Bonnie Mohr was raised in a large family, being the 2nd oldest out of 8 children. There was plenty of room though, as they grew up on a dairy farm and all shared the daily tasks of farm life. Bonnie knows that the experience and hard work she gained during her upbringing, in combination with the values instilled in her by her parents, helped shape who she is today. What she refers to as “pure country living” is something she has carried over into her own family values on what is currently, the Mohr Family Farm in rural Glencoe, Minnesota. Her husband John, a dairy farmer as well, and Bonnie have five children together. Glencoe is also the home of the Bonnie Mohr Studio, where she paints daily and also has a gallery for people to come visit.

Another beautifully painted, rural country scene by this artist is pictured here to the left. Our Living Today Print features a long, dirt covered road along the countryside. Met by a tiny mailbox, a farm further down to the right and lined with utility poles. Rustic undertones of cream, brown, green and orange give detail to the fore, middle and background of this textured print. Bonnie’s inspirational message here, begins with the phrase: “Today is a gift. Embrace it with joy and anticipation…realize the possibilities.” Continuing on to remind us, “live in the present and appreciate things you might otherwise miss.”

Both of these prints offered at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop are highlighted by a gorgeous brown frame, with distressed brass finish and wire hanger; proudly made in the USA. Give as gift to a loved one or hang in a prominent wall in your home for all your family to see.

~ My work is a reflection of who I am, and what I believe. It is simple, and it is truthful! It defines moments, places, and things in life that are good, pure and right. I believe that if you engage your life and everything you believe in whole-heartedly, with conviction, passion and love…..everything else will fall into place.

– Bonnie L. Mohr

What You’ll Need:

2-3 lbs. potatoes, peeled, sliced and divided

3/4-lb. pkg. cooked ham, cubed and divided

1 onion, sliced and divided

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided

10-3/4 oz. can cream of celery soup

In addition to only using 5 ingredients, this recipe requires only 5 easy steps too!

Directions:

1. Layer a third each of the potatoes, ham, onion and cheese in a well-greased slow cooker.

2. Repeat another 2 times.

3. Spread soup on top.

4. Heat on a low setting for 7 to 8 hours.

5. Stir occasionally. Serves 4.

Teak is a hardwood. Containing silica (silicon and oxygen or SiO2), the wood can dull most sharp ends but luckily isn’t so dense that it’s impossible to work with. One of the greatest features of teak wood, is its natural oils. The oils allow the furniture to be exposed to the elements with little to no help from staining or coats of varnish; this also makes the wood pest and termite resistant. It’s an amazingly hard and nature resistant wood — making it the perfect medium to create outdoor furniture.

In the damp soils of the deep hardwood forests of Indonesia, China, and Myanmar, tall rod-like trees peak their rounded leaves above the canopy. The tree’s trunks look bundled together as if they are working together and seem to bind themselves in order to reach the nutrient rich sunlight and continue to grow. These stalks of the lush forest are known as Teak.

Our Teak Outdoor Furniture

At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we know you don’t want to buy new patio and backyard furniture every single year. You would like to purchase good quality furniture without the worry of wear or staining each season. That is why we’re pleased to carry an assortment of Teak furniture, exclusively on our website. Seen above is our Teak Folding Chair, which comes as a lovely set of two. As with all of the furniture pieces mentioned here, it is made of  grade A , plantation grown Teak that is kiln dried to reduce the moisture in the wood. The chair folds easily, making the chair extremely portable. Its design ergonomically supports your back for a comfortable seat outdoors.

Pictured here to the left is our Teak 18″ Round Table. Presenting the same clean lines as our set of two chairs, this round table is ideal for smaller patio spaces or decks. In addition to the product specifications mentioned above, our Teak furniture is formed through the use of both mortise and tenon joinery for a durable construction. (Mortise and tenon joinery is a technique used for centuries by skilled woodworkers; connecting wood at 90° angles that allows for simplicity and strength). Any hardware, or bolts that you see are solid brass.

~ To see more of our beautifully crafted Teak furniture pieces and other outdoor furniture for your spring and summer enjoyment, click here: Outdoor Furniture.

Shortbread is traditionally a Scottish dessert, but has taken a few different forms throughout history. During Medieval times, shortbread, literally was a short-bread; simple dried bread that when hardened had sugar added. It became widely popular among individuals who could afford luxury and Mary, Queen of Scots saw to it that she made her mark on the recipe too. What was later named “petticoat tails” was her idea of cutting the shortbread into wedges and flavoring them with caraway seeds. For many centuries it was a dessert only reserved for special occasions and the wealthy. In Shetland, an island of Scotland, they still to this day break shortbread over the heads of newlyweds as they enter their new home.

Some call it a biscuit, some call it a cake, but most refer to it as a type of cookie. Actually, this cookie in modern times hasn’t veered to0 far from its original form. The basic ingredients are 3 parts flour, 2 parts butter and 1 part sugar; type of sugar or flour used may vary. You can bake them individually as traditional cookies, however the idea is to have them be level and even in order to ensure they are cooked perfectly; thus having a need for quality made shortbread pans, like our Meadow Flowers Shortbread Pan (seen above), an Irish Lace Shortbread Pan, or our Butterfly Garden Shortbread Pan (seen below).

Get crafty with Flower Cones!

Another use for your ceramic shortbread pan is to use the mold to create beautiful flower cones or cone shaped baskets, to fill with either hard candies, potpourri, dried or fresh flowers.

What You’ll Need: 1 ceramic shortbread pan, 1 package of paper making linter (easily found at your craft store), sieve, sponge, kitchen towel, hot glue, scissors, paints, lace, and 15-30” of satin ribbon.

1. Make up a batch of paper pulp. Pour about 2 cups of pulp into a sieve to drain for about thirty seconds

2. Pour pulp into round ceramic pan; smooth out evenly so edges are even.

3. Sop up excess water with sponge and then use your towel to press the pulp into all the details of the mold.

4. Allow the paper to completely dry in the pan. (leave over night or put in the oven at 150° for 4 hours)

5. Carefully peel paper out of mold; you may need to use a knife to loosen the edges.

6. Trim any edges needed of the paper casting. Cut in half. Get creative and paint any decorations you would like.

7. Crease the paper casting along the scored lines and fold it together to form a cone. Run a bead of hot glue down one edge and glue the cone together. Here you can glue a lace trim if you would like along the inside of the top.

8. Glue the ends of your ribbon inside, onto either side of the cone to form a “handle.” Tie an additional bow if you like. Once everything has dried, you now are ready to fill your basket with whatever decorative or flowers you desire. Hang on a doorknob or give as a thoughtful gift to a friend.

2 potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 cups water

1 large onion, diced

1/4 cup butter, cut

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried and crushed

1/4 teaspoon rosemary, dried and crushed

1 1/2 cups milk

Directions:

1. Bring the two cups of water to a boil, cook cubed potatoes until soft.

2. In another saucepan, grill diced onion in butter.

3. Then add the flour, salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary. Slowly stir in the milk.

4. Bring to a boil; cook while stirring for 3 minutes.

5. Add in the cooked potatoes with this mixture; heat all together.

6. Add pepper to taste, garnish with additional fresh or dried herbs of your choosing, and enjoy.

Yes, all of the flags mentioned here are Machine Washable. Other notable features include:

Weather and Fade Resistant - protecting your flag from harmful weather elements, as well as prolonged sun exposure.

Permanent Dye – image is finished in a heat sublimation process to permanently dye the fabric; allowing colors to appear brighter and more vivid for years to come. (Same image on reverse)

100% 600 Denier Polyester – made from a quality 600 count denier polyester; increasing the fabric’s strength and durability. “Den” indicates a unit of measure, while “denier” indicates the level of fineness in the fabric. The 600 count produces a soft and smoother texture, than say a 1200 count for example.

Seen here to the left is another option, our Patriotic Poppies Flag. Perfect to display Memorial Day through the Fourth of July, this flag presents a design by artist Judy Buswell. A field of blooming red poppies is set amongst a summer field. The basket shows off a draping banner of the American flag.

Keep your flag in place with our uniquely shaped, Bent Flag Pole and mount it appropriately with our Adjustable Metal Flag Pole Bracket; both used in the images shown.

~Browse all of our Outdoor Flags today.

Another option to inspire Maine living, is none other than
our Blueberry Rug. Blueberries and Maine have become synonymous over the years as it is our official state fruit, producing 25% of the low bush blueberries in North America. These treasured little blueberries are seen here in a small basket, peraps after a long day picking in the fields. Atop a bush of more blueberries, the image is set against a cream background and displays a distinctive deep blue braided border.

On a daily basis you might find Harry sketching various Maine objects, of wildlife or food, while also creating original designs in his studio. He is not just a painter though, as we know him at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. Harry is also an accomplished author, illustrator, sculptor, graphic designer and miniaturist. His books include such titles as, ABC’s of Maine and Windjammers of the Maine Coast. He is featured in “Who’s Who in American Art,” as well as on Early American Life’s list of “America’s Top 200 Traditional Craftsman.”

Other Harry Smith designs at SYW include those featured on our Lobster Rug and our Portland Head Light Rug; both presenting the true beauty that is, Maine.

1/2 cup chopped green peppers

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons low-fat milk

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoons salsa

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF.

2. Saute the vegetables in the olive oil, then add the salsa and reduce for 2 minutes.

3. While the vegetable and salsa mixture is reducing, take a mixing bowl (consider our perfectly sized Ceramic Mini Mixer Bowl, seen above) and add the eggs and low-fat milk. Mix gently.

4. Pour the egg and milk mixture into the veggies and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Sprinkle the cheese on top and place the saute pan (one without a plastic handle) into the oven.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife is clear after cutting through the center. Enjoy.

The Shakers sought to apply harmony and order to every aspect of life. As they put it, “Do your work as though you had a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow.” Simple, honest style and fine craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Shaker design. Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we have a large selection of furniture that features the clean, simple lines this style is known for. With all shaker furniture, it is important that the piece have a functional benefit as well. Style and practicality is what you’ll find with our existing customer favorite and new shaker products.

Pictured here to the left is our Shaker Desk. The desk’s tapered legs highlight the smooth table surface for work and computer use. A single front drawer easily pulls out to store important paperwork or crafting materials. Our Shaker Desk is great because with the choice of either a chestnut or golden oak stain, it will coordinate with all home decor styles. If you need more space, we have a Large Shaker Desk, which offers two drawers instead.

Another new Shaker option at SYW is our Shaker Side Cabinet, seen here to the left. This side cabinet is great because it doubles as both a storage cabinet and an accent or end table. Designed to fit into smaller spaces, a front cabinet door opens to a spacious interior, while a bottom shelf and top table surface offer additional display space. This distinctive piece is also available in the chestnut (shown) or golden oak stain.

All of the new product mentioned here is proudly made in the USA of American hardwood that complies with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Northeast forests. A five step finishing process protects the furniture from moisture or stains; ensuring its durability and longevity for years to come in your home.

- 1 lb. ground beef

- 1 onion, chopped

-1 10 ounce can tomatoes, with chiles

- 1 10-10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup

- 1 8 oz. package fine egg noodles, cooked

Directions

Brown beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat; drain. Add remaining ingredients. Next place mixture in an non greased 2 quart casserole dish (consider our Haeger Large Rectangular Baker, seen below). Bake at 350°F, for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serves 4 people comfortably as a main dish; more if used as a side. For additional yummy zest, sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese before baking and make it easy with our stainless steel Lexington Hand Grater, seen below. Enjoy!