A Garden, A Salad and a Family of Bunnies

Having a garden comes in handy when there's hardly any food left in the house. It’s a great feeling to head out to the backyard and gather dinner. My husband's Grandmother used to head out to her garden with a salt shaker in hand and eat tomatoes straight from the vine.

When it comes to my garden, I’m no Mr. McGregor. In fact, I always notice my lettuce gets nibbled a bit, but it makes me happy to think I might be helping the likes of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Last year I don’t think we had a single pepper because something would get to them before I did.

I have no fencing and I use no special deterrents. However, I do have three cats. Jenny, the old dowager, lives in the house, but the other two, Fluffy and Katrina, we rescued from the wild. They live in the barn and still hunt—though Fluffy is probably more like Elmer Fudd then he’d ever admit. Last week, the two cats discovered a family of bunnies, including the cutest little babies, living somewhere in the hedges behind the garden. After several attempts by my daughter to stop the murder and mayhem, I’m sad to report the cats won every battle. My husband suspects the Mother bunny took off after the first attack. I was not impressed with that possibility.

I harvested my first radishes last night. All my veggies look very healthy—no nibbles at all. Though this tale is sad, the next time I’ve been too lazy to food shop I’ll have my cats, and their wild instinct, to thank for what I harvest. And perhaps I’ll stop referring to Fluffy as “Elmer” and start calling him “Fluffy McGregor”.

Sweet Olive Oil Tortas

My Mom introduced me to these little treats a few years ago. Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas have been handmade in Seville, Spain since 1910. The recipe hasn't changed since. They are also the only Spanish torta that is still hand-flattened and made in small batches with 100% extra virgin olive oil. Local women are trained for three months in the special flattening technique. Each torta gets sprinkled with sugar to make them extra delicious.

I love the simple wax paper packaging and old-fashioned typography. For a healthy snack I drizzle them with our Black Cat Raw Honey. Good stuff.

Tag! You're It!

Julie and Lindsey from Coveiter are up for a game of tag. I guess I'm it:

What did you do 10 years ago?
I was working at Dr.Hauschka Skin Care on a complete relaunch of the entire line, which included renaming products, redesigning all marketing collateral and lots of perfectionist-related crying.

Five items on your to-do list:
- pay bills
- go to post office
- look for new products
- get ready for our trip to Maine
- make tomorrow’s to-do list (I live by lists)

Snacks I enjoy:
Yogurt covered pretzels (if there are any left after my daughter gets to them)

What would you do if you were a billionaire?
I’d make sure everyone in my family, including my in-laws, could retire and hang out with me (not all the time though). I’d hire a chauffeur because I hate driving, but I love going places. I’d have beautiful houses by the sea for me and in the mountains for my hubby. The key will be to hire out all the maintenance on these houses because I never want to lift a paintbrush again-- unless it’s hitting a canvas. Finally, I’d give lots of money to eco-friendly and farm-based initiatives—anything that will make me feel secure that my daughter will have a safe and healthy future.

Places I would live:
- I love my current home, but I’d take a place in Italy if you twisted my arm


Jobs I have had:
- Cashier at Marshalls (hello Christmas crowds and anxiety attacks)
- Bookkeeper (what can I say, I’m a Virgo)
- Model (this lasted about five minutes, then I made beeline for College)
- Marketing Coordinator (this was at a design firm in Boston. My coworkers rocked)
- Creative Director (learned a ton and had lots of fun)

{ 5 People I am tagging }
- Chelsea (Frolic)
- Ariana ( Becoming Home)
- Erin ( Elements of Style)
- Jora ( Domestic Reflections)
-Hannah (Sherbet Blossom)

(Rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.)

Summertime Means Fresh, Local Produce Time

At Farmhouse Wares, we love summertime because the fresh local produce is in abundance most everywhere. Getting out to your local farm stand is a great way to support the farmers and stimulate your community’s economy. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the growers and learn more about how your produce was raised. You’ll be helping the planet too because it takes a lot of fuel to ship much of the produce found in grocery stores.

Heading to the 5J Creamee and Pasiecnik Farmstand, located in Whately, MA is one of our favorite summertime jaunts. We celebrated the solstice with a big cone of their yummy ice cream and their freshly harvested strawberries. They use organic growing methods, so they’re not laced with pesticides. They taste so much better than any conventional strawberry that I get spoiled, making it hard to consume strawberries when they’re not in season. Thanks to my friend Robin, I learned you can freeze them, so we can enjoy them all year in smoothies and other sweet treats. Be sure to head out to the 5J Creamee or to your local farm stand soon because the season for these mouth-watering berries is fleeting.

Summer Whites

Nothing says summer quite like white. An all white beach cottage sounds pretty good as the solstice rolls in.

My husband and I used to stay in a little cottage in Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. I spent one summer painting my bedroom chalk white. It took a kazillion coats because I was covering rough pine boards. But when it was done I was one happy camper. I used to lie in my bed and savor the breeze coming through the windows, admiring my work.

These Flirt Compotes by Potluck Studios would have looked great in that cottage. Their ruffles add a soft, feminine touch, and they’re oh so perfectly white.

Spotlight On Potash Hill Farm Goat Milk Soap and Lotion

My friend Melanie lives on a little farm in Whately, MA. Potash Hill Farm is where Melanie stirs up her pure Goat Milk Soap and Lotion ,which are both simple and kind to your skin and to the earth. I’m not sure what her secret is, but she’s managed to make her products smell fresh and clean—like a breeze with a hint of lavender and some other earthy tones. She’s a hard working person. She works endlessly to love and care for her goats as well as her family. When her son was five-years-old he developed eczema. Melanie focused all her efforts on solving his relentless sensitivity to commercial brands. She researched everything about cosmetic ingredients and began playing with her own formulas. In 1998 Potash Hill Goat Milk Soap and Lotion was born. Her son’s eczema was relieved and flare-ups are basically non-existent. Thank you Melanie for making such thoughfully crafted and effective products.

Red Checks for the 4th of July

Getting ready for your 4th of July celebrations? We love this Red Check Cotton Tablecloth with coordinating Napkins. They'll add a feeling of vintage Americana to any summer picnic. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

have a summery weekend everyone

Bowl and Spoon Part II

Tonight was taco night, and I couldn't have been happier because I got to put the new bowl and spoon sets to good use. Each taco fixin' had its own bowl, and how convenient to have the spoon in it's rest--ready to fill those tacos to the brim with cheese, onions and sour cream. They looked gorgeous too, stepping up the whole taco experience to a new level of fancy.

My husband thinks I'm a bit strange for lovin' my new bowls so much, but what I can I say...they just make me happy. Time to go clear the table and admire them some more.

The Dish Ran Away with The Spoon

At Farmhouse Wares, we instantly fell for this new bowl and spoon combo from Flavour Design Studio. Designer Élan says, “I strive to design products that make people say ‘why didn't I think of that!’ My pieces aim to be clever yet elegant with a strong emphasis on ergonomics and functionality. I believe that the items you choose to surround yourself with should be interesting. They should enable you to strike up a conversation or at least make you smile.”

The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon concept surely made my daughter smile this morning. She was fascinated and then promptly begged for ice cream for breakfast. (But it’s so hot Mommy.) Nice try kid.

Flavour Design Studio uses a lead free glaze, which is comforting to know these days.
I think it’s a brilliant gift for anyone who works in an office and can never find a clean spoon in the company kitchen. Just advise them to keep it at their desk.

They stack nicely. They're dishwasher and microwave safe, save for the spoon of course. Set comes with one bowl and one stainless steel spoon. Just $21 at Farmhouse Wares.

Farmhouse Wares' Father's Day Gift Guide

Top left: The Folding Desk Caddy is great for a workbench, desktop or potting shed. $48

Top right: The Rooster Door Stop is a stylish way to stop the doors from slamming shut in the wind. $29

Bottom left: Perfect for horse lovers, our Green Glass Horse Tumblers are made from recycled wine bottles. Their eco-friendly pieces of art. $40 set of four

Bottom middle: Help Dad make his office eco-friendly with this Recycled Paper Basket. $44

Bottom right: Our McEvoy Ranch Organic Olive Oil is a classy gift for a Dad who loves to cook. $20

Check out Farmhouse Wares' gift section for many other great ideas.

Fairy Flowers

The other day I cut a bunch of my Lily-of-the-Valley. It’s about to go past, which seems crazy because I feel like they just came into bloom. When I was a kid I had a Kiddle doll that smelled just like Lily-of-the-Valley. Kiddles were all the rage when I was a young. They were tiny little dolls that came in their own special carrying case and always wore beautiful fairy-like dresses. My sister had one she kept for years, but in a massive cleaning/purge her husband inadvertently chucked it. Gasp! The mere thought still breaks my heart. I’ll have to head over to ebay and see if I can find one for her birthday.

Because of the Kiddle, Lily-of-the-Valley has always been a favorite of mine. I told my daughter that they were special fairy flowers. The fairies like to live and sleep among their dark crowded leaves because it makes them feel safe. I also said they use the flowers as umbrellas when it rains. She listened to me wide-eyed, as she does every time I tell my tall tales. She asked why I was cutting the flowers since the fairies needed them. I always find myself back peddling in these situations, but I quickly replied that I like to keep a vase or two around to attract the fairies into the house so they can sprinkle good luck dust everywhere.

Later that day, one little bottle that I had placed in the bathroom was mysteriously missing. I found it in my daughter’s room by her bed. I left it there; picked up a pile of dirty clothes and smiled.

Lemon Fresh Farmhouse Laundry

If there is one thing I love, it's the scent of fresh laundry. This trio of Farmhouse Laundry products, in Lemon Verbena, makes laundry day feel like a relaxing time in the Mediterranean. Okay, I exaggerate, but seriously, the Farmhouse Laundry products, by Sweet Grass Farm work hard to brighten and clean while you get to fill the house, and your clothes, with the fresh, sunny scent of Lemon Verbena. Why not multi-task and enjoy a little aromatherapy while doing the chores. After all, I'm a big believer that it's the little things in life that bring us the greatest pleasure.

Farmhouse Laundry Soap is low sudsing, biodegradable and excellent for front loader washers. It contains no harsh chemicals. Great for those with sensitive skin. Also available in Lavender or Fresh White Lilac.

Farmhouse Fabric Softener is good for all fabric types and is made of natural, biodegradable ingredients. Softens and brightens. Also available in Lavender or Fresh White Lilac.

Farmhouse Laundry Sachets are an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets and work great in drawers or suitcases. Also available in Lavender.

The Pioneer Woman

I'm obsessed with The Pioneer Woman blog. The Author, Ree, is one talented pioneer. She appears to do it all, but with a Lucille Ball sense of humor. She cooks. She takes amazing photos. She gives great Photoshop tips. She’s raising a family. She's funny. She's authentic.

In “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels”, Ree gives you the low down on how she fell for her “Marlboro Man”.

You can read hysterical bits about her kids; join one her fun photo naming contest or download some of her striking photos for free.

There’s so much to like about her blog, but what’s most likable is Ree’s honest, down-to-earth quality. Every post reads like a conversation with a good, trusted friend.

Anyway, enough gushing. Go check it out.

Small Town USA Memorial Day Parade

Our town's Memorial Day parade was a grand event. I love this town.

McEvoy Ranch Organic Olive Oil is Liquid Gold

Olive Oil offers a range of health benefits. Used in folk remedies for centuries for dry skin, wrinkles and hang-overs, this little fruit is becoming well-known for its heart healthy qualities too. It’s packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that cause cell damage. Translation: it’s good for you. Free radicals can speed up the aging process and increase your risk of disease.

EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.

Our McEvoy Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil goes one step further to protect your health—it’s certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers.

McEvoy Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil produces a boldly Californian olive oil with a distinctly Italian heritage. Nested in the rolling Marin County hills west of Petaluma, McEvoy Ranch enjoys a long, cool growing season, ensuring the slow ripening of their fruit. Their certified organic growing methods, early harvest, and skillful blending of Tuscan varietals, together create the rich complexity of this extra virgin olive oil.

Here’s one easy, heart healthy recipe that I could eat every day at every meal:
Get yourself some good crusty hearth bread. Chop up a garlic glove and add to a few tablespoons of McEvoy Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Warm it up on a stove top for just a minute (this is just to warm it—you don’t want the garlic to burn). Put it in a small severing bowl; break off a piece of bread and dip in, soaking up the goodness.

Going Coastal

Our Coastal Bayberry Candle, by Sweet Grass Farm, is one of our best-selling scents for a good reason--it smells heavenly. It takes me right to the sandy shores where the bayberry bush thrives. Spicy with clove and woodsy notes, this candle creates a warm feeling. The best way to describe it is like being inside a rustic beach cabin with exposed wood beams, sandy floors that need to be swept and fresh saltwater air streaming in through the windows. When I can't get to the beach, I bring the beach to me with the Coastal Bayberry Candle. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

Deet Free All Natural Insect Control

Insect Veil Spray is an all natural method of insect control. Utilizing age-old herbal wisdom, this effective repellent combines lemongrass, wintergreen and catnip oils with good old Soy Oil. Recent research suggests that Soy Oil contains insect repelling compounds that are very effective. No Deet, chemicals or synthetics are used, so this is great for kids and those with sensitive skin.

Creating a Buzz

Thought I'd share this piece of art my daughter created. I love everything about it!

Fresh Farmhouse Decor for Spring

I don’t know what it is about lilacs, but just seeing a vase full or breathing in their fresh, clean scent makes me slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. There’s something so enchanting and old-fashioned about lilacs. Maybe it’s because I have fond memories of my Grandmother’s backyard being choc-full of lilacs every spring. She had a grand row of bushes that acted as a fence between her and her neighbors. We would spend hours making lilac necklaces by stringing together the tiny flowers using a thread and needle.

I now have several of my own lilac bushes. Just about every room gets filled with a vase. I even decorate the patio with a vase or two. In this picture, I’ve packed a bunch into our rustic yellowware Marmiton Pitcher to help show off their old-fashioned charm.

If you can’t find any lilacs you can still enjoy that fresh, clean scent. Try Farmhouse Fragrance Sticks or Farmhouse Linen and Room Spray in Lilac. You can freshen your laundry with lilac Farmhouse Laundry Powder and Fabric Softener.

If you're having a guest, leave a vase by the bedside and a bar of Farmhouse Milled Soap in lilac as a special treat.

The great thing about these products is that even though the season for lilacs is fleeting, these products can remind you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures every day.

Recycled Wood Gardener's Organizer

This recycled wood folding desk caddy is a great gift for gardeners with a passion for planning. I use mine to keep seed packs neat and organized and to keep track of plant tags (which I constantly refer back to). It holds my garden journal, as well as all the pictures I tear from magazines for inspiration. The best part is, it folds up nicely to keep everything neat when the season ends. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

Do the Twist

Twist is a contemporary spin on craft -- a new event showcasing original handmade goods and art. If you're an Etsy fan, a maker, crafter or artist looking for a fresh kind of fair, be a part of Twist!

And if you're a shopper, save the dates!

Dates September 5th - 6th, 2008
Friday: Market Party 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday: Market 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Location Northampton Center for the Arts Ballroom, Northampton, MA

Northampton, MA (a.k.a NOHO) is a funky little town infused with the energy of the thousands of students, artists and musicians who live here. It's famous for being the "best small arts town" and one of the "top places to live and work" in America. It's less than 2 hours from Boston and 3 hours from NYC! View on map

Notable (current and former) residents of the area include authors Augusten Burroughs, Tracy Kidder and Kurt Vonnegut, musicians Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, and actress Uma Thurman. It's also the birthplace of the Graham Cracker and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The town's vibrant downtown is chock full of great shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee houses. There are a slew of performance venues here, such as the Iron Horse, the Calvin Theatre and Pearl Street Nightclub, that feature indie bands as well as bigtime headliners. Other highlights include the New Century Theatre and the Northampton Independent Film Festival.

Come for Twist, stick around for the town!

Enter Our Quilt Raffle Today

You Can Win This Quilt!

Enter our Raffle and Win This 100% Handmade Cotton Queen Quilt
ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN TODAY! EVERY ENTRY SUPPORTS A GOOD CAUSE.

Our little rural town of Whately, Massachusetts is offering you a chance to win this beautiful 100% cotton queen quilt. The Blue and White Sampler was created by Mimi Patten, a local mom, along with several women of this community. They all donated their time and talent to this special project, which supports the Whately PTO. All proceeds will go to the Whately Elementary School to build a fence for the playground to keep our children safe and sound.

The quilt is made with 100% cotton fabric and batting. The border fabric is 19th Century Civil War Reproduction. Martha May, a professional machine quilter, did the finishing touches, including a one-of-a-kind floral quilting pattern, designed especially for this project.

Size: Queen 89" x 89"

Enter the quilt raffle today at Farmhouse Wares for your chance to win.The Drawing will be held JUNE 2008 (exact date pending). The winner will be notified and the Quilt will be shipped free of charge.

You can catch more flies with molasses than vinegar

We love outdoor dining, but flies can really take the magic out of any picnic. This Glass Fly Catcher , from Farmhouse Wares, takes care of these pests the old-fashioned way--without harmful toxins. This charming and natural fly catcher will have guests buzzing as your garden becomes a fly free zone. It has a hole in the bottom. Fill it with something tantalizing. Flies get in but they can’t get out. A good all-natural fly catching recipe, based on the old adage, “you can catch more flies with molasses than vinegar”, is a simple mixture of equal parts molasses and water.

"You can never beat prejudice by a frontal attack, because there is mere emotion at the root of it. Always flank it. You can catch more flies with molasses than you can with vinegar."

-- James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey (1875 - 1927)

Lead Lips

The eco-friendly watch-dog Alternative Consumer reports that there are more articles surfacing about lead in our lipstick and lip gloss. Here's an easy recommendation for avoiding lead lipstick-- stay clear from synthetic-based color altogether. Don't bother risking your health. Besides, your lips already have such a pretty rose hue. Just enhance the shine and protect them with a natural SPF. Try our all-natural SPF 15 Lip Balm from Jenness Farm, a small caring company based in New Hampshire. Not only is it free and clear of lead so can lick your lips without fear, it tastes yummy.

Great Gift Ideas for Great Moms

There's still time to get your mom something a little different for Mother's Day. Our Shell Salt and Pepper Shakers from stylish Potluck Studios are great for moms who love the beach house look. They're made from cruelty free shells and are just $15 a pair.

Eco-friendly moms will love our Wood Compote. Also from Potluck Studios, this compote is handcrafted from plantation-sourced, renewable mango wood. Just $48.

Garden lovers will appreciate the colorful, fun style of our French Dot Garden Pots. Give her one of each color. Just $14.95 each.

If there's a mom with a sweet tooth then the Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce Gift Trio is the way to go. This hot fudge sauce is insanely good. Made from farm fresh ingredients, it tastes so yummy, most people end up eating it right out of the jar. Just $19.95

Our Damier Red Salad Bowl is perfect for those with a love of vintage-inspired kitchenware. It has a French farmhouse feel and is only $49.95.

There you go! Five great ideas--all under $50.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Green Glass' Recycled Cactus Tumblers

Celebreate Cinco de Mayo with these Recycled Cactus Tumblers. They're made from the bottom of the popular Mexican Sol beer bottle by the Green Glass Co., so there is no better way to enjoy your Cinco de Mayo libations. Perfect for summer picnics or evenings on the patio! Get your Recycled Glass Tumblers today at Farmhouse Wares. Set of 4 just $32.50.

Mother's Day Sale at Farmhouse Wares

Hooray to all the hard-working moms out there! Farmhouse Wares would like to help you celebrate Mother's Day by offering the gift of 15% off any purchase today thru April 23, 2008. Just enter code "mom08" upon checkout.

Farmhouse Wares has plenty of great Mother's Day Gift ideas. Our Potluck Studios Trumpet Vase is just $34.00 and comes in three modern shades. You could get Mom a one-of-a-kind pillow, hand-made with vintage linens, handkerchiefs and buttons--also just $34.00.

We hope you'll stop by.

P.S. Thanks Mom and Peg for your endless TLC and support.

Farmhouse Love

A few years ago Fluffy, the furball on the left, came knocking at our door. He was a charming stray, and my family instantly fell for him. Two weeks later he brought his girlfriend home. I guess you could say we're flexible parents, as we let her move in too. We named her Katrina (the dreamy one to the right). I have never seen two cats so in love and kind to each other. They're an inspiration--a daily reminder that being kind can result in cozy behavior.

Cool Mom Picks Mother's Day Gift Guide

It's here and we're in it! I'm talking about the annual Mother's Day Gift Guide from Cool Mom Picks. Cool Mom Picks is a popular shopping blog for moms, recently featured in Real Simple magazine's Best of Blog feature last month.

As the Cool Mom authors say, "the mother of all holidays is upon us." This guide is chock-full of great finds all organized by every type of mom you can imagine. Cool Mom Picks also reminds us to “keep in mind that when you shop their recommends, you are most often supporting independent designers and companies--heck even some mamas themselves--who work hard to create and sell the stuff that cool moms love.”

Farmhouse Wares is delighted to have our McBride Beauty Cucumber and Aloe Body Lotion featured under “For the Mother-in-Law Who You Have No Freaking Idea What to Get”. This ultra yummy lotion is made with cucumber hydrosol, which soothes skin and puts an end to itching, not to mention it has the most refreshing scent on the planet. We're offering free shipping on McBride Beauty for a limited time too.

In honor of all the cool moms out there Farmhouse Wares’ is offering 10% off any purchase of $50 or more from today through April 14, 2008. Simply enter the code “coolmom” upon checkout at Farmhouse Wares .