Archive for the ‘Entertaining Tips’ Category

~A Springtime Treat: Garden Bounty Dinner & Minty Orange Iced Tea

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

As we welcome the start of the spring season and all the warm weather we have been lucky to have lately, here are two recipes to help get you in the mood for fresh, garden inspired cooking. Our featured main course is a Garden Bounty Dinner and for a refreshing beverage, try our Minty Orange Iced Tea. These delightful recipes are courtesy of our Farmer’s Market Favorite Recipes Cook Book.


~ Garden Bounty Dinner

1 T. oil                                     1 onion, chopped

4-6 chicken legs                      3 C. cooked rice

6-8 zucchini, chopped           1 lb mushrooms, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped          1 green pepper, chopped

2 15oz. cans stewed tomatoes    1 t. turmeric

2 t. garlic, minced                         pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Set aside and keep warm. Add remaining ingredients except rice to skillet; cook for 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and continue to cook until juices run clear. Serve alongside servings of rice. Serves 4-6 people. Feel inspired all the time, by garden vegetables in the kitchen with our Lorraine Garden Prints, seen above.


~ Minty Orange Iced Tea

6 C. water

8 teabags

1/4C. fresh mint, chopped

3 T. sugar

2 C. orange juice

juice of 2 lemons

ice

Directions:

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags, mint and sugar. Steep for approximately 20 minutes. Discard tea bags, strain out mint. Chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a large pitcher, (consider our new Sanford Glass Beverage Dispenser, seen above) and add both the lemon and orange juice at this time. Serve in tall glasses over ice and garnish with lemon or orange rinds.  Enjoy!


~Springtime Bunny Collectibles – New at SYW

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Spring is just around the corner and with that brings spring decorating! A highlight of the spring season for many, is decorating their home for the Easter holiday. And when we think Easter decor at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, it’s all about the bunnies! These collectible bunny sculptures are dressed for the occasion, though for any rabbit, hare, or wee bunny lover, they are perfect to display on a mantle or side table year round.

Introducing Pierre Hare, featured here to the left. Pierre is dressed for the occasion with his Easter best attire; a purple and pink plaid vest and bright purple neck tie. He carries a basket filled with fresh, ready to eat carrots to bring to the big dinner. Wide eyed and bushy tailed, Pierre makes an excellent pairing with his dear friend Phoebe Hare (also new this season). Phoebe wears a pink and purple polka-dot skirt with a cheery yellow top and purple handkerchief. Also shown with carrots in hand, both bunny sculptures are originally handcrafted by the artist and designer Lori Mitchell.

Perhaps you might be aware of Lori’s artistic talent as she has shared numerous collectible figurines with us over the years, though mentioned here are her designs that are appropriate for this season. Lori Mitchell was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Lori has always been inspired by children’s themes and literature, old illustrations and toys. In 1999 she began making her first paper-mache pieces for the folk art world and has never looked back.


Another new bunny collectible offered this spring, is our pair of adorable Wee Bunnies, pictured here to the left. This adorable bunny pair is ready for Easter dinner with their bright orange carrots made from pipe cleaners. The female bunny wears a textured pink dress and the male bunny wears a textured yellow handkerchief around his neck. Standing on a bed of bright green grass, these sweet little bunnies would love a spot on your side table or mantle this year. And of course their ears and mouths are painted the most cheerful of pinks. Crafted from resin like the other friendly bunnies displayed here, the original was produced by designer Corbin Wind.

Corbin Wind had an interest in artistic ventures from a very early age. She always enjoyed using her imagination to create characters and stories that represented familiar human characteristics in every day life. Her designs today offer a bit of whimsy and colorful charm; as seen with most of our talented of folk artists. A graduate of Ohio University, this self-taught artist continues to reach for her dreams.

~P.S. All the bunny sculptures presented in this article are now on sale during Sturbridge Yankee Workshop’s Annual Spring Sale!




~Whimsical Williraye Folk Art… New for Spring

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Distinctive, unexpected, classic and fresh – Sturbridge Yankee Workshop presents our spring collection of highly collectible Williraye Studio resin sculptures for your home! These sought after folk art figurines and home accents are created through the creative mind of Bobbe Punzel-Schuknecht and partnered with the accomplished carving talents of her husband Jeff Schuknecht. Their art studio sits nestled in the rolling hills of rural Wisconsin, where life on the farm is expressed in their art.


Jeff & Bobbe

The name Williraye is a combination of their middle names. “Willi” short for Jeff’s middle name William and “Raye” for Bobbe’s middle name. The joint effort shared in creating each of these whimsical characters, is one that they both are very proud of. Bobbe feels as though she is telling a story through her work and the detailed carving and painting brings them to life. In their spare time they enjoy life on the farm and continue collecting various antiques together. They are both very pleased that through their work they are touching the lives of folk art lovers everywhere.

New for the Spring 2012 catalog, we have four new whimsical figurines that are perfect for spring time decorating. Seen here to the left is our friendly Farm Life Farmer Sculpture; as part of our Farm Life Collection. Ready for a hard day’s work on the farm, he’s sporting a heavy pair of overalls and a wide brimmed straw hat. Even the rooster, lazy dog and cat peeking out of his pocket, know it’s time to begin. Also included in this collection is the Farm Life Farmer’s Wife Sculpture. She too is ready to complete her daily chores on the farm, all the while displaying a warm smile. She wears a long striped apron and carries her barnyard friends along for the day. Last, but certainly not least, is our Farm Life Cow Sculpture to round out the collection. Featuring a young boy atop a large cow with puppies and bluebirds in tow, this happy go lucky group is having a grand time on the farm. If you look closely the boy carries an ice cream cone, while the cow tries to sneak a lick. Display all together for your own inviting farm scene on a mantle or side table this spring.

Another welcomed addition from the Williraye Studio family, our Girl with Bunnies Sculpture is ready to hop into your home for the coming season. Whimsically dressed of course and carrying one large happy bunny, this friendly group is packed and ready to go with lots of carrots in tow. Details are seen on the realistic looking woven basket, pink bunny ears and texture in the girl’s brown pig tails. This would make an ideal Easter or spring birthday gift for the Willraye Studio collector.

All of the Williraye Studio sculptures are reproduced from an original hand sculpted mold, using centuries-old techniques and hand painted details that are then transferred beautifully into the resin figurines we love. Grace your country home with any of these Williraye Studio collectibles for welcoming spring time decorative accents that will be around for years to come.

~Thanks Bobbe Punzel-Schuknecht & Jeff Schuknecht for sharing your creative designs with us at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop!