By AML Publisher
Photos by Brittany Ostrov Photography

The Museum’s famous critter ornaments may be purchased in the Museum Shop. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Volunteers' Art Purchase Fund, which has added more than 200 paintings, drawings and prints to the Museum's holdings since 1975.

Fanciful illustrations for a children’s book, a spectacular model train display, and adorable “critter” ornaments will transform the Brandywine River Museum into a holiday treat during A Brandywine Christmas, November 26, 2010 through January 9, 2011.

The special exhibition, The Imaginary Beasts of Royal Lacey Scoville, presents 38 fanciful watercolors that form an original narrative written and illustrated by Royal Lacey Scoville for his daughter Eleanore. Based on the style of Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, and Peter Newell, Scoville tells the story of the lazy Tom Tompkins and the wizard, Tumblebug, who casts a spell on Tom. Tompkins, startled from an afternoon nap, stares in horror at the gigantic snake with a multicolored head and gaping mouth. Tom, under the spell cast by the wizard, cannot escape the snake’s coils and joins the 35 other imaginary creatures ensnared by the snake.

Thousands of adorable “critters,” created from natural materials by Conservancy volunteers are on view throughout the Museum. In honor of the 80th Radnor Hunt Races earlier this year, the critters are off to the races too! A new themed tree this holiday season, “Tally Ho,” features horses with jockeys, jumping horses, rearing horses, carriages, hounds and foxes are just some of the ornaments created in celebration of the sport of horse racing. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Black Walnut Winery Photos courtesy of Candice Detore
Penns Wood Winery Photos courtesy of Krista Patton Photography

Wine lovers looking for the perfect holiday experience should look no further than The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail (www.bvwinetrail.com) whose festive open house is planned for Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th! Seven area wineries will all be participating decorated in holiday finery. Enjoy carolers, holiday musicians, holiday sale pricing and more. I could not think of a better way to enjoy stress free holiday shopping while sipping from some of the region’s best vineyards and wineries.

Salud!

Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com Publisher

Black Walnut Winery
Sadsburyville, PA
www.blackwalnutwinery.com

Black Walnut Winery, located in Sadsburyville, will be serving their popular Spiced Apple wine along with holiday sweets during the open house weekend.

While you browse at Black Walnut, enjoy some fabulous wine and classic rock holiday music. They will be serving their warm Spiced Apple wine and holiday sweets for your enjoyment.
In addition at Black Walnut:

• Cellar sale—all 2006, 2007 and non-vintage Black Walnut wines will be sold at a 20% discount beginning now through the end of the year. Stock up and save!
• Local artisans will display and sell their crafts on site.
• Amazing Acres Goat Dairy will be on-site on Saturday, December 4th to sample and sell their fabulous goat cheese.

Chaddsford Winery
Chadds Ford, PA
www.chaddsford.com

Sip and celebrate the season during the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail’s Holiday Open House Weekend, Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th.

Chaddsford Winery invites you to sample hot mulled wines and holiday sweets while enjoying live carolers strolling throughout the winery. Chaddsford will be decked out in our holiday finery, with great wine gifts upstairs and free wine tastings in the barrel aging cellars. Outside, relax at the Chaddsford “snow bar” and warm up by the fire pit! No admission or tasting fees.

Kreutz Creek Vineyards
West Grove, PA
www.kreutzcreekvineyards.com

Enjoy Kreutz Creek’s popular Ruby K Port and chocolate fondue with pound cake, fruit and cookies during the Holiday Open House weekend. Harpist Maureena Spadaro will be entertaining guest with wonderful holiday music. No tasting fees during the open house.

Paradocx Vineyard
Landenberg, PA
www.paradocx.com

At Paradocx, enjoy their traditional wine tastings and music by cozy indoor fireplaces with friends and family. Need a gift for your favorite wine-lover? Looking for something fun and unusual to do with out-of-town guests? Just want to get away from the hustle and bustle? Come spend an afternoon at Paradocx Vineyard along with wine tastings. Relax with a glass of your favorite Paradocx wine, or peruse Pinot Boutique wine accessories for the perfect gift.

Penns Woods Winery
Chadds Ford, PA
www.pennswoodswinery.com

Relax to the sounds of holiday music from around the world as you shop for the perfect gifts for the holidays at Penns Wood Winery.

Relax to the sounds of holiday music from around the world as you shop for the perfect gifts for the holidays at Penns Wood. They will have free wine tastings, spiced mulled wine, spiced mulled wine kits for sale, special holiday wine sales, local artisan gifts like candles, framed artwork, gift cards, and tea, and specialty fair-trade items like purses, scarves, and table cloth sets.

And, back by popular demand, Penns Wood will once again have naturally infused olive oil and 15, 25 and 50 year aged balsamic vinegar tastings by L’acetaia!

Stargazers Vineyard
Kennett Square, PA
www.stargazersvineyard.com
Join Stargazers for “Bagels & Bubbly” during the Trail’s Holiday Open House Weekend. Sample bagels with various toppings and wine by the glass. To complete your holiday shopping, Lavender Gifts & Chocolates will be available for purchase.

Twin Brook Winery
Gap, PA
www.twinbrookwinery.com

Located in picturesque Lancaster County, Twin Brook boasts 67 acre vineyards and beautifully restored 19th century barn, housing state of the art wine-making facilities and rustically elegant tasting/sales room. Twin Brook invites guests to share in their holiday cheer! They’ve waived their tasting fees for the Holiday Open House weekend. The folks at Twin Brook will have the Spice Wine mulling and treats to sample. Pen & Ink Artist Martin May’s work will grace the walls of the winery. Sweets for Sweeties (Paradise, PA) will have chocolates for sample and sale. Twin Brook will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 4th and Noon to 6 p.m. December 5th.

About The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail

Website: www.bvwinetrail.com

Facebook: Visit the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail on Facebook.

Six years ago a small group of wineries in Chester County, PA, joined forces to create the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail in southeastern Pennsylvania. Today the region continues to grow in both acres of vineyards and numbers of wineries. Each winery has its own distinct personality for you to discover as you tour our vineyards, taste in our cellars, and picnic on our grounds.

Spanning scenic southeastern Pennsylvania between historic Philadelphia and the Amish countryside outside Lancaster, the eight wineries of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail are located within an easy drive of one another (within a 50 mile radius).

All wineries are open year round for your enjoyment. So come visit our tasting rooms and learn more about the unique characteristics of Brandywine Valley Wine Country!

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Kristen Hudson-Nichols

“What I love about boudoir is getting to know my clients and translating their personality into the shoot. Women are held to ridiculous standards in today’s society with what is an acceptable body type. And, we deserve to celebrate our selves in our current, beautiful form,” enthused Hudson-Nichols.

The pinup girl is an American classic which brings to mind images of Bridget Bardoe, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Farrah Fawcett and more. In the early ‘90s, Anna Nicole Smith ignited a renewed interest with her popular (Bardoe inspired) black and white advertisements for Guess Jeans-catapulting Smith to a household name overnight. Today, peruse the magazine stand at any local bookstore or grocery aisle and the celebrities on the cover are commonly captured in what is considered a boudoir photography style—be it Jennifer Aniston wrapped in a bed sheet, Kate Winslet in an English castle in front of a vanity in her nightgown, alluring photos of Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johannsen, and more. And now American women want the same opportunity to celebrate their gorgeous selves!

In 2009, boudoir photography has started to gain a new level of interest – and respect – amongst us non-celebrities. It’s been heating up on the west coast, particularly in California, over the last few years. And now, thanks to the talents and artistic vision of a local photographer, sassy and sexy women across the Philadelphia region can celebrate their gorgeous selves.
Read the full story