A Visit With Josh at The Beekman

At around 3 pm on Saturday afternoon, my mom and I headed over to The Beekman mansion for a visit with Josh Kilmer-Purcell: writer, farmer, and soon-to-be reality TV star. Brent, unfortunately, was predisposed and was promoting the Beekman wares in Manhattan at the offices of Martha Stewart Living where a craft fair was taking place.

Our time with Josh at the farm was so very special. From the moment we pulled up to this impressive Nineteenth-Century masterpiece of a home we felt welcome. Josh greeted us at the side door and we were hastily brought indoors, warmly hugged and made to feel at home. The house is incredibly spacious indoors with massive fireplaces, shiny wood floors and large windows that look out over the acres of land.

The room where we entered was one that had been used for the last several months by a large film crew and it was devoid of any furniture, except an incredible antique piano. Josh and Brent will be the stars of a new reality TV show set to air this coming spring on the Discovery Channel. Titled "The Fabulous Beekman Boys," the show will chronicle the young couple's adventures on the farm and their burgeoning business pursuits. (Martha makes at least two cameo appearances, I was told!) Both of the 'boys' are very excited about the new show!

Josh took us on a tour of the amazing house, which is still mostly bare of furniture. Josh explained that they want the furniture they choose for the home to be perfect and appropriate. In the dining room, however, an enormous table holds its ground next to a gigantic fireplace and the room's stunning proportions. The table was designed and built by Brent for the room, and it is stunning.

All over the house there are quirky elements, such a huge stuffed turkey in the corner of the dining room and a gaggle of gossling sculptures in the upstairs hall. The nickel-plated bedframe from the Turkey Hill collection by Martha Stewart Signature shines in the couple's blue bedroom. Josh said he wanted Martha to sign it, but that dream never came to fruition.

My favourite spot upstairs was a secret back hallway that connects a small guest bedroom, Josh's writing studio and the staircase to the attic (which we also visited!) to the main hall. It's a little warren of old, rustic rooms. It's where I would spend all my time, I'm sure, if I lived there.

Downstairs, it is the kitchen that holds the most allure: Warm and beautifully appointed with wood trim, terracotta tile and a large fireplace designed for cooking. A gorgeous glass table with two long benches is the perfect centerpiece. (Someone had written me asking me to observe their appliances: two dishwashers, two gas ovens with gas elements, a large fridge and - I think - a microwave.)

After our tour indoors, we headed outside into the wintry weather for a tour of the grounds. We visited the Beekman crypt, which was wonderful to see. It had a small iron chandelier inside, two big brick slabs and several human bones (including a jaw bone) scattered around the scene. The tombstones of the Beekman family all rest inside the crypt, sheltered now from the elements. Then it was to the barn to visit the Beekman goats, who adore visits from us humans! They presented themselves proudly, baah-ing and singing noisily as we entered. They rushed to the gates to greet us and the large lama who keeps watch over the herd came over to inspect us too, but kept her distance, suspicious and guarded. (She is responsible for keeping hungry coyotes at bay.)

Back inside, Josh, my mom and I sat for hours in the kitchen, feasting on Beekman Blaak cheese, homemade rosemary crackers and homemade sparkling apple cider by the roaring fire. Josh showed us some of the latest editions to the Beekman collection. My favourite was a metal fruit spoon made from Eighteenth-Century molds owned by a master blacksmith who works and resides in the area. They are soon going to be among my collection of kitchenalia!

After dark, the three of us headed back to the American for dinner, where a big Christmas party was taking place. The dining room was bustling with guests. Josh, mom and I sat in a quiet corner and had a wonderful dinner together. Josh had to leave a bit early to get Brent at the train station in Albany but we so enjoyed our time together. As my mom said after he had left: "What a kind and gentle soul he is." Indeed!

The front of the Beekman mansion is much closer to the roadway than I had imagined. It is an impressive facade! Like many of the buildings in Sharon Springs, the Beekman mansion was also in a state of sad disrepair only a decade ago. The previous owner of the property fully restored it and Josh and Brent intend to maintain its elegance for years to come.

The back of the house boasts a long, elegant porch. We arrived at the Beekman just as a snowstorm began to move in: the first of the season, heralding the arrival of the Canadians! (We bring snow everywhere we go!)

Josh leads my mother to the crypt. It's not as cryptic as it sounds!

These soggy apples were the only real spots of colour in the landscape that day, dusted by snow and ice.

The Beekman property is comprised of 60 acres of rolling hills and groves. There is a large pond on the property, which serves a practical purpose: all rural properties like this must have a pond for fire-prevention purposes.

Meet the ladies responsible for the glorious Beekman soap and cheese! They're hardworking lassies. They were so excited to see us!

I love this photo of Josh preparing the cheese. And that sparkling cider was so, so good!

My mom sits happily at the kitchen table.

The New Beekman 1802 Bedding & Furniture Collections

My friends Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, founders of the Beekman 1802 brand, have finally unveiled their new bedding and furniture collections. It has been more than a year since I heard they were working on furniture, lighting and bed-linen designs and now we get to see these designs fully realized! To say that I am impressed by the beauty of the designs would be an understatement. I am actually quite gobsmacked by how astoundingly gorgeous their vision of home furnishing is: deeply inspired by history with a true commitment to quality. While I have not yet seen the collection in person, I am encouraged by the high level of craftsmanship they employ when designing and making all of their products. (You can read all the details of each item in the collection by visiting the Beekman 1802 Shop.) 

I am so proud of the burgeoning home and lifestyle brand these intrepid entrepreneurs are building. Below are samples of some of my favourite picks from their new collections. I hope you will find them as beautiful as I do.

THE BELLVALE COLLECTION: Beekman 1802 has created four new bedding collections, each one based on elements of a historic American town. Above is the Bellvale Collection, shown on the Beekman 1802 Hollywood Hotel bed, which is upholstered in linen. Bellvale, NY, was part of a land grant from Queen Anne in 1703. New world settlers were drawn to the area because of the abundant timber, game and water power. The Bellvale bedding collection is inspired by the currents of that creek and all of the creativity and craftsmanship that it powered.

THE FULTON COLLECTION: The industrial nature of Fulton, NY, led to a very stable workforce for many years. In fact, during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, the New York Sun newspaper wrote a lengthy article featuring Fulton, its residents and the strong local economy. It was headlined as, "Fulton, the City the Great Depression Missed." That type of work-ethic and the natural colorful beauty of New York State inspired the Fulton bedding line, shown here on the Beekman 1802 Hotel Adler Bed.

THE SANGERFIELD COLLECTION: In the mid-1800s, the development of railway service through the town of Sangerfield made the area a major shipping point for all kinds of manufacturing, including textiles. It’s a town that has long survived on its own steam (literally), and it has inspired the varied and eclectically beautiful elements making up the Sangerfield bedding collection.

THE STILLWATER COLLECTION: During the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Stillwater was a turning point toward American independence. Independent spirit. Free spirit. American spirit. Those are the things that inspire our Stillwater bed designs.

BEEKMAN 1802 FURNITURE: The new furniture collection is also a marvel and there is scarcely enough space here to showcase all of my favourite pieces from the line, which includes bedroom, living- and dining-room pieces (beds, cabinets, drawer units, tables, sofas, chairs), as well as rugs and lighting. Please visit their online furniture gallery to see all of their amazing new designs. If you happen to be in Sharon Springs, New York, where Beekman 1802 is headquartered, you can visit the Beekman 1802 Merchantile to see the pieces yourself in their new furniture emporium, located above their shop on Main Street.

Beekman Blasts Off

A couple years ago I blogged about a glorious new venture that was begun by the former vice president of healthy living at Martha Stewart Living, Dr. Brent Ridge, with his partner, award-winning author Josh Kilmer-Purcell. I had no idea then that these two intrepid young men would eventually become friends of mine.

The new venture I'm speaking of was born on a farm - a mansion and a farm, to be exact - in the sleepy but storied town of Sharon Springs, New York. Theirs was not your average agricultural scenario, however: cows and pigs, hundreds of acres of corn fields, massive amounts of equipment and tools. Brent and Josh had something a little more quaint (and much more creative) in mind after purchasing the 1802 estate.

The couple had goats and used the luscious milk to create luxurious, handmade, organic soaps, employing local artisans to help beautify their craft. They launched a website (beekman1802.com) to sell their ruralite dream while still maintaining busy, active lives as executives in Manhattan to help fund their burgeoning business.

Two years later, the Beekman brand has sored to incredible and unexpected new heights, as has their line of Beekman merchandise: textiles, decorative accessories, vegetable seeds, stationery, cheese, cider and, of course, an expanded line of gorgeous, all-natural soap. With features in Vanity Fair, the New York Times and stints on the Martha Stewart Show, the 'Fabulous Beekman Boys' (as they will soon be known to the world) garnered the attention of some noteworthy investors, including the luxury retail brand Anthropologie (where I work!) and Planet Green, a sub-station of the Discovery Channel.

Several variations of their soaps are now sold across the United States, Canada and Britain in Anthropologie stores, including their latest, the "After the Garden" soap, shown below. Featuring unique labels and packaging, I can tell you that they are more lovely than one might anticipate, having been a customer and promoter of theirs since the beginning. If you don't live near an Anthropologie, you can order online, or perhaps make the trek to Sharon Springs yourself to visit their quaint new shop, Beekman 1802 Merchantile, which opened last weekend on the main drag. (My mother was actually their first customer!)

Even more exciting is their new television show, "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" which charts the daily existence of two Manhattanites trying (at times struggling) to lead the lives of farmers. The new show will begin airing at the end of June but you can view previews for the show here. Friends, family and colleagues of the Beekman Boys are all currently descending on Sharon Springs to attend the screening of the first episode. (Although I was invited, schedules did not permit my attendance, sad as that may be.) In any case, I can't wait to see the show!

Last December I had occasion to visit the Beekman farm and meet Josh after a few years of happy correspondence on a trip to Sharon Springs I took with my mother. We got to meet the goats too! (Brent was busy in Manhattan at a Martha Stewart event.) Both my mom and I came away thinking what a tremendously warm and generous soul Josh was and we quietly marvelled at all they had accomplished, with plans to continue building on that dream. They are inspiring people and inspiring creators, people I urge everyone to support - not just because they are friends, but because they are good, good people. (Be sure to catch their appearance on the Martha Stewart Show on Wednesday, May 26th!!)

New at The Beekman

Our friends at Beekman farm (Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell) are forever developing new offerings, usually incorporating local Sharon Springs crafters and artisans into their fun and innovative ideas for home and beauty products. Among the new items on offer this holiday season is a line of scented candles, a new line of seasonal soaps and bath milk and new goats-milk soaps. One of the things I find most enticing about their brand is the way they celebrate the scents and essences of the four seasons at the Beekman through the use of delicate fragrances. The emphasis on natural ingredients, usually sourced locally, is another reason to fall in love. Lastly, the clever packaging and label design, something Brent clearly learned from his work at Martha Stewart Living, presents the experience together beautifully.


The Beekman Milk Shake Goat Milk Bath Soak is a combination of seasonal essential oils and dehydrated goat milk from the goats at the farm. The Shake comes in four scents inspired by the four seasons at the Beekman and is designed to help create a luxurious bath experience, leaving skin soft and gently fragranced.


The back porch at the Beekman is a sprawling space to reflect and take in all the beauty of the seasons as they slowly roll by. Brent and Josh created four scents for their "Back Porch Collection" of soaps (one for each season) and packaged them in a sturdy cedar box with a lid. The soaps are also sold separately. Since the bars are quite large, it is recommended that you slice them into threes for longer-lasting use. (The Autumn and Winter soaps are also currently available at Anthropologie stores.)

My favourite new Beekman product this year is the scented bud-vase candle. Made of pure beeswax, the four candles are lightly scented to reflect the four seasons. Each one comes in a lidded cedar box and glass container for the wax. Once the wax is gone, the container can be used as a bud vase: reuse, recycle, reimagine!

A Stroll Down Beekman Lane

I still recall the first time I saw Dr. Brent Ridge on The Martha Stewart Show. It was the spring of 2008 and he had brought a small group of his goats to the show to demonstrate for Martha the finer points of making goat's milk soap - something he and his partner, author Josh Kilmer-Purcell, were doing in earnest as they attempted to build a business, a brand and a new life in the sprawling beauty of upstate New York on their new farm. 

At the time Brent was the Executive Vice President of Healthy Living at Martha Stewart Living and was working closely with Martha on health-related content for the magazine and television show. I was quick to blog about his new venture in the country. (You can see the first Beekman Blog I wrote here.) I was just as swift in ordering some of the Beekman goods for myself and have been a fan ever since. (Many of their products are sold at Anthropologie, where I work, so the temptation is a daily force to be reckoned with.) 

I have blogged about their Beekman 1802 brand on numerous occasions and over the last three years have developed a sweet rapport with both Brent and Josh, even taking my mother to visit their farm in Sharon Springs, New York, and having homemade goat's cheese and sparkling apple cider with Josh at their kitchen table! (I have yet to meet Brent in person!)

My mom and I often discuss that trip and reflect on how special it was to us. It wasn't just the fabulousness of their beautiful, historic mansion; it wasn't the glitter of celebrity that was building around their brand and their new TV show and it wasn't their adorable goats.  (Although, they were adorable!)  For us, it was their generosity, their kind approach in welcoming us into their home and the sincerity that shines through in everything they do. My mother has been back several times since that visit in 2009 and has plans to visit again, just as I do. 

I'm not sure why I am so nostalgic about all this. Perhaps it's because I am consistently humbled by the power of blogging and the meaningful connections that are sometimes made through this vast, invisible space called the Internet. Some of those connections are truly special, as it is with Brent and Josh, and many more of you out there too who have found me - and found others - through this blog.

This is why I am so thrilled to tell you about the release of their very first cookbook, which will be in stores tomorrow. Be sure to pick up your copy! I have not seen it yet but I am told it is lovely, filled with inspired recipes that use fresh ingredients and supplemented with beautiful photographs by Paulette Tavormina, whom I have also profiled on this blog - and who was kind enough to offer me a tour of her studio the next time I am in New York City! Visit the Beekman site for more information about the book and join their Heirloom community by trying out one of the recipes and sharing your personal variations online. The Beekman boys are also hosting a very special contest to celebrate the release of the book. One grand-prize winner will win a trip to NYC where Brent, Josh and the editors of Bon Appetit magazine will throw a party just for you in the amazing test kitchens of Bon Appetit! Be sure to enter!

One of the many beautiful photos in the book by Paulette Tavormina

Beekman Blaak

My friends Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell (owners, curators and farmers of the historic Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs, New York) have expanded their goat farming operations to now include cheese making. Already renowned for their gorgeous, all-natural goats-milk soap, Brent and Josh have developed a new cheese that is now available online. The cheese is stunning to look at it and, I'm told, even more stunning to taste and it might be worth sampling at your Thanksgiving table.

Beekman 1802 Blaak is the first artisanal cheese produced from the goats at Beekman Farm. Blaak is an Italian-style semi-hard cheese made from a 60:40 mix of goat and cow milk giving the cheese a mild but distinctive flavor.

In keeping with traditional cheesemaking practices, this rare cheese is aged for 4 months in our caves and is coated with ash at each turning to promote the ripening of the wheel. The resulting edible black rind gives the cheese its name and makes it a true conversation piece on your table.

Brent and Josh describe the cheese below:

WHY BOTH COW AND GOAT?

It took us a while to perfect the “recipe” for Blaak. We wanted to create a cheese that was distinctive in taste but that could also appeal to people who don’t (or think they don’t) like the taste of goat milk cheeses. The cow milk mellows out the tanginess traditionally associated with goats' milk, but allows Blaak to maintain the lingering and sophisticated taste of the finest goat milk cheeses.

WHY RAW MILK?

Bacteria and mold are what give any cheese its flavor and texture. Most cheeses use pasteurized milk, which kills all ambient bacteria resulting in a predictable - and often bland - flavor. Beekman 1802 is a special place, and we think the Beekman goats are special, too. It stands to reason (at least by our logic) that our bacteria is fabulous as well. Pasteurizing our milk prior to making the cheese would prevent the resulting cheese from living up to its best natural potential.

WHY ASH?

The ash is helpful in mellowing the acidity to promote the affinage (a fancy word for ripening) and produce a more delectable cheese. It also helps make the cheese surface more hospitable to the growth of beneficial molds that add to the complexity of the overall flavor.

The Beekman in Country Living

The ever-fabulous Beekman Boys (Dr. Brent Ridge and author Josh Kilmer-Purcell) are not ones to let the holidays slip by without festooning their glorious digs with the most gorgeous of trim. And who better to help them than the editors at Country Living magazine? Thankfully, in the current issue (December/January) we can all experience the exquisite results. The feature article by Joshua Lyon traces the urban couple's history at the Beekman farm/mansion and how they have come to represent a new era of prosperity for the town of Sharon Springs, which only several years ago was a forgotten ghost town with a storied past, complete with boarded up hotels and ramshackle cabins sinking into the underbrush. You can read about my visit to the town last year and my evening with Josh by clicking here.
That's their living room on the cover. On the magazine's splash page, the Beekman is shown at night with its windows all aglow.
Lush photographs by Lucas Allen and holiday styling by Karin Lidbeck-Brent come together to create some magical holiday scenes. I wanted to share some of the magic here, but you can read the full article in the magazine or by clicking here to read the article online. You can, of course, find Brent and Josh on Planet Green on their reality show, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, or see what they're developing for their company Beekman 1802 at their website.

A Letter From Beekman Farm

On this very exciting day, we both want to say thank you to everyone for being so enthusiastic, encouraging, and supportive during the previous full year of filming The Fabulous Beekman Boys. Yep. A full year. Unlike most reality shows that rush their productions through in a month or so, The Fabulous Beekman Boys took a full year to film 10 episodes. Everyone involved felt it was very important to capture and share all of the seasons of farm life – something that you all know we've been trying to do at the Beekman since our first day.

Why on earth would we let cameras film a whole year of us making mistakes, making arguments, making nice, making lists & making our bed and then having to lie in it? Because we re-discovered a lot of things that a lot of the rest of the country has forgotten about. We learned first hand how difficult it is to make a living as small farmers in America. We experienced the make-or-break importance of one's neighbors, and also what it means to be a good neighbor. We learned that village Main Streets can only stay vibrant if people get up from their couches and TV sets and stroll along them. (After tonight's premiere, of course.)

We hope that The Fabulous Beekman Boys will share some of those same lessons with people who have no idea where their food comes from or who their next door neighbor is. We hope it may even inspire people and couples at a transition point in their lives. And if it means people will laugh at us as they're learning from our story, well, that's even better. Because we'll let you in on a big secret:

We're not all that fabulous.

But we mean well, and we work hard.

And that's the most important lesson the Beekman has taught us.

xoxo Josh and Brent

Review: Josh's Bucolic Plague

Is it possible to become delerious with ruralistic pursuits of ideal farm life? Can overwork, stress and a driving desire to sustain a centuries-old mansion in a recession be cured by homemade cheese, handmade soap and a bevy of loving goats? Can the fragrance of Martha Stewart's peonies intoxicate a person and cause him to lose all good judgment, sensibility and bladder control? The answers to these questions lie in the pages of Josh Kilmer Purcell's hilarious and surprisingly honest memoir called "The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers."

Josh is someone I consider to be a friend, even though I've only met him once at his glorious farm/mansion in Sharon Springs, New York: the Beekman, as it's known locally. His partner, Dr. Brent Ridge, is also someone I call a friend, though to this day we have not met in person. Our paths crossed in 2008 after I saw Brent on The Martha Stewart Show making soap with Martha using milk from the goats on his farm. At the time, Brent was the senior vice president of healthy living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and wrote a monthly column for the magazine. Always eager to blog, I wasted no time investigating their Beekman 1802 brand of handmade soaps and housewares and ordered a batch for myself - several batches in fact. The pair were so thankful for the free publicity (which I'm told brought much-needed traffic and sales to the Beekman) that they embraced me with open arms. We're friends to this day and I can't wait to return to Sharon Springs for another visit. (Hopefully celebrity and fame haven't gone to their heads too much, now that they have a hit reality show on Planet Green: The Fabulous Beekman Boys.) But back to the book...
My copy arrived a couple weeks ago, courtesy of Josh, and it coincided with the arrival of their "After the Garden" soap at the Anthropologie store where I work. I wasted little time using the beautiful soap wrapping as a bookmark, gluing it onto cardstock for firmness. I brought the book with me on my trip to Ottawa and I devoured it over the course of two days.

My first impression was how honest the book was, charting the good, the bad and the ugly sides of this dreamy pursuit of country living, which in reality is nothing like it is portrayed in the magazines. Josh examines the stresses and strains of starting a new business, maintaining a healthy relationship and building a dream as a couple, all the while attempting to enjoy the journey, the beautiful setting and the new community. His writing style is conversational and witty, making it easy to fall in love with the story being told.

Fans of Martha will not be disappointed either. She looms large in their lives (both idealistically and realistically) and Josh pens several very funny anecdotes about his encounters with Martha over the years, including a Fourth of July dinner at Lily Pond Lane and her famous Peony Party at Bedford - probably the most memorable Martha Moment the book contains!

What the reader is left with is a sense of admiration for these fabulous Beekman boys: for trying so hard to make a dream come true, for not slitting their wrists or killing each other in the face of desperate times and for letting an historic town, battered by a propeller of insufferable economies over the decades, capture their hearts and harness their determination to make their mark. You can order the book here.

The Return Of The Beekman Boys!

Tonight marks the television return of the Beekman Boys! Season two of their hit show "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" which originally aired on Planet Green will now air on The Cooking Channel, starting tonight. If the show is a hit, The Cooking Channel may produce a third season of the show, so please tune in to watch. You can also catch Brent and Josh on season 21 of The Amazing Race, which premiers Sunday, September 30th on CBS at 8 pm. 'The Boys' will be competing against 10 other teams to win $2-million - a prize that increased this season from $1-million - as they journey across three continents, nine countries and covering more than 25,000 miles. I can't wait to watch!

Josh and Brent continue to inspire us with their pursuit of self-sustained living and brand development at their beautiful farm in Sharon Springs, New York. The Beekman mansion is shown above. They are still touring the country to promote their wonderful Beekman 1802 line of goat-milk soaps, cheeses, books and preserves and recently rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange! They also recently hosted the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival, a celebration they devised a few years ago to help put their beloved town on the map and foster a sense of community. I have always loved and admired what they've done and I couldn't be happier about their return to television!

By the way, I write a weekly column on their website called Five Beautiful Things. Please check it out each Thursday night! 

A Beekman Holiday

Dr. Brent Ridge, a contributor to Martha Stewart Living, and his partner, writer Josh Purcell, are well ensconced in their upstate New York farmhouse for the upcoming holiday weekend. But they're also busy preparing for that OTHER holiday just over a month away and are overseeing the production, packaging and shipment of their goat's-milk soap and hand woven linens, which make beautiful gifts for purveyors of the handmade. You can read their blogs and order their products at http://www.beekman1802.com. Among the lovely inclusions this year:


I intend on treating myself to this soap soon. Being a December baby (the 27th) I feel compelled to bathe with this intriguing December soap, which is described as having the inviting scent of a warm kitchen with hints of vanilla and ginger. As always, it is handmade from the milk of the Beekman goats, who graze freely on the land and drink from the waters that once made Sharon Springs one of the most famous spa destinations in the world. The soap uses the highest percentage of pure goat milk possible in each bar. You may notice a faint layer of ash on the bottom of the soap, which washes away with first use. This ash affirms the bar is made from pure goat milk using non-chemical methods. I've used the soap myself and I love it, but I'm especially eager to try my 'birth' soap.


Speaking of birth, the Beekman store now has a new line of baby goods, including soap for baby as well as these beautiful, heirloom baby swaddling blankets. Usually woven with dark blue wool, Brent, Josh and the crew have adapted an overshot weaving technique for use in this textile, which is 100% cotton. While there are nearly as many methods for swaddling an infant as there are cultures who practice it, the blankets come with a set of instructional diagrams to get you started with your swaddling cloth: perfect for the new mother or those expecting. Patterns include Hollyhock, Dyer's Broom, Pale Indigo and White.A beautiful gift box of 12 soaps. Each 3.25 oz bar is individually wrapped and presented in a 9"X12" red cedar tray, made of sustainably harvested wood. Choose either unscented or one of the seasonal scents.

New letterpress holiday stationery was designed and handmade by Brent and Josh on a 19th Century letterpress at Foxglove Printers in Sharon Springs. Each card was run in a limited edition and is signed & numbered by both of them on the back cover. The first, entitled "Unwrap. Play." is printed in crimson on a heavy cotton rag stock. It features an antique plate illustration of various 19th century toys - just like the ones William Beekman would have carried in his mercantile. The second, entitled "Star." was inspired by a lone pine tree that stands near the Beekman barn. The design, from an antique plate, runs off the edge of the card as if the reader is looking up to find the "star" atop the tree. Both cards come in a wrapped set of 10, with envelopes, and each measures 3.5" X 5." Order these soon to send them out before the holidays.

A Seat at the Table

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell don't really want you to call their new book a "cookbook." As they have both noted, no one really needs another cookbook. Any recipe in any variation can be found in countless online and previously-published sources.

But what their latest book brings to the table - aside from 115 delicious recipes - is a celebration of community. A Seat at the Table, the fourth 'recipe book' by the Beekman Boys, demonstrates how a community can nourish your soul as much as the meals you share with them can nourish your body.

The book, which was published last week, shares recipes that embody the traditional story of stone soup, in which everyone in the community brings their small piece to the pot to create a sum much greater than its parts.

When Brent and Josh first moved to Sharon Springs full-time, during the economic crisis of 2008, they were not sure they would make it there. Both jobless, both unsure of what their next move should be and both in love with the land and the people they had come to know in Sharon Springs, New York, they found comfort, support and inspiration in a community of artisans and makers who welcomed them with open arms.

A Seat at the Table is a celebration of this community, a thank-you feast to the people who helped build their dreams.

Fittingly, the recipes were developed with the help of a good neighbour, Rose Marie Trapani, who is arguably the best home cook in Sharon Springs, according to Brent and Josh - and basically everyone in town! (Apparently, a dinner invite from Rose Marie and her husband Joe is the most coveted ticket one can get in Sharon Springs!)

Rich with Sicilian flare, the recipes have an earthy, rustic goodness, brought to life through the 130 moody photographs by Christian Watson. (Follow him on Instagram @1924us)

I blog about Brent and Josh frequently. Having the privilege to call them friends of mine makes me all the more excited and enthusiastic for their latest ventures. Even though I don't see them very often, I know what it's like to be welcomed into their home, and the homes of some of their neighbours. I've been lucky enough to have had a seat at their table. I've had the luxury of slowly walking through their beautiful fields and gardens and the fascinating experience of exploring the storied streets of Sharon Springs. I know what it's like to be recognized by the shop owners and the inn keepers. I do not live in Sharon Springs but somehow it lives within me.

These two are the real deal. And so is this book.

You can purchase autographed copies at Beekman1802.com or standard copies at Amazon.com.

IN OTHER BEEKMAN 1802 NEWS!

Expanding on the success of Beekman 1802 bath and body line, 'the boys' have just released a new line of all-natural cleaning products made from plant-based ingredients and goat’s milk, a line they've been working on for several years. Formulated and bottled in the U.S., Beekman 1802 Happy Place products are designed to provide safer and more natural options to cleaning. You can purchase the products at Beekman1802.com or through Evine. (Doesn't this photos just make you smile?)

A Few of My Favourite Things...

In the grand tradition of Oprah Winfrey's holiday histrionics, I cannot resist sharing some of my favourite things this year. Watching Oprah's Favorite Things episode was a gift in itself: all those somersaults, backflips and tears of joy! Sadly, I am not a billionaire and cannot afford to give each of you a sample of my picks, but if I could, these are the items I would be showering upon you. If there is someone on your Christmas shopping list you haven't crossed off yet, please consider the following gift ideas. I've divided them into brand categories - all of my favourite vendors! Happy browsing!

Naturally, we'll start with the Queen of Good Things! There was so much to choose from in Martha's vast and diverse collections, but I tried to think of the quintessential "Martha gifts" for a blossoming new fan of the brand: something classically Martha, something useful.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Classic Band Grey dinnerware set (Martha Stewart Collection); Cake Stands (Martha Stewart Collection); Set of Five Ceramic Mixing Bowls (Martha Stewart Collection); Enameled Cast-Iron Round Casseroles (Martha Stewart Collection); Set of 24 Glitter Viles (Martha Stewart Crafts and Michaels); Martha Stewart Food Glossaries 2013 Calendar (Amazon.com and Book Stores); Martha Stewart's Cooking School (Amazon and Book Stores): Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts (Amazon and Book Stores); Martha Stewart Living subscription - print or for iPad.

In case you have not yet heard, Brent and Josh were the winners of this year's season of The Amazing Race! I am out-of-control happy for these two intrepid young entrepreneurs who are not only my friends but an inspiration to me. Their brand (Beekman 1802) has some absolutely beautiful, handcrafted artisinal products, straight from the little town of Sharon Springs, New York. From cakes to cheeses, spreads to dressings, they have your pantry covered. And if it's beauty products you're looking for, they have essentially cornered the local market on all-natural, handmade products, many of which are made using the goat dairy and botanical extracts from their farm.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: A great selection of holiday goods awaits you at Beekman1802.com or at their store in Sharon Springs, Beekman 1802 Merchantile; Graphic Greens Door Wreath; Delux 'Tis The Season Collection Beauty Products in a handmade wooden box with the Beekman 1802 logo; Beekman 1802 Tea For Two Bundle with two enamelware mugs and a jar of Lemon Cream Honey; Victorian Paper Horns, which can be used instead of stockings to hold small gifts. Shop Beekman1802.com

I would be remiss if I did not mention my favourite store of all! (Yes, it's where I work but that does not mean I am biased! Being surrounded by beautiful things all day is truly good for the soul and Anthropologie delivers beauty in spades.) From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Farmers Market Berry Baskets made of glazed ceramic in bright colours or subtle neutrals - a must-have! (Martha has them!); Monogram Mr. Mugs; Monogram Mrs. Mugs; Ceramic Cake Dome by Molly Hatch; Half-Dozen Egg Crate made of glazed ceramic in bright colours; A Real Hoot Cookie Jar; Anjou Cookie Jar; 3-D Toile Full Apron; Chalet Candle Tin in Mulled Wine. Shop Anthropologie.com

When it comes to books, I'm really choosy. I go for the beautiful collectibles rather than the paperbacks. These volumes are essentials for book lovers who adore design, architecture, cooking and fashion.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Maggie's Harvest is a beautiful collection of 350 recipes by Australian cook Maggie Beer. It is part memoir, part cookbook with beautiful design details such as a hand-embroidered cover; Baked Elements by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito offers 75 recipes using only 10 of their best-loved ingredients. It is inventive and beautiful and practical. Therefore, I love it. The Stylist's Guide to NYC by Sibella Court is a must for anyone who travels to Manhattan for design inspiration. Hundreds of stores and vendors are listed, mostly the tucked-away gems that are never featured in any typical tourist's guidebook. The Houses of Veranda by Lisa Newsom is a beautiful collection of interiors originally featured in Veranda magazine. It was one of my favourite releases this year. The Great American House by architect Gil Schafer III will play well with admirers of Martha Stewart's homes. Clean, classic lines and a blend of tradition and modernity are the hallmarks of the homes in this beautiful tome;

La Maison by Koto Bolofo is a collection of eleven volumes of photographs that beautifully render the design principles and aesthetics of the House of Hermes. Packaged in a signature orange case, each slim volume traces a different element of the Hermes brand, from leather to fragrance to equine anatomy. A Living Space by Kit Kemp is another of my favourite offerings this year. Filled with gorgeous photographs of interiors that defy rigid design rules, the book aims to empower a sense of lightheartedness by mixing patterns, embracing colour and living with the objects you love. Shop Amazon.com

The Beekman Boys in Toronto

Each time I see them, I become more convinced of their tremendous talents: the Fabulous Beekman Boys, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. This time, the meeting was on my turf, in Toronto! The pair were in town to promote their new cookbook, The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook. (Watch for a feature interview with them in tomorrow's National Post.) Sadly, their television program The Fabulous Beekman Boys which airs on Planet Green is not available in Canada and not many people north of the border are aware of the pair's fascinating story and incredible, homegrown products which they produce on their farm in Sharon Springs, New York. 

But, there were a few of us die-hards waiting to have our books signed. Seeing how happy Brent and Josh were to see me reminded me that they are very special friends, indeed. They did tell me they are working on getting their program on the air up here, so let's all cross our fingers. In the meantime, please do visit their website to view their new line of holiday ornaments and provisions (all can be shipped to Canada!) and pick up a copy of their cookbook at a bookstore near you! You will all enjoy the heirloom aspect of the book: a section that allows you to copy your own recipes for generations to come, and spaces in the margins to make notes and additions to their recipes. Below are a few photos from our afternoon.

This is the store where the book signing was held - a beautiful housewares store located in a former mansion on Toronto's tony Yorkville Avenue. Teatro Verde offers the best in home accessories, bath and beauty lines, fresh-cut flower arrangements, books and more. It's an incredible space.

It was so great to catch up with Josh and Brent, face to face. We have a fairly long history and it was wonderful to see these two exceptional people again: warm, delightful, engaging. 

A gorgeous merchandising moment at the top of the stairs at Teatro Verde. The owners of the store, Shawn Gibson and Michael Pellegrino, do all of the designing themselves. Truly spectacular. (And you should see the flower arrangements they make!)

After the book signing, I took Brent and Josh to Anthropologie (where I work) for an impromptu visit. We also sell their book and they were pleased to see such a beautiful and energetic store, bustling with activity. They both signed a few copies for our customers.