The Other Side of MA - Cocktails & Charcuterie at 30Boltwood

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Cocktails and Charcuterie

at 

30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn

One of my favorite things to do when on vacation is to take a mid-afternoon break from touring the local attractions and give my tired feet a rest and chill over some light snacks and cocktails. It's a way to relax and not feel so stressed from trying to fit so many things in - in a short amount of time. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to discuss upcoming plans and meet ups with traveling companions. And this trip to Hampshire County MA was no exception!

Photo Courtesy Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine

Because the cowboy couldn't make this trip to Hampshire County MA, at the last minute, my friend Gayle stepped up to the plate making it a 'girls getaway' weekend. After a morning spent exploring the area, having lunch, and fitting in some museum time, we decided to take a break and catch up with friends Wendy and Greg from Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine, also visiting Amherst, at 30Boltwood Restaurant at the Lord Jeffery Inn.

The Lord Jeffery Inn

Wendy and Greg had stayed in the area before so they gave us a mini tour of the beautiful Lord Jeffery Inn. This historic inn has been operating in Western Massachusetts since 1926. Fondly referred to as “The Jeff” it is the perfect choice for travelers seeking the quintessential New England experience.

The Sitting Room at "The Jeff"

We meandered into the attached restaurant, 30Boltwood, to get caught up on our evening plans and enjoy a bite to eat.

30Boltwood is a full-service restaurant, that emphasizes farm-to-table cuisine prepared with natural, farm-fresh local ingredients. We settled in at a cozy corner table and perused their cocktail menu.

30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn

Their cocktail menu was dubbed the "Naughty List" and contained some creative cocktails! I ordered the Devil Buddha made with Buddhas Hand Peublo Viejo, Egyptian Licorice Tea, Blood Orange Lime, and Chili Infused Agave, pictured bottom left. We enjoyed all the cocktails!

Cocktails from 30Boltwood's Naughty List

We were also offered a charcuterie plate, one of my favorite things to pair with afternoon cocktails! I mean really, what's better than cocktails and charcuterie when day drinking!

Charcuterie from 30Boltwood

Cocktails and Charcuterie

Copper Vessels at 30Boltwood

Dining Room at 30Boltwood

30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Room

Be sure to visit the Lord Jeffery Inn, either for an overnight stay, or simply to enjoy the fine food and drink at 30Boltwood! Both places are high on our list for a return trip to both spend a night in the beautiful inn and sample some more delicious food from their extensive menu.

We know you'll like it too!

The Lord Jeffery Inn

30Boltwood Restaurant

30 Boltwood Avenue
Amherst, MA 01002

Hotel Inn: http://www.lordjefferyinn.com/    Phone: (800) 742-0358
Restaurant: http://30boltwood.com/              Phone: (413) 835-2011

About Amherst MA

Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in the Connecticut River valley. With a population of 37,819 (2010 census), it is the largest community in Hampshire County. The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.


Disclaimer: This visit was part of a trip sponsored in part by the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, however all opinions are my own.

© Home Place 2017

The Annual Spring Bulb Show at Smith College in Western Massachusetts

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This weekend we headed up north to Western Massachusetts, aka "the other side of MA" to visit the Annual Spring Bulb Show at the Botanic Garden of Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts. The northeast section of the U.S. has been experiencing some downright frigid temperatures - so a glimpse of spring would be a welcome respite to all us New Englanders!

The Botanic Garden of Smith College, developed in 1875, was the brainchild of  L. Clarke Seelye, the College's first president, who had a vision for the entire campus to be developed as a botanic garden. In addition to the aesthetic beauty it brought to the campus, this innovative concept would also allow for scientific research. While strolling the campus grounds don't be surprised if the  landscape feels somewhat familiar -  the same firm that designed Central Park was hired to bring President Seelye's vision to life. (Smith College, About Us)

Fast forward to Smith College in the 21st century and the Botanic Garden of today includes thousands of plants, including those grown under glass in the Lyman Conservatory and outdoors in the campus arboretum, the landscape for student learning, and various specialty gardens around campus. Additionally, there are 60,000 pressed specimens available for research in the herbarium.

The living plant specimens are the heart of the Botanic Garden and their bridge to the rest of the botanical world, studying the past through the future. (Smith College, About Us)

One of their most popular exhibitions is the Annual Spring Bulb Show which dates back to the early 1900's. This showcase of spring blooming flowers includes crocuses, hyacinths, narcissi, irises, lilies and tulips as well as non-hardy South African Bulbs. The process begins in October, when Smith College horticulture students pot up the bulbs and put them into cold storage. Starting in January, the bulbs are moved to the greenhouses. It takes careful timing and temperature control to orchestrate their colorful and fragrant debut in March.

Here are some of the beautiful sights from the 2017 showcase:

In addition to the flowering bulbs there is a tropical rainforest area with ponds, water features, exotic orchids, and tropical plants

The Spring Bulb Show opens the first Saturday in March; runs for two weeks including the third weekend.

Weekday Hours: Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
Extended Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Suggested Donation: $5.00

This year the Spring Bulb Show Runs March 4th through March 19th - don't miss this beautiful 'welcome to spring' with a bounty of blooming flowers at Smith College Botanic Garden.

The Botanic Garden at Smith College

16 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063


The bulb show also offers a bulb sale the weekend after the show. Details are available at https://www.smith.edu/garden/event/after-the-show-bulb-sale

Don't miss any of the upcoming events at the Botanic Garden - look here https://www.smith.edu/garden/events and save the dates of November 4 - November 19th for their Fall themed Chrysanthemum Show where the deep autumnal tones of fall are featured.

Look for more beauty in 'the other side of MA" by searching  the hashtags #InBloomMA and #otherSideMA on your favorite social media outlets.

Disclaimer: This visit was part of a trip sponsored in part by the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, however all opinions are my own.


© Home Place 2017