Small B and B and Cafe

Today I want to tell you about a wonderful local spot, Small B&B and Cafe.  Dave and Lisa moved to Pittsboro from Minneapolis, where they had a seasonal, local, organic eatery for several years.  They also found time to be regulars at the farmer's market there.

Their energy and enthusiasm hasn't waned any since their move to NC.  They opened their cafe in late 2011, and the B&B followed in 2012.

The B&B has two small units, with incredible woodwork by a local artist.  The first unit includes a tree which climbs up the wall.

The second includes a sun and moon on the door to the bathroom.

The third unit is a large, separate suite which includes a kitchenette and living area.

These folks are passionate about supporting local businesses.  When you enjoy a meal at the cafe, you're eating a meal that at a minimum is 60% locally sourced.  Local art abounds on the grounds.  New Earth Fabricators played a part in their rainwater collection system.  In their guest rooms, they use Abela Soaps created just for them.  They're only a couple of blocks from downtown Pittsboro, with antique and thrift stores, a tap room and more.  They're pet-friendly, and are within an hours drive of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Pinehurst and the NC Zoo.  If you're planning a visit to central NC, Small B&B and Cafe is a great spot to relax, eat well and have fun. 

Mother's Day 2013

               Wishing Moms of all sorts a very happy Mother's Day!

Spring Chicks, Birds and Flowers

I'm sorry I have not stopped by here lately.  It's been a whirlwind of a spring, with a show, new product development, soap making, gardening, a homestead building project and more.  Some chicks have recently been given to us.  Last weekend, Joseph's son and family found a chick in the Burger King parking lot(!), which they rescued and brought to us.  Then, on Monday, a friend gave us 4 chicks.  The mama hen is a breed that is a good sitter, though it escapes me at the moment.  The rooster is a Lakenvelder.  *Mama hen is a Delaware.

This spring, I've seen birds I've not noticed before.  Last week, I saw some unfamiliar birds building a nest atop the gutter at Hospice, but didn't get a picture. This week, I heard a bird fly into the storm door, and when I went outside, found a white-throated sparrow, which I don't remember seeing before.  According to my book, it appears it was migrating to Canada for the warmer months.  I sat with it to keep it safe from the farm cats until it got it's bearings and flew off.  I thought she was lovely.

It's been a cool, damp spring here.  Even so, there are many flowers bursting forth...  iris, clematis, spiderwort, roses, dogwood, coral honeysuckle to name a few.  The garden plants are hanging in there, but I wouldn't say they're thriving.  I'm sure warmer weather will arrive soon.

I hope you're enjoying whatever is filling your days!

Lots of Making

There have been local sightings of  hummingbirds the past few days.  I spotted the first one at the feeder this morning.  This winter, I planted snowdrop and crocus bulbs underneath the forsythia along the path to the house.  These are the first snowdrops I've ever planted, and I was delighted to get a bloom this first year.

There's been a lot of making going on around here, getting ready for Mud and Suds at Whynot Pottery next Saturday. Lots of soap, as well as glass garden flowers and wool dryer balls.  I'd given some dryer balls as gifts last year, and was embarrassed to find out a couple of them had unraveled.

 I finally got the felting process down with this batch.  These babies won't be coming apart. The key is to wash them several times in hot water, and dry them along with loads of laundry several times. I believe these went through 8 rounds of drying, while still in their pantyhose "sleeve".

Happy Friday, friends!

Mr. Nice Guy

There are people and places I want to tell you about, which I hope to do soon.  In the meantime, I wanted to introduce you to our new rooster.  He was in need of a new home, and came to live with us a few weeks ago.  He is a sweetheart, and doesn't appear to be at all aggressive.  He's a handsome thing, and the girls and he are getting along famously.

There was a family gathering here, weekend before last.  Three birthdays were celebrated, along with an uncle visiting from out of state.  It's always a tight squeeze to get everyone in here, and was a rainy day to boot, but it was a lovely day nonetheless.

Exactly a year ago, I told you about a bird landing in my hair.  That was a first.  It's happened twice already this spring.  My hair has always had a mind of it's own. I pretty much keep it pulled back into a ponytail, here on the homestead, but I guess there's no hiding prime nesting material :o)  Though those peonies above are up, don't let them fool you. I was an hour and a half north of here today, close to the Virginia border, and drove through an hour of hail, snow and sleet coming home.

Happy Spring, Hoppy Easter!

New Soap Molds, a Stamp & Some Spring Posies

It seems life has been moving in so many directions since I was last here, it's hard to know what to write about.  For starters, there are signs of spring popping up all over.

I'm so happy the pulmonaria seems happy this year.  It has struggled, for the most part.  I do love that color flower most of all.

These are new soap molds Joseph created for me, out of stainless pipe. Previously, my round bar molds were lengths of PVC pipe.  To keep the soap warm during those critical first few hours, I keep them next to the woodstove.  Over time, one of the molds warped from the heat.  So, J took it upon himself to make some new molds... some that would never warp.  They're seated in a large popcorn tin, with circles cut out of the lid to allow the molds to stand up, and are filled with a batch of Skin Bliss at present. 

They were created with a fitting that a bicycle pump attaches to.  I bought a foot-powered pump, as it's much easier to allow your body weight to assist, instead of all the effort coming from your upper body.  The soap should easily slide out with a few pumps, but be gentle enough that it doesn't fly across the room... yes, please. I'll be trying it out this weekend.         Update:  the molds and pump worked beautifully! 

A couple of days ago, I made my first stamp in a class at Brightside Gallery.  It's been something I've wanted to learn for a while now.  We drew our designs on thin foam, cut them out with scissors and exacto knives, then hot-glued them to a wood base.  

We applied paint with a foam brush, then got to stamping.  For sure, it was a beginner's version of stamping, but fun and easy-peasy.  Thanks to the very talented Susan Reynolds of Blackbird Antiques for a fun evening.  Have a beautiful weekend, friends!