Mother Wolf & i went on an adventure last weekend to Rhinebeck, NY to attend the Country Living Fair.
For those you that don’t know… i spent the majority of my youth dreaming of becoming a super sleuth journo. Upon entering college, i realized that i had issues telling factual stories… so i opted for filmmaking. Well… this weekend proved once again why i would have made a piss poor reporter. I’m always being caught without a writing instrument!
After commandeering a pen from an innocent worker i was able to record my thoughts/sightings of the fest for all of YOU— my precious readers. Hope you enjoy…
Our adventure began Saturday night! Since the fest was over 3 hours away, we drove up the night before and stayed at a lovely inn: Le Petit Chateau. The French inn was in a lovely location and served a scrumptious breakfast… the pancakes melted in your mouth! The majority of the food was sourced from local farmers and was prepared on site by their chefs.
After our bellies were full… we headed to the fest. This was the first year Country Living (CL - is a monthly magazine for those of you that don’t know) hosted the fest in Rhinebeck and what a glorious day it was! The fest had over 100 unique craft vendors— Mother Wolf & i could barely contain our excitement.
We strolled the various open aired buildings… at times feeling as if the magazine was coming to life. i felt so inspired and energized after viewing everyone’s creations and handiwork. There were chemists! jewelers! farmers! and more.
Memories i don’t want to leave my BRAIN:
1. the GRAND day i spent with MOTHER WOLF.
2. meeting a real life chemist & finding a person to purchase my next vase from. it is perfectly fine to keep flowers in a test tube!
3. airstreams oh my! — not only do people live in airstreams and travel the countryside in them… they sell their wares too! oh how i dream of traveling in a tiny trailer with lil’ foxie selling our creatures.
4. the inspiration— the grand escape is in the works. what is that you ask? well… you will just have to wait and see.
5. finding the perfect tin (pictured) — to hold all of my precious embroidery trinkets and patterns.
6. wrapping up the day at Village Diner — with a black n’ white milkshake.
Share the Sprinkles! i left tags behind at the fest— hoping to spread the word of Sundae Matinee! Don’t miss out… next mailing coming soon. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.
Build your belly with a little help from Sara.
i love the weekend— the weekend = relaxing with the pups & BEN. it also means meal planning! it may seem silly… but i live for this. Benjamin and i plan all our meals for the week on Saturday— this helps save money and minimize waste. We are always searching for neat recipes to try! Cooking for us is a grand escapade and fuels our capers!
Last year i stumbled upon this book at the library:
This cookbook had me at the pictures. Once i started reading the recipes i was instantly hungry like a bear! i wanted to devour everything.Being vegetarian and growing up working in a farmers market i appreciated that many of the recipes focused on using vegetables that were in season.
One of the first recipes we tried: Breakfast Toastadas
Benjamin and i have made this dish quite a few times. it is a party for your mouth and also a great survival belly builder!
i had the opportunity to interview the author, Sara Forte. She has a blog, Sprouted Kitchen where she posts tasty recipes & her adventures in the kitchen. Her husband/partner in crime, Hugh takes all the awesome photos (like the ones you see here. she has allowed me to share them with you. please don’t use them without permission first.). Definitely take a stroll over to her blog… your belly will be happy and get stronger.
Sundae Matinee (SM): What’s your favorite Sundae?
Sara and Hugh Forte.
SM: With all the cooking you do, it seems that you dine in more than out. When dining in… do you ever feel it requires formal wear? Sometimes, I feel a special meal requires just the right dress…
Ben.. make these for my belly.
SM: Sundae Matinee believes it is not a question if the zombies are coming… it is WHEN. Therefore, we support the Survival Belly. What food(s) would you fill your backpack with to build your belly and survive those long nights hiding from zombies?
SM: With the upcoming summer months… what would one find in your picnic basket?
SM: I read you just got back from Europe: What are some of your favorite foods you enjoyed while traveling? Have a favorite destination?
SF: We had the greatest time in Paris. It is the most amazing city and they have SO many places to eat. We had a great dinner at this crepe place called Breizh Cafe in Le Marais district. It wasn’t like a cheap swap meet crepe. They are these thin buckwheat crepes with vegetables and a lightly fried egg on top. The weather was nice, all doors were open, I had my favorite company (my sweet husband) and the food was simple and great. My favorite meal.
Lil’ Foxie and i will definitely be partaking in one of these.
SM: Do you have a favorite summer cocktail that one can enjoy during their late night porch conversations?
SF: I am a big fan of Hendricks Gin. I don’t like super sweet cocktails, so I do gin, soda water and a bit of citrus, rhubarb syrup, fresh limes…something like that to add a bit of flavor, but I like the taste of gin.
SM: Any exciting news… are you working on a 2nd book? If so, what will the focus be?
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Flea Market Adventure!
Last Monday i attended my first auction & bid on stuff… 
Here is Benjamin guarding the grand armoire i purchased for $22 bills. It is a good thing he wore his fierce glow-in the dark zombie shirt not only did it protect my precious furniture, but zombie shirt = taco night!
Each and every Monday in the small town of Perkiomenville, PA a glorious auction and flea market takes place. Benjamin & i met up with Mother Wolf and scoured the numerous tables for the diamonds in the rough! The auction was packed with treasures galore! 
There were several auctions going on at once. The key was to arrive early… scope out the items and then bounce from auction to auction. A pick-up truck is a MUST.
Speaking of treasure: i was stoked to find these vintage sewing gems. The only thing that stood in my way— Mother Wolf. i won. 
This double tray beauty is filled with opportunities for the embroidery vandals.
i heart vintage graphics. This sewing box was chock-full of neat sewing needle packs. Lil’ Foxie and i will have enough needles to last us a lifetime.
They don’t make things like they used to. Totally want to frame this one. 
The LEADER in awesomeness!
Benjamin spotted this grand find: a wooden sewing box! a kind daughter would have allowed Mother Wolf to win this one— wellll, did i mention i was raised by wolves?
i paid a mere $7 bucks! i waited til i got home to dig thru it. 
i’d like to think the old Helen these notions belonged to would be happy they are getting a 2nd chance. i can’t wait to use these items on some rad creature creations! this box truly was a treasure chest.
Being just a hop, skip, and jump from Philadelphia… i’m positive i’ll end up back to this scenic destination soon. i kinda feel like a Monday cold coming on… i wonder if you can call out flea market? Want to visit yourself? Click here!
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i prefer the Mona.
Mona Lisa didn’t smile so why should i?!
Me and the pups being Monas. Look how effortless. I might be on to something with those shades too… I’d never have to worry about another blinking travesty… HIDDEN eyes with a MONA.
When having my photo taken i find it difficult to smile. Hell! i find the entire photo taking process to be strenuous. Don’t believe me… click here
Taking photos is hard for so many reasons:
i blink. — shades could solve that.
make putrid faces. — that forced smile. sometimes it hurts. i am NO actor.
i look in the wrong direction. — small brains are easily distracted
i may finally have found a solution to all my photo tribulations and will no longer be a photo burden to Benjamin: i call it the MONA. 
Look how grand! Lil’ Foxie and i look as Monas. Here we are at work in the lab on the next creature creations.
Need another reason to stop the forced SMILE:
Cary Grant pulling a flat line. He looks cool as a cucumber. Be rad like Cary: say NO to the forced smile.
Smile?! i’d prefer not. In fact i put my foot down and my flat line on. Now, don’t get me wrong… if the event calls for a smile i want mine to be authentic. No more smile fakies! i’ll be damned to have my smile known as a mere facsimile! 
Lil’ Foxie and i dressed in our ribbons for a night out on the town or maybe for a spin in a shopping cart at the grocery store. Either way… we are not smiling, cause heck, we just didn’t feel like it. Sharp MONAS!
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Sundae Date & Zakka!
a couple of weeks ago i busted out my favorite old man turtle green cardigan and a pair of my bestest high waisted pants… for i had a first date! 
That shadow is totally NOT my hand… there was a dino at the Sundae shop!
Now before you get any ideas… Benjamin and i are grand. In fact i think i may almost have him convinced that being sewn is an incredibly AWESOME idea (yes! “being sewn” is exactly what you are thinking it would entail.)
My interview date was with a gal named Liz Sieber. Liz is the owner, of Omoi Zakka Shop a wonderfully AWESOME boutique located in Philadelphia. We conducted our Q&A and devoured sundaes at an absolutely perfect spot… Franklin Fountain. 
We were so busy chatting i missed my opportunity to snap a photo of our sundaes. This was Liz’s first time to the Fountain… i think it won her over. But Liz’s favorite sundae still stands: Friendly’s Conehead
i have not been on many first dates (i was kinda strange/peculiar looking as a child, benjamin now calls my looks unique)… but i have to say this one went swimmingly. after chatting for almost 3 hours, i left feeling like i just caught up with a long lost friend. i could not have asked for a more pleasurable evening. 
Omoi Zakka Shop opened its’ doors in December 2006 and has been my go to shop for: birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, that occasional “it’s all about ME” gift or that “oops” benjamin i made a huge mistake, so here’s a RAD watch.
Liz assisting a customer. She aspires for every customer to not only find quality products in her store but to experience customer service that is thoughtful and provides a bit of extra care…. they gift wrap for FREE!
ZAKKA ZAKKA ZAKKA. The Japanese word Zakka does not have an exact English translation. However, Liz explained it best: things that delight your senses or improve your life. it is not just any random item… but an item you look forward to use or see. When one walks thru Omoi’s door they would find it hard not to feel a sense of excitement.. every turn brings a smile. 
Robot Sharpener: I would be smiling ear to ear every time i went to sharpen one of my colored pencils.
Shops are everywhere… especially in Philadelphia, but what makes Omoi stand out among the rest is the GRAND collection of high-quality items and brands. Liz strives to carry merchandise that represents smart/attractive design. Omoi seeks items from all the world— If Italy has the best stapler, Liz wants to carry it in her store! Plus! their customer service is not too shabby either… they not only wrap your gifts FREE of charge but they use cute ribbon & tape too!
The staple-less stapler… i purchased one of these for Benjamin’s birthday. It is so NEAT… i want to staple everything. Of course I’ll have to check with Benjamin first, since it is his.
Studying in Japan during her high school and college years inspired Liz to open her own store. It was not specifically the location itself that sparked an interest, but the shopping culture. Liz was amazed by the quality of items in Japan and their uniqueness. Her store aims to inspire your lifestyle… imagine the ideas that would flow from this pen!
If someone is looking to buy me something… 
Omoi’s popularity continues to grow; Liz even hinted at a possible expansion (WOOT!). People travel from all over the world to visit. She has even had several celebrities stop by.. Chris Hardwicke being one of her most memorable. You too can visit Omoi at: 1608 Pine Street Philadelphia,7 days a week. Not in the area? No worries, you can find many of the AWESOME products here 24/7. 
Sationary makes me smile. Benjamin bought me this set for my birthday. Want to get a letter from ME and Foxie on this rad stationary? Sign up here and leave a comment below.
i hope to see Liz again soon (she may not realize it… but she will definitely be invited to the next infamous Leonard parties). we left on respectful terms… she even paid for her own Sundae… that’s class. i truly think i won over her heart when i exposed the ice packs in my bag to transport benjamin’s tiny pint of icecream over 3 miles on my bicycle. 
