Country Cottage Primitives

2011-12-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

Herb Shop, Greenhouse and Workshop-Shipping and Receiving

Redware Jars

2011-10-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Redware Jars are back in stock!!
I love filling these primitive
crocks with all kinds of florals!!

Rosemary Raised Bed

2011-09-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

The rosemary did very well this season, especially since the cuttings
were so small. I will use this to infuse an organic oil and make into a
new salve this Christmas. Heard its going down low tonight, I better
cover the rosemary and the patchouli. (who especially does not like the
frost).
Blessings,
Karen

Everlasting and Potpourri Garden

2011-08-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Everlasting and Potpourri Gardens are blooming abundantly!!
We will be harvesting flowers to be used in potpourris and wreaths
until the first hard frost.

Lavender Harvest

2011-07-18T14:58:00.001-07:00

The Lavender Fields were plentiful this season.
We grew 2 varieties this year.
A new one planted last year the variety 'Super'
This is one of the most elegant lavandins.

This variety features a light and flowery aroma.
Super has the best perfume of all lavandins

and is mainly used for soap fragrances
and aromatherapy because it produces a lot of oil.

The other variety we grew is 'Grosso'
Its long stems are excellent for
dried bouquets and potpourris. This is
our best-selling bunch,
a little darker in color than our new variety Super.

Our lavender is picked at its peak of perfection,
then quickly dried in our
attics of our shop.
Check our website for availability,

Herb Shop

2011-06-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

The Little Shop that started it all. Built in 1993 by my husband
this was our first shop along with a greenhouse that started
our Family Cottage Business....

Lily of the Valley Soap

2011-05-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lily of the Valley Soap

Just made these Bars of Soap!! Made one by one,
time consuming but worth it!!
Wish you could smell this Soap!! Heavenly!!
If you love the smell of Lily of the Valley
you will love this soap....smells just like
a fresh picked bouquet of the flowers.
Made with our all natural base and
just the right amount of our fragrance oil.

Each bar comes wrapped in cellophane and
weighs approximately between 4.5 oz. and 4.8 oz.
Perfect for gifts!! (bus drivers, teachers, etc.)

2011-05-19T18:16:00.001-07:00

Went for a walk in the woods today to see what was blooming,
found some Trillium and May Apples. God's wonderful creations.

Bee Skeps!!

2011-05-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

Bee Skeps have been selling!! Primitive ones, Straw ones, Vine ones!!
Guess everyone is getting their herb gardens ready for Spring!!

I Love Forget-me-nots. So faithful....they come back every Spring!!

Colonial Kitchen Potpourri

2011-04-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Just made a fresh batch of our best-selling potpourri,
letting it cure by the fire. Such a raining day today,
fire feels good and the smell is wonderful. Lots of dried
orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves & bay leaves.

New Gardener's Soap!!

2011-04-05T17:28:00.001-07:00

Just made these great herbal soaps.

Made from an all natural base, with green clay,
cornmeal, and apricot seeds for scrubbing up those
hands after a long day of gardening. We scented this
handcrafted soap with rosemary, geranium, and clary
sage essential oils. It will remind you of still being in
the herb garden.

Colonial Kitchen Soy Tarts

2011-03-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Our Colonial Kitchen Collection is one of our best-selling scents.
(Orange-Clove) We decided to offer this great scent in our
soy-beeswax melting tarts. These tarts are loaded with spices
and the same ingredients as our Colonial Kitchen Potpourri,
bay leaves, dried orange slices, star anise, allspice, cloves,
and yellow yarrow flower....simply wonderful !!

Melissa Essential Oil

2011-03-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

Just added this wonderful essential oil to our collection.
Melissa oil is usually very expensive, we found this
rectified variety from Spain, that is a lot less expensive
yet has the same great qualities as the more expensive
melissa essential oil . Be sure to check out our updated
website.

Lemon Balm Salve

2011-02-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Just made this wonderful smelling Lemon Balm Salve.
Made with essential oils of Melissa officinalis, (Lemon Balm)
Lemon, and Lemongrass. We infused Organic Olive Oil with
freshly, dried lemon balm leaves and let the oil brew for many
weeks in the summer sun. We added pure yellow beeswax, and
rosemary antioxidant for a natural preservative.

The Lemon essential oils have properties as a antiseptic,
astringent & antiviral. We recommend this salve from cold
sores to foot care. The scent is uplifting, and calming.
Very pleasant.

New Bird Soap!!

2011-02-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

Made these adorable birds
over the course of several days.
We made these with our sweet
almond fragrance oil and spices
of cinnamon, nutmeg & coco powder.
These are now available on our
website!! For a limited time!!

These decorative soaps
would look so cute, decorating
a bathroom for Spring!!

New Spring Potpourri !!

2011-02-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Even though, it is snowy and blistery outside, we have
to think Spring to have our website ready. Spring is
March 20th and will be here before you know it!!
This is our NEW "Celebration" Potpourri. It is light
and beautiful and smells heavenly of Sweet Almond
fragrance oil. (just like a freshly baked Birthday Cake)
This wonderful scent is also available in creamy-white
votives. Enjoy!! and remember the Promise of Spring!!

More Summer Thoughts

2011-01-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

I loved this little spot in the garden, the shade from the Japanese
Red Maple, the breezes through the hostas....opps...back to reality
I better go shovel the snow....Actually, I don't mind the winter....but
I do miss gardening......

Thinking Summer Thoughts!!

2011-01-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

I could not resist....I think I have an early case of Spring Fever ....Seed catalogs
pouring in everyday in the mailbox....late evenings by the wood stove....
my seed list is getting longer each day...

A Winter Day in December

2010-12-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

What a Wonderful Winter Day!!
Cleaned the shop, with a nice
warm fire burning inside the shop!!
Reminds me of January !!

Annual Open House

2010-12-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

A Big Thank You to all of you
that joined us for our Open House
weekend. Fun was had by all!!!
We sold out of decorated wreaths,
but we still have greens & holly
for your holiday table & home.
Enjoy the pictures!!

Christmas Open House

2010-11-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

I have been busy, making Christmas wreaths &
swags for our Annual Open House this Friday
December 3rd, & Saturday December 4th.
If you live locally, its a great time to visit us
at our shop & farm!!

Shop Porch

2010-10-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Just finished decorating the front porch
of shop. Our Greens for sale will be
available the second weekend in November!!

Christmas Arrangements

2010-10-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Just making some arrangements up, to
decorate the shop porch. I love this
time of year and going foraging in
the woods for berries, greens and
pinecones.

Sneak Peak of Sale Area !!

2010-10-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Been working on our Sale Area in the
Greenhouse....lots of great deals on
old pots..... we have been really cleaning
house...Some great buys to Check out!!

Making Chickweed/Plantain Salve

2010-10-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Just making our Chickweed/Plantain Salve
this morning. Organic extra virgin olive oil
infused with calendula, plantain, & chickweed.
What a healing natural salve!!!
Wildcrafted Chickweed Plantain Salve

Fresh Orange Marmalade Potpourri !!

2010-09-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Our Orange Marmalade Potpourri is done curing
and ready to purchase. We have been selling this
very natural smelling potpourri for 15 years. It is
definitely our best-selling potpourri, because it
blends with any decor and has such a pleasant aroma.
A must!!

Herbal Soaps

2010-09-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

I wish you all could smell the wonderful scents
of our herbal soaps. We are preparing for our
up-coming season. Shop early on-line for the
best selection (they should be cured mid-October).

Lots of Soap...Curing in the Loft!!

2010-09-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Lots of Hand-Crafted, Herbal Soap Curing in the Loft!

Soap is made and curing in the drying rack

in the loft of the shop. We make cold-process soap
and it needs 6 to 8 weeks to cure and mellow.
We have many customers that buy from us for
their soap needs. Most customers are looking for
for an all natural gentle soap.

New Addition to the Farm

2010-09-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Our Newest Addition to our Farm - a registered Dexter Cow!

Granite Bowl Arrangement

2010-08-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Found this old granite bowl at the flea market today!!

Last Bouquets of Summer!!!

2010-08-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Just enjoying the last bouquets of the season!!!

We have been very busy making candles and
picking the last flowers to dry in our shop.
We hope everyone is taking a few moments
out of each day to enjoy summers' bounty
and the simple pleasures of the season.
(like evening walks, picking fresh flowers
and watching the sun set).
God's Blessing to you!!

Lavender Harvest!!

2010-06-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!! The Lavender is plentiful and
wonderfully scented!! It will used in our best selling
Herbal Soaps, Salves, Bath Salts and Potpouuri.
We are excited about producing some great
products with this awesome 2010 Harvest!!

Field of Chamomile

2010-06-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Our field of Chamomile is perfect for harvesting!!
We have been harvesting yellow yarrow also!!
Lavender is just about ready!!!

Summer is finally on its way!!!

2010-06-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

We have been busy planting our herb/kitchen garden,
our potpourri garden and our healing
production garden this past week.
We thank the Lord for all the rain we just had,
things were very dry.

A Glimpse at Our Herb Garden

New Finds from the Attic !!

2010-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Been cleaning up the shop and the shop's attic during
all the rain we have been having, found some great
things. Check them out !! at www.CountryCottagePrimitives.com

Sheep Shearing Day at the Farm

2010-05-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day for shearing our Icelandic Sheep!!
Icelandic Sheep are sheared twice a year.
Their Fall fleece is much fuller than their
Spring fleece. They are all so happy to get
that wool off before the warm weather sets in.

We are shipping all their beautiful fleece to a fiber mill
to have turned into yarn. See our web site for available
100% Icelandic Wool Yarn.

Lavender Collection

2010-04-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

We have been working on our Lavender Collection.

Bath Salts, Natural Potpourri, Salves, Soy Candles

and Soy Tarts are in the works. We also will

be adding a creamy Goat Milk Lavender Lotion to

this collection this May (stay tuned). We are

so excited about this collection. Lavender is so

calming and relaxing, we all need a little more

of that in our lives.

Rosemary Pruning

2010-04-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

When we use to open our Greenhouse in the Spring, the

number one question we would be asked is how to prune

rosemary. As you can tell from the above picture.

The rosemary on the left was prune last winter the

one on the right was not pruned. As you can see pruning

makes the plant much more bushier and healthy looking, plus it

gives you wonderful clippings of rosemary to use

in cooking, bath products and potpourri.

Old Antique Potting Cupboard

2010-04-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Turned this old antique into a potting cupboard. It

works great for storing extra pots. While cleaning

out our greenhouse we found some cute garden

picks and some miniature wheelbarrows and

watering cans. Check them out on our web-site

www.CountryCottagePrimitives.com.

German Chamomile

2010-03-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

Chamomile is a mild, soothing and calming herb,
with small, sweet-smelling, daisy-like flowers.
Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea (from
the dried flowers) for its many therapeutic
properties including nervous digestion, insomnia
and as a wash for minor wounds.
Its scent gives pleasure to both the mind and
body either as a tea or for use in bath herbs.
Chamomile is quite easy to grow from seed,
it germinates quite readily (as seen in the above
picture). At our farm, we grow German
Chamomile 'Bodegold' which is know for
its large blossoms and high yielding plants.
This season include this herb for your garden!!

The Promise of Spring !!!

2010-03-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Pansies and Violas are the first flowers that can be planted

in the Spring. Both flowers are edible and can be added

to salads for color and flavor. The flowers of both plants

can be dried, pressed and added to spring potpourris.

Spring Violas!!!

2010-03-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

We love these little violas!!! The greenhouse is blooming!!
Anytime you are having a bad day, simply whisper a prayer
and marvel at God's beautiful design of a viola (johnny jump-up)
and your sure to feel better. What a wonderful sunny day here
in Michigan. Bee Skeps are selling fast. Shop early !!!
Germinated Morning Glories today!!!

Scented Geraniums

2010-03-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

We potted up our rooted cuttings of scented geraniums today.
We have always loved growing scented geraniums. They
are available with so many different and unique leaf shapes.
Some good uses of scented geraniums can be found in a
little booklet we carry from the International Herb Assoc. IHA
entitled: "Scented Geraniums (Herb of the Year 2006)".
We dry the leaves for their fragrance, scents like rose, lemon,
and spice. They enhance our blends of potpourri and bath herbs.
They are very easy to grow and make nice houseplants,
which can add a pleasant aroma to your home. We
encourage you to try a scented geranium this season.
(Most herb farms/greenhouses carry them).

What's sprouting in the Greenhouse

2010-03-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

With all the wonderful sunshine, seeds are definitely
sprouting in the greenhouse. This flat of the herb
lemon balm will be used in making our herbal salves
this summer.

Bee Skeps Back in Stock!!!

2010-03-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

Just getting ready for Spring!!! Every Herb Garden
deserves a Bee Skep. We have carried these vine
bee skeps for 15 years. We just re-stocked our
inventory. They go fast so order early.
And keep thinking Spring !!!

Cold Therapy Bags (Recipe)

2010-03-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Today we created some Cold-Therapy Bags.
We would like to share this recipe with
you to try at your home. These bags are
great to tuck in a pillow at night to help
relieve congestion from a cold. Or toss
the whole bag directly into your bath
whenever you feel run down or need an instant
pick me up.

There are 5 main ingredients in this recipe.
(As you can see from the above picture).
Use equal parts of crush spearmint,
peppermint, coltsfoot, comfrey and
eucalyptus. Blend all ingredients well.
Take this mixture and fill plain muslin
bags. Add a few drops of eucalyptus
and peppermint essential oils into each bag.
I like smelling these bags throughout the day
for instant clarity and focus. You can
also tuck them throughout your house
to aid in freshening the air within your
home. Both Eucalyptus and Peppermint
essential oils are antiseptic, refreshing and
uplifting. If you don't have time to make
your own, we will be adding this product
soon to our website. Stay tuned.
Blessings

Colonial Kitchen - Apothecary Jar Candles

2010-03-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

Today we completed our last product in our
Colonial Kitchen Collection.
These are our Apothecary Jar Candles .
They come in 3 sizes, 10 oz., 16 oz. and 26 oz.
and are available with 2 different lid
styles, a plain black lid or a glass lid
with a wire holder. We love the smell
of these candles...a blend of oranges & clove.
These candles make a house warm and cozy.
We found that if the wicks are trimmed
regularly to 1/4", the candles last
longer and burn better.

Patchouli Body Balm

2010-03-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Just made a batch of the Patchouli Salve (Body Balm).
This salve compliments our Patchouli Soap very well.
We use a Patchouli oil from India titled "Reserve Select"
This patchouli is considered the best in the world today
because of its very high content of patchouli alcohol content.
We also sell the patchouli oil in 1/4 ounce bottles that
can be used in unscented lotions and oils.
Patchouli oil is good for many uses such as bacterial &
fungal infections, insect repellent, dermatitis, and
stress-related emotional disorders, just to name few.

Lavender Herbal Soap with our pure Lavender essential oil

2010-02-24T10:38:00.001-08:00

Our Lavender Soap is just freshly cured. We have
been making this soap for over 14 years. This soap
continues to be our # 1 Best Selling Soap.
It is very mild and agrees with most skin types.
We make this soap with our field grown Lavender flowers
hand stirred in each small batch and with pure
Lavender essential oil. Lavender oil has
excellent antiseptic qualities and is very mild
to the skin. It is also known for its cell regeneration
properties which is valued by mature skin types.
Our Lavender Soap is
now re-stocked at our on-line store.

Herbal Hand Salve Back in Stock !!!

2010-02-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

Just finished making a fresh batch of our Herbal Hand Salve.
It is made primarily of Organic Olive Oil infused with our field
grown calendula blossoms that we hand picked this past
growing season. It also contains Organic Jojoba Oil infused
with our field grown lavender,local beeswax and essential
oil of lavender rounds off this salve. Please see complete
description and the uses of this salve on our site.

Country Cottage's Rose Collection

2010-02-22T14:22:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful day to put together our "Rose Collection".
We made a sample batch of this cold-processed soap
this past Christmas Season at our Shop
and sold out of it, after just a few weeks.
We promised to have it available
on-line as soon as we could get it together.
We made a full batch about
a month ago and it has been curing ever since.
Today we labeled the soap and will be adding it
to our web- site. It is made with all natural oils,
powdered rose petals and a special blend of
essential oils that smell heavenly. If you
like the scent of rose,
this one is a great one to try.

A Beautiful Winter Day!!

2010-02-12T17:21:00.000-08:00

A wonderful winter day!!!

The shop is pretty quiet this time of year.

We are busy taking inventory and

preparing for taxes for the year end.

We are still busy in our workshop making candles

and soaps for our on-line shop. However, it is a great

time for quiet reflection, rest

and of course planning what seeds
to start in the greenhouse.

2010-02-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

We have been busy expanding our Colonial Kitchen Collection. This collection was designed with the idea of how our colonial ancestors would have scented their homesteads back in early times.
Available in:

Potpourri , Candles, Room Sprays,
Refresher oils , and Soap.

*Primary Scent: Orange-Clove

This scent is one of our most popular in our Primitive Shop.
A classic kitchen fragrance. A great scent anytime of the year.
Please check out our new products at www.CountryCottagePrimitives.com