Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Only in Bucks County: Along the Delaware Canal Path

  I've often walked along the Delaware Canal near Washington Crossing National Park, or right outside the borough of Yardley, but this weekend I discovered a new portion of the trail that is only two minutes from my house! I never knew the trail continued so far South. Turns out the Delaware Canal path runs 60 miles from Bristol, Bucks County to Easton, PA and is the only continuous intact canal remaining from the historic canal-building era of the 1800's. Here's just a little of the scenery I saw along the way. I did pass a few people out running or biking, but it was incredibly peaceful. I can't wait to go back again soon.




 











"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
~John Muir



My walking partner.

 
 

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Only in Bucks County: One Cup Joe


 Today I visited a new store in Newtown/Langhorne by the name of OneCupJoe. Since my blog is generally about unique experiences in Bucks County and I'm a huge fan of shopping small and supporting local, I think it qualifies as a post.
 
Got a Keurig? Well then, do I have the place for you!
 
Introducing... OneCupJoe

OneCupJoe is a unique concept in coffee-selling developed by two local businessmen. The original store in Bensalem is celebrating its one year birthday, and I had the pleasure of spending some time with co-owner Jeremy Zevin at the six month old Newtown location. Here is what I learned:

OneCupJoe sells only single-serve coffee pods. Not only are there interesting types and flavors you can't readily get in one place, get this... YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH. 


 
Walk in to the brightly lit store, grab a specially made orange "K-cup" holder, and choose 24 of your own personal favorites from 265 different types of coffee and tea for just $14.99. (I did the math.) (It's 62 cents a cup.) 

 
 

 
                              Store Supervisor Jenny helps stock the Newtown shop.
 


Again, these guys aren't just offering the same K-cups you see for sale at the big-box stores. They're innovators in researching and obtaining the newest and very best in the industry. For instance, Lavazza, the icon of fine Italian coffee, finally brought their 100+ years of roasting to a K-Cup... and OneCupJoe began to carry it the very next week! 
And when Tim Horton's (Canada) new medium-roast French Vanilla coffee became available... they grabbed it and stocked that too. 


OneCupJoe also sells K-cups from Brooklyn based micro roasters Brooklyn Beanery, boasts an organic line of coffee pods by Marley, and they just began to carry the only loose leaf tea available in individual brewing cups. Plus, if you're a fan of The Food Network like me, there are some really bangin' flavors put out by Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, The Cake Boss, and one of my secret crushes, Guy Fieri. (swoon)
 
 

 
 

 This time of year it's all about the Pumpkin Pie and Maple Sleigh!
In summer, Green Mountain's Island Coconut is one of their best sellers.
 

Celebrate One Cup Joe's birthday weekend and get a scratch off ticket with your purchase through Sunday Oct. 12.
                   With so many Decaf drinkers out there, they have a huge allotment of Decaf cups. 
 
                                                               Best gift under $20 including tax EVER.
 
I had a blast making up a gift box for my best friend Kathy. I chose 22 coffees and 2 loose leaf teas.

Tried some Cinnabon flavored coffee while I was there too. 

                          Picked these out for a male friend. Yeah, they have flavors for dudes too.

Interested in visiting OneCupJoe?
Their addresses are:
 
12 Summit Square Shopping Center
Langhorne, PA 19047
or
 
Bensalem Plaza Shopping Center
2090 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
 
 
Click here for their website!

Obligatory Blooper shot of Jenny and Jeremy.


"I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women 
 
 
Ahhhh.... now I can rightfully dream of Guy Fieri while having my morning coffee...



Sunday, October 5, 2014

Only in Bucks County: Our Very Own Renaissance Fair


Every Fall I notice big wooden signs for the Wrightstown Renaissance Fair spread throughout Newtown and Yardley. I never knew that the entire event was put on by the charming little Village Library to benefit the Library, so that in itself promoted me to grab the twins and go.


 
What a great job they did getting all the actors and actresses and props together to convert the Fairgrounds into a huge Mid Evil village! There was lots to see, color everywhere, and we really enjoyed being transported into a different time.




 


The admission fee was only $5 and so much was included. I would call the Wrightstown Renaissance Fair the perfect family excursion for parents with kids age 5 to 13. It's a fun family festival filled with history, crafts, interactive games, entertainment, and oddities.
 
 

 
                                                     You guessed it... Rat-a-pult.
 




 

 

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
This is SO Juliet.
 
                                                          This is SO Michelle.
 



 
 



 
 

                        Shameless Selfie.

                                                       You really need to go next year!
Remember, all proceeds go to The Village at Wrightstown Library.
 
 
PS: The word "Renaissance" is really starting to look funny. I've spell-checked it about fifty times.
 

 
"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.
The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away
 and a sunny spirit takes their place.”
~Mark Twain