Giving Thanks

   
The trees in the Mount Pocono region have shed their leaves for the most part. The nights are cold. Thankfully a brisk walk does not require more than a sweater, although stopping in the Swift Water valley, where the stream was shadowed by swaying oaks and hemlocks, I was glad to have my hoodie at hand.

We have come to celebrate the continuous (April through November) harvest of vegetables from the Snipes Farm and Education Center CSA. The young farmers are here with us to relax and reflect on the months of hard work and abundant harvests, which the Bucks County land has produced. A long walk by the steam and through the woods was perfect for those short, intimate, gathered conversations which deepen our sense of each other -- the kind of conversations no one has time for during the mad rush of spring and summer plantings. It is a time to relish the purpose to which our energies have been focused and to express the gratitude that we each have for one another. The bare trees and cold on our faces – a stark contrast to the hot summer and its greenery everywhere – intensified the unspoken acknowledgement that we could only have had those harvests by working together; only by working together.

After the walk we prepared a dinner of organic chicken and pork raised from the farm, just-dug Red potatoes, a fresh salad from the greenhouse and amazing carrots + beats in a ginger glaze. The no-knead bread was desert in itself. Ninety percent of the meal was grown by the group.

Why is it that late evenings are the times when the most heartfelt conversations occur? Among us we were in our 50’s, 40’s, 30’s and 20’s. One a newly wed thinking about children. Three empty nesters wondering about retirement. Those in their 20’s trying to figure out if committing to a career as farmers – and thus in some way eschewing the “typical” career path – is doable. Those in mid-career are carried by the momentum of their choices and buffeted by the realities of our chaotic world. Our theme all along was farming because, don’t forget, we came to celebrate the harvests. But in that joyfulness there was also a certain longing. A longing for security or for predictability? Maybe it was the wondering that, if we keep on this path, everything will turn out all right? Unfortunately, looking around the world, our country and our community predictability and stability seem illusive right these days. Where should we find our strength now?

Last summer was really hot and there was a long drought on Snipes farm. In July the farmers gathered to discuss the wilting of the crops. Was it worth weeding if the carrots were going to wither anyway? They looked at the harsh reality and determined that they must go on with a prudence grounded in optimism. So they continued, they nurtured, they weeded and they planted. Under ground the desiccating plants sent their roots deeper and deeper searching for their strength. Finally the rains came in October, after the growing season, and the plants jumped forth producing a harvest which is the best ever! For the farmers there was no predicting the rains, only hope and each other, knowledge and skill, and above all being truthful about what was really happening on any given day. Let us give thanks for that perseverance, forced by the unpredictability of our lives, these times, our planet, and thanks for the assurance that in community we shall get through. We shall harvest.

This article was contributed by Thomas G. Wells

THOMAS G. WELLS CONSTRUCTION L.L.C.
105 Pennsylvania Avenue
Yardley, Pa. 19067

Tel: 215-321-4818
Fax: 215-321-2179
Cell: 215-378-4048
http://www.tgw-construction.com/

PA CONTRACTOR # #PA003219 • NJ CONTRACTOR #13VH03383400

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Superior Woodcraft, located in Doylestown, Pa, handcrafts custom made cabinetry for the home.

DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

       

   Bringing the Green Indoors for the Holidays

Suddenly, the holidays are upon us! With great effort, I have avoided seeing all the merchandise that has been in retail stores since late September, in an attempt to save my excitement and enthusiasm for the actual season. And nothing brings back happy childhood memories than the sights and smells of the natural world.

One of the best ways to make your home's interior feel festive is to bring nature inside. Here are some tips for making your home literally green this holiday season:

Making a low/no cost Thanksgiving centerpiece:

A holiday centerpiece can set you back $75 to $100. But foraging in your own backyard can yield really cool and beautiful things to make a festive display for your table. Crabapple, Osage orange (we called them monkey balls as kids!), autumn leaves, dried twigs, as well as apples and unshelled nuts all make great materials for your centerpiece. Use wood skewers to secure large fruits to a piece of oasis underneath the pretty things you've collected.

Garlands:

A roll of floral wire, garden clippers, gloves and imagination are all you need to make garland that no store could rival. Look in your yard or nearby woods (make sure you are not trespassing) for evergreens to mix together. Juniper, Cherry Laurel, Blue Spruce and Holly are all diverse greens with lots of color and texture. Cherry Laurel lasts a long time indoors without dropping needles all over your floor. Clip branches and wire them together in layers into a thick garland or swag to hang over the fireplace or on the stairs.

Natural tree:

If you don't have many heirloom decorations or are hungry for a change of pace, a naturally decorated tree like this one is a beautiful way to bring nature inside. All types of fruits and vegetables can be used to dress it up, especially if you are a foodie. Red chili peppers, clementines, cranberries, pine cones, nuts, cinnamon sticks and even tomatillos make lovely ornaments. Consider hosting a tree decorating party. Line the dining room table with craft paper, provide guests with ample supplies and crank up the holiday music. You'll be the superstar host and your guests will unwittingly be your little elves, creating the most sustainable tree in your neighborhood.

Who needs cheap plastic stuff to get in the spirit?

Let the merriment begin!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

This article was submitted by Kathryn Robbins of Kat Robbins Interiors.

Kat Robbins Interiors
610-291-4220
Wayne, PA 19087

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinet maker from Doylestown, Pa - the heart of Bucks County.


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Recipe - Local Treat for Thanksgiving

   

Great local apples are plentiful. Support your local farmers and drink gallons of apple cider. Take this treat to your Grandma's.

  
   
   

Local Apple Crisp

Ingredients

Filling:

• 5 Local Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped small

• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into pieces

• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For the Filling:

• Mix all the ingredients together. Place into 7 to 8-ounce ramekins.

For topping:

Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Blend the butter into the mixture until it forms pea size lumps. Stir in pecans and sprinkle over filling.

Bake crisps for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving

This article was submitted by Marc BrownGold of JustEat by BrownGold.

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinet maker from Doylestown, Pa - the heart of Bucks County.

Marc BrownGold
JustEat by Brown Gold
JustEat Facebook
267-247-2605

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Small Business Saturday - November 27, 2010

      

November 27, 2010 is the first-ever Small Business Saturday.

A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love.

The shops and restaurants that employ our neighbors and reinvest our money close to home.

The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.

What is Small Business Saturday?

More than a dozen advocacy, public, and private organizations are joining American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit, in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. This year, Small Business Saturday is November 27, 2010

Superior Woodcraft is open November 27, 2010 - 10 am - 2 pm.

Come and visit us and the other local businesses and restaurants in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.

See Doylestown Alive for a guide to the Doylestown Area.

Map of Doylestown, PA

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. is a local cabinet maker specializing in custom made sustainable cabinetry for the entire home. Superior Woodcraft brings utility, beauty and harmony into our client's homes and lives. Superior Woodcraft is located in Doylestown, Pa.

http://www.independentwestand.org/

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Superior Woodcraft Supports Rural Artisan – Mallory Rich

      

The motto, “Acting locally, together, we can all help each other through these trying economic times. The only support and assistance we need is each other”, are more than mere words. It describes the actions taken by Superior Woodcraft on a daily basis. In keeping with the motto Superior Woodcraft is proud to feature the works of Mallory Rich, a rural artisan from Sandgate, Vermont.


Primarily a self-taught artist, Rich has studied pastel and oil painting with Albert Handell, Gil Perry, Stuart Shils (at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art), and Virginia McNeice. She has been the recipient of four Artist Residencies at the international Vermont Studio Center, and an Artist Development Grant from the Vermont Arts Council and the NEA. She was also awarded an art residency on Great Spruce Head Island, Maine, at the former home of Fairfield Porter. A native of Alabama, Rich lived most of her life in Connecticut and now resides in Sandgate, Vermont, with her husband, the painter Harry Rich.

Painting in pastels and oils, the focus of her work is the landscape of rural Vermont, eastern New York, coastal Maine, and farmland in Alabama, as well as the unique interiors of Maine island cottages.

"I paint both plein air and in the studio, always trying to capture the elusive and complex quality of light, shadow, and atmosphere. The focus of my work is the landscape in areas I know and love - rural Vermont, eastern New York, coastal Maine, and North Carolina's Outer Banks." - Mallory Rich

A recent essay, Thoughts on Pastel Painting, by Theodore Hoppe, focuses on Rich's pastel paintings.

Rich’s work is showcased at Superior Woodcraft, Doylestown, Pa. Rich’s paintings can also be viewed on her website http://www.malloryrich.com/. Many of these paintings are currently available for purchase.

Rich is represented by Gallery Wright in Wilmington, VT; Redux Art and Antiques, Dorset, VT; Camden Falls Gallery in Camden, ME; Secret Garden Gallery, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina and The Atchison Gallery in Birmingham, AL.

If you own or have seen a painting by Mallory Rich please share your comments about her work.  It is always interesting and educational to hear views from different perspectives.
 
For more information or to inquire about purchasing a painting contact:

Mallory Bratton Rich
email: malloryr@sover.net
phone: (802) 375-2940

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Superior Woodcraft Supports Doylestown Hospital's Circle of Life Auction

This Superior Woodcraft butch block table was featured at the Circle of Life Auction to benefit the Doylestown Hospital Cancer Center and Hospice Program. Auction will take place at the Doylestown Country Club on Friday, November 5th at 6:30 pm.


The artisans at Superior Woodcraft carefully handcrafted this heirloom-quality custom table, using traditional mortise and tenon construction to join a set of turned legs with a decorative valance apron. The solid oak base is hand-stained, painted black and then artistically distressed to show the stained wood beneath. The top is a substantial 2 1/2” thick slab of natural solid cherry, rubbed with a food-safe oil finish suitable for direct chopping. This lovely piece is designed using the ‘golden ratio’; at 36” high and 22 ½” square and provides a perfect area to prep meals and entertain at home.

The Cancer Center at Doylestown Hospital is a member of the University of Pennsylvania's Cancer Network, a leading cancer treatment facility where the focus is to improve the lives and well-being of patients. Doylestown Hospital Hospice is a non-profit organization, serving approximately 300 patients and their families each year from Doylestown and surrounding communities.

About Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft designs, handcrafts and installs heirloom-quality custom made cabinetry with environmentally sound practices and materials; providing a locally made, sustainable product of lasting value, utility, beauty and harmony. Founded in 1967 by master cabinetmaker Karl H. Geiger, Superior Woodcraft is committed to preserving the time-honored skills, traditions and integrity of old-world cabinetmaking. This philosophy transcends every style and thematic design when producing the highest-quality custom cabinetry for your entire home. View their online portfolio at http://www.superiorwoodcraft.com/
 
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JOIN SUPERIOR WOODCRAFT AT THE IFDA ECO FORUM

Join Superior Woodcraft, Inc. at the 2010 IFDA Eco Forum / Vendor Showcase

"Where designers discover new resources... And quality providers discover new clients"

Two Guest Eco / Sustainable speakers....


Prof. Rob Fleming, Philadelphia University & Mark Janizcek, Janizcek Homes & Development.

Along with 40+ vendors , luncheon and a designer raffle make this one special event not to be missed!

Click here to...Register Now!


The IFDA thrives on the power of partnerships, and with that we urge each of you to reach out and forward & invite a person you feel might benefit from this IFDA event, a place where designers & service providers are equal partners in creating thriving business relationships.

To help with planning & catering please pre-register!

Pre-Event Registration Fees.....

Members $ 25.00 All others $ 35.00


*Starting Nov 1st thru Nov 8th

Members $ 35.00 All others $45.00

*Day of the Event....

Members $ 45.00 All others $55.00


Click here to...Register Now!

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinetmaker located in Doylestown, Bucks County, PA.

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