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.

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.