Earth Hour and Removing Candle Wax

So how was your Earth Hour on Saturday? It didn’t seem long enough to me. I totally enjoyed the stillness of Earth Hour. Turning off all my electric stuff made me appreciate the natural peace and quiet. I was especially happy to get away from my computer, as I’ve been absurdly addicted to it lately.

I'm assuming, like me, you all had candles ablaze during Earth Hour. Every now and then I like to use just candles at night and pretend I’m living like “Little House on the Prairie”. There’s something pretty important about the days when we lived by nature’s rhythm—up with the sun and winding down as it sets. Nowadays, thanks to electricity, we ignore those rhythms, which isn’t good for our health.

Anyway, I’ve gone off the point, because what I wanted to do is tell you a quick tip for removing candle wax from votive holders. It’s so easy and smart that I can’t believe I spent years trying to complete this task with knives and other pointy objects, nearly losing fingers in the process. All you do is pop the votive holder into the freezer for about 15 minutes. The wax shrinks and voila—it comes right out. I bet Laura Ingalls’ mom wishes she could have done that.

Turn Out the Lights--Join Earth Hour

My Dad was eco-savvy long before it became hip. He installed one of those water-saving shower heads when I was a teenager and a shower was vital to my social existence. Greasy hair was just not cool. But the biggest thing I remember is that he always walked around the house shouting, "Turn out the lights!"

He will be very pleased to know that at 8pm on 29 March 2008, cities across the world will turn off their lights for one hour sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

Earth Hour, which started a year ago in Sydney, Australia has become a global movement. Last year 2.2 million people, including corporations, turned out their lights in Sydney, creating a 10.2% energy reduction, which is the equivilent of taking 48 thousand cars off the road. Learn more about Earth Hour and how you can support this green movement. It will make my Dad smile.

Recycled Glassware from Green Glass Company

The Clean Air Council reports that the amount of glass bottles Americans throw away could have filled both World Trade Center Towers every two weeks. Farmhouse Wares has found one small US company that’s doing their part to keep the bottles out of the landfills and on your table.

The Green Glass Company brings you artfully designed glassware from recycled wine and beer bottles. Besides saving the landfills from more garbage, it also saves a lot more energy to make these recycled goblets and tumblers compared to producing glass from scratch.

The Green Glass Company doesn’t waste a drop of this recycled glass. They can take a Napa wine bottle and produce two separate drinking glasses. The bottle is cut into two pieces, creating a tumbler from the bottom portion of the bottle and a goblet from the top portion of the bottle. The Recycled Willow Goblet (above) is created by flaring the mouth to form the base, then twisting the neck closed to fashion the bowl of the goblet. Pretty fancy!

Revered throughout Europe and other parts of the world as collectable art glass, The Green Glass Company goblets have even been chosen for the table of King Carlos of Spain, a former Mayor of New York City, movie sets, and celebrity dinners. Just think…you can make a difference just by sipping your next beverage in recycled glassware.

Happy Spring!

A Healthier Way to Store Winter Woolens

When it’s time to store those winter sweaters choose something healthier and less stinky than mothballs for protection.

We’ve all regretted using Mothballs to store our winter woolens. Come next fall, every stitch of clothing you own smells, well...like a grandmother. Farmhouse Laundry Sachets will help put an end to that old-fashioned tradition.

Farmhouse Laundry Sachets in Lavender are a safer alternative to mothballs. Lavender essential oil has the natural ability to ward off moths while keeping your clothes fresh. Mothballs consist of chemicals such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals transition from a solid to a gas that is toxic to moths. They say they are safe for humans because the fumes stay locked in the storage cases. Not so when we unleash those harsh fumes each new season. These fumes are especially harmful to infants. Lavender acts as a natural deterrent to moths. The scent of lavender repels moths, so you don’t have to worry about them damaging your favorite hand-knit items. Farmhouse Laundry Sachets are a Farmhouse Wares best-seller, and a pack of three is just $6.95. Be sure to tuck a few in your drawers too.

French Country in the City

Before moving to the country my husband and I lived in Somerville, MA, which is on the outskirts of Boston. We had a neighbor, an older French woman who pretty much kept to herself. Though her yard was tiny, she had the most amazing garden, including climbing roses and two well-groomed cherry trees. Every spring the cherry trees would explode with gorgeous pink blooms. I loved her yard because it allowed me to escape the city and imagine I was in the French countryside. The best part was, that come harvest time, I would come home from my job in the city and find a basket full of cherries waiting for me at the bottom of my steps. She never talked to me. She just quietly and mysteriously left the treats for my husband and me to enjoy. We'd return the basket in the same quiet manner. She must have seen me, admiring and painting her gardens from my deck. These charming, little Damier Red cherry bowls remind me of her. It's not quite cherry season yet, but just using them brings me back to her garden and makes me miss my French country in the city.

Have an Eco Easter

First of all, Happy Friday! Second of all, I didn't plan on writing about Easter again today, but here goes:

These ideas come straight from The Big Green Purse. I hope you'll check out their site, because they share lots of good info on green living.

"Green" your own grass. Skip that yucky shredded plastic stuff. Make your own "grass" by shredding paper (or the Sunday comics). Next year, get started three weeks in advance and grow actual grass you can fit in your basket.

Dye eggs the natural way. Warning: this method takes more time than just dropping a commercial dye tablet in a cup full of vinegar and water. But if you like a challenge, give it a try. Use cranberry juice, pomegranate seeds, beets, raspberries, or red onion skins for pink and red. Saffron or tumeric will create yellow. Blueberries tint blue (naturally!). Yellow onion skins will create orange.

More Easter Entertaining and Decorating

Easter is my daughter's favorite holiday. Well, one of her top faves. She also loves Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. (She was born on St.Patty's Day.)

She loves the idea of a magical bunny leaving oodles of fun things crammed into a big basket. (I'm a little embarrassed at how much I indulge her.) Every year I hide her basket and leave bunny footprints as clues. I make the footprints by sprinkling powder on a template of a paw I cut out of cardboard. She’s probably not going to fall for it this year. Even if she suspects there is no Easter Bunny, I have a feeling she wouldn’t let on for fear she’d stop receiving the bounty. (She has her ways of indulging me too.)

After the basket and egg hunt, my family is pretty casual about the day. We spend our time playing with Grandpa’s animals. (The sheep shown in the picture above really needs a haircut.) Then we gather for dinner. Now there’s not a lot of us, and we all know each other, so you may ask why on earth do we need place cards. Well, there’s a very good explanation. You see, some of my chairs are pretty old and rickety, so I have to be careful where I place the adults. I try to give them the most comfortable seats. It’s all very strategic. I love the Farm Animal Place Card Holders (show above). They're very appropriate for our farmhouse gatherings. The Scramble Ice Napkins by Potluck Studios (also shown above) are also a nice, casual touch. The light blue color feels very spring-like for this occassion. They’re so easy to care for that it makes it easy to save some trees and forgo the paper.

Easy Easter Entertaining

I like to entertain. I love to decorate the house for a special event, to try to make things comfortable and festive for my guests. I keep it simple, adding just a touch here and there, particularly if I've got a big crowd on my hands. A good party has to flow, so decoration can't get in the way. I love it when I find functional ways to add some flair. Here's one: A three-tiered cake stand. It adds drama to the table or buffet and makes serving easy and relaxed. Our enamelware cake stands make attractive displays for cheeses, cupcakes and other yummy treats--just about anything you'd like, even cake. The stands can be used individually or as a two- or three-stand set. It's simple, comfortable and beautiful, with a vintage feel that works well with any style. You can purchase this set of three enamel cake stands at Farmhouse Wares. I think you'll enjoy it.

Here's a Seed of an Idea

This picture fills me with hope. I'm getting excited about my gardens again. For those of us in the northeast it's time to take out those garden journals and start planning. Every year I say I'm not going to purchase any more plants. Sometimes I think my gardens might be worth more than my house. But I'm weak when I get to the garden centers.

A good way save is to plant from seed. Last year I did most of my annuals and cut flowers from seed. It was a great project for my daughter too. She was pleased to see her hard work turn into vases of flowers. I recycle the plastic six-pack containers that annuals typically come in, along with the garden trays. I just line the six-packs up on the trays, fill them with soil and have my daughter stick in the seeds.

A great resource for seeds is Local Harvest. Many are from small family farms and you may be able to stay local too.

Happy planting!

Sugar Shack Attack

It's that time again! Everyone around here starts tapping for sap. I love it when I see the sap buckets in bloom. Well... now we seem to have these tubes that weave throughout the woods collecting sap instead of the old-fashioned buckets. Up the hill from my house there is a spider web of tubes that takes every drip of sap and distributes it to one main storage bin. It makes hiking a challenge. Sometimes I opt to climb over this intricate web of tubing. Sometimes I do the limbo and go under. I feel like I'm in one of those movies where the thief has to dance and weave his/her way through red laser alarm beams. Hello Ocean's 12 (or is it 11 or 13). Hello, George Clooney. I digress... (Though, I wouldn't mind having pancakes with George.) The best thing about syrup making is that it's a sure sign spring is on the way. Yes, the other great thing is that the sugar shacks will be serving up some maple goodness. I love cramming into a sugar shack on a snowy Sunday morning, smelling pancakes and bacon and wood stoves burning. It's the kind of moment in time where you might just see a community sharing its harvest, or better yet, George Clooney eating pancakes.

Bedside Water Bottle Brings Relief

I know I whine a lot about winter, but it's February. So, here I go with another complaint: the dry air is making me wake up all night long with a sore throat and dry lips. The cure: this adorable Recycled Glass Water Bottle and matching glass set makes a great bedside companion. It comes in handy to beat dry air, but it's also pretty great for those nights after one-to-many margaritas. Keeping hydrated really does the trick. My guests always love it too. Available at Farmhouse Wares

Super Duty Hand Care--It Works!

At some point every winter it seems my hands suddenly become painfully dry. Maybe it's the endless shoveling I've done the last few weeks or the annoyingly dry air--the same dry air that makes me look like I've got "hat head" when I haven't even worn a hat. These extreme winter conditions call for extreme care. Our Super Duty Hand Care lives up to its name. It's a funky little product--not a lotion or cream--more like a salve. It's made by a small New Hampshire company that says,

"We created this salve for an old, cranky Yankee friend who had band-aids covering his raw, chapped fingertips. After one week of use, the band-aids were no longer necessary! Uniquely shaped in a palm-fitting disk, (the cranky Yankee wasn’t going to use any sissy hand lotion) this all-natural beeswax, olive oil, lanolin concoction features lemon and lavender essential oils for a pleasant fragrance. Packaged in a handy tin for toting around."

One user raves, "I just want to let you know how much your Super Duty Hand Care helped me so much. I live in NJ and this whole winter my fingers were cracked and bleeding. They were like sandpaper. I have a 9 month old so I am constantly washing my hands. I had band-aids on every finger and was in so much pain that it hurt just to bend my fingers. I tried all different kinds of lotions and nothing worked. I tried everything. I was looking on-line for something else to try and I came across your Super Duty Hand Care and thought I would give it a try and that I have nothing to lose. Well, I have to say it started working by that evening! I also received it very fast. I use it every morning and night and all the cuts are healed! My dad used it too because his hands were the same as mine. I showed it to my friend and she bought one for herself and one for my brother after she just used it once because it worked so fast. I definitely will be buying more in the winters to come. Thank you so much!"

So if you're really looking to heal those hands, stop using the "sissy lotions" and get your Super Duty Hand Care at Farmhouse Wares for just $6.95.

Clean George and Fluffy the Cat

It's been a busy week, so I haven't had much chance to write. My daughter's on school vacation, which is frankly a bit of challenge, especially in February when it's freezing outside and there's not much to do. She's getting a glimpse into my world though. Yesterday was fun. I discovered our cat Fluffy was just a little too fluffy, which was causing a rather unsightly problem in his hind quarters. Let's just say the problem was piling up on itself. Not pretty and very stinky. Mr. Fluffy needed an emergency visit to the vet to get a little grooming. I love my vet. First of all, he and his office staff take such good care of all my animals. Second, he looks like Robert Redford. My daughter came along for the visit. As usual, her six-year-old self was touching everything in sight, including Fluffy, who, as I said, was not a pretty sight. This is where Clean George comes in. I love this stuff as much as I love my vet. Clean George is an all-natural hand purifier. It's soooo much better than the conventional stuff. Conventional brands are loaded with alcohol, which actually dries your skin, causing tiny cracks, which makes you more susceptible to germs. Clean George is great for fighting germs, especially during this flu season. It's packed with purifying & moisturizing ingredients supplied by responsible companies who practice sustainable agricultural and offer a fair and living wage to their workforce. Clean George does not promote germ resistance or "SUPER GERMS".
I used Clean George to keep my daughter clean during this exciting outing. I used the Lovin' Lavender, which kept me clean and calm too. I think I'll need lots more lavender until school starts up again. Get your Clean George today at Farmhouse Wares.

Lemon Aid

I am all about lemons today. That gorgeous, fresh scent is a saving grace in February. The sun is shining and the sky is blue, but the temps are so low. It's a wee bit cold for my taste. The Farmhouse Lemon Verbena Soap and Shea Butter lotion are good aromatherapy for days like today. I took a warm shower with the Lemon Verbena Liquid Soap and the scent of juicy lemons filled the bathroom. The lotion was next, and extra important because it last a long time, so I can sniff my skin whenever I need to warm my soul. (I know it probably looks strange to see me with my nose burried in my arm all day, but I really don't care.)

Now I just have to imagine myself sitting on the beach sipping an ice-cold lemonade. Praise the lemon.

Give The Green Light to Farmers' Markets

Today’s weather is, for lack of a better word, yucky. We have snow, sleet and rain. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mother Nature decides to throw a bit of thunder in there too. The kids are home from school, but it’s not the kind of “snow day” we all romanticize. It’s far too wet and gloomy to go sledding, build a snowman or have a snowball fight (the snowballs would be lethal today). Needless to say, I’ve been dreaming of greener days. I’m looking forward to seeing my garden beds again and the enitre growing season. There’s nothing better than getting your dinner from your backyard. I thought I’d share Green Light Magazine’s piece highlighting the top ten US Farmers’ Markets to get us all pumped up and ready to get good fresh produce from local farming friends in your backyard. Enjoy.

Potluck Studios

If you read my blog it's not hard to tell that at Farmhouse Wares we take our coffee drinking pretty seriously. It's not only important to have the best brew Organic, Fair Trade can offer (though ours is pretty tasty), but the mug is very important too. This is why the Trumpet Mug by Potluck Studios is such a big hit. Yes, the colors are gorgeous: fresh and modern (all hand-glazed), but the design sits perfectly in one's hand. The gentle ridges were made for hands to cup in a cozy, "I'm not letting this go" kind-of-way. There's nothing like Sunday mornings, newspapers everywhere, comfy sweats and my Trumpet Mug.

Fair Trade Success Story

The Fair Trade Beat recently reported that between 1998 and the end of June 2007, over $100,000,000 in additional income was paid to coffee farmers and their organizations through sales of Fair Trade Certified coffee. Go Fair Trade!

Farmhouse Wares is pleased to support Fair Trade iniatives by offering Greenfield Fair Trade and Organic Coffee. When you buy Fair Trade, you're helping sustain thousands of jobs and contributing to a collective betterment of living conditions for harvesters from South America to Africa and beyond. The coffee costs a little more than other available commercial brands, but be assured, your Fair Trade purchase makes a real difference by helping guarantee decent pay for those who pick the beans we love so much.

Waxing Poetic About Farmhouse Furniture Wax

Cleaning is like meditation for me. I find a lot of satisfaction in cleaning. It calms me. It keeps me focused. I'm not a clean freak, but it is like a sport to me. Before green cleaning products came into fashion I would use the harshest products I could find. I figured, if the fumes burned my eyes it must be burning the grime away too. About eighteen years ago my lung collasped several times. Doctors said it was a condition I was born with, but my husband (he was my boyfriend then) caught me on one of my cleaning frenzies during this time. I was bleaching up a storm and could hardly breathe because the fumes were so intense. He went nuts and told me I was never allowed to clean again. He said he would do all the cleaning from then on. Needless to say, he did not do the cleaning, so I went on the hunt for healthier cleaning alternatives.

The Farmhouse line is like heaven to me because it offers me all I need: effective results along with healthy ingredients. The fact that the scents are like aromatherapy for my soul is icing on the cake. Farmhouse Furniture Wax makes my old wood furniture happy. I mean, my furniture has seen better days. The finishes are worn, but I like their aged patina. The Farmhouse wax nourishes the wood and leaves a protective coating with just the right amount of shine. The thing is, it makes me happy too. The Lemon and Lavender scents make the whole house smell fresh and clean. Now that's got to be better for my lungs and the environment.

Our House is a Very, Very, Very Fine Farmhouse

My husband and I recently celebrated our 10th year in our humble farmhouse. It's hard to believe all the work we have accomplished because our to-do list always seems so loooong. The very first thing we did was tear off a 1970's style awning from the front porch. It drove us both crazy. Upon closing, we literally pulled up to the house with a screwdriver in hand ready to take the unsightly piece down. I think I could hear the house sigh in relief. It was the first of many small projects that resulted in big transformations.

As a gift to my husband, I framed a few of the old nails from a dilapidated barn he tore down piece by piece, all by himself, to make way for a new garage. When, or if it's ever done, we shall hang it in the new room above the garage.

We'll always have a to-do list. And as much as we whine about it, we also spend many hours rummaging through magazines and dreaming about the endless possibilities. Now our daughter joins us in the dreaming. She's thinking a hot tub would be nice.

Mood Altering Experience

I'm just going to come right out and say it: I'm seriously sad that the Patriots lost the big game last night. I mean, they won all 18 games they played this season, shouldn't the trophy be theirs? I'm a bit suprised at myself. It's not like I'm a die-hard football fan. But I am a perfectionist, and the idea of the perfect season felt so good to me.

Anyway, I need something to cheer me up. Luckily, there are new studies that indicate if you just look at fresh flowers every morning your mood will improve. People reported feeling more cheerful and energetic throughout the day. That seems a worthy investment. It has the added bonus of supporting local growers, which is also a worthy investment.

So I'm off to fill my Trumpet Vase ,which is by Potluck Studios, with something that I am hopeful will alter my mood. After all, flowers will make me think of spring, and spring will make me think of baseball.

What a Great Buzz

Did you know that bees filter out environmental toxins? They act as biological filters, providing clean honey that’s packed with health benefits.

Look for raw honey (unheated, unfiltered) as it contains loads of healthy enzymes, minerals and antioxidants. (Heating and filtering removes the pollens and destroy the honey's beneficial enzymes.)

For increased energy try a tablespoon a day of our Black Cat Honey. You’ll get all the natural benefits, as this raw honey is strained - not filtered and never processed. You’ll be buzzing with vitality.

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

I’m no Feng Shui expert, but I do like the sense of possibility offered by many of the concepts. For instance, in order to stimulate abundant wealth Feng Shui practitioners advise placing a bowl of oranges in the southeast corner of your home. Of course I shared this useful tip with all my friends. Some ended up arguing with their husbands over what constituted the southeast corner and others were more concerned over the variety of fruit: would Clementines have the same effect? To be honest, I’m not even sure if the rule is southeast corner of the home or more specifically the kitchen. It could be pretty bizarre to see a bowl of oranges in one’s bathroom if that happens to be the right corner. If you know, please let me know.

Anyway, I’m not sure if it’s working yet, but I do know we all seem to be eating healthier snacks because the bowl is so accessible. One less trip to the doctor will definitely make us wealthier.

P.S. The same hand-hewn wood bowl pictured above is available at Farmhouse Wares.

A Sweet Idea

If you're a fan of recycling old things into new treasures then here is a sweet idea for a Valentine's Day Gift. Head out to your local antique shop and rummage through the old post-card bins. There are so many beautiful vintage Valentine’s Day cards just waiting for a frame and a new home. Often the writing is still legible, which makes me feel a bit like a voyeur. But it’s also kind of poetic to know the sweetness that these Valentines once brought to someone continues to bring joy to the new owners.

You Don't Have To Stay At DeNiro's New Hotel To Have a Luxurious Bath

I'm so excited to finally offer the new McBride Beauty Travel kit. This deluxe travel kit can also be found in the bathrooms at Robert DeNiro's fancy new The Greenwich Hotel in NYC. Inside the zippered canvas bag, you'll find four grapefruit and sage products that will get you clean, refreshed and on your jet-setting way:

Grapefruit and Sage Shampoo has a creamy coconut lather that is gentle enough for daily cleansing while Wheat Amino Acids and Vitamin B5 restore a healthy shine.

Grapefruit and Sage Daily Conditioner contains Wheat Protein, Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin B5 to soften the hair without weighing it down.

Grapefruit and Sage Body Wash is a mild cleanser, which provides refreshing comfort, while Wheat Protein and Aloe Vera instantly restore moisture.

Grapefruit and Sage Moisture Lotion is a triple moisturizing blend of Shea Butter, Kokum Seed Oil and Soy Oil, which soften the skin without the greasy finish.

Each generous 3 oz airplane-friendly tube is neatly contained in a muslin pouch that fits perfectly within the sturdy canvas bag.

The healthy, 100% natural ingredients in McBride Beauty give each product vitality without harsh or harmful irritants. No animal testing, No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Harsh Chemicals, No Synthetic Color, No Synthetic Fragrance

Get yours today with free shipping at Farmhouse Wares.

Bring On The Light

Candles are little Zen-like treats for me. I light them every night all year long. The moment those little flames start to dance, I feel it's time to rest--time to put all the stress aside. For some, it's cocktail hour that brings this sense of joy. For me, it's candle hour. I actually find myself waiting for the sun to dip down and go to bed so I can begin my quiet ritual.

Beeswax Candles are the best. Did you know that beeswax burns with a steady, healthy sized flame that radiates a spectrum of light that matches the sun? While burning they release negative ions, just as rainstorms do. These ions improve air quality by eliminating pollutants and allergens from the air that we breathe. A renewable resource, beeswax makes a healthy choice for our planet too. The Sanctuary Glass candles above make the nightly treat almost a religious experience. Derived from essential oils, their scents will change your mood instantly. Visit http://www.farmhousewares.com/ so you can brighten up your winter nights with a ray of sunshine.

You Gotta Know When To Fold 'Em

My sister called me the other day to ask how to fold a fitted sheet. She must have been very bored. Ever since her children left the nest, she's become quite the domestic goddess--much to my entire family's surprise.

I, on the other hand, have been endlessly picked on for my Martha Stewart mentality. I showed overly zealous house cleaning tendencies early on, drawing a piece of masking tape down the middle of the room I shared with my sister in an effort to keep her mess at bay.

So of course my sister would turn to me for domestic advice. The funny thing is, I actually did learn to fold a fitted sheet from Martha, but that was years ago. Now, I couldn't remember any special tricks. The truth is, I don't really mind if my sheets are a little messy ("little" is the keyword here). I consider this a "Good Thing" because I already have too much to fret about. Needless to say, if you must have a perfectly folded fitted sheet visit Better Homes and Garden.

Cool Mom Picks

The trend-setting site, Cool Mom Picks discovered Farmhouse Wares' great new skin care line, McBride Beauty. The Rosewater and Neem Anti-aging Day Cream is the first rich cream I have found that isn't also greasy. Most all-natural creams just sit on the surface of the skin for protection. This highly absorbent cream is packed with nourishing care that gives my skin a boost of vitality. I especially need this during the winter, when the dry air usually makes my skin look dull and drab. I'm just happy that the good word is getting out about McBride Beauty, a small but effective line. Buy it at http://www.farmhousewares.com/

Scary--yet wonderful

I had to get out and take advantage of the warm temps today. It was important to get sunshine and away from work and too many cups of coffee for a little bit. I needed a peaceful moment with nature to renew myself. So I went hiking up in the woods. I was blown away by the quiet beauty. The sound of my feet crunching in the melting snow was soothing. As I got deeper into the woods, the wind started to pick up and the clouds thickened.

It didn't take long before my noisy little brain started to invade any hope for peace. I thought about work. I thought about being attacked by a black bear. I thought the high winds would knock a tree on top of me. I imagined having to bite off my arm to escape from being pinned by the giant tree. Worse than some bear or other animal, I thought about being attacked by some stranger lurking in the woods. My heart began to race and I turned to head back to civilization.

I managed my way back to work. I felt safe there and had another cup of coffee.