A Blueberry for All Seasons: Josh Pond Handpicked Wild Maine Blueberries Delivers "Blue Jewels"

Josh Pond Maine Blueberries 

Josh Pond is a small organic farm in Whiting, Maine that specializes in wild blueberries. The berries arrive looking for all the world like blue jewels packed together in a frozen jewelry box.

Photo courtesy: Asia Coladner

And in a way, they are more precious... After all, good food ingredients are true luxury.  Now you can gift the best blueberries. 

Photo courtesy: Asia Coladner

Situated near Maine’s rugged northeastern coast, the Josh Pond farm surrounds Washington County - one of the few places in North America where the wild blueberry still flourishes. Josh Pond says it is committed to providing consumers with the healthiest, most flavorful blueberries on earth and takes care to tend to and harvest its berries in an environmentally sustainable manner that helps keep Maine healthy, beautiful and wild.
The Beal family tends to its 100+ acres of their Josh Pond farmland, in addition to the 16 beehives, and dairy goats.  

Though most blueberry operations use mechanical harvesters to maximize volume, Josh Pond holds fast to the region’s centuries-old traditional method of raking blueberries by hand in the early morning when the berries are coldest and least likely to bruise. This attention to detail percolates through every aspect of the business. Josh Pond is certified organic by MOFGA and believes that organic, naturally biodiverse farming practices create the healthiest, best-tasting berry while also keeping Maine's land and sea ecosystems free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

There are a few New York City restaurants spotlighting recipes and dishes made with the sustainable, Josh Pond wild blueberries from Maine, including:

• The new Blueberry Cream Ice Cream at Morgenstern’s

• The new Thai Watermelon Salad at Sweetgreen

• The Coconut Panna Cotta at Dinnertable

• The seasonal Wild Blue Salad at Luke’s Lobster

Notably, each of these restaurants and ice cream shops source their blueberries from Josh Pond, the family-run organic farm producing wild blueberries in the traditional way. Josh Pond also ships wild Maine blueberries direct to doorsteps nationwide and year-round, so consumers can get a taste of Maine anytime--even if you can't dine on New York’s best blueberry dishes.

Yes, you can order these delicious, teeny, flavor delights any time -- by mail! Josh Pond sent me a 5-pound box, fresh-frozen, to try out. In turn, I immediately recommended to friends who rushed to order a box. I made a recipe for Italian Bread Pudding with blueberries and marscapone that I sourced from the Greenmarket.
This is a delicious recipe to gift, by the way.  A perfect confection for holiday tables.  The Josh Pond berries burst with flavor even when baked.

Italian Bread Pudding with Blueberry (recipe courtesy  Union Square Greenmarket) 

INGREDIENTS
About 3-4 Cups bread cut into ½ inch pieces (a hearty crusted bread works best)
3 eggs
1 C milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp butter or margarine
½ C brown sugar
¼ C plus 1 tbsp white sugar
zest of 1 orange
1 pint blueberries
8 oz mascarpone cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Place diced bread in a bread pan
In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and the brown sugar until well combined
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Pour egg mixture over bread and allow to soak in until all liquid is absorbed (about 15 min)
Cover with foil and bake for 45-60 minutes until bread pudding is firm and all liquid is gone.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes (this can be made in advance 1-3 days if needed).
In a mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, 1 tbsp sugar, and orange zest until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to assemble dessert.
In a small sauce pan, combine blueberries + ¼ C sugar and cook over medium heat smashing blueberries until blueberries turn bright purple (about 5-10 min)

To assemble: slice bread pudding into three ½ " thick pieces and sauté in a pan with the melted butter (about 1 minute on each side).
On a plate spread ½ C orange cheese mixture, then layer bread pudding slices and top with blueberry compote.

The Josh Pond blueberries are smaller than the ones you now see in the grocery stores (I recently read that South America is now growing golf-ball sized berries for China. Yikes!) I grow my own New Jersey blueberries -- the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum).  The Pine Barrens growers claim they are the “blueberry capital of the of the world).  The Garden State berries are excellent but understandably seasonal.

On the other hand, the shipped, Josh Pond blueberries are the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium); come neatly packed and are easy to divide up and use as needed in your daily smoothies, topping your cereal or ice cream, or in cooking and baking.

Photo courtesy of Asia Coladner

Photo courtesy Asia Coladner 

The health benefits of blueberries are widely known.
Moreover, it should be noted that the wild berries not only offer vitamins C and K, along with manganese, dietary fiber, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, the wild blueberries contain almost double the antioxidants and half the sugar of the cultivated berries!

Now, you can enjoy the tart, naturally sweet taste and nutrition benefits all year long.

Shipped Josh Pond blueberries arrive thoughtfully packed. Photo: Leeann Lavin 

Berry Art - Josh Pond blueberries arrive.  Photo: Leeann Lavin

Josh Pond blueberries are an ideal, All-American gift to give, especially this holiday season. I highly recommend these tasty treats.  Just think of a "Pond Punch" made with these "blue jewels" - or the next day's Holiday or New Year's Day pancakes made with fresh blueberries.

photo courtesy of Asia Coladner

Or Blueberry Muffins!

Photo courtesy of Asia Coladner

Do you have a favorite recipe to share?













The incredible blueberries are available all year for nationwide delivery via Josh Pond website.  You can order a single shipment of 5 pounds of frozen, wild, organic Maine blueberries ($50) or sign up for a monthly delivery for 3, 6, 9, 0or 12 months via the Josh Pond Monthly Club.
Now that's a gift that keeps on giving!   You'll be thought of all year long... 

Finishing Touches - The Art of Gracious Holiday Entertaining: How to Create a Seasonal Tablescape with Motifs inspired by the Garden - plus Learn How to Mix up a Festive “Garden to Glass” Hospitality Cocktail Workshop

Thanksgiving Harvest Tablescape features Silver & Crystal - & silver-painted wishbones!

Finishing Touches Workshop at Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, Sunday, December 10, featuring Hospitality and Garden Design Specialist, Leeann Lavin -- (me!) 

Just in time for the season of entertaining, eating, and drinking, the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council announced its Holiday Workshop, scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 3-5 pm; with a cornucopia of elements:

• Tablescape Design
• Create a Craft Cocktail 
• How to Set a Table 

This is a fun, creative, Hands-On, DIY workshop, designed to inspire a memorable Tablescape design that will delight your family and friends.

What’s a Tablescape, you ask?
Although tablescapes often adorn the center of the table, they are more than centerpieces. 

A tablescape is an overall look that addresses the entire table or serving area and complements its surroundings. The art of tablescaping makes your guests feel welcome and relaxed. 

This is my entrance Welcome Hostess composition featuring seasonal chile peppers in black urns, dried hydrangea fro the garden, grapes, crystal, silver, the scent of fresh apples in a glamorous Murano glass bowl, & the holiday hostess cocktail: Applejack, lapsang souchong simple syrup, sparkling apple cider.

Tablescapes bring your event together with color, style, whimsy, and dimension. 

It tells a story of the season; making an impact and creating a strong story – whether its modern or traditional – it’s all about the ingredients.

It’s eye-candy for your table!

"Our tablescape presentation offers attendees a primer on how to choose color, texture, and visual stimulation, which in turn leads to fun and interesting tableside conversations,” said Mary D’Agostino, the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council. “The combination of a photo-rich presentation and the hands-on element is a double header – a great opportunity to learn first-hand how to create a sense of balance, harmony, and personal style to suit your celebration.”  Mary offers that this is a perfect meet-up workshop to be enjoyed with your family and/or friends.

I always recommend greeting your home guests with a special, mixed cocktail -- in a punch bowl or beverage dispenser so that your guests can readily get into the festive spirit without wondering what's appropriate to ask for, or checking to see what everyone else is drinking (is it wine, beer, or martini's??) or whether you're pouring their drink -- so the ready-to-go drink is fun and easy -- and elegant.  

So too the Workshop kicks off with a segment about creating a delicious and elegant “Garden-to-Glass” holiday cocktail, "Heart of Gold" and food pairing,

using craft ingredients -- especially selected from my soon-to-be-released book, Finishing Touches, The Art of Garnishing the Cocktail 

New York's Leyenda Brooklyn Cocteleria Craft Cocktail Mixologist Jessica Wohlers, and me, will demonstrate how to take your cocktails to the next level with a tasting! 

And I'll show a collection of garnishes from herbs, jewelry and candy, as well as other fun, decorative embellishments

along with a primer on how to make a Simple Syrup.

The next segment of the Workshop is a presentation I've prepared with lots of images and suggestions on how to build a tablescape of your dreams.  Everyone loves looking at inspiring, Pinterest-worthy creations, yes? 

Next, we'll explore the hands-on workshop element where you'll get to use ingredients you bring -- attendees are encouraged to bring their tablescape ingredients to design a memorable look. 

So, stir your imagination and design with intention; here's where you can let your decor ideas come to life.

I encourage attendees and at-home designers to explore your late autumn garden and yard - it’s beautiful!  The added benefit is you get to enjoy your garden and maybe even discover plants you didn't think about at this time of year.  There are flowers, twigs, seed pods, ornamental grass, and more.  

Or, you can use grocery store bouquets, or favorite blooms from the florist. 

Use whatever strikes your fancy or captures your eye. 

Still wondering what could work?  This time of year I reccomend any of the following:

• Japanese Maple 
• Beauty Berry 
• Kousa Dogwood 
• Heavenly Bamboo/Nandina 
• Viburnum 
• Virginia Sweetspire 
• Redbud 
• Magnolia Leaves
• Carnations 
• Roses 
• Seeded Eucalyptus 

Gather accessories you have around the house – or head to your local craft or garden center for:

• Vases 
• Urns 
• Lights 
• Mirrors/Trays 
• Table runners 
• Jewelry 
• Glitter 
• Artificial Snow 
• Cache pot/fruit bowl/sleigh -- a vessel for cuttings 
• “Animals” - toys - gift boxes 
• Accessories or Collectibles 

Or anything your heart desires….

The Arts Council will provide buckets for the fresh plant material, tables, scissors, glue – and the Finishing Touches Cocktail.

The fee for the three-hour hands-on workshop, tutorial, and cocktail tasting is $40.

Register online at the Atlantic Highlands website: aharts.org, starting Monday, November 27, or in person at 54 First Avenue (Tuesday-Friday 1-7 and Saturday & Sunday 10-3). Or call!

Space is limited.

The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is located at:

54 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716

Phone: (732) 737-7160

The mission of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is to strengthen community through the arts. We are a 100% volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization that believes in the power of the arts to transform and enrich communities. Our primary function is to develop and execute events and arts related activities for the benefit of our community.

Elegant Halloween Tablescape Composition, Home Decor Designs, & Recipe Treats Celebrate the Spooky Grown-Up Party

This Halloween season I wanted to celebrate the spooky season with a bit more refined, glamorous tablescape and hallway greeting than the usual gourds and orange pumpkins.

I was looking for a refined “adult” version of happy trick or treat.

I wanted it to be more about the art of tablescaping for this most favorite holiday.  (Did you know that, in fact, Halloween is now only second to Christmas in terms of popularity?)

Given that Halloween has, at its core, dressing up in costumes, it only seems apropos to “dress up the table and noteworthy home spaces with some inspired, seasonal masquerade.

Especially when the harvest season screams out for luncheon, dinner, and cocktail parties to celebrate the abundance we enjoy and share this time of year.

So let’s delight in dressing up. Our tables, our home. It's all about entertaining in style.

                                 

I began my Halloween tablescape and home decor compositions as I always do -- by dreaming a bit.

And by answering the question: “What story do I want to tell?”

Tablescapes, of course, are more than mere centerpieces. The overall tablescape look comprises the entire table, amplifying an event or holiday or your guests -- with your personal style, color, and dimension.
It tells your story; your fantasy… While making your guests feel welcome and relaxed.

The visual stimulation of a compelling composition sparks fun and conversation.

Good tablescapes create a sense of balance, harmony and personal style.


For my tablescape design this year, I was drawn to artful skeletons - more as sculptural objects.
I went for the skulls, especially... Skulls and skeletons can be pensive (Rodin?!) or rather sweet - even humorous.

In terms of color, witchy black was the spooky shoe-in, right? Dark, mysterious - and sophisticated.

To harmonize, I thought the color gold and gold accent pieces would add that touch of elegance, along with the basic black.

I use the tiny white (battery operated) string lights for most every tablescape. The evening twinkle is frothy and romantic - and can stand up to our cityscape view that sparkles out on the horizon - seemingly within reach.

And I always create a trompe l’oeil or a kind of “vehicle” that allows me to hide the battery pack for the two light strands. After all, we’re creating illusion..

For the last tablescape display, I used the decorative blue box designed to look like a grill - that the wood fish came in which styled perfectly with the fish and beach composition - complete with live Beta fishing fish in their own four, individual glass vases with plants.

What could I use for the Halloween to hide the battery pack in?

Keeping with the gold color and elements theme, I repurposed two small gold urns and topped the batteries with store-bought mini green and gold gourds that caught my eye at a store.




It’s always best to lay out the designs and look on the table; then determine what you have in your own decor inventory or household items that could work in the design. You’ll be surprised how many items can be repurposed.

Next up is to make a list. This keeps you focused when you get to the store and become overwhelmed or distracted by displays there.

My initial ‘search and shop’ was in a local store where I could get those spiky succulents.
There, I also found perfect small black lacquer pedestal urns - (they looked as if the front porch big urns had incubated teeny offspring!)

The shiny, black urns were perfect: size and price wise so I got four - two for the table and two for the entranceway.
I also found spiky air plants to use.

I got small chile plants -- one with yellow pepper plants and the other with purple pepper plants.

                               

I was building the composition.

I bought a black, felt “spiderweb” table runner.

I got packs of “eyes” to place inside the web. This is a whimsical element that is so much fun when dining. All those “peepers” looking back at you!

I also got eyeball rings -- where the eyeballs actually roll a bit - and placed them on the runner, too. Fun as a kind of kooky cocktail ring!

Skull banks worked - just like the fish banks for the previous composition. The point here is not to limit your design to items that are expressly made as decor - but to think of elements that can add charm and style - whatever their original utility might have been.

I placed the plants in two of the black urns. In turn, I placed them on the round mirrors. The mirrors amplify the main element’s value in the composition.

I wanted gauze to add that spidery look and to help cover the lights’ “wires” but when the party store didn’t have the gauze - I just went to the pharmacy and bought a roll of gauze (for a lot less money) and wrapped that around the urn and over the lights.

Then I placed teeny, tiny skulls around the mirror, on top of the gauze.
You don’t see the wires and at night when it’s lighted -- the illusion is dramatic and elegant.

I also spray-painted four artificial pumpkins gold (no real pumpkins that would go bad and get mushy on the table)

And I purchased the most adorable (to me, anyway) gold insects for the four corners of the spider runner. I figured they could work for a multitude of future tablescape designs.

Creepy, elegant, fun. 

                                          



When all was in place, it just needed something more. As if a hand was directing me, I was compelled to turn to the fireplace and shazaam, targeted the four wrought iron candle holders. Perfect! They and their gold, battery operated candles were soon transported to the tablescape. That finishing touch completed the look.

                                     
                                                 

                                                               Halloween Tablescape Luncheon
                                        

For a “Ladies Who Lunch,” affair, I found mini pumpkins in the garden and used them for the name placeholders.


Black napkins and gold napkin rings accented the table look, as did the ceramic gourd soup bowls (Williams-Sonoma).

Even the seasonal biscuits from the “Spice Whisperer” Lior Lev Sercarz’s La Boite was wrapped in the pumpkin hue. (See the wrapped box on the table).

We enjoyed Lior’s biscuit treats as part of our dessert.

The seasonal menu included most everything from our garden: onions for the French Onion Soup: (Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert)

Fresh-grated Consider Bardwell Farms Rupert cheese - An aged, raw Jersey cow milk cheese inspired by great European Alpine cheeses like Gruyère and Comté.



We enjoyed Mother’s homemade bread, and garden-fresh eggplants for the Eggplant and Pasta with truffle buffalo mozzarella entree.
(photo courtesy of Angie Lambert)

 (Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert)

 (Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert)


I couldn’t resist making my trademark punch with garden ice floating ring for the Ladies Lunch.

(Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert)

I used Mint as the frozen in time greens. This you must start a few days ahead of time, freezing distilled water halfway in a bundt pan. When frozen, place your greens or flowers or whatever you want that will amplify a party theme - on top of the half frozen mold.

Then, fill the bundt pan with more distilled water to help cover the greens or flowers. Some will stick up from the mold -- which makes it all the prettier.

As the ice melts, the greens stay in the circular shape -- so that it comes to rest in the bottom as the punch is consumed. Lovely…


Ladies Who Lunch guests: Angie (L) and Maria enjoying the smoky punch.

For Halloween, I had to try the dry ice to produce a holiday, smokey drama.

I ordered the dry ice from our local Party Store. They told me I had 15 or 20 minutes to experience once I broke up (be sure to wear winter gloves) and ignited the dry ice with water.
It lasted longer than that but be advised.

The result was even better than I hoped for. It was giggling-good!

I encourage you to try this hostess treat for your next party.

Garnish the punch cocktail with fresh, local green apples.

Entry Hall

For the hallway table, I already had two “hands” that look like Thing from the the long-ago TV show, “The Addams Family.” (They’re creepy and they’re spooky…)

For the entry hallway, I was inspired by those “menacing-looking” spiky, small succulents.
Heading to our garden, I cut the spent hydrangea macrophylla -- the ‘Lady in Red’ cultivar offers gorgeous petioles and a red-veined style that I interpreted as a bit of blood-red color that paired well with “eyeball” picks decor for the vases.

I purchased glow-in-the-dark rubber-like “insects” that rest on the prickly succulents and red-swirled Murano glass bowl that is perched atop the antique Asian table there.
The “Thing” hands are sparkly, with an insert for a candle; I put little light globes in them.

                                           
And behind the bowl I placed white globe battery lights that I had previously purchased for holiday decorations.
The hallway table has black wrought iron sconces topped by battery operated candles - so with a few masks and tiny tin buckets filled with candy treats -- along with the shadow art the sun etches across the walls there - it’s a welcome Halloween tableau.


The little spiders are available in black - for the tablescape - and orange - which complemented the saffron/orange in our garden room so I strategically placed them on the spiral staircase.  Whimsical!

Front Door Entry

For the front door entrance’s black urns -- one on each side of the front door - the ferns are still looking good in this warmer than usual weather (I read today of ‘Hotumn’) and I already had two happy witches from years past. So I nestled our girls in among the ferns.

To add to the look, I got two of those Mexican, Dia de los Muertos skull heads to place in the big urns along with the witches. I love their colorful look and the significance that they represent prayer and remembrance of family and friends who have died.



The PS / funny part is that the squirrels knocked out one of the skulls - but the glue job made it only all the more realistic!

Boo to you! What will your table be wearing for Halloween?

                                                
The arbor twinkles with a view of the harbor