I have had a great time coming up with ideas of what to write about. I traveled around New Jersey and looked for people and places that would be both interesting and new. I love living in New Jersey and I wanted people to see the beautiful side of it. I think I did a good job with providing a slight insight to some of the wonderful areas and sights that New Jersey has to offer. Sometime I would find something interesting that didn’t have to do with the topic of my blog but I knew that would happen before I even sat down.

There are so many interesting things out there that I wanted to write about, it was impossible to stay on one track but I am very happy with my overall blog. I hope that it provided entertainment for anyone out there who has been reading though it. I had a great time and I will probably still post a blog here and there. But for now.. farewell! Thank you for all that you taught me, WordPress!

Jaime Gallina

“Up before the sun. The sun goes down, you keep going.” Ben

Christmas time is especially busy this time of year because they have the best cut-your-own trees around. The shop on Route 15 is full of freshly made apple cider donuts, pies and bread loaves from the Amish, bread mix from Walpack Inn, jams, salsas, and countless other delicious treats. They have a beautiful collection of gifts, cards, ornaments, toys, and lots more. I was happy tat they had time to talk with me and allow me to videotape them at work…

Outside one of the green houses was transformed into Santa’s workshop. Christmas music was on while everyone was making and decorating Christmas wreaths, grave blankets, and kissing balls. It was a fun atmosphere to be a part of. Pre-cut Christmas trees of all sizes and varieties were displayed outside for sale. Or if you wanted to make a fun day of getting your tree, across the street are rows upon rows of Christmas trees just waiting to be cut down and taken home.

I drove over to Ben and Jan’s home and had the chance to talk with Ben and Courtney Morris. It was great talking with them and hearing what Ben had to say about owning such a successful business. He was modest from beginning to end and I had such a fun time listening to him talk about some of his stories from working on the farm everyday for the past twenty-four years. Courtney has been a loyal employee and friend since he was just a kid.

“It’s a great family run business and anytime that I can be outside working in a field or with the guys on any kind of farm, I’m there.” Courtney

 Talking with them made me really appreciate the state we live in and all the people who live here. Ideal Farms was my first job and I know that I am going to be getting my Christmas tree from them every year for the rest of my life. I’d much rather have a real tree that was grown by such an honest and hard-working family instead of going to Walmart and buying a fake tree. As I get older and eventually have a family of my own, I want my kids to grow up knowing the importance of hard work and responsibility. This family owned business is one of my favorite parts about living in Sussex County. So if you are ever in the neighborhood, it is definitely a great place to stop by.

MTV‘s new television show, ‘Jersey Shore‘ premeired tonight. It is awful and embarrassing. I am ashamed to say I watched it. Because of this show people are going to view all people from New Jersey this way and I think it is a horrible represention of our state. New Jersey has much more to offer then a bunch of drunken hooligans hanging around the boardwalks, starting fights, pumping their fists, and inappropriately dancing all over eachother.

Welcome to Luna Parc

Hello everyone! I haven’t posted in awhile because  my semester is coming close to an end so that means my work load is getting ridiculous. I have been thinking about high school and how much easier it was back then. I never worried about school and homework but college is a whole different ball game. In high school I took lots of art classes (photography, crafts, crafts 2, crafts 3, drawing & painting, sewing, and even foods class was a form of art i think) I loved the creativity that was challenged and I loved the art teacher, Mrs. Meyers. She is a wonderful and very talented person.

In my senior year at High Point Regional High School I took a senior crafts class as my last art class ever. We made jewlery, scultped mugs with faces on them, and a variety of other exciting projects. Mrs. Meyers outdid herself this year because we got to go on a class trip to Luna Parc. Weird NJ describes this place a ‘psychedelic wonderland in the woods’. They really hit the nail on the head because this house was beyond words…

Before (June 9, 1989)

Now

This house is owned by Ricky Boscarino who bought it about 20 years ago as a run down plain house that was surrounded by five acres of woods. Now it is a captivating and vibrant vision that is surrounded by nonsense and intriguing sculptures on every inch of space. Ricky is an artist and has been transforming this building into a piece of art ever since he bought it. It reminded me of a combination of Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss and Seussville, and the book, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Mrs. Meyers took us to the most appropriate place to take an art class. The imagination and creativity we were surrounded by made me want to take a paint brush and transform the world.

Ricky’s house isn’t open to the public but sometimes he has an open house where he displays the jewelery and artwork he has created. He lives here and I couldn’t ever imagine waking up with so many vibrant colors all at once! I have heard of his home before we went on our class trip because my friend Sam, who is a wonderful artist, works for Ricky. By work I mean she spends her days in the summertime in his house helping him create and envision the possibilities of what his home can become. He transformed the shed in his back yard into his workshop and that’s where all the magic happens. The inside of his house is unexplainable. There is so much detail everywhere you turn…

The bathroom is my favorite room of the house.

Ricky made a postcard of out of this photo. That is him in the tub.

(Photos by: nataliyagosselin and Ricky Boscarino)

Me with my roommates Jenn, Lauren, and Megan

New Jersey has lots of fun things to do but I know sometimes they might be hard to find. So I organized a few ideas and events going on throughout New Jersey for the month of December so everyone can get into the holiday spirit because no one likes a grinch! ( 25 Days of Christmas ) Hopefully this is helpful and I will be adding more to it! Feel free to browse around! Ideas from cooking ideas, star gazing, parades and more!

Gallina Family Tree Shopping 2008

This year I think that everyone should throw out those fake plastic Christmas tree imitations and go out there and cut down a real tree! Ever since I can remember, our family has picked a day in early December and we head out to a Christmas tree farm to find the most perfect Christmas tree. We go with my cousins and we compete to see who can find their tree first. It’s not easy and it normally takes a few hours because we are picky people. When I was little this was always one of my favorite days of the year and as I got older it is still just as much fun. We get to the farm and they give us a red ribbon. This ribbon is for when we find the tree of our dreams.  We use it to tie around a tree to claim it as our own. Proper etiquette means that you can not choose a tree that already has a red ribbon on it. That would be stealing. And nobody likes a thief.

Christmas tree searching 2007 with my cousins Tina and Matt

During our search we drink the hot cocoa they serve in the barn and eat the candy canes that they normally give out. I love searching for a tree in the snow but some years there is no snow. After everyone finds the perfect tree we stand in front of it and proudly take a picture with it. This will be the last photo of the tree connected to the earth before we chop it down and take home. It’s not a sad thing because shortly after we bring it home, we display it in our living room and decorate it with beautiful ornaments. Before we go home we all go out for dinner. It’s been our tradition since I was a little girl and I think that everyone should try it! It’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and it’s a fun bonding experience.

Isn't she a beauty?!

Having a real tree in our house really makes it feel like Christmas. Yankee Candle can’t recreate the smell from the real thing. It’s just not the same to have an artificial tree for the holidays. Its fun to decorate the tree while listening to Christmas music. Our cats love sleeping underneath the tree. One year we couldn’t find one of our cats and it turns out they we nuzzled in the branches of the tree. Christmas morning wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have our perfectly picked tree!

Here are a few farms that I found online that look like great places to check out:

Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm (Washington)

Belly Acres Christmas Tree Farm (Franklinville)

Hendershot Christmas Tree Farm (Newton)

Shale Hills Farm (Sussex)

Cherryville Farms (Flemington)

Anne Ellen Farms (Manalapan)

The Indian Rock Inn (photo from their website)

The Indian Rock Inn is having a traditional three course all American Thanksgiving feast on November 26th at 7pm for those families out there who don’t feel like slaving away in the kitchen for hours. This Inn is located in Bucks County which is only a 5 minute drive from New Jersey! The menu for the evening includes butternut squash soup, roasted turkey, glazed ham, stuffed flounder, and a variety of homemade pies! This is a great idea for people who are looking for something new to try! It would be interesting to share this day with some new people and turn some strangers into friends. My family is set in their traditions so this would be out of the question, especially because the menu doesn’t mention anything about stuffing and that’s the best part of Thanksgiving in my opinion. This holiday is right around the corner so if anyone out there likes this idea, you’d better make your reservations soon! (610-982-9600) 

Driveway of pickup trucks

It is not unusual to see an abundance of pickup trucks on New Jersey’s country roads in the rural areas. They are the farmer-friendly vehicle of choice. In high school there was always an abundance of pickup trucks in the senior parking lot. A lot of kids would go to school during the day and afterwards head to the farm to do work. It’s a hectic life for families who own farms and livestock but pickup trucks can make their lives a little bit simpler. On the road its a lot better to get stuck behind a pickup track than a tractor. Sometimes it feels like tractors move more slowly then snails! If you ever find yourself stuck in one of these situations here’s a book that you might want to have on hand if traffic comes to a halt because of a slow moving tractor. Even though tractors may be slow, there are still some perks to owning one…  follow the link to YouTube!

View from the road - The Olde Lafayette Village

Time to put up those Christmas trees! Well maybe that’s pushing it but it is a good time to start thinking about your holiday shopping. If you have already started your Christmas shopping than, wow, I am impressed!

Not sure where to start? Just follow the signs...

My normal routine for buying gifts is to hold it off as long as possible and then frantically try to find a store that is open just hours before Christmas. But this year will be different!! I am going to plan my time much better and get gifts that people are going to fall in love with and I hope that you do the same. ! I love finding the perfect present for people I love but sometimes it is incredibly difficult to come up with a fun new idea. That is why I am offering a great antique village that has some beautiful gift ideas and it’s also a very friendly and cozy village to wander around. Olde Lafayette Village.They have tons of cute shops to choose from so you will definitely need to put aside a few hours for your visit. It is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon filled with shopping and feeding the ducks.

More signs...

They have a pond in the center of the village and the local ducks are always waddling around, swimming, and enjoying the people who feed them. They have The Lafayette House which is a fantastic restaurant that has an unforgettable  all-you-can-eat breakfast around. They have cute cafes with everything homemade. There is a Cheese Shoppe, Bass Outlet, an old fashioned Candy & Ice Cream Shop, clothes boutiques, a Rock and Gem store, and tons more. The Barkery is my mom’s favorite store. (considering we have 4 dogs at home)The village offers lots of fun events throughout the year.  Every Sunday they have a farmer’s market where the local businesses come and sell their produce, fruits, flowers, and more. They even have live music and tons of recipe ideas.

The Chocolate Parfait

You must stop here before you leave.  As soon as you walk in you can smell a mix of the delicious homemade fudge and the ice cream aroma. I never thought ice cream had a strong smell until I came here. They have every kind of candy that you can think of. The best part is the marshmallow kabobs. Impossible to pass up! This is a great spot to get your stocking stuffers – the only hard part is not eating it yourself.

Relaxation chairs

The Cheese Shoppe behind these chairs is amazing. It is very small, intimate and quite pricey but I just go in there for the free samples and to look at the bottles of wine. They are very friendly and will tell you what wine goes well with different foods. Do you have relatives who enjoy fine wine? This would be a perfect place to pick them up a bottle for the holiday parties that are coming up.

The pond in the heart of the village

The pond is always swarming with ducks. The ducks seem to love diving under the water and chasing each other. They have birdseed feeders scattered throughout the village so they are well-fed from all the eager tourist and passerbyers. They are very comfortable with people and don’t scare too easily. It is a fun atmosphere, even if you just want to stop through for a cup of joe or find a good spot to read a book. The antique shops will have tons to look at so Christmas shopping should come easily. So I hope this helps your Christmas shopping adventure. I know it’s a hectic time of year but this should be a nice relaxing escape from all the humbugs and Walmarts out there!!

West Virginia

Rachel Weinrich is one of the most determined country girls I know. She constantly surprises everyone and when she sets her heart to do something, she does it. She has lived in Sussex County her entire life with her Mom, Dad, and her sister Sarah. I met Rachel when I moved to Sussex County when I was 10 and we became close friends in high school and have been close ever since. She graduated from High Point Regional High School in 2006 and instead of going off to a four year college right away she decided that she was going to venture out in the wilderness and hike the Appalachian Trail. This was no shock to the people who know Rachel. Rachel loves the outdoors, she respects nature, and she has a zest for adventure. She packed her things, read lots of books about the AT, chose the name, Jersey Fresh, as her trail name, and she headed for the mountains. The Appalachian Trail extends from Georgia to Maine but for her first time she decided to hike Jersey to Maine. She agreed to talk with me and answer a few questions about her experiences on the trail. These pictures here are from Rachel herself and Dustin Brewer. (one of the many friends Rachel made along the way) Thanks guys!

Rachel at the border of Vermont and New Hampshire

What made you realize you wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail?

I have always thought about it and my Dad always talked about it. I couldn’t decide on what school I wanted to go to and no school was too appealing to me. I decided it would be more fun to hike from New Jersey to Maine instead of settling on a school that I wasn’t too excited for. It was a great alternative for me. I started the beginning of June and finished at the end of August.

How did you come up with your trail  name, Jersey Fresh?

My family helped me come up with it. I am from Jersey and when I started, I started with people who have already been hiking for awhile. So I was the new one. Also, in my family there is lots of farming so it fit well. Plus I already had a hat that said Jersey Fresh on it.

Rachel among the trees

Was it scary to venture out all on your own?

Yes. I had first started with a friend, Gina, but she decided not to do it the last minute, so that was a little frustrating. I hiked 12 miles alone and I just kept thinking what am I going to see in the woods? It was scary but it was also exciting and thrilling to be out there on your own.

What was the most exciting part of your adventure?

Every week you are in a new town. One second you are in the woods having a good time and all of a sudden you end up somewhere new. Crossing state lines was always exciting because you were actually walking right across it.

What did you miss most about being home?

Seeing my friends and family. Sometimes at a shelter I would have the chance to go on the computer and see pictures of my friends from home and I would feel like I was missing out. I missed eating dinner with my family and having home-cooked meals.

Rachel hiking up Mount Cube

Do you think your upbringing in the country gave you enough experience to go out in the wilderness?

Some. I have never really done an overnight camping trip before. I was comfortable with the woods but that is different than going out into the woods for a long time and figuring out how to survive. Before I went I did one trial night at Sunrise Mountain and it was the first time I’ve done something like that before.

On top of Mount Garfield with some friends during a beautiful sunset

Was this experience something that has changed you as a person?

Yes, definitely. If I was to think a back on my life, this would be a big part of it. I was able to think all day long about my childhood and the people in my life. I realized that there is a whole society of people in the woods who have their own world aside from our own and I got to be a part of it. Sometimes when I am walking to class and I see someone sitting on the ground, I think back to the trail. It was a happy time in my life. I never felt so good about myself.

Rachel and a little rest and relaxation

What is some advice for a person who is getting ready to hike the trail?

Ask a lot of questions. I did a lot of reading before I left but it’s nothing like being out there. Because I was the youngest and a girl, I wasn’t really shy. I was constantly asking questions because I didn’t care. The people you meet out there will know more or at least something different than you so just ask. They are your best resource. Nothing will prepare you for it completely so you just need to be open-minded.

Rachel is now a student at Rutgers University. After graduation she plans to get back on the trail and complete the parts she still has yet to hike. (Georgia) Hopefully this encourages people to get out there and start living life the way it should be lived! Out in the Jersey Fresh air! If you want to know about Rachel’s adventures visit her Trail Journal! Thank you for your time Rachel!

Did I forget to mention that Rachel came face to face with a moose!?