks
• Orange Construction Papers
• White Construction Paper
• Black Construction Paper
• Washable Black Marker
• Black Yarn (optional)

Adult Preparation: (To Be Done Prior to Actual Wreath Making)

Cut the center from each paper plate prior to giving one to each child. These will be the base for the homemade wreaths.

Day 1: Grab the kids and head outdoors.

Gather as many fallen leaves of different shapes and colors as you can find. Once you’ve collected enough leaves to cover each paper plate, head back inside and glue them to the paper plates. You can glue the leaves to cover the entire plate, randomly around the plate or even as a border around only the edge, whichever you prefer. Once you’ve glued the leaves to the paper plate, leave the plates to dry for 24 hours or at least overnight.

Day 2: Creativity

Depending on how much time you have to complete this project you can have the children do the next step after the leaves have been glued on, while you’re waiting for them to dry or you can make another day of it.

Let the kids draw Halloween images on the construction paper that you can pick up at your local craft store.

Here are some ideas for each color of paper:

• Orange – Pumpkins (Use the black marker to draw the face on their pumpkins)
•  White – Ghosts, Mummies, Bones
•  Black – Cats, Witch Hats (You can use the yarn to put a tail on the cat and hair on the witches head if you’d like to put that under the hat)

Once the kids have picked out and drawn which decorations they’ll be using, carefully cut them out and paste them to the wreath.

Tip: Pre-placement (before gluing) will give the child an idea of what the wreath will look like once it is all glued together. When the kiddos are happy with the way the decorations are placed, it’s time to glue them to the leaves.

Again, allow the decorations to dry completely.

Day 3: Decorating Time

Congratulations! You’ve made your very own homemade simple and easy Halloween wreath. Enjoy your child’s creation by hanging it on the front door,  or his or her bedroom door for all your friends and family to see and admire.

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Farm Barn

If you plan a road trip travel vacation to Vermont this summer, be prepared to not only enjoy the beautiful mountain views, but also the different styles of farm barns.   What’s a farm without a rustic, red barn?  In fact, if you’re planning a wedding in Vermont, there’s even rustic farm barns that you can hold the wedding reception at!

We just visited the Vermont Brattleboro North KOA on a family reunion camping trip.  This farm was literally in our “back yard.” We could walk to the general store where they sold fresh vegetables, fresh baked homemade breads, pies and other assorted Vermont crafts.

Late in the afternoon the farmer would hop on his tractor and till the soil or fertilize the plants he’s growing this season.  My grandson Slugger, who’s going to be turning 3, was totally fascinated and we watched for about 10 minutes each time.

We had a grand time trying to decide what was being planted in that field and hope to return to the campgrounds  later in the season to find out!

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

GemKitty is a website that lets you design your next favorite pair of gemstone earrings online. They offer over 100 million jewelry possibilities!

GemKitty Madison Custom Earrings in Sterling Silver

Gift Ideas for Her

In our fast-paced modern cultures our ears provide one of the easiest and most prominent body parts to adorn. We express ourselves, our moods, our attitudes through the jewelry we afix to our ears.

Jewelry is a classic holiday gift and the earrings at GemKitty.com offer shoppers better value than purchasing off the rack:

• With as few as two mouse clicks, you can create a special personalized gift. Your design is handcrafted to order in their Portland, OR studio.  And it arrives gift ready!

• It’s affordable. Custom jewelry traditionally entails working one-on-one with a jeweler and can get costly fast.  GemKitty earrings start at just $32.

• With natural gemstones of all colors (like garnet and amethyst), you’ll be sure to find the perfect match for the person on your list.

Today earrings thrive with as many different variations as there are people wearing them.

GemKitty also offers custom craft necklaces and Limited Edition pieces – Free Shipping, and No Hassle Returns!

Founded in 2007, Gemkitty’s mission is to enable anyone to discover or design a unique piece of semi-precious gemstone jewelry.

Each jewelry item is each handmade to order which can take up to 5 days before shipping, so allow plenty of time for your Holiday Shopping!

For More Information Visit Gem Kitty

Follow GemKitty on Twitter

Follow GemKitty on Facebook

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a $68 Gift Certificate to GemKitty!*

*USA ONLY

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail link and leave your name in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit GemKitty and leave a comment listing which jewelry item you’d like to choose if you won

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Moomette’s Magnificents Facebook Fan and leave a comment on our wall with your thoughts on this giveaway.

~ One Extra Entry: Click the “Like” button on this post (top or bottom) and leave and leave your name in a separate comment

~ One Extra Entry: Follow and Rank Moomette’s Magnificents on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect (sidebar)

~ One Extra Entry: Visit my 101 Random Things About Me page (under About) and leave a comment here – something About Me

~ One Extra Entry: Leave a comment on THIS non-giveaway post, and come back here and let me know (may leave multiple comments on multiple posts) but leave a separate comment here for each one

~One Extra Entry: Follow @Moomettes and @GemKitty and Tweet this giveaway and post the link in your comment- (one time only) (50 Followers minimum to qualify for extra entry)

copy and paste to to Tweet

This contest will run until November 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

I was babysitting my granddaughter last night while her parents were at a Super Bowl party and was trying to come up with some ideas to keep her entertained.

In my family room I still have a cabinet filled with arts and crafts supplies that my girls used for school projects.

It’s only February, but there’ll still be plenty of snow days off from school before spring finally arrives.

What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun. Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child.

Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It’s safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors.

Here’s a nifty play dough recipe that I’ve used many times with my own kids.

• 4 cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 4 cups water

• 4 tablespoons oil

• 1/2 cup cream of tartar

• food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice)

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic place mats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream.

Another great favorite is collages. You’ll need a few craft supplies such as construction paper, some magazines, Elmer’s glue and safety scissors. You can find deals on craft materials at Create for Less.  Have the kids cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang it proudly on your fridge!

These fun projects are also great for homeschooling moms or daycare moms!

Turn a snow day into a fun and exciting day with your child or grandchild if you’re babysitting while their parents are at work!
photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Turn Your Hobby Into a WAHM Business

When my girls were babies, I started a scrapbook, or baby book for each of them.

Over the years I’ve compiled notes on many of their “firsts” – first tooth; first immunizations; first haircut and other milestones.

I’ve kept up their family histories all the way from when they were first born, through grade school, high school, college, weddings and in the case of my oldest daughter – her first baby.

Today, this art of maintaining memorabilia has morphed into the art called “Scrapbooking.”

My two nieces are very much into scrapbooking and have compiled some beautiful books. One of my nieces has 5 children.

What is Scrapbooking?  Wikipedia defines it as:

Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabilia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks. The idea of keeping printed materials of personal interest probably dates to shortly after the invention of printing.

If you’re crafty, then you might want to consider supplementing your income by starting a scrapbooking business.  It could be a great way to turn a hobby into a money making opportunity and enable you to work from home.  Of course, to really be a success with your scrapbooking business, you’re going to need to have a plan and know what you’re doing.  Let’s take a look at the best course of action if you’re thinking about becoming a scrapbooking entrepreneur.

First, you’re going to need to decide whether or not you want your hobby to be a business.

It might not be immediately obvious why it would be a bad idea.  However, when our hobbies turn into another kind of work, it can be hard to find ways to relax.  Make sure that you’re ready to add in another job, and that scrapbooking will still be your passion after money gets involved.

Next, think about whether there’s a demand for your services.

Do people comment on the quality of your memory pages and digital scrapbooks?  Do they ask you what they should do with their own, or where to get the best supplies?  If you’ve experienced this time after time, a home based business might be appropriate.  It’s no fun to leave your photos sitting in a drawer or on the computer, and people now are realizing that.  People are always looking to preserve memories of milestones such as births; graduations; weddings; vacations and retirements.  You can help them make their dreams of a beautiful scrapbook come true.
Prepare to market your talent.

Put together a portfolio of your best work, compiling the pages you’re proudest of.  That way your prospective clients will have something to look at that’ll tell them what kind of quality you have to offer.  Make sure you include only professional quality work.  Don’t fill out a scrapbook portfolio with pieces that aren’t up to snuff.  It won’t look good, even if they make the portfolio look a little thicker.

Now you’re ready to start looking for clients.

You’ll need to let others know you have this business. Start by telling your family and friends, and encourage them to tell other people they know.  Write an online press release, or have one written by a professional who knows the format.  You can also submit this press release to local papers and in other areas in the community.  Just a flyer at church, the grocery store, or in the craft store can do a lot too.  Start writing a blog. A quick way to start a blog is HERE. After you develop a good client list, think about offering discounts for referrals.

The business can expand if you’re willing to not just offer scrapbooking services, but to teach others how to put together scrapbooks too.  Set up a class and teach people in your community how to present their memories in an attractive way.

A scrapbooking business can be a lot of fun and you can turn it into a second career or may make some extra money for your family.  Just remember to research current going rates and charge fairly for your time and materials so you don’t undercut yourself.  If you approach things the right way, your scrapbooking business could really take off.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Jewelry Making

When I was a youngster, I didn’t attend fancy day camps in the summer when school was out.  The Park and Recreation Department in my town would hold activities at each of the local parks all day long.  Along with my friends, I’d show up in the morning; go home for lunch and; walk back for the afternoon activities.

One of my favorite activities was arts and crafts.  For a small fee, perhaps it was 5 or 10 cents, we’d get to make a project.  One of my favorite projects were the bracelets made out of colored cord.

I recently had the opportunity to review a newly released book from Klutz featuring the Fancy Friendship Bracelets, written by Anne Akers Johnson.

Klutz started with super-simple instructions for a flock of all-new bracelet designs which includes five different colors of cord.

Features Include:

• 6 stylish charms

• 40 yards of cord

• More than 200 beads

Recommended for ages 8+, the book includes instructions to make 10 different fancy friendship bracelets.

Klutz was started in 1977 by three unconventional friends from Stanford University. In 2002, Scholastic Inc., the largest children’s book publisher and distributor in the world, acquired Klutz.

…how-to books from Klutz come packaged with the tools of their trade (from juggling cubes to face paints to yo-yos), and are designed for doing, not just reading.

Klutz also offers Bead Loom Bracelets, Spool Knit Jewelry, Shrink Art Jewelry as well games, puzzles, art, drawing and extra supplies.

For a MSRP of $19.95, this is a cute, entertaining and educational book to put on your Christmas holiday shopping list for any pre-teen or tween!

For More Information Visit: Klutz

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be two (2) winners receiving 2  copies of the same book – one to keep AND one to share.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Klutz and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until November 8, 2009 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Upcoming FeelGood Twitter Party

Several years ago I was visiting my friend in New Hampshire, and as we spoke she was crocheting infant hats for the neo-natal unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital.  They were so cute – and didn’t use much yarn to make.  Several could easily be made in the course of a night while watching TV.

That whole winter I occupied my time making the hats for charity, and shared the pattern with my coworkers.  I sent up bags full for my friend to bring to Dartmouth.

I’d like to let you know about the Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign.  This initiative is a terrific way to shop and feel good about giving to homeless individuals and families across the country.  For every Lands’ End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity.  Lands’ End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced.

One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats.

Help us spread the word about the campaign and the FeelGood collection.  For every blog post  about the campaign from now until September 16th, we will donate a cone of FeelGood yarn to volunteer knitters at Warming Families.  One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats to be donated to homeless individuals in communities across the country.

Embed Video – We’ve also created a knitting “how to” video you can embed featuring Vickie Howell, best-selling craft author and host of TV’s Knitty Gritty.  It can be found on the Lands’ End YouTube channel here: Lands End.

Send a Link – Once your post is complete, please send a copy to TwitterParty@landsend.com.  We will update everyone on how many cones of yarn were contributed as a result of your efforts at the FeelGood Twitter Party on September 16th.

Your Chance to Win
When you send your post to TwitterParty@landsend.com you will automatically be entered for a chance to win the FeelGood collection including two sweaters and coordinating accessories (valued at $200).  Three winners will be chosen at random and contacted on September 17th.

Join Lands’ End and Vickie Howell, host of TV’s Knitty Gritty for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kickoff of the FeelGood Campaign.  The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell’s books to Lands’ End Gift Cards and FeelGood yarn.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Time: 7pm until 9 pm CST

Location: #landsend

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Want to learn how to start selling your handmade crafts on Etsy?:

Clarissa, from Très Couture, a stay at home mom of 2 kids has been crafting everything from cards to clothing and has put together a wonderful  How To Start Your Own Boutique Business SET of Tutorials which is available on Etsy .  Her philosophy behind becoming an entrepreneur:Start your OWN Baby Boutique Business SET of Tutorials and MORE | Moomettesgram’s Musings, May 2009

You should read the whole article.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?