Find Fall Faster in Connecticut

Drive No Farther Than Connecticut to Find Fall Faster

Connecticut encourages leaf peepers to travel less and “Find Fall Faster” — by taking advantage of the state’s close proximity to major Northeast cities as well as the fact it offers the longest foliage season in New England. What's more, to help visitors plan the perfect fall getaway, the state is offering an array of new travel-planning resources, all conveniently accessible in one place: www.CTvisit.com/Fall.

“In half or even one-third the time it takes to drive farther north, visitors can enjoy a dynamic blend of quintessential and novel New England experiences right here in scenic Connecticut,” says Randy Fiveash, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism.

From the new Find Fall Faster hub on Connecticut’s official state tourism website, travelers will discover:

• The Connecticut Fall Foliage Finder, a week-by-week report highlighting what areas of the state will likely offer peak colors when.
• Nine ways to enjoy 90 days of fall, suggestions visitors can use to create their own fall bucket list including such must-do activities as apple picking, pumpkin hunting, corn-maze adventures and antiquing.
• Leaf peeping guide full of unexpected ways to view the foliage — including zipline canopy tours, steam train excursions, wine trail trips, biking the 37-mile covered bridge route, hiking to the vistas and B&Bs with a view.
• Scenic driving loops with information on specific routes to take and suggestions on where to eat, stay and play along the way.
• Twenty pre-planned fall getaways that feature picturesque small towns, hotels and B&Bs with scenic fall views, great hiking/biking trails, fireside dining and more.
• Other inspirational articles and suggested attractions to help tailor a perfect New England fall foliage experience.

“We predict Connecticut will have a magnificent 2016 foliage season, with the vibrant colors that make a trip memorable,” said Christopher Martin, Director/State Forester, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “Better yet, Connecticut’s foliage season typically runs longer than northern New England states — offering travelers even more opportunities to see and experience the autumn beauty.”

“Visitors to Connecticut will find all the quintessential activities that make fall such a spectacular season in New England — all within close proximity to each other,” says Randy Fiveash. “So rather than spending time driving the highways, visitors can get out and experience more of the crisp autumn air, scenic vistas and colorful adventures that make Connecticut the ultimate destination for fall.”

More fall travel inspiration and resources are available in the 2016 Official Fall/Winter Connecticut Visitors Guide, which is free to view and download at CTvisit.com. The visitors guide features in-depth stories and interviews, travel ideas, event listings, a state map and stunning photography. The mobile-friendly guide is a great travel companion this fall and winter. 

For timely updates on the foliage, consumers are encouraged to join the Connecticut tourism social media community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest and use #CTvisit and #FindFallFaster all season long.

Parallel Post - October Farm to Trumbull Fall Dining Event

The 'last of the season' Farm to Trumbull dining experience hosted by Parallel Post rounded out the year's offerings with wonderful fall flavors.

We started the night on the Parallel Post's patio, where under the twilight sky, mixologist extraordinaire, Greg, was mixing up some great autumn offerings, a mulled warm wine punch, and a bourbon toddy. Both cocktails were housed in hollowed out real fruit containers, with cute little sayings on them.

We also sampled some starters outside as we enjoyed the final days of Connecticut's seasonal weather. Sadly, our New England Indian Summer is coming to a close.

Small Bites at the October Parallel Post Farm to Trumbull

The highlight of the 'small bites' course were the brie and chutney bruschetta bites on perfectly toasted golden french bread.

Bruschetta

As we moved inside to our communal dining table, Chef Dean James Max relayed his vision of the nights offerings and the local sourcing from the Trumbull and neighboring community.

We started with a table prepared silky smooth bisque made with Harissa Shrimp.

Fall Sunchoke Bisque with Harissa Shrimp

A beautiful salad, mixed with pomegranate seeds, aged goat cheese, pea tendrils, with a light apple ginger vinaigrette.

Gilbertie's Salad with Pomegranate, Aged Goat Cheese, Pea Tendrils, Apple Ginger Vinaigrette

And then a nice brussells sprout salad garnished with warmed pumpkin.

Pumpkin with Brussell Sprout Salad

Some wonderfully meaty and flavorful Rhode Island Razor Clams.

Rhode Island Razor Clams

We also sampled a red and a white wine.

Wine Offerings

A delightful Anson Mills Purple Pea Cassolet with Poached Farm Eggs.

Purple Pea Cassolet with Poached Farm Eggs

For our entrees we shared some sweet little necks in a tomatillo sauce, served over local fluke.

Local Fluke with Little Necks

And a beautifully seared pork loin, with roasted parsnips overstuffed with a heavenly saffron parsnip puree.

Roasted Pork Loin with Roasted Parsnips with Saffron Parsnip Puree

In honor of the month of October's dedication to breast cancer awareness, the team at Parallel Post put together Breast Cancer Awareness Cupcakes and a Coffee Cocktail made with Shearwater organic coffee and Onyx Moonshine.

Cupcakes and Coffee
The Hello Kitty Combo

We also sampled a pumpkin bread pudding made with dried cranberries - and an outrageously good white chocolate salted caramel ice cream!

The entire table gave Chef Dean James and his team a standing ovation for another crowd pleasing Farm to Trumbull dinner.

I have so enjoyed the Farm to Trumbull dining events by Parallel Post! 

Be sure that you attend the 2015 Farm to Trumbull Parallel Post series!

Parallel Post Restaurant

180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull CT 06611

Phone/Reservations  203-380-6380

Located in the Trumbull Marriott - Merritt Parkway

On the Web: http://parallelpostrestaurant.com/

Like them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParallelPost

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/ParallelPostCT

For more pictures visit the Home Place facebook page HERE.

Have you been to a farm to table event?

Did you enjoy the comradarie of communal dining?

What seasonal items were featured during your farm to table experience?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below

ABOUT PARALLEL POST

Chef Dean James Max returns to his farm-raised roots in his latest venture, Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway. Offering a bold and flavorful menu featuring modern American cuisine with Northeastern regional flair, Parallel Post brings an unseen level of quality and creativity to the culinary landscape of Trumbull, Connecticut. The intimate, yet casual eatery uses seasonal, local ingredients prepared with contemporary, healthy techniques. The menu is comprised of a wide array of options from snacks to small plates, large entree, and a multi-course tasting menu. Parallel Post serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and dinner daily from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Parallel Post is located at 180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull, Conn. For more information please visit www.ParallelPostRestaurant.com or call 203.380.6380.

Disclaimer: I was invited to the Farm to Trumbull event by members of  the Parallel Post's Management and Marketing Team, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are my own..

Halloween Costumes for Couples #Ad

It's that time of year again!

Time to shop for Halloween costumes!

I remember the first Halloween that the cowboy and I spent as a couple. We dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood (me) and the Big Bad Wolf (him).  (Just thought I'd clarify! - LOL)

I wish I had a picture to share - but suffice it to say, we did the DIY version of it and although it was fun - it certainly wasn't pretty!

Luckily, costume designs have come a long way since then - and with a click of a button - you can find some fun Halloween Couples Costumes online!

What better way to spend a night with your other half than at a fun Halloween Party!

Here's a few fun couples costumes that I think you'll enjoy

Many of these costumes are ONLY available online, an easier place to shop for this type of celebration.

Happy Halloween Shopping!

.

Reader Comment Disclaimer: Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Boombox Network . This post contains affiliate links.  Click HERE to learn more about affiliate links

Oktoberfest at Redding Roadhouse in Redding CT

One of the best things about welcoming the fall season in New England is...Oktoberfest!!

Oktoberfest in America is an homage to the 16-18 day event in Germany that starts in late September and goes into the first few weeks of October. Beer flows, music rolls, and hearty and flavorful comfort foods are featured at its core.

This year, to celebrate the autumn season, we traveled to West Redding CT to visit the Redding Roadhouse on Redding Road. (That's alot of Redding!). We were so excited to be invited to this great promotion! What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to take a drive through Fairfield county and view the beautiful fall foliage in this picturesque area of Connecticut.

Now, let me start by saying, I'm a big fan of any restaurant that calls themselves a roadhouse. 

The name itself conjures up images of great little "local taverns" alongside winding country roads, that feature hearty food, good drinks, and great music. A place where you can get a good meal and have some fun, all in a comfortable setting. And that's just what the Redding Roadhouse is!

The restaurant is owned and operated by Ted Stonbely,Wirt Cook and Karen Cook. Wirt also doubles as the Executive Chef and brings a comfort menu packed with classic favorites and a laid-back approach of New England cooking to the Roadhouse.

I knew I was in for a great time the minute I walked in and was greeted by a lovely Fraulein offering me a pint of Half Full Brewery Pumpkin Ale with a cinnamon sugar frosted rim! And it just kept getting better from there!

We met up with our group in the bar, chatted for a few minutes, and then were greeted by owner and the night's host, Ted,  who escorted us to our tables in the main dining room to start sampling some of the Oktoberfest menu items.

We began our meal with a cured meat and cheese board called the Charcuterie Plate that consisted of pastrami, head cheese, tongue, cornichon pickles and wurst pate, and browsed the special Oktoberfest sampling menu we'd be enjoying for the evening.

And then Chef Karen brought out some lovely made on premise bacon. To say that it was fabulous would be doing it a disservice. It was wonderful. Amazing. Delicious. We could have eaten this all night and been happy.
But then came the potato pancakes. Again, a German classic and these did not disappoint! These were just as good as my friend Oma used to make.

L-R Clockwise
Karen explains the process for the made on premise bacon,
potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, and my appetizer plate. 

And because it's an Oktoberfest, right as the delicious Burgoo Stew was being served, the German Oompah Band started up! They were assembled in one of the adjoining tavern rooms, close enough that we could easily hear (and sing along!) - but not so overpowering that it hindered dinner conversation.

We also sampled a few more beers, Octoberfest by Hooker Beer and the Okto Festival Ale by Widmer Brothers Brewing. Each of the evening's beer samples embodied the flavors of autumn.

Burgoo Stew (German immigrant stew)

And then came our entrees and sides! A sausage sampler plate of  smoked bratwurst, weisswurst and bauernwurst, all steamed in beer, and served with sauerkraut and steamed red cabbage. A big bowl of the German egg noodle spaetzle, and a side of homemade spicy mustard, that I could eat out of the glass with a spoon. (And did!)

L-R Clockwise
smoked bratwurst, weisswurst and bauernwurst, with steamed red cabbage and sauerkraut,
spaetzle and homemade mustard

But, no, wait... there's even more!

A deliciously tender Weiner Schnitzel, and, then, hands down my personal favorite of the night, Saurbraten, a Bavarian style pot roast, served with sweet and sour gravy thickened with gingersnaps.

Top L-R Clockwise
Saurbraten, my wonderful dinner plate, wiener schnitzel

And, for the finishing touch of the meal, dessert was served, a wonderfully flaky, buttery, apple streudel aka strudel, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

Apple Streudel

If you're looking for a great place to welcome fall with an Oktoberfest Special, or wonderful meal for every season - the Redding Roadhouse is the place to go! It's a little out of the way if you're not in the immediate area...but definitely worth the trip for a hearty homestyle meal in a comfortable setting.

Oktoberfest is running September 29th through October 27th - but visit the restaurant any time!

We sang - we danced - we had a great time! You will too, at the...

The Redding Roadhouse

406 Redding Road

West Redding, CT  06896

203.938.3388

on the web: http://reddingroadhouse.com/

like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reddingroadhouse

***

Have you been to an Oktoberfest this year?

What are your favorite German foods?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Auf Wiedersehen - Good Bye!

Disclaimer: I was invited to a promotional Oktoberfest sampling at the Redding Roadhouse, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Shelley's Garden Center - Fall 2012

It's official folks, summer is over.  (sad face)
However, you wouldn't have known it today!  It's a beautiful 70 degrees here in Branford CT.  You'd never know that it's autumn!

We traveled back to Shelley's Garden this weekend to share their collection of beautiful pumpkins, gourds, mums, and fall flowers with you!

Shelley's Garden Center is located in Branford, CT on Main Street, just off I-95's exit 53.   You'll need to get yourself past the "pretzel" and then just look for the beautiful flowers and pumpkins out front!  

John and Yvette Chambers are the second generation proprietors, and along with their children, Christiane and Taylor, own and operate the garden center and store.  Read more about the garden center's history  here: Shelley's Garden Center Branford, CT   

Today when we stopped in Yvette was happily reminding everyone to recycle their garden pots!

Everyone at Shelley's is always helpful.  If you have any gardening questions stop by and ask!

Here's some pictures we snapped today while perusing pumpkins!

Shelley's Garden Center Interior Store

Hand Decorated Real Pumpkins. Yes. REAL!

Cut Flowers

All statuary 40% off!

Here's the pretty lil' pumpkin that came home with us to decorate our front porch stoop!

Shelley's is open 8:30 to 6:00 daily.

March to December.

(203) 488-9479

How do you decorate your front stoop or porch for autumn?  

Do you use mums or pumpkins for any other fall decorations?  

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

PS:  We'll be back in December to show you Shelley's Garden Center's Christmas Decor!