Josh Kilmer-Purcell's Blog, page 2

An Early Winter Walk

When life gives you a lotta carbs, you gotta burn a lotta calories!

This period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is always packed with everything from leftover stuffing, to pies, to cookies, to potatoes….basically, if it’s beige, it’s going in our bellies. This also happens to be one of the slowest times of the year, chore-wise, on the farm. So we always keep our boots and jackets right by the door to make it easier to get outside and get our blood moving around a bit. The best days are when we have an early snow on the ground, cuz Önder loves nothing more than chasing snowballs. She gives us that extra little nudge in the butt to break away from our laptops and head outside to play.

Take a walk with us around the farm…we’ll show you some discoveries…

 

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Meet the Maker: Jessica Roux

Spend a few minutes looking at one of Jessica Roux’s animal illustrations, and you’ll be as convinced as we are that she spent a past life living amongst them in the woods. Her work is both modern and timeless; magical and familiar. She can transform an ordinary forest into an enchanting grove filled with woodland creatures so charming, even Walt would be impressed.

Jessica is the illustrator for our book, Precious Little Snowflake. We wanted the book to be like our other artisan pieces—a modern heirloom. Her mix of delicate details, subdued colors, and whimsical subjects spoke to that. Jessica has also lent her talents to different elements of the 2018 Harvest Festival and designed parts of our holiday collection including this year’s advent calendar and one of our bounty boxes.

We chose Jessica’s work because of the enchantment and life she breathes into all her pieces. Her work is magic, just like the winter season.

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Harvest Fest Attendee Sign Up

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With the seasons changing from Harvest to Holiday, we’d like to give you a little something extra as a way to thank you for supporting our brand. Sign up below to receive a 15% off coupon.

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Our Five Favorite Thanksgiving Life Hacks

The holidays are a time for friends, food and being thankful. It’s also a time where stress rears its ugly head. When we threw our first Thanksgiving at the Beekman, we were so stressed out making sure that everything was perfect that it spoiled the fun of being with family and enjoying quality time. Since then, we have come up with little tips and tricks to make the season go a little smoother and make hosting dinners and parties more fun. We hope that by sharing some of our favorite Thanksgiving life hacks, you’ll experience a little less stress and a little more fun during this season.

1. Have a potluck.

Stressed about hosting? Kitchen too small for one big bird and 10 different side dishes? Have a potluck dinner instead. It takes some of the cooking burden off you and sharing recipes is a great way to get to know guests both new and old.

2. Use snacks as a diversion.

Don’t get us wrong, we love having friends and family over. But while we’re cooking, we want them to stay away from the war zone that is our kitchen. To keep our guests occupied and satisfied, we put out bowls or plates full of snacks outside of the kitchen. A bowl of Poopcorn in the living room keeps the kids happy while they watch TV. A cheese plate in our dining room keeps the conversation flowing and contained in one area. It’s a strategy that works and keeps people from getting hangry.

3. Preplan your dishes.

The day before, take out your pans and platters and assign dishes to each. Write the name of the food that will be in the platter on a post-it note and stick it onto the dish. On Thanksgiving Day, it will be one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

4. No roasting rack? No problem.

We prefer to bake our bird in something with a little more panache, like our Beekman Bakeware. To make it work, take some tinfoil, twist it into a coil, and place on the bottom of your dish. This will keep your turkey elevated and help it roast evenly and it will look great once placed at the table. Another alternative is to use carrots, onions, and celery. They will not only help your bird cook evenly but will also create more flavorful pan drippings for gravy.

5. Foolproof Potatoes.

If you pick any dish to take a shortcut on, do it with your potatoes. Make your mashed potatoes the night before and then put them in a decorative dish, cover and refrigerate. While the turkey is resting, pop your potatoes in the oven to reheat. No one will know that they aren’t freshly made.

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Holidays in NYC Giveaway

The Aliz Hotel Times Square is a chic, trendy boutique hotel near Hudson Yards. From street level to skyline, they bring a touch of personalized style and service to one of the most iconic intersections in the world. We’re proud to bring the Beekman 1802 Fresh Air bath amenity line to their guests.

The Fresh Air line is a fresh and contemporary bath amenity line that includes shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, body bar, facial bar and make-up remover. The collection combines natural ingredients, such as goat milk and citrus, and is free of parabens, paraffins and sulfates. The packaging is 100% recyclable.

In celebration of the partnership, The Aliz Hotel Times Square and Beekman 1802 will be partnering to giveaway a Holidays in NYC prize pack! One lucky winner will receive:

A 3-night stay at The Aliz Hotel Times Square

En suite:

(2) B.1802 baseball caps

(2) Pure Lip Balms

(1) Winter 2018 B. 1802 Almanac

(1) 3.4oz Snow Forest hand cream (Holiday and TSA approved!)

(1) Beekman 1802 Goat Poop Can

Additionally, the winner will receive:

(1) B.1802 Beauty Box Yearly Subscription ($250 rv)

$150 Beekman 1802 gift card, to do your holiday shopping online or in our Mercantile

This grand prize is a ~$1500 value!

To enter the giveaway, fill out the form below.

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The Landing Hotel giveaway

The Landing Hotel, an upscale boutique hotel overlooking Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, is proud to bring the Beekman 1802 Fresh Air bath amenity line to guests staying at The Landing Hotel.

The Fresh Air line is a fresh and contemporary bath amenity line that includes shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, body bar, facial bar and make-up remover. The collection combines natural ingredients, such as goat milk and citrus, and is free of parabens, paraffins and sulfates. The packaging is 100% recyclable.

In celebration of the partnership, The Landing Hotel and Beekman 1802 will be partnering to giveaway a two-night stay with breakfast at The Landing Hotel and the complete, full-sized Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Collection. The prize is valued at over $300.

To enter the giveaway, fill out the form below.

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AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific
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Goat Poop!

Poop Happens. Here’s how..

“Who makes this delicious Goat Poop?”

That’s always the first question we hear whenever people try our Beekman 1802 Artisanal Goat Poop. The answer seems pretty obvious to us: our goats.

You already know that Farmer John’s goats produce award-winning cheeses and soaps. But a few of them create some pretty stellar poop too. Is it what we feed them? The lush Beekman pastures? Magical wildflowers? We’re not giving away our secret. But we’re happy to introduce you to some of our herd’s most prolific poop artisans…

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Full Circle Home Gift Wrapping Event

Josh and Brent first met Vickie Durfee at a book signing event in Rochester, NY. Vickie spoke about her organization, Full Circle Home, with the same passion and conviction that they both use to speak about Beekman 1802. This wasn’t just the place where she spent her days. This was the thing that lit a spark within her; that fueled her soul. She explained that Full Circle Home is a not-for-profit organization that connects deployed service members with their loved ones across the country and on bases around the world. It began when one man asked Vickie if she could arrange to send Christmas gifts from him to his girlfriend while he was deployed over seas.

Since 2007, Full Circle Home has helped over 21,000 troops send holiday gifts and love notes to their Heroes at Home.

The simple act of giving a gift with a hand written note bridges the gap between our troops and those who support them. These gift packages allow those serving to express their gratitude and recognize the sacrifices made by those at home and are a daily reminder of the love of their service member.

This year, Vickie and her organization purchased Beekman 1802 products for the 9th Day of Christmas. When she asked if we would want to host a gift wrapping party with some of our neighbors, it wasn’t a question of if – it was a question of when.

We were hoping to have 25 volunteers help us wrap. More than 50 neighbors joined us — on a Monday afternoon.

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Gone but not forgotten

We have been very lucky to travel the world for work, for a reality show and just for fun. When we travel, we make sure that we can learn as much as we can about the history and culture of where we visit. One cultural tradition that we’ve been learning about a lot lately is Dia de Los Muertos and how it has become a touchstone of Mexico’s history.  

For the uninitiated, Dia de Los Muertos aka the Day of the Dead is a holiday that is meant to celebrate life and encourage others to not be scared of death. It is usually celebrated throughout Mexico with a two-day festival that takes place on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 1st and 2nd.)  

Dia de Los Muertos is based on a mixture of Aztec and Catholic rituals but the exact rituals involved varies by region. In some areas of Mexico, this holiday mixes Catholic and Mayan rituals, and is called “Hanal Pixan.” This holiday is like an extended version of Dia de Los Muertos. Instead of being celebrated over two days, it starts on October 26th and lasts throughout November.  

Even though many know of and celebrate Dia de Los Muertos now, it didn’t become a widely celebrated event until the 1980s. Before then, it was primarily celebrated by rural, working-class communities. Since funds were scarcer in these areas, celebrations were more subdued. Celebrations would happen at the nearby church, then families would continue with an intimate, simple celebration at home. As rural families moved towards more urban areas and brought their traditions with them, the holiday began to grow into what it is today.  

Dia de Los Muertos is a very lively (pun intended) holiday and is heavy on symbols and rituals. Relatives of the deceased start celebrating the holidays by cleaning the gravesite of their loved one. This can involve washing the tombstone, sweeping and mopping (if they are buried in a mausoleum or crypt) and planting fresh flowers around the gravesite. For those that celebrate Hanal Pixan, the Mayan tradition of bone washing commences. This means that the family of the deceased will exhume the bones, clean and wash them, then place the bones in a wooden box to be reburied.   

When everything is squeaky clean, ofrendas can then be built. These are altars created to honor the dead are created around the deceased’s gravesite or assembled in a relative’s home. They are decorated with items that the deceased individual would have loved, like books, pieces of clothing and their favorite food and beverages. Traditional treats that decorate ofrendas are calaveras de azúcar (commonly referred to as sugar skulls), candles, flowers (usually marigolds), and pan de muertos, a sweet bread flavored with anise seed. Alebrijes, brightly colored sculptures of animals and people, and papel picado, tissue paper banners, will also adorn the ofrenda.  

Mariachi bands, with band members wearing outfits or accessories that make noise, will play throughout the city. This is meant to wake the dead and let them know that it’s time to come visit. Many people will paint their faces and dress in costumes to look like calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls). One specific costume frequently seen at these celebrations is La Catrina, a calavera modeled after the fashion wealthy women wore in the early 20th century.   

If you’re looking to learn more about Dia de Los Muertos, we recommend watching the Pixar movie Coco. If you haven’t watched Coco, the basic plot summary is Miguel, a 12-year-old boy who dreams of being a musician is forbidden by his family to pursue his dream. His family knows what happens when you try to pursue fame and fortune, and the effects of that pursuit have scarred his family for generations. On Dia de Los Muertos, Miguel ends up being transported to the Land of the Dead and reconnecting with his family and his roots. It’s a great way to teach yourself and young ones about the symbols and meanings behind this important holiday. 

The most key aspect that we can take away from this holiday isn’t the ofrendas, the bright costumes or great music. At its core, Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday meant to celebrate the dead. Relatives shares stories about their deceased loved ones to make sure that their spirit and history is never forgotten. It’s a way to remember who and where we came from.  

Books and statues are physical ways to remember our history, but nothing will beat the intimacy and joy that comes from sitting the next generation down and sharing your memories.   

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How to become a perfect leaf peeper

We love being peepers. Leaf peepers, that is. Although we think the term has a little too much innuendo attached to it, we love to take a road trip to see the signs of fall. If you want to get into this easy hobby and become the perfect leaf peeper, here are some things you need to know.  

Get to know the leaf lingo: 

An organized leaf peeping trip is called a foliage tour.
Hardcore hobbyists like to call their tours “leaf peepshows.”
If a local doesn’t like leaf peepers, they will call them leafers.
Early. If you’re reading a foliage map at the beginning of September, you’ll see this term a lot. It means that less than 10% of trees in the area have started to change.
Patchy, Partial or Mid-Peak. About 30-40% of leaves are starting to show some signs of changing. Usually, New England reaches this stage by late September to mid-October. If autumn is a warm one, some areas won’t reach partial until the end of October.
Peak. 50-70% of trees have changed over to the vibrant colors we love to see. Most people plan their trips during this stage. Trees are losing a minimal amount of leaves and the colors are at their brightest.
Past peak. 75-100% of trees have changed. Despite its name, Past Peak is still a great time to be leaf peeping. Colors may not be as vibrant, and trees will be losing their leaves, but you will see the most diversity in hue during this time.



What you should bring: 

Travel basics. A map, bug spray, and binoculars. If you’re going to be doing any traveling in New England during the fall, these three things are essential. A map is always a good idea, especially in more mountainous areas where cell service is spotty. If you plan on hiking anywhere, you need bug spray. This is peak time for ticks because they are looking for a cozy host for the winter. Binoculars are a great way to not only see the trees but also the native birds who call them home.
A smartphone. Since most of us use our phone as a camera anyways. Also, like most things in life, there’s an app for that. Apps like LeafPeepr and Leafsnap are like having your own personal field guide. You can check out the foliage maps, talk to other peepers, and even take pictures to help you identify what leaves you’re looking at. Leaf it to technology to make this easy fall hobby even easier.
Layers. We know you’ve heard that saying “if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” That saying is the truest during fall in New England. Mornings can get pretty cold around here, down to 30ºF in some mountainous areas. During the afternoon, it’s not shocking to see temperatures climb into the mid-80s. Layer up and you’ll be comfortable when that mid-day heatwave hits.
Cash. Fall tourism helps many small businesses in the area stay afloat during the quieter winter months. When you’re planning your leaf peepshow, put in some stops to local farm stands and apple orchards (many of which are cash-only). Your leaf peeping trip won’t be complete without a hot, fresh apple cider doughnut.

America isn’t the only country full of peepers. In Japan, they call this hobby momijigari, which roughly translates to “red leaf hunting”. Kyoto is one of the most famous destinations to go leaf peeping in Japan and has led to more trees being planted in the city.  

So whether you’re going to a leaf peepshow or going momijigari, take these tips with you and enjoy the season. If any of our Neighbors have their own leaf peeping tips, leave them in the comments.

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