Litchfield, CT

A Field Trip! A Field Trip!

My sister Sue is visiting us this weekend, and since the weather finally decided to cooperate, I got to indulge in a field trip I've been longing to take for quite a while. The delight of the day was more than doubled by getting to enjoy it with Sue.

We drove to Litchfield to visit the White Flower Farm, and we were NOT disappointed. What a beautiful place, with many border plantings, gorgeous garden furniture, and friendly staff.

Wisteria was in bloom in several places, wafting their delicate scent our way.

Stone walls and steps led to plantings with a colorful variety of flowers and green plants.

Tuteurs made of weathered wood led the eye upward from the planting beds, with climbing plants already starting their way up the triangular shapes.

A great variety of planters were bursting with colorful flowers, giving us a good idea of how we could use them in our gardens.

Both potted plants and those in the border alongside were in full bloom.

Even the birds were given a perch from which to enjoy the profusion of flowers, shrubs and trees.

A beautiful weathered bench provided a spot to sit and take everything in, before climbing the steps to look more closely at the shade garden.

It was such a delightful day. Sue and I came away with lots of gardening ideas buzzing in our heads, and the lingering scent of gorgeous flowers on our minds.

A Field Trip! A Field Trip!

Beautiful Begonias Courtesy of White Flower Farm in Litchfield CT

Many of us have been enjoying the posts of Roy Kelley this winter and his fabulous photos of the Conservatory at Brookside Gardens.  He has done much to keep up our spirits as the Northeast is hit by snowstorm after snowstorm.  Roy posted some wonderful photos of orchids that got me thinking about the beautiful flowers we visit every summer at the White Flower Farm in Morris CT (just outside Litchfield)--they have the most amazing begnoias.  If you are a fan of begonias, here is just a sampling of what they have to offer . . . Sunshine in Flower Form!

So if you find yourself in Litchfield County, Connecticut, be sure to find the way to White Flower Farms, especially in July and August when the begonias are in full bloom!

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Blond Entertainment

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I could not resist this one - made me LOL! Hope you enjoy it too.

☺

Matt

Toll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)
Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)
Local: 860-282-6181
330 Roberts Street Suite 402
East Hartford, CT 06108

credit repair company

Home buyers got a rare break recently when mortgage behemoth Fannie Mae decided that new policies do not require mortgage lenders to obtain a second full credit report on borrowers immediately before a home closing or refinancing. Home buyers and home owners who are refinancing a mortgage loan do have to report new debts; but a formal, pre-closing credit report is no longer mandatory.

The clarification in its lending policies by America's largest mortgage lender allows loan officers to use in-house or commercial fraud-detection systems to track the credit activities of loan applicants. Many lenders regularly initiate fraud-detection systems to track an applicant's use of credit between loan approval and finalization. Fraud-protection systems alert lenders if an applicant makes any financial changes that could impact his ability to pay monthly mortgage payments.

From the moment of mortgage or refinancing application until completion of closing procedures, credit repair professionals caution mortgage applicants not to make any financial changes. Banks and mortgage lenders watch closely for any new debt or credit that might jeopardize a lender's ability to meet monthly mortgage payments. Even a minor change in a lender's debt picture can derail a mortgage loan.

Astute credit repair specialists recommend that loan applicants adhere to the following guidelines:

• Do not apply for, accept or obtain any new credit cards, including credit card accounts at retail or discount stores, gas stations or grocery stores.
• Do not accept offers to increase your available balance on existing credit cards until after closing.
• Do not make any large or unnecessary purchases until after closing.
• Do not buy a car or take out a personal or home improvement loan.
• Do not apply for or change personal lines of credit.

The bottom line is: Make no changes in your credit picture until after you close on your mortgage loan. Lenders have been soured by what had become a common practice in the pre-crash mortgage market. Borrowers who presented an acceptable income-to-debt ratio at application would go on a spending spree, incurring considerable new debt, the minute they passed their credit check. The double credit check was implemented to force buyers to be fiscally responsible. While Fannie Mae may have decided to loosen restrictions, they'll be watching to make sure borrowers and lenders behave.

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Matt

Toll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)
Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)
Local: 860-282-6181
330 Roberts Street 4th Floor
East Hartford, CT 06108

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The Connecticut Wine Trail: Fifth Stop

The fifth stop on our trip through Connecticut’s wine country saw us spending the 4th of July at Litchfield’s Haight-Brown Vineyard. Founded thirty-five years ago, Haight-Brown is Connecticut’s oldest vineyard and was the first to plant Chardonnay and Riesling varietals on the slopes of the Litchfield Hills. Those first pressings earned the winery gold and silver medals at the prestigious Eastern Wine Competition.

Our holiday visit to the winery found us trying several excellent wines worthy of those medals. Some of the best were the Covertside White, a crisp blend of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, and their most popular wine; our personal favorite, the Riesling, made from grapes from the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York and an excellent, semi-sweet drink; the Merlot, dry and mellow and a good steak wine, and the Big Red, made from 100% Syrah grapes, full-bodied and spicy and also a good wine for accompanying grilled meat. Another interesting wine was the Honey Nut Apple, an apple wine blended with pure honey and a hint of cinnamon.

Another special treat they had for the holiday was a selection of special Sangrias colored for the occasion, red, white and blue. by far our favorite was the red Sangria, based on one of their estate red wines and very similar to a traditional Sangria. After our wine tasting, we retired to the sitting area with a carafe of Sangria and enjoyed a light lunch. We were joined that day by a friend and fellow Realtor®, Annemarie McPherson and we enjoyed her company immensely.

While enjoying our Sangria, I was surprised to hear someone call my name. I looked for the source and was amazed to find that it was a new Facebook friend, Rose DiCicco. She saw my status update on Facebook about visiting the winery and decided to join us! Just another indication that social media works for meeting new people!

Haight-Brown Vineyard is located at 29 Chestnut Hill Road in Litchfield, CT. Their hours are Monday – Saturday 11AM to 5PM and Sunday 12PM to 5PM; they may extend hours on Fridays and Saturdays if demand warrants. This was one of our favorite stops on the wine trail to date, and surely justifies a visit if you’re a wine lover!