Exclusive Offer on Canvas Bordeaux Buckets

Exclusive to our blogging friends only, we're offering 20% off our Canvas Bordeaux Buckets.

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Rainy Monday

It’s a sleepy, rainy Monday today. After such a busy week last week, and a weekend jam-packed with chores and social events, I decided today was a good day to play hooky with my daughter. I feel like a bad mom, keeping her out of school, but because I’ve been so busy lately, I really missed just being cozy and focusing only on her. So today we planned to paint Easter eggs and watch her favorite Harry Potter movie. Unfortunately, all this rain has kept me on edge. I can hear the water trickling into my basement at a steady pace. We also have one sick chicken that we quarantined and it looks like her new home is becoming too wet for her to be comfortable. Perhaps it’s time to call my hubby, so he can play hooky too and worry about chickens and wet basements and child rearing while we drift off to sleep watching Harry Potter.

ps: Blogger doesn't want to post my image today. Hmmm...anyone else having this problem?

Happy Spring Sale

We're so happy it's spring,
we thought we'd celebrate with a sale!

PLEASE ENJOY 15% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.

JUST ENTER COUPON CODE "spring10" AT CHECKOUT.

OFFER GOOD THROUGH TODAY

MARCH 27, 2010.
(valid while supplies last. not valid on previous purchases.)

click here to shop

mud season

Well, it's mud season around these parts. I will spend a lot of time sweeping out my kitchen and begging my husband to take his boots off at the door. Though the mud may prove to be a challenge for a clean freak like myself, there are plenty of other good things blooming this season to put a smile on my face

Pussy Willow Wreath

A few years ago, I received a flower arrangement from a friend that had beautiful pussy willows tucked inside. Once the flowers had wilted, I put the pussy willow twigs in a glass of water. A few weeks later roots sprouted, which surprised me, so I decided to plant them in the garden. Today I have a giant pussy willow tree. I'm not kidding. The thing is huge after just three years. Of course, not knowing it would be such a great success, I planted it in a very bad spot. Sadly, my husband will have to take it down this weekend. It's in full bloom, so I've been thinking of ways to display them. I found directions to make this pussy willow wreath at HGTV. I shall give it a try. I will also put some of the twigs into water and start all over again.

Happy Cow

Have a colorful weekend!

Image by my lovable brother-in-law, Garrett Sheehan

spring cleaning

There’s something so instantly gratifying about cleaning out the gardens in the spring. The memory of last year’s blooms leaves an imprint in the winter debris. With each stroke of the rake the memory gets squirreled away, breaking ground for new dreams to grow. Little surprises poke their way through the earth to greet you and remind you how the labor of these dreams often sprouts the biggest rewards.

New! Tiffany Soap Dish

Made by a local artist, I first saw these sweet and quirky soap dishes at my local farmer's market. The Tiffany Soap Dish is completely and lovingly crafted by hand, so no two are alike. Painted with lead-free glazes, the Tiffany colors are soft, allowing the earthy quality of the clay to peek through. Each has three little holes, which helps soap dry properly. Available in robin's egg blue and white wash. I'm partial to the robin's egg blue for spring, and I'm off to find some adorable little egg soaps, which will be perfect for our Easter guests.

Tiffany Soap Dish available at Farmhouse Wares.

Our Little Lucky Charm

Our girl is about to have another birthday. Miss Charlotte is a St. Patrick's Day baby. As you can imagine, she has several nicknames to celebrate this fact:

Our lucky charm
Our little leprechaun
Our pot of gold
Our shy shamrock

Have I forgotten any?

I love you little gnomo.

Good Scents

This is the time of year when our skin needs some extra nurturing, especially as we prepare to show it off in our shorts and bathing suits. Farmhouse Shea Butter Lotion to the rescue! The all-natural Farmhouse Lotion is suitable for hands and body. It contains shea butter and olive oil, soothing moisturizers with natural antioxidants. This lotion gets rave reviews for its lasting scent, rich creamy texture and moisturizing abilities. Available in Lavender, Lilac, Lemon Verbena, and Herb Blossom. On sale now!

Brighten Your Home for Easter

Easter is just around the corner, so I picked a few items that will add a little farmhouse style to your holiday decor.

Preserved Boxwood Wreaths : This set of three wreaths offers fresh elegance to brighten your country home decor. The cream ribbon adds graceful charm. Use indoors or on a covered porch.
Wire Egg Basket : The perfect way to display all those colored eggs.
Enamel Cake Stands : I do think some bunny cupcakes would look very cute on these cake stands.
Woven Willow Candle Holder and Vase : Packed with daffodils, this vase makes a stunning spring centerpiece.

Happy Monday

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Our weather in gorgeous, so I've been cleaning up the gardens and getting ready for things to pop. Lily of the Valley is one of my faves. Can't wait to smell their fragrant blooms and fill vases with the delicate little bell-shaped flowers. What's your favorite flower?

Life at the Oscars

I'm not embarrassed to tell you that I will be glued to the television this weekend to watch the glitz and glamour of the Oscars. My husband will moan about having the TV hijacked by this superfluous nonsense, as I drift in and out of sleep, waiting to see George Clooney. (Don't worry, my husband will pay me back with hours of fishing shows.)

As a pre-Oscar Hors d'oeuvre, I highly recommend you stop by Life Magazine for a preview of their Best Oscar Photos, like this one here of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly Backstage, 1956. The photos are simply dreamy. Happy Oscar weekend to all of you.

Life Told in Recipes

I have food memories that are pretty bland. Like the onion casserole that my family has been serving probably since the 1800's. If you try to leave this dish out of any family occasion, you will be mocked and harassed for the next fifty years. I think the authors of Life Told in Recipes would appreciate this little story. Life Told in Recipes is the creative chronicle of Janet and Rachel, a mother-daughter team that endearingly realized that food is much more than what we eat. “It's about love and sharing and friends and family. It's about life...told in recipes.” Their relaxed style invites you in, so you feel as though you’re at their kitchen table sharing tales of childhood treats, kitchen design woes and realistic meal solutions for everyday living. It makes you think about your own food history and the memories that make you smile, and it leaves you feeling full with their good conversation.

Just in Time for Easter Entertaining

Our Enamel Cake Stands are back in stock and just in time to make Easter Entertaining oh so pretty. These antique white 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. They're simple and beautiful, with a vintage feel that works well with any style.

Best in Show

These purty little show ribbons cover one whole wall in my dad's home. He proudly displays his winnings from his days of taking his Toggenburg goats from show to show. I just love how they're so frilly and colorful. The colors are now all faded and soft, making them even more charming. Vintage show ribbons offer so many great design possibilities. Stop by Homegrown to see how they can add a little something to a wedding bouquet. Or click here to see Danny Seo's clever wreath made of horse ribbons. Wouldn't they be cute in a little girl's bedroom too? I know my dad will not part with his ribbons, so I think I'll start scouring the flea markets.

chicken report {no. 6}

I’ve been attacked two times now by our rooster. The first time it happened, I could tell that he was acting strange and aggressive, but I went about my business of collecting the eggs. When I came out of the coop, he dodged me with his wings spread. I was startled, but I still felt like I was the tougher one, so I shouted at him. This only made him more aggressive and he pounced on me, digging through my pants with his claws. I don’t even know how I made it out alive. Of course, my husband laughed and said it must somehow be my fault. The rooster must smell my fear or some malarkey like that. I wasn’t buying it. Determined not to let that big bird intimidate me, I went back out a few days later. I had a bowl heaping with delicious veggie scraps. Surely, I would win him over with these treats. Not so much. I barely got the scraps on the ground and he was after me. In my girlie-girlie way, I panicked. The bowl went flying up in the air and came crashing down, as if in slow motion. My favorite Williams-Sonoma bowl was destroyed. (Don’t ask me why I used the bowl for them in the first place.) I went clamoring back to the house, expletives spewing from my mouth. Now I had to get back in there and clean the broken glass. I dressed for war. I darned my ski pants and gloves, put on the thickest coat and found a tennis racket. He knew I was ready for battle, because as I neared the coop, expletives still spewing, he quickly gathered all his girls and ran inside. Chicken! I shut the coop door and cleaned up the glass. Again, my husband said I need to be more assertive, show the rooster that I’m the boss. And here is the best part of the story: a few days had passed and my husband was off to do the chicken chores, when suddenly I hear him screaming, expletives spewing from his mouth. He comes clamoring into the house, saying he was going to kill the bloody rooster and proceeded to show me the scratch on his leg. I calmly said, “He must have smelled your fear.” Mr. Rooster is still alive. I haven’t been back in the coop, and my husband did some little crazy man dance to show the rooster he’s…well, crazier. So far it seems to be working.

Zinc Place Cards

We are happy to announce our Zinc Place Cards are back in stock. Sold in sets of six, these little cuties have so many uses. They offer a unique way to let your guests know where they'll be seated. The Zinc Place Cards can also be used to mark and identify cheeses and desserts around the buffet. Make entertaining easy with our Zinc Place Cards. Simply write your message in chalk and wipe away for future use.

a quiet place

I'm in the mood to find a quiet a place to sew or knit, read a magazine, or to simply daydream for a little while. I feel like I'm always moving so fast. I have so many details that need to be remembered and endless lists of things to be done. And then there are those moments when I forget one crucial thing: a permission form for my daughter's field trip, a friend's birthday, or to return my mother's phone call. That's when I know I'm on overload and it's time to allow myself to slow down, breathe and find a quiet place to recharge.

White Pedestal Bowl new at Farmhouse Wares.

Spring Accents

This is the perfect time of year to fill your home with fresh flowers. After all, studies show that a vase of flowers can boost your mood and fill you with a sunny attitude. This sure beats moping around, waiting for the gardens to bloom. I'm also a big fan of lighting candles to warm up the house as the evening light fades later and later. Our new Woven Willow Candle Holder and Vase fits both those needs and makes the perfect spring accent for any home.

Time to have fun

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I'll be taking some time off from blogging this week to play with my daughter while she's on school break. I'll miss you, but enjoy your week!

Heartfelt

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart"-Confucius

Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo, Betsy

Oh So Adorable Cupcake Stands

Just when we thought our Cupcake Stands (shown in yesterday's post) couldn't get any cuter, my friend Melanie, of the gorgeous Reverie-Daydream Boutique, sent me this picture from her little girl Gaia's second birthday party. And if you think this is sweet, stop by Melanie's blog to read the poem about her "little crumb" Gaia. Melanie, I just love this idea of spelling her name out in candles. She must have beamed when they were all lit up, and I'm sure, at least during the party, she became your little "cupcake" crumb. Happy Birthday Gaia.

A Valentine for You

XOXOXO

from
FARMHOUSE WARES!

PLEASE ENJOY 15% OFF YOUR NEXT ORDER AS OUR VALENTINE'S GIFT TO YOU!

JUST ENTER COUPON CODE "21410" AT CHECKOUT. OFFER ENDS MIDNIGHT FEBRUARY 14, 2010.

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

CLICK HERE TO GET THESE CUPCAKE STANDS

Wicker Market Baskets

I'm obsessed with these new Wicker Market Baskets. The fabric lining, made of 100% linen with a natural oatmeal color, is easily removed and machine washable, making them even more lovable. I use them for everything. They're great for magazines, knitting supplies or for transporting my daughter's toys back to her room (They won't stay in there for long.) I especially love taking the larger one to the Millstone Farm Market--a specialty market where I buy local meats and cheeses. It makes me feel like I'm in Paris.

mountain climbing

I don't know about you, but I've been an absolute sloth lately. I always find February a challenge-- the cold weather and brownish landscape can seem downright dreary. My energy level has been at an all-time low; close to say...sleep walking. I'm surprised I haven't been caught drooling on myself. Anyway, yesterday I decided to get off my patooty and do something invigorating. My daughter and I donned our snow-gear and headed for the mountain. We hiked up a vigorous 652ft. The breathtaking views and blast of cool fresh air did us good. We felt energized and strong. Then we came home and promptly cuddled up on the couch under a pile of blankies. It was exhausting being that energized.

Fresh Picks For Spring

click here to visit the shop

Jam Pots

Like a lot of people nowadays, I try save money by buying in bulk: butter, jams and jellies, ketchup and mustard, grains and cereals—stuff we use frequently or that keeps well.

Trouble is, big tubs of butter and jam—things we use nearly every day—are hard to use around the kitchen, hog too much space on the breakfast table, and look just awful.

Adorable glass jam pots to the rescue.

A stalwart of the traditional farmhouse kitchen—when every staple of the family diet came in bulk—the jam pot is essentially a modified serving bowl with a fitted cover. The idea is as simple as the uses are endless.

The Glass Jam Pots I’m using—new at Farmhouse Wares—are the perfect size for butter, jam, jelly, honey, condiments, relish, chutney or just about anything you want to keep on hand, ready to use, in the cupboard, fridge or on the kitchen counter. The vintage style glass jar is solid and practical. The cloth lid fits snug, has a waterproof inner lining and is machine washable. A touch of nostalgia along with a heap of function is just what every modern farmhouse needs.

My Room

It's so gratifying to receive all your nice comments about my slipcover. Here's a closer look at the complete room--new sofa and all. The sofa is soooo comfortable. The feather blend cushions are plump and cozy, which is heaven compared to my last foam-filled sofa. You can also see the grain sack picture that I was working on last year over the sofa along with a picture of Joan Didion (one of my favorite writers) that I painted. I'm sure I'll keep fussing with this room until garden season begins. Once the warmer weather comes I won't go near this room. I'll be outside as much as possible. Thanks again for your comments.

Here are a few details as to how I accomplished the slip cover project:

I made the pattern by tracing the shape of the chair onto big sheets of paper.

I made templates of the back, the side, and the seat cushion. I actually played with the paper templates, pinning them to the chair to figure out how each piece would need to connect. Then I pinned each template to the drop cloth and traced the pattern onto the fabric, adding an inch all around.

I sewed the outer back and sides together first. Then I added the inner back, followed by the inner arms, and the front skirt was attached last.

I'm pretty sure that the drop cloth I mentioned yesterday should still be available at Home Depot.

Hope I've inspired you to give it a try.

The Slipcover Project

I made a lot of progress on my slipcover this past weekend. I just need to hem the bottom and make a few small adjustments. I'm really amazed with myself, especially since I haven't touched a sewing machine in 29 years. I found it a lot easier than I imagined. Of course I made it extra easy by using a solid fabric. Prints can be complicated. I'll let you in on a little secret about the fabric too. This oatmeal colored canvas, which looks just like a beautiful linen is really just a painter's drop cloth from Home Depot. I think I paid $9.99 for it. Unfortunately, I don't remember the actual product name. I washed it several times to soften it up. Now, our cat Jenny Marie is happy to have her chair back, and I'm happy that the fabric is super durable and machine washable. Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the new sofa, which looks quite nice with my chair.