Well we saved a bird this week. Well, technically, Pels, my friend Kathy and her Daughter saved him, but I was very encouraging over the phone. And it was a rather large bird, a red tail hawk! I think Pels may have given up earlier without my moral support so I am taking some credit. Pels went to photograph a cool new mid century listing of ours in Bridgewater about5:00last night. While trekking out back to get the best photo from the other side of the pond, he noticed the hawk hopping about in obvious distress.

First, we tried the Sharon Audubon center (closed) then the DEEP (they dont do anything), then several other rescue facilities (full, they dont pick up, can you drive him to Lyme?) Then we called every vet we know in the area.... Finally, Dr. Elwell in Roxbury said he would care for the bird but we had to get him there. He suggest a fishing net and also warned that the bird would shit all over the car during transport. hmmm, no. I suggested I would bring our cat carrier down. Not big enough. So then I suggested calling friends who had dogs and finding a dog carrier.

Luckily, when hearing of the predicament, our great friend Kathy came to the rescue. She rushed to Bridgewater with dog crate, shovel, styrofoam sled, and towel! After several passes they were able to guide the bird to hop into the dog crate and cover it with the towel so he would be calm. He is now comfortably ensconced at Dr Elwells hopefully eating some defrosted mice? Kathy's daughter who was also a great help has named him Red. We will check in on him in a few days.Pels got home at9:00...

This Easter weekend there are many events in Litchfield County. The Gunn Memorial Librarywill have easter egg dyeing this Saturday from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm.

The Mayflower Gracewill hold anEaster Egg Scavenger Hunt, April 20th As described, "Gather your little chicks and visit our beautiful Shakespeare Garden for an exciting Easter egg huntand count your spoils at our spring-inspired Easter Day dinner.Scavenger hunt starts at 10am." To RSVP call: 860-868-9466.

The Litchfield Egg Hunttakes place Friday, April 18 at 10:00 am at the Community Field Playscape and the Ripley and Porter Baseball.

For something a little different, the Easter Bunny will visit the Danbury Railway Museum this Saturday.Admission includes:
- Ride through our railyard on a vintage train
- Visit with the Easter Bunny in his special railroad car
- Small gift for children from the Easter Bunny

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL FROM THE MATTHEWS GROUP!

"When Life gives you Lemons make Lemonade, then go Shopping!" This is the message fromLiberty Lemonade on the weekend on their grand opening.

Liberty Lemonade will carry footwear lines for all ages with a wide choice of trendsetting brands such as Aquatalia, Wolky and Anyi Luto. The fashion is a curated selection of luxe, relaxed designs from Trina Turk, Cortland Park, Splendid and many more... They will have a full offering of accessories including handbags, ties, scarves, socks, gloves and jewelry...

As reported in the Litchfield County Times, "Alisa La Liberte, a New England native, who recently relocated from Silicon Valley, Calif., is putting the finishing touches on Liberty Lemonade, a shoe store she envisions as serving as a comfortable haven for families while they shop. To provide that comfort, Ms. La Liberte has decorated the open space with two couches and chairs so customers can relax while they try on shoes or just sit back and enjoy the free lemonade and cookies served to 

them."

We wish Alisa every success in her new venture! Please find below the details for this grand opening weekend:

As recently reported in the Wall Street Journal online, "Designer Christopher Boshears purchased this home on Squire Road in Roxbury, Conn. Mr. Boshears works primarily in Connecticut, New York and on the West Coast, and renovated the home to serve as a base while working in the area as well as a weekend getaway"

Also featured in the multi-photo online post is this stunning entryway. In the article Mr. Boshears, described his work as quite diverse saying he has worked on 'everything from movie star custom buses and trailers to ranches in Montana and brownstones in New York...'

This is the third property Mr. Boshears has owned and worked on in Litchfield County, Conn.He said the home, sited high on the six-acre property and set against a hill offered privacy and a real sense of peace.

Im going to this -- It looks amazing, anyone want to join me for the garden tour on May 20th?

Trade Secrets

Please see this flyer to learn more about the Kid's Fishing Derby at Shepaug Pond on May 5, 8-9:30 AM.

Download Fishing_Derby_Flyer

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Fox Crossing Equestrian will be offering two Winter Riding Camps December 26 30^th!

^{- Beginner/Advanced Beginners with Katie Sutton Eagleston}

^{- Advanced/Intermediate Riders with Cheryl LeMoine}

^{Time: 9am 1pm (early drop off/late pickup to accommodate those that work is available for an additional fee).}

^{Date: 12/26-12/30. Can pick and choose a few days and not do entire week!}

^{Email cindy@foxcrossingequestrian.com for additional information or to sign up!!!!!!}

Download HAPPY HOLIDAY SAVINGS

October 4, 2011, 1:28 PM
Litchfield County, Easy on the Wallet
By SETH KUGEL

A Js Steak and Pizza might be intimidating, I was told kind of a bikers bar. But the burgers were cheap and good, the peanuts were free, the place was still open and it was right down the road from the room where I had just dropped my bags.

Something about the warning didnt quite compute: an intimidating biker joint down the road from the Mary Stuart House, my cozy little bed and breakfast on rural Route 4 in Litchfield County, Conn.? The same Litchfield County known as a weekend escape for New Yorkers prosperous enough to afford a second home but put off by Hamptons haughtiness?

I chuckled as I walked into the friendly basement bar. Sure, it was intimidating if you fear the sound of peanut shells crunching under your feet, the specter of CNN on a big screen, or the prospect of a bartender pushing the blue cheese and caramelized onions that would boost the price of your bison burger to $9.25 from $8. You get the pungent with the sweet, she said, all foodie-like. I was hardly quaking in my boots.

To be honest, the real terror had come a week earlier, when I got my assignment: a frugal weekend in Litchfield County. Friends were skeptical; Twitter followers sent me the 140-character equivalent of raised eyebrows. Good luck with that was typical.

Read the Full Article Here: NY Times, Frugal Traveler, Oct 4, 2011