LAST MINUTE FATHER'S DAY GIFTING

I'D VISIT THE OWEN AND FRED WEBSITE FOR ANY LAST MINUTE FATHER'S DAY GIFTS AND IF YOU LIVE ON THE EAST COAST YOU JUST MAY GET IT IN TIME!

SOME OF MY FAVORITES:

BEDALE OBSESSION

THE ORIGINAL BEDALE WAS DESIGNED BY CHAIRMAN DAME MARGARET BARBOUR AS AN EQUESTRIAN JACKET IN 1980. I LOVE THIS MODEL. IT HAS TWO FLAP CHEST POCKETS (INSTEAD OF THE LATER HAND WARMERS) AND TWO ROYAL WARRANTS, ONE FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH AND THE OTHER FROM THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. (PRINCE CHARLES DID NOT APPLY HIS UNTIL 1987). THERE ARE SOME SUBTLETIES I LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING ON A VINTAGE ONE FOR THE COLLECTION. (YES, IT SEEMS IT IS BECOMING A COLLECTION) PATINA AND WEAR ARE THE FIRST THINGS I LOOK AT AND FOR. I LIKE A BIT OF WEATHERING AND FUNK. A GREASY - LEATHERY FINISH IS A MUST. SOME EARLY ONES HAVE YKK ZIPPERS AND OTHERS HAVE THE BARBOUR PULL. I ALSO LOOK AT THE CORDUROY COLLAR, THE LIGHTER IN COLOR THE BETTER. I ALSO CHECK OUT BUTTON WEAR AND LOOK FOR BRASSY FINISHES.

(NUTTY I KNOW) 

I OWN TOO MANY TO MENTION AND MY FAVORITES ARE IN GREEN BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE BLUE ONES FOR GOOD MEASURE. IT SEEMS THAT BARBOUR HAS VARIED THEIR SIZING OVER TIME AND SOMETIMES A 36 FITS LIKE A 38 AND VICE VERSA. THE REALITY IS YOU HAVE TO TRY THEM ON. THE LARGER 38/40'S I USE IN THE COLDER MONTHS, LAYERED WITH BIG SWEATERS OR HARRIS TWEEDS. WHEN I DO REPROOF THE VINTAGE ONES I ONLY USE NEW ENGLAND REPROOFERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THEY CAN FIX, (GET OUT THE FUNK THAT WON'T BUDGE) REPAIR, AND TAILOR ANY BARBOUR-TALK TO AL.

1.

2.

3.

(MY FAVE)

BAXTER OF CALI

THERE ARE TONS OF SKIN, HAIR AND GROOMING PRODUCTS ROLLING THROUGH THE HRANEK HOUSEHOLD AT ANY GIVEN TIME, BUT A REAL STANDOUT RECENTLY IS PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING MADE BY BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA. THERE IS NOT A DOG IN THE BUNCH. SMELLS GREAT, FEELS GREAT AND LOOKS GREAT ON THE SHOWER SHELF. KILLER PRODUCT ALL AROUND.

TOP GUN MUG

MY BUDDY SENT ME THIS AMAZING OBJECT A WHILE BACK. IT IS A BRASS MUG (ABOUT 10"HIGH) THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FASHIONED FROM A SHELL CASING. THE COOL THING IS THE HANDLE, WHICH IS CAST FROM AN APPARENT FIGHTER PILOT JOY STICK. MAKES BEER DRINKIN' FUN.

KINDLING

CHECK OUT KINDLING.

RIGHT ON TIME FOR FATHER'S DAY

SEE MY FEATURE.

COOK MY DUCK RAGU.

PROHIBITION DISTILLERY:ROSCOE NY

PROHIBITION DISTILLERY, (NEAR MY UPSTATE FARM) IN ROSCOE NY IS UP AND RUNNING. THEY HAVE TAKEN OVER THE OLD FIRE HOUSE AND FIRED UP THIER STILL MAKING BOOTLEGGER 21. THE VODKA IS SIX TIMES DISTILLED AND CHARCOAL FILTERED. IT REALLY TASTES DELICIOUS WITH GREAT MOUTH FEEL. IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH A TRY OR EVEN A VISIT TO THE DISTILLERY AFTER YOUR NEXT COUNTRY DRIVE OR FISHING TRIP.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR GIN AND WHISKEY - COMING SOON.

LOCAL CORN

FORMER VFW HALL SOON TO BE BARREL ROOM