Wyebrook Farm, Chester Co. PA

Frank and I took a day trip a couple of weeks back on a beautiful Sunday afternoon before the monsoon rains of this damp summer rolled in (note the clouds gathering in the otherwise gorgeous blue sky) to Wyebrook Farm in Chester Co. Pennsy. Can't say I wasn't completely charmed by the place and the concept behind it. Worth the drive absolutely. Go. Eat. There:

http://wyebrookfarm.com/

Organic Ketchup. Mason jar bevs.

The wood-burning outdoor cooker awaiting farm fresh meat.

The original 18th c. farmstead. 

From their website: "At Wyebrook Farm, we provide an alternative to the industrial food supply. By creating a diverse polyculture on our farm, we produce the healthiest animals and best food without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, hormones or antibiotics."

Corbel-icious

These are enormous, real deal 19th century architectural corbels adorning a regentrified into–I'm guessing but not quite sure from the name–website developer's charming HQ in the NoLibs of Philly. They would simply not fit on the pretty, Chamberlain-style doors in seashell white with suede glazed finish Kitchen Craft island I just finished up this week.

Brooklyn Flea at Schmidt's in Philly Retro Range Find

Wouldn't an artisanal pickler/gluten-free cupcake baker and/or homemade preserves canner just die for one of these? I know, right?

And I came across this functioning one on Houzz. A bit overwhelmed by it's industrial-chic hood vent, but I'm still charmed by the nostaligia.

Kitch(en) Toys R Us…

I'm reverting to childhood lately, with the recent acquisition of two kitchen-related molded plastic toys. The chunky fridge is a late 1980's piece of tschoke that was sold as a funky desk accessory combo to hold pens and a custom-designed (which are missing) pair of scissors in a slot on the back. I found it in a vintage shop in Asbury Park a couple of weeks ago.

Next up is a Hallmark Holiday 2013 creation, purchased with my birthday "Gold Crown Rewards" coupon today in Medford Lakes, NJ. Both items are adorning my niche desktop in the showroom at work now.

Work In Progress

Couple of concept perspectives roughed in for a new showroom display. One features the popular apron (farmhouse sink-friendly) base cabinet, along with a plate rack above it. The other has a small desk-ht. level knee drawer accented with corbels, and an organizer shelf and end-run cab directly above.

El Kabong!

Errr, Kebab. Frank's delicious shish kebabs, generously garnished with rosemary stems from our own "herb garden" ready for outdoor grilling. Nom.

More Canadiana

A trip to the Great White North would not have been complete without these two staples: Poutine–a French Canadian version of french fries but smothered in hot brown gravy ("sauce brune") over cold, fresh cheese curds.

And their milk, sold in clear plastic packages by the liter-ish. No carton, no bottle, no tossing away of plastic jugs. The bags are dropped into a reusable, open-top container, the corner is nipped, and voila! "Bag 'o Milk"!