Let's Look at Lavender

Lavender is one of my favorite flowers, or shall I say herbs,

as they have been long used in herbalism.....mmmm, their scent is so fragrant and soothing.

Did you know there 25-30 different species of lavender?

Of course, widely grown in gardens, the flowers are used in

dried floral arrangements as well as potpourris.

You may also take the dried flowers and seal them in

fabric pouches and place among your stored clothing

as a deterrent to moths. Much, much better than moth balls!!!!!!

You could also place a bowl of lavender flowers by your

bedside to soothe you to sleep, as it is known as an aid to

sleep and relaxation. Adding a few drops of lavender oil to your bath

would set the stage for a good nights sleep too!

Lavender flowers, sachets, soap, room spray and oil

are available for purchase at Brown & Hopkins.....

I happened to check the old inventory book from 1901,

and Lavender Oil was about ten cents per bottle......

Boy, Those were the good old days......

Presidents Day

Like I mentioned before, since acquiring ownership of Brown & Hopkins, I am much more interested in history. In fact everyday, while I am walking about the store, displaying merchandise or helping a customer, the following thought is always in the back of my mind... "I wonder who has walked these very same floor boards as I do everyday???? Imagine the possiblities!" I find it amazing that Abraham Lincoln was actually born the same year that Brown & Hopkins was incorporated, in 1809. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, two uneducated farmers, in a one-room log cabin on the 348-acre Sinking Spring Farm, in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky. The above portrait is available for purchase at Brown & Hopkins, among many other Abe Lincoln prints pertaining to his many famous quotes.....

Here are a few of our favorites....

'Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.'

'It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool

than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.'

'And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.

It's the life in your years.'

We will be open on Presidents Day from 10am to 5pm.

Painting Lesson for Elsa

We thank everyone that attended our

Customer Appreciation Day!

It was a success!
Everyone enjoyed watching Gladys paint.....

Elsa, from Glendale, RI enjoyed a little painting under Gladys' expert eye.....

Of course, we learned a few things from Elsa....

If you're a good girl, you get to choose candy from the old fashioned counter!

She even shared some with her Grampa!

It must be those sparkly red "Dorothy" shoes that makes her such a sweet girl.......we loved those shoes!!!!! And Elsa was a cutie~patootie!

Here is the finished work.....which will be won by the runner up
in our mural drawing.......Good Luck to All!

And don't forget, everytime you shop with us during the month of February, you get to put your name in the jar for more chances to win!!!!

CONTEST! Win this Wreath! Post a Comment!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

The winner will be chosen randomly,

and will win this beautiful wreath made out of grapevine

and waterproof burgundy and red berries.....

The angel pick is made of paper and fashioned after an antique greeting card.

Contest ends on Sunday, February 24th at 5pm!

No special talent required!

No cart wheels, singing, or impressions necessary.

Just post a comment about the blog (like it? LOVE it?),

or

Brown & Hopkins (a favorite shopping experience, nice gift you received?)

a memory from a past Valentines Day?
Don't be shy.....
Oh and we're suckers for great love stories....

Live ~ Laugh ~ Love

Country Apartment

Galley Kitchen

Good times with my girlfriends were shared on this deck,

before finding Mr. Right... : )

I had this old bureau made into the bathroom vanity....I loved the color so much,

I decided to paint the wall the same color....it is so sunny!


Beamed ceiling and wood floors in the living/dining room.....it is so cozy!

Getting Ready for Saturday!

Gladys just delivered some incredible paintings,

all done on old treasures,
and I wanted to share some pictures

before they get bought up on Saturday!

The detail is amazing.....

Old boxes, door panels, bread boards........

Arrive early
and be one of the first 50 customers on Saturday
for a Free Gift!!! ($3.95 value)
It's going to be a Sunny Day!

Words to Live By.......

It is raining cats and dogs here.......

We received about 4 inches of snow last night and today it is pouring,

49 degrees and all that snow is melting!

We just received this plate in one of our shipments today

and we think it says it all!

We couldn't resist snapping its pic out in the rain.....and now know that it is waterproof. : )

Pork Loin with Roasted Apple Grille Sauce

Can I just say this? I used to dislike pork,

until a very savvy customer turned me on to this easy pork recipe.

Now, I warn you, I am not the best "food stylist",

so please do not judge this book by its cover.....

Can I also say this? I just love crock pot recipes!

All that is required for this recipe is a crock pot, a pork loin

(I used two, totaling about 3 pounds),

and a bottle of Stonewall Kitchens Roasted Apple Grille Sauce!!

Just place the pork in the crock pot, pour the entire bottle of sauce over the top,

and cook on low for 7-8 hours....... Slice and serve!

I served it with homemade scalloped potatoes, and fresh cooked veggies.

If you like, you may leave it in for another hour or so, and then shred it with a fork.

It would make a delightful shredded pork sandwich!

My two sons asked for seconds, so I know it's a hit!

The Coffee Club Charity of the Month

Until March, The Friends of The Scituate Animal Shelter, is our special local charity!

Won't you help out by purchasing a cup of coffee or hot tea?

It's only $1 per cup and 100% of the proceeds go to the charity of the month!

I think some of the best pets come from the animal shelters.....but I am not biased or anything....Cassie was a pound puppy! Awwwwwwww...ain't she the sweetest?

Inventory Book from 1901

Now that I am older, I appreciate history so much more....

When cleaning out Brown & Hopkins a few years back I came across this old inventory book from 1901......gosh, I finally took the time to actually read some of the pages, and it is so interesting!!! Next time you are in the shop, just ask for a personal viewing.....

Here are just a few pics of it.......

If you notice on the page marked "Barn", they noted that they had three horses,
and their names were Jim, Prince and Charlie ~ valued at $300

I am not sure if that is each or their combined value......

Want to read this inventory page...click on photo to enlarge! And when I read the page with all the different oils listed, it reminded me of a story that my Mom, Cecilia, once told to me......

When my mom was a little girl, she summered with a mean lady that used to make her work in the garden even on the hottest of days. She couldn't have been more than 7 years old. One day, my mom complained of a stomach ache so she could get out of working in the field......which kind of backfired. The old woman said "Oh, I have the perfect cure for a stomach ache. It is castor oil. However, if you drink this and do NOT have a stomach ache, it will make you very very sick." Needless to say, that scared my mom into a miraculous recovery.

Castor oil has been used medicinally for about 4,000 years; and, until recently, it was given regularly to children to "keep their systems clear". Because of its unpleasant taste, castor oil is a remembered bane of many a childhood.

Snow is Forecast, But It's Spring Inside

What????!!!!!! More snow!!!??? I guess the groundhog didn't lie this year.

Feeling a little cabin feverish?

These pics oughta perk ya up!

A cloudy day justs seems sunnier when these are in the room...

New sheep!!!!!!

French hard milled soaps in luscious scents such as lemon verbena and lavender....

I'll take a half dozen please.........