Family-owned for three generations and also family focused, a vacation here gets remembered long after children are grown. With 70 rooms and suites spread among eight buildings throughout the property, of particular interest to parents is that many have 2 bedrooms plus a living room with fireplace, … [Read more...]
Tips for “Secret Codes” on Price Tags
If anyone didn't happen to be watching ABC this morning at 4am, that's a low news hour when they often air interesting trivia. So this morning, one Kyle James was being interviewed for his price shopping tricks obsession (I want to marry someone like him). I stopped mixing dyes for a gradient yarn … [Read more...]
Fun, Festive and Easy Stained Glass Jello Squares
These are always a huge hit. Ridiculously easy to make, Stained Glass Jello Squares do span two hours to come together, but most of that time is spent with each layer setting up in the fridge while you're doing something else. You just have to show up every 15 minutes. They're also theme … [Read more...]
Unplug Your Child: “Can You Survive It?” August 4-6
If you're looking for ways to get your child's brain, eyes and thumbs off of a device screen (yeee-haw!), this might work. Not only that, but after the fact it might be a great bonding op if parents plan a hike together so kid can teach mom or dad what they learned. Consider the 3-day Day … [Read more...]
Time Out for a PSA
If you know someone, as I do, who suffers from "Caregiver Burnout" or another form of acute stress resulting from an unchangeable situation, this weekend I ran across a 1-1/2 hour video on youtube that is absolutely, unequivocally relevant (and possibly health-saving) time well spent for such a … [Read more...]
Annual Paws Walk Sunday, June 8 (inland Seacoast)
If you're visiting and have your pooch with you or just want a family day in a super neat park, Sunday June 8 is the annual Paws Walk held by the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham (inland Seacoast). Activities other than the actual dog walk itself include food vendors, face painting, a zorb and other … [Read more...]
Scoot! A Great Way to Do The Seacoast
The Short Version: Rent a scooter in Portsmouth. Great way to tour around, see the city, and then some. Easy to learn, don't have to straddle them, and not expensive. Just $25 for 2 hours, $40 for 1/2 day or $75 for full day. (Seasonally open April through October.) The longer, more personal … [Read more...]
Daytrip: The Vermont Country Store and Maybe More
About a 1½ hours' highly scenic drive from Nashua, Manchester and Concord, and only 40 minutes from Keene gets you to one of the most absorbing shopping treasures in New England, and quite near that is also living history museum The Fort at #4. The Vermont Country Store itself has a charming … [Read more...]
Daylily Daytrip #1 – Davis Brook Farm (Hancock)
This family farming enterprise was one of two daylily flower farms that was recommended by our website developer who thought it would make a really nice daytrip for visitors and other locals alike. The other one she suggested is just across the Vermont border. A trip to Davis Brook … [Read more...]
Prescott Park Summer Performances (Portsmouth)
The summer performances at Prescott Park include concerts, theater and art shows by juried artists and craftspeople, and more. Check our Calendar section for more specific events being held as we get them in. Bring a blanket or chairs, and if staying in a hotel, they have them for rent at the park … [Read more...]
Daylily Daytrip #2 (50 min. from Keene, 2 hrs. from Merrimack Valley)
As mentioned in Daylilly Daytrip #1, our website developer Jennifer recommended two excellent daylily flower farms, this one being the larger and the farthest, but she swears no one who likes florals would be disappointed. The drive is certainly scenic because Vermont itself is. Among the things … [Read more...]
Daytrip: Salmon Falls Stoneware (Dover)
This is a fun and time-worthy 1-hour drive daytrip from the Merrimack Valley and only 20 minutes from Portsmouth. Their "craftery" and mega factory store are under the same rustic roof, so you can both see the creative action and shop. They always have factory seconds which are priced at discounts … [Read more...]