My husband's website is up and running again. Check out his ironwork. Aside from commissioned sculptural pieces he also makes functional items for the home.....
www.johnbstokes.com
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Hello Bluebird
Need I say more? How cute is this name! I was in need of a great gift and was enticed by the name. I walk in and I'm greeted by all things homemade-handcrafted-many things made locally-fabulousness. The owner, Alex, also runs a mini craft bazaar in the summer months. They also have a great selection of stuff for kids and babies....all homemade. It is like Etsy right at your fingertips.
www.hellobluebird.net
http://www.craftybynature.net/
I included Hello Blue Bird in an article I wrote about Vintage Jane (owned by Stacey McCaffrey) who sells her items in the store as well as has her own store on Etsy.
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=184082
www.hellobluebird.net
http://www.craftybynature.net/
I included Hello Blue Bird in an article I wrote about Vintage Jane (owned by Stacey McCaffrey) who sells her items in the store as well as has her own store on Etsy.
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=184082
A Love of Asparagus
I recently ran into my friendly neighbor, and owner of Oley Valley Organics, Barb. We talked about her yummy asparagus which will be sold once we start seeing the daffodils popping up. Her roadside stand will be full come spring.
This is also a wonderful spot for picking your own raspberries and strawberries. Her patch is unreal and you save lots of money compared to the roadside stand price. It is also more fun and I find they taste better when you actually pick them yourself! My son was more into eating them the last time we picked them. We picked enough pints to freeze throughout the summer for making smoothies.
A great tip barb gave me....Best way to freeze is to lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze the berries individually and then put them in a freezer bag so they don't stick together.
The only thing I want to warn you about his the mushroom soil they sell. It is not aged, so if you buy it, don't use it for the current season and ask them best tips on prepping it so it is organically certifiable.
Here is an article I included them in last year that sheds more light on their mission as well as the bread they make in their bake oven...the first photo you see includes some bread I made in a relative's bake oven.....if you ever have the chance to cook bread, pizza or pies in a bake oven, take it!!
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=134862
This is also a wonderful spot for picking your own raspberries and strawberries. Her patch is unreal and you save lots of money compared to the roadside stand price. It is also more fun and I find they taste better when you actually pick them yourself! My son was more into eating them the last time we picked them. We picked enough pints to freeze throughout the summer for making smoothies.
A great tip barb gave me....Best way to freeze is to lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze the berries individually and then put them in a freezer bag so they don't stick together.
The only thing I want to warn you about his the mushroom soil they sell. It is not aged, so if you buy it, don't use it for the current season and ask them best tips on prepping it so it is organically certifiable.
Here is an article I included them in last year that sheds more light on their mission as well as the bread they make in their bake oven...the first photo you see includes some bread I made in a relative's bake oven.....if you ever have the chance to cook bread, pizza or pies in a bake oven, take it!!
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=134862
Grid
I came across a new magazine offered for FREE near the front door at Kimberton Whole Foods, called GRID. This is part of my new fireside and bedside reading material. It is all about sustainability and touches upon food, design, etc. If you'd rather check them out online, here is their website. Great read.
http://www.gridphilly.com/
http://www.gridphilly.com/
Two Gander Farm
One thing that is super unique about this farm is that they offer a CSA (organically grown food, but not certified) when no one else is...during the cold winter months! This farm is located just down the road from my home on Covered Bridge Rd in Oley and thanks to 4,000 square feet of greenhouse space, it is a sight to be seen during the winter months. Rick, the co-owner with Trey, is a great guy and will be happy to give you a tour anytime. It is such a treat to see the lush selection of greens and veggies during this time of year. Their 300 member CSA is full this year, but you can always get a head start and sign up for next year!
Here is an article I wrote about them if you want to learn more as well as see a photo of Rick in one of his greenhouses on my last visit:
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=267373
Here is an article I wrote about them if you want to learn more as well as see a photo of Rick in one of his greenhouses on my last visit:
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=267373
Warm & Toasty
I walked by them a few times intrigued by the mix-matched wool clippings from old sweaters, making each mitten unique in the pair. They were staring at me at the Kimberton Whole Foods in Douglassville on my weekly shopping trips and I finally bought them (when they went on sale) and my hands could not be more appreciative! They are fleece-lined making them super warm.
It turns out there is a great background story here...aside from them being made by some locals, two sisters started making them as thank-you gifts when their mother was in hospice. Now, they have turned it into a business.
It turns out there is a great background story here...aside from them being made by some locals, two sisters started making them as thank-you gifts when their mother was in hospice. Now, they have turned it into a business.
New Cafe Discovery
The Raw Can Roll Cafe is worth the trip for anyone in a 1/2 hr radius or more. I highly recommend the guacamole and hummus (served with their homemade veggie crisps) and the seasonal soups (the only thing not raw for winter) are also divine! The atmosphere is best for lunch and they are closed Sun and Mon.
www.rawcanrollcafe.com
The owner of the cafe also owns Pure Body Wellness, a holistic wellness center, located in the same shopping strip.
www.purebodynow.com
www.rawcanrollcafe.com
The owner of the cafe also owns Pure Body Wellness, a holistic wellness center, located in the same shopping strip.
www.purebodynow.com
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