Unofficial Start of "Summah"

The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the unofficial start of summer, or "summah" as it's pronounced here in Maine! This picture is from Maine humorist Gary Crocker. I thought it fitting for today's post.

I decided to celebrate what for most folks is their favorite season with the biggest sale yet - 30% off your entire order when you enter the discount code "SUMMAH" at check-out. This is for new orders, back-orders do not apply. The code is not case-sensitive, I put it in all caps here to highlight the word. The code will be active through this Saturday, June 2nd. Feel free to share with family and friends, and it can be reused as well.

Hope your Memorial Day weekend was relaxing and fun. I hear planting was the most popular activity and we were no exception. Some veggies and herbs are in the ground and seeds started for more. A few perennials were added to our collection. Looking forward to an abundant summer with lots of flowers and good things to eat.

Enjoy your short work week!

What's the Bzzzzz

I made this little bee skep pin some time ago and love wearing it. People comment on it all the time. It looks great worn on a spring green cotton sweater. Kits seemed like a fun idea, so I made up a bunch and they're available on my web site for $10. The kits include #6 wool strips (may vary from sample), piece of wool for pin backing, bit of dark brown wool roving to needlefelt the bee skep opening, pin back, piece of cardboard to give your pin some stability (optional), color picture, written instructions and little design on paper for you to trace on your preferred rug backing. Make your pin with the wool provided or dive into your own stash and color plan it your way. I'd love to see your finished pins!

The sun is shining after all the rain we've had the past few days. My mood is greatly improved! Let's see if I can get out there and do something in the yard. Enjoy your day!

Last Call for Book Sale!

Last call to save 25% on those books you've had your eye on!
Need to round out your Maggie Bonanomi collection, for example?

There are dozens more to choose from - browse through all the Books categories to see if there's something you "need". Sale prices will be given on orders placed through midnight Wednesday, EST.

Ciao!

Happy Mother's Day

A quick post to wish all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day! Do click on the picture to read this lovely sentiment from an 1890s book. Very sweet, and just reinforces the fact that there is no love like a mother's love.

I hope you spend the day wrapped in the warmth of your families.

Another Sale!

I'm still in "sale mode", so when I took a look at the many books in my inventory I thought it would be a great time to make room for what I know will be coming my way in a few months. ALL BOOKS are on sale for 25% off - stock up on titles you've been contemplating, or stock up for upcoming holiday gifts, or just gift yourself! No exclusions - get out your reading glasses and have at 'em! And remember, shipping is free on orders of $50 or more. As with other sales, I'll apply your discount when I process your credit card order, or refund your discount to your PayPal account if you pre-pay using that method.

Special Purchase:

Haven't checked out FOLK yet? It's a great new publication about the simple life, great American artisans and exploring our great country. Here's the scoop: after selling out of last year's Christmas issue I neglected to reduce the number of issues I purchase wholesale when interest in magazines typically falls off. So, my mistake will allow you to get the first issue of 2012 at a reduced price of $4.00. You may find a new "must have" read.

Have a great day!

You Whoo

Owls rule! I hear them in the woods behind our house on warm nights. You see them in art everywhere. How about hooking some?

From Primitive Spirit, Owl Babies is a set of 3 paper patterns for adorable little 5-1/2" hooked, heart-shaped pals to sit in a bookshelf, as a pincushion on your sewing table, grouped in an old wooden bowl, etc., etc. Pattern set - $10.00. I made the middle guy, so cute with little tufted ears! He/she was really fun and fast to hook and finish.

Also from Primitive Spirit, the three hooked stockings, Greygown, Hortensia, and Bronwyn, are designs drawn on premium linen and sell for $39.00 each. All are 12" x 17" and come with color picture and illustrated finishing instructions. I'm trying to decide which one I want to make.

Whoo loves these as much as I do?

Just the Flax, Ma'am

On rainy days I generally find myself rummaging through my favorite recipes looking for something to bake. Lately it's been loaf cakes and breads, and I've been using ground flaxseed meal quite a bit. Hodgson Mill makes ground flaxseed meal that's a great source of Omega-3, so whenever I use it I feel a little more healthy! You can find it in most big grocery stores these days, usually in the health food or organic section.

Today I made this - probably thee best banana bread I've ever had! Click here for the recipe from Cooking Light. I make one addition: half a cup of dark chocolate chips, and this time I used 3 bananas instead of the usual two, and tried to leave them a little chunkier when mashing. Always gets rave reviews from my husband!

Here's another great cake that I make often, sometimes lemon, sometimes orange: it's Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Yogurt Cake (click here for the recipe), and boy, do we love this! I've blogged about it before, but it bears repeating because it's that good!! I omit the glaze on top, it's plenty sweet enough without it. Where the banana bread recipe actually calls for the flaxseed meal, I add it to this recipe in place of one of the eggs. As a general rule of thumb, you can replace one egg with a tablespoon of flaxseed meal and three tablespoons of water, and it doesn't affect the finished product at all. This is an extremely moist and flavorful cake, and the flecks of flaxseed meal give it some visual texture too, as well as the aforementioned health benefits.

Well, those are the "flax"! I hope you'll experiment with this healthy ingredient in your baking adventures too!