Snow!

It will surely be a white christmas this year! We have 12" on the ground and 18" expected for today and tomorrow. So....the shop is not open today (Sunday) officially, but we will be in and out doing snow maintenance. To make up for these snow days we will be open Monday & Tuesday. Christmas eve we will be open until 2. 

Enjoy this winter wonderland!-K.

Sunday mornings

So sweet. Time to linger, have that third cup of coffee. Don't even think about last nights mess. Enjoy the hard work that got you here...

November...already?!

Yup, its been a loooong time. We have done some major home renovation and I keep waiting for the slow time. I do remember vaguely experiencing a slow time. A sort of easy time filled with reading and baking, a time when I would wonder..."what shall I do today, maybe take a ride into Woodstock, check out some bookstores, have some coffee..." I haven't had those thoughts for a while. 

Anyway, I know I'm not the only one feeling this way. Seems like everyone I talk to missed summer, can't believe they are about to miss fall. Stocking up, tightening up, hunkering in, stacking up the wood and all sorts of winter necessities. People seem to be preparing for the big Who Knows What. 

Shopwise, we have ignored all suggestions to slow it down. Packed to the max as usual, with a visit from the UPS guy almost every day. The big sellers this fall have been pj's,  jewelry, blankets, candles, so many candles and sweetly-scented lotions, salts & body products. It seems our customers are surrounding themselves with the comfort of simple pleasures. We have added a wonderful new line of table linens, colorful and bright. 

We are *hoping* to expand our hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Core hours will continue to be Wed., Thurs., & Fri 11-5. Sunday 12-3. I will try to be there most Mondays & Wednesdays as well- at least from 11-2:30. Stop in for a visit and some tea!

Brooklyn

We just got back from a very inspirational trip to Brooklyn.We walked and ate and walked and ate  through all the neighborhoods until we could walk no further. The sweetest little shops all filled with personality inspired a Pear Tree make-over. Actually the FOOD was the most inspiring, we considered turning the shop into a small italian bistro...

But, no, it will remain the eclectic little shop that it is, with the addition of a little funk and some more houseplants. After a long winter lots of time for contemplation within, its so nice to connect to all of the creative energy that the city brings.

finally

My hands are dirty! I been starting seeds, and very happily watching them grow, AND... today I found my first patch of dirt in the garden and immediately planted spinach seeds in it. The soil can be "worked" which is the requirement on the seed packet. I don't know if it is too wet though. Might rot, but I just couldn't wait. Every day the snow in the yard recedes a little bit. The ornamental grasses I planted last year are showing the beginning signs of survival. So are my 'meadowbright' echinacea and  all the little ladys mantle divisions. The yard is soggy soggy, but it smells so good- now I remember why I live here and cant imagine what I did all winter.

4 reasons

why I have not updated anything. My spring obsession of home and dreaming up new ways of living. All this thinking about living "greener", more efficiently- and who isn't right now- has us feeling like our small home is too big. Actually its the perfect size at just under 1800 sf, there are no rooms that go unused and everyone has there own space with a nice open common area. But we are wondering how much space we can let go of and still feel satisfied. And maybe even more satisfied with less to maintain. The books all say is you done love it or use it, it should go. Quality over quantity with books, clothes, even food! Make way for new interests, new inspiration, new open space. Letting go of the objects associated with the past- unless the memories attached to it are really good ones- allows us to be more present. I have already found that as I rid my home of unloved objects I am enjoying the loved ones more. 

February

Is a stalled month in my opinion. I am feeling, and I don't think I am alone, immobilized by all of this SNOW. It is beautiful- really it is- but there is a point where I no longer think of it as a thing to play in. Okay, thats it, just a little whine, and you wont hear any more from me.

On a positive note we have filled toe shop with little bits of spring! Verbena is the scent to be surrounded with. And all the spring wreaths. We even brought out this cute little black bamboo dress complete with sunhat because it really is coming. Finalize your garden plans we will be digging in the dirt before we know it! 

I've been inside all week

  I just read that average Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Levels of pollution inside the home and be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels. Homes have become tighter and more energy efficient- this is great! And it makes it all the more important to let fresh air in and be careful about what pollutants and toxic chemicals are allowed into our homes through household cleaners, paints, dry cleaned clothes, bedding, personal care products, etc.

 At The Pear Tree we are making a commitment to reduce exposure to unnecessary chemicals and pollutants- for the benefit of the environment and personal health. Our intention is to become  resource for a greener cleaner healthier home.

Thinking Green

I have spent the last few weeks obsessing over garden books & catalogs, planning all the future gardens I will plant. I have even started some seeds, knowing that most will become root bound before its even close to planting in the earth time. I have BIG ideas for park like settings and lush overflowing perennial beds. I always do in the winter. 

I have also been thinking a lot about the greening of the store. We are looking into alternative energy sources as we look forward to making the barn a more year-round usable space, with heat and all. There is SO MUCH to learn. geo-thermal? solar? We live in Vermont, it is all possible. 

I have been reviewing the products we carry to see just how green we are. We are preparing for a new line of eco-friendly upholstered furniture that is really exciting. Sustainably harvested hardwood, natural fabrics, more cushion options. We continue to add to our bamboo, linen & cotton loungewear, caldrea non-toxic and incredibly fragrant home care, soy & beeswax candles (locally made) , and recycled & reclaimed furniture. Of course, we always offer locally made furniture- not only does this support the local economy and reduce shipping- it allows us to offer custom options as we are dealing directly with the craftsperson. 

So, on the whole we are doing good, but I think we can continue to do better. The most important step we will take is to ask more questions, and I encourage you to do the same to help us grow greener. 

And this is winters gift. Planning, dreaming, researching preparing for SPRING!