Porcelain Cheese Board

As I begin to feel fall in the air, a little wine and cheese party with friends feels like a yummy idea. I just love this Porcelain Cheese Board that's new at Farmhouse Wares. The French menu-motif is perfect for serving up fromage in style.

Antiqued Black Metal Pedestals

Inspired by vintage industrial decor, these Antiqued Black Metal Pedestals are perfect for displaying candles, keepsakes and more. They'll come in handy for flaunting your spooky Halloween decorations, too.

Cozy Kitchen Makeover

Last week I mentioned how I gave my farmhouse kitchen a much needed makeover. I wanted to make things a little cozier, especially since the kitchen seems to be the hub of all our activity. Most of our meals are served in the dining room or out on the patio in the summer, so the kitchen has become more of a place to chat and enjoy cocktails as we cook. Because of this, I wanted seating that was a little more comfortable than the small antique Hitchcock chairs we had (shown in the before picture). I also cringed over the old round table we had. It was useful while my daughter was small as she could go to town with her art projects and other messes without me freaking out.

I painted the walls a creamy white to brighten things up. Then I found a wicker settee that fit perfectly in the small space. I made the farm toile pillows and the yellow check cushion. I had the antique farm table in storage, just waiting for the day my daughter was old enough not to destroy it. I found the cheerful yellow wingback chair at a tag sale. I actually love the feeling created by this large upholstered chair. It makes it feel more like a place to sit and chat or read. We tend to hang in here a lot more since the re-do, which is great because the kitchen also has beautiful views of my gardens. It may be a small farmhouse kitchen, but now it's a cozy one too.

Hydrangeas

My Limelight Hydrangea is just packed with blooms. I picked a bunch this morning and put them in one of our new metal vases from the shop. (This is the medium size from our Vintaged Petite Metal Vase Collection.) If you're looking for a good performing Hydrangea, I highly recommend the Limelight. It's always packed and healthy, and the blooms turn from creamy white, to soft pink, to an old-fashioned maroon. It's the perfect flower for a country home.

Country Farm Toile

I came across this adorable country farm toile at a tag sale. I'm pretty drawn to anything toile, but when I saw chickens and sheep and some hearty farmers working away, my heart began to pound (this is always a sure sign I will break out the wallet without hesitation). I've been working on making my kitchen a little more cozy, so I made down-filled pillows with the toile and they seem to fit right in.

Cupcake Stands Create a Buzz

Our Cupcake Stands are creating quite a buzz in the August issue of Brides Magazine, and we're all aflutter about this full-page feature.

Wooden Ribbon Rack is Back

After a very, very long wait, I'm excited to offer the Wooden Ribbon Rack once again. I love mine because it fits my vintage style decor and helps keep all my wrapping supplies organized. The metal rod holds and dispenses ribbon, rick-rack, twine and more. It also has a drawer to keep scissors and tape in one convenient place. That's a wrap.

Wooden Ribbon Rack Available at Farmhouse Wares.

Shaker Cake Recipe

My husband is not big into sweets. This has always been a bit of a drag for me. It's a lot easier to indulge in desserts when you have someone who is just as eager as you. The thought of being the only one to order a sweet treat after a big meal feels a little lonely to me. So, when my husband came home with this shaker cake recipe and said I HAVE to make it, I was intrigued. I had some friends over for dinner the other night and decided to whip this up. It's a perfect summer treat, made with refreshing pineapple and a cream cheese frosting that is to do die for. Give it a try:

Shaker Cake
2 eggs well-beaten
20 oz undrained pineapple (crushed)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

Combine ingredients by hand. Put in ungreased 9" x 13" pan
Bake at 350 for 35-45 min

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 eight-oz. pkg cream cheese
1/4 lb butter
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Displayed on our French Wire Cake Stand, available at Farmhouse Wares

New: Vintaged Petite Metal Vase Collection

We just got this Vintaged Petite Metal Vase Collection in at the shop. They're perfect for setting the table for an elegant brunch or adding to a compilation of beloved white vases (can we ever have enough?). A charming set of three, each vase has an antique off-white, weathered finish for a vintage look.

New: Vintage Style Glass Butter Dish

Keep butter close at hand with our new Vintage Style Glass Butter Dish. Reminiscent of those found in old French country kitchens, its hefty pressed glass is durable and keeps butter cool.

See Us In Romantic Homes

We are honored to have two of our favorite products featured in the current issue of Romantic Homes Magazine. Our Rustic Wire Potato Basket and Glass Jam Pot with Fabric Cover are both on display in their Playing House Section. It's a must-see issue, as it is a Special Flea Market issue and it offers a guide to the best-of-the-best flea markets throughout the US. Thank you so much Romantic Homes.

Galvanized Cake Stand is Back

Many of you may recall The Lettered Cottage post about our Galvanzied Cake Stand and the yummy Key Lime Cake recipe. Well, I'm so excited to report they are finally back in stock today. Thank you all for your patience.

chicken report {no. 13}

Here's one good reason to carry a flashlight out to the coop at night. That little fellow on the bottom looks mighty cozy, but it could have been a stinking disaster.

There are so many nights when I hurry out there in the dark, too lazy to look for the flashlight, and stick my hands in the nesting boxes, fishing for eggs. You'd think I would have learned my lesson when my husband encountered a prickly possum hiding in the coop this spring. He didn't have a light with him, but he quickly realized something didn't sound right and went back for it. This picture is actually my brother-in-law's coop. He put it on facebook with the caption: "reason #6 to pack a flashlight when tending to the coop in the dark." I can't wait to ask him what reason number 1-5 are. I'll keep you posted.

Mulberry Madness

Hey there! Hope you all had a wonderful 4th. I had a relaxing time with family and friends at a nearby lake. When we returned home, all sun-kissed and tired, we realized the chickens had escaped from their run. They seemed like happy campers though, as they had discovered the abundance of mulberries that have fallen from our huge white mulberry tree. For some reason, the tree has been extra productive this year, and we have mulberries coming out of our ears. I'm not a fan of the white mulberry. I find them rather bland, but my husband has a co-worker that loves them, so every year we make sure she gets buckets-full of them. I'm going to try to make a pie, but if anyone out there has a recipe for mulberry muffins, jams or anything that might help to sweeten them, I'd love to hear from you. The berries are at their peak right now, and I'd like to be able to say, mulberries aren't just for the birds.

Happy 4th of July

Rustic Barn Birdhouse

We recently got this Rustic Barn Birdhouse in at the shop. I fell in love with its rusty tin roof instantly. I had my husband attach ours to a post and place it at the edge of our garden. It was easy for him to tackle this project, as the birdhouse has a door in the back for cleaning. He was able to fit a screwdriver in no problem. It took him all of 20 minutes to complete, and it looks great in the garden. I was amazed at how fast the bluebirds came and made a home for themselves in their new barn. Home tweet home. Available at Farmhouse Wares.

catch of the day

While on a trip to the beach this weekend, I caught this guy having a fine lunch. I was glad he found his own snack, so he wouldn't be tempted to come after mine. Last year, my brother-in-law told me he waited in line for quite some time at the beach snackbar for a hamburger, only to have a seagull dive down and steal it from him on his way back to the blanket. It seems these handsome creatures are getting more aggressive, but they'll have to put up a good fight before I let go of my fried clams.

Happy Summer!

Happy Summer Everyone!

May you enjoy lazy days under blue skies

and long nights catching fireflies.

Garden Decor

Cultivating a garden, whether it’s packed with perennials or produce, is a labor of love. Some plants need endless TLC, weeds seem to win the battle by July, and insects can wreak havoc in the blink of an eye. But garden décor…well, that’s the fun part.

For me, adding small pieces of man-made garden décor, is like adding the final touches to a freshly painted room. It’s the easy part, and it’s the moment when I feel like I can finally sit back and admire my hard work. These little garden jewels, such as the cast iron Garden Sign, tend to put a smile on my face, as I stumble across them.

Some act as more than décor: our Rustic Wire Picnic Basket gets put to work at harvest time, and Numbered Row Markers look handsome as they organize little seedlings. Bee Skeps, made with natural fibers, add a touch of cottage garden charm, but they also come in handy for protecting small plants against the danger of frost.

My motto: Keep garden décor simple. It should blend into the landscape with ease. After all, Mother Nature is the real star of the show.

Wire Mesh Cubby and Coat Rack is Back in Stock

They're back! The Wire Mesh Cubby with Coat Rack helps to bring function and style to any room in your farmhouse. Its industrial vintage style offers rustic elegance, 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.

Special Offer

Farmhouse Wares invites you to save 10% off your next purchase.

To save 10% just enter coupon code "new61411" during checkout.

Available today through midnight June 16, 2011.


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


CLICK HERE TO VISIT FARMHOUSE WARES

New: Vintage Style Black Striped Table Runner

Whether you have a sturdy, rustic farm table or a picnic table, this French-inspired, Vintage Style Black Striped Table Runner always looks relaxed and elegant. Made of 100% cotton, this striped runner has the look of old french linen without all the maintenance. Its warm oatmeal color and fine black stripes give it pure farmhouse charm. Easy to care for, it gets softer with each washing. Vintage style farmhouse decor never looked so appealing. Machine wash and dry.

hay fever

Spring is such a busy time in our little rural town. The only traffic jams we see are created by slow-moving tractors. Farmers are the move; gardeners are dreaming up landscapes, softball and baseball games send cheers into the night air. It seems no one has rested since March. Perhaps this is why I always love haying time. Though the farmers move fast, taking full advantage of sunny days, the hay bales seem to stand still and quiet, at least for little while.

Doe a deer

I spotted this family of deer across the street at dusk the other night. One-by-one they made their way from the brush to the clearing. There were about five or six of them. Every sighting is exciting to me. Such beautiful creatures.

Flea Market Time

Wow! This week flew by and didn't offer me much time for blogging. I hope to be back at it next week. In the meantime, I'll leave you for the weekend with this: Our Flea Market Section is brimming with new sale goodies, so stop on by. You can save up to 20% on many items. Have a great weekend!

Keep the Bugs at Bay

We've had so much rain this spring that the mosquitoes are out of control. Last weekend, I had swarms of them around me, and they seem to be the size of small cats. I'm so happy we finally have Insect Veil Spray back in stock. Just in time for the summer season.


Insect Veil Spray is a natural insect repellent. Utilizing age-old herbal wisdom, this effective repellent combines lemongrass, wintergreen and catnip oils with good old Soy Oil. Research suggests that Soy Oil contains insect repelling compounds that are very effective. No Deet, chemicals or synthetics are used, so this is great for kids and those with sensitive skin.

Galvanized Cake Stand Shout Out

I want to thank Layla and Kevin of The Lettered Cottage for making our Galvanzied Cake Stand a little star today. At the moment the cake stand is sadly out of stock, but we're expecting more in mid-June. Feel free to shoot us an email at customercare@farmhousewares.com, and we'll contact you as soon as they are in. I also want to thank Kevin's mom for sharing her Key Lime Cake recipe. I'm wild about key lime anything, and this could be trouble for me as I enter into bathing suit season.

eat your fruits and veggies

Now that local farmer's markets are beginning to crop up for the spring, you can start getting fresh, seasonal produce with ease. Those of you brave enough to tend your own garden know that soon you'll have a plethora of veggies and not nearly enough recipes. (Any new recipes for zucchini are always welcome here.) Stop by the Daily Green for a helpful guide to cooking up 13 different spring fruits and veggies. Make sure you sign up for email newsletters, as you'll be sure to get great tips for green living.

New: Vintage Style WC Sign

Give your bathroom door a touch of European style with our new cast iron WC sign. Used throughout Europe to indicate public toilets or water closets, the WC sign is a whimsical way of helping your guests find their way. Inspired by vintage enamel signs, this sturdy cast iron sign is white with raised black letters.

Just Beachy

Our Coastal Bayberry Soy Candle, by Sweet Grass Farm, is one of our best-selling scents for a good reason--it smells heavenly. It takes me right to the sandy shores where the bayberry bush thrives. Spicy with clove and woodsy notes, this candle creates a warm feeling. The best way to describe it is like being inside a rustic beach cabin with exposed wood beams, sandy floors that need to be swept and fresh saltwater air streaming in through the windows. When I can't get to the beach, I bring the beach to me with the Coastal Bayberry Candle. Available at Farmhouse Wares.