Best of the Catskills | Blog | xoxofarmgirl

The Map.

The Map.

As far as tech goes, I love my GPS and how it gets me from here to there. Thank you, GPS. That said, while it gets me there, it doesn't give me much perspective on where I am or where I've been. In the last year, as you know, I released an online guidebook to the Catskills. Why online? Well, it's a work in progress. It currently covers some back story -- how to get to the Catskills and some Inside Scoop on why it's so cool and who makes it that way -- plus over 150 destinatio

The Bee Movie.

The Bee Movie.

Catskill Mountain Honey is my bee farm. Actually, Catskill Mountain Honey lives here on my land. Twelve hives. 100,000 or so bees per hive. You do the math. And it's not really MY bee farm. I am just its steward. It belongs to a community of folks who care about bees and the environment, love honey and understand how critical bees are to the world's food supply. The community is open to anyone who wants to join and all community members get a share in the honey at harvest tim

DIY: Garden Veggie Wash Stand

DIY: Garden Veggie Wash Stand

I have been trying not to add any projects to my list, but apparently I have a problem. And since my barn quilt, I have not shared any DIY projects of note. So, in the spirit of not taking on any new projects, I broke the rules and took on just this little one. A few years ago, I visited Little Saint Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia for a friend's birthday celebration. It was a great weekend off the grid, biking on the beach, collecting shells, reveling, toasting and r

Pie Competition.

Pie Competition.

My neighbor helps me out a lot. I don't even ask. He just stops by daily to see what kind of trouble I am getting into and returns later (without saying a word) with just the right tools or a scrap of wood that fits just right. He gets up earlier than I do (like at 4 am) and never accepts my offer for a cup of coffee (at 7 am) or dinner (he eats at 5 pm and I eat at 8 pm or later). But over the years, I have learned that he has a bit of a sweet tooth. So, I bake him chocolate

No Kidding.

No Kidding.

Back in the coldest days of early March, I put out an APB on Instagram (@xoxofarmgirl) asking if anyone had a source for Toggenburg goats because my friends, Wendy and Larry, who have a very nice farm, were looking to adopt two girl kids. They had Toggs in the past and were fond of their beautiful markings and gentle dispositions. Pretty immediately the lively Instagram farm community that I follow and who follow me started sending messages from near and far. "My friend in Mi

Ice Fishing 101

Ice Fishing 101

I have long harbored a fascination with ice fishing. About ten years ago, I received a marketing postcard in the mail. It's point was something else, but its cover was a diagram about ice fishing. I framed it, of course. Every winter, I pass a local lake and spy heavily swaddled, hearty men out on the frozen surface and desperately ask the driver I am with to pull over so I can run out on the ice and pepper them with 100 questions. Alas, no one ever lets me out. Finally, this

Getting Lost and Found...
in a Painting

Getting Lost and Found... in a Painting

Have you ever traveled into a painting, your mind wandering, becoming a part of the scene yourself? The colors. The atmosphere. You can see that a story is there within it and it just draws you in. I have. Certainly in a museum or a gallery. I have some favorites that I visit over and over again. I love a good story. Our house is filled with the art created by my husband's grandfather and great grandfather, the former a painter and potter and his father, a painter. Art runs d

Cocktail Accessories & Foodie Fun at The Proper

Cocktail Accessories & Foodie Fun at The Proper

Narrowsburg Proper 44 Main Street Narrowsburg, NY 845-252-3242 @narrowsburgproper The shelves in the front are stacked to the rafters with foodie treats good for a gift box or basket for the discerning eater. Caviar. Chocolates. French honey. Pastas and sauces. Cheeses and olives. Tidbits of all ilks. The back lures you in with proper items for the men in your life -- cocktail shakers, bitters and simple syrups, exclusive beard oil, clothes, humidors and other manly accessori

Brushed Alpaca Throws & Blankets from Buck Brook Alpaca Farm

Brushed Alpaca Throws & Blankets from Buck Brook Alpaca Farm

Buck Brook Alpacas 99 Bestenheider Road Roscoe, NY 12776 (845) 807-3104 www.buckbrookalpacas.com @buckbrookalpacas Buck Brook Alpacas is a family run farm located in Sullivan County. The farm raises 150 alpacas, along with angora rabbits. Oh my! They strive to raise these adorable animals in a warm, clean and loving environment. Buck Brook harvests the alpacas' luxury fiber once yearly to create beautiful yarn and products for the home, family and crafters, which are availab

Trout Fishing in the Catskills from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

Trout Fishing in the Catskills from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum 1031 Old Route 17 Roscoe, NY (845) 439-4810 cffcm.com @cffcm Whether you're a seasoned angler or a newbie, lived in the area forever or just a weekend warrior, you'll get more than your money's worth out of Trout Fishing in the Catskills by Ed Van Put. From the history of the fish and the rivers, to the people who made the Catskills one of the best fisheries in the world, Ed weaves history and "how to" that makes this the seminal book for

Farm Girl's Guide: A Trailer

Farm Girl's Guide: A Trailer

I love trailers. Sometimes I watch them instead of watching the movies. So, here's a little preview of Farm Girl's Guide to get you started. XOXO Farm Girl #farmgirlsguide #farmgirl #xoxofarmgirl #catskills #gettinglostandfound #getlost #catskillsrenaissance #bestofthecatskills #visitcatskills #definitiveguide #destinationplace #guidebook #traveltips #weekendgetaway #insidescoop

Farm Girl's Guide to Getting Lost & Found in the Catskills

Farm Girl's Guide to Getting Lost & Found in the Catskills

The Definitive Guide to Experiencing the Catskills' Burgeoning Renaissance This is a love letter to the Catskills. I invite you to love it, too. For the past year or so, I have been working on a guidebook for you. Because there really isn't one. Not the kind of guide book you want. You want to find all the yummy places, right? And the secret ones too, right? Well, I love to find them and to share them with you. Here's the lay of the land. First, it's important to think about

A 101 from Farm Girl on How to Use The Guide

A 101 from Farm Girl on How to Use The Guide

Hi, Farm Girl here. Your one and only source into the best of the Catskills! (Yes, this is a "cultural" reference to Gossip Girl ...) Just in case you need to know which way is up, here's your 101. When it's all said and done, this guide will have a dozen chapters (oh, the suspense). What you will find now are the first four: Get Lost, On Your Way, The Inside Scoop and So Much Sullivan. Each one will continue to grow as new hotspots open up. Here's a quick summary of each cha

Get Lost (A How To ...)

Get Lost (A How To ...)

The Catskills Is Calling You. The New Catskills. Take off your shoes. Then your socks. Put your toes in the grass. Wiggle them a little. There. That’s better. Now, you are ready. Ready to get lost. But not too lost. Don’t worry. I will be your guide. Just to get you started. Then, the momentum, the lure of the Catskills, will take over and you will be off and running … maybe even without your shoes and socks. I have been coming to the Catskills since I was a kid. That said, a

On Your Way

On Your Way

Get in the Car No matter where you’re coming from, driving to the Catskills is the best way to go. Not only does driving get you there, but it gives you a perfect seat from which to enjoy the curves of every back road and to count all the silos once you get there. So, drive if you can. If you’re far, far away, get closer and then drive. Your car is the snorkel mask through which you see all the best fish. Ya feel? I still remember the good old days of driving while trying to

Stuff to Pack

Stuff to Pack

Before you head out, you might want to throw a few key items in a bag just in case. You might even want to leave it in your car because when you're itching to #getlostandfound you just must go. Here's Farm Girl's list: a small pair of binoculars a picnic blanket some hiking shoes or old sneakers that you can get muddy (and a bag to put them in when they are) a pocketknife a wine/beer opener Farm Girl’s Guide an extra layer (like a fleece, a flannel shirt or a light down jacke

Rockefeller Lookout

Rockefeller Lookout

Palisades Parkway North njpalisades.org/parkway.html The Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP), a 38.25-mile highway, where commercial vehicles are prohibited, was designated as a national landmark by the National Park Service in 1998. The highway is named for the beautiful and protected cliffs that line the western side of the Hudson River. From the Rockefeller Lookout you can get an incredible view of the mighty Hudson, as well as a prime view of NYC day or night. Every time I

Balthazar Bakery

Balthazar Bakery

214 S. Dean St., Engelwood, NJ (201) 503-9717 balthazarbakery.com @balthazarbakery If you are heading north up the Thruway, stop in at Balthazar Bakery, an artisanal bakery with homemade breads and pastries, designed to feed the mighty Balthazar on Spring Street in NYC since the French brasserie opened in 1997. A dozen hard-working bakers prepare 1,000 each of plain, chocolate and almond croissants daily! Stop in on your way to grab a loaf of bread for a picnic or, if you’re

Round Up Texas BBQ

Round Up Texas BBQ

2741 Route 9, Cold Spring, NY (845) 809-5557 rounduptxbbq.com @rounduptxbbq If you are coming from Connecticut or Westchester, and you get a hankering for some BBQ en route this is the real deal. Stop at this shack-like hole in the wall with Texas-style dry-rubbed and smoked brisket, ribs and catfish, so you don’t get hungry on the road. My friend Alli swears that the ribs are “mmmm” and the cornbread is “to die for!” Sit inside or out. Dogs are encouraged to sit quietly and

The Filling Station

The Filling Station

243 Route 9 West, Palisades, NY (845) 359-9000 tfsburgerworks.com @tfsburgerworks A roadside burger joint with organic beef, delectable fries and a good selection of brewskis. If you’re hungry on the road, stop in to fill ’er up. Frequented by bikers — both kinds — and anyone with an enviable convertible. A veritable car (and hog) show awaits. This is one of those “worth it” burgers. Never too big. Hot off the grill. Just right fries. And even the ambiance adds to the flavor.