tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177562569264624992024-02-19T11:23:45.676-05:00Livin' in the Belchexplorations in belchertown, ma.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-61751233492499006332011-02-11T13:25:00.001-05:002011-02-11T13:26:59.588-05:00Madley HadleyRemember -- Livin' in the Belch isn't blogging anymore. You can catch up with us at<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://madleyhadley.blogspot.com/">Madley Hadley</a>. </span>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-5391310639319476642010-08-28T08:00:00.000-04:002010-08-28T08:00:55.509-04:00Fall Festivals & Fairs & Other EventsSee the post for autumn activities at the new blog: <a href="http://madleyhadley.blogspot.com/2010/08/fall-festivals-fairs-other-events.html">Fall Festivals & Fairs & Other Events</a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-51485329334427502162010-06-23T12:04:00.000-04:002010-06-23T12:04:36.698-04:00Dear BelchertownDear Belchertown~<br />
<br />
Nearly two months ago my husband and I signed the papers for our new house -- our new house that is not in Belchertown. After that evening, we were a frenzy of activity, and I have not yet had time to write this letter of farewell. However, now I sit and wait for a dishwasher delivery and find I have the time.<br />
<br />
So, thank you, Belchertown, for a fine year and a half. We enjoyed our time there. The location is wonderful, and so are the people. We loved being so close to the Quabbin and convenient to Amherst. The birds delighted me, and the Belchertown fair was always a good time.<br />
<br />
Our time in Belchertown led us to finally settling in The Valley -- so I'm still here, and you can continue to follow local interest at the new blog: <a href="http://madleyhadley.blogspot.com/">Madley Hadley</a>.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-81003225205061740372010-05-16T09:23:00.002-04:002010-05-16T09:25:25.979-04:00Town Election Tomorrow!I haven't posted in a while, and there is good reason for it. But before I get into explaining it all, there's an announcement to make -- there is a town election TOMORROW! Be sure to vote! Voting will be at the high school from 8am-8pm. For details, read <a href="http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-28/12739080077690.xml&coll=1">this article in MassLive</a>.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-42211845338126639362010-04-19T09:52:00.003-04:002010-04-19T19:15:02.794-04:00Dear Loyal Belch Readers~You may have noticed that in recent months, posts have tapered off considerably. The cause for this is a good one -- these Belchertown residents have been working very hard to buy a house, and all of my energies lately have been going into that.<br />As hard as we tried to find a place to continue livin' in the Belch, as of the end of this week, we will be residents of the grand old town of Hadley. I'm not quite sure what that means for this blog, but keep your eyes on it and we'll see what happens.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'd like to post a few shout-outs from things we've been doing these last few months:<br /><br />The birds are back in force -- all those birds that left for the winter are back and happily eating all the food I've left in the bird feeders.<br />If you're looking for something fun to do, take a look at the <a href="http://www.centerateaglehill.org/">Cultural Center at Eagle Hill</a> -- they run concerts, theatre, dances, workshops, and just a great variety of interesting activities. It's a lovely center and there are always art exhibits up in the galleries and hallways. We went this last Saturday (<a href="http://livininthebelch.blogspot.com/2009/02/hardwicks-front-porch.html">for the second time</a>) and enjoyed a live swing band, dinner, and dancing; met some lovely people. Such fun.<br />We have enjoyed eating at <a href="http://www.amanouz.com/">Amanouz</a> (delectable baklava) and the Korean Restaurant. Rediscovered Amherst Chinese.<br />Have been enjoying the calls of the owls at night -- have you heard them?<br /><br />There may be more yet to come -- depending on how much I feel the need to procrastinate my packing in the next few days....<br /><br />And those of you with the week off -- enjoy!emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-48799813096283960432010-04-02T07:55:00.002-04:002010-04-02T08:00:06.120-04:00Signs of Spring~Cindy's Drive-in is open! It opened yesterday and I'm already excited to stop by for some ice cream. (And they have a <a href="http://www.cindysdrivein.com/">new website</a>.) Definitely worth a visit -- or two or three or four.... On Rt 202 in Granby.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-30169265813293946292010-03-28T17:57:00.003-04:002010-03-28T17:59:16.682-04:00PSA: The Deer are HereThis is a public service announcement to remind you that the deer are out and about, crossing roads and wreaking havoc to drivers. Out this morning, driving Rt 9 up into Amherst, one deer crossed the road ahead of me and at least two deer were at the side it had just crossed from. So keep your eyes open when on the road -- the deer are here!emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-45970153827763820702010-03-22T19:56:00.003-04:002010-03-22T20:00:07.134-04:00Song for the Chickadee -- Guest Post<div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >here's a song for the chickadee</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >my favorite bird on the deck</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >he's small and he's cute</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >in his formal black suit</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >in which he comes calling to peck</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >the cardinal is regal, the blackbird sublime</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >the finches are golden when in their prime</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >but the chickadee's faithful, handsome and plucky</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >those that receive him should count themselves lucky</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >he's here in the winter, here in the spring</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >yes a chickadee's truly a heart-lifting thing<br /><br /><br />(Written by today's guest-poster, the <a href="http://velophoria.blogspot.com/">Velosopher</a>.)<br /></span></div>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-74325011271829668232010-03-13T10:57:00.004-05:002010-03-13T11:03:43.561-05:00Sugaring SeasonPerhaps you've seen them -- the metal buckets hanging off the sides of trees, little spouts stuck into the wood -- it's maple sugar season in Western MA. I've seen signs at garden & supply stores advertising sugaring supplies, and someday I hope to have a sugar maple of my own to tap. But for now, the best I can do is enjoy the sights and flavours of local maple sugaring.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wrsi.com/">The River radio station</a> has a <a href="http://wrsi.com/pages/6445243.php?">Sugarhouse Directory</a> on their website. It pretty much focuses on sugar shacks around the Northampton area -- doesn't get into shacks around Belchertown, but if you're in the Northampton area or Amherst, take a look. If you're a little south and east, like in B'town, take a look at <a href="http://livininthebelch.blogspot.com/2009/02/maple-sugar-shacks.html">last year's post</a> -- it's worth it for the links to the two local sugar shacks. There are still some good weeks left in the season -- enjoy!emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-42721727568702543682010-03-06T15:46:00.005-05:002010-03-06T16:01:24.200-05:00House Fire at 71 Hamilton StreetA multi-family house went up in flames this afternoon at 71 Hamilton Street. Police and fire were on the scene and set up a roadblock to any would-be passers-by. Unfortunately, the house, from what I could see, could not be saved and is little more than a shell at this point with the back of the house completely destroyed. I do not know the cause of the fire or if anything can be salvaged, but <a href="http://www.wggb.com/">WGGB</a> was there with cameras, and I'm sure it will show up in the news.<br />Be careful in your houses -- turn off the stove, blow out the candles, check the smoke alarms, look for grey streaks around your outlets, run fire-escape drills, and completely crush your cigarettes (if you smoke) in an ashtray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitEA2a98HMc-IGI6veQCIrs2D1oKEx9SjndDAe_aV8gwgRuYmpbP7zlFGk76qGGuTSZsrtnz-jTZmNgIwODQeGf4W8W2bXMe6ozPcYHud33C402GSr5GSMebVk7_bLKMFS4z-pCpvaPQ/s1600-h/IMG_1277.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitEA2a98HMc-IGI6veQCIrs2D1oKEx9SjndDAe_aV8gwgRuYmpbP7zlFGk76qGGuTSZsrtnz-jTZmNgIwODQeGf4W8W2bXMe6ozPcYHud33C402GSr5GSMebVk7_bLKMFS4z-pCpvaPQ/s320/IMG_1277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445626078475309394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfALIn3tQGKFDiF0nVSamDgRbcCD9jyxf3ITVMYFN0kx9BrM2TY5CyiVTHf354EAfVMm6nsqOK_VKraic0v8A3bMRLzmO7UuqR98t6cRQD3_ffPFU7mP-315B18Jf7Ga3bzkSUOuHZRL8/s1600-h/IMG_1279.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfALIn3tQGKFDiF0nVSamDgRbcCD9jyxf3ITVMYFN0kx9BrM2TY5CyiVTHf354EAfVMm6nsqOK_VKraic0v8A3bMRLzmO7UuqR98t6cRQD3_ffPFU7mP-315B18Jf7Ga3bzkSUOuHZRL8/s320/IMG_1279.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445625881539474978" border="0" /></a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-64862610563533507462010-03-06T07:52:00.001-05:002010-03-06T07:55:32.423-05:00From Our Most Recent Snow Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWs5MumPlXiN8nGWMbuozRaAlxcsZ6SDZwuNcG29PrLflKA3ahzrXlaCg817qE3MkYw9wSdxh2-M7eyxJgPfPszEiy5JD8AIXhZsWtMG50FA48s89CwqZ8yDnwBywtyCQJCJA7SPNN-0/s1600-h/IMG_1266.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWs5MumPlXiN8nGWMbuozRaAlxcsZ6SDZwuNcG29PrLflKA3ahzrXlaCg817qE3MkYw9wSdxh2-M7eyxJgPfPszEiy5JD8AIXhZsWtMG50FA48s89CwqZ8yDnwBywtyCQJCJA7SPNN-0/s320/IMG_1266.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445503525101914738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tVDVzshRCfAQW6Si_VGnBT2MCYBF2jJW6tJrubbEmZB9eqlTCmRglVXjeGjfZH4zHgtbi7iTVbu7j-z6alxDx9nymtxc8nB2TVNOPGcT34hQca5qGcYcmVTACm0fSZG2Gtztdzf6PJQ/s1600-h/IMG_1265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tVDVzshRCfAQW6Si_VGnBT2MCYBF2jJW6tJrubbEmZB9eqlTCmRglVXjeGjfZH4zHgtbi7iTVbu7j-z6alxDx9nymtxc8nB2TVNOPGcT34hQca5qGcYcmVTACm0fSZG2Gtztdzf6PJQ/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445503518839905794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U4yBNE5R4bVcq94VBwc_6kGcC7LblgXJO0UJ3juMYIp12vwjx6kOrDw57PNHxDq7KqdplPlM6WSTksW25MpQwd03TQ1Hjf3nTwYTmRGr3OjrkWw2oDdXYGdACQbXaqldjpAQRQxXarw/s1600-h/IMG_1264.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U4yBNE5R4bVcq94VBwc_6kGcC7LblgXJO0UJ3juMYIp12vwjx6kOrDw57PNHxDq7KqdplPlM6WSTksW25MpQwd03TQ1Hjf3nTwYTmRGr3OjrkWw2oDdXYGdACQbXaqldjpAQRQxXarw/s320/IMG_1264.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445503510006067378" border="0" /></a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-41503247654890785882010-02-14T07:25:00.002-05:002010-02-14T07:25:00.755-05:00Brillaint Red and Lacy White<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kPJKiXJx-PRCtFKUtiPytPz5RPG_SRqRm-g0tTbygI0Fy0PqfNnO8mWbfYVA85g-6HWmLHKvD08dM2TeUFfxlr7Tj_tSkanzCC2Q3AqFuwT2p0nXzS3IiF0NWEFhsy0X7SFYWRY3RiM/s1600-h/cardinal_snow2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kPJKiXJx-PRCtFKUtiPytPz5RPG_SRqRm-g0tTbygI0Fy0PqfNnO8mWbfYVA85g-6HWmLHKvD08dM2TeUFfxlr7Tj_tSkanzCC2Q3AqFuwT2p0nXzS3IiF0NWEFhsy0X7SFYWRY3RiM/s320/cardinal_snow2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436404717811147442" border="0" /></a>Happy Valentine's Day.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />(This picture was taken during the snows of January; the cardinal is at quite a distance away, but such a beauty among the snow-covered branches.)</span></div>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-3871900606786087042010-02-10T06:34:00.004-05:002010-02-10T08:15:51.780-05:00Snow Day!Snow Day!<br />I'll try to keep you updated, if the snow really comes as predicted (check the twitter feed at the right).<br />Drive safely.<br />Build a snowman.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg6Q0FRs68kitqDI8DyksHDWPhe0ueCPhvXF-u-aSD5S0KNYkf1qZVDi1Dmapou3-zIr6pRJwSKPMSb7ItRclg_yo6V5_34YsR90bSqA6cWY14qlz01QSSGtdcOKxknH5Uur6qhoBozY/s1600-h/snowman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg6Q0FRs68kitqDI8DyksHDWPhe0ueCPhvXF-u-aSD5S0KNYkf1qZVDi1Dmapou3-zIr6pRJwSKPMSb7ItRclg_yo6V5_34YsR90bSqA6cWY14qlz01QSSGtdcOKxknH5Uur6qhoBozY/s320/snowman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436577314126219522" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(A Christmas snowman in Ohio.)</span><br /></div>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-22165859413960371772010-02-09T18:54:00.005-05:002010-02-09T19:31:20.333-05:00Happy (Mid) FebruaryMy, oh my. It sure has been a while since I've posted. And it's not entirely because I haven't had things to post.<br /><br />I had a lovely early dinner at <a href="http://www.judiesrestaurant.com/">Judie's</a>, ate another delicious popover, had soup and salad -- all for only $11;<br />I witnessed a flood on Hamilton Street during all those meltings and rains;<br />I've been driving around the area looking at countryside and visiting open houses;<br />I've been feeding birds, and generally keeping myself busy supporting the local library system.<br /><br />This message is mostly just to encourage you to check the links on the right for local events and for <a href="http://www.wwlp.com/subindex/weather/closings">school cancellations</a> -- there's supposedly a storm coming -- be prepared -- get up early to see if you can sleep in.... And when the storm disappears, treat yourself to a popover!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXJTj5RPwMw9CGSBFGZIr8l1ej7I2xILhGJ9r2LhOxbA0GWrzIiAPDEmJCbZAgXubluIwPQBt5eTszkYmVsgfc1p6cARAMJ9A7zUD7hHB8cmu3MDoCUDr1r80GCCt02APNOKGEeliFME/s1600-h/popovers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXJTj5RPwMw9CGSBFGZIr8l1ej7I2xILhGJ9r2LhOxbA0GWrzIiAPDEmJCbZAgXubluIwPQBt5eTszkYmVsgfc1p6cARAMJ9A7zUD7hHB8cmu3MDoCUDr1r80GCCt02APNOKGEeliFME/s320/popovers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436400969154151458" border="0" /></a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-30981650519517254842010-01-18T09:45:00.003-05:002010-01-18T10:00:26.595-05:00Don't Forget to Vote -- Tomorrow! (Tuesday)Tomorrow is election day for the state of Massachusetts. The polls are split between State Senator <a href="http://www.brownforussenate.com/">Scott Brown</a> and Attorney General <a href="http://www.marthacoakley.com/">Martha Coakley</a>. Visit their websites to find out more about them and their stances on the issues, and see <a href="http://news.google.com/news?q=brown%20coakley&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn">the multitude of news articles</a> for info on their sentate race, debates, and other such election-type information.<br />(You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter and YouTube.)<br /><br /></href="http:>Be sure to make time on Tuesday to get out and vote! Polls are open from 7am-8pm.<br /><a href="http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php">Find your polling location here</a>.<br /></href="http:>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-36002317971168981852010-01-03T12:48:00.004-05:002010-01-03T14:07:47.813-05:00Captain Candy Strikes Sugar into the Heart of AmherstPerhaps you have heard of Captain Video in North Amherst -- where you get free popcorn while you search for a movie and where there are large bins with candy to buy. Well, Captain Video has expanded their candy selection into Captain Candy, a new sister-store at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=In&resnum=0&q=103+n+pleasant+street+amherst&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=103+N+Pleasant+St,+Amherst,+MA+01002&gl=us&ei=Dd5AS-qzLoG1tgefyZSACQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA">103 North Pleasant Street</a> between <a href="http://www.bartshomemade.com/">Bart's Homemade</a> and <a href="http://pandaeast.mysayaglify.com/">Panda East Restaurant</a>. We discovered the sugary delight on New Year's Eve and stopped in after dinner to peruse their selection of sweets.<br /><br />And what a *selection there was to peruse! Bins and bins of bulk candy (150+ reportedly) -- gummies, licorices, jellies, chocolates, taffies, and sugar-frees; nostalgic candies like Bit 'o Honeys, Mary Janes, Now & Laters, Sky Bars; and novelty candies like gummy snakes, licorice pipettes, extra-large lollipops, and jawbreakers bigger than my fist. They also have a chocolate case with hand-made chocolates (chocolate covered cherries, truffles with sea salt, chocolate brandies, etcetera) for the more discriminating candy lovers.<br /><br />The large selection, very reasonable prices (many of the bulk candies come in at $1.99/quarter-pound, packaged candies are individually priced), great location, and enthusiastic and friendly staff (we had an entertaining time talking to the manager/owner/employee) make this a perfect place to find the treats that will satisfy your sweet-tooth -- or sweet-teeth, as the case may be. Just be sure to brush & floss after your visit.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*A listing of candies I remember from my first visit: swirly gummy bears, large sour gummy bears, gummy sharks, gummy peach penguins, gummy cola panda bears, gummy brains, gummy fried eggs, fruit gels, realistic gummy worms, gummy worms, gummy dinosaurs, bit 'o honeys, mary janes, black taffy, licorice scotty dogs, nerds, now&laters, licorice pipettes, cotton candy, smooth&melty mints, lollipops, mint nonpareils, squeezable liquid candy, yard-long gummy snakes, sky bars, french chew taffies in a variety of flavours, jelly belly jellybeans, gummy raspberries, gummy fruit salad, peach slices, mexican hats, jawbreakers, sour patch kids, sour gummy worms, fruit slices, chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate-covered cherries, truffles, swedish fish, spice drops, red licorice laces, licorice wheels, salt water taffy, laffy taffy, cowtails, giant sweet tarts (or giant smarties)... and there were many many more. (I can't wait to go back again!)</span>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-45504150940922819882009-12-22T16:35:00.003-05:002009-12-22T18:05:28.244-05:003 Seasonal TreatsThe season has come for treats and goodies, and though I'm not typically a chocolate person (ice cream is usually my sweet of choice), this winter I am craving dark chocolate delicacies -- and more. Here is my top 3 list this season:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/flyers/ma_flyer.pdf">Sipping Chocolate from Trader Joe's</a><br />This rich chocolate drink is amazingly better than any hot chocolate I have ever had. Most hot chocolate is too sweet and too thin. But this chocolate is deep, dark, and lightly sweet. Add it to hot whole milk, and you have the perfect winter drink.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.atkinsfarms.com/ordereze/Content/PageDetails.aspx?PageID=13">Atkins Vanilla Caramel in Dark Chocolate</a><br />Something happens in the holiday season, and I invariably start craving caramels. I tried making them once, but I didn't pay enough attention to them and they didn't quite work out the way I had hoped. This year I found my happiness at Atkins Farms in their candy department in the form of vanilla caramels wrapped in dark chocolate. One of these satisfies a caramel/chocolate craving. Two of these brings a smile to my face.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.darragoldstein.com/gingerbread.html">Fresh Gingerbread with Hot Orange Sauce</a><br />This can't be purchased -- it must be made from scratch and eaten warm. Don't skimp on the spices in the gingerbread, and definitely don't skimp on the orange sauce -- smother the gingerbread with it and you won't be sorry. Delightful.<br /><br />Treats for the season. Comfort foods for the darkness and cold. Enjoy!<br />Happy holidays!emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-66360514677856669592009-12-15T17:53:00.003-05:002009-12-15T17:53:00.180-05:00Milk: Fresh, Local, and ... RawRaw milk first caught my attention when it was recommended to me in mid-May of 2009. A mother was explaining to me, in response to learning that my husband is lactose intolerant, that raw milk can often be drunk by those who are lactose intolerant -- that the pasteurization process kills important enzymes and bacteria that are actually beneficial to the processing power of the digestive system. She went on to tell me about her children and how much they love raw milk and how raw milk is the only milk they will drink.<br /><br />I did a little research on the topic and then filed the information away for future reference.<br /><br />That future came a few weeks ago when my husband came home from a farmer's market and started telling me about how raw milk had been recommended to him by someone else who was lactose intolerant but had no problems drinking raw milk. We did a little more research, had a bit of discussion, and decided we needed to try it.<br /><br />There are a number of small dairies in Massachusetts that sell raw milk, and one of them, Flayvors of Cook Farm, happens to be right on my shopping route. So I made a visit to <a href="http://www.cookfarm.com/flayvors/RawMilk.htm">Cook Farms</a> to put my name on the raw milk list (it is only available by pre-order), and I waited just under a week before picking up my first fresh gallon. We went through that gallon (just the two of us) in about 4 days -- and that was holding back; we've had to order more for subsequent weeks. I find it delicious, my husband can drink it without consequence, and it works wonderfully in recipes. (I'm looking forward to making authentic buttermilk with it one of these days.)<br /><br />Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized -- milk that has not been heated to 160+ degrees in order to kill bacteria that can be found in the milk. The lack of heating helps it retain its natural vitamin content, enzymes, and amino acids. It is whole milk, and therefore higher in fat content (4.0% butterfat at Cook), which in my opinion just makes it taste better (I love a little cream, don't you?).<br /><br />Raw milk is available at Flayvors of Cook Farm for $5/gallon or $2.75/half-gallon, day-of fresh on Mondays & Fridays.<br />More information about raw milk and where you can buy it in Massachusetts can be found on the <a href="http://www.nofamass.org/programs/organicdairy/rawmilk.php">NOFA (Northeast Farming Assocation) website</a>.<br /><br />Milk -- it does a body good! -- and this stuff is SO good, it does a body even better!emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-51933730587879863882009-12-13T14:24:00.003-05:002009-12-13T14:32:29.389-05:00School Closings, Take 2Just a repost from last year around this time:<br /><br /><a href="http://livininthebelch.blogspot.com/2008/12/where-to-find-school-closings.html">Where to Find School Closings</a> for Belchertown, Amherst, Hadley, Ware, Palmer, Granby, and other local areas.<br /><br />The links on this post are especially useful if you don't have cable access or if you don't want to wait while the cancellations scroll on and on and on.<br /><br />Enjoy the winter!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">PS -- I've added bunches of new events to the calendar. See below.</span>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-32968521973147289702009-12-13T10:40:00.006-05:002009-12-13T10:53:19.883-05:00Winter CardinalI just can't help myself. Winter comes, the feeders go out, and all of a sudden I'm obsessed with birds. It's a hereditary obsession... my grandmother was also obsessed with birds and feeders, and my mother has quite a few birdfeeders in view of the windows of her house. We've added a few of new birds to the list since my last post: blue jays, a goldfinch, and a <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/carolina_wren/id">carolina wren</a> -- a lovely little bird with a large voice -- the first wren I've seen!<br /><br />Today's winter picture: one of our male cardinals. I love when the male and female come together, which they sometimes do in the evenings. I like to think they're on a date, trying out the new cuisine at The Deck Feeder, the new hotspot in town....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zXz66LWXhVsdT2P6faeAbccXUoYu9uYvdQreUn0sI2FeBgX1stDLbFAXI2GrXsi9gk-oQenKd8N2p5gFS14TIUcNMaP127KDVmT-bAL3eAUXjnahyphenhyphenj5yItDt4KZOnxH5uryQ1Hq9MBI/s1600-h/cardinal+at+feeder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zXz66LWXhVsdT2P6faeAbccXUoYu9uYvdQreUn0sI2FeBgX1stDLbFAXI2GrXsi9gk-oQenKd8N2p5gFS14TIUcNMaP127KDVmT-bAL3eAUXjnahyphenhyphenj5yItDt4KZOnxH5uryQ1Hq9MBI/s320/cardinal+at+feeder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414746657869956146" border="0" /></a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-24006769854949009742009-12-05T11:06:00.004-05:002009-12-13T10:47:00.057-05:00All for the BirdsIt must be a cold day in December -- the birds are out in full force at the feeders:<br /><br />Cardinals<br />Sparrows<br />Chickadees<br />Juncos<br />Titmice<br />Hairy Woodpeckers<br />Red-bellied Woodpeckers<br />Downy Woodpeckers<br /><br />Haven't seen the parakeet in a while, though my husband says it came by for a visit earlier this week.<br /><br />And as I write this, a wintry mix has started falling from the grey sky. Time to curl up with a good book.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Bird pictures coming later.)</span>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-3885038966243617712009-11-25T18:54:00.005-05:002009-11-25T19:24:00.690-05:00Eating the Plates: Pumpkin & ApplesIn honor of the great Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I would share a recipe from a book I found in my library -- a very interesting book about the food and manners of the pilgrims (citation information below). There were a number of tasty recipes included, but this one seemed particularly pleasant and appropriate for the season. I'm looking forward to trying it someday.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMSoLivK8Rl2YsEG-22qwaJg14xIYcZVew1vXtsgN8kHvHNOx2FZEQxOkzLBftxNUd2p_Vad6Pu6up2Ha_BGh9-WKi3Kbdw-ppJAhTFLAHZYJ453ylihK_-C8kZ28GpAtAJAq_EK8ClQ/s320/red+apples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408198994839378994" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Whole Baked Pumpkin Stuffed with Apples</span><br />1 medium pumpkin<br />6 small red apples<br />vegetable oil<br />maple syrup<br /><ol><li>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.</li><li>Wash and dry the pumpkin. Carve a circle around the stem and open the pumpkin. Remove the seeds and pulp (roasted seeds are awfully good!). Brush the outside of the pumpkin with vegetable oil.</li><li>Wash and dry the apples. Core them. Spoon a teaspoon of maple syrup into each apple, then place the apples upright inside the pumpkin. Spoon two teaspoons of maple syrup over the apples. Replace the pumpkin top.</li><li>Put the pumpkin on the prepared cookie sheet and put it in the oven. Bake until the pumpkin and the apples are tender (1.5-2 hours).</li><li>When the pumpkin is done, remove from the oven. Remove the top and take out the apples. Slice the pumpkin into 6 slices. Serve the pumpkin with a baked apple and maple syrup.</li></ol>If you get around to trying this recipe, let me know -- I'd love to know how it turns out.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Penner, Lucille Recht. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Eating the Plates: a Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners</span><span style="font-size:85%;">. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1991.</span>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-9379671484455337522009-11-25T14:42:00.002-05:002009-11-25T14:46:47.098-05:00Thanksgiving GuestI was busy preparing my homemade cranberry relish and talking to my mom on the phone while she baked cranberry bread, when I looked out my kitchen window and saw a brilliant splash of yellow and chartreuse on my clothesline -- a parakeet! And a hungry one, at that. When he figured out how to manage the birdfeeder, he sat there for 5 minutes eating and eating and eating. I hadn't the heart to tell him that Thanksgiving isn't until tomorrow. He's been back 3 times since then, and is a joy to watch. While the chickadees, titmice, and woodpeckers all flit and scurry, he sits calmly -- except while he's eating.<br /><br />Do you know anyone who has lost a parakeet recently?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdhnS_epDgNQOIfDlleWNwFLQc9ctn-Orab33q13eQUGnFdIaLnkTHYYjuwo6xWeZZuvzf-jApG5tfJqTqGU4H7lYIW4II5uQmr68X7Hxl1yN3lcVuCoJHEo7VD-693xj8cEEhfoDR7k/s1600/parakeet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdhnS_epDgNQOIfDlleWNwFLQc9ctn-Orab33q13eQUGnFdIaLnkTHYYjuwo6xWeZZuvzf-jApG5tfJqTqGU4H7lYIW4II5uQmr68X7Hxl1yN3lcVuCoJHEo7VD-693xj8cEEhfoDR7k/s320/parakeet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408129879053923570" border="0" /></a>emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-83789441716524224382009-11-16T15:34:00.000-05:002009-11-16T16:20:01.319-05:00Restaurant Review: Baku's African RestaurantAfter more than a year of going out to local restaurants and mentioning them here and there on the blog, I have finally decided that it is time to start reviewing them -- at least some of them. First up -- Baku's of Amherst.<br /><br /><a href="http://bakusafricanrestaurant.com/">Baku's African Restaurant</a> is on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=baku%27s+amherst&fb=1&gl=us&hq=baku%27s&hnear=amherst&cid=0,0,1318775365656361802&ei=z8ABS_nMFYyUlAfpvciVCw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA">North Pleasant Street in Amherst</a>. A small restaurant featuring no more than five tables and seventeen chairs. We had passed it by many times on our to and from the <a href="http://www.amhersttoybox.com/">Toy Box</a>, frequently commenting that we should actually stop and try it -- one of these days. "One of these days" finally arrived a few weekends ago, on a warm and damp Halloween night.<br /><br />Baku's features southern Nigerian cuisine, and its small menu lists appetizers and meals in variations of rice, beans, meats, and vegetables. The menu is gluten, dairy, and dessert free, representing the traditional diet of the African region. The owner and head chef is also authentically Nigerian, a great cook, and quite a character.<br /><br />When we arrived at Baku's, a group from Connecticut was just finishing, leaving the restaurant all to us. We took the menus from the counter, consulted with each other on our meals, and ordered back at the counter, paying when the order was complete. Water was served, our drinks were delivered, and small salads presented to occupy us while our food was being prepared. Our meals arrived quickly: the Flavorful Lamb entree -- stewed lamb in a rich curry tomato sauce over jollof rice -- and the house special Curry Chicken. Delicious. The lamb was succulent and tender and the sauce was just as not-spicy as I had asked. The curry chicken was also good, but a touch dry. After eating ourselves full, there was still plenty to take home -- which I packaged up to take to work.<br /><br />The meals at Baku's are simple but savory and range from $10.95-$13.95 for a dinner entree, with appetizers and small plates starting at $3.95. The kids menu stands at $5.95 and family meals begin at $29.95 for 3 people. Baku's also caters events and delivers through <a href="https://www.deliveryexpress.com/home.htm">Delivery Express</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bakusafricanrestaurant.com/">Baku's</a> has been open since 2005 and attracts customers from all over -- and when you try their home-cooked food, you'll understand why. <br /><br />Definitely recommended.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617756256926462499.post-6856814998291161902009-11-11T08:58:00.002-05:002009-11-11T09:51:43.682-05:00The Library Vote: I VotedYes. I voted YES for the Library, and before I get into a description of the goings-on at the Special Town Meeting, I would like to thank those who came out to vote. As my husband likes to remind me, democracy in action is a great, invigorating thing, even when it doesn't go the way you'd like. More than 1000 people showed up last night to debate and vote.<br /><br />My condolences to the Director and Staff of the Library, the Friends, the Trustees, and all those who volunteered time and money toward the Clapp for Community Campaign -- and also to the entire town -- half of which does not even recognize the importance and worth of what they lost last night in failing to invest in the future of the town.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8UPw_McZZG4gnMIj2Y4-49KbQXdQWhGWDzGMn2Sjrd6CElCdVj5x_2lF3-OYfJ99xqnk6FmS8UsYu7Oo-KaJQVZ2jowTizeRwkKUPyYeDJYLueU3829o7e-DBPz3wDltmHaRhT9gsjM/s1600-h/town+moderator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8UPw_McZZG4gnMIj2Y4-49KbQXdQWhGWDzGMn2Sjrd6CElCdVj5x_2lF3-OYfJ99xqnk6FmS8UsYu7Oo-KaJQVZ2jowTizeRwkKUPyYeDJYLueU3829o7e-DBPz3wDltmHaRhT9gsjM/s320/town+moderator.jpg" /></a><br /></div>The meeting began with general articles about roads and budgets; they were all approved with fairly limited discussion. The article on the library was introduced around 7:50pm by the Moderator. Selectman Reardon presented the article and spoke for it. It was then spoken against by the majority of the Town Finance Committee, spoken for by the minority of the Finance Committee. The head of the Clapp for Community Campaign gave details and answers to questions that had been asked in previous weeks. The floor was opened for the townspeople to speak. A motion to make the vote a secret ballot was declined. A few members of the community spoke for and against the article. Selectman Aponte spoke against.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nJKb3obFVuFBefdQ1vBjNw9ZxAmMGz6xCVg8mJweptEHFoR_xratCMHxTYl99LJMsHOKa6qGlutpwzuSocgCvYL6O4kL7rGMn3pi3S-woQacj8EBJBMQLBc3WlHf8pVn-fqnfpgPn8c/s1600-h/selectman+reardon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nJKb3obFVuFBefdQ1vBjNw9ZxAmMGz6xCVg8mJweptEHFoR_xratCMHxTYl99LJMsHOKa6qGlutpwzuSocgCvYL6O4kL7rGMn3pi3S-woQacj8EBJBMQLBc3WlHf8pVn-fqnfpgPn8c/s320/selectman+reardon.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHUDE8ZcNseiVuM02aC3tFjPCJDLqNrz34LJwq0D7XRHuPENh9rSCXxpIXFDi_s-WGdKNOpqdXLXqkYE3VMkUnWdxtV4VeQbXOvErn7rRGwDSQtggGtl94quWfgH-o1zvpMAFRREEUGw/s1600-h/fincom+minority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHUDE8ZcNseiVuM02aC3tFjPCJDLqNrz34LJwq0D7XRHuPENh9rSCXxpIXFDi_s-WGdKNOpqdXLXqkYE3VMkUnWdxtV4VeQbXOvErn7rRGwDSQtggGtl94quWfgH-o1zvpMAFRREEUGw/s320/fincom+minority.jpg" /></a> <br /></div><br />At about 8:40 a motion was made that further discussion end and the vote be taken. This motion passed, and the vote was made; a 2/3 vote was required to pass. The vote was vocal, and the Moderator declared that the Nos won, but a recount was demanded, and this time the vote was made and counted by raised ballot. The Nos carried the win with ~480 votes; the Yeses had just over 400. More than 100 people in the gymnasium did not vote. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cKHI0Wt646LF_Z_5gK9YiVblf4RcF5R06BKnp1W3VYEOrAVaE9cBiEyGVRvcFY6U1INmCOvsiykkELkdJUQlWIbfzlkMT3zB1DcwQGCG2BKa0dKsKFXILC9qRsgjlVh3Z8YDD5DvwbI/s1600-h/full+gym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cKHI0Wt646LF_Z_5gK9YiVblf4RcF5R06BKnp1W3VYEOrAVaE9cBiEyGVRvcFY6U1INmCOvsiykkELkdJUQlWIbfzlkMT3zB1DcwQGCG2BKa0dKsKFXILC9qRsgjlVh3Z8YDD5DvwbI/s320/full+gym.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />Emotions were high, and there were more than a few tears at the close of the evening. However, according to the <a href="http://www.clappforcommunity.org/">Clapp for Community</a> website, the campaign for an upgraded and expanded building will continue, and I can only hope that success is found. Having a strong library is a powerful benefit to the community -- it supports education, finance, business, growth, recreation, families, individuals, adults, children, and more. I'm saddened and sorry that more of the residents of Belchertown could not see their way to improving their town by supporting the expanded library, and I wish luck and hope to the Clapp Memorial Library as it seeks alternatives.emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02089152085097415429noreply@blogger.com0