From The Patch

Our FAVORITE tree farm, Fish Creek Tree Farm!

2009-11-25T07:00:00-08:00

We've mentioned our favorite tree farm before, in past issues of From The Patch (our printed newsletter, which has now become our eNews.)

Fish Creek Tree Farm is, quite simply, part of our holiday tradition. Every year we go and cut a tree - yep, down on our hands and knees (although they'll help you with whatever you need help with; we just prefer the full-meal-deal). We walk and choose the PERFECT tree - although it always seems a little bigger than last year's tree, and wasn't last year's tree a little too big for the space we have?

Fish Creek's trees always seem to last us for months. Our first year, we pulled the tree down well into February! Make sure to water it regularly, and enjoy the tree for the entire season! They'll be open this year from November 27 until December 21st, 10am - dusk.

Anyway, we're extremely excited to share their new website with our wonderful readers! Be sure to check them out, and make them part of your holiday plans this year! The pictures below are from 2007, when Ben was a little younger... it was his first experience with snow. :)

Check Fish Creek Tree Farm out online today. There are directions, tree types and prices, hours of operation, contact information...pretty much everything you need!

Lori Mitchell Christmas 2009 Products!

2009-11-23T07:00:00-08:00

A very FEW of our Lori Mitchell products, for Christmas 2009! Artist Lori Mitchell's products have become quite the collector's items, and are always a favorite with customers (which also, of course, means they sell fast!)

Do you collect Lori Mitchell (or have you HEARD of Lori Mitchell?) What's your favorite piece of this year, or all time? :)

Country Village Holiday Open House

2009-11-22T00:42:20-08:00

The Holiday Open House at Country Village was today, and boy - we were slammed all day! We're STILL putting Christmas out as fast as we can, so even if you've been in recently, don't forget to come back!

On "Black Friday" we'll be opening at 8am, along with many other shops in Country Village! Come and enjoy a breakfast from one of the restaurants, and some early morning shopping! :)

MORE Christmas from The Weed Patch!

2009-11-19T08:00:00-08:00

Some MORE of our MANY products that are now fully out at the store... come on in and check us out! 'Tis The Season!

Country Village Holiday Open House!

2009-11-18T08:00:00-08:00

Don't miss this year's Holiday Open House at Country Village! It's coming up THIS weekend - November 21st, from 10am - 6pm!

From the Country Village website:

"Country Village Shops will be showcasing their products and services during the annual Holiday Open House. Join in the fun with soup and dip tastings, cookie making, Bunnies by the Bay trunk show, drawings, demonstrations, music and more during this special holiday preview. Each of the 45 shops will be festively decorated for the holidays. Stroll the grounds among thousands of twinkling lights and beautiful lit displays. Take a ride on the Country Village train and don't forget to feed the chickens! "

Come to The Weed Patch for a free cup of hot cider, a plate full of goodies, fantastic Christmas music, and some absolutely beautiful Christmas products. Additionally, this year we've made a strong effort to keep much of our "everyday" product available for purchase, so we're SURE you can find that perfect gift at The Weed Patch! :)

We hope to see you there!

Christmas at The Patch!

2009-11-17T14:43:34-08:00

Some of our MANY products that are now fully out at the store... come on in and check us out! For our online customers, more Christmas is on its way online! We've got a sparkly glitter tree, a red and gold tree, a formal lodge tree and a not-so-formal lodge tree, a white feather tree, snowman trees, gingerbread trees, americana tree, primitive santa and snowmen trees, an angel tree... there's trees EVERYWHERE! We've also got Lori Mitchell Christmas figurines, Janelle Barryman Pumpkin Seed Christmas Figurines, Santa Belsnickles, tons of pottery (snowman, country Christmas, Pine Lodge, Park Designs Holly Berry), and so much more! 'Tis The Season!

Pumpkin Cookies to DIE for!

2009-11-03T00:59:20-08:00

From the kitchen of Esther Cunningham, these Pumpkin Spice cookies are simply to die for. Good thing it’s Halloween Season!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 tsp vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls, flatten slightly.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes in preheated 350F oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.

Glaze: Combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla. Add milk as needed to achieve drizzling consistency.

PLEASE NOTE: These ARE the cookies that we had at the Harvest Festival this last year - the ones that we went through 300+ in a day and a half (and that's only 'cause we brought the second batch in the next day.... Enjoy!

Autumn Splendor

2009-10-27T21:43:13-07:00

The prospect of raking it isn't so bad when you see how pretty it all really is...

Loving the October days....

Rachel Badeau Christmas Ornaments

2009-10-27T15:06:34-07:00

Jack in the Box Ornament

Christmas is starting to arrive at The Patch! I have been rather slow going about getting it online, as we've been busy trying to get it all open and out in the store! We're working on it pretty steadily now, and I'll try to keep you all updated with some of the collections arriving, a bit more regularly.

A new item for us this year are some Christmas tree ornaments by artist Rachel Badeau.

Monkey Drumming Snowman

Some info about the artist:

Rachel lives in Rhode Island where she creates hand colored, embossed and engraved intricate works of art inspired by her love of nature and animals. The detail in her work captures the deep feelings she has for wildlife, and the whimsy in her pieces reflects her humor and wit. Rachel’s signature style resembles precious scrimshaw and can be found in galleries across the country.

Here are some of my favorites:

Rocking Horse Ornament

Train Ornament (I'm getting this one for Ben!)

Teddy Bear Ornament

Squirrel Building A Snowman

Enjoy! :)

Perfect Pumpkin Bars

2009-10-13T17:53:26-07:00

When I was growing up, one of my favorite fall treats was Grandma's Pumpkin Bars. Interestingly enough, it was pretty much the only pumpkin I liked growing up... of course, that's changed now - Janene cooks some of the most delicious roasted pumpkins EVER. But for THIS post, here's the recipe that for me brings back memories and comfort of Fall seasons past, present, and future....

Ingredients:

Bars	Icing
2 cups flour	3 oz pkg cream cheese
2 tsp baking powder	1/4 cup butter
2 tsp cinnamon	1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice	2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/3 cup sugar	2 tbs hot water
2 cups pumpkin
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup salad oil
4 eggs

Directions:

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a bowl and set it aside. Cream oil and sugar, then stir in pumpkin. Beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry.

Frosting:
Mix room temperature cream cheese until it's smooth. Add warm butter and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar and hot water, and beat until consistency is a spreadable icing. Once cake is cooled, spread frosting on top, and enjoy!