Coffee Cake. Horses. Grapes. Love.

This past weekend, when Howard and I were out on
eastern Long Island's North Fork, we took a scenic and slow
(of necessity -- where did all those tourists come from?)
drive along the North Road.

We got stuck in farm stand and horse show traffic next to one of the vineyards:

 Hello, Martha Clara;

your grapes are harvested but you are lookin' good, girl!

This vineyard has an interesting history.  Are you familiar with Entenmann's baked goods?

Entenmann's used to be a local, regional company -- yes, we kept the good stuff to ourselves in New York.

But the family sold the baking business to Big Business in 1978,

and one of the sons bought a potato farm in Riverhead on the East End and turned it into a horse farm. 

Can you see the Entenmann's "E" in the horseshoe on the sign?  There are still horses at the Big E Farm.

In the 90s, as other farms also morphed into beautiful vineyards, Robert Entenmann

began Martha Clara Vineyards, named for the matriarch of the family.

Near Martha Clara, this house just captured my heart:

Really.  If I were a house, this is the house I would be.

That is, unless I were all covered in fancy fretwork and cupolas and painted pink and purple, because that's sweet too.

She even has a sandy driveway and a white barn.

How simple and pure, unpretentious and beautifully plain-jane
American, is this old house and its grounds?

I am in love.

Well, I'm still more in love with this guy driving my red minivan, but I love that house, too.

Sshhh, don't tell That Old House that I'm two-timing her.  She's so sensitive.

Tomorrow -- my loot from yesterday's antiquing trip.  -- Cass

Link parties.

Laura at Decor To Adore sponsors Fall In Love With Your Home ... Click here!

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer sponsors Outdoor Wednesday ...  Click here!

Kathleen at Faded Charm is the hostess for White Wednesday ... Click here!