Farmer’s Market Grand Opening Celebration!

Fresh, Straight From the Garden Produce

Aberlin Springs, Ohio’s first Agri-Community is opening a Public Farmer’s Market on Sunday afternoons.
Join us for our Farmer’s Market Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, April 11th noon to 3 pm. Fresh produce from the regenerative farm, other local food artisan products, and a Chef Cooking Demo will be
a part of the event. The farm team will be available to do tours and answer questions about
methods used to create the most nutrient-dense food and the importance of buying local.
Our Model Home and Community tours will also be available from noon to 5 pm.

Aberlin Springs Agri-Community is a residential community built around a working farm bringing Farm-to-TableLiving home. “People are realizing that eating fresh, local, and organically grown food will have a profound effect on your health and well-being” states Leslie Aberlin, owner of Pendragon
Development and Pendragon Homes, the exclusive builder at Aberlin Springs.

Set among 141 acres of preserved forests and farmland, this new neighborhood of 138 home
sites offers farm-to-table living with an onsite farm, a farm market, and Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA) program. The CSA provides residents with fresh in-season food and pasture-raised meats. Know where your food comes from when you live here or shop here. We truly believe that where you live, is as important as how you live.

For more information on our CSA, visit here and look on the home page for the signup sheet. For more information on our homes, be sure to visit our main page, here.

We hope to see you here for our Farmer’s Market Grand Opening!

kellywFarmer’s Market Grand Opening Celebration!
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Organize a Fall Festival for Your Community

One of the best ways to celebrate the beginning of fall with those around you is to organize a neighborhood fall festival. A get-together celebrating the season gives you a chance to know your neighbors better and build a sense of community.

 

Organizing a Fall Festival

Any party takes planning, and the same goes for a fall festival. From choosing a theme to figuring out how much food you’ll need to bring, a plan will help things go smoothly. The planning itself can bring people together and build friendships. Include children and adults to get everyone’s perspective.

Consider a Theme

Some of the best parties have a theme, so SignUpGenius recommends picking one for your fall festival. The theme can be something simple or more elaborate. Whatever you choose, try and keep it consistent with any of the activities you plan or even the food and drinks.

Plan Well in Advanced

Fall weather can be a unpredictable, so if you’re planning an outdoor event, make a backup plan. If you plan on having food that will need heated up or foods that need to stay cold, make sure you have plenty of plugs or freezer packs. You also want to give people lots of time to put your event on their busy calendars. Fall can mean lots of sports events and other activities, so work with your neighbors to choose the best day for everyone. 

 

Games and Activities

A fall festival should be something all ages enjoy attending, so plan for activities that kids and those who are still kids at heart can enjoy.

Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples is a fall festival classic, I Believe in Joy notes, so it’s definitely an activity that can easily be incorporated into your festival. All you need is a large tub filled with water and plenty of apples. The goal is to catch an apple in your mouth without using your hands. If the thought of multiple people’s germs is unsettling to you, there are ways to adapt bobbing for apples so there’s only one apple in a tub at a time.

Hayrides

Hayrides are another staple of fall festivals. They can be a great way to take in the fall foliage around your neighborhood and can be cozy, especially if someone provides blankets for people to use to keep warm during the cool autumn night. The hay can also be reused to protect new grass seed that’s been planted from blowing away or from birds and other animals from eating the seed.

 

Food and Drinks

One of the most vital parts of any get together is the food and drink options. With these tips, the food and drinks may be what everyone talks about when they’re leaving. If you’re lucky enough to have a community garden, encourage everyone to bring their produce or something made from it. 

Cook-offs and Bake-offs

The best way to have a variety of food brought to your fall festival is to tell your neighbors that it’s a potluck and to have them bring their best chili, stews, soups, or desserts to the festival, especially if the food is made with the fall vegetables that grew in a community garden. Have a friendly competition between neighbors to see who brought the best chili, the best stew, the best soup, and the best dessert and let someone have bragging rights for the next year.

Homemade Drinks

Apple cider and hot chocolate are great fall drinks for all ages. Mulled wines fits the fall season for those over 21. Ask people to bring thermoses and other reusable drink glasses so they can try different drinks and cut down on plastic waste.

Bonfires and S’mores

No fall festival is complete with a bonfire, a seasonal favorite. Consider making multiple fire pits for people to keep warm, and supply graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars for s’mores. Enjoy them while you chat with your neighbors and all you have to celebrate this season.

 

Just because the weather is getting cooler doesn’t mean you have to stay at home on a weekend evening. Having a fall festival makes everyone feel welcomed in a neighborhood and gives you and your family the chance to meet new neighbors if you haven’t already.

 

PHOTO: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain

Kelley McDanielOrganize a Fall Festival for Your Community
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Upcoming Events

  • Medicine Cabinet Makeover Class Hosted by Tempal Grace (Grace Green Beauty), Oct. 25th, 7PM
  • Essential Oils & Healthy Weight Management Class Hosted by Meghan Ell (Ell Farm), Oct 29th, 7PM

 

  • Medicine Cabinet Makeover Class Hosted by Tempal Grace (Grace Green Beauty), Nov 8th, 7PM
  • What is Hemp CBD and How is it Changing Lives? Hosted by Dr. Brent Zoller and Susan Jividen, Nov 12th, 7PM; for more information contact Susan at (513)284-2662
  • Managing Emotions, Naturally Class Hosted by Cari Mayer (LMT), Nov 13th, 7PM
  • Children, Babies, Pregnancy with Essential Oils Class Hosted by Brianne Cerni, Nov 15th, 7PM

 

  • Managing Emotions, Naturally Class Hosted by Cari Mayer (LMT), Dec 11th, 7PM
  • Children, Babies, Pregnancy with Essential Oils Class Hosted by Brianne Cerni, Dec 14th, 7PM

 

  • Natural Hormone Balance Class Hosted by Lyn Hogrefe (Happy Hormone Cottage) Jan 3rd, 7PM
  • Children, Babies, Pregnancy with Essential Oils Class Hosted by Brianne Cerni, Jan 17th, 7PM
Kelley McDanielUpcoming Events
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Choose the Perfect Windows for Your House

Whether you’re building your own house or planning to replace the windows of your current home, which windows you choose makes a difference. Not only do you want your home to look beautiful, but different houses need different types of windows. It wouldn’t make sense for a small ranch home to have one large picture window that takes up the entire front of the house. Or vice versa, a large, picturesque house wouldn’t have tiny windows that under use the space. While those may be extreme examples, choosing windows for your home does matter.

 

Top Window Design Trends

Some trends are always in style, and that extends to your windows. From natural lighting to window panels with a pop of color, here are some of today’s trendiest window designs on the market.

Black or Bronze Window Frames

Want make a statement with your windows, but don’t know where to start? Try using black window paneling instead of traditional white panels. The black panels can give a modern look and feel that will make your house stand out from the rest. If black doesn’t fit your color scheme, try bronze and gold tones to give your windows a unique look. They can complement other decorative touches like outdoor sconces or number plates.

Pass-Through Windows

A pass-through window is the perfect synthesis of outdoor and indoor space. Whether you choose a garage-style or folding window, pass-through windows blur the lines between your backyard, patio, or even between rooms. The most common application is a slider from the kitchen to the patio, but don’t be afraid to get creative with pass-through windows.

Energy Efficient Windows

It seems commonplace now, but energy efficient windows have become popular only in the last ten years or so. People usually ask for energy efficient windows in their homes, which makes sense, since they can save money in the long run. If you have older, inefficient windows, maybe it’s time to consider upgrading to double or triple-pane.

Natural Light

Windows are designed to let in the light, so why not use their purpose to your advantage? Bigger windows give your rooms more natural light during peak times of the day. The only downside to larger windows is that more heat can escape, so consider an excellent insulating window if you’re leaning towards large windows. Some of the better insulating windows are wood-based.

 

Vinyl Windows Versus Wood Windows

As with the design of your windows, there are plenty of popular trends in the materials that people use for windows. A few of those current trends are using vinyl or wood materials for your windows.

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are one of the most common types of windows available and are also some of the least expensive options. While the lower cost may seem like a good thing, Better Homes & Gardens cautions that if the materials are of lower quality, they’ll be prone to breaking. If you choose to go with vinyl windows, you can paint them, but they will need to be redone every few years.

Wood Windows

Wood is another popular material to use for windows and is going to cost more than vinyl. A perk of wood windows is the variety available, such as mahogany, maple, and oak, although pine tends to be the most common. Using wood materials for your windows insulates the room naturally. However, you will need to need to reseal wood windows every so often to prevent rot and sun damage.

 

Choosing windows for your home doesn’t have to be tedious. Pick the windows you think you’ll be able to care for, whether it’s the task of cleaning them or keeping them finished to prevent natural wear and tear. Enjoy letting the light shine in on your life.

 

IMAGE: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain

Kelley McDanielChoose the Perfect Windows for Your House
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Four Ways to Spend More Time Outdoors This Fall

As brisk weather and shorter days encourage staying indoors, don’t ignore the outside beauty and excitement that autumn brings. Those cozy sweaters, socks, and boots are meant for more than just quick sprints to and from the car. Here are four ways to spend more time outdoors this fall, and fully appreciate this time of year.

 

Create Autumn Treats in Your Outdoor Kitchen

With so much terrific produce available September through November, how can you resist creating comfy, flavorful fall-inspired recipes? Don’t just put that outdoor kitchen to good use in the summer; keep it going the next few months! Shop local markets and farms for fresh apples, pumpkins, squash, cider, and seasonal jams and spreads. Develop recipes and get adventurous with your culinary endeavors. Dishes and treats for outdoor entertaining include:

  • Roasted butternut squash stuffed with wild rice
  • Apple walnut cranberry stuffing (with or without pork or vegan sausage)
  • Apple crumb muffins
  • Chocolate chip pumpkin streusel bread
  • Sweet and sour pumpkin soup
  • Cream-cheese stuffed pumpkin rolls

Of course, there are always classic s’mores, made all the better when put together over a bonfire. Simmer a pot of mulled cider, or whip up frothy warm chai tea lattes, and take in the wondrous fall night-time sky.

 

Encourage Kids to Enjoy the Seasonal Changes

There are endless learning opportunities for kids to spend more time outdoors in the fall. Fill a basket with blankets and create a welcoming nook outside for them to read or do their homework. Encourage them to take photos, sketch, or write notes about what they see, and what the season means to them. Have them chart the changes in flowers and plants around your home. Create a scavenger hunt and encourage them to craft scrapbooks or other artistic pieces out of things they find. Teach them about local wildlife, and cast paw prints or collect feathers.

 

Exercise Body and Mind

Even though you may have hiked during the summer, continue to walk and bike in the fall. It’s great for your body as well as your mind! According to Psychology Today, approximately 10 million people suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Getting outside and learning to see these months as something wondrous can help. It’s also important to continue to take your dogs for walks during the fall. The changing seasons sharpen their mental faculties, and some pups, like kids, love running through piles of leaves!

 

Take Fall Road Trips

Autumn is one of the best times of the year to see how certain areas and celebrate the season! Make those postcard-perfect getaways a reality, for your own hygge (Danish word for contentment) moments. Whether you deliberately or randomly choose a destination, take this time period to see how somewhere else compares to home.

Aberlin Springs focuses on community, from our farm-to-table network and wellness center to special family-oriented events and festivals. Although we certainly have a beautiful and unique setting, plan some fall road trips to explore other places. Visit coastal towns during the off-season, when crowds thin out. Or absorb the energy that crowds bring to New England, and see why so many love those towns in October. Take another break from driving and travel via train – that’s sure to be an unforgettable photogenic memory unto itself!

 

Have as much fun as possible and adopt the new routine to spend more time outdoors this fall!

Kelley McDanielFour Ways to Spend More Time Outdoors This Fall
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See the Pendragon Difference!

Wow! It’s been a busy year for Pendragon Homes!

Check out the latest gallery and get up to date with all the new building going on at Aberlin Springs. We are currently sold out in Phase 1 & 2 and lots are selling quickly in Phase 3!

Kelley McDanielSee the Pendragon Difference!
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Estate at Aberlin Springs

Featured Home

View our featured home! This is one of our Estate Homes with many custom upgrades! 

Kelley McDanielEstate at Aberlin Springs
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Bring a Little Nature Indoors with a Fairy Garden

Playing outdoors and getting dirty is great for kids and adults, contributing to health and creativity. But for those days when it’s just too hot, too cold, or too rainy to spend long periods outdoors, try another fun activity. A fairy garden can sprinkle fantasy into your home. 

It’s an easy and fun project for you and your little ones. Just be careful about how many fairies you invite into your home. They’re mischievous little creatures that are likely to take over every empty shelf if you let them.

 

Planning Your Fairy Garden

Look around your community or nearby hiking trails. If you’re lucky enough to live in a community surrounded by nature, like Aberlin Springs, you have plenty to choose from. Just be careful not to disturb private property or animals’ homes. This is a great opportunity to teach children about respecting nature. (Also note that many municipal parks and preserves prohibit the removal of ANYTHING from their sites.) Look for twigs, rocks, moss, empty snail shells, pieces of tree park, or wildflowers. Choose to stick entirely with natural objects or incorporate items from around the house, too.

Fairy gardens can take any shape or size. Most plants require full light or partial shade. If you plan on having the garden inside pick the sunniest spot. The size of a fairy garden is only limited to how much room you have.

 

Picking your Plants

If you can, try to choose native plants for your garden. As an alternative, succulents and cacti are easy to care for. These desert plants require less water. If you have small children and want to teach them about responsibility and how to care for gardens this is a great plant to start with.

Herbs are another great choice. Fresh herbs are also relatively low-maintenance and if you like to cook you always have a ready supply of basil and rosemary to pick. Flowers need more attention but even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs it’s still a good option to beautify your home and freshen the air.

 

Choosing a Planter

Any home and garden store is going to have countless planters to choose from. You can also create your own planter by upcycling objects from home. Try an old wagon that your kids have outgrown. Some people like to use teacups.You can even use an old rainboot or a drawer from a discarded piece of furniture. So get creative with some of the unused objects lying around in your home.

If you use a planter made from organic matter such as wood make sure the bottom can drain and aerate. Otherwise, it will start molding and will cause wood rot.

 

Pick Your Theme

This is probably the most difficult decision you’ll have to make throughout the whole process. You can check out any craft store and they’ll have just about everything you can imagine. Don’t care for fairies so much? That’s alright, you can make a miniaturized version of your dream reading nook. You’ll find model toadstools, and dragons, and gnomes oh my! Let your imagination go wild!

 

Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Fairy Garden

Putting everything together is relatively easy. Arrange the plants the way you want them. Settle them in the dirt and place the accessories. To keep your garden growing strong and tall here are a few tips and tricks.

 

Pick the Right Soil

Different plants require different PH balances and different consistencies for the soil. Succulents do not require a lot of water to survive unlike, for instance, a tomato plant. It is important that you place them in a soil that does not retain water. Dirt with organic matter like manure and mulch is the surest way to quickly kill these plants. If you are helping your child to create a miniature version of your own backyard or community garden, use the same soil you use there. (Get permission first, if needed.)

Flowers like black-eyed susans and milkweed are native to Ohio. Since they are already well adapted to the soil they will grow hardy and will require less maintenance. As an added bonus there is less likelihood you will have to buy new flowers next year. Since the native flowers are adapted to our climate, perennials will likely keep coming back each year!

 

Too Big for Their Britches

If you only give your plants a small amount of room to grow they will stay relatively small. However, if you give them the chance to stretch their limbs, they will not hesitate to do so. Sometimes they need a little support. Stakes can help. Instead of using wood or metal stakes from the garden store, get creative! Rarely used chopsticks are a fun choice. Has your child outgrown their baby cutlery but you can’t seem to part with it? Those make great support systems for your plants too.

Enjoy building your own fairy garden and bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. Get your hands dirty, spend time with your kids, and make something you can enjoy every day.

 

PHOTO: Cassie Kohrs

KristinaBring a Little Nature Indoors with a Fairy Garden
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