Gone Fishin'

It's time to take a little break and enjoy some down-time with the family before school starts up again. Hope y'all have a great last week of August. I'll be back soon.

chicken report {no. 2}

For months I've been watching our birds grow from precious little chicks, to gangly teenagers, to lovely ladies. All the while I've been suspicious of this one. It was different from the start. The bright red comb and wattle developed much quicker than all the other birds. Could it be a rooster? No. No biggie, I thought. It must be older than the others. Then I started hearing funny noises, but it was not even close to a full on crow, so I assumed they were being playful and chatting. In terms of the pecking order, this one was surely more aggressive and very bossy with the others. How amusing and charming, right? A few days ago, I noticed the tail feathers were much more pronounced and magnificent than any of the hens. I'm no chicken expert, and I find denial can be comforting, so I blew it off and attributed it to the age thing. Then, last night, I'm swimming in the pool, and I hear an awkward little cock-a-doodle-doo. I looked at my daughter. Then it came again--not a strong, boisterous crow, but clearly the beginnings of what is soon to be our new alarm clock. Hmmm... Now what? Stay tuned and have a wonderful weekend.

perfect picnic attire

I spotted this today over at LuLu's Vintage . Isn't it adorable? This Red and white cutie is actually a beach cover-up from the late 1940's by designer Tina Leser, but I think it would be great with a pair of jeans. It's so perfect for a picnic.

A Sale at Farmhouse Wares

Hi everyone! We're having a sale.

Enjoy 15% off any purchase of $50 or more.
Offer expires midnight August 22, 2009.
JUST ENTER THE CODE “sunflower” UPON CHECKOUT.

(not valid on previous purchases. while supplies last.)


click here to begin shopping

Flying Mermaid Farm

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of touring one of my customer's gardens. Deborah lives in an old farmhouse that's purposefully situated near the Connecticut River. The lushness of the river banks, along with her immense parterre garden, made me feel like I was in another country. Deborah has aptly named her place the Flying Mermaid Garden, because Deborah is a mermaid. Well, at least, she loves to swim and prefers to be in the water rather than out, and it is the very reason why she lives in this rambling farmhouse by the river. The river brings her solace.

Deborah showed me how her new bee skep, from Farmhouse Wares, was looking quite handsome among her hollyhocks and dill. Her massive gardens include a fruit tree orchard, a raspberry grove, and a very organized composting system. I was so relaxed while I visited her little piece of paradise, but I couldn't help but wonder, as I took in all the sights of her massive and immaculate gardens, how she ever found time to swim. Thank you Deborah for taking your time to show me around the farm. It was a lovely experience.

I heart weekends!

Happy weekend everyone! I hope you all have tons of fun and relaxation. I'm also happy to report that we have a winner of the giveaway. Tracey of French Larkspur is the lucky winner. I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for playing and always stopping by. It really makes my day to get your comments. Ciao for now.

Antique Red Bucket

Well, today's post is a bit of a color contrast from yesterday's post. I've added this Antique Red Wooden Bucket with Iron Handle to the shop recently. It's so bright and cheerful, but what I love most is that no two are alike. Salvaged in Columbia, this antique bucket has an authentic rustic feel. I think a splash of red adds a lot of character to any farmhouse. I'll be putting mine to good use to collect all the veggies from the garden.

A Giveaway

Hey everyone, I feel like giving today, so please join me for Farmhouse Wares' first giveaway. This Cucumber and Aloe Soothing Body Lotion, by McBride Beauty, is perfect for soothing parched summer skin. Cucumber hydrosol leaves skin feeling clean and fresh--not to mention it smells soooo good. Cucumber also helps relieve itchy, irritated skin. Organic aloe juice is super soothing, especially after you've been kissed by the sun.

Enter to win by Thursday, August 13. The winner will be announced on Friday.

Each of the following acts as an entry:

• Leave a comment here
• Blog about it with a link back here, but leave a comment here to let us know
• twitter about it, and comment on this post to let us know

Good Luck!

Explore

Ah...the weekend is here. This endless dirt road looks like the perfect place to explore. Maybe we'll find a moose or a stream to dip our feet into. Ahhhhh...

Herbal Remedy

I picked this herbal bouquet the other day. It's brimming with sage, dill, mint and more. The strong scent of the little bunch transformed my entire kitchen, so that the whole idea of cooking seemed adventurous again. Oh fresh herbs, thank you for brightening my culinary attitude. I needed a boost. If you'd like an herbal boost too, try the new Farmhouse Herb Blossom Linen and Room Spray. It's soooo good.

Get Ready for Harvest Time

As you begin to enjoy the benefits of fresh local produce from the farmers in your area, be sure to stop by Farmhouse Wares for all the essentials that will turn your harvest meals into memorable country feasts. Enjoy!

Top left: Glass Pickle Canister- perfect for pickles or salsa

Top right: Vegetable Cutting Board
- made with rewable mango wood

Bottom left: Wrought Iron Dish Warmer-with three votive holders to keep dishes cozy warm

Bottom right: Marmiton Tian-a big, rustic mixing bowl and Wood Salad Servers

Wire Swim Baskets

We just got these Wire Swim Baskets in. Reminiscent of old pool locker room bins, they're perfect for storing just about anything. Keep them in the mudroom to store seasonal items (hello mittens and scarfs), or if you're like my daughter, you can pile in the stuffed animals (hello way too many webkinz). No matter what you're trying to organize, these Wire Swim Baskets will always look good.

Canvas Bordeaux Buckets

Hope you all had a great weekend! Just wanted to let you know our popular Canvas Bordeaux Buckets are back in stock. These sturdy canvas storage bins, with leather handles, are perfect for pool-side sundries. I love the vintage style type and the fact they fold up easily, so I can store them when they're not in use.

Pitter Patter

It's raining. It's pouring. The nice thing about a summer rain is that it reminds me of a moment in time that I cherish. I was about eight, and I was on summer vacation with my family in Cape Cod. It was raining hard, so we were all trapped inside. I was laying on the bed in our musty cabin, watching a sunfish I had caught swim in the confinement of a tiny beach pail. Both of us were trapped. My dad came in, sat on the edge of the bed and asked what was wrong. "Bored," I told him. "Mad that it's raining." He grinned, "Instead of being mad at the rain, listen to it. Hear how it pitter patters on the roof. Just be peaceful and enjoy the sound."

The man is brilliant. To this day, I find the rain very soothing. Instead of being bummed that it may halt some outdoor activity, I look at it as a moment to rest and be soothed by the pitter patter on the roof.

To-do Lists Never Looked So Good

Our new Zinc Memo Board will help keep your to-do lists fresh and your family organized. Post pictures with magnets or write your messages in chalk and then simply wipe clean. The funky, rustic look of zinc blends well in any decor.

Movie Night

I'm really not thrilled with the way my day has been going. Not really at all. I think I will curl up in bed, very soon, with some popcorn and a movie. I just got Coco Chanel with Shirley MacLaine in from Netflix. Maybe it will inspire me.

Cross My Heart

I pretty much like anything that has the Red Cross motif on it. This pillow, from enhabiten and found via Scoutie Girl, is just what the Dr. ordered. Very nice.

Hazy, Hot and Humid

Happy Monday everyone! Summer finally decided to pay a visit to New England. After almost two months of cool weather and record lows, today feels like the good ole' fashioned summers I'm used to complaining about. Hazy, hot and humid. Yes, the air is heavy and sticky. The skies carry a threat of thunderstorms off in the distance. The horseflies are following my every move. But make no mistake, I'm not complaining. I couldn't be happier. Thank you sweet summer for stopping by. I do hope you'll stay a while.

Daisy-time weekend

"And what's romance? Usually, a nice little tale where you have everything as you like it, where rain never wets your jacket and nats never bite your nose, and it's always daisy-time."--D.H. Lawrence

Well then...I hope you all have a very romantic weekend.

Flax and Spindle has Fresh French Lavender

If you love lavender then you must stop by Flax and Spindle's blog where she takes you on a delightful journey of the Lavender Farm that's just down the street from her (lucky girl!). Better yet, stop by the Flax and Spindle shop and pick up a fresh bundle for just $10. Wonderful!

Image from Flax and Spindle

the chicken report

I figured it was time for a little update on our chickens. I'm pleased to report that the ladies are doing well and seem quite happy in their home. We did lose one, but it's a mystery as to why. My husband treats the chickens like queens, giving them organic feed and only the best table scraps. He's meticulous about cleaning the coop and spends way too much time fixing things up (hello, the house WE live in needs some TLC too!). Anywho, I think they adore him, but they're kind of surly with me. Basically, I can't even think of wearing sandals out there, because they peck at my toes, which freaks me out. No eggs yet! Should be soon though. I check all the time and can't wait until they're producing breakfast for me. You'll be the first to know when they do.

Good, Clean Savings from Farmhouse Wares

Check out the new Farmhouse All-Purpose Spray Cleaner by Sweet Grass Farm and their newest scent: Herb Blossom. Plus save 10% on any order.

Just enter the code "72109" during checkout. Offer good through midnight July 24, 2009.
(valid while supplies last. not valid on previous purchases.)

Visit Farmhouse Wares today.

Mad About Mad Men

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the new season of Mad Men. I've missed Betty and Don and all the drama. They make my life look nice and simple. August 16th is the date--I've marked every calender in the house and even put a sticky note on the tv. (OK...maybe I need more of a life.)

I Need the Beach

Well, I leave you for the weekend with some images from my beach trip last weekend. I grew up around the beaches of Rhode Island, and I'm still blown away by how crystal blue the water can be. I need the beach because it triggers fond memories of days with little responsibilities, save for working on my tan. I love the clam shacks with their greasy fried foods. I love the seagulls and how they can be so graceful one moment and like vultures the next. I need the beach because it makes me feel free. I love the waves and the sound of the surf. I love how you look out at the ocean and see endless miles of blue. I need the beach because it rejuvenates my soul. Though I love my country life, my chickens and the mountains that surround us, I need the beach.

The Talking Tiger Lily

"Oh Tiger-Lily," said Alice, addressing herself to the one that was waving gracefully in the wind, "I wish you could talk!" "We can talk," said the Tiger-Lily: "when there's anybody worth talking to."--Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Bee Skeps

Good news! Our very popular hand woven Bee Skeps are back in stock! Thank you all for being so patient.

New at Farmhouse Wares

Hello again everyone. Sorry I went MIA for a bit. We took a break for a few days down at the beach. I didn't realize I wouldn't have access to the Internet. At first I was traumatized, but I quickly learned how lovely life can be without 24/7 technology. I'll post more about our trip soon, but in the meantime, check out these new canisters from Farmhouse Wares. Both Canisters have a wide mouth for easy filling and a ceramic flip-top lid to keep things fresh. The Glass Pickle Canister is perfect is perfect for pickles or salsa, so savor the garden fresh taste of summer with this vintage style jar. The Sea Salt Canister is the perfect companion for our Evaporated Sea Salt. It's good to be back.

Speaking of Blackberries

Speaking of Blackberries: Treat your skin with the moisturizing bliss of Royal Jelly Body Butter. Infused with the fresh scent of blackberries, it's like summer in a bottle. Featured in this month's Southern Living, Royal Jelly is "normally reserved to feed the queen bee."

The most precious product of the hive, Royal Jelly is a 'Cinderella' substance that turns a worker bee into a Queen...and allows her to live 40 times longer than the average bee as a result. Replete with a multitude of vitamins, proteins, lipids and sugars, this amazing natural substance is known for its nourishing and deep moisturizing properties--as well as its ability to promote skin's elasticity and a smooth appearance.

Royal Jelly Body Butter is one luscious treat for summer skin. We're offering free shipping on Royal Jelly Body Butter at Farmhouse Wares.

Blackberry Galette

We have an abundance of wild blackberries in our yard. It's been a summer ritual to try and collect the berries before the birds have their way with them. My daughter and her friend went on a berry picking adventure while dreaming up some story that they lived in a cabin and had to live off the land (Perhaps we've been watching too much Dick Proenneke. I'll post more about him another time). After a bit, they came back, but her friend was holding her arm. She appeared to bleeding. I rushed her inside and applied a warm wash cloth, which promptly turned purple. "I don't know too many kids that have purple blood," I said with a grin. They enjoyed a long laugh about tricking me with their blackberry blood, and then they showed me the bounty of berries they had acquired.

I had just read a recipe for a plum and blueberry galette in Family Circle, so I put them to work on their own galette. Of course, they used a ready-made pie crust, and they added some fresh strawberries. Just 40 minutes later their summer treat was ready. We shared the fruits of their labor, tall glasses of cold milk, and a good laugh about the blackberry boo boo.

fishing with dad

Welcome back everyone! Hope you all had a lovely long weekend with summertime celebrations. We had a gorgeous little break with lots of relaxation, fresh air and fishing. I have so many beautiful memories of fishing with my Dad as a young girl. I was kind of a girly-girl so I'd get grossed out by baiting the hook with the worm. Dad was always amused by this and always happy to help too. The thing I remember the most is how quiet we had to be. It was so peaceful. Now that we go fishing with our Daughter, I can easily see why my clever Dad chose this sport: because we had to be quiet. I hope my daughter will look back fondly on her fishing journeys too.