Archive for the ‘Gardening’ 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!


~Web Exclusive Garden Decor at SYW

Friday, March 9th, 2012

With the much anticipated spring season only about a week away, it’s time to start thinking about our outdoor living spaces again. No matter what the space is, being outside in your backyard on a patio, deck or in your garden, at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we know it’s important to call that space your own. Carry themes of your indoor design style to the outdoors and see just  how much more time you’ll start spending out there.

Beautifully pictured here to the left is our new web exclusive, Tulip Plant Stand. A traditional style plant stand presents itself in an elegant tulip shape. Crafted of powder-coated roman bronze to add durability and longevity. Its sturdy 4 leg base supports the frame, leading up to a handy, removable top insert. Mirroring the round plant tray above, is a petite round space for yet another plant if you wish. Therefore our Tulip Plant Stand offers a two-in-one spot to decoratively display your hard work out in the garden. Customers may also enjoy our new Virginia Plant Stand, which offers an exquisite pedestal style base and scalloped, removable plant tray. For more outdoor decorating ideas click Here.

Once you have created your ideal outdoor living space, there are many benefits you should know about enjoying time in the fresh air:

  • Vitamin D provided  from the sunlight improves your immune system and bone health.
  • Being with nature relaxes you and reduces stress levels.
  • Improves your vision, as eyes are relaxed and not strained by tedious indoor activities.
  • Working outdoors improves overall creativity and interest in new hobbies.
  • According to the  Environmental Protection Agency, “air inside our houses and offices is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.”

So get outside and start decorating with Sturbridge Yankee Workshop!



All-A-Flutter with Birds at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Pretty little birds at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop sing the melody of “Home Sweet Home” when used to decorate your country inspired home. A sure sign of warm weather and abundance in the garden, birds brighten our day and their song echoes through many backyards. In addition to a large selection of bird themed decor, we even have items that are specifically made for your feathered friends; such as: bird feeders, birdbaths and uniquely styled birdhouses for them to call home. Click here to see our entire collection of For the Birds items.

Pictured here to the left is our sweet Bird Jute Rug. New for the Spring Catalog, this round accent rug features the delightful phrase of “Home is where your story begins.” What a welcoming way to greet both the season and guests into your home if displayed in an entryway or mudroom. Decorating with birds is a subtle way to bring the outdoors in and have a nature inspired home. Let the beauty of graceful souring birds, returning home after a long winter, be motivation to update your decor or add fun avian accents to any room. Bird themed decor also lends itself well to an overall theme of Cottage home design as well.

On the left is a five star, customer rated pillow now on sale for $10 off the original price during our Annual Spring Sale. Our Bluebird Needlepoint Pillow is a finely stitched image of a beautiful bluebird perched on a tree, crafted in the form of needlepoint with a soft, velveteen back. Designed by Chad Barrett, this decorative pillow would be be perfectly suited on an entryway bench, your favorite chair in the living room or a pretty focal point on your bedding.

Consider choosing a specific bird species when decorating with this theme. For example here in Maine, our state bird is the Black Capped Chickadee. At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we have our new, web exclusive Black Capped Chickadee Clock or our Chickadee Night Light by artist John Solomon, that would feel right at home up here.