The Spring Home Collection | Launched!

Our home is officially freshened for spring.  This season, I am embracing blues and fresh greens with plenty of pots full of lush plants.  I have vases full of daffodils and pitchers with tulips, buckets of blooming branches and planters planted with topiary.  Most importantly, the windows are open, the sprinklers are running (we need some rain!), the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the afternoons are warm.  We are ready for time in the garden, hosting friends for casual dinners and family for spring holidays.  Welcome, Spring!

Shop the Spring Home Collection >

This collection features new custom block prints for Spring with my favorites, blues and greens.  There are pillow covers, table runners, napkin sets, tea towels and fabric yardage for your special projects.  

This table is set with a row of potted tete a tete (mini daffodils) in Small Rustic Pots down a Green Lily Runner.  I love the aged finish these pots have, they truly look like weathered antiques.  Creamware Platters hang in the background - one of my reasonless favorites.

The front door is holds a Hanging Basket full of forsythia for now.  In a couple of weeks, it will change to cherry blossoms.  Our front steps are set with two Planters from the Large Medallion Set (that comes with one this size, and one larger).  The larger two are on our back porch.  

The Rattan Baskets (set of 2, nesting) are back in stock.  The larger of the set is a permanent fixture on our ottoman, always filled with various reads and toys ; )

Now onto the pillow covers.  The pillow covers!  Here, the Privot Berry 22" square cover is paired with the Light Blue Leaf Rectangle cushion cover.

Light Blue Leaf Collection

Light Blue Leaf 22" Square Cover, $42

Light Blue Leaf Rectangle Cover, $32

Napkins, Set of 4, $32

Tea Towel, $8

Napkins, Set of 4, $32

Rustic Pot, Medium, $15

Tea Towel, $8

Privot Berry Pillow Cover Collection, $32-42

Privot Berry Pillow Cover Collection, $32-42

Privot Berry Napkins, $32

Cupcakes on the smallest of the Bread Board Set.

Tea Towel, $8

This green color turned out a little brighter than I had intended, but I think it feels fresh and springy!

20" Square Pillow Cover

24" x 14" Rectangle Pillow Cover

Napkins, Set of 4

Runner, 108 x 20"

Watering Pitchers, $18-32

Tea Towel

Planter Boxes

 I am so thrilled with these.  The smaller (Petite Medallion Planter, $45) is an 8x8x8" cube, and holds a 6" potted plant perfectly.  The larger (Petite Orchard Planter, $80) is a 12x14x12" cube that holds an 8-10" potted plant.  I am using these indoors right now for topiary, but will likely move them outdoors with boxwood and some sort of trailing flower in a couple of weeks.

I love how they add a stateliness to any area, like our entry.

Petite Medallion Planter, $45

Potted Gardenia Topiary in the Orchard Planter that will move outside once summer is here, with a large watering can... to help me remember to keep it watered ; )

Petite Orchard Planter, $80

I love these "short" flower buckets.  They are the perfect size to plop in a potted herb from the grocery store, or in which to keep my cleaning supplies or packets of seeds.  I've even used them to keep a bottle of wine chilled for an outside party.

You might remember seeing these Tall Floral Buckets in the photos of my Workshop/Pop-up Shop.  They come as a set of 3 for $84 (various sizes, this being the largest).  I have a lot of plans for them - umbrella stand, hanging on pegs to hold gardening tools, blooming branches, and, of course, flowers.

Here, Mr. poses for his picture with the set of all three of the Tall Buckets (that come as a set) are pictured together.

Chatham Blue Wrap

I have three new colors of wraps for this season, beginning with an all-time favorite, Chatham Blue Wrap.  This goes with everything, including my signature dark jeans with white shirt.  I wear it with workout clothes and a puffer vest during the week and throw it over my shoulders with a blouse for every other occasion.  I love these!

Privot Berry Wrap

I can't wait to pair this with white jeans.  It would look great with white on white, a bight coral top or a light blue shirt (another favorite of mine).  This is definitely going to become a staple.

Goldenrod Wrap

This is my springy wrap.  I've mentioned that I don't own too many colors in my wardrobe.  This pale yellow brings a springy feel to any outfit.  I'm picturing it with a navy pencil skirt and cream silk blouse for Easter.

New Stitched Ribbon Collection

I've added a new collection of ribbon this spring.  I love the simple, stitched look of this ribbon.  The colors are beautiful, and it will add a homemade touch to any gift, napkin or bundle of flowers.

Lemon Cupcakes topped with Swiss Buttercream, recipe coming later today.

Striped Cupcake Wrappers in fun spring colors.  I have used the blue and yellow for the cupcakes above, and will save the other colors for other occasions.

All of the supplies can be found, here, in the Baking Supplies Collection.

Kraft Windowboxes

Bread Board Collection

Creamware Platters

Willow Hanging Basket

 

Classic Cream & Sugar

Gold Frames & Botanical Prints Collection

Le Pens + Tablets Collection

Le Pens + Tablets Collection

Dinner Planning Tablet 

Grocery Tablet

Market Totes

Clear Bottle Collection

I'll be sharing some step-by-step blog posts for some of the projects featured in this collection today and tomorrow.  In the meantime, enjoy browsing the Spring Collection : )

Shop the Spring Home Collection >

The Spring Home Collection | Lily & Privot Berry Block Prints, Planter Boxes, Rustic Pots, New Ribbon Collection & Homemade Gift Ideas

Tomorrow is the day!  The windows are open, the sun is shining, the daffodils are poking up in our yard and I see the start of blossoms on our trees - it is officially time to lighten our homes with fresh shades of blues and greens, pots full of lush blooms and homemade gifts for giving.  In preparation, I'm baking lemon cupcakes this afternoon topped with a pale yellow swiss buttercream, and easy berry blintz with cream cheese on puff pastry.  I am getting out my gardening gloves and filling every pot and planter with pansies, new boxwoods, and forcing hyacinth and muscari bulbs for our window boxes.  Spring is here : )

The Spring Home Collection will launch tomorrow morning at 8am Eastern.  

Rosemary Braised Pork with Spring Vegetables

For my birthday, Mike and I took Emma to our favorite French bistro, Cafe des Ami.  It is tucked in the second floor of a building in downtown Parkville (a small old town, 20 minutes north of Kansas City).  The owners are French, there are copper pots hanging on the walls, candlelight, great wine and delicious food.

I always order the same thing - we start with the black truffle pate and then I have the Seafood Bouillabaisse, served rustic style in a Le Creuset directly on the table.  Emma had a cream of broccoli soup with a side of roasted carrots and mashed potatoes.  When we take her to nicer restaurants, we encourage her to order sides or soup that appeal to her instead of kids' meals that are usually the same everywhere (chicken strips, butter noodles, pizza, etc...).  She ends up with a small sampling of new flavors and broadens her palate with a smaller investment than ordering her a full-size entree.

Mike typically goes for a filet, but this time he opted for a delicious sounding Braised Pork Shoulder in a Rosemary Broth.  Oh my goodness.  It was pull apart tender and the rosemary was so subtle.  I recreated it this weekend and paired it with Emma's spring vegetable sides to create one of the best meals we've had lately.

The list of ingredients is short and simple, but they somehow marry to become completely delicious. It would be the perfect Spring Supper or Easter Lunch, as it is very hands off, though it does require 6-7 hours in the oven.

The broth marries everything together, so I served it in shallow soup bowls.

I put it on one of my favorite platters that has deep sides.  It is great for large salads, pastas or meals like this with a brothy sauce.

The Creamware Platters come in a set of 6.  This is the 5th largest of the set.  I used the smallest for the side of mashed potatoes.

This is an easy dinner for a crowd, just two platters and a stack of bowls.  This dinner would easily feed 6-8.

Have you noticed a peek at a few different linens in these photos?  I couldn't decide which I liked best with this display.  They are the new block prints and will be included in the spring launch that will be in just a few days (or the beginning of next week - still working out details).

Here are the pillows that have just arrived.  I am so in love with the piping details we added this season.  Can't wait to get my house fluffed up this week with these new covers.

Rosemary Braised Pork with Spring Vegetables



4 pound Pork Shoulder
4 cloves of garlic
4 sprigs of rosemary
2 tablespoons of sea salt
olive oil
water*
...
5 carrots
1/2 head of cabbage
8 green onions
1 cup of frozen peas

Begin by making a the rosemary garlic rub by mincing the leaves of 1 sprig of rosemary (1 tablespoon), and 4 cloves of garlic.  Combine with sea salt.  Rub on pork shoulder.

In a dutch oven (or large pan with lid), heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Sear the pork for 3-4 minutes on each side.  Add 3 cups of water and 2 sprigs of rosemary.  Cover the pot and put in a 300 degree oven for 6 hours.

Meanwhile, prep the vegetables that will cook in the broth at the end of the cooking time.  I like to cut the cabbage into 2 inch pieces, and slice the carrots and green onions lengthwise.

After 6 hours, the pork will be tender.  Remove the pork from the broth and let it cool on a plate.
Add the cabbage, carrots and green onions to the rosemary pork liquid still in the pot.  Simmer on the stove for 20 minutes until they are tender.  Add the frozen peas at the end.

To serve, place pork in the center of a large platter, then spoon vegetables around.  Spoon broth over the pork and vegetables.  Serve remaining sauce on the side.

I love this with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, noodles or soft rolls.  Yum!

Emma mixed the rub together and mashed the rosemary and garlic salt.

This is the pork after being seared, then water added to the pot to pick up all of the bits and make a delicious broth.

After the pork cooks, the vegetables are simmered in the liquid.

Family Style service is my favorite.  Doesn't this look amazingly comforting?

My birthday happened to be the day after the workshop and this dinner out, being taken care of in a cozy bistro with fancy comfort food (and bubbly!) was the perfect way to celebrate.

...

 I'll keep you updated on the Spring launch - as soon as the last batch of linens come in, we'll be all set to go!

Spring Workshop + Pop-Up Shop Photos

Last week I hosted our first Workshop & Pop-Up shop.  I have finally almost recovered.  Almost : )  I loved meeting so many of you and spending the day talking about Spring entertaining, spring florals and favorite products.  One of the biggest thrill for me was putting all of our products out on display.  They are usually tucked away down at the warehouse, so it was fun to get them all in one spot and see all of my favorite things set up beautifully.  Well, it was fun until it was 10pm and we still had lots of packing up to do!  

Thank you all who attended and made it so much fun.  A special thanks to Laurie (my customer service helper) and Kirby (a friend and fellow blogger, 15009farmhouse.blogspot.com) for all of the hard work and spending the day with me.  I owe you!!

This was our Pop-Up Shop setup.  The table to the left was full of ribbon (new, beautiful ribbon coming to the online store soon), tags, treat and cello bags.  The table to the right was full of Watering Pitchers, Potted Gardenia Topiary and Willow Vases.

This is the Workshop Room, all set up for the first Lunch Session.   We enjoyed yummy Lobster Bisque and Lemon Berry Cake.  Visit this post for all recipe links.

Here was the super tall Lemon Berry Layer Cake.

I put together three Spring Tables based on my new Block Print Linens coming out in the Spring Collection (at the end of the week - I think!).  

This table featured my Entertaining Essentials.

Shop all of these Entertaining Essentials, here.

I love this table filled with topiary!

Large Gardenia Topiary in new Orchard Planters.  

Linens!

The Ribbon Table.

I can't wait to show you this ribbon... 

Laurie working hard, adding water tubes to hanging baskets!

The Botanicals & Frames Collection

Spring Cleaning Essentials

Stacks of Tablets & LePens 

Thank you again for all who made the day so fun and special!