America's Cup

Thoughts of

The Cup

returning

to a harbor

its long-time

home.

And if The Cup does come back, what wonderful sights are in store, in the bay, in the harbor, along the shore. Think now of Newport and all its richness, history, glory and splendor, think of Beechbound, a Scottish baronial castle designed by the renowned architectural firm Peabody and Stearns (1895), a premier Newport harborfront estate condominium. Stately and grand, Beechbound is sited on 3.7 acres of Olmsted designed grounds with cascading lawns overlooking picture perfect Brenton Cove and Narragansett Bay. Sharing the same stretch of harbor with the New York Yacht Club, which is located 300 yards to the east, and Fort Adams to the west. Unique features include a boat house, floating dock with deep water access, launch service to downtown, Ida Lewis Yacht Club and New York Yacht Club.
Beechbound's grand mahogany entrance, designed to take in the spectacular views, opens onto a magnificent open patio overlooking Newport Harbor. Beechbound, a serene setting, part of a glorious harbor, any season, quiet or active.

February

Even though February is shorter by only 2 or 3 days than the rest of the months, it seems like a little gift – the gift being, OK, we can get through this little month and then the next month brings spring!

Historical names for February include the Anglo-Saxon ‘Solmonath’ which means ‘Mud Month’. (Uh, yeah, that rings a bell. Take a look at your shoes.)

On the other end of the spectrum is the Scandinavian ‘Helmikuu’ meaning ‘month of the pearl’. Little snowdrops form and melt and reform on the ends of tree branches until they look like little pearls.

Something pretty out of the mean, cold weather.

Having only 28 days when not a leap year, February is the only month that can pass without a single full moon. Hmm. So, I’m thinking there is less crazy behavior to deal with. Yes, it seems like that is true. And best of all, the daffodils and crocuses can be seen anew.

It is very noticeably lighter later and the light itself looks completely different -brighter, somehow lighter (or is that just my heart?) and certainly the sun feels warmer.

Thank you, February, for seeming to fly by. I do not want to wish my life away by hurrying things along and always thinking of the future, so you are the perfect transition month. Lovely!

Cupid Knows Wine Is For Sharing

If you are thinking of doing something really special this weekend for Valentine's Day, you should consider taking a nice leisurely ride to Little Compton and visit Sakonnet Vineyards.

It is such an incredibly beautiful place, even in the winter months. The fireplace is always going, the people are friendly and helpful and there is always something to look at or learn about. It is just fascinating that we have such a place here in Rhode Island. What a great opportunity to visit a working vineyard!

Sakonnet Vineyards are having a special Valentine's Day weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm. Featuring red wine for Valentine's Day, you can sample chocolates and special cheeses, warm up by the fire with a glass of mulled wine, or talk to the winemaker and learn about dessert wines.

In fact, it is such a romantic place that several couples every year get married right at Sakonnet Vineyards.

Rosecliff Inspired Mansion Open House on Valentine's Day

Inspired by the location of their wedding, Rosecliff Mansion, the owners of Crawford Court built this romantic home as a tribute to their everlasting love.

This Valentine's Day, come visit this unique home with your special someone. You'll be swept away by the attention to detail in this exceptional Newport home.

The Open House, located at 8 Ledge Road, will be held this Sunday, February 14, from 1 - 3 PM.

Chocolate: the Consuming Passion

Chocolate: the Consuming Passion


I stole these words. But I stole them from my sister and she won't mind; we always share. This is the title of one of her best-known books, a New York Times Best Seller almost thirty years ago. I was working for her at the time, and I will never forget the day she told me about the plans for our work on the book. "It is going to require a lot of research," she said with a grin. And research we did, for the next eight months (okay, we kept right on researching after the book was published... in fact we are still very in-depth researchers).

One of our first and favorite research trips was to Harbor Sweets just north of Boston. The business was started by an unassuming man named Ben Strohecker, who in 1973 challenged himself to create the "best piece of candy in the world", regardless of cost. After spending a day tasting every type of chocolate made at Harbor Sweets, we decided Ben had succeeded.

There were not so many Ben Stroheckers back then, but today, chocolatiers abound. (Obviously my sister and I were not the one people out there researching.) The varying brands of chocolate seem to increase daily, and one can find chocolates these days combined with flavors one never would have imagined would be friendly with chocolate (and some, frankly, are not). Even your local CVS drugstore has an entire display rack filled with gourmet chocolates.

And what an opportune time to blog about chocolate... in a month that has no redeeming qualities whatsoever except... Valentine's Day... the perfect excuse for anyone to overspend on chocolate. In preparation for this upcoming holiday, I offer you some favorite chocolate picks for Valentine's Day from the staff of Rachel Ray.

B.T. McElrath Chocolatier 9-Piece Truffle Assortment

Godiva Limited Edition Mousse Collection

La Maison du Chocolat 18-piece Chocolate Box

Garrison Confections Valentine's Day Box

Last, but surely not least, Sandra Boynton's current pick for the Best of the Best in the contemporary world of chocolate: a small company in San Francisco called Poco Dolce.


These are not to be missed!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!