Ruled Ceramic Pitcher

Hey there! For those of you who have been patiently waiting, the Ruled Ceramic Pitcher is finally back in stock. I think it would be perfect filled with some pretty pink tulips.

Herb Crates with Flowers

I decided to add a little bit of spring to my farmhouse decor. Our Vintage Style Herb Crates make perfect flower boxes. This one is packed with baby's breath to welcome guests as they enter our porch. It makes me happy every time I walk by it. Happy Friday.

P.S. I'll be taking a little bit time away from blogging next week to play with my daughter during her vacation. See you soon.

sneaky mama

From time to time I like to sneak music onto my daughter's ipod. My goal with these little surprise tunes is to put a smile on her face, but I also want to expand her range of music to reach beyond Disney and Taylor Swift. Most of the time she likes my picks, but she has reported back that she's been mortified when one of them comes on while she is with her friends. Today, I give her the gift of Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk". I think she'll like it. How 'bout you?

a white wednesday sale

We're celebrating this White Wednesday with a sale.

Today through Friday, February 18, 2011,

you can save 20% on these Enamel Cake Stands.

Just enter coupon code "ECS216" (case sensitive) during checkout.

Shhh...it's just for you and our Facebook fans.

Offer available while supplies last. Not valid on previous purchases.

P.S. Don't forget to visit Faded Charm for more white Wednesday goodies.

chicken report {no. 11}

It’s been a long, rough winter for me, and I’m pretty confident my chickens feel the same. Because of all the snow, their run has been diminished to a small patch of freedom in front of the coop. On cold days, they stay nestled inside, and can’t be bothered with the outdoors, save for a few small moments of kicking around for some scraps in the morning. Their sleeping habits are all messed up. We find them sleeping in the nesting boxes, which are metal and cold, rather than on the roost. My husband thinks it’s due to a draft that appears to be blowing in the lath shutters he designed. If I know my husband, he’s already planning a way to provide R4 value insulation to keep his ladies warm.

They’ve still been producing eggs, though not as frequent. We’re down to about 4-5 a day versus eight. Last year, we used a light to trick them into thinking it was spring, so they would produce at their regular pace. My husband didn’t want to stress them, so he gave them a break from the lamp this year.

Yesterday was near 50 degrees and we were all happy chickens. It was nice to see the girls venture outside and play in the dirt. They must be staring at that wall of white stuff that leads to their big run and wondering if it will ever go back to the way it was: lush green grass and warm, sunny days. I know I’m very much looking forward to seeing the grass again. I just can’t wait till I can make my way to the coop without slipping and sliding on the icy, narrow path. Feels like we have miles to go...

Happy Valentine's Day!

VALENTINE'S DAY SALE

VALENTINE'S DAY SALE

SAVE 10%

Please enjoy a 10% savings on your next purchase from Farmhouse Wares.

Just enter coupon code "valentine2011" during checkout.

Available today through midnight February 11, 2011.



Offer available while supplies last. Not valid on previous purchases.

a sweet valentine tradition

Making Valentine's Day cards with my daughter has become a sweet little tradition that I really cherish. We found time during the last snow storm to start making a batch for her classmates. She loves getting all sticky with glue and glitter and letting her creativity flow, but most of all, I think she just loves having my full attention. In this busy life, there's nothing sweeter than that.

Chase Away the Winter Blues

This new Botanical Aromatherapy Beeswax Candle Gift Set is just the thing to help you escape a case of the winter blues. Enjoy the fresh, natural scent of garden flowers while immersing yourself in the purity of natural beeswax. These hand-crafted beeswax candles are infused with the soothing properties of the hive and the purest essential oils.

The gift set includes one 2.1 oz. square glass each of Lavender & Frankincense, Grapefruit & Fennel, and Clary Sage & Ylang Ylang candles. Each candle will burn for 15 hours.

Makes a great Valentine's Day Gift too.

I'm no spring chicken

I have had my share of shoveling snow this winter. I shovel to the coop. I shovel to the wood pile. I shovel a path for the oilman. I shovel all the snow that the plow guy did not remove. I shovel all the piles of snow that the plow guy put in my way. I shovel around the foundation. Anyway, you get the point. I'm thrilled to burn tons of calories, but I'm one sore lady. Luckily, we have Spring Chicken Muscle Rub . Rub this cinnamon scented concoction into tired, sore, aching muscles, and all of a sudden, you’ll feel warm, soothing relief! Made with pure cassia and peppermint essential oils, plus heat expressed Calendula oil (used for centuries for inflammation and pain relief, as well as cell regeneration). All the above is mixed into a great, soothing and vitamin rich canola oil gel.

After a warm shower, I massage the rub in and my whole body says, "Ahhhhh." Its scent is heavenly, too, which works wonders on my aching mind. (More snow tomorrow!)

This all natural, old-fashioned remedy is a must-have for the medicine chest.

This Winter is No Picnic

Looks like I won't be having cocktails on the veranda tonight!

A Recycled Valentine

If you're a fan of recycling old things into new treasures then here is a sweet idea for a Valentine's Day Gift. Head out to your local antique shop and rummage through the old post-card bins. There are so many beautiful vintage Valentine’s Day cards just waiting for a frame and a new home. Often the writing is still legible, which makes me feel a bit like a voyeur. But it’s also kind of poetic to know the sweetness that these Valentines once brought to someone continues to bring joy to the new owners.

reposted from 2008

Bee Mine

Give your Valentine the gift of Rapture. The pure, sweet scent of natural beeswax blends with Patchouli and Cassia essential oils to give this candle a stirring, exotic aroma that arouses passion and renews the spirit. It will you make you swoon.

Made by Big Dipper Wax Works, the Rapture candle comes in a beehive-shaped glass holder, along with a set of matches, and it's all packaged within this unique recyclable tube. Burns for over 35 hours--that's a lot of swoon time.

snow day for cows

Everyone is busy clearing snow today, except these girls. They found a nice clear patch where they can bask in the sun.

Photo by my very talented brother-in-law.

Candlelight and Game Night

Rack 'em up! This Pool Ball and Rack Candle Holder Set, with its vintage style, shouts billiards anyone! Makes game night a little more romantic, too. New at Farmhouse Wares.

New! Zinc Tags

If you love our Zinc Place Cards ,then you'll be just as crazy about these new Zinc Tags. Just in time for Valentine's Day, these little cuties will look adorable hanging from a basket of sweet treats, tied to a bouquet of flowers, or dangling from your bedroom doorknob to signal the kids: "do not disturb!" (If you know what I mean.) Simply write your message in chalk and wipe away for future use. They come in a set of six. Have a great weekend everyone!

New! Wire Mesh Cubby and Coat Rack

We just got this Wire Mesh Cubby and Coat Rack in at the shop, and I've already hung one in my daughter's room. If there is anyone who needs help organizing her things, it would be my daughter. She loves it! She's already tucked away her favorite books and things, and her hats and scarves look great on the coat hooks.

Its industrial vintage style offers rustic elegance perfect for any farmhouse, and it features four wire mesh cubbies, so you can store mail, books or bills. There are nine coat hooks, making it ideal for a busy mudroom. The wood shelf has an off-white, distressed finish.

Stop by and check it out.

a call to order

Every now and then I find the very areas of the house that are supposed to help keep us clean get a little messy themselves. A good example of this is under my kitchen sink or my laundry closet. Because they are not in plain view, they tend to get neglected. Well, it doesn’t take much time to get things back in order. I love storing things in tall jars because I can pack more into small areas. Our Numbered Glass Jars are just the thing for storing my Cascade dishwasher pacs, laundry powder and dryer sachets. Our Wire Gathering Baskets always come in handy for cleaning supplies. Here, I’ve tucked away the dusting supplies, making it easy to travel around the house come cleaning day. It’s these little details that make me happy, because I get antsy with clutter and disorganization. Happy cleaning!

white wednesday {no. 28}

Today's white Wednesday is dedicated to...yup, you guessed it...snow! We've been blasted with a blizzard here in New England. While it is beautiful, and the kid in me still gets a thrill about having a snow day, my back is not happy that I just shoveled all the way to the chicken coop. Clearly, we did not think about snow when we built the coop. It feels like a mile from the house. The wood pile is a mile in another direction, so I had to shovel a path to that too. I think we need a family meeting about winter logistics so we can prepare differently next year. Until then, I shall consider my exercise program now includes a lot of upper body work.

P.S. Don't forget to visit Faded Charm for more white Wednesday goodies.

A Winter Sale

SAVE 10%

Please enjoy a 10% savings on your next purchase from Farmhouse Wares.
Just enter coupon code "winter11" during checkout.

Available today through midnight January 14, 2011.

Offer available while supplies last. Not valid on previous purchases.


CLICK HERE TO VISIT FARMHOUSE WARES

Lemon Aid for Winter

Has winter got you a little down? Let the fresh scent of lemon pick you up. Try doing the laundry with this trio of Farmhouse Laundry products, in Lemon Verbena. You’ll feel like you’ve just escaped to someplace warm and sunny. 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, cheerful scent of Lemon Verbena.

When it comes time for chores around the house why not multi-task and enjoy a little aromatherapy. The Farmhouse Furniture Wax is perfect for making your day and your furniture a little brighter. And don’t forget the Lemon Verbena Dish Soap and All-Purpose Spray Cleaner. You’ll be amazed how a little lemon can bring a lot of happiness.

Farmhouse Laundry Powder is low sudsing, biodegradable and excellent for front loader washers. It contains no harsh chemicals. Great for those with sensitive skin.

Farmhouse Fabric Softener is good for all fabric types and is made of natural, biodegradable ingredients. Softens and brightens.

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

Farmhouse Furniture Wax is made with the hardest of natural waxes, including carnauba, which nourishes your fine wood furniture and leaves it with a beautiful, protective sheen.

Farmhouse Dish Soap is an all natural, plant based cleanser that contains non of the harsh and toxic chemicals of the mass-market brands. So, it is very safe to use yet tough on grease.

Farmhouse All-Purpose Spray Cleaner is suitable for windows, counter tops, woodwork, bathroom and kitchen surfaces. The effective formula quickly neutralizes grease, fingerprints, and grime, while leaving a wonderful, fresh fragrance behind.

white wednesday {no. 26}

Happy White Wednesday! Today I'm loving the white vintage enamel-style number tags that grace each rim of our Galvanized Numbered Pots. They just keep catching my eye. Hope they catch yours, too!

Cupcake Nation

Hey everyone! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season. I had a nice break with family and friends, which I needed. 2011 is off to a fun start at Farmhouse Wares with our Cupcake Stands featured in the January issue of Brides Magazine. Their stylists put a chic spin on these cupcakes, and they look gorgeous on top of our cupcake pedestals. Check out the full story at Brides here.

peace

Be warm. Be merry. Be you.

Peace.

xoxo Betsy

Wrapping things up!

I've been so busy with the shop and holiday cheer that now I have got to get to all my wrapping. I love to spend time making each gift special, so I went on the hunt for inspiration, and boy, did I find it! If you need some creative holiday gift wrap ideas then you must check out Sweet Paul's e-magazine. This gorgeous gem is chock-full of good ideas, created by a very talented team. You will fall in love with this magazine instantly! BTW, I found Sweet Paul via Nice Package--another great place to visit for amazing gift wrap ideas. Well, happy wrapping!

Advent Pouches

Aren't these just the cutest Advent Pouches? I found them at nuvonova via etsy. She's sold out, but I'm making a note for next year. Happy Friday!!!! The count down is on.

white wednesday {no. 26}

i heart white wednesday!

i also heart this pearl light wreath from cox and cox.

P.S. Don't forget to visit Faded Charm for more white Wednesday goodies.

Look who showed up today

I was doing my dishes, gazing out the window

and admiring the tiny bit of new fallen snow,

when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but this gorgeous buck, and he'd make a fine reindeer.

Isn't he something? Made my day.

I hope he comes by tomorrow, too. Perhaps I can get a better photo.
Can you believe he's even wearing a wreath around his neck?

white wednesday {no 25}

Last Wednesday I lamented about my desire for a white Christmas tree. Well, I finally got one! Though it is a wee tree, I’m quite fond of it and all its sparkle. I keep it safe and on display in our new Glass Cloche. I may have to collect more of these little cute trees.

P.S. Don't forget to visit Faded Charm for more white Wednesday goodies.

Christmas on Main St

This past Sunday we went to Stockbridge, MA for their 21st annual Main St. at Christmas event. The charming town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell's painting of the village during the holidays (above), was transformed into a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights. They closed off Main St and recreated the scene depicted in Main Street at Christmas, complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day's activities included horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, and Roger the Jester. The most magical part of all was that it snowed the entire time we were there. Wouldn't ya know, I forgot my camera, so my image is from my phone, but if you look close you can see the little snowflakes flying. It was a perfect day.