Happy Thanksgiving!
This is a favorite holiday for us here at the Shop. There will be lots of cooking, eating (stealthy sharing with critters under the table :-), and the company of our loved ones. We hope all of you enjoy the day in your own special way!
November means that we are heading into another Maine winter and all that comes with it. The woodpile is growing, the lumber for boxes is safely in the shed, “studded snows” are on the vehicles and parkas, sweaters and flannel have replaced shorts and sundresses (sigh).
Storing lumber for the winter. General Manager, Porter being Super Helpful.
Jonesy sporting his favorite cardigan, he is the "Boss Man"!
Shop News
Rob is busy getting orders out. He’s shaping and painting carrier handles as I write this. Any extras will be listed here on the website with a Facebook post a couple of days prior.
Rob attaching a handle to #0 Carrier
Carrier handles ready for paint
Vintage News
I have so much fun with my vintage finds – I love to take photos, do research and set up displays! Some of the items have pride of place on my apple wood shelves for a while before I can part with them. :-) We've had snowy roads for a couple of days, but I'll be going back out shortly to see what I can find to share with you!
Recent finds: Antique Quilt, Baby Shoes, Socks on a wonderful old sled. The mittens I've had and enjoyed for many years.
A few of my favorites!
Shop Critters
Meet Zoe. She’s very vocal, her constructive criticism can be scathing! However, her positive reinforcement in the form of <infrequent> snuggles is most welcome. She is the Queen!
Finally Fall!
Autumn is upon us here in Maine bringing crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Perfect weather for outdoor tasks such as painting the house (finished last week) and expanding our walking trail through the woods to the abandoned railroad tracks that run along the property. The expansion has included a water source with an old-fashioned hand pump and adding a small pond in the clearing. I’m pleased to announce that the small pond is inhabited by a large bullfrog named Hercules. Apparently he is embracing the “Tiny Home” trend….. There are plans for a screen house but that will be on next year’s list!
A Carpet of Autumn Leaves on the Cedar Walk through the Woods
An Old Fashioned Hand Pump, Just Right for Watering Next Year's Flowers!
Walking the Abandoned Railroad Tracks Near The Shop
In The Shop
Rob is currently working on November’s orders, as I write this, he is putting the second coat of milk paint on the boxes and carriers. As always, he will list the extras here, on the website. He will give as much advance notice as possible. He is also working on developing a new type of box that will blend old and new in a useful and aesthetically pleasing way, more to come on that….
Speaking of blending, Rob and I did our first collaborative newsletter recently and it went quite well. This isn’t something we will do often but it just happened that we both had items ready to go at the same time!
Vintage News
The next Vintage Newsletter will be ready to go within a couple of weeks. I have had really good luck and so much fun (a trip to Camden, Maine!) finding nice pieces lately! There will be a couple of extra special pieces this time, we’re really “pushing the boat out”! I always try to have a variety of items and price points available; I am also open to requests – searching and finding is such fun! You can email me at tricia@lehays.com.
The View from the Deck of Marriner's Restaurant in Camden, Maine
So sometimes I get to have a good giggle while poking around the antique shops. Here's one of those giggle moments: I found a small collection of vintage cosmetics, one of the tins was “Pompeian Vanishing Day Cream” from the 1920’s. A selling point listed on the back: “Will Not Grow Hair, Satisfaction Guaranteed!” Well, that’s a nice feature…… Tee Hee!!! :-D
Shop Critters
You’ve met Porter, General Manager and Jonesy, Head of Security. Now, I’ll introduce Buzz. Buzz fills a dual role as Morale Officer and Chief Head Booper. But his willingness to HELP has no limits……
Buzz, HELPing Me at my Desk, Coming in for The Head Boop
Eager to Jump in and HELP at The Shop!
Always Happy to HELP with Packing and Shipping!
News from Maine
We have survived the July Heat Wave! Temps topped 95 degrees for several days in a row and the humidity was most unpleasant….. To say that those days were spent in a dewy haze is an understatement. It’s quite shocking for us when you consider that it can (and does) get as far as 30 degrees BELOW ZERO in the winter and nearly 100 degrees ABOVE ZERO in the summer! A 130 degree difference!
Porter Handling the Heatwave
Trail Magic
Somewhere in the middle of that heat, Rob and buddy, Scott decided to do some “Trail Magic”. Trail Magic happens when kind, generous folks who are often hikers themselves set up near a trail and offer food, drinks and other goodies for the hikers currently on trail. Rob and Scott loaded the truck: grill, groceries, chairs et al and set off for the Bigelows near Flagstaff Lake in Western Maine. The menu featured omelets, corned beef hash, home fries, fresh fruit, juice, soda and of course, beer! Those Appalachian Trail hikers were very appreciative! One of the hikers recognized Rob from the YouTube videos of his AT hike last year and immediately shouted, “Shaker Hikes!” Rob did a little video of the day – you can see the “Gourmet Trail Magic” by Clicking Here
Rob, Scott and A Couple of Hearty AT Hikers
Scott at the Grill: Omelets, Home Fries and Sausage for the Hungry Hikers!
This little adventure has Rob considering another AT hike for next year! Stay tuned…..
Shop News
The kiln is full of beautiful pine boards drying in preparation to be shaped into the tops and bottoms of boxes and carriers. The heat has helped that process along nicely! Luckily the woodpecker family who nested in the kiln has moved out just in time for the pine to move in. Meanwhile, Rob is putting the finishing touches on several small carriers that he is planning to list right here on August 24th around noontime.
Carriers to be Listed 08/24, In Progress and Finished!
Vintage News
I’ve been tooling about the state this summer in search of new, interesting, and fun items for the Vintage Shop. I also carry a list of requests with me – right next to my purse snacks! If you have a particular item in mind that you would like me to add to my list, drop me a line at: tricia@lehays.com. I love the thrill of the hunt!
Shop Critters
You all know Porter, The Shop Dog, official title General Manager. Over the next few months, I’ll introduce the rest of the staff!
Jonesy, Head of Security - Semi Retired
Thank you for your continued support, see you next month!!
Shop News
First of all, Rob’s home!! He started hiking the Continental Divide Trail in April. However, mid-June he ran into loads of snow in Colorado and wisely decided to cut the hike short. We Mainers know what it is to try walking in 3 feet of snow, we call it “post holing” and it’s no fun! Especially when you’re facing mile upon mile!
So, he’s back with us in the Shop and guess what?? He is developing some new finishes and box designs! I’ve had a preview and I predict that they are going to be well received.
Rob in the Shop, Trimming Fingers for Boxes
A Peek at the New Style Carrier ;-)
Rob loves to keep busy so he’s also been building some additional shelving for raw material in the shed and the first load of lumber has arrived, been stacked and is drying in the field!
Raw Lumber, Soon to be Shaker Boxes
There will be several boxes and carriers available here in about mid-July, keep an eye on your email and Facebook!
Vintage News
Since Rob got home in June, we have managed to get in a couple of antiquing day trips together. We found some fabulous antique sewing items on the coast as well as an assortment of other fun and interesting antiques! I like to sprinkle the Shop shelves with a few fresh items each week and I usually do a Facebook and Instagram post to coincide with the sprinkling 😊.
Always an Adventure at Elmer's Barn!
A Side Trip to the Ocean is a Must
Mackerel Cove, Bailey Island
The Blog is Back!
I have been a bit neglectful of the blog posts, but I am once again picking up my pen for a monthly update! Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, please let us know if there's anything you'd like me to include in the future!
