Shut the Front Door

My mother has this cunning way of showing her disapproval or forcing her opinion. Her tactic is simple, yet insidious. She basically asks questions. “Is your hair still dark?” she innocently asks. Then she quickly follows with, “You know you look so much better when it’s lightened.” Yes, that was about ten years ago. I tried to go back to my natural color and stop being a slave to the highlights. But her question preoccupied me. Not long after I was begging my stylist to pack in the highlights, and I haven’t looked back.

Last year, in an effort to simplify things around the house, we decided to paint the exterior of our house all one color—a simple farmhouse white. This included the front door. Now, my mom is very traditional, and I know she has a thing for red doors. When she saw the house what did she do? She asked a question: “Are you going to paint the front door?” Then she quickly followed this with, “You know red would really look cute.” For a whole year, every time the subject of our house came up, she asked about the door. I’m not kidding. I just got off the phone with her and she asked again. So, now I’m obsessing over my front door. This is not a project I need right now. Yet, on my bike ride today, I will undoubtedly look at every front door in my neighborhood. I will start to go through magazines and gather paint swatches every time I enter Home Depot. She just has that much power. If only I could simply turn to her and say, “Shut the front door.” (If you know what I mean.)

Clinging to Summer

Hi everyone! I'm back from my little break. I had lots of ocean time, which is an absolute must for re-energizing my soul. I stuffed my face with the best tasting seafood ever, and I spent lots of time with my fam, which is also good for my soul. I'll be honest with you: I'm hanging onto summer as though my life depended on it. I feel like August just slipped away, and I do require more time with the big blue ocean before the leaves change. I'm already looking for my next big break.

lots to luv

There's a lot to luv about this week. My husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary and it's my birthday, too. I think I'll take some time away from blogging, so I can bask in all the luv. See ya next week.

New! Numbered Jars

These Numbered Glass Jars are perfect for the vintage style kitchen or bath. This glass jar canister set has unique shapes and metal flip-top lids reminiscent of old canning jars found in farmhouse pantries. Set of three at Farmhouse Wares. Happy Friday!

baby luv

My bumbie wore this sweet little dress when she was a tiny baby. I recently came across it while cleaning out some drawers. I can't believe she was ever that small. I washed it, and it's now hanging, like a piece of art, in the laundry room.

My Garden Tomatoes

“It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.” Lewis Grizzard

So glad...

it's Friday! Cheers to a great weekend.

Is it Cocktail Hour Yet?

I have had quite an awful day, mainly inspired by technology. Ugh. Is it time for cocktails? Of course, if I were part of the Mad Men generation I wouldn't even think twice about it. But I shall wait for a more proper time--perhaps 5:05 pm will do.

Waterfalls and Ruffles

I'm being haunted by this gorgeous duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. I keep seeing it everywhere. Just when I put it out of my mind, it pops up again. Today I saw it on Brabourne Farm. It's even called the Waterfall Ruffle, which sounds so lovely and tempting. You see, I'm somewhat of a bedding fanatic, and I'm trying to be good about buying anything new because my linen closet is overloaded. But...my birthday is just around the corner.

carrot harvest

Bugs Bunny would be proud—perhaps even a little envious of our carrot harvest this year. I started them early because of the unseasonably warm New England spring we had. I did very little prep work to the soil, in fact, I didn't even amend the soil like I usually do. Nonetheless, we yielded a beautiful crop.

We've been enjoying them, snacking on them with dips. Our favorite recipe is super easy. Basically I sauté a little fresh ginger and minced garlic in butter (about five tablespoons). Then I add a pound of carrots (cut anyway you like), a cup of organic orange juice, and about 1/4 cup of honey. Cook until the liquid is greatly reduced, leaving the carrots coated (almost caramelized), but not wet.

Now the trouble is, after gorging ourselves on our new crop, we've run out of new ways to prepare them. Right now we’re looking for dishes that we can prepare and freeze for the winter months. If you have a favorite carrot recipe, please send it my way. I need all the ideas I can get.

New! Vintage Medicine Cabinet

Our new Vintage Medicine Cabinet is perfect for showcasing antique bottles, soaps, perfumes and good old-fashioned remedies. I'm most fond of the beadboard back. So charming. Happy Friday!

Morning glory...or not

One of the great pleasures of country living is being able to enjoy the glory of a warm, summer morning in the quiet bliss of my backyard.

The other morning the air was perfect. It was a pleasant change from the sticky humid air we’ve been experiencing all summer, so I decided to take my coffee outside and stroll around my gardens. The cats were lounging lazily in sunny patches. The morning glories were just waking up. The world seemed so still.

But this stillness came to a crashing halt when suddenly I heard a truck pulling up my drive. You see, when I decided to take my stroll I was still half naked, wearing only my bathrobe. This bathrobe is not meant for the viewing public. It’s soft and cozy and my best friend when I’m sick, but it ain’t pretty.

When I realized it was our neighbor, and I could hear him getting out of his truck, my brain quickly searched for a solution. I remembered the door on the other side of the house was open. I could get there without him seeing me and get my husband to deal with him. Panicked, but pleased with my quick thinking, I started to run. Then I felt it. My knee just decided to quit on me. Time suddenly slowed to a crawl, and I could see my coffee floating in the air. I saw the path of rocks and metal table that I was about to slam into. Wham. I went down. I went down hard. It wasn't pretty.

Robe now wide open, time sped up but I couldn't move. My neighbor was on our porch, calling “hello?”—just two steps away from me, but still out of sight. My husband ran to the window to see if I was OK. But I couldn't talk because our guest would hear me and move in my direction. I pointed and whispered for him to go to the door. Luckily, he was on it lickety-split.

Shaken and bruised, I collected myself. I secured my robe, fixed my hair, and limped, with whatever dignity I could muster, into the house.

I now have a handsome bruise running down the whole right side of my body, and my beloved bathrobe is covered in coffee stains. I continue watching the glory of each morning unfold; I just make sure I’m wearing the proper attire.

Get Pickling

It's that time of year when the garden is brimming with so much goodness. We've got to put this bounty to work for us, so I've been pickling a ton lately. I've pickled green beans, cucumbers, and eggs, too. Our Glass Pickle Canister is a must-have for pickle season. It has a wide mouth for easy filling and a ceramic flip-top lid to keep things fresh. The Glass Pickle Canister is perfect for pickles or salsa, so savor the garden fresh taste of summer with this vintage style jar. Be sure to visit A Country Farmhouse for an easy pickling recipe that you can use to pickle just about anything. Then add different herbs and seasoning, depending on the desired outcome. Happy pickling!

chicken report {no. 10}

I’d like you all to meet broody Judy. Judy has been broody for a few days now. Basically, when a hen becomes broody she stops laying and is overcome by her motherly instincts to incubate her eggs. Broody hens are also moody hens. Judy growls when we try to move her. She’ll peck at you too.

Of course, it’s probably my fault, because I forgot to collect the eggs one day—maybe two. Broody hens are determined girls. They’ll go without food and water, save for once a day, in the effort of keeping those eggs toasty. Judy is very sickly looking from this. Her comb is all flopped over and dull in color. Last night we took the eggs from under Judy and replaced them with ice cubes. She came out for a while and ran around with the others, but she went back in soon after.

I feel bad, because it must be confusing to go against her natural instincts. But she’s not producing and she could compromise her health, especially in this warm weather. She also may be upsetting the other hens by continually occupying the same box. We’ll try the ice again tonight. I know I wouldn’t want to sit on a bed full of frozen cubes, but like I said, Judy is one determined girl. She’s just doing what a girl’s got to do.

Mid-Summer Sale

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DISCOUNT AVAILABLE ON
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JUST ENTER COUPON CODE "72810" AT CHECKOUT.

OFFER ENDS MIDNIGHT July 31, 2010.
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click here to shop

Summertime and Ferris Bueller

I feel like this summer is going by way too fast. I need to take a break and just swing on an old tire, drink more lemonade, read on the porch, catch fire flies, float in the water and look at the sky. To quote Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I'm going to take a good long look, but I'll be back.

Vintage Style Red Stripe Table Runner

I'm very pleased to report that the Vintage Style Red Striped Table Runner (one of my favorite items) is back in the shop. Whether you have a sturdy, rustic farm table or a picnic table, this French-inspired, Vintage Style Red Striped Table Runner always looks relaxed and elegant. Perfect for laissez-faire dining in any season. Vintage style farmhouse decor never looked so appealing.

Mad Cow

Looks like someone is tired of all this heat and humidity. May you all have a cool weekend!

This is Just to Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

By William Carlos Williams

Blue Bird Cigar Box

Vintage cigar boxes had such beautiful label designs. As cigar smoking became more popular, cigar companies would fight for attention by creating more and more elaborate cigar boxes. I just love how many of the images were very feminine for something so traditionally masculine.

I have fond memories of my dad's cigar smoke wafting through our summer cabin on rainy days. Getting one of his used cigar boxes was such a treat for me. I'd stash away memorabilia from family vacations or notes from bff's. It was hard to tell what was more important--the keepsakes or the beautiful box that held them.

This vintage style Blue Bird Cigar Box is a reproduction of the early 1900's cigar box by the popular Blue Bird brand. I think it's time to create some new memories for this little box. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

summer tastes so good

One of the many delights about our little farm is that it is scattered with bramble bushes. For a short period of time, these wild and thorny bushes are covered with juicy raspberries. If you want to gather enough to make a pie, the trick is to get to them before the birds do. My daughter is vigilant, and every day she'd tour the bushes to see their progress. Finally, it was time. She harvested a heaping bowl full. Still not enough for whole pie, I mixed in some local blueberries and made the most delicious crumb pie. Add a little vanilla ice cream on the side, and I do believe you have a slice of heaven. And don't worry, there were still plenty of berries to be had by those birds.

My bramble berry and blueberry crumb pie recipe:

Mix 1 pint bramble berries and 1 pint blueberries with 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 tbsp flour and 1 tsp lemon peel. Fill a pastry-lined 9-inch pie plate with the mixture.

In a mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup sugar. 3/4 cup flour, 1/2tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp mace. Cut in 5 tbsp of butter until crumbly; sprinkle mixture over the berries. Cover the edge with foil and bake on 375 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 30 minutes more.

Enjoy!

New! Ribbon Rack

Anyone who has ever received a gift from me knows that I love to wrap, decorate and tie pretty bows around my packages. I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but sometimes I spend more time thinking about the wrapping than I do the actual gift. Problem is...I'm not very organized. I've got tons of ribbon stashed under my bed and in bins here and there. So when I found this Wooden Ribbon Rack I had to have one. Perfect for storing and dispensing ribbon, rick-rack, twine and more, it even has a drawer to keep scissors and tape in one convenient place. (My daughter has a way of never putting these two items back where she found them.) I'm excited about having something that matches my decor and functions so well. That's a wrap.

Wooden Ribbon Rack Available at Farmhouse Wares.

Ticking Stripes Forever

Ticking stripe fabric never goes out of style, and it has a way of instantly creating a farmhouse vibe. This past weekend I had ticking stripe fever. I went a little crazy with a few yards of blue ticking fabric. I made slip covered pillows to update my couch , made a long seat cushion for my bench, and I even made a 4th of July skirt for my daughter with ticking stripe pockets. I still have some fabric left. Hmmm....what should I make next?

Ahh...Independence

I hope you all feel the joy of freedom on this Independence Day!

Be safe. Be happy. Just be.

P.S. the image is from my trip to Newport, RI last weekend. Still the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen.

We're Featured in Romantic Homes!

Our Canvas Bordeaux Buckets shown above


We're over the moon about being featured in the August issue of Romantic Homes Magazine.
In the article, "A Vintage Year" you can see our Canvas Bordeaux Buckets, Galvanized Tin Pedestal, and our Zinc Place Cards. It's available on newstands, so we hope you'll check it out.

Don't Let Flies Bug You

Don't let pesky flies bug you during your 4th of July outdoor celebrations. Our new Willow and Glass Fly Catcher takes care of these pests the old-fashioned way--without harmful toxins. This vintage style fly catcher will have guests buzzing as your garden becomes a fly free zone. It has a hole in the bottom. Fill it with something tantalizing. Flies get in but they can’t get out. A good all-natural fly catching recipe, based on the old adage, “you can catch more flies with molasses than vinegar”, is a simple mixture of equal parts molasses and water. It's especially helpful for those annoying fruit flies, too.

Glassware Caddy--perfect for summer

When the warm weather embraces us, my family does a ton of outdoor entertaining. Our patio basically becomes our daily living/dining room. I get tired of lugging things in and out of the house though, which is why our new Wire Glassware Caddy is my new best friend. Forget having glasses slip and slide all over trays. The caddy keeps them safe and sound for easy, convenient transport to our outdoor world. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

happy first day of summer

Enjoy every bit of summer 2010!

Life's a Picnic

I must have this vintage style picnic tin. It comes with all the goodies you see here. Its red, white and blue colors make it perfect for a 4th of July picnic.

Fluffy's Annual Hair Do

Some of you may recall my post last year about Mr. Fluffy's annual shave. Well, it's that time again, and he's looking smart with his new hair-do. (Many of my friends like to refer to it as a "hair-don't.)

He was turning into quite the furball, and he really suffered during those few hot days we had, so here he is--not so fluffy right now. He's getting a ton of extra love and attention too. You know how it is with a new buzz cut...you just can't stop running your hands over it. He's loving every minute of that.