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/

Sparky!! The Shop Dog ~

The newest member of the Speckled Hen family...

My sister Gayle called me a couple of weeks ago and said,

"I have an early birthday present for you, I'm on my way to the shop!"

about 1/2 hour later here she comes with a wiggly ball of golden fur...

A 10 week old puppy!  He is 1/2 pomeranian & 1/2 dachsaund so we decided he is a...

"Pommerweinian"

The cute thing is, I had told Gayle I really missed having a dog,

but my problem was I wanted a golden retriever the size of a weinie dog. 

Doesn't he look just like a tiny golden?

Brookie named him Sparky, and he really is a spark!

I say he is learning to be a shop dog, but really I am learning to have a shop dog:)

I hope you pop in soon to meet the little guy~

he will make you smile and if he could talk

I know he would say

"Bark Less ~ Wag More"

Blessings to you all,

Happy April!!!

Lynda

The Bluebirds are back!

Could it be Spring?

Enjoying my morning coffee,

I stood at my window happy to see the sun coming up over the Cascades. 

It has been a wild and woolly couple of weeks, weather wise~

snow, sleet, hail, rain, wind...everything but the kitchen sink came out of the sky!

The sun coming up is a gift from God, and I say "Thank You"!

Just as I am giving my little thank you prayer, I receive another wonderful gift...

The Bluebirds Are Back!

This is the third year that they have visited my yard and investigated my housing options. 

I have watched them sit on the fence, peek in the little round hole, perch on the roof top...

so far every year they have continued on their journey after a brief stop.

I have my fingers crossed that this will be the year they call our friendly farm home!

My connection to this darling bird goes way back to my days as a Bluebird in Campfire. 

I loved my blue vest and hat with the cute bluebird logo. 

I loved my adventures at Camp Killoquoa on Crabapple Lake.

As soon as Kaysie was old enough, I became a bluebird leader and led my own darling flock!

There is something so sweet and simple about this brilliant harbinger of spring.

When the kids were young, we would make a trip to Bickleton, WA...

The Bluebird Capital of the Northwest (maybe the world!)

Where there are bluebird houses nailed to weathered fence posts all along the roads leading to town.

This is the authentic Bickleton Bluebird house I brought home so many years ago. 

It's bright blue roof has faded to lichen gray,

but the 'specs' are still just right for a little bird to call home!

I will have to be patient to see if my friends decide to stay.

If they do, I will keep you posted on their time here at Still Mountain Farm.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to watch a sweet blue family grow?

Going my way?

As we March along remember this,

"The wells of Providence are deep,

It's the buckets we bring to it that are small."

*Mary Webb

Have a super weekend my dear Speckled Friends,

Blessings to you,

Lynda

A Primitive Place ~

It's Here!

The spring edition of A Primitive Place!

Chock full of decorating ideas for your primitive home

as well as recipes and projects to whet your creative appetite!

This issue is extra special to me as it features

the lovely home of my friends

Roger & Charleen Boisvert of Fitchbug, MA.

Tour their home and glean ideas for your own cozy nest!

Hurry in the the Speckled Hen and pick up your copy today!

See you soon~

Lynda

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day ~ seems like the perfect time to share the recipe for Blissful Bars. 

My son~in~law loves these so much,

Kaysie says he actually hides them in the garage when I send a plate home for him!

Maybe I will re-name them...

Todd's Blissful Bars

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1 cup butter (softened)

2 extra large eggs

3 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups white chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups craisins

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter 11 x 15 glass baking dish.

Cream sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla.

Beat in flour, baking powder & salt.

Stir in chips, craisins & nuts.

Spread evenly in prepared pan.  Bake until golden brown, 20 ~ 22 minutes.

(if you use a 9 x 13 it takes about 30 minutes)

Be careful not to overbake, you want them to be moist and chewy.

When they have cooled, frost them with

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

Cream ingredients together until smooth.  If it's too stiff,

add a few drops of milk to make it spreadable.

Sprinkle some chopped nuts on top, cut into squares & enjoy!

...Just don't let Todd know you made them:)

Have a very, vonderful Valentine's Day~

Lynda

City Wide Antique Sale!

Annual City Wide Antique Sale

February 11, 12 & 13

It's that time again! 

Time for the treasure hunt of the year, when

Historic Downtown Snohomish

antique dealers roll out the welcome mat

and mark down prices.

You already know if you are looking for the perfect antique
or vintage accessory you need look no further than 
Historic Downtown Snohomish 
so make your wish list & plan your trip...
The hunt is on!

We are excited here at the Speckled Hen to join the fun as
we offer 10% off all of our vintage treasures! 
We've been adding to our inventory of
antiques every chance we get 
 so hurry in to see what "old stuff" is new!

Regular Shop Hours
Friday & Saturday 11:00 ~ 5:00
Sunday Noon ~ 4:00

And don't forget Thursday February 10 from 6pm ~ 8pm

Local Harpist
Bronn Journey

With thanks to our loyal customers we offer this gift of music.
Please come and enjoy sips, sweets & music while you browse!

Blessings to you~
Lynda

Bronn Journey in Concert

Bronn Journey 

It's February!  The month of Groundhogs & Valentines~

Dreams of spring and thoughts of Love!

 In celebration of both

(and what is more lovely than love in springtime?)

We invite you to an evening concert...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

6:00 pm

Bronn will offer his gift of music, we will offer sips and sweets~

& promise you an evening to remember!

So mark your calendar and make your date,

we'll make you kindly welcome!

  Hearts and Doorways open Wide~

Love all around... Peace inside 

Blessings to you~

Lynda

Edgar Guest

Write it down, when I have perished;

Here is everything I've cherished;

That these walls should glow with beauty,

Spurred my lagging soul to duty;

That there should be gladness here,

Kept me toiling year by year...

Every thought and every act,

Were to keep this home in tact.

*Edgar Guest

Blessings to you as you continue this journey in the New Year!

Lynda



Fabric Sale!

Fabric Sale!

January 14 thru January 17

Fabric will be 50% off for 4 days only!

1/2 yard minimum cut please

(Sorry...pre~cut pieces are not included)

Come early for best selection!

Happy New Year!

Look to this Day

For it is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course lie all the varieties and realities of your existence.

The bliss of Growth, The glory of Action, The splendor of Beauty;

For yesterday is already a dream,

And tomorrow is only a vision;

But today, well~lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this Day.

Such is the salutation on the Dawn.

I found these words framed and dated 1918, attributed to the Sanskrit. They hang above my desk, where I spend a little time each morning. I try to read these words and take them to heart each day, though I admit some mornings I just don’t ‘see ‘ them.

Look to this Day.

Look to this day. It is all we have, and to be honest, we really only have this minute.

None of us know what waits down the hall, or around the corner, and yet we spend time worrying about things unknown and unforeseen.

Look to this Day.

This day found things tumbling in my head, like numbered ping~pong balls being blown about at a bingo parlor. Big things tumbled. The war. Our president in Washington. Our country divided. Climate scientists and global warming. ‘Little’ things tumbled.

Home, family, the economy… pretty soon, it’s too much!

Look to this Day.

This day I needed a reminder and I received a series of them, like little pats on the head from the Hand of the Almighty. As I moved about my house, I came across a folded card I bought at a craft show a few weeks ago. A bird embellished with the word “Faith”. Opening a trunk, in search of something, I found an old blue spice box. Mustard Seed. As in “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20.

I carried the card and the old box into my kitchen where there sits a little plaque

 that reads another favorite verse,

“Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1.

Look to this Day.

I am a child of God, created in His likeness. That means if God is Great, then so am I.

Look to this Day.

It is Life. The very Life of Life.

God is Great, God is good, let us thank Him…

 

 

Blessings to you in 2011~

 

Lynda