25 Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas For Your Modern Home

2018-02-07_14-17-49Valentine’s Day isn’t everyone’s favorite holiday, with its expensive roses, cheap boxes of chocolate and oversized teddy bears that leave many rolling their eyes.

Opinions and relationship statuses aside, this Hallmark holiday does give us a fun opportunity to add a pop of color and a dose of love to our homes in the dead of winter. So we’ve come up with some ways to quickly and easily achieve modern Valentine’s Day decorating.

It’s a holiday that’s characteristically clichéd, so decorating your home with modern flair starts by using pieces that aren’t specifically Valentine’s Day-themed. Skip the “Happy Valentine’s Day” banners, serveware and balloons, and look for stylish home goods in a rosy color palette; they’ll fit the occasion without looking kitschy.

To achieve a modern Valentine’s Day decorating look with hearts, consider replacing the traditional red and pink with black and white or metallics. As an added bonus, décor that isn’t holiday-specific means it can be used long after February 14.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party for friends, cooking an intimate meal for two or just relaxing at home in your pajamas, here are a few our of our favorite ways to give your home a little love.  FULL ARTICLE at FRESHHOME.COM

Advertisement

2018 Winter Farm Tour at Edgwick Farm

https3a2f2fcdn-evbuc-com2fimages2f390502312f1627104839962f12foriginalEdgwick Farm opens its doors every winter to provide a unique educational experience to it’s farmer’s market customers as well as to families new to the farm to see where their food comes from. Meet our hard working dairy goats and cuddle their newborn babies early in the tour season. Later in the tour season, play with the growing baby goats in the exercise yard. After touring the farm, meet the cheesemakers, observe the cheesemaking through a viewing window and taste the milk and cheese these wonderful animals help produce.

Sat, March 17, 2018

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT

EVENTBRITE

MUSIC: LIVE AT GLENMERE BREWING CO.

2018-01-17_11-44-38

Local bands and singer/songwriters perform every weekend at Glenmere Brewing Co. to enhance craft beer tastings. Guests are encouraged to make their visit a complete entertainment experience; customers are allowed to bring in outside food and delivery service is available from surrounding Florida, NY restaurants. Afternoon musical entertainment* is Saturday from 2-6 pm and Sunday from 1-4 pm. *hours are subject to change.

Bourbon & Rye Whiskey Flight Nigh

https3a2f2fcdn-evbuc-com2fimages2f371713672f23639163882f12foriginal

Presented by the Owners of Orange County Distillery on

Fri, December 15, 2017

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM EST

Presentation and Q&A With the Owners

4 Samples Each of our Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskies and Single Barrel Rye Whiskies

Locally Sourced Small Plate Fare, Including Smoked Meats from Quaker Creek, Various Cheeses From 5 Spoke Creamery & Edgwick Farm and Bourbon/Rye Fudge

$30/person

Orange County Distillery at Brown Barn Farms

286 Maple Avenue

New Hampton, NY 10958

Twilight Tours at Boscobel House & Gardens

candlesticks-40With the mansion lit by candles, decorated for a 19th century Christmas, and resonating with live string music, Twilight Tours offer an especially beautiful view of Boscobel House and Gardens.

Children will enjoy hunting for gingerbread kids throughout the mansion.

Outside, the mansion, Apple Orchard, Rose Garden, and Maple Lane will be lit with an elegant display. We add to this singular experience with a lovely post-tour reception in our decorated gallery, and live holiday music in the Carriage House as well as an expanded gift shop.

Come experience Boscobel at its holiday best.

Boscobel House & Gardens, 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, 845.265.3638; www.boscobel.org

Musicians: Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra Quintet, The Brasiles Ensemble, The Putnam Chorale, Putnam Joy

Dates:

Friday, November 24

Saturday, November 25

Saturday, December 2

Sunday, December 3

Saturday, December 9

Sunday, December 10

Tours begin at 4:00pm. The last tour commences at 7:00pm.

Advance registration is strongly recommended.

$25 / Adults

$15 / Ages 6-14

Free for attendees ages 5 and under

Hudson Valley Spice Route – Spice Tasting Tour at Nirmala’s Farmstead

https3a2f2fcdn-evbuc-com2fimages2f350126592f369839943422f12foriginal

Saturday, November 11th from 9 am – 10 am TICKETS

The Hudson Valley Spice Route

Follow the cinnamon hues of Fall to Nirmala’s Farmstead in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, where we explore the Sensory Characteristics of Spices, its colorful history and medicinal properties.

The tasting tour is held in our heavenly-scented-culinary apothecary spice shop. A historic destination, where classic Dutch-American farm architecture merges with global influences, foods and cultures.

Origins of Spices

Your spice expedition begins with an educational journey of its origins, and how for centuries it was not only used to flavor food, but has led to historic explorations, wars and conquests.

Mindful Spice Tasting

Sip and Savor! Evaluate the taste and aroma of spices as we indulge your senses mindfully, in a variety of liquid spice teas and tisanes.

Hands of Spices

Try mixing and pounding spices with one of our antique mortar and pestle and take home your creation. Walk away with skills and knowledge to blend spices in your own kitchen.

Spice and Thyme

You have places to go and things to do in the Hudson Valley! That’s why we keep our spice tasting tours intimate and in a neat action-packed sixty minutes; held early in the morning or early evenings.

This AM or PM real spice experience preps your palate for many other delectable to savor in your visit to the Valley. Our tours are limited to 6 people. We are family friendly and will host kids 12 years and older.

Spice Deals!

Receive a 10 % off discount, valid at our shop for the purchase of cooking classes, spices and merchandise. Continue reading

Great Gear for Parties

great-gear-for-parties-2x1-fullres-1024x512

via Wirecutter – If you’re having a party—whether it’s a small get-together or a call-the-cops dance party—you’ll need some supplies. Here’s our guide to the most essential gear you’ll need to throw the best party. The picks below represent several hundred hours of research and testing; some picks come from longer full guides, while other items come from research we did specifically for this collection. A great party is a chance to put your phone down and enjoy good company. Prepare just enough so you can relax and have fun. It’s your party, after all.

FULL LIST OF GEAR

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

pumpkinline_sliderThe tri-state area’s biggest, most electrifying fall event returns with more pumpkin power than ever before! Meander through an historic, 18th century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display – all made of jack o’ lanterns!

Wander along our main street Pumpkin Promenade and stroll across the Pumpkin Zee Bridge. Around the next corner, discover an awe-inspiring jack o’lantern Statue of Liberty rising to the sky! Twirl with excitement as you witness a fully functioning, 20-foot diameter Pumpkin Carousel. Gaze in wonder at swimming aquatic creatures and a giant Sea Serpent surfacing next to the Croton River. Get mesmerized by a color-changing star show in the Pumpkin Planetarium.

Feel the earth shake as you approach Jurassic Park, where a brand-new herd of pint-sized dinosaurs mingles with an enormous T-Rex, brontosaurus, triceratops, and flying pterodactyl. Squeal with joy as the Circus Train rolls into town with a cast of colorful clowns and awesome animals. Don’t miss Sleepy Hollow Country’s most iconic inhabitant, the Headless Horseman…yes, all made entirely of jack o’lanterns! Continue reading

MOUNT GULIAN OPENS FOR TOUR SEASON

mountgulianbackporch-2ca6e09cMount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, opened for the season on Sunday, April 23rd. Tours of the historic home, Dutch barn, and restored garden will be given every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through October 29th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tour at 4 p.m.

Admission is $8 adults; $6 seniors; and $4 children (6-18 years of age).  There is no charge for Mount Gulian members.  Membership is open to the public.

For more information, directions and event listings call 845-831-8172 or visit our website at www.mountgulian.org