New Hope, PA - a Great Escape not far from the Jersey Shore

New Hope- a Great Escape not far from the Jersey Shore

Peddler's Village, Lahaska, PA

We had a great trip to New Hope, Pa to see the beautiful fall leaves. New Hope is nestled along the Delaware River in Bucks County. It is filled with antique shops, great restaurants, the Buck’s County Playhouse, the Parry Mansion, the New Hope Winery, Peddler’s Village and the New Hope Ivyland Rail Road.

We took a 45 minute train ride on the Railroad and learned a lot of local history. The 1917 film The Perils of Pauline was filmed along the railroad. The leaves were beautiful.

We passed a house that was a part of the underground railroad.

We had lunch at the Triumph Brewing Company. Bacon cheddar cheese burger $12.5, cheese steak sliders with sautéed onions and provolone $9.

They used to have a mule pulled barge along the canal but some destruction after flooding and then a drought the canal has dried up. When we visited in 1986 I remember seeing the mules pull the barges. I hope they are able to continue this tourist attraction.

We also stopped for coffee in Lambertville, NJ which is another great place for antiques.

The Buck’s County Playhouse will be having “Footloose” “Hello Dolly” and “A Christmas Carol” in the near future.

The Parry Mansion tour was so informative and I saw many things I’ve never seen before. The home is made of field stone.

5 generations of Parry’s lived in the house and in 1955 it was sold to the historical society. Each room shows a different period of our history. Most of the items are original to the house. Open May – Oct. Private tours are available. www.newhopehistoricalsociety.org

A wooden tricycle...

An Ice House...

An early camera...

The medical bag of Dr. Parry...

A bed made out of rope and straw...

A corner chair perfect for a soldier’s sword...

A wealthy Phila businessman, Benjamin Parry moved to the area in 1781 and operated the mills there, along with the first commercial bank, he built the 1^st bridge to NJ, the Delaware Canal in 1830 and invented the patent for preserving grain. When one of his mills burned down in 1790 he rebuilt it and called it New Hope Mills. That is how the town got the name New Hope. Parry had a flour mill, a flax mill and a saw mill.More things from the home...

There are 13 covered bridges in this part of PA. It is not far to Washington’s Crossing Park. I was there as a Girl Scout and mostly remember we had 3 days of rain, while outdoor camping. We saw the portrait of Washington Crossing the Delaware which is great!

We stayed at the charming Peddler’s Village at the Golden Plough Inn. They have wonderful shops, great restaurants,

and we stayed in a 2 story suite with a fireplace and Jacuzzi. You could hear the shoppers going by since it is right in the village, but we got used to it.

They had a Halloween Costume Party with a guitar player. It was a little chilly but we had fun. I enjoyed some hot mulled cider and some delicious corn chowder.

In the fall the village has a Scarecrow contest, on Nov.6 & 7 is the Apple Festival. Coming soon a Christmas Gingerbread contest, Grand Illumination and in May there is the Strawberry Festival.

For Diner we went to Cock ‘n Bull Tavern. We had real Comfort food – Turkey and stuffing- Filet Mignon and mashed potatoes.

We had Sunday Brunch at the Cock ‘n Bull. It was fabulous. $22, $11 Children.

Here’s what they served: Fresh fruit, French toast, Belgium Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Omlets, bacon, sausage, potatoes. Caeser salad, cole slaw, chicken salad, u peel shrimp, mussels, Danish, cinnamon buns, muffins, bagels, croissants. Carved ham and roast beef, turkey and gravy, baked chicken, fish, rice pilaf, corn pudding, quiche, mixed veggies. Dessert - Cheese cake, truffles, brownies, cheese blintzes. $22 – the hotel gives a $7 voucher!

I did some great shopping for Christmas too! They have a French gift shop along with an English, Irish, German and Italian specialty shop, a Book store, bakery, jewelry store, leather shop, clothing stores, a soap shop, a toy shop and many more. There is also Giggleberry Fair for the kids with an indoor carousel and games for kids.

In the summer there is tubing, rafting, hiking and hot air ballooning. New Hope is 2hours from the Jersey Shore, one hour from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from NYC. It would make a great day trip…or why not spend the night and do some Christmas Shopping while you’re there?

The Goblins will get you if you don't watch out!

What kind of day are you having? Above or below?
order here

Hope you get out to vote! If you don't vote you can't complain!

Below are some of our trick or treat pictures!

We were away for the weekend in New Hope at Peddler's Village and

went to a fun party! Next post I'll tell you about New Hope, PA.

Jennifer aka Gigi

We went as a gangster and a flapper!

Boo! Halloween fun!

Do you have fun plans for the weekend?

Will your kids be trick or treating or will you be giving out candy?

Are you going to a Halloween Party or Costume Party?

We have fun plans for the weekend….I’ll tell you about them next week.

Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!

Jennifer aka Gigi

At the top I carved out a pumpkin & added colorful mums!

How about a Jack o Lantern? Here are some my son and his friends made...

Here are some ideas to make the weekend fun.

Why not try making cupcakes or Halloween cookies?

The Entertaining House
Check out this fun site for great ideas!

This Blessed Nest
Another site that is great!

The leaves should be beautiful in the North East this weekend.

I hope you get a chance to go out for a drive in the country.

Here are some pics from our last trip to the park...

Check out the fall foliage map from the weather channel.
We're almost at the peak!

Searching for your roots- Dr Livingstone I presume?

My ancestors the Livingston's were from Kilbride near Oban, Scotland

The Kilbride Church yard and cemetery, Scotland

My great great grandfather David Jamieson was married to Mary Livingston whose mother’s cousin was David Livingstone the missionary explorer who traveled to Africa and named Victoria Falls. Remember Dr. Livingstone I presume? Mary’s mother was Flora Livingston who married a relative Archibald Livingston. (I know!) Flora’s father was John Livingston. I have a Bible that was given to Mary Livingston from her grandfather John Livingston, 1850 Arigoan Farm.

The Psalms of David from John Livingston to Mary Livingston 1850

The farm is still there in Arigoan and so is the Livingston Cemetery.

The Livingston Headstone and the Arigoan Farm in Scotland

My Aunt Flora told me stories of how David Livingstone’s father was a tea merchant and when he would visit my relatives in Scotland he would read letters from David the missionary.

David Livingstone and family

Wool tassels that my ancestor made were used to barter to free slave girls in Africa. My aunt said she remembers seeing some of the tassels. As a teenager I had many wool skirts with beautiful plaids and one long grey skirt that were handed down. How I wish I still had those skirts. I don’t know what happened to them.

David and Mary Jamieson came to America and settled in Gloucester, NJ. They had 7 children.

The Jamieson Sisters and Archie at the beach!

My great grandmother Flora Livingston Jamieson married Dr. John Beek.

My great grandfather Dr. Beek's home and office
Gloucester,N J

(When I did my research I called the Livingstone museum in Glasgow and they told me it was common for the e to be dropped. When I told them about the Bible I had she commented my ancestors were very intelligent to be able to read and write at that time.)
more to follow...

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Scottish Plaids from Scotland to America

Do you have a favorite Tartan or plaid? Perhaps you have Scottish ancestry and know what your family tartan is? I found some great websites to check out for great history, gift ideas and inspiration.

Tartans are textile patterns consisting of stripes and colors crossed at right angles against a solid background making a unique pattern worn by the members of a Scottish clan, usually wool.

Some of my ancestors on my Dad’s side, the Livingstons(The Livingston Tartan above) and the Jamiesons ,came from Scotand. The Jamieson’s were from Glasgow (their tartan is under the Stewart Clan)and the Livingston’s were from Kilbride, near Oban. My great grandfather David Jamieson knew everything about wool and plaids, from the sheep to the spinning to the dyeing of the wool. He was an expert in the making the dyes and plaids. He was invited to come to the Centennial Exposition in 1876 in Philadelphia and they asked him to stay in America and manufacture his products. We still have some of the original dye formulas.

David Jamieson and Mary Livingston Jamieson

My family story will continue later this week but here are some neat sites for more info on the Tartans and the Wool Industry.

*When we were in Martha’s Vineyard we visited Allen’s Sheep Farm in Chilmark.

The lady inside had been to Scotland and told me there are still Jamieson’s in Scotland in the wool business. here

This is a great pic of the Allen farm from the NYTimes, Matthew Weinstein.

Check out these sites.

* http://www.thescottishweaver.com/ What’s my tartan? The History of the Clans.

*Check out tartan gifts including these mugs, clothing, bow ties, apron, mugs and plates.

*Pendelton-usa.com plates and mugs too and clothing.

*I love to read the Blog Adventures of Tartan Scot-the Life and Times of an Interior Designer. Scot Meacham Wood is so inspirational and also loves tartans. I think we must be distant cousins! (Below from his blog)

More of my story coming soon…Slainte! Cheers! Jennifer aka Gigi