SEEN IN NEW HOPE

I have always loved my get-a-ways to New Hope and mourn missing it a couple times a week after living there for 25 years, with it being a very liberal area. We had a getaway last weekend to New Hope and Doylestown. New Hope is so popular because it combines a extremely bohemian vibrant arts and LGBT culture with scenic Delaware River views, historic colonial charm, a colorful, racy and historical history, storied residents past and present. and a prime location, roughly perfectly positioned between Philly and New York. It has always been famous for an art and writer's colony and still draws creatives. Its inclusivity is very important in New Hope...has a long-standing reputation as a safe, welcoming and progressive haven for the LGBT, drag, and other minorities. The sheer natural beauty of the area was first seen and appreciated by the Lenni-Lenape people so many thousands of years ago. It's also what attracted the great Pennsylvania Impressionist school of artist like Daniel Garber and Edwin Redfield, writers from the Algonquin round table, Dorothy Parker and Oscar Hammerstein were longtime residents, furniture maker George Nakashhima created and has his studio in New Hope, now run by his daughter, and has hosted a long list of singer and actors at the Bucks County Playhouse...some notables, Geoge C Scott, Bea Arthur, Helen Hayes, Betty Buckly, Elaine Stritch, Robert Redford, Hugh Jackman and too many others to mention and still continues great talent. And then there is our distant relation on my mother's side, Aaron Burr, who was the sitting Vice President at the time, fled the scene and hid out in New Hope after he stabbed Hamiliton in a duel who later died.  Then there is the natural beauty...looks like a European countryside, and all the witches, and hauntings...yes, New Hope is one of the most haunted towns too. Some scenes this weekend...

Dinner at Zoubi's...always a favorite and what a courtyard to dine in.

My dinner that night, a crabcake with corn on top and two sauces on the side with coleslaw. And yes, edible flowers. I hated to eat it it was so pretty.

Our hotel, and my breakfast one morning at a vegan restaurant.

Fonthill Castle in Doylestown. 

Never tire of seeing this place. I used to live about 8 minutes from it.

An entrance to Fonthill Castle from the Woods.

The home of Bradley Cooper...minutes form my old place. To think we could have been neighbors!

And then there was our pool boy, and bartender Dan. 

He moved here from Russia 15 years ago. Me OH MY! So there was that.

EIGHT HANDS FARM & BEE CO.

 

With more and more chains and corporate stores getting greedier, and heavens forbid offer any customer service, I have no problem paying a bit more and support more and more local shops and business. Between all the locales I often go to, I now have a nice plethora of shops to go to now to get things for myself or as gifts and support the local little shops.  The last time in New Hope I was finally able to go visit a good neighbor's new shop, Eight Hands Farm & Bee Co. which started out on their farm with cows and goats, and beehives. Tom and his wife make all the candles sold in the shop, along with all their beeswax products, and honey. I'm here to tell you, the candles are among some of the best I have ever smelled. Other items in the shop range from kitchen wares, dishes and pottery. gourmet concessions, candies, and sauces, linens, bath and skincare products and all kinds of little treasures to be found. The good thing: everything in the shop is handmade by other artisans or small businesses to sell in the shop. I can get lost in shops like this. While the shop is fairly new, it fits right in with quaint New Hope. I made a trip down yesterday and had lunch with a friend and got back late evening. I'm well supplied with candles now, what can I say I'm a huge candle whore... and many of the great smelling soaps, not to mention all four of the only gifts I had to get for the holiday. But how charming is the shop?

I'm a major sucker when it comes to kitchen things!

I also couldn't resist this honey bear honey pot with dipper.

 Yes... it came home with me too.

SEEN IN NEW HOPE

 

A few weeks ago and once back from Barbados, and before Warbucks left to go home to Budapest, he and I and Pearly spent a few days in New Hope. It was especially nice for Pearly to get out of P-town, which nearly never happens. Was it a quick trip? Yes, but anytime spent back in my old stomping grounds is welcomed. Not only is it an all are welcomed community, but it's nice to be surrounded with more left leaning than right leaning if you get what I'm stepping in, lol!!!! I will never tire of this quirky and quaint town. And all that history and lore that comes along with the river town. Here are some of the sights and delights on this visit.

I miss this library.

Along the canal.

Head for $9.95! A steal!

Drinks and nibbles at the Salt House. The building dates back to the late 1700's.

The Mansion Inn. Meanwhile at the vintage shop Love Saves the Day, they always have a great message!

And up the street at a huh, "specialty shop" they sold things for all the therapy one would ever need!!!! Meet Phil! 

We were talking to the owner, Garrett who I know, and he said in these times, he is actually shocked by sales being so high. His inventory in very low at the moment. I guess everyone is looking for some escape, lol!He even has items to get you in the Halloween spirit. My bottom hurts just thinking about it.

The lovely weekend ended with a farewell dinner at the church, and then the dive bar John and Peters, before departing our separate ways the next day. Goddess... I miss this town. At all my old haunts, everyone was asking when I'm moving back. It's nice to be missed.