new york snow storm!

This past week I was in New York City when they got hit with one of the many snowstorms that have pummeled them this winter. 
It was beautiful!  It is so amazing to see this "city that never sleeps" literally shut down.  
No taxis, no cars.... silence... if for only a few short hours.
They got 15 inches of snow over night and it was almost impossible to get around. 
....Especially if you were planning on riding this!

seed time!!

It's that time of year!  Time to start thinking of SPRING!!  I cant wait!  They say we are going to have one of the snowiest February's ever - Worst than last year!  How can that be!
So its time to pull out the many many seed catalogues that have been filling our mailbox and start making the list of what all we are buying.
(I would rather pick out seeds than work on my taxes anyways!!)
The list always includes the following:
3-4 types of lettuce
kohlrabi
beans
carrots
spinach
3-4 types of zinnias
cosmos
zucchini
watermelons
onions
radishes
cabbage
(we already have the asparagus patch, strawberry patch and the raspberries)
We usually get several types of sweet corn (my favorite!)
Indian corn
and the biggest portion of our order is PUMPKINS!  We love our pumpkins.  In the past we have bought 40 + varieties of pumpkins and gourds.  I hope there are some new varieties for us to try this year.  The majority of what we plant are Heirloom.
I have always been the gardener in the family.  A master gardener in the past.  It wasn't until we started pumpkins that my husband got into gardening.  They are like his babies.  He walks me through the patch in the evenings showing me his favorites. He points out how they grow. Like a proud papa!
Oh, I cant wait for those summer evenings!

two in one!

This is a great idea for a gift for a friend or for yourself.  In fact it is two gifts in one!
It is a charm bracelet and with an added extra chain that makes it into a charm necklace!

I collect charms, new and old; charm bracelets, new and old; and put them all together.

Add a piece of pretty chain to make your bracelet the length necklace you would like it.  Add a clasp onto one end.

Here are a couple examples of these great gifts.  I will be listing these on my Etsy this week.
I always finish them off with a special hand made with love charm!
You could do this with any bracelet that you love.  Just find some complimentary chain, add a clasp and you can wear it two ways!

jewelry organizer

Here is another fun idea to do with old frames.  Create a beautiful framed jewelry organizer that looks like framed art!
Pick a frame that measures tall enough to hold your jewelry.  Depending on what you have, you can do one level or two.  You could hang necklaces from the top, bracelets from the bottom row, etc.
Once you have your frame.  Measure the back inside.  We cut a thin board just slightly smaller than these measurements to allow for covering with velvet.  About a 1/4 in smaller all around.
We then cover the board with velvet.  I like to keep the colors neutral, but you could choose something that goes with your home decor.  I use cotton velvets.
Pull the velvet tight and staple the back side.  Similar to when you recover a chair bottom.
Decide the placement of where your knobs are going to go.  For knobs I use vintage knobs.  You can also get a good selection of pretty knobs from Hobby Lobby.
With a small drill bit carefully drill through the front of the velvet through the board.
Stagger your knobs placement from the top to the bottom so longer necklaces can hang down between your bottom knobs.
Put knobs on and secure with a nut - you may want to cut off excess - or sometimes we cut a little extra block of wood to put on the back where the knob comes through for extra strength.
Insert your velvet covered knobbed board into the back of the frame and secure.

Hang on your wall, add your jewelry...instant art!
You now have a beautiful jewelry display, as well as a beautiful framed art piece. 
I have made these for gifts too!

resolution # 2 completed! website is done!

I have been working with the wonderful Sara from Sadie Olive Design. 
She has been doing my website and has done a wonderful job!
Please stop by and check it out!
www.frenchhenfarm.com
Here is one of the collages from the new websites photo album.