Welcome In Luxury Furniture

See more home furniture, garden furniture, furniture shop, patio furniture, office furniture, furniture shops, the furniture store, furniture store, furniture stores INSIDE.

Welcome In Luxury Furniture

See more home furniture, garden furniture, furniture shop, patio furniture, office furniture, furniture shops, the furniture store, furniture store, furniture stores INSIDE.

Welcome In Luxury Furniture

See more home furniture, garden furniture, furniture shop, patio furniture, office furniture, furniture shops, the furniture store, furniture store, furniture stores INSIDE.

Welcome In Luxury Furniture

See more home furniture, garden furniture, furniture shop, patio furniture, office furniture, furniture shops, the furniture store, furniture store, furniture stores INSIDE.

Welcome In Luxury Furniture

See more home furniture, garden furniture, furniture shop, patio furniture, office furniture, furniture shops, the furniture store, furniture store, furniture stores INSIDE.

Monday, March 31, 2008

"Alaya Decor" Disappears, Customers Burned


"Your Designer Furniture Source For Trouble"

We feel for you. Alaya Decor was an affiliate outlet through correspondence with Wholesale Furniture Brokers for about 2 years. All ties have been cut, however, due to very negative customer feedback and their high, unpaid balance on their account with us. Owners Jeff and Selene Hill have disappeared, you can even see a local news piece on the issue here:
Alaya Decor story.

They owe alot of local customers furniture, having seemingly run a last-ditch effort for cash by tricking people out of their money before suddenly closing their doors. WFB now has a collection agency after the Hills for their very behind account payments.

We regret any use of our company name used to help them confirm any business qualifications and will supply any information possible on contacting them (and encourage others to post any news here as well). We will update this blog post as information becomes available.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Outside peeks ~& from toy store to pantry food shelving

Today was in the low 42 degrees (F) with lots of sunshine. It is suppose to stay this way. At least for awhile. The Captain left earlier to go pick up my new freecycle find ( I'll get to that in a minute) so the girls and I played outside. Well, the girls played with their bikes and I played with the rake... Lots of winter winds blew small sticks everywhere and little bits of trash into the yard. I raked the leaves to go into a new compost pile and discovered my spearamint was sprouting.. I find that out when I took a big root chunk with the metal rake as I raked gravel back into the driveway from the winter snow plowing.
While we were out, we planted the thornless Blackberries where Panda's sunflower house use to be. I am feeling good about 4 of the canes. The rest look like they may be dead. The thick green one below has a few baby canes popping from its root base. That gives me hope.And then we started placing old compost onto the new massive garden bed:
The above pic gives you a good look at where the hill slopes off at. Notice the Goat cabin's roof in the far right? And see that branch drooping off the Magic tree? Cracked in mid winter and has yet to fall. So Tractor Boy and his dad will be over before the plants go in and get that cut off where it meets the main branch at the V. Not the bottom V- the 2nd V of the broken branch connection. (click pic for close up).
And such a nice day allowed all of the barnyard to free range and sun bathe. But soon they all made their way back home to the cozy cabin and warm water waiting for them.The above pic gives another glimpse at the Hill slope which has been hard to work around with animal fencing/pens and any other usefulness. That is except snow sledding! It's a kick butt sledding hill! Otherwise, a pain to work around.
And since I am on the run with great finds lately, I thought I would share my find of the day:
Lady posted this as display shelving from her store (high end toy store) and was giving away to anyone who would have them gone by today. I am hoping to fit this into the basement room for our canning items and store bought excess canned goods. It even has wheels for moving it! I originally thought it would be great to hold my sewing supplies which quickly changed to pantry shelving once I had it in the driveway.
Still looking for a cider press and grain mill... Gotta be someone who is cleaning out an old basement or barn where they happen upon those old items, which I would happily take the cider press in any condition to be fixed and most likely the grain mill too.... Just gotta be!
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

Friday, March 28, 2008

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Bread, more stone deals & outdoor play

I was going to hold off on sharing this book, but after my success I could not hold back any longer. I picked up Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery & Cafe cookbook~ favorite breads, pastries, sweets & savories the other day. My success in making the best Rustic Italian loaves was exclaimed by the whole family. It is made with a traditional Biga Starter, which was incredibly easy and nothing like the breads I have bought before. WAY BETTER! Check out the Macrina Bakery & cafe website~ very interesting information.
I made the 3 ingredient starter 2 1/2 days ago then began the bread making process last night. This morning we were rewarded with our home filling with a pleasurable aroma of fresh bread. The starter is enough for at least 3 loaves and one was quickly gone, hot from the oven. I have never been very successful with homemade bread. it always comes out a bit dense. The crust being too crunchy/hard. Not with this recipe. She walks you through the simple steps which you bring you to a very happy ending. A must try for anyone who has been disappointed in the past with bread making. This book with such an array of recipes to choose from will spark that baking light right back into your life.
In her first recipe of breads, she has a Natural Sour starter, which impressed my unexperienced self. Instead of the granular/powder yeast, she uses ORGANIC GRAPES!How freaking cool is that? Don't laugh, I honestly had no idea it was possible.
About this starter she writes:
"Don't be intimated by the time involved in creating a natural sour starter. It may be a two week commitment in the beginning, but you will need to contribute only a few minutes every day. Nature does most of the work,and the results are worth the wait. Once you have a starter you are able to use, you can bake with it for years or even decades to come."
She lists 2 other organic grape starters (mild whole wheat starter & Campagne Natural starter) for more variations.
This book not only shares bread recipes, but Sweet breads (muffins, scones, etc),cakes, pies, tarts,cookies, soups and other meal favorites of the Macrina Bakery & cafe. There is so much to explore on these pages. Be sure to check at your local library for a copy to borrow. you will be hooked and quickly order a copy for yourself.
So before you make a mad dash to the local library (Sorry Beth, I have the Kent library copy ;)...) I wanted to share another outstanding find. I ran out to the Lowe's in green ohio to pick up some paint for the living room and could not help but check out the garden center's paver stones. I had another disbelief moment. I mean a BIG one. I picked up 33 of these:For just 12 cents- you read that right! 12 red cents EACH!Cheaper then a gallon gas! (They were a normal price of 58 cents, then reduced to 20 cents. At the register i discovered they were dropped down even more to the 12 cents.)Not my normal style, but at that price, I do not mind. Enough to use for edging where the children's magic tree play area and the garden meet. A visual reminder to the children that they are to only cross through on the paths and not step over the edging.
They measure out a foot long and about 4 or 5 inches high. I have not measured the height. They are of the same material used in the leaf stepping stones. A plaster/resin substance. What one would find birdbaths made of- the non cement stuff.
The sunny weather may have us wearing jackets, but it has allowed us to enjoy being outside. Chia has been brushed everyday. The swing tree has enjoyed her children climbing amongst her trunk and swinging from her graceful arm. The chickens have been chased and cuddled with, to the extent they no longer give a fight or cluck...






The frizzle has become Frogs eye of admiration. Since the sun has permitted such long hours of outdoor play, this poor girl is carried around in Frog's arm and has even resorted to closing her eyes, falling asleep for a few minutes. That is until Frog decides to run again. Bouncing the frizzle in her arms with each toddler step. She does not protest, actually, that chicken never did mind being held. She is much more cuddly then one would expect.
We are getting 3 eggs a day now- 2 obviously from Frizzle and Banty (the red bantam cochins) and the light blue is from Dr. Seuss.
I have walls to wash down & Wall trimming to paint white. The living room walls will be a green picked out by Panda (have I mentioned how she is so into frogs right now? geesh). It is by Olympic and the green color is called Sweet annies (click on the 3 for the scene rooms).
I am so excited to have the living room done. It has taken a few years, but that is what i get when having 3 young children around. (and paint foot prints on the wood floor, pencil scribbles on the wall, and crayon pictures doodled in low out of adult sight places.)
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

Friday, March 21, 2008

Large leaf stepping stones & apple trays

Update picture on the Mystery chick. So far I am leaning(more like falling over towards) this being an Americauna, as Spinning Grandma commented. Now watch it be a rooster.. It was the smallest chick and is now larger then the Americauna hen chicks that came with it. I guess 3 roo's are not bad. Until the crowing chorus begins.While I was out picking a few things up & returning unused tile we bought last Spring, I could not fight the urge to just "stroll through" the garden center outside. And I am so very glad I did! I turned the last aisle when in the corner of my eye, I spotted a sign with an unbelievable price. Upon closer inspection into the crates below the price tag, disbelief set in. Then I compared the bar codes. Then I grabbed an Employee.
Look what i found for just .49 cents EACH!
I bought 30 of them...These are of the bigger size and since I am wearing a pair of my funky socks and yet to separate my legs from their winter warmers , you do not get the foot comparison.(stopped shaving legs first day of Fall and swore I would not shave till the Spring..& I made it and will continue to do it every pant weather season.) They will accommodate 2 adult feet and work splendid for the Hill Top garden. I felt guilty buying them. I really did. But the time and money saved from getting these are well worth it for us. I have tried in the past to make our own and they never work out.

Now hopping around in the big wide world of blogs, I happened upon Irish Sally's Garden Blog. She shared with her readers how they store their apples on the cardboard tray inserts the store get's their apples shipped in. So I called our local grocery and they saved me 4 box's full of those trays:What a great idea! I'm sure their are many other uses for me to find as of yet, which I have plenty to experiment...and possibly share on the local free cycle.
So Thank you Irish Sally for a great tip and another way to reuse an item that would be senselessly tossed aside.
I have a recipe to share soon from a great book I found. I think many of you will find it very useful and something to keep if yeast is not available. Or you just want to do something different. I am so excited to try it this summer and hope many of you will give it a try to collect some feedback for other readers.
Until next time-
Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Spring Equinox gifts & recycling cookie box

I mentioned before how I was making berry totes fro the Spring gifts. The sanding has really built up my arm muscles! I do it all by hand- no machine sander used.
But as with many things, the gifts have taken a different turn.
I made smaller and lighter versions then my original. I grabbed a big stack of the industrial thick paint stir sticks from the store and used them for the bottom slats- making it lighter then the other wood I had- and less expensive of a project. The base coat I painted a sky blue that was left over wall paint and then added Chalkboard paint to 2 sides.
Love the chalkboard paint and started thinking what else I could paint with the 99% full can I had left.
These terracotta post were partialy painted with the chalkboard paint too. The left over ends from the thick paint sticks (I cut off to make the bottom of the tote slates) were made into Plant markers!
Huh? Oh you thought that was it? No more? Ummm yeah. I guess you could say I was in a crafty mood....
I saved a few food box's that resembled gift box's, in my opinion. The plan was to paper Mache tissue paper on them, but then I thought "why not try to paint them with the chalkboard stuff". And it worked great!REUSABLE COOKIE GIFT BOX'S!

So consider this another recycled craft!
Do not use regualr cardboard or when the chalk is wiped off with a damp cloth it may damage the box. I used a small black craft sponge to paint these. You may need to apply 2 layers so do one then let site till dry. Then add you second layer. I covered majority of the box on all 4 sides. You could write little messages, list ingredients, draw funny pictures..Lots of possibilities here. Just be sure to wrap all food placed in the box. This -again- helps with its reusable aspect.
I will be wrapping Home ~from scratch~ made White chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies & some Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in wax paper to go in the above. Then seal with hot glue- which will not tear the box when opened and there for adding to its Reusableness. (is that a word?). Total eco friendly gift box's!
sigh... i love it when a grand plan works out with more grand plans...
So remember you learned it here. And when you receive one of these babies you can say "Hey- I saw that on the Unusual Farmchicks blog!". Yep. You've seen it first here, folks.
So what are you waiting for? Get into those pantries and start brain storming what you can chalk board paint into a useful reusable item.
Sweet imaginative dreams,
~Tammie

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Roots, Thrifting, wood, and Rhizomes -What a day!

Today I taught Panda how to start root cuttings. As she went through the motions after observing my method, we discussed all the great plants we could start from a root cutting. We spoke of herbs. We discussed the difference between new growth and old growth. We discussed how although we are using store bought cuttings meant for the kitchen, we should not be disappointed if none or just a few take root. We learn from mistakes and we learn from our success. As long as you can admit and see when you are wrong, you will have succeeded and will never lose. Panda was naming off the possibilities and came to Roses. Oh, how my eyes lit up when I realized how easy it is to get cuttings from rose bushes. (I became very interested in collecting heirloom climbing roses after reading a book about the people who would collect cuttings from any antique/heirloom rose they spotted or were offered- all as preservation method. I think they were called Rose ramblers..Not sure. The book is long gone).
I must call up to Stan Hewett's Gardeners to inquire what one would do to get a few cuttings from their heirloom climbing roses...
On my thrift shop hopping today, I stopped off at the lumber store and walked out $8 later with all of this- 3 half sheets of bead board- perfect for the bathroom and saved us$40 by spending that $3!. 5 half Sheets of plywood because a woman can never have enough of that around...And the mailman (who came as I was having a fit at the children who ignored the fact Frog was swamping up the kitchen and dining room with the water sprayer while I was putting clothes in the dryer...) delivered to our door the Hops we ordered from Fresh Hops in Philomath, Oregon. The one I am holding is a jumbo rhizome of Cascade. We got 2 of them, 2 regular size Magnum & 2 reg. size Centennial Rhizomes.I have been observing the descriptions/prices at many different sites and this is the average price I found from people who specialize in Hops supply and Rhizomes. They look good to me and i see the new growth-the white "worms".
So these babies should go in the ground a few weeks from now and my fruit trees/grapes will be here in 4 weeks! Spring really is coming soon!
Sweet Spring Dreams,
Tammie

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Easter Egg Hunt - Save up to $350 until March 28th!



Until March 28th, we're challenging you and your family with our online Easter Egg Hunt! With the chance to win up to $350 off your purchase and only 5 eggs to find, your discount is as good as found!

The discount offerings will be on select products on our website marked with "Easter Special" in the product name. Browse our furniture gallery to begin your search and email us which listings you found the eggs on to EasterEggs@GoWFB.com and we'll award you with your discount! Sound easy? Sound fun? Great!

You can ask any questions regarding this promotion online via email, live chat or phone us at (866) 595-8930.

Aaaaaaaand Go FIND THOSE EGGS!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Planning the toad/wildlife habitat & a little fiction or fact....

Planning of the garden is not just about plants. Now is the time to get the ideas pumping for attracting all the beneficial wildlife such as various insects, butterflies, bees, birds, and of course the frogs and toads. As with last years post about the toad houses, I hope this one will inspire many of you to incorporate a water feature to quench their thirst. Below is a rough sketch of this years garden:Not everything is done with the sketch or in exact size, but it gives the general idea of how we picture it...
We will be adding a small kiddie pool based pond to the middle. Since we are fencing the area in which will extend to include the play area around the Magic tree, this will also serve as a lounge area for the kids and I. The plan is to put the fence up preventing the children from running around everywhere with Frog in tow. The square top arch will also have a wooden gate with a latch on the outside- up high. One way in-One way out.
I found this great solar fountain for just$20! It will be the water feature for the pond. The plan is to line the pond with "Silo cap" like the author at this post*.
We are lucky to have found live "lucky bamboo" at the local Flower Factory for a few dollars- which for that we get a handful amount. "Panda" will have her bamboo...te he hee.They will also serve purpose as a water filter/oxygen adder for the fish.
This site would be a useful read if you are interested in making your own backyard wildlife pond. Gives helpful tips and ideas.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/waponds.asp.
Although our pond will not be deeper then 12-18 inches, we will still add the goldfish to it. A few small size terracotta pipes laid in the bottom will serve the purpose as a hideout for the many visitors in the water. A large hosta off to the side and potted wild strawberry and herbs for shade depending on time of day. And spots of earth with hidden Toad house tubes-with a back door for escaping of course. The paths will go around in a circle but my picture does not show that. I hope we have enough big stones to go around the pond edging and brick for the circle portion of the path. Wooden benches are in the woodworking shop "to do" list. A few not so wide or high like my others, but more low to the ground adding the feeling of closeness to the habitat. Plus a short long table for eating in the garden or maybe a board game or two :) . As I have mentioned before, we live in our garden during the warmer seasons.
I look forward to getting out there and starting the whole process. I crave to smell the fresh greens mixed with earth, feeling the fresh turned dirt beneath my bare feet. Hear the birds singing and swooping down for bits of nest materials here and there. Spring should be here soon to ease the ache for Mother Natures company. I hope.
I wonder what creatures we will get as visitors this year. The plan is to go tadpole hunting again at the local park. We would like to watch some of them grow in the pond. You never know if they will be toad or frog. It makes it so much more exciting to get them early.
~~~ Did you know that Toads are smarter (in some ways) then frogs? Yep. According to my current morning reads "The Book of the Toad: A Natural and Magical History of Toad-Human Relations"by Robert M. DeGraaff . In Edward Greding's Laboratory test- 3 Bufo (the toad species) was able to acquire information more rapidly and retain it longer then the 3 species of Rana (frog species). but of course as common sense would lead one to expect, some toads are smarter then others. According to C.T Colby(warty toads) "The toad reacts more promptly and learns more readily. Toads can figure out a maze far more quicker then frogs can. They discover after 8 or 9 trials that a glass barrier cannot be passed, whereas frogs keep bumping their noses against it. When set on a high table, toads will peer cautiously over the edge, appearing to estimate the drop, and then refuse to jump. Frogs will fling themselves off anything....Another indication of the toads mental capacities is that he is easily tamed. Toads in captivity learn to come out of hiding when called and to feed from the hand. They also seem to enjoy being petted and stroked."~~
Yep..I am officially weird in The Captain's book. He wonders sometimes about the stuff i seem to spout out. ( A little fiction or fact from Tammie's Almanac...) I got that line from my beloved Father in law. he likes to spout out with things like that too. Panda has been big into Frogs lately, so i decided to pick a few books up and inform myself on bits i could share with her throughout the day..At least she doesn't mind my oddness... smiling...
Sweetest Dreams,
~Tammie

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Pork, chicken, dog...

Our deep freezer is looking real good inside. Our half of the pig was 193 lbs hanging weight and supplied a great amount of meat to the freezer. Much more then we thought. We got 34-1 lb packs of sage sausage,6 different large roasts, a pack of ribs, 7 thick ham frying steaks, 3 hams in suitable size for our family-and a bit left over,12-1 lb packs of bacon, (I think)12-15 packs of chops proportioned into 5 super thick pork chops. I know there was more stuff, but it gives you the idea of what is in here:I shared with our Neighbor G and Tractor boy plus My cousin. So I gave away and have used 5 packs of chops, 4 packs of bacon, a pack of pigs feet for G's dog, and 3 ham steaks since receiving our pig 2 weeks ago. I will have the 15 Meat birds going in there at the end of May. I am already begging our Farm friend to do the pigs again. I love the taste from what we have had so far never want to go back to the store crud. Such moist meat and great sausage- very little grease.
The plan is to buy 25 meat birds from Mcmurray come June. That way we supply our chicken needs for the winter (stuffing the freezer) by continuing this cycle again 8-12 weeks later for another batch. We eat chicken 2-3 times a week and pork 2-3 nights a week.
Grizzle's education on the chickens has begun. I have high hopes from seeing her attitude and behavior towards this meat bird:I want her to get use to the idea these little chicks which will grow along with her are not her toy. "Not for Grizzle"! She could care less for the thing. The basement with The Captain down there, is more interesting. She has shown while being outside, the other animals are no big deal. Of course, she would never be unsupervised around them. I hope to instill these animals as part of the family in her eyes. I take her out when I feed Chia and the gang. Never let her in the pen, but bring her out and see me talk to them, care for them, and pet them. She just hangs out by the gate, waiting patiently for me to come out and throw her stick again.
We have over a foot of snow outside and a first for me was Lightning during the snow storm this morning. Never seen that before.
I have been getting up about 4:30-5am every day now and sit in the old "Mayor's office"Leather chair reading my garden books. That is until the first child wakes up...
I have seedlings that need watered and more recycled containers to prepare for the many seeds waiting their turn.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

Monday, March 3, 2008

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