We may be small, but our state has an abundance of locations that are thought to be haunted.   If you're up for adventure, why  not visit these sites.

Fort Delaware
 Pea Patch Island, Delaware City

Located on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River, Fort Delaware served as a prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. 

Full bodied apparitions, rattling chains and a cook who can't seem to leave her kitchen have all been experienced here.

My first visit there was with my Dad and brother's Boy Scout troop, back in the days before liability concerns. We roamed the fort unfettered and I can assure you, there are definitely areas that will give you the willies.   

Learn more


Delaware City Hotel 

​While you wait for the ferry to Pea Patch Island, stop in at Crabby Dicks in the Delaware City Hotel. Their crab cakes are award winning and the hotel is allegedly haunted by a former owner's wife. 

 
Old New Castle 

No Delaware ghost hunt would be complete without a stop in Old New Castle. The superabundance of activity in this village warrants a visit for ghost hunters. 

Historic New Castle Ghost Tour


Amstel House 

I fell in love with this house when I was an art history student tasked with writing a paper on the vernacular interpretation of Georgian style by "gentlemen builders".   Dr. Finney's work has stood the test of time, so much so that some of the residence don't seem to want to leave. The Lady in Blue has made her presence known to many.

The Kensey Johns Jr. House
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Across the street is the Keensey John Jr. House, the site of the 2015 Designer Showhouse.   

We were warned, tongue in check, not to go into the basement alone.  Former owners had been locked in, while alone in the house.  Fortunately, I had no ghostly encounters, but mirrors did fall off walls unexpectedly and one designer's foot was broken with no rational explanation..... just saying.


The Deer Park Tavern
Newark
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A Fixture for most Delawareans and the scene of many of our rites of passage, there has been a structure on this site for more than 250 years.

Originally St Patrick's Inn, frequented by George Washington, and surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, of Mason-Dixon Line fame, perhaps it's most intriguing  guest was Edgar Allen Poe. 

 It has been said, that Poe penned his famous poem, The Raven here.  According to local lore, Poe tripped when exiting his carriage in front of the building and cursed the inn.
Flying bar stools, strange voices and  "creepy feelings" have been reported by many.


Bellevue Hall
Wilmington
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/36598222@N05/6917134906/Haunted Delaware

 I first worked at Bellevue as a design intern from Delaware College of Art and Design.  Later, I served as a special events coordinator. 
(Wedding planner stories reserved for another post.)

The house has many stories to tell.  Hidden panels in the library to a secret billiards room in the basement, secret escape route in the cupboard of the child's bedroom and an underground tunnel from the main house to the tennis pavilion.
There are reports of activity on the upper floors and furniture inexplicably moved.  I never encountered them.
I spent many hours in the house alone undisturbed. Until the afternoon I was in the basement alone......

There's nothing like a scary read to get you in the mood for the holiday.  Here are a few classics worth revisiting.

No girl from the Hudson Valley can bypass this classic. Sometimes trivialized and softened up, this is really a pretty frightening tale.

Why not mix up one of these lethal libations while you ponder Ickabod and Katrina's fate. 

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

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Another fright inducing yarn

Creepy Miles, little Flora, the mysterious Miss Jessel and evil Quint are one scary quartet. 
Enjoy your read with this whistle wetter.
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Spooky Screwdrivers

And my all time favorite

The Raven

Basil Rathbone - reading The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

And while you "ponder weak and weary" 
sip on this pretty refresher.
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​This afternoon the universe gave me a gift;  an unexpected free afternoon, perfect weather and close proximity to one of my "happy places", Hopewell Lake outside of Morgantown, PA. 

There is something special about having an intimate relationship with such a beautiful place. I have circled the lake in knee high snow, through Springtime's budding green and Summer's lush warmth.  But if I am truthful, I love it best in Autumn. 
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As I walked the familiar path, it struck me that it was the perfect metaphor for life.  Sometimes easy, sometimes challenging, sometime clear, and yes, sometimes obscure and a little scary.  But the path is always there and no matter what your thoughts are on the divine, it is an excellent place to
 " Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46
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I am so very lucky to have parents that understood the importance of nature to the nurturing of your soul.  As a family, we've camped from coast to coast and all through Canada,
 (with pressed clothes and tablecloths). We do have standards.

The gift is priceless and reminds me of a wonderful book that every parent and grandparent should read and take to heart.

The Last Child in the Woods 
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​Other books on my nature reading shelf - 
The Invention of Nature

And another fascinating read
Flora Mirabillis

Don't overlook Henry David Thoreau's classic 
Walden
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​and a few thoughts from Robert Frost

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

Excerpt from
Stopping by the Woods on a Winter Evening
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What is a trip to the country without a stop off at a local farm stand? The apples were wonderful and I had to bring some home.
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It was a great excuse to  try out this recipe.
What a shame the recipe only called for 1/4 cup of hard cider.  What to do with the rest of the bottle????

Apple Cider Donut Cake

http://www.delawareshowhouse.com
Do try and visit this gem of a showhouse.   Designers took their cue from the beautiful sylvan setting and created their designs with integration of interior and exterior in mind.

Don't miss our room,  a design office and studio.
​And remember, furnishings and accessories are for sale.

"God is in the details"
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
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http://www.delawareshowhouse.com
Sponsored by the The Junior League of Wilmington, the Showhouse will be open September 22 - October 16 and is located right here in Centreville.
For my space I've created a design studio/office.  Embracing the sylvan setting, we've blurred the lines between inside and out with a symphony of organic materials. Leather, glass, wood, fur and fabrics all combine to make a very peaceful space.  Perfect for creating and thinking!

So stay tune for before and after pictures!

Next up ...

I love historic New Castle and feel very lucky indeed to be working with wonderful clients updating their beautiful residence in the heart of this gem. 

 Lighter, brighter and parred down, the design is incorporating some contemporary pieces along with some wonderful classics.  

This is not your grandmother's historic home.
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I'm working with another great couple who are relocating to 
The Residence at Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington.

Their wonderful new condo is located in the former Delaware Trust Building overlooking Rodney Square.  The open floor plan and fabulous views are very today and the sense of history provide the continuity that grounds the space.

​Often overlooked in our day to day cooking, honey is a delicious and healthy sweetener and a great substitute for processed white sugar.   

Thank you bees. 

Containing trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants, honey is one of the natural sweeteners I always have stocked in my cupboard.

Here's one of my favorite honey recipes.
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Cold poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce 
This a super simple and easy to do ahead of time.
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I've decided that the easiest way to poach salmon is in the microwave.  Simply place the salmon on a microwave safe plate with 3 tablespoons of water or white wine, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for one to one and half minutes. 
For the curried yogurt sauce, combine 
1 cup of lowfat greek yogurt
1/4 cup cilantro
1 scallion - chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon curry powder
How easy is that?
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