blog tour: Markets of New England- author's sharing and giveaway!

Good morning! I am so happy to be stop #4 on the blog tour of  Markets of New England. Author, Christine Chitnis, and I first met (virtually) at the beginning of my blogging days, and then became real life friends when we met at Squam Art Workshops in 2009. I know just how lovely and talented she is, so I'm not one bit surprised that her first book is phenomenal. Christine has combined her amazing writing skills (as a freelance journalist), her gift for capturing fresh beautiful images, and the ability to ask good questions to create the definitive guide to summer (and fall) in New England. She explored 50 vibrant farmers' and artisan markets to discover the delicacies and specialties of 6 different states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This would be the perfect handbook to pack on any summer road trip on the east coast. Considering that we have family and friends all over the northeast, I'm so excited to put it to good use and had so much fun seeing familiar places peeking out from many of the pages. You can click on any picture to see where it's from.

Can you imagine the traveling, eating, and research that would go into writing such a guide? It sounds heavenly... I remember talking to Christine last June while she was in the midst of it all, and I thought you might enjoy a little background on the makings of Markets of New England. Take it away Christine!

The very same week I found out I was pregnant, I signed my first book contract.  I was to write a travel guide that explored the very best markets- both farmers' and artisan markets- in all of New England.  A daunting task under normal circumstances, and even more so with my quickly expanding waistline!  Add to the equation a faulty car air conditioner, and you have a summer-long road trip worth remembering!

I would often arrive at the markets, frazzled and sweating, only to feel instantly refreshed by the boisterous atmosphere that always seems to occur when artisans of any kind gather.  It was such a privledge to meet the many talented New Englanders who make their living creating, crafting, and tending the land.  During my travels, I came to have a much greater admiration for this region of the country that I call home.  Not only is the scenery strikingly beautiful- from the White Mountains of New Hampshire, to the rocky coastline of Maine- but its craftsmen (and women) are some of the most inventive, and resourceful, I have come across in all of my travels.

I truly believe this book couldn't have come at a better time.  There is a growing appreciation for buying local, but now, more than ever, we need to support our artisans.  They make our communities interesting, thriving, unique places to live and shop...they provide us with farm fresh nourishment...and perhaps most importantly, they remind us to slow down, and savor the simpler things in life.  I hope this book serves as a reminder of that, as well. 

Here's to a summer of juicy peaches, bustling art fairs, country road meanders, naps in shady hammocks and priceless moments spent with family and friends (including my baby boy, who I welcomed into the world a mere week after turning in my manuscript!).

Thanks so much, Christine... summer feels that much closer now! And guess what? She has a copy for one of you!  Do you have a favorite craft fair or farmer's market nearby? Please leave a comment in this post before 5pm on Sunday. I'll announce the random winner on Monday morning. Good luck!
And if you'd like to follow along on the blog tour here are all of the stops:
May 3: Apartment Therapy

May 4: Susannah Conway

May 5: WhipUp

May 6: Maya*Made

May 8: Bluebird Baby

May 9: Naturally Nina

May 10: UPPERCASE

May 11: Matthew Mead

May 12: Restyled Home

May 13: Markets of New York

p.s. Did I mention how much I love that it fits in the palm of my hand... a just-right size for travel!