Labor Day

Happy Labor Day Everyone. It's a great weekend to take a ride in the country and visit farm stands for some apples, mums and your first pumpkin of the season. Visit Local Harvest to find family farms and farm events near you.

Kitchen Helper

I like to hang bundles of rosemary right from the knobs of my kitchen cabinets. This makes for quick and easy access while cooking. Rosemary adds such great flavor to meats, especially when grilling. Try our Rosemary Garlic and Maple Sauce, which imparts the hearty flavor of rosemary, blended with balsamic vinegar, basil and oven-roasted garlic.

I also hang sprigs of rosemary in the shower. The intense aroma wakes me up. Click here for more information on storing and cooking with rosemary.

All Creatures Great and Small are in this Fall

Deer Head Mount $48
With wall decor like this all you'll need is a cozy throw,

and you'll be transported to some woodsy cabin far away.

Linen Cow Tea Towel Set $28
This set of French Style Linen features one vintage style cow design on oatmeal linen and one towel with black stripes for a classic farmhouse feel.
Champion Pair $39.95
This set of two prize cows is based on 1932 champion livestock trophies. These vintage style reproductions will look handsome grazing your shelf too.
Linen Cow Pillow $48
Let this friendly cow bring plenty of down-to-earth warmth to your home.

18 years of bliss

Today is our wedding anniversary. 18 years ago my husband and I eloped after a wee courtship of eight weeks. We’ll never forget the day. We were all decked out in our vintage prom attire as we snuck off to Walden Pond, temporary home of Henry David Thoreau. My niece made this picture of us at the time. I still crack up at my hair in the picture—very 80’s. I especially love all the hearts floating up from us. Those hearts are still floating all around us.

Cedar Reach Horse Farm

Well, today is my daughter's last day at Horse Riding Camp. Tomorrow she'll put on a little show for us, and the whole family will be coming in this weekend to watch her. Wish her luck! I leave you for the weekend with some shots of this idyllic summer camp. Have a great weekend!

Like Mother Like Child

My daughter has been attending horse riding camp over the last few weeks. Of course, I can’t really afford this camp, but I figure we’ll just eat more PB&J for a while so she can have, what I imagined to be, an idyllic summer experience.

You see, I never had a real “camp” experience. It’s not that mom and dad didn’t offer. I just rejected the idea of leaving my house and neighborhood friends. I was quite content to play “house” on my porch with Donny Osmond as my hubby and a plastic doll that needed my love. We’d play kick-the-can until the street lights came on. Who needed camp when you had the coolest fort right down the street?

There was one time when I was all set to go to overnight camp in some woods somewhere in Rhode Island. I was all packed up with my shiny new sleeping bag and a bottle a bug spray. My mom dropped me at the bus stop and sped off, waving goodbye (she may have actually peeled out). While waiting, this little girl starting describing camp and all the “fun” things she had done there. Everything she described filled me with sheer terror. Making pancakes in the morning as a group activity. Nightmare! I didn’t know how to make pancakes. I was like seven. I never made a pancake in my life. I ended up knocking on some stranger’s door to use their phone. My poor mother had to come and pick me up. She had probably just walked back in the house, thinking she was free at last, when the phone rang and she heard my unrelenting sobbing on the other end. She came to my rescue and was sweet as could be—never letting on how frustrated she may have been at my inability to leave her side that summer.

My daughter is, for the most part, much more adventurous than I was. She doesn’t want to hang out with me all day. She’s learning so much more than I did playing on my porch. However, almost daily I get a call at lunch. Her little kid voice says, “Hi. Whatcha doin’?” I say, “Are you having fun?” She always replies “yes” with enthusiasm. Then after a few moments she lowers her voice to a whisper and says, “Please don’t make me come back here.” She tells me how all the kids are so mean, but when I pick her up at the end of each day, she rattles off the names of all her new best friends, which consists of just about everyone at the camp.

Tomorrow, I will drop her off. I’ll watch as she lovingly greets all her friends. I’ll enjoy the smell of the dusty barns and the view of the big blue sky beyond the mountains, and I’ll think to myself “this is idyllic”. I’ll enjoy the peaceful car ride back and wait for the phone to ring. She can leave my side, but she wants to know I’m available for rescue—if needed.

Get the Look with our Ebony Compote

I'm in love with the kitchen on the cover of the

September issue of House Beautiful

so I recreated a small piece of it

Here is our small Ebony Compote, by Potluck Studios, with some yummy Bosc pears.
Our new French Style Linen Tea Towel with Black Stripes is also pictured. I have a feeling this will look even more spectacular with the large Ebony Compote.

Ruffles are In-Season

My zinnias are such little flirts. They’re always poking their heads up out of the garden, trying to get my attention and showing off their frilly petals. Any zinnia will tell you ruffles never go out of style. The more the merrier. It’s no surprise that our Flirt Compotes by Potluck Studios came to mind when I shot this zinnia. They both like to flirt and they both make ruffles look so good.

I've got that Fall Feelin'

I can smell a hint of fall in the air today. It's cool and cozy. I usually cling to summer like a needy child. I get sad thinking of my gardens turning brown and losing my outdoor dining room. But today, I welcome a bit of fall. The grayish-blue sky signals that it’s okay to take it easy today. It’s time to wind down and enjoy the weekend. Maybe we’ll go looking for mums.

If you’re in the mood for some fall décor checkout these cuties at Farmhouse Wares. This set of hanging tin cans, with their vintage style pumpkin labels, will look great on your garden gate.

Sherbet Blossom Giveaway

Enter your chance to win a Farmhouse Dish Soap, made by Sweet Grass Farm, over at Hannah's great blog, Sherbet Blossom today. Hurry, contest ends this Saturday.

Message in a Bottle

The message in this Recycled Bottle Coat Rack is quite clear. Basically, it's a great way to show off your eco-savvy style while helping the environment. Each coat rack is handmade in Wisconsin using recycled wine bottles that would have ended up in the landfill.

Taking the "message in bottle" theme to the extreme, try leaving rolled up love notes inside each one. When your partner grabs his/her coat in the morning, your little massage will make them smile.

Available now at Farmhouse Wares.

Gone Fishin'

Have a great weekend everyone!

National Garage Sale Day

This Saturday, August 9, is National Garage Sale Day. This is the day to clean out all those knick-knacks and coffee mugs that are just taking up good space in those kitchen cabinets. Or if you're like me, then it's the day to make other people's trash your treasure. Either way, it's a win/win situation because it keeps the stuff out the landfills. It's recycling bliss.

Photo from Flickr

Umbria in a Bottle

My sister is in Italy right now visiting our good friends Paula and Mario. They live in Trevi, which is an ancient town built on a mountaintop in central Umbria. Trevi is filled with medieval churches and cobblestone streets. The thing I remember most about my visit to Trevi was the smell that was always in the air. It was of wood smoke and fresh earth. For years, I've been sniffing scented products trying to find that exact smell.

I have finally found it! These Fig and Cedarwood Fragrance Sticks have captured the scent of Trevi, that little village in Umbria. The blend of fresh fig and earthy cedar is super delicate--understated, exotic. I'm sitting here right now, wishing I were with my sister and friends, taking in that scent and sharing homemade wine. Instead, I am just as happy with my Fig and Cedarwood reeds--my Umbria in a bottle.

Get the Look

We spotted our Vintage Style Red Striped Table Runner and Oversized Napkins in the July issue of Country Home in an article about lake-house style. Whether your decorating your lake-house, cabin or farmhouse, you're going to love these casually elegant linens. You'll also find an Apron and a comfortable Bolster featuring this same Vintage Style Red Striped fabric at Farmhouse Wares.

Help Save the Arapawa Goat

Arapawa Goats are globally endangered (approximately 243 remaining) and just recently added to the Conservation Priority List. Arapawa Goats were introduced to the US through Plimoth Plantation in 1993 as part of a heritage breeding program. Plimoth Plantation is a living museum of colonial life in North America in 1627 located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The possibility of a connection between the Arapawas and the animals brought to North America by the first colonists made them a logical addition to the rare breeds collection at Plimoth Plantation.

The folks from Jenness Farm in New Hampshire lovingly raise Arapawa Goats. Just the other day two kids were born and another was on the way. This sounds promising, but the gene pool is so small that it's complicated to keep this breed going. Jenness Farm makes this incredible soap exclusively from Arapawa Goat's milk. We're pleased to offer these soaps because Jenness donates the proceeds from the sale of these soaps to the conservation of this amazing breed.

To learn more visit the International Arapawa Goat Association.

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.