NEW ITEMS AT COTTAGE CURIO!!

Friends,

I have recently acquired a few new furniture items for the shop. I have two pie safes--one of old-growth pine that was reclaimed from a barn built in 1917. The pine beams that made up the structure were from the heart of the tree and were over 56 feet in length. A tree this size that was cut in the early 1900's would be approximately 350 years old!!!! Here are pictures of this pie safe.

The pie safe is 56.5 inches tall, 40 inches wide, and 18.5 inches deep.

It has two drawers at the top in the old Appalachian pie safe tradition.

The metal is copper plate and runs up both sides of the piece as well as in the front doors. The smell of the old growth pine is worth a million--it is pure, unoffensive, delightful pine that speaks to the age of the wood. The price is $899.

This is a view of the inside of the pie safe.

This is a view of the side of the pie safe. Contact me at 540-580-6330 with questions and interest. I love to talk about these pieces even if you don't buy.

The second pie safe is made from reclaimed American "wormy" chestnut. American chestnut trees were very abundant in the Appalachian Mountains until a blight (inadvertently brought from China in the early 1900's) destroyed these trees. The dead trees were invaded by worms as they laid in the forest resulting in arbitrary patterns of worm holes and trails in the wood. This wood is much sought after because the quantities are rapidly disappearing.

This piece is 56.5 inches tall, 18.5 inches deep, and 40 inches wide. The price is $999.

It is "wormy" chestnut throughout except the back cover.

I have a third piece of furniture--a jelly cabinet made of "old growth" pine. The price is $375. Here is a picture.

Jelly cabinet

Inside view of jelly cabinet.

Apple Dumpling SUCCESS!!!!

Hilda sold 130 apple dumplings at Cottage Curio today. Folks came from miles around to smell the wonderful fall smell of apples baking and purchased several dumplings to enjoy at home.

Mary Tousman was quite successful with her potter's wheel. She sold six or seven pieces of her beautiful, colorful work.

Becky Mushko did some reading and enjoyed conversation with Donald Myers--the craftsmen from Mt Clinton (near Hopkins Gap).

Donald delivered several new pieces of furniture made from 350 plus years old heart pine and American wormy chestnut. He brought in a pie safe in heart pine and one in wormy chestnut along with a jelly cabinet made of heart pine. Pictures of these items will be forthcoming.

I have been very busy the last several weeks with book signings and discussions.

On October 1, I was the speaker at the fall banquet of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Historical Society. I spoke on my new book (to be published in June, 2009) titled "The Living Room Bed: Family Life Cycle in Traditional Appalachia. I spoke to a record crowd of 115 people.

On October 20, I spoke to the Women's Guild at St. Paul Episcopal Church. A great time was had by all.

On October 24, I spoke at a fund raiser for the Peabody-Harper Culinary Friends Group.
They met at the Roanoke Country Club. My topic was from my second book, Mom's Family Pie: Memories of Food Traditions and Family in Appalachia. We enjoyed a delicious meal designed for the season: chicken breast, sauteed greens, and baked sweet potatoes. We had "family pie" for dessert. Chef Brian followed my Mom's recipe as it is presented in the book. It was, without a doubt, just as delicious as Mom's family pie. Again, a great time was had by all!!!

On November 20, I will be speaking on The Red Flannel Rag: Memories of an Appalachian Childhood and Mom's Family Pie at Brandon Oaks in Salem.

After November 20, I will be sequestered at home with my manuscript so I can meet my publication deadline of June, 2009 for the new book.

APPLE DUMPLIN'S THE APPALACHIAN WAY!!

Hilda is returning to Salem with her famous apple dumplings made from fresh fall Staymen apples!!! She will arrive early on Saturday, October 25, with a van load of apple dumplings and her delicious "light" rolls (any one of which could easily be called a loaf of homemade bread). Hilda will sell her dumplings at $3.00 each and her "light" rolls at $1.00 each

Along with Hilda, Cottage Curio will be featuring Mary Tousman, local artist. Mary does beautiful masks and other pottery pieces.She will be at Cottage Curio from 10:00 until 2:00 demonstrating her work on a potter's wheel.

BIG SALE, SIGNINGS, AND APPLE BUTTER ROLLS....

Hello blog viewers,

SALE IT IS. Everything is marked down including items made of reclaimed wood. Here are two items made from the rare American chestnut taken from this old barn built in circa 1900. The barn was located in remote Stokesville, Virginia. The craftsman tore the barn down, at the request of the owner, of course, and is making furniture items from the reclaimed wood. Here are two pieces that I have at Cottage Curio:

A jelly cabinet--originally priced at $349.00 on SALE for $299.00

A wash stand (reproduction) made of reclaimed American chestnut (2 available) Was priced at $299.00 now marked down to $175.00 each.

Other items, ON SALE, include a large solid walnut china cabinet made from walnut trees blown over by hurricane Fran. The craftsman went into the mountains and recovered the trees, dried the wood, and made furniture. Solid walnut furniture is rare these days; but, I have it at Cottage Curio. The craftsman can make furniture to order. The china cabinet is on sale for $800.00 marked down from 1600.00. IT IS A "MUST SEE"!!!!!!!!!!!
In addition to the China cabinet, I have a solid walnut jelly cabinet and a solid cherry jelly cabinet. The cherry wood was reclaimed by the craftsman just prior to being hauled off to the dump.
MANY ITEMS AT COTTAGE CURIO ARE FROM RECLAIMED PRODUCTS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE DUMP AS YET ANOTHER CHUNK OF POLLUTION.
MY PHONE IS 540-580-6330 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

Saturday, July 26, I am honored to host Rex Bowman, author of The Blue Ridge Chronicles.

Mr. Bowman is a Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of several publications. He will sign his books from 10:00 to 2:00.

Becky Mushko will be reading, upon request, and signing her books from 10:00 to 2:00.

Hilda Shifflett will be preparing, baking, and selling apple butter rolls in the kitchen from 10:00 to 2:00. She will serve coffee with her apple butter rolls.