Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln

I never behold the stars, that I do not feel that I am

looking in the face of God.

I can see how it might be possible

for a man to look down upon the earth

and be an atheist,

but I cannot conceive

how he could look up into the heavens

and say there is no God.

*Abraham Lincoln

February 12, 1809 ~ April 15, 1865

We've Moved!!

Monday, January 9, Berthina handed off the key to 922 First Street...

We have a blank slate, so to speak!

I am so excited to be moving Speckled Hen to this wonderful, historic building. 

The floors are creaky and worn and lean a little to the left,

think of all the folks who have walked in this old storefront! 

I like to picture the shoes they wore... high~button shoes, leather boots, canvas tennies...

It is cliche I know, but "If these walls could talk, what stories they would tell!"

We took out a sink and counter left from the days as a tea room, which left the wall a big mess.
A little pine paneling covers a multitude of sins!

Doug, along with our friend Harry and brother~in~law Bryce framed in the wide opening to the storage room.  Now it is just the right size for our old screen door. 

Now it's time for a fresh coat of paint...

Rich and John mask the trim and the light fixtures in preparation of the job ahead.

Soon the ceiling will be 'Washed Canvas' and the walls will be 'Sofie's Quilt'.

In my next life, I want a job naming paint colors! Don't they sound wonderful?

We love antiques, don't you:)

 Saturday the 14th our son Russ and son~in~law Todd joined the fun.  Russ helped Bryce put up the Wash House sign and roof, while Todd cut in and framed a window in the odd little room. Now it all looks so cozy!

The window we chose came from my sister Jill's old house.Now she is a part of the hen house too!

So, here we are all charged up and ready to move in and Mother Nature decides to offer us her best winter splendor! It started snowing on Sunday and pretty much kept on all week.  Did that slow us down?  Not a bit!  Doug had to work early on Monday morning, so Harry picked me up about 8 am and we headed into town.  Once we parked in front of the new shop, Harry slipped on his orange vest and shoveled a little trail from 915 to 922, set up cones and we were ready to roll!

We wanted to get the big old counter and the red shed moved on Monday, then the plan was to move the rest of the big furniture on Tuesday.  By 10 am Doug was off work, Todd was back and my dear friend Kim came by and we just kept on truckin'...

By the end of the day, the new shop was full of furniture, bins and boxes and piles...

Dear friends Betty and Reidar peeked in after lunch to check our progress.  I told them, come back, we'll be open on Friday.  I think Betty thought I was a little nutty... could be the paint fumes I guess!

Oh, man...

By Thursday, the moving was over and it was just like putting a puzzle together.  My sister Gayle came everyday to help me figure out the pieces, along with Bryce and Doug.  It really was fun seeing it come together. 

My sister, Gayle and friend Sharon of TroyBeck Antiques.

I could never have accomplished this project without the help of my wonderful family and friends.

Bryce was there every day, up the ladder, under the shop, across the street, you name it, he did it!

Gayle painted, swept & decorated while we reminisced our childhood.

Harry~ above and beyond, good neighbor, wonderful friend.

Russ and Todd gave up a Saturday afternoon with their little ones to help ol' mom.

Sharon not only loaned me warm snow boots & and wool socks,

but brought home~made corn chowder for lunch! 

My mom and dad are in sunny Arizona, but they called everyday to check on me

and offer their love and moral support. 

Kim took a vacation day to help out, Priscilla baked cookies and lasagna

and her nice husband, Bryan drove her to town to deliver her gifts.

Doug's friend Greg from Costco stopped in, as did great friends Gwen & Joe.

 

Doug, Bryce, Harry, Russ, Todd, Gayle, Sharon, Kim, Priscilla, Bryan...

offered so much more than helping hands.  Love, laughs & encouragement...

and all during the biggest winter storm in years! 

Thank you all so much!

You are the best~

The finished project?  Better come in and see!

Blessings to you~

Lynda & Sparky

Change is in the wind...

October is here! The wind comes in blusters, sending burnished maple leaves scuttering along the sidewalk like chipmunks. The breeze carries stories if you listen~ they echo off the store fronts that line First Street in Historic Downtown Snohomish. Tales of a humble beginning when folks first scratched out a clearing along the river. Stories of a busy shopping district where my grandparents came every Saturday for groceries and livestock feed. The Eagles building was a hub of activity and in our family, the place for receptions as my older cousins married off. I love watching the renovation of that grand old landmark. What stories those walls could tell!

Listen! There are more stories swirling on the street. Shhh~ What’s that? The 900 block? I’m listening… January? 2012?

Life, ever evolving brings change. It is with much joy and excitement that I announce, together with my friend Berthina of Foland’s Folly, a big move for both of us! After months of deliberation, Berthina and her family have decided to relocate her shop to the original Folly… a little house David reconstructed behind their Everett home. The shop will be open by chance or appointment in the early spring of 2012. A new and improved website is also in the works for Foland’s Folly.

It is said, ‘When one door closes, another one opens’. As Berthina steps from her doorway into a place of family time and contentment, the Speckled Hen will move across the street and nestle into the cozy spot at 922 First Street. I have warm memories of this historic storefront. I walked those creaky board floors as a kid, when it was known as Weeds Variety. Max Weed helped us choose our school supplies, and if we were lucky there were a few pennies left for a piece of licorice or two. Now another layer will be added to the patina and more stories will unfold.

Both shops are undergoing changes, but for now, you won’t even notice! Foland’s Folly and Speckled Hen are geared up for the holidays and look as beautiful as ever. You will still be greeted by warm and friendly smiles… it will be business as usual through December 2011. Then our respective new stories will begin…

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to read my ramblings…Blessings to you!

Speckled Stimulus Sale!

July!

Summer picnics are in full swing, kids beg a ride to the lake and

moon shadows fall long on a warm starry evening.

To celebrate summer and "YOU"  we at Speckled Hen are pleased to announce

***Speckled Stimulus Sale!!!***

From July 1 thru July 31 we would love to offer you

20% off your purchase of $20 or more*

(some exclusions, see shop for details)

50% off fabric

(1 yard minimum cut/ pre~cut not included)

Thank you so much~ We appreciate your business! 

Happy Summer!!

Lynda

More fun at the Hen House!

Dubindil Winery

Sunsets in Snohomish

Stroll Historic Downtown Snohomish

2nd Saturdays this summer!

The first stroll of the summer is

Saturday June 11 from 5pm ~ 8pm

We are thrilled to welcome David and Lisa back to the

Speckled Hen to taste their delicious Syrah!

"BYOG"

(Bring your own glass)

Tickets may be purchased at the shop or on~line in advance for $5.00 (5 sips)

or $8.00 at the check~in booth on the day of the event (cash only)

Hook~O~Rama

Wonderful Wicked Wool!

On Tuesday, May 24, I was pleased to welcome a group of talented ladies to the shop

for an afternoon of rug hooking. 

They came with their projects & gathered around the table to share techniques and inspiration. 

 Beth of Wicked Wool kindly baked colossal cookies and decadent brownies to share

while offering hints and answering questions as shoppers looked on the scene with interest. 

 One such shopper, a young lady of about ten years showed such interest as to

inspire us to put together a class for young people. 

We are excited to share this wonderful and historic craft with a new generation! 

Don't miss our next 'hook~o~rama'  Tuesday June 14 from 1pm to 7pm...

*Mark your calendar!*

Give us a call so we can save you a seat & bake you a cookie!

Blessings to you,

Lynda

PS No one has taken occupancy in my old bluebird house,

but this downy woodpecker is either knocking or trying to make his own door in...



May Flowers...

I had almost forgotten what it was like to wake up to a blue sky and warm sunshine!

What a perfect day to plant our porch baskets as well as the

'Fun~ky' containers Kaysie and I found on our adventure last Sunday!

 The work crew assembled and the fun began! 

Brookie is a born gardener,

and she loves to help her Grammie!

Paige is in charge of water detail.  She loves to sprinkle!

It was a beautiful day in the yard,

and the truck is loaded for a run to the Speckled Hen!

I hope you plan a visit to Historic Downtown Snohomish soon!

Happy Spring~

Lynda

P.S.  The Snohomish Farmer's Market starts today, May 5 and runs through September.

Speckled Hen will be open until 7:00 with a special surprise between 5 & 7, be sure to pop in!

... and don't forget, Speckled Hen is open 24/7 on

http://www.speckledhencountrystore.com/