 Picture courtesy of Heritage Gardens Gardens Aglow 2020 By: Molly Gardens Aglow is back this year with some changes for the pandemic. I was given two tickets to Gardens Aglow on 12/3 at 6:30pm in return for an unbiased blog post about the event. Gardens Aglow at Heritage Gardens is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 4:30-8:30pm with timed tickets starting on the half hour. You may arrive 30 minutes before your timed ticket time to park and bundle up and stay as long as you want until close. Tickets cost $18 Adult, $16 Adult Member, $9 Youth (Ages 3-17), $8 Member Youth (Ages 3-17) and free for children 2 or younger and is currently sold out. Food can be bought at the Cafe and from the food trucks.  We arrived right at 6pm on Thursday night with temperatures in the low forties so bundled up everyone was comfortable. Due to the pandemic Gardens Aglow was a little different this year. For starters everything including Santa is outside so no car museum, exhibit buildings or carousel. They did a wonderful job of setting the train up outside by the windmill and lighting the whole new area that is behind the windmill and wraps back around to the main path. On this path there are some beautiful projected lights on the trees. Santa can be found on the outdoor stage but we didn't take an up close look as the kids were not interested. We wound our way down through the gardens by finding each of the eight reindeer and saved marshmallow roasting for last and to do on the way out (the pits are next to the cafe this year). All the lights were beautiful. My favorites were the flower lights by the windmill and the lights projected on the trees. My only complaint is it was more crowded than I expected and socially dstancing by others was lacking at times. Words can’t really capture the lights so here are some pictures.
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 Holiday traditions New and Old for 2020
By: Molly This year we can't do all our traditional holiday activities but we still plan on doing some activities. Here is what we have planned. Ice cream sundaes: Usually we go to Local Scoop but this year we will make ice cream sundaes at home. If you want to support your favorite ice cream place get pints of ice cream from them. Make cookies here are some of my favorites: Toll House cookies Chocolate peanut butter cookies Gingerbread cookies Chocolate pretzels Gardens Aglow at Heritage Gardens: Look for my blog post coming soon. Make Gingerbread houses: This year we are using premade kits. Winter Solstice Celebration: For Winter Solstice we make a braise with Lamb/beef and lots of root vegetables and have gingerbread for dessert. Reading Holiday books: A few of my favorites are The Cobweb Christmas, The Polar Express and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Making homemade hot chocolate: My favorite recipe is the Taza one.  Countdown to the Holidays Calendars By: Molly My kids look forward to their Countdown to the Holidays calendar every year. We use the calendar shown here and I fill it with mostly favorite candies, money and favorite toys. In the past the toys have been Shopkins and Legos mostly. Below I have listed a bunch of ideas for things to fill your own calendar. I have also included ideas for other types of countdown calendars below. Fill your own calendar ideas:
Book calendar https://www.bookbub.com/blog/gift-wrap-books-for-christmas-ideas Craft calendarWrap up 24 different holiday/winter crafts, label 1-24 and do one each day. Here are 24 ideas. As a time saving option, you could get together with other families and make 4 different craft sets each 6 kits of each craft then exchange them.
Make Your Own Advent Calendar One of my favorite make-your-own Advent Calendars is the one here. You can find instructions on how to make this one as well as many others at Parents.
What is your favorite Countdown to the Holidays calendars? Have you made any great ones?  Local Cape Cod Author Dean Coe Debuts Wild Moon By Molly Chesterton the weasel is at it again in the book Wild Moon by Dean Coe. Wild Moon unlike the other Chesterton book is a short chapter book geared for second grade and up independent readers. This book is full of facts while reading like a story and includes, Dylan, a young teen on the spectrum. Wild Moon begins with Chesterton and his Cape Cod forest friends discussing the disappearance of animal friends, their habitat and what they can do. In the second part of the book Dylan observes unsettling changes as well. The end of the book brings animals and humans together with a way to try and combat these changes. Wild Moon includes back cover blurbs from Award winning authors, Sy Montgomery and Temple Grandin. If your child enjoys the other Chesterton books or is just a nature lover check out Wild Moon! Wild Moon can be purchased at your local Cape Cod bookstore or online here.  Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
 Gardens Aglow 2019 By Molly Gardens Aglow is a huge holiday light display with lots of hands on holiday experiences throughout the lights. My family and I had the pleasure of a complimentary visit to Gardens Aglow this past Saturday in return for an unbiased post. Gardens Aglow is a yearly event that Heritage Gardens in Sandwich puts on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays this year from November 29 – December 29; 4:30pm-8:30pm. Pricing is as follows $20 Adult $17 Adult Member $10 Youth (Ages 3-17) $8 Member Youth (Ages 3-17) Free for children 2 or younger. If you are a member they also are having a special members night on 12/15 “As part of our thanks for your generosity, please join us on Sunday, December 15 at Gardens Aglow to enjoy cookies and treats on us while you experience Cape Cod's favorite holiday tradition at 50% off the regular price.” you must register by 12/9 here! We started our 2019 Gardens Aglow adventure by arriving right at 4:30 and the two main parking lots were already filled; I would highly recommend getting there by 4:15 for a good parking spot or you can reserve parking for $20. After bundling up for the chilly evening we headed into the gardens and picked up the reindeer hunt cards which my 7 and 9 year old love doing (it also helps to get the kids to see all the beautiful light displays). The Automotive Gallery is all decked out for the holidays. You can visit Santa in the Ford Model T, see a performance down stairs and checkout all the cool old cars. We let the kids lead us along to find the reindeer we passed by Nickerson field where you can roast marshmallows (we saved that for the end) then by Magnolia Cafe where hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase over to the Old East Mill that is all lit up and there is ice craving on Saturday nights. Then down the hill to see the flume “light” fall and my favorite the fountain garden with the glowing ball display. From the fountain garden you can look down on the Outdoor Concert Stage field and see yet another amazing light display.
As we headed toward the Special Exhibitions Gallery we passed the Labyrinth (where a reindeer is hiding) and Parade Field where there are more snacks and drinks to buy and giant foam building pieces for the kids. In the Special Exhibitions Gallery you can visit Mrs. Claus, see a giant model train setup, help make a light bright display and the kids can build their own train setup which is where my two year old would have been content to stay all night! The Carousel is all ready to celebrate the holidays as well. The horses look so festive at night in the glow of all the lights and decorations. As you take a spin on a horse of your choice you can take in the decorations from a different perspective. While at the Carousel you can also visit the Hundred Acre School and the American Art Gallery. At the end of a wonderful night after enjoying marshmallows (a great way to motivate my cold and tired kids back towards the entrance) you can turn in the reindeer hunt card for a prize; the kids each chose an old fashioned candy stick. I highly recommend visiting Gardens Aglow this holiday season! Have you been or plan on going? What is your favorite part?  Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
 Fun Fall Activities By Molly Fall has arrived and with it lots of fun activities to do. Below you will find some of my families favorite activities plus some that we want to try. Apple Picking is one of my favorite fall activities. We always go to Nicewicz Farm in Bolton. Nicewicz is our favorite because it is quieter, their fruits and vegetables are closer to organic since they use integrated pest management and the owners remember us every year. This is a no frills apple picking experience there are fruit trees and pumpkin picking, the gardens and a farm stand where you can buy produce including corn, squashes and flowers. If you are looking for more upscale or caramel apples Nashoba Valley Winery is down the street. I have never been but for apple and pumpkin picking on Cape there is Crow Farm in Sandwich (apple picking is done for the season). Heritage Gardens in Sandwich for a beautiful walk on the grounds. The kids love riding the carousel and playing in Hidden Hollows and adults can take in the galleries and car museum. There is also the newly restored windmill and a new garden to checkout. Heritage Gardens is open now through 10/14 but they also host Sandwich Halloween Festival 10/25 and 10/26 5pm-8:30pm for Halloween fun $5 per person. Green Halloween at Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. This is one of my kids favorite Halloween activities. This year it is on 10/26 10am-2pm and is $5 per child ages 3-16 with adult (adults with children are free). There are activities and crafts throughout the entire museum to complete for prizes plus refreshment and a hay maze outside. Orleans Halloween Sidewalk Stroll. On 10/26 2:30-3:30 starting at the Orleans library (after the 1:30 Toe Jam Puppet Band show) stroll through Orleans center and trick or treat at the shops. My kids love this because they get to wear their costumes during the day and walk around the center while collecting candy. After if you are not too tired there is more Halloween fun in East Orleans including hay rides. Take a walk at the Wellfleet Audubon Sanctuary. Audubon also has lots of fun Halloween activities that you can check out here! What are your favorite Fall activities to do?  Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
 Welcoming Fall with Healthy Curried Lentils By Molly Fall has arrived and along with it the desire for warm hearty food. My husband has created this delicious healthy vegan curried lentil dish that we enjoy serving with buckwheat groats or brown rice. We eat it for one or two nights and then freeze the rest for quick meals another day. Curried lentils 1 bag lentils (27 oz/765 g) + 8 c water 1 lb frozen chopped spinach 1 lb carrots, fresh and diced 1-2 lb onion, fresh and diced 1-2 cans (14,5 oz each) diced tomatoes 4 cloves garlic 2 T garam masala 2 T curry powder 8 oz cashews + 8 oz water in the blender then add extra 8 oz of water In dutch oven on stove top bring lentils (with the 8 cups of water), carrots and onions to simmer and simmer for 30 minutes. Then add rest of ingredients and simmer for about 90 minutes. For richer flavor cook onions down first. Makes about 8 11oz servings. What are your favorite healthy go to Fall meals?  Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House By Molly This past weekend my family and I had the pleasure of visiting the Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in exchange for an unbiased review. My daughter has been very interested in the Alcott’s since reading Little Women over the summer. The Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House is located in Concord, Massachusetts and tours run daily lasting about 30 minutes. Tours cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 7 and up. During the Christmas season Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House runs a "A Little Women Christmas at Orchard House" on the weekends. This tour is a living history format. Set in the late 1800’s after the completion of Little Women the tour leads you through the house to meet the Alcott’s. First you meet Louisa who gives you a brief overview of what her life was like then and some insight to what was fact or fiction in Little Women. Louisa then talks about how the Alcott family was always helping those less fortunate and asks the children in the tour to collect a basket full of items; one item from each of the Alcotts they meet. The basket of gifts will then be “given” to a family in need this holiday season. Upstairs you meet Mr. Alcott (Mr. March), May (Amy), and Mrs. Alcott (Marmee). Each person you meet tells you a little bit about what it was like living at the house, references Little Women as well as conferring with the group/kids. There are original pieces of art throughout the house created by May; it is fun to try and find all the owls. When you head back down stairs you meet Margaret (Meg) who with the help of some of the “neighborhood” children puts on a play of a scene in Little Women they also sing Christmas carols that you are encouraged to join in and sing. The tour ends in the kitchen where the children recieve Little Women paper dolls and bookmarks. You exit out through the gift shop. The gift shop was toys representative of the time of Little Women, books, movies, crafts kits, and clothing with quotes from Louisa May Alcott. I would definitely recommend "A Little Women Christmas at Orchard House" for children 10 and under. For adults, older children and those who are very interested in the history and/or are very familiar with Little Women and Alcott’s writing the regular tour would probably be more informative. Have you ever been to "A Little Women Christmas at Orchard House" or is there another historical holiday event you enjoy?   Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
 My Favorite Gingerbread Recipe By Molly This gingerbread recipe has been modified from a Joy of Cooking recipe. It is my favorite because it is vegan and doesn’t require any refrigeration! Gingerbread CookiesIngredients
Directions
 Holiday Traditions By Molly Every year starting after Thanksgiving my family starts our winter holiday traditions. Here are some of my family’s favorite traditions new and old. Brewster for the Holidays: our favorite event is the party at the Brewster Natural History Museum on 12/2 this year. Gardens Aglow at Heritage Gardens now through 12/30 (review coming soon) Seeing a play: the Nutcracker this year. Making Gingerbread houses and holiday cookies. Keep an eye out for recipe in upcoming blog post Winter solstice calendar- We have reusable calendars that I fill with legos, coins and a few candies as a countdown to winter solstice. Winter solstice celebration: we hang out as a family, have braised meat and vegetables, make, decorate and eat gingerbread cookies and exchange gifts. Go out to Local Scoop for create your own ice cream sundae. Visiting the Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House for their holiday interactive living history program weekends now through 12/16 (review coming soon) What are your holiday traditions?  Molly, her husband, and their 1, 6 and 8 year split their time between their little piece of the cape in Orleans and Cambridge. She was a kindergarten teacher before her oldest was born then became a SAHM. She loves running, books, supporting literacy, nature walks, arts, craft, knitting and sewing as well as being outside and on the beach!
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