Stylish Insulated Curtains to Keep You Warm

If winter hasn’t already arrived in your area, it is just around the corner with lower temperatures and cold winds – just the right time to give some thought to easy, attractive solutions for keeping your home warm and cozy.  Take a look at our best selling insulated curtains.  They’ll keep you warm and save you money!

Keep warm air in and cold air out with insulated Thermalogic curtains in a variety of colors and lengths.  These best selling curtains come in Traditional Tab Tops or a more transitional Grommet Top construction.  They are 100% cotton with the feel of weaver’s cloth and come in 6 rich solid colors. We also offer them in stripes.

Other advantages these curtains offer are sound insulation, significant light black out and protection of indoor spaces from sun and fading.  For more information, check out the ThermaLogic Video on the Plow and Hearth website.

Keep in mind too that choosing insulated curtains doesn’t mean having to turn your back on style.  For a traditional look, choose a tab top construction.  For a more transitional décor, you might choose the grommet top construction.  And weaver’s cloth isn’t the only cloth option. Click here and see the wide variety of materials we offer in insulated (microfiber and faux silk) as well as insulated liners you can use with existing curtains. And don’t forget the clean look of roman shades in cloth or matchstick construction – perfect to block drafts in sun rooms and bathrooms.

Call or go on line if you have questions about insulated curtain options or need swatches of fabric to help you make a color choice.  Customer Service at Plow and Hearth is ready to help.  And stay tuned.  Our customers love insulated curtains and we have some exciting new designs in development for 2010.

by Miles E, product manager

Gifts for our Troops

The holidays are fast approaching.  It can be a difficult time of year for many and especially for our service men and women. You can bring holiday cheer to someone with just one thoughtful gift.

Think ahead because overseas gifts will take longer to deliver. You simply must get started now. There are only 42 days ‘til Christmas.

Plow & Hearth offers many choices to bring a smile to someone’s face, and food is always a favorite. One of my favorites is our gingersnap cookies. I love a good gingersnap and Nyakers gingersnaps are the best. For the peanut lovers we have Virginia peanuts and there is no comparison to any other peanut. Be careful, because if you send these you may get a request for more. Don’t forget to send the chocolate. Mushrooms, sardines and hedgehogs; what do they have to do with chocolate? Well that’s how we sell chocolate. Whimsical gifts from the finest chocolate.

Another thoughtful gift would be our mini music boxes. This is a great way to wish someone happy holidays and send a holiday tune their way.

Consider these points before sending gifts:

• Find out what is allowed.
• Consider the location.
• Limit perishables and valuables.
• Expect delays. Some mail can take a full month to get to its destination due to security.

If you don’t know someone in the military search the internet sites that offer names of the enlisted willing to receive gifts from strangers.

Our military deserve the best and we should take the time to express our gratitude and send them a reminder of home. Don’t just wait for the holidays send them a gift anytime. Show them that you care and support their efforts.

Share some of your great ideas.

My daughter’s boyfriend (pictured) just became a sailor. This will be his first Christmas away from home and we will miss him so much.

by Susan G, logistics analyst

Ornaments that Help the Environment

Halloween has passed, and the holiday season is approaching full speed!  With all of the Christmas spirit in the air, it makes me super excited to go pick out the perfect Christmas tree.  It has been a family tradition to trek through the tree farm and chop down the most striking tree we discover.  This year will have a bit more sentiment, as this is the first year I will be able to decorate my brand new first home, with my first Christmas tree.  I cannot think of a better way to ring in the holidays than to decorate my first Christmas tree with pewter ornaments that “save a tree.”

For every Plow & Hearth Pewter Ornament I place on the branches of my Christmas tree, the National Forest Foundation will plant a tree.  I will replace the tree I’ve cut down, with just one of the ornaments I’ve hung.  With the collectable “2009 Limited Edition Train Pewter Ornament,” I will remember this special year forever.

This year, I even plan on sending Pewter Ornaments and the Wrought Iron Ornament Tree to everyone on my Christmas list.  All of my friends and family will aide in supporting the environment, along with having dazzling pewter encrusted Christmas trees.

by Andrea H, assistant product manager

Thanksgiving Planning

The thing I remember most vividly about this time of year from my childhood is the food.  The smell of the turkey that makes you warm inside.  The vibrant color of the cranberry sauce.  The tower of pies waiting anxiously for their turn to shine.  Throughout the years we have had pretty close to the same menu every year for Thanksgiving.  Not because we can’t make anything else, but because it’s what works best to inspire and cultivate those special memories with our family and friends.  Here is the menu that has led to years of fond Thanksgiving memories for me and my family.  What special menu items do you and your families have at Thanksgiving?

Menu

• Turkey
• Mashed potatoes
• Stuffing
• Watergate salad
• Corn pudding
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Pumpkin pie

Just in case you’ve never had Corn Pudding, here’s the recipe we use:

• 2 cans creamed corn
• 2 cans kernel corn, drained
• Put into a 9×13 pan
• Mix in a blender the following:
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can water (use the milk can)
• 2 Tbsp melted butter
• 5 Tbsp flour
• Pour into the 9×13 pan and mix with the corn
• Bake 30 minutes at 350^oF
• Crumble crackers over top and spray with butter.
• Bake for another 30 minutes.

Enjoy your time with friends and family. There’s nothing better.

by Shannon L, executive assistant

No Gasoline Needed

Having a large backyard affords certain luxuries, like being able to have an autumn bonfire.  Nothing big, just enough to keep everyone warm and maybe roast a few weenies, perhaps melt some marshmallows for S’mores.  Sounds idyllic, huh?  Yeah, until my husband pretty much blew himself up trying to start the thing.  Before I tell the story, I will tell you he was fine, but both eyebrows were singed and the dogs will never be the same.

It started simply enough I guess.  We have what is referred to in these parts as a “burn barrel” a rusted-out metal barrel that is used to gather yard trash, fallen limbs, old pizza boxes, etc.  In the country, we make holes in the barrel (the holes allow oxygen in the bottom of the barrel, thus keeping the flames alive) by shooting it with a gun repeatedly.  Classy?  No.  Unsightly?  Absolutely.

So anyways, the barrel was full, it was a chilly night, and I had a refrigerator full of hot dogs and a hankering for toasted marshmallows and chocolate.

Perfect.

Until Mike decided to start the fire with gasoline.  A lot of gasoline.  Later, after the explosion, he would tell the story, interjecting his version with terms such as “delayed ignition” and “a pooling of the gas that was inconsistent with the load”.

I remember walking around the yard to gather sticks to hold the hot dogs, and later the marshmallows, when a massive “BOOM” rang out.  I turned just in time to see Mike do his best impression of a stuntman diving for cover while a huge fireball climbed towards the night sky.  I don’t remember screaming, but I do remember watching the dogs run as fast as they could towards the open back door of the house, tails tucked under them.

To this day, our dogs make a large circle around that burn barrel.  They know the proper distance to stay away from the barrel because of the large ring of blackened grass that surrounds the site (I call it the launching pad).

For Christmas this year, I  will be purchasing the Plow & Hearth Dancing Bears Outdoor Fire Pit and a 10 pound box of fatwood .  I will also be sending Mike this link:

http://www.plowhearth.com/magazine/fires.asp.

Sure, I miss the taste of marshmallows redolent of gasoline, but in the name of safety, and beauty, it is something I am willing to give up.  And as for the rusty, shot-up barrel?  Maybe I will burn it.

by Dyan C, website producer and affiliate coordinator

Irish Sweaters are Made to Pass Down

Almost forty years ago my Grandmother took her first trip to Ireland to discover her family heritage.  It is that Irish heritage I have to thank for my green eyes and my name “Erin”.  One of the things she brought back was a beautifully knit sweater.  She took care to preserve it and many years later she passed it on to her daughter, my Mother, to wear and enjoy.  Several years ago to my delight my Mother gave the Irish sweater to me.  The sweater is still in great condition and I take pleasure in wearing it often when the weather turns cold.  There is something about the wool, the way they are knit or just Ireland itself that makes their sweaters last.

The Irish Crewneck Sweater is a perfect example of a traditional Aran knit.  Named after the Aran Islands and produced by one of Ireland’s largest home based knitwear manufacturers (http://www.irishknitwearonline.com/companyprofile.htm).  There is even a small sized version for the littlest one on your gift list.  You can’t go wrong with traditional but for a little extra style try the Corina Cardigan which has become a customer favorite or the new Sweater Coat which will keep you warm through the chilly winter days.  With a little love and care your Irish sweater can be enjoyed for many years to come.

by Erin H, inventory control buyer

Fatwood, the World’s Best Firestarter

Nothing adds instant atmosphere like a blazing fire in the hearth, the house permeating with feelings reminiscent of a holiday at a mountain lodge even if only for a couple of hours.

The importance of kindling was spelled out in a previous blog “Building the Perfect Fire”. It is, however, easier to come by in the summer when building campfires or sitting around the fire pit in the backyard. Then the kids can be sent to scout the surrounding area or into the woods in search of dead twigs & branches. The resulting mess at that time of year, is conveniently kept out-of-doors.

When snow flurries begin to fly, the yearning for a fire indoors is greater than any other time but with the colder temperatures and shorter days, searching for kindling outside is not such an adventure. And that is where Fatwood comes in.

Our Fatwood is hand cut from pine stumps left after logging. Each piece is approximately 8″ in length & 3/4″ in diameter. The high concentration of natural resin makes it an ideal fire starter. It can be started with a single match even when wet and unlike newspaper, gives a sustained flame allowing your logs to catch and remain on fire. It has an indefinite shelf life & is not affected by moisture so works well in campfires as well as fireplaces.

Fatwood is organic & 100% natural with no additives or chemicals, making it safe for your family as well as the environment. Our Fatwood is a recipient of the Green Cross seal of approval & is SCS Certified. SCS is a leading certifier of forest management operations and wood product manufacturers whose goal is to recognize the highest levels of environmental protection and social responsibility. The stumps used would otherwise be disposed of as waste. They are derived from non-rainforest areas which maintain sustainable yield forestry practices. Not a single live tree or endangered species in used. It is sustainability harvested without destroying the structure and humus content of the soil.

At Plow & Hearth, our Fatwood is sold year round and comes packaged in many ways. We sell 10 lb, 25 lb & 35 lb boxes as well as 12 lb Burlap Bags and many Container options with 5 lbs of Fatwood that make great gifts. We also have Super Fatwood whose 12″ sticks are available in 15 lb Boxes.

Fatwood offers a safe, simple and mess-free way to start any fire. It is so simple to use, you’ll spend less time starting the fire and more time enjoying it. So curl up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a good book. The dishes will wait. After all, you are on holiday for as long as you keep adding logs to the fire.

By Kari S, Inventory Control Buyer

It’s Apple Season

What is better than a fresh baked apple pie?  Tis’ the season for apples, applesauce, apple pie, apple cake, apple butter and those cool crisp evenings by one of our fire pits or fireplaces.  Check out our Fragrant Firewood for a bug-free night around the fire pit.

Madison County is known for its apple orchards and all sorts of apple products.  Local churches and organizations have apple butter making days and everyone comes and stirs the pot for a while. There are large copper kettles hanging over hot fires.  The kettles are filled with apples that are constantly stirred by someone.  Apple butter is made by cooking the apples for 8 to 10 hours and adding lots of spices and sugar.  It is delicious on toast, pancakes, hot biscuits, or just eat some right out of the jar.  Kids enjoy bobbing for apples at parties.  Apples dipped in caramel make a great appetizer.

My husband and I dry apples too.  We peel, slice very thin, and lay them on a screen set up over a wood stove.  They will dry overnight.  You can store them in a container or in your freezer.  To use later, add a little water and cook until they “puff” back up, then add sugar and spices.   I like to make what I call a “fried apple pie”.  I make my crust, roll out a small amount, fill with the apples, fold over, and fry in hot oil.  Add ice cream and you have a treat your family will love.

Apples make great decorations as well. Our Fall Orchard Wreath has great color and slices of dried apple to make a colorful decoration for your door or kitchen.

Here is a recipe for apple butter made in your crockpot.

Fill a 5 quart slow cooker heaping full with finely chopped apples. (Tart apples are best.) Drizzle 4 cups sugar, 4 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoons salt over apples. Cover. (Lid may not fit tight at first, but apples will shrink as cooked.) Begin cooking on high then lower heat and cook all day until thick and dark color. Stir occasionally. Place in small jars and seal.

by Nancy K, receptionist and public relations

Make Leaf Clean Up Easy

Fall is in full swing in Central Virginia. Days are shorter, air is cooler, and leaves are changing. Those leaves are great eye candy when they are at peak color and still attached to a tree…once they hit the ground they become a CHORE.

But this is not a chore you have to hate…here are my five (albeit unsolicited and by no means professional) tips for making fall clean up tolerable.

#1 – Start with the right tools. There is no honor in raking leaves into little piles all around your entire yard. Make use of a leaf sweeper or other similar tools to avoid bending down 65 times to scoop up leaves into your arms.

#2 – Don’t be shy about using heavy machinery for dual purposes. I can justify hopping on the riding mower one more time this season to trim the grass…and get the leaf blower feature as a huge bonus.

#3 – Make it a ‘family activity’ – don’t take this monumental task on your own. Make it a family activity. The more hands you have helping the better. Just be on the look out for leaf pile jumpers (you know who you are) they can ruin 10 minutes of solid work with a single dive into a giant pile of leaves.

#4 – Leaves make wonderful compost. Don’t believe me? Read more here. Don’t just toss those raked together leaves into your neighbors yard…get composting and reap the benefits in the garden next spring!

#5 – Fall is also a great time to prune low hanging branches or shape trees in your yard and, bonus, if you take those braches off prior to those leaves hitting the ground two birds, one stone.

What is your best Fall Clean up tip? Am I missing some good ones? Do you have horror stories you need to get off your chest?

by Joey P, Senior Manager Internet Marketing

One Million Trees and Growing

On October 1^st, we announced a huge milestone. The Plow & Hearth Campaign to Reforest America, a yearlong reforestation effort reached its goal of donating one million trees to be planted in locations across the country. One year ago, associates at Plow & Hearth launched the program by planting 50 trees along the drive to its corporate headquarters in Madison, VA. During an event held last week, Plow & Hearth president Tim Hopkins announced to employees that the program has donated one million trees to the National Forest Foundation and the Virginia Department of Forestry in the past year.

“We are proud to reach our ambitious goal of donating one million trees in the past year,” said Hopkins. “Environmental responsibility has been part of our heritage since Plow & Hearth was founded in 1980. And today we celebrate that heritage and continue it by setting a new goal to donate one million more trees in the next year.”

This year’s Campaign to Reforest America has expanded to include Plow & Hearth’s sister brands Wind & Weather, HearthSong and Magic Cabin. After every purchase, customers will receive an email asking them to select one of three state-based programs where their seedling donation will be directed.

• In Louisiana, trees will help support the Coastal Roots program, which teaches school children about coastal habitat restoration and allows them to plant and nurture trees.
• In North Carolina contributions of longleaf pine seedlings will help restore the habitat of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, a species whose population has dwindled to only 1% of its original size.
• In Pennsylvania, support of the TreeVitalize program will allow trees to be planted along streams to aid in providing clean water and restored habitats for trout and other stream life.

It’s really great to work for a company that supports a program that does so much good. And we’ve been planting trees for 18 years in our home state of Virginia. For every tree used in catalog production, two are donated to the Virginia Department of Forestry. It makes me proud to have a little part in it.

To learn more about the Campaign to Reforest America, visit www.plowandhearth.com/trees.

by Lynn G, Director of Marketing