Potholders Available

At the Yes We Can Can workshop, a few people asked about buying the beautiful potholders we used. They are available through Christy, who was at the workshop, and whose mom makes them. Send Christine Ciesielski an email, if you are interested.

More Handy Items

Here are more handy items for the home cow owner available at Local Farm:


Gallagher's mini-reel for polywire pasture divisions $32.00


Two half gallon bottles, pour spouts and a plastic carrier for $8.00. (Individual bottles $1.50 each. pour spouts and caps are $1.00 each, carriers are $4.00 each or $15 for 5)


Jeffers wire clips for fiberglass fence posts/ $5.00 for a package of 20.



Plastic milk bottle lids; initially tamper-evident but sturdy enough to use again and again. 100 for $5.00.



Milk strainer filter disks, 6 1/4" diameter can also be folded in fourths and used in a funnel. Box of 100 for $5.00.

Tax included in above prices.

Market-Making Mondays

Q: What do drip less hand-dipped candles, market bags, jersey milk soap, silk screened greeting cards and hexagonal books about beekeeping have in common???
A: They were all made, printed, wrapped, and/or bound during one of Motherhouse's latest programs; Market-Making Mondays!


Every Monday starting around 10:30 am, Debra and up to five helpers are busy producing products for our on-line store; Motherhouse Market. Last Monday, Margaret helped dip candles.


We started with a load of dripless candle stubs from the UCC - Cornwall, melted them down, strained out the old wicks, added a bit of coloring, started dipping and...


VOILA!! Beautiful 10" X 3/4"" candles -- soon to be available through Motherhouse Market for $10/pair.

Wooden tool-box kits, calendula salve, sewn covered-dish carriers, aprons, tea cozies, hand-bound "Passages" books and hand woven baling twine sashes are on the list of things to do. Are you interested in learning how? Contact Debra to find out when and sign up!

Woodmistress at Home

Set in a copse of trees, a few hundred feet off the main road, stands the small, unassuming home of Jean Boutillier. Built in the 1700's, this lovely old house was purchased by Jean's grandfather in 1910, and has stayed in the family ever since. It's easy to see where it has settled into the ground and become a part of the landscape. In Jean's eyes, the settling is not always a good sign because it means another inch or two of "internal leanings", a few more crooked floors and windows that don't fit properly. To the untrained eye, the house is adorable, full of character and ancient whispers of long gone souls still clinging to their home. For Jean, the house is letting go of more and more original rafters and beams, all made out of either chestnut or oak. Under the floor boards are more floors, and then more floors on top of the older ones.

As Jean replaces an original rafter or beam in the attic, the slow, delicate growth of a piece of sculpture, a carved wall hanging, or any number of beautifully turned items like candle holders and vases takes hold in her mind. Using a lovely piece of walnut, Jean carves out an image that seems to have grown out of the wood's natural grain, but then takes on a life of its own with twisting tree shapes and female forms climbing upwards, carved braids hanging down their backs, and long arms reaching towards the sky. Using original parts of the old home that have lost their function in one way, means they live on in another, and the house is less likely to fall down around them. In Jean's case, the balancing act between the artist and the carpenter is perfected.

The art that Jean makes from the wooden remnants of her old home would be enough to single her out as unique. But, unbeknownst to this writer until I met Jean in her home, is the fact that she is a master furniture builder. No little doll's chests or uneven rickety chairs are these, but rather incredible reproduction furniture. A storage bench that has been on display at the Litchfield Historical Society, took my breath away. Designed and made by Jean, the bench includes butternut back slats, maple seat, walnut frame and beautifully carved feet. The list of her accomplishments and shows, including The Philadelphia Furnishings Show and the Wharton Eserick Museum, and Niche Magazine for Progressive Retailers, are many. As well as doing custom work for people, Jean does antique furniture repair.

It's not often that one finds someone literally in their own backyard who is doing such amazing work. It was truly a magical morning to discover Jean Boutieller in her little house in the woods in Cornwall, Ct.
Jane Bean
Feb. 2008

You can purchase one of Jean's chestnut candleholders, made from wood reclaimed from her family's historic home, at motherhousemarket.com

Kick up your heels with Engel Woolen Clothing

These great looking long underwear from Engel combine the lightweight durability of silk and the oh-so-soft warmth of Merino wool. Nita says they're the most comfortable she's ever worn. They're even nice enough to dance in! We feel good knowing that Engel organic wool is from sheep raised with kindness and care.

Keep yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors and your neighbor's friends warm and cozy this winter with gifts of good wool. You can-can stay warm!

Because wool keeps you warm, even when wet, these Merino woolen fleece pull-overs from Engel are perfect for inclement weather. Merino wool is the softest of all wools. Naturally resistant to dirt, stains and odor it is unnecessary to wash wool clothing frequently. Great for all sizes. Try 'em you'll love 'em.

Available at our on-line market at http://www.motherhousemarket.com/

NEW - Motherhouse Gift Certificates for 2008

Debra Tyler writes:


I'm thrilled to have finished these gift certificates in time for the holidays!




The first certificate shown in the pictures posted can be used for any merchandise
shown on http://www.motherhousemarket.com/
Good for any dollar amount, they must be used within one year of purchase.


Looking back at the wonderful Old Style Life Skills Series offered in 2007 and ahead in 2008, we offer this second certificate so that a workshop opportunity may be given as a gift.

The third certificate was inspired when someone e-mailed me hoping to give her brother a "cow milking adventure" at Local Farm. For a family of up to 4 members this certificate is for participation in any one of our five 2008 Keeping A Family Cow workshops.

All three gift certificates can be bought directly from http://www.motherhousemarket.com/.