The Bascule Bridge of Mystic, CT (+Mystic Pizza)

For us, a point of interest and intrigue in Mystic, Connecticut was 

the bascule bridge that stretches across the Mystic River,
joining the two sides of Mystic.

It was so impressive to watch! "Bascule" is the French word for see-saw.

This drawbridge, built in 1922, has 2 counterweights made of concrete, weighing 285 tons each!

This photo gives you a good idea of the enormous size of these weights

in contrast to the size of the people passing under them.

Bonus:

When I've mentioned that we've vacationed in Mystic, CT,

I've been asked several times if there really is a "Mystic Pizza"

from the 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts. Yep, there sure is!

Other blog posts from our Connecticut vacation:

Mystic Seaport

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough

Strolling Through Stonington

S & P Oyster Co.

Our Sunset Sail on the Schooner Argia

Ford's Lobsters

Touring B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill

Punch Needle Embroidery by Harp & Thistle

I'm super excited to show off the talent of Harp & Thistle!

This type of stitchery is called punch needle embroidery,

taken from an ancient technique of making hooked rugs.

Erin & Cory are the husband and wife team of "Harp & Thistle."

The clever name pairs symbols of their ancestries: hers, Ireland; his, Scotland.

She designs and creates each item. He's behind the scenes as photographer & shipper.

I am absolutely smitten with this fresh & fabulous embroidery hoop art!

Here's the Harp & Thistle

Etsy Shop and

Facebook page.

Images used with direct permission from Erin & Corey.

Thriller - The Man & The Moves

dailymail.co.uk

In 1983, Michael Jackson's Thriller video made a lasting wow-factor impact around the globe.
MTV was only 2 years old at the time and most music videos cost around $100,000.
Thriller's cost was $500,000. Unprecedented.

Plus, it was 14 minutes long. Unprecedented.

The Thriller zombie dance is as popular today as it ever was.
OK. I'll admit. I'd love to learn how to do it.
In fact, I'll even admit that it's on my bucket list.

ifunny

Piece of cake, right? Ha!
There are lots of tutorials on YouTube.
(No doubt I'll need to watch them all.)


Speaking of YouTube, have you seen the Making of Thriller videos?
Worth checking out to appreciate the rehearsals, the make-up, the costumes, the special effects
-all that fabulous behind-the-scenes action we love-
plus lots of other great stuff for MJ fans.

mjjccommunity

Without further ado, here's the video.
Even if, like me, you've seen it dozens of times,
I know you'll want to watch it again,
"...for no mere mortal can resist
the evil of the thriller!"
(Cue ghoulish laugh from Vincent Price.)

Calendars for 2015

As we're nearing the end of the year, I'm rounding up some choice calendar selections.
I think they make ideal gifts to reflect the personal tastes of those on your list.
Choose one for yourself that will bring a smile to each of your days in 2015!

Above: I'm lovin' this vintage typewriter mini calendar by Blackbird Letterpress.

Barnes & Noble

With Downton Abbey beginning its 5th season,
this calendar reminds fans why the show is so popular.
(My favorite is the photo of Bates & Anna stealing a kiss!)

1 Canoe 2

Oh, the quality of letterpress!

The gilded & textured patterns are so classy.

And how about the wood stump holder?

(Next year you can just order a refill.)

Amazon.com

Calling all movie buffs!

Each month brings you a vintage movie poster!

Drenculture

Garden of Birds.

Fabulous bold graphics!

Christianbook.com

Scripture verses are featured with

lovely paintings by LANG's Susan Winget.

Slick Turtle Design

This vivid year-at-a-glance poster calendar is available in 3 sizes.

Eye-catching and bold.

Papyrus

How fun is this? Quirky for sure.
A hula girl on the dashboard and a knitted teapot cozy.

Touring B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill – Old Mystic, CT

One of those "off the beaten path" must-experience places,
B. F. Clyde's Cider Mill is set apart from the most popular tourist sites.
Located at 129 North Stonington Road in Old Mystic,
it was one of our favorite stops while we were in Connecticut.

This is the home of the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States!
Just a quaint wood building tucked away amid the trees.
Nothing innovative or industrial looking about it.

B. F. Clyde's is open from September through late December.
It's a national historic mechanical engineering landmark!

We really enjoyed watching how the press operates.

Ground apples pour out into fabric-lined frames.

The apples are spread evenly using a state-of-the-art tool called a "garden hoe."

The fabric is folded over...

...then topped with another frame.

The process repeats several more times.

Now it's time for the press to do its work.

The apple juice runs out and is collected below.

With my thanks to Lee C., I share this YouTube video

so that you can see the Cider Mill come to life!

A collection of old cider jugs hangs from the rafters.

It warms my heart that they're still family owned and operated! 

Six generations of Clydes have been making cider since 1881!

After our tour of the mill, we popped over to their little shop,

filled with good things like sweet apple cider, 

apple pies, local honey, fudge and maple syrup.

This was the most delectable melt-in-my-mouth apple cider donut

I have ever had the pleasure of tasting!

Here's B. F. Clyde's 

website and Facebook page.

Did I mention the donuts?


If you'd like to read more posts from our
Mystic, Connecticut vacation,
you can find a list of links HERE!