Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

Lesley's Life

Apple Picking Season in Western Massachusetts

Apples in Granville MA
Apples in Granville MA (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

The crisp autumn air brings on the season of hoodie sweatshirts, boots and jeans, scarves and…APPLES in Western Massachusetts.  Having grown up in Southwick and Westfield, MA my whole life, I now realize that we are spoiled in this area by the supply of fresh, wonderful apples that are grown locally.  I always love a Granville or Westfield Parish grown apple.

The type of apples that I most associate with Western MA are the Macintosh, Macoun and Cortland, but in listening to a radio program a week or so ago, I learned that antique, or heirloom apples are making a comeback and a favorite of apple connoisseurs is the Westfield Seek-No-Further, originally from Westfield, MA!

I had never heard of this apple before, so while at Westfield’s Colonial Harvest Day, I asked an apple farmer if he had…guess what?  He didn’t know it, either.  That left me to ask good ole’ Google.

According to The New England Apple Growers, “The Westfield Seek-No-Further, originating in Westfield, Massachusetts, in the 1700s, was a popular New England variety in the 1800s, first being distributed to Connecticut. It has recently enjoyed a comeback by amateur growers.”

They are kind enough to describe the texture and taste as a dessert apple with a nutty flavor that isn’t good for cooking.

Further searching found an apple blogger who did a review of the apple and the comments are especially interesting about where people are currently growing the Westfield Seek-No-Further.  His tasting notes were, ” Its taste is nicely balanced, honey paired with a sprightly acidity that is never harsh.”

Many heirloom apple names describe the flavor but other names boast their place of origin, as in Roxbury Russet, Westfield-Seek-No-Further, and Baldwin, all Bay State towns.

Apples in Granville MA
Apples in Granville MA (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

With the famous Johnny Appleseed hailing from Massachusetts (he was born in Leominster and moved to Springfield before going on his cross country adventure), it should be no surprise that Massachusetts is 12th in apple production for the country with wonderful apple farms all over.

I love to take the drive up to Granville and visit the apple farms there.  Where do you like to go?  Have you ever found a Westfield Seek-No-Further?

 

 

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Putting it Out There…Real Estate Law of Attraction

the law of attraction
the law of attraction (Photo credit: Brenda Cooper)

My mom taught my sister and I very early on about manifestation. There was no book called “The Secret”, no Oprah interviewing people about the “Law of Attraction”, but there was Shelley.

My mom, Shelley, truly believes that if you convinced the universe that you wanted or needed something enough, it would come to you. She taught us from an early age that we needed to speak our desires, think our desires, dream our desires and offer that up to the universe to let it happen.

Sure, you say…if all you had to do was offer up the need for tons of cash, then why aren’t you filthy stinking rich, Lesley?

Well…nothing wonderful comes without a cost and the cost to this is that you have to back your desires up with a lot of hard work. Also, you have to ask the universe for the right things. Very specific and tangible goals are always key.

 

Also, as with all things, sometimes you ask for the wrong thing and it derails you. Here is an example of that:

 
A few years ago I put out that I needed more business. I was soon flooded with qualified buyers. On the surface this seems like I got exactly what I wanted, but, I am primarily a listing agent and the time spent helping these buyers took me away from finding qualified sellers to help. While I loved helping each of them find their home, when that run was over I had to start all of my normal business growth from scratch because I hadn’t had time to nurture it. I then realized, I wasn’t specific enough.

Following that I put my focus on more business through listings sold. This worked a lot better. I still worked with buyers, but the main part of my business was working with listing clients (my specialty because of my unique marketing plan) and I was successful in being named Park Square Realty’s Top Agent for Listings Sold. I was thrilled with this success, but there was still a part of this business manifestation that I didn’t get right. I wasn’t specific about the type of houses I really wanted to sell.  I wanted to narrow my vision focus and find some very specific clients.

Now don’t get me wrong, I work all over Western MA with all sorts of buyers and sellers  and I am always thrilled when someone reaches out to me for help. I don’t want those referrals and return customers to go away, this visualization is about what ELSE I want to attract.

So, for my third round of putting it out there I am getting very specific. I won’t bore you with those details, but I am very hopeful that this business vision will be refined and fine tuned this business year into the exact business that I want to create for myself.

I am going to meditate, talk about, write down on lined paper, dream about and visualize myself working on these specific home’s sales.  But visualization and actualization won’t work magically without my hand.  I am going to target my marketing, put some new systems in place and reach out directly to these home owners to make sure they know what I have to offer.

While the universe works on giving me the assist, I will be working my fanny off.  I am determined to get this right.

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8th Annual Colonial Harvest Day in Westfield, MA

Tomorrow, September 29th, Westfield will celebrate the arrival of autumn with their Colonial Harvest Day.  Held on the grounds of the Athenaeum and down Court Street, this is a great family event.  There are wagon rides, performances, demonstrations, a beer garden, food, crafts, games and more!  This one day event runs from 10am to 6:30pm with a rain date of Sunday, September 30th.

Here are some photos I took at last year’s event:

I have been to many of these over the years and always enjoy myself and love having the opportunity to visit with friends.  For full details on the event you can visit the event page. 

I hope to see you tomorrow!

Honored to Be Named Top Woman in Western MA Real Estate

I am excited to announce that the edition of Western Mass Women Magazine featuring the 25 women to watch is out!  I was named Top Woman in Western Massachusetts Real Estate.  We had a great time at the photo shoot and the pictures came out great.  Here is the group shot of all the winners:

The award reception is coming up on October and I am excited to spend more time with the other winners.  You can read the biography for me and the other amazing women by visiting Western Mass Women Magazine.  I am so honored and excited!

 

Lesley Lambert, REALTOR, Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

Labor Day in Western MA means cooking out! Get your Free Backyard BBQ Entertainment Guide

spare ribs on the barbeque
spare ribs on the barbeque (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is hard to believe, but the traditional “end of summer”, Labor Day Weekend, is upon us. Western Massachusetts has been enjoying some gorgeous weather and this weekend promises more of the same. That means that many of us will be hosting backyard parties, cookouts and barbeques in Western MA.

Before you decide on your barbeque menu, be sure to check out this free backyard entertainment guide filled with yummy recipes and party ideas! This magazine is downloadable and is my end of summer gift to you! Enjoy:

Lesley Lambert, REALTOR at Park Square Realty, Westfield, MA
413-575-3611

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