Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨
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Food and Life

Visit: The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

September 12, 2013 · Narrative

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We still have just over a week until summer is “officially” over, and we’re busy focusing on finishing off our Summer Bucket List. We won’t get to everything, and that’s perfect because that’s totally the point. The idea behind the list is more to give us a jumping off point for summer fun and frivolity. We have several items that we plan to cross off this weekend, but in the meantime, last week we took care of the “museum” entry.

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Whenever The Ex and I were househunting, which was a total of three times during our marriage, I always kept an eye out for two kinds of homes: Craftsman-style homes, and other style homes that had stone as their primary exterior material (because I have a healthy fear of house fires, and I also happen to like the way they look). And, unfortunately, none of the three homes that we owned fit either of these two criteria.

There is something about a Craftsman-style house that just exudes the word home. From the ceiling beams and wood detailing throughout, to the giant fireplaces and mantles, it is everything I want in a home. One day, maybe it will happen. Unfortunately, not likely in this area. But in the meantime? I will just daydream.

The next best thing? Visiting The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. In 1908, Gustav Stickley, the genius behind the arts-and-crafts/craftsman style purchased huge tracts of land in Morris Plains, to set down new roots for his large family (six kids). With over 30 acres on his “country estate,” his dreams were fulfilled with its beautiful rose garden, cow pasture, separate smaller homes for his daughters, and more. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion of his brand, and going off in too many different directions eventually led to bankruptcy and a far different ending than the beginning of his story, but his aesthetic certainly lives on in furniture and homes across the world.

So you can’t be completely surprised that when a LivingSocial popped up to visit The Stickley Museum for $8, I jumped on it. Although we have lived reasonably close to the museum for, um, over 11 years, I had never been. One of Nick’s favorite channels is HGTV, specifically all the real estate and architecture shows they broadcast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he became an architect. And Madeline? Well, she’s always game for anything. A gorgeous summer afternoon, and two curious kids, made for a perfect outing.

Super easy to find right off Route 10, there is ample parking in an adjoining lot to the main property. A quick walk down the path, and we entered through the gift shop. Of course. (We later found out, after our tour, that the gift shop was the home’s original kitchen)

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The museum staff runs guided tours every hour from 12:15 pm to 3:15, Thursday through Sunday. The tour lasts for one hour, which was just about perfect. When we arrived, we ended up being the only people at that particular time (random Friday afternoon), but the tour after us had a larger group. Our guide was awesome. She knew the property and Gustav’s life story like the back of her hand, and since it was just us on the tour, the kids asked a million questions. Not in an annoying way, but in a we’re-totally-paying-attention kind of way. Which is my favorite way ever. When we started out, she also gave the kids a piece of paper that was a scavenger hunt of sorts, pictures of items we would see on the tour, and then she gave them a star as they pointed out where the items were. Such a wonderful way to keep kids busy and entertained.

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We started on the outside of the property, where we saw where Gustav’s treasured rose garden had been (the large grassy area in the first picture at the top), and where the cow pasture was (Madeline was quite disappointed to find out that there were no more cows), and then entered the main house. Every room is painstakingly maintained, and I would totally move in in a heart beat. Gustav was very much ahead of his time, and his design for this home included large open rooms on the main floor, something that wasn’t very common back then. A cozy living room, huge enclosed porch, a separate area set aside for conversations with smaller groups … just all perfect.

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A large, sunny dining room, and then the climb to the bedrooms upstairs. A lot of the family’s original belongings (furniture and hair brush, for example) are still in the home, and it was quite inspiring to remember a time when iPods and hundreds of tv channels weren’t at the ready. The tour concluded in the kitchen. A huge, amazing, kitchen.

The staff was friendly and so pleasant, and loved having visitors. Although the LivingSocial deal is done, the cost for visits is small, and it’s definitely worth going (and they’re open year ’round). If you happen to be or live in the area, or need something to do one afternoon, do check it out. Also be sure to check out their calendar of events (free admission on 9/28, for example), because they do many fun things during the year.

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And with that, we’re done for the week. Have an awesome weekend! xo

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms
2352 Route 10 West
Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950

*Picture taking was not permitted inside the home, but if you look at their twitter account, that background picture is the living room area.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: architecture, arts and crafts, craftsman, Craftsman Farms, Gustav Stickley, HGTV, New Jersey, The Stickley Museum

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    September 13, 2013 at 6:19 am

    I’m pretty sure my mom’s dining room set is a Stickley. She and my dad had gotten it at a garage sale years ago and obviously the people who sold it had no idea what it was worth! I bet she’d love going to this museum…
    Joanne recently posted..Pink Lemonade Bars

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Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.

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Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨

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