New Wares at Farmhouse Wares

You don’t have to live in the rural countryside to enjoy the warm, casual appeal of farmhouse decor. Come see what’s new at Farmhouse Wares. New items with clean, simple comfortable style are always cropping up.

Wood Coat and Hat Rack

Glass Milk Bottle

Wrought Iron Dish Warmer

Savon de Marseille Olive Oil Soap Cube

Antiqued Mercury Glass Hurricanes

We are thrilled that our Antique Mercury Glass Hurricanes are getting lots of attention these days. See them featured at Apartment Therapy and at AOL home. Keep spreading the love for these little beauties. Set of three for $58 at Farmhouse Wares.

Frank The Fruit Man

During my childhood summers my mom had a weekly visit from Frank the fruit man. Frank would ride up to the end of our driveway in his little square truck and honk his horn. His truck was packed with shelves brimming with fresh produce. There was a large, old-fashioned scale that hung in the corner by the side door.

I would get pretty excited for Frank’s visits, because it added some flavor to an otherwise ho-hum summer day. It was sort of the same enthusiasm I’d get for the ice cream truck. But that excitement quickly wore off as I stood in the sweltering heat on the steps of his hot metal truck while he and my mother talked endlessly. I would tug at my mother’s shorts in an effort to get her going, but she wouldn’t budge. I’m sure I moaned and sighed and acted like I was dying from the heat, but when my mom is gabbing there is no way of penetrating her conversation.

Finally she’d wrap things up and hand me several brown bags of plums, peaches, and corn. She’d be all smiles as we left Frank’s truck. I would vow to stay in the house the next time he came.

Recently, I took my mom to our local farm stand for some sweet corn. As we were driving home she asked if I remembered Frank’s corn-saving tip. Of course I had no idea. Did she think I actually listened to their chatter?

Well, Frank’s corn saving tip is this: If you can’t eat all the corn the same day you buy it from the farm stand, you can keep it fresh by removing all the husks, put them in a plastic bag and refrigerate. I was glad to learn this tip because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought corn and let it sit in the husks overnight only to find some not-so-fresh corn the next day.

Click here to find out how to have organic produced delivered right to your door.

Inhale Pink. Exhale Blue.

Nuff said.

The Scent of Southern Charm

Okay, I'm really wishing there was some technology available to allow you to smell this Blackberry Honey Liquid Hand Soap over the internet. It's so good that I find myself coming up with excuses to wash my hands. It's made by the Savannah Bee Company, which is a great little company that does a lot of educating about bees and harvesting honey. They support small bee farmers too. The Savannah Bee Company produces this luxurious soap using beehive products, natural ingredients and southern charm.

When blackberry and honey come together, it creates the most delicious scent. This product was inspired by the intense character created by those little bees.

Bee Fact: It takes 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey.

Blackberry Honey Liquid Hand Soap is available now at Farmhouse Wares.

The Not-So-Perfect Storm

Our little town of Whately, MA was hit pretty hard by a quick moving storm this past Saturday. The wind was so fierce it made the rain vertical. My friend Kim couldn't even shut her windows because it created a vaccum-like effect. MassLive.com reported that the National Weather Service surveyed the damage and determined the storm was caused by strong straight-line winds, also called a microburst.

I'm blown away at how fast our town crew and the electric/cable companies have put us back together again. A big thank you goes out to all of you.

Click on the box below to see a bit of news footage.

Violent Storm pounds Western Massachusetts

Kenyons Clam Cake and Fritter Mix--A Rhode Island Tradition

I'm a Rhode Islander--born and raised--and if there is one thing I know it's clam cakes. With this famous Kenyon's Clam Cake Mix, you can make clam cakes that rival some of the best I've had in my home state. Make your clam cakes small and they will take less time to cook and absorb less oil. Use our Kenyons Clam Cake and Fritter Mix for a variety of fritters including apple, onion, mushroom, zucchini, and more.

They're super simple to make, after all that's what summer cooking is all about. Follow this basic recipe and you won't fail:

1 box Kenyons Clam Cake and Fritter Mix
1 cup minced clams
1 1/2 cup water (or substitute with 1/2 cup of clam juice if available)

Stir batter to a smooth consistency and then deep fry in oil (about one heaping tbls is a good size for each cake).

Finally, prepare a dipping sauce. Many people like tartar sauce. If you want to get fancy try this Dill, Lemon and Caper Sauce. But my favorite way to enjoy clam cakes is to simply drizzle them with vinegar. Oh my gosh, I want some right now.

You can find more fritter recipes here. Enjoy

Thoughts on Camping with McBride Beauty

Why should I care that I’ve just slept in a layer of beach sand on top of a damp sleeping bag? I’ve got my McBride Beauty Travel Kit with its Grapefruit and Sage products that make me feel so clean.

Why should I care that the inside of our tent looks as disorganized as that one kitchen drawer that overflows with junk you never use but can't throw away? I’ve got my McBride Beauty Travel Kit with its little zippered canvas tote, which keeps everything right where I need it.

Why should I care that I’m living under a tiny piece of fabric with my family for a few days? I’ve got My McBride Beauty Travel Kit, which makes me feel like I’m at a spa.

Summer Sale

20% OFF at FARMHOUSE WARES

FROM NOW THROUGH JULY 27th, RECEIVE
20% OFF ANY PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE. JUST ENTER THE CODE “summer08” UPON CHECKOUT. (offer valid while supplies last.)

click here to begin shopping

Shelf Life

My daughter got these little cuties while on our trip to Maine. While unpacking I had the great idea to add them to my shelf, as I thought they’d make a friendly display. I love the way they look here on my $2.00 tag sale find. My daughter is a bit peeved that I usurped them; however, she also seems quite pleased that we have the same taste in things.

Summertime and the Living is Easy

Off for a bit of r & r. Happy Independence Day! Be back soon.

Night Swimming

It was dusk. The air was heavy--almost steamy. Off in the distance someone was having a wood fire, and the friendly smell waltzed my way. I floated, staring up at the fading blue sky. My ears filled with the sound of my own breath moving in and out, and if it was not for the fact that I was still alive and well, I could swear it was the first breath I took all day. The water held me so I could let go. I drifted—detached and free—like a water-lily.