The Country Lady Antiques :
TOUR PAGE~
WELCOME TO OUR
TOUR PAGE~
Thank you for visiting~
BELOW TAKE A TOUR OF OUR GARDENS FOLLOWED BY A TOUR INSIDE OF OUR 18thc. NEW ENGLAND CAPE~
email us at~
countryladyantiques@yahoo.com
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Listen to lovely Christmas musick here.
Music will change periodically over the holiday.
NOW PLAYING~
'O COME, O COME EMMANUEL' (FRENCH)
Loreena McKennitt
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FOR SALE!
A SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERING.
ONE ONLY~
Please see our ANTIQUES 1 and ANTIQUES 2 pages for details.
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DECEMBER 7~
WE TOOK GABBY TO THE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING IN OUR OWN LITTLE VILLAGE.
At the charming gazebo in the center of town there was a tree lighting and refreshments after the parade.
Gabby was a huge hit at the event as always!
As soon as the marching band came by Gabby started pulling on me and marching alongside them! She loves band music.
This event was only around the corner from us.
It was so adorable and special.
Our small village has a little non profit FM radio station with interesting Sunday morning local stories.
A nice lady at the parade who worked at the radio station interviewed and recorded us all about pet goose Gabby!
We had a fantastic time with Gabby at this event and loved meeting and talking with friends and neighbors.
NOVEMBER 30~
WE TOOK GABBY TO THE WOLFEBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE.
We had our first snow on Thanksgiving. Today was sunny and crisp~A perfect parade day!
It's Gabby's second year at the holiday parade. She was a HUGE hit last year and an even bigger hit this year!
Here we are as we were about to leave for the parade~
Wherever we take Gabby people stop us and pet her and take her picture. They feed her the treats we bring for her. Everyone says "Gabby made my whole day", or "I'm having a rough time and Gabby makes me happy". And that's why we do it.
At the parade Gabby walked all around and hundreds of people came up to see her including people in the parade who saw her on the roadside watching. At the tree lighting Gabby gave a few honks to the delight of all.
The sidewalks were crammed with people and everyone crowded around to meet Gabby.
We heard the same thing over and over "Gabby made my day", "Gabby made me happy".
That's what Christmas is for us, and it makes us happy to see people who need cheering up so thrilled interacting with 'pet goose, Gabby'~
One winter day before Christmas many years ago I trudged up the very steep hill behind the house and into the woods where I knew wild grapevine grew. Adam was at work. I cut all that I could and dragged it up and down wooded ravines toward home, and down the hill. In the warm dining room I laid it all out on the floor and crafted this period style 'Tudor crown'. It is 3 feet across. I laboriously but joyously wired it together, making the curved 'crown' top. I decorated it with holly and ivy just as originals were in the 16th century. Every year we get it down from the attic and hang it on our porch.
You two and your home are proof that it's not about the house size, or money, or the number of antiques someone has. It is about a rare feeling that one instantly gets looking at the photos on your site. LOVE everything that you have done so much."
Thank you,
K.H. "
Read more lovely comments from people below on this page.
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To visit our special GALLERY PAGE
Go to the HOME PAGE and click on the RED link that says
GALLERY PAGE.
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email us~
countryladyantiques@yahoo.com
SEE OUR STORY, AND TAKE A TOUR OF OUR 18th CENTURY HOME BELOW~
LIFE IN A 250 YEAR OLD HOUSE~
OUR STORY~
ADAM AND MARY...
2 avid and dedicated Anglophiles living as much of a 'Brit life' as possible in a very early house in New Hampshire~
READ ABOUT OUR OWN STORY , THE HISTORICAL RESTORATION OF OUR OLD CAPE, AND TAKE A TOUR OF OUR EARLY HOME AND GARDENS BELOW~
The stamps featuring us that we used for mailing our wedding invitations...
THE STORY OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND HOUSE AND LIFESTYLE~
"The big adventure of my life..."
~Mary
OUR HOME WAS KNOWN LOCALLY AS
'THE OLD MILL HOUSE'...
We have an original millstone~
THE OLD MILL...
The river, mill pond, and old mill a few doors down from our house.
This has been an almost-25 year, competely DIY labor of love and commitment.---In 1998 I bought the little run-down house and moved alone under tragic circumstances 1000 miles, from the midwest to New Hampshire knowing no one here, and was alone for the first 8 years. I tirelessly and continuously worked on the house by myself with very little money.
~" I drove to New Hampshire alone all those years ago, to the disaster of a house I saw once, and had purchased. My dog, Phoebe was in the passenger seat, and I had an atlas on my lap as I sat in a parking lot ready to set off on the journey. 'This is the big adventure of my life, Phoebe' I said, 'and you are my partner on the big adventure' . It was, and she was. She is gone now, but we had many happy years together in our little New England home."
MANY YEARS OF HARD GRAFT, BUT A LABOR OF LOVE...
I TAUGHT MYSELF A LOT OF SKILLS...
The deck was so stacked against me when I came but I had a lot of grit, and a lot of creativity and resolve. There was no husband back then, and no 'house fairy' was coming. I had almost no money. I refused to give up on my dream and my ideas. I was willing to work as hard and as long as I had to...
MY ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS...
The 17thc. has always been my love and my focus, and my things represent a lifetime of finding and acquiring just the right antiques. Being alone for a long time, and with extremely limited means, I spent years selling things not as old, always 'trading up' one piece at a time for the very early period things I wanted. I stayed 'picky' and searched only for the authentic and original. So many times serendipity played a big part, and I have so many memories of adventures in finding each piece...
YEARS LATER ADAM ARRIVED,
and the old cape became a true reflection of our commitment to each other and our mutual love of history and preservation, as well as our determination to restore our home and build a meaningful life entirely ourselves.
Adam can trace his family tree in England back to the Norman invasion. He is a direct decendant of the infamous Hugh DeSpenser, as well as more revered ancestors, and yes, he is a distant cousin to Princess Diana.
His direct ancestor came to New England before 1635. First arriving in Massachusetts, they settled in Connecticut and featured prominently in the history of the state. He is a direct descendant of several ancestors that fought in the American Revolution, most as officers, as well as the Pequot war, and King Phillip's war in the 1600's. Books now contain information about the family. His ancestors founded the town of Spencertown, New Hampshire, now known as Campton.
A direct decendant of one of 4 Spencer brothers from Stotfold in Bedfordshire England, Gerrard, Adam's ancestors featured prominently in English history, and the history of Connecticut going back to the 17th century.
Our wedding.
WE ARE BOTH VERY CREATIVE AND HARDWORKING...
~Anyone can have a 'dream house' when they have very deep pockets and an army of contractors, but that was never what we expected or wanted.
The house was a mess when I bought it---the pits. We both have worked hard together, doing all the work ourselves, and incorporating a lot of ingenuity to restore and furnish it over the years.
In 2014 the 2 of us built a period-correct outdoor bake oven without spending money, and using only methods used hundreds of years ago, including digging the clay for mortar ourselves from our own propery.
WE PRACTICE PATIENCE...
embracing opportunities to salvage proper period materials. These lucky finds then in turn have inspired us to create and do things to bring back even more of the home's historical character.
WE BOTH EMBRACE A 'HOMESTEADING' MINDSET...
feeling it is important to simplify our lives. We don't care for the sense of entitlement and the 'I-want-this-right-now' attitude so many in our society have, as well as their attitudes of 'I-cant-live-without-this'---usually an expensive trip, toy, or gadget.
We have worked hard. We have no desire for a larger house. Rather than 'hobby farming', we have always for years, practiced that simple, can-do DIY way of life in everything---from work on our home, to cooking from scratch, making things we need, etc., and it's been a source of satisfaction and pride.
OUR HOUSE IS AN EMBODIMENT OF WHO WE ARE TOGETHER...
and of creating a home and lifestyle, not buying one.
Each and every project that we do, and all the sometimes-long waits and sacrifices made to acquire proper and much-loved antique furnishings, things we need, or animals such as the chickens, ducks, and goose we now have, have been adventures with many stories and memories behind them, and we would not trade them for anything. We have been through some very hard times, and going through them together and loving and supporting each other has contributed to our very strong bond.
Mary and Adam
We are avid Anglophiles and live as much of an 'everything Brit' life here in New England as we can.
17thc. dancing for the crowd at an event at the c. 1664 Jackson House, NH
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TAKE A TOUR OF OUR GARDENS AND OLD HOME INSIDE, AS WELL AS SEE PICTURES OF OUR 'FEATHERED FAMILY' BELOW THESE LOVELY EMAILS!
A FEW OF THE MANY LOVELY NOTES WE'VE RECEIVED...
We are humbled and grateful to have received many, many kind letters, and have added a few of them to our website. See the other pages of our site for several more.
MAY, 2024~
"Honest to pete you guys, your home and gardens are stunning. I recently watched a Youtube channel that features people's homes with similar antiques, but sincerely yours blows them out of the water!! They were nice, but no one seems to have captured the simplicity, bygone New England romance, or genuineness of your house. The fact that this is your true lifestyle and not something 'for show' is so appealing. Wondered why your home is missing from the Youtube lady's channel.
You two and your home are proof that it's not about the house size, or money, or the number of antiques someone has. It is about a rare feeling that one instantly gets looking at the photos on your site. LOVE everything that you have done so much."
Thank you,
K.H.
Hi Mary:
Hope you are well...just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your new photos and projects...and those baby ducklings, are just too cute! Thanks for sharing the cheery bird sounds and scrumptious photos....
Best,
MaryEllen Dearstyne
PS....I saw some small wall wooden wall trellis at Brimfield last week...they were $50 each and not nearly as pretty as your tripod trellis!
Hi Mary ~ Absolutely Stunning and Beautiful!!! Thank you for Sharing. So envious of your talent for decorating Inside and Out. Your Antiques are breathtaking. Do have a marvelous Fall Season!!!
Blessings,
Sandy
Patzman
"Adam and Mary,
I love the new look with the painting! You are both THE influencers. I have followed your adventures for years. You were the first to have a 17thc. bed (by far the best one I've seen), the first to have a hanging livery, wall aging, and so much more. You influenced everyone else who loves that early feel. You are so knowledgable and know exactly what to do. You are talented and authentic, and you do your own thing to perfection. You don't try to make a little New England home look like a manor house or a Plimoth 'hovel'. Your home is still the BEST.
Jan"
"Adam and Mary, You should not only be featured IN a book, you should write a book! Everything about you and your home is AMAZING!~L.M."
"Dear Mary, Last night after finally going to bed I read your sweet and kind email. I almost cried because I knew you would say something nice because that’s how you are, but you were so up-building to me. l felt bad that I had had qualms about you even seeing the room. Its just not up to your perfect and beautiful standards. Everything you do is absolutely the best. Your house is the best, number one I have ever seen or probably ever will. So thank you dear Mary I love you, Joy Henson
"I do feel like a lucky subscriber! Happy to get another newsletter! Felt like I was on a walk with you two picking berries. I was a fan of your blog and really loved your stories about coming to New England, working on your house , how you met Adam ,your beautiful wedding...all of it. Unfortunately, I was visiting your blog on my work computer and was not able to comment. I did not have a home computer at that time. I have retired ,since that time ,and of course have a computer...no face book or blog ....
I just felt compelled to tell you how much I enjoy everything on your site. I must tell you I tried the green bean tomato salad . Our beans and tomatoes are in abundance right now in my Minnesota garden. It was wonderful .....a big hit at my family cookout!!!
Have a good rest of the week
Kathleen P."
"For the past 19 years, I have felt that our home reflected my absolute joy in living in our brown half cape in Canterbury. I know it does. However, touring your site this morning makes me feel that I have been surpassed. Now I need to get going again with a project. Your site is so inspiring!!!! Seeing your projects and how they reflect your sincere joy of life makes me inspired to gather some energy and add to my little piece of heaven. Thank you again for sharing. ~Sue B."
"Mon, Oct 18, 2021 at 7:17 PM
Dear Mary and Adam, My heart hurts to hear of your precious hen innocently walking too far away from home….your animals are so blessed to have the care and love you both give them…You both are such good people…I’m so glad I have gotten to know you. With love, dale"
A REALLY NICE EMAIL WE RECEIVED FROM 'COUNTRY GENTLEMEN', BOB AND STEVEN~
"Love looking at your website Mary. You guys are incredibly hard workers. We must not have been online when your hourglass was first posted. Wish we would have seen it. Sorry it got sold. We have started collecting them and yours was a fine example. If you ever get another one, please let us know. Again, your house and yard looks beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.
Bob and Steven, The Country Gentlemen"
Dear Mary,
It has been such a long time since I've written you. I go to your website and am in awe of your many projects and all the changes your home and yard have gone through. It is truly a beautiful, warm home with such outstanding antiques. Sometimes I think you just couldn't find one more amazing project to do and you and Adam accomplish something spectacular. Your talents are so many.....thank you for
being so inspiring to so many.
We have changed our email address to_________. I just
wanted to get your emails and make sure I heard about all your projects. I hope you both are well and I'm sure you are so excited about your little chicks coming. Wishing you both all the best....
with love, Dale D.
May 30, 2021~
"Hi Mary!
I sure hope you and Adam are enjoying your Anniversary weekend so much.
My hubs is working so no fun for us...We don't work the same schedule so it makes getting projects done or any getaway time challenging. Only a few more years and then retirement!!!
Any way- here's a little glimpse of our little barn with her new windows . We still have much to do before it's finished but at least I can enjoy it and start some seeds for the garden.
Thank you for being interested in seeing our life..I know you're followed by so many people but you take time to make others feel special..You're a rare breed Miss Mary!~Deby Harder"
May 27, 2021~
"A belated Happy Anniversary! I’ve been enjoying the pictures on your website and drooling! Everything looks amazing inside and outside! You must be happy for Spring weather so you can garden again! We have been having A LOT of rain but, I still manage to work in my gardens. We are amazed how lush everything is after a horrible Arctic blast in February, rare low temperatures. Your stone path to front door is perfect, job well done (as usual)! Your compost bins are great, wonderful idea to use pallets. Wood has become so expensive as has many other things. Have a fantastic summer and, thank you for sharing your talents with us. May you have many more happy healthy years together.
Fondly, Carol
Wiegard"
January, 2021~
"Dear Mary...I remember your candlelit dinner so well...it was magical...My husband and I came to your lovely home for my birthday present. I had found your website many years ago ....your home was my dream home. Everything about your home, your antiques, your taste was absolutely breathtaking...I was so excited to actually come to your home and have a delicious dinner....and it was the home I loved....such a moment in my life that I will always hold dear to me...thank you, dale"
"You two are an example of "getting along" in this depressing time. Your doings and pictures are positive enlightenments. (I don't think that is even a word, but you get my meaning). Have fun with your growing family. Sue Batchelder."
March 17, 2020
"Thank you, Mary, and good wishes to you and Adam, as well.
Your newsletters and photos about your animals and life on your wonderful old homestead help make things better and bring some good cheer in this crazy new world. Please keep them coming......they are a breath of fresh air!
Stay well.
Freddi"
"Jan. 13, 2020~
Oh thank you so much! I need more interesting books and videos to read and watch during these long winter days. History is one of my favorites. I've said this before, you really have a gift for writing!!! Have you ever considered writing your memories in a book? You are an exceptional woman with an adventure to tell. I remember one of my favorite stories, when you had a blog ,was how you and Adam met...along with EVERTHING you wrote about!
Hope you have a grand day!!I
Your newsletter friend Kathleen P."
Hello Mary ,
"I would love to receive your newsletter by email. Love all your Christmas . Your chickens and ducks are precious . Can’t wait to see more . You have the magic touch and everything you do is perfect .
Thanks again
Merry Christmas, Sherry Baggett"
Bees ,and chicken ladies,ducks and a goose oh my!! You both are doing a grand job!! Your Bee meadow is beautiful. I didn't realize the different aspects of Bee keeping, such as treating for mites, or that they sealed themselves into hive and lived off honey in winter..more than one imagines when it comes to Bee keeping...really fascinating. I don't think I've ever seen honey as beautiful, as in that jar, with light streaming through!
I love your news letters and am sorry not to have commented more and kept in touch! Your autumn photos are stunning!!
Happy thoughts from your newsletter friend!!!
Kathleen P.
Jan 4, 2020~
"Dear Mary,
I cannot express how very much I enjoy reading about your homestead and your animals. I think that is so true of so many. You and Adam have done so much work on your home and it encourages others to try to do the same...you inspire. Your period home is a dream to me and others, so we live through you...
You are in another chapter....I wish you both a blessed New Year and good health for you both...Take care of each other and enjoy those little animals....I send my love, dale
P.S. It broke my heart to hear of your little Yorkie passing...I too had a Yorkie and they are so adorable...
Your little Pippa is darling and Im sure will keep you laughing and busy:)"
"December, 2019~What a lovely newsletter! You have such a talent for writing and I imagined it all as I read. I truly am happy for you two and all your little pets!! So
sorry to hear of the loss of your little Deladis ,always such a sad thing. I know your new little Pippa will bring you much happiness. She is adorable! I so loved the photos you put up of your ducks and goose, and chicken girls in their little red scarves. How can one not smile at that!
Here's a big wish for you two, that 2019 will be grand and wonderful and a very Merry Christmas!!!I
Your newsletter friend: Kathleen P."
"Nov. 30, 2019~Your site pictures are to die for. Such a home filled with love and beautiful decorations!
You always amaze me with your talent and decorating and cooking abilities. Really, I have never seen anyone's home as beautiful as yours and Adams. Makes me homesick!
The chickens and ducks look absolutely precious with their scarves and hats, I just crack up looking at them. Can't wait to show them to my granddaughters, especially Gianna, she loves all animals so much...
Love, Hugs and Xmas Kisses,
Mary D."
"Mary,
I absolutely love your letters!! Your Cape is grand!!
I hope you both have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and
great luck with your new doggie!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Give the feathered friends an extra scoop of seed for me!
Becky"
"Mary & Adam, you never cease to amaze or dazzle. You two are such a fun, Romantic couple and your talents are just incredible. Love all your stories, recipes & gorgeous fall decor. I will be waiting with baited breath for your Christmas pics.
Thank you for sharing your journey with so many of us.
Happy Autumn
Donna from Canada "
"Mary and Adam, You guys teach everyone else out there how to 'do it right'! Your talent and taste is impeccable...JAY"
"Thank you for sharing your lovely dinner with me . Mary you are so special with so much to offer in life and full of love.....Maryann Stolar"
"Ahh...so many people seem to be jumping on a 'Pilgrim' bandwagon now. You guys are true originals, and no one does the early feel as beautifully and authentically as you do. You truly have created an early home with so much heart and soul...~Sue"
"Wow, you have made my day!
Wow Mary, I just looked at those beautiful windows and your new pictures, and the house just looks fantastic! I did not think it could look any more awesome than it did but the recent projects are just simply wonderful! I am enjoying my items I bought from you and just wish you and Adam a Happy Thanksgiving! Kindly,
Sally Spaulding, Hazard Primitives."
"Dear Mary,
...I love that you have the most wonderful, well chosen antiques and have kept it simple, without the clutter I see in other homes. Your home is my favorite of all time---perfect, and you and Adam are so talented, and always unique and a class act all the way. Kathy M."
"Mare,
...Nothing can come close to your and Adam's home, both of you are so talented and pay so much attention to detail that it makes me so happy, and I can dream in it all. Thank you so much for allowing me to enjoy seeing it anytime...M.D."
"...Country Lady Antiques. Please pop in to this wonderful website. You could not wish to meet two nicer 16th-17th century enthusiasts.
~V., From the UK"
"Oh my goodness! The decorations, the food, your fabulous home, the darling chickens, ducks and goose in their winter attire...all so incredibly WONDERFUL!
THANK YOU! And best wishes for a very joyous Christmas and happy New Year.
Freddi"
Hello Mary,
I was so excited to find your website! I was going thru an old issue of Early Homes when I saw your article.
You used your wonderful limner talents for us on new brick in an old cape that we had on Snow Road in Effingham. The aging technique made a huge improvement. I think the year was probably 2002 or thereabouts.
After my husband passed away I moved back (2004) to my childhood home in NH. It's a 1806, brick-end Federal in the historic district. I made a few changes to make it my own and am very happy here. Being an old house there's always a lot of things that need fixing and doing but that's the nature of the beast. And I love old houses so am happy to do it.
I was totally enchanted with your website....and so happy to see you've found someone to share your life with you. Your photos are sheer eye-candy. Can't believe all you've done to your home, yard, and gardens. I loved it when I saw it many years ago and now it's even more amazing!
I'd like to sign-up for your newsletter, and if your husband starts to make the treen candlesticks again, please let me know.
Also, do you and your husband do programs for historical societies and other related clubs? If so I'd love to hear about them. I'm the curator (volunteer) of two little museums that our town historical society owns and we're always on the look-out for speakers/programs. As is another organization I belong to, the Questers.
Be well, Mary.
Fredricka (Freddi) Olson"
"...You are both amazing! Why aren't you two and your fantastic home in every magazine out there?!~K.B."
Adam & Mary,
I would love to receive your newsletter please.
I'm a young collector who is very passionate about early antiques and history. I enjoyed your blog for several years, and now enjoy your country lady page.
Your home is a perfect example of an authentic, period home. Thank you for sharing your projects, tips, and images with us.
~Stephanie Diller
"Dear Mary,
I just want you to know how much I enjoy your
newsletter, all of your projects,and of course
all of your pictures. Your home is absolutely
precious and you both work so hard doing each
project....Its such a piece of history and I'm
sure so many wish our homes were like yours.
Take care...
love,
dale:)"
Written by Joy Henson, 2014. For Mary and Adam when they got the beautiful table~
The long awaited will be here on Friday
It's hard to believe Its from so far away
Across an ocean and over land
All according to Mary,s grand plan
And there it will be a table so old
That you can only wonder how it's
History unfolds
Oh lovely parlor oh sturdy chair oh
Court cupboard and chest so fair
What a love filled room the Spencer's
Have
Thank you old England we are hand and hand.
Love you both~ Joy
"Hello Mary and Adam,
I've read your blog for years, and can't begin to tell you how very much I admire what you two have been able to accomplish in your little slice of New Hampshire! I always look forward to your newest projects, and so I felt today was about high time I requested to receive your newsletter.
More years ago than I can remember Mary, I saw your home in a magazine. At that time I ordered a sugar cone from you, that believe it or not, I still have in my dining room. Way back then, I thought your home was wonderful, and it was, but nothing like it is today. Today, "simple perfection" best describes it...
~Mike Peradotti"
"Hello Mary and Adam,
I have enjoyed your blog for years Mary and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. I share your love of history and appreciate your choosing to "live it".
My husband and I have lived in our 200 yr. old farmhouse for 35 yrs. and love every drafty window and creaky floorboard.
I look forward to your lovely house updates and projects. You both have created an inviting and inspiring atmosphere." ~LW
"...I trawled through all of the photos of the your home and gardens and am amazed with all you have done over the years, and am truly impressed by all of the detail and attention you've given everything. Wow is all I have to say. I hope your home is an inspiration to others in the neighborhood and beyond.~Chris Morse"
"Mary,
That does it! I'm on my way over for some shrimp salad and red velvet cake (my favorite). What a fantastic cook you are! I so remember the wonderful lunch we had with you and Adam.
Your new doors are wonderful and look simply perfect, again, you two are a wonder!
I'm so enjoying all the pictures and news of your old homestead. Thank you so much, you brighten my days as I picture it all in my mind. I'll take two dozen eggs. Tee hee....
Hugs,
Mary D."
I do feel like a lucky subscriber! Happy to get another newsletter! Felt like I was on a walk with you two picking berries. I was a fan of your blog and really loved your stories about coming to New England, working on your house, how you met Adam , your beautiful wedding...all of it. Unfortunately, I was visiting your blog on my work computer and was not able to comment. I did not have a home computer at that time. I have retired , since that time and of course have a computer...no facebook or blog ....
I just felt compelled to tell you how much I enjoy everything on your site. I must tell you I tried the green bean tomato salad . Our beans and tomatoes are in abundance right now in my Minnesota garden. It was wonderful .....a big hit at my family cookout!!!
Have a good rest of the week
Kathleen P.
...Your home is my favorite of all I have seen in New England. You are both so genuine and gracious, and your home exudes something special that I can't put my finger on. It's not about being big, or about lots of money---It's about a feeling. There is something mighty special about your little cape in New Hampshire. I agree with other's here---You both have exquisite and unerring taste, as well as historical knowledge, admirable dedication, and so much talent. You really have created a home, and someplace that visitors never want to leave... T. R.
...Adam and Mary, you guys are a class act---the best!~A.R.
Oh, Mary - it all looks WONDERFUL!!! You both must be on cloud nine!!! I wish for you a beautiful New England fall. Thank you so much for sharing your life with me. Blessings - Cathy Mc Quinn
Mary and Adam,
Just a few lines to say just saw the new newsletter. Wow!!! Beautiful. Just when I think your home and property can't get any better, you do it again. Absolutely breathtaking!
Must go back and look again, you made my day... unlike this hot hot hot desert where I live. I look forward to more pictures. Hugs, Mary Doley
Mary and Adam,
Just had to drop you another line. The newsletter pictures are unbelievable, they are just gorgeous. Your home and property couldn't be any more beautiful, indeed you both live in heaven on earth. All your hard work really shows in every picture. Just lovely!
Thank you so much, for again, you brightened my day.
Hugs,
Mary
Doley
Dear Mary and Adam,
I have enjoyed your blog for years and watching all your improvements to your lovely home. Your work on your house simply takes my breath away, you two are a marvel and so talented. I love your chickens and the two new babies and everything about your country life. What talent you both have! I would love to receive your newsletter and purchase your white salt if still available. So many items on your site and my wish list...
Hugs,
Mary E. D.
I am so pleased to have found your wonderful site. I am a history major who has participated in many reenactments. Many of my family members fought in the American Revolution. People in the Midwest think I am crazy. I would love to live your kind of life and might even marry again could I find a like minded gentleman. I look forward to seeing more of your pictures, antiques, reproductions, and information of the period.
Thank you,
Janice H.
"Dear Mary, I was just checking your pages, how I enjoy seeing all of your wonderful antiques, your fabulous early home and grounds. I also want to tell you how much I love the Bannister arm chair and beam I purchased from you. The more primitive side of the beam is the part you see as it is used as the mantle on my stone fireplace. I have pewter and early lighting on it. And the arm chair, is just the best! It is one of the most special pieces that I have. It is next to my 18th c. server, for lack of a better word, that still retains the early red wash. Hanging on the BB is a small leather purpose bag with a powder horn attached by a slim leather strip. Just thought I would let you know how special the antiques are that I purchased from you.
I hope spring will come early to New Hampshire. Still looking for a small shoefoot, early hutch table, possibly round, if you should run across one. Also want to tell you how wonderful your shipper was. She's so sweet, I wanted to "mother" her a bit. She had such a long way to go from here.
This has gotten too long, your eyes must be tired!
My very best to you and Adam
Nancy Gorzelanski"
"Dear Mary and Adam,
We just wanted to let you know how much we have enjoyed seeing the restoration on the upstairs room. You have thought of everything and really did it all to perfection!
The window was the finishing touch and just beautiful! As always we think you are a most talented couple. Looking forward to the Christmas tour. Have a great and safe holiday. We love the turners chair and thank you for the opportunity to be able to purchase it.
Sincerely,
Marlin and Carol Larson"
WOW! Your home looks amazing, a positive change! I love shingled homes and yours is perfect! The setting, shed, chicken coop, oven, gardens, etc. are fantastic and so well done. I know you both work very hard to achieve your dream of an early house and setting. You get an A+! Thank you for sharing these pictures. Send us some cool Fall weather and colored leaves...
Job well done!
All the best,
Carol Wiegard
Mary and Adam your home is spectacular ....absolutely wonderful....so happy for you both...A dream come true!...love dale di maria
Mary,
Your life seems like a beautiful dream. The homestead looks absolutely perfect and for those of us stuck in suburbia, well there are no words. I know when I see an email from you it is time to grab a cup of coffee and drift away to another era.
Thank you soooo very much for the time and effort you and Adam put into sharing life with those of us out here in cyberspace.
~Deborah Harder
Always the best, always so lovely, always so well done and presented......Donna K.
Dear Adam and Mary,
You two are the real deal and your home is perfect, your antiques superb quality, and knowledgeably and thoughtfully chosen--Your home is my favorite one of all in New England. It's not for show; It is gorgeous and homey, and a home with a heart and soul.
Sandy
countryladyantiques@yahoo.com
Email us anytime.
Your comments are always appreciated~
________________________________
TAKE A TOUR OF OUR HOME AND GARDENS BELOW~
A little piece of history~
Take a tour of our gardens and inside our 18thc. home below.
~Adam and Mary
countryladyantiques@yahoo.com
Natural rock pond waterfall we made~
See our PROJECTS PAGE.
Gabby made a nest in the beeyard and has been laying her eggs there.
Adam HANDCARVED and then blackened our initials in period script into this large stone bordering our pond.
See more on the PROJECTS PAGE.
It's gorgeous and so meaningful. I am so proud of him~
The new 'dry river bed' we created next to the pond.
See our PROJECTS PAGE for how we created a natural rock water fountain into the pond.
August 7th~
Mary extracted some wonderful honey from one of our hives. We do it the old fashioned way.
BEFORE
AFTER
The new duck/goose run we two designed and built attached to the goose coop.
The little wildflower 'patio garden' we made.
We made a short, primitive wattle fence around it. Mixed wildflower seeds are sown and will be a colorful display 2 feet high or more.
Wildflowers coming up.
See what we did and how we did it on our
PROJECTS PAGE.
"I had a barrel of fun at the lake with mom and dad"!
Gabby on her nest in the beeyard. May, 2024.
Gabby 7 weeks old.
Dry creekbed we added to pond area.
Gabby, 10 months old~ April 2024.
Gabby at our favorite plant nursery. They love her!
Gabby goose, 5 weeks old.
CHILLIN' AT LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE~2023
Gabby is only 7 weeks old and growing like a weed. She had a wonderful time being on a 'walkie' in public, meeting hundreds of people for the first time and having them take her picture.
Spring. Extracted almost 3 quarts of our own honey from just a few frames.
Pond feature.
Gabby, Spring 2024
hops.
We built a natural rock solar waterfall in the pond.
See our PROJECTS PAGE to see what we did and how we did it!
early spring.
summer.
Our birdhouse overlooks the pond.
THE 'ANTIQUE TOBACCO STICK FENCE PROJECT'
2023
We built this fence with antique tobacco sticks and made a 17thc. style gate that we designed and constructed of cedar boards we had. The fence surrounds the little front cottage flower garden by the porch. We love the way it turned out. It will darken and 'age' in time.
I just planted this climbing rose inside our new front 'tobacco stick fence' garden.
SEE OUR
PROJECTS PAGE
FOR HOW WE DID THIS PROJECT.
Gabby taking a nap on a lovely early fall day.
Gabby at 3 months old. 2023
Cotswold
Harlie
You can probably see from the photos why we were inspired to name the Crested duckling Cotswold...
Harlie: "Wheee, look at me! I'm diving underwater all the way"!
Cotswold: "Um, uh-uh, nope, no way. I am not messing up this stellar hairdo for anything"!
3 baby chicks arrive
Olive, Daisy, and Chamomile
Olive, Daisy, and
Chamomile
May 27, 2023
Our beloved goose Mayflower passed away unexpectedly.
She was a sweet dear thing, and our guard goose. We raised her from a day-old gosling when she arrived 4 years ago. We are completely devastated and heartbroken.
Adam hand carved then blackened this stone for Mayflower's grave.
Mayflower, you will be in our hearts every day for the rest of our lives.
_________
JUNE, 2023~
WELCOME, GABBY...
After our beloved Pilgrim goose Mayflower passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago, we were contacted by very nice people who live only about 15 minutes away from us.
They had Pilgrim goose eggs from their geese in an incubator and they were soon due to hatch...
They said if there was the girl gosling that we wanted, we could get her!
Yesterday, June 14th, one egg hatched and it was a girl! We're picking up our gosling today, June 15th at noon!
This morning, the nice lady emailed this first photo of our fluffed-out gosling. She is less than 24 hours old. We can't wait to meet the 'hatching' family, and to pick up our baby.
We've decided to name her Gabby.
We have the best memories of our sweet Mayflower, and now we have another Pilgrim goose to help our hearts heal and to guard our little flock of hens and ducks.
The family that hatched her emailed us photos of the hatch as it progressed...
GABBY HATCHING!
The darker fluff and temporarily dark beak identified her as a girl!
June 15~ At noon we drove over and picked her up! She was not yet 24 hours old. Mary held her in a towel for the ride home.
She is already bonding with us.
We look forward to sharing photos of Gabby as she grows up.
Gabby, June 16th~ 2 days old.
JUNE 19th~
Sharing a new photo of our Pilgrim gosling, Gabby! She was born June 14, so here she is today, at FIVE DAYS OLD. Can't believe how much she has grown even in that short time! That is our Irish cottage pub birdhouse in the background. Could she be stopping in for a Guinness???
She is adorable and so much fun. She has imprinted on both of us. We are definitely mom and pop.
Cotswold, the duckling.
Our beloved girl, Mayflower. Gone but never forgotten.
We now have 2 Welsh Harlequin ducklings, Harlie and Quinn~
Meet our girls, Harlie and Quinn~
A beautiful Sunday morning in June. Our little ducks are having the time of their lives swimming in a little pool/waterfall in our idyllic stream~
These little Welsh Harlequin girls loved being in our stream pool/waterfall...
Harlie and Quinn
Gabby, the Pilgrim gosling.
Gabby, our Pilgrim gosling at just over 1 week old.
New small side yard garden by the compost area with mini pumpkins and squash.
Pilgrim gosling, Gabby.
Come inside the coop...
Inside, the coop is decorated in bright, fun, retro style for the hens~
Contact paper from the 70's-80's
Fun, colorful retro style in the coop for the hens~
16thc. heirloom beans on the branch trellis we built.
In the potager garden.
Just picked tomatoes rest on my 'old timey' apron on the soapstone countertop.
Welsh Harlequin ducklings, Harlie and Quinn
were having the time of their lives swimming in a pool waterfall part of our idyllic stream~
Gabby, the baby Pilgrim goose loves the sprinkler pool.
Nothing like a nap in the sun on a perfect June day.
Our wheelchair bound hen, Hannah is watching over the new baby chicks out in the yard on this beautiful sunny day.
Pond bench~
We cut down some birch trees in the woods and whipped this up in 3 hours.
We thought a primitive birch branch bench for 2 would be perfect at the edge of the natural pond we dug in spring. We can sit in the shade and watch our goose and ducks have a ball splashing around in the water.
August 23, 2022~ We made the local newpaper!
About a month before we had been tending the bees in the bee meadow and someone driving by stopped and asked if they could take our picture. They submitted it to the local paper and came over today to bring us copies and tell us we were featured on page 2.
We hope more people will try beekeeping, and maybe our bee club will get more members as well~
Gabby goose.
July, 2023
The bridge we built~A summer day.
The 'mini' pond.
The bridge in fall.
EARLY JULY ON OUR OLD HOMESTEAD~
Gabby the goose, 3 weeks old.
The 'big pond'.
The area of turnip greens I sowed for the ducks and goose.
Gabby. 3 weeks old this day.
Yum!
Gabby's 2 week birthday~
She's huge! Goslings grow so fast!
She celebrated by stuffing herself with young turnip greens that I planted for the ducks and goose...
Then she went for a swim in the 'mini pond'.
Planting peas in a box we made for under an old branch gate we also made years ago and repurposed here.
This is the ink stamp we're using on our duck egg cartons for selling them, along with our own labels we designed.
I love the one of a kind herb signs that Adam made and hand lettered in authentic Elizabethan script as a gift for me several years ago. He has made over 50 0f them for all my historic plants. They are done on cedar wood and are now nicely aged.
I'm so proud of Adam. He carved our initials in period font on a stone bordering our pond and blackened them.
I think it's beautiful!
See our PROJECTS PAGE.
Gabby goose, 5 weeks old.
Summer
Spend a day at the ocean on a beach in Maine. Stop and pick up a couple live lobsters from off a fishing boat. Throw them on the BBQ at home. Some corn on the cob too. Eating outside on the newspaper-covered picnic table, the fairy lights on the bakeoven adding the perfect ambiance...
Handmade winnowing basket on porch wall.
Gabby and some of her gal pals
My rare white comfrey is now 5 feet tall. I have several more of these plants from this one.
May 2023~ All of my cowslip plants are blooming again~
Trellis we made with perennial climbing rose on it.
Our tandem bike. We've had it for many years and love taking rides on country roads.
Duckling girls, Harlie and Quinn
spring
Chickpea
Tilly
Rosie
summer
Gabby loves the fountain pool.
May 2022~ Hive number 2.
More bees!
A great 'find', Summer 2021
The other day we saw what was obviously a hand cut corner of a piece of granite sticking out of the dirt in our sideyard.
I have been here 23 years and it was never visible until now...We dug it up and it was this gorgeous tapered granite post!
We can only imagine who it belonged to, how old it is and how long it's been buried in the ground, and what it was used for...
I found an 'aged stone' sundial top.
We glued it to the post top with stone adhesive.
What a great feature.
It now has a place by the 'mini' duck pond and the new hops frame we built~
May, and the hops are happily starting to climb up their new trellis panel.
Gabby at 6 weeks old.
Heirloom beans from the 1500's climbing on a trellis we made.
Hannah
September meadow.
Project~
Replacing 3 old broken down woven willow hurdles in the back kitchen potager garden with THREE new cedar picket double gates.
DIY WITH DADDY~
Gabby the goose loves helping and being around us.
Gabby and Pippa actually love each other.
Pippa
Gabby, 6 weeks old.
Taking a break for some homemade lemonade with mint from our garden.
It's a scorching hot July day...
Finished on one side of the garden~
The cedar will age soon and match the rest of the fence.
The finished gate at the opposite side of the potager.
Good job, Gabby!
For sale...
If you love the MAKE-DO HANGER we crafted from an 18thc. New Hampshire hinge from a local home, and a piece of an 18thc. beam from a local barn, SEE OUR ANTIQUES PAGES.
We had another hinge and made one FOR SALE~
New exterior nest boxes that we built.
There is now a lot more space in the coop.
We were eating our lunch outside in our chairs when up on the hill we saw this squirrel having lunch as well!
Who knew squirrels ate mushrooms?
We grabbed the camera and used the zoom to take these photos of the little guy chowing down.
The mill just down from our home. Our house was the "mill cottage" in the 18th century. The mill is still in operation today; Now a world renowned 'shutter mill' making custom millwork for historical homes and buildings, it was featured on PBS 'This Old House' many years ago.
The new trellis we built for climbing garden plants, and wound a long grapevine garland on it.
We have built every one of our trellises, designing and fashioning them from trees we cut in the woods out back.
September 5, 2021~
Harvesting our first honey from the hive the old fashioned way...
We also made the most amazing homemade rosemary and fig focaccia bread with a honey lemon glaze from our own honey!
Mayflower, the opera-loving pet Pilgrim goose.
We will cherish every day we had with you and every memory.
Spring~We're selling lots of eggs...
Hen's eggs.
Duck eggs.
We designed all our own packaging. We painted adorable signs for at the end of the driveway, to catch people's attention. (See signs below on this page.)
We have a table set up near the road, with the signs. The eggs are in a large basket. There's an old iron pot for customers to leave their payment.
We got this wonderful, old-school, authentic oilcloth tablecloth from England, featuring the iconic 'Harriet the hen' to cover our egg-selling table~
Cutie collecting nest making materials from my hanging woven vine 'bird ball'.
No flimsy plastic 'kiddie pool' for our girls~
We built their lovely 'mini' pond. (We also then built the 'big pond')***
~See what we did and how we did it on our
PROJECTS PAGE.
Removable easy-clean 'poop tray'
Spring~
The chicken run is 1/2 inch hardware cloth for safety. We built the twig trellis at the south end.
Sumer in the potager.
Mint growing wild around a staddle stone in the potager garden.
Decorated for HM's Platinum Jubilee~June 2022
Different perennial cottage flowers bloom in front at different times of the spring and summer.
Early antique watering can.
game cam-
The potager kitchen garden.
We started this garden years ago from scratch. Digging it out, building the fence ourselves and doing 'companion planting'---Flowers, herbs, and veggies.
We finished our 3-bay compost set-up out of pallets we salvaged for free.
See more on the PROJECTS page.
The trellis we built at the end of the compost bins.
We used interesting branches from the woods.
June 7~ The hens love their new treat toy!
They peck at it and it sways back and forth and treats come out of small holes all around it.
April 2, 2022
PROJECT~
We had built a wall of tall, thin tree trunk poles for our hops plants about 7 years ago, but the other day it fin
Poppy
We designed and built all of our rustic arbors and trellises.
Spring~The old brush fence at the top of the hill.
The hill is covered with all kinds of wildflowers all summer.
This window is on the back of the house, in the taproom and overlooking our fenced, period kitchen garden...
March, 2021~I found this pair of 16thc. shutters...
The dimensions just happen to fit our window.
I was chuffed to have installed them myself on the exterior of the house.
Adam thought I did an amazing job!
See PROJECTS page also.
August 12~ We finally got the third gate built for our potager garden.
There are gates on 3 sides.
I made fresh herb and berry ice cubes as a treat for our chickens on hot days~
Our duck egg labels that we designed.
Adam painted this sign to sell our duck eggs...
Great job honey!
...Our Jemima was his inspiration.
~So adorable~
March, 2023~We love you and miss you so much, Jemima duck.
December 7, 2019~ We got our new little puppy and named her Pippa!
'My little goose coop'~
Goose/duck coop that we designed and built together from scratch.
Running underground electricity to the goose coop and putting lighting inside~
See more on our PROJECTS Page.
Radio/cassette player in the goose coop~"Mayflower's Top 40"
Electricity in the goose coop.
June 2024
The new 'goose run'
See how we built it ourselves on our PROJECTS PAGE.
See our PROJECT PAGE.
Come on inside the goose coop...
The entire floor in this coop is covered with faux stone sheet vinyl for easy cleaning.
Goose eggs are huge.
June 2, 2023~
Hannah passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was over 7 years old.
We loved you Hannah. Rest in peace---Best hen ever.
Charlotte
Remembering Mayflower. 5/27/23 Rest in peace.
So many wonderful memories...
Gone tragically too soon.
Rest in peace, our darling girl.
2019~2023
May~The woad in full bloom.
Hen party.
2024~A run addition to the goose coop.
SEE OUR
PROJECTS PAGE~
'My little goose coop'~
Goose/duck coop we built from scratch...
See our PROJECTS page.
Inside a small area of the chicken run there is a swing we made for them.
See more on our PROJECTS page.
16thc. shutters~
Pilgrim geese are a heritage breed that are becoming rare.
Jemima.
Both gone but never forgotten...
Some of our hens in our little meadow.
Handbuilt post and beam shed with a loft and divided 'Dutch' door.
The small coop right alongside it is for future baby chicks, or for sick or broody hens.
Hill out back with our old brush fence.
No modern herb signs for us...Adam made over 50 all cedar herb signs for me and hand lettered each one in authentic Elizabethan script~
sunbathing.
Our steep back hill is covered with all kinds of wildflowers that bloom all summer.
Jemima and Charlotte. Summer afternoon nap.
We built these doors from cedar.
My cowslips
An unwelcome spring visitor...
2022~ After a BEAR attacked our beehives, the two of us built an electric fence in the bee meadow, June 2022.
We built an electric fence in the bee meadow June 5, 2022.
After the bear attacked the hives in the middle of the night, he did trip the alarm and although he did damage, we were able to suit up and run out and save most of the bees, and the queen bee.
With the new fence inside of the regular fence, any bear that comes in now will get a terrific shock, and not be back.
Cedar herb signs handmade and painted by Adam in authentic Elizabethan script several years ago.
2022~The signs are now nicely weathered.
FOR SALE~
See our ANTIQUES 1 page.
________________
At a local fair~
Period-lettered herb signs hand done by Adam as a present for me.
more wildlife.
Some wild turkeys came to visit.
See Mary's painted 'chicken-run sky ceiling project' and much more on ourPROJECTS page.
Girls just want to have fun!
May 2019---we had just finished the 5 ft. diameter 'mini' duck pond with underground draining.
See our PROJECTS page for info on what we did and how we did it~
Adam hand made and painted over 50 herb signs for the garden in authentic period Elizabethan/Tudor script on cedar boards and attached cedar stakes.
'CHICKENS IN POUCHES RIDING IN CARS'~
Our Hannah, wearing a fashionable chicken diaper loves riding in the car in the front pack. Today we walked all around in Tractor Supply and she was happy as can be! We each have a front pack and love to take the dog and hens out in them~
We won a photo contest with this picture.
Pippa.
We designed and made all of our arbors, fences, and the stone and stump table ourselves.
The old fashioned clothesline we built together. (See PROJECTS page).
We're selling a lot of our eggs! A local restaurant even bought some of our duck eggs.
We made the twig and cedar bridge.
Frozen watermelon slush I made in a mold for our birds as a treat on a hot summer day!
Goose and duck coop that we designed and built ourselves. See the PROJECTS page.
Handmade authentic wavy/colored leaded glass windows.
Cold water for the hens with rose petals, mint from our herb garden, and peas in it.
'The Shakespeare Garden'
The new bridge we designed and built ourselves over our little stream...
"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine..."
~We've recently made a woodland "Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream"garden here with all the historic plants mentioned in the verse.
A few of the wild thyme, violets, and musk roses in our 'Midsummer Night's Dream garden. We've planted all of the historic plants mentioned.
Our fresh eggs~ We stamp each one.
We designed our own label~
Our pink eggcartons.
Our duck eggs with the packaging and labels we designed.
Our original 18thc. pulley door bell.
My 'bird ball' filled with nesting materials.
I found this antique photo of a lady feeding her chickens...
Adam made a primitive little frame from scraps of 18thc. wood. We've hung it inside of the chicken coop.
Cresset.
Our stream.
cowslips
We designed and built all of our doors.
Our old wisteria covers the rustic arbor we made, and is a lovely bower on summer days to sit in at the stone and stump table we made, and have tea and wild strawberries we pick along a nearby lane...
The old stone and stump table we built in the arbor.
Summer~
A classic New England lobster feast in our backyard. Delicious on the BBQ, served with melted butter with lemon and smoked paprika in it, and fresh corn on the cob. A favorite thing to do several times in late summer when Maine lobby is on super sale.
Everyone comes to the kitchen door in the morning, looks in at me through the screen door and begs for treats!
17thc. 'picnic'
We were hired to present a 17thc. outdoor program all day for the early 1600's Fairbanks House, Dedham, MA.
We've also presented similar costumed outdoor programs several times for the wonderful Whipple House in Ipswich, MA.
The outdoor bakeoven we built ourselves spending no money, digging all our own clay and making the cob mortar, making our own lime plaster, etc.
I dry laid every rock of the base myself---I had no experience but for some reason Adam seems to think I have a talent for it (?!).
We used all salvaged materials for both the oven and the lean-to, and spent no money.
We had a blast doing every bit of it just as they did hundreds of years ago.
(We had a large photo gallery up several years ago of our step by step 'oven project'. Thank you to all who loved it and our oven, and took time to email us~)
The 18thc. mill down the road just steps from our house.
The river a few yards from our old home~ The rare, old wagon-ford is still visible, one of only a couple remaining in NH.
THE PERIOD AUTHENTIC, WORKING BACKYARD BAKEOVEN THAT WE TWO BUILT OURSELVES WITH VIRTUALLY NO MONEY SPENT.
Plimoth Plantation contacted us and told us they loved the period correct bake oven that we built ourselves and just as was done hundreds of years ago.
We used materials from our own property, including the almost 15-five gallon buckets of clay we dug ourselves and mixed with sand and straw to make the cob mortar. We made the authentic period lime plaster coating for it using 6 year old lime putty.
The large, canted side Tudor style hen market basket was handwoven for me in England and was a Christmas gift from Adam.
We grow our own raspberries.
We make our own homemade raspberry shrub every summer~
A Spencer treat~
Mix the homemade shrub syrup with water, ice, mint from the garden, and a dollop of whipped cream on top if you have it~
Please come in~
Doors we built.
__________________
A period style kitchen from an original space~
18thc. door.
I love my little AGA range cooker biscuit tin from England.
Early fold down table with with original mustard paint decoration found many years ago in New Hampshire while I was doing an antique show years before I moved here.
English range cooker treat tin that came filled with Clotted Cream Shortbread cookies.
My homemade concord grape pie~ A yearly classic every fall.
Another 18thc. door.
I built the cabinet doors from 18thc. hand-planed, wide sheathing boards we found locally. A blacksmith made the butterfly hinges for us.
Soapstone countertops and sink with worn edge.
The galley kitchen is an original space of the house and not a modern addition.
________________________
A 'buttery' tucked under an old staircase~
NOVEMBER 2024~
We have finally repainted the taproom and buttery with the same dark brown paint we used in the rest of the house years ago.
ALL NEW photos of taproom and buttery are coming NOW!
Large, rare early eel trap.
PHOTOS OF US WITH STUART PEACHEY OF
'TALES FROM THE GREEN VALLEY'~
Union jack shortbread cookies we made as a present for Stuart.
Stuart Peachey with Adam~
I have used my own old New England dooryard roses to distill rosewater in my alembic for years. We sometimes like to add some to a pitcher of lemonade.
Goose eggs. We blew out the contents and now have them for display. So big and so pretty.
One of only a few known, this is a 17th century wood sink and has it's original wooden drain and part of a hollowed out branch 'pipe' still attached. The drain is an ancient carved out branch that forms a pipe. Several inches still exist extending down from the hole.
_____________________
A light-filled, upstairs guest bedchamber~
We stripped off terrible 1950's knotty pine boards that covered walls and ceilings up here and exposed the beams. We then finished off this entire space ourselves.
Linenfold carving
The cover we made for the computer from a 19 inch wide 18th century board. It's open on the bottom to cover the computer. We scribed it and carved our initials in 17thc. script.
See more on our PROJECTS page.
We built the corner desk from 18thc. boards salvaged from a local period home. We designed it ourselves. Cost: 0
The resist window curtains are only up in winter.
17thc. coffer and box.
The box we made with 18thc. boards and handcarved with our initials in 17thc. script. It covers the computer.
Oak. Linenfold carving.
Many years ago I bought some authentic, raw linsey-woolsey right from a loom. I washed and fulled it myself and I made these cradle hangings by hand.
The 17thc. 'Cosin box' with provenance.
Beautiful 17th century yeoman's bed.
17thc. yeoman's bed
Lovely fall colors on this antique crewel wool on linen bedspread...FOR SALE ON OUR ANTIQUES 1 PAGE.
FOR SALE.
Incredibly rare 17thc. dated, AMERICAN chest with provenance. Made in Ipswich/Rowley Mass.
Our 1678 American chest.
Our American marked and dated 17thc. chest with complete provenance was made near or in Rowley, Mass. This chest descended in an unbroken line in the Nelson family, later of Lincoln Massachusetts. Adam's aunt is a Nelson, and we got the chest from her.
Something so cool...The backyard of the house that his aunt grew up in in Lincoln Mass. and where our chest resided for many years is where Paul Revere was captured at the start of the revolution. The house still stands.
Our 17thc. chest once belonged to Josiah Nelson, a hero of the American revolution, and spent many years during the 18thc. in his home along what is now known as"the battle road" in Lincoln, Mass.
Here Mary sits on a stone plaque and Adam stands in the old cellar hole along the 'battle road' in Lincoln Mass----all that is left marking the location of the home of Revolutionary war hero Josiah Nelson.
This is the Nelson family of Adam's aunt, and the one in which our 1678 chest descended in an unbroken line.
It was amazing to sit near the spot where our chest spent much of the 18th century.
Here is a picture of another New England 17thc. chest that has some of the identical motifs as ours does. Although you can't see it in our pictures, our chest design is also punched into the wood with a sharp object that formed small holes. Ours has an earlier date than this one, and it was made in the Rowley/Ipswich area of Massachusetts---The one on the cover of Peter Eaton's article certainly must have also originated in that area, and been made by the same person. Where this one features a heart ours has a stylized flower.
1678...
When our chest was being made in Massachusetts, 'King Philip's War' was going on in New England...(1675~1678). Sometimes called the First Indian War, it was an armed conflict between American Indian inhabitants of New England and English colonists and their Indian allies~
The war is named for Metacomet, the Wampanoag chief who adopted the English name Philip due to the friendly relations between his father and the Mayflower pilgrims.
Metacomet was the son of the great Massasoit.
---Adam presents a wonderful program on the early ranger companies, and the Indian wars in New England~
Adam's lecture on Ranger Companies of Colonial New England spans more than 100 years---1600/1700s.
The door to another upstairs room.
The Cosin box
This 17thc. box has an interesting story. There is an ancient piece of paper glued to the inside lid that says the box was once the property of "Bishop John Cosin of Durham England". He was the bishop of Durham 1660-1672, and was chaplain to King Charles I and his family. After Charles's execution, the bishop "retired to France to become chaplain to Queen Henrietta". The old document then tells us he returned to England "at the Restoration" (1660). He had this box in his possession at the time.
The old handwritten provenance inside the lid of my oak box.
John Cosin, Prince Bishop of Durham once owned my carved oak box.
(Note~these are not "bible boxes"; That is a modern (Victorian) made-up term. They are carved storage boxes).
Of scrupulously correct 16th-17thc. design, the treen candlesticks were made by Adam on an antique hand lathe. Surface aging/hand finished by Mary.
We designed and built the swinging wattle shutter for our existing ceiling syklight many years ago. We used wild grapevine that we cut from up in the woods behind the house. We fabricated the turnbuckles from 18thc. wood scraps...
The shutter swings out and hooks to the opposite side of the ceiling when not in use. We have an iron hanging hook in the ceiling that it hooks to. The grapevine wattle lets in lovely diffused sunlight without it being too hot or too harsh.
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Come, friends~
Raise an elbow in the taproom.
NOVEMBER 2024~
We painted the taproom the same dark brown as the rest of the inside house trim.
ALL NEW photos of taproom.
Porch entry.
Early all original handhewn pig bench. Wood pinned. Lovely grunge surface.
Primitive mitten dryer
Door to attached woodshed and stairs to storage attic.
Early cheese press.
Old stairs going up from taproom to storage attic.
a party.
Musket Mary.
Our Reproduction NEW ENGLAND 17thc. coins ~
COINS USED IN 17thc. NEW ENGLAND~
~The Massachusetts Bay Colony struck the first metallic currency in 1652, containing 22 1/2 % less silver than English coins. Joseph Jenks made the punches for the coins at his ironworks mill at Saugus. (We have been there several times and it is a fantastic place to visit. We also own a c. 1640 iron cresset wall spike light that was made there.)
The shilling, 6 pence, and 3 pence were minted by John Hull in Boston. He was paid one shilling, 3 pence for every 20 shillings made.
The simple design on the NE shilling invited counterfeiting, so the Massachusettes Bay Colony changed the design to what became known as 'Pine Tree Money'.
The first design minted was a willow, then an oak, and then the pine tree. Even though the coins were minted for years, all of them were dated 1652.
Even though the Massachusetts colony was not authorized to coin money, they did it for 30 years.
'THE MERRY LADS'~
Reenactor friends raising an elbow to the strains of the 17thc. music, ' A Trip to Killburn' with mugs of Mary and Adam's homemade Rum Shrub.
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An old house speaks to you...
New updated photos coming in January~
Very rare 17thc. Dutch Fresian delft plate with bible verse.
This winnowing basket made for me years ago is a replica of the one seen and used in an historical TV series c. 1620, and of the correct wood, by a lady who has been a renowned basket maker for decades~
Thank you, M.
Above, a photo my friend sent of the handles she made for my basket using traditional old tools.
winnowing basket with old flax.
Antique lye soap in a primitive old hanging box.
Handwoven Tudor hen basket from England.
The small round treen item is an antique child's treen grinding quern. The American treen cup is very rare.
The floorboards are very rare New Hampshire 'pumpkin pine'. These boards are from 18 t0 26 inches wide each.
Hop bine on beam.
The new dresser has the most incredible original iron hinges.
antique crewel valences.
A neat, fun project we did...
See our PROJECT PAGE.
This original early embroidery was once a chair cushion and I have now made it back into one to put on this 17thc. chairtable.
I am lucky to have 13 of the wonderful handmade treen trencher plates. NO stain or paint on trenchers.
The early settle in this room is in black paint.
Handwoven in England. Tudor hen basket.
Period straw hat identical to that worn by Ruth and others in 'Tales From the Green Valley'.
Christmas present from Adam.
Very rare, early 17thc. chairtable from Yorkshire England.
Very rare
original 17th century Dutch Fresian blue and white delft plate with bible verse.
My antique American carved stone mortar and pestle dug up from Southwestern Connecticut on a landmark site that has unearthed many impressive artifacts. Ancient tool marks are clearly visible.
Early and rare stone grain grinding hand quern.
The carved apron on the settle.
Winnowing basket.
Antique 400 year old stumpwork birds from England that I stitched onto the little authentic linsey woolsey cushion I made for the child's chair.
'Made in the New Hampshire Colony'...
Replicas of late 16thc. candlesticks made and handturned from wood by Adam.
Tudor hen market basket woven for me in England.
Present from Adam.
We are so fortunate to have the extremely rare and valuable early 17thc. stumpwork baby cap. It features metallic thread and was the property of a high status English family at the time. A lucky baby to have had this precious cap.
17thc. American spoon rack. Massachusetts. Original surface. Rosehead nails.
Antique lye soap in an old wood hanging box.
The early settle in this room.
My extremely rare 17th century American pilgrim period iron swing arm wall cresset. Origin: Saugus Ironworks, mid 17thc.
This wonderful piece is of 'pig iron' which was an un-pure type of iron produced here in the States. It had a tendency to scale due to the heat, which this piece had done. The European examples were made with a much more refined and finished iron. This is a very important piece of American lighting. The original swinging pivot joint and pin are intact. Pieces of wood, usually burl or knots were soaked in animal fat and placed onto the cresset.
Original, early treen scale.
Teasel wool comb known as a 'teasel hand'.
Teasel hand was used to felt wool.
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Come sit by the fire and hear stories of old days in our little corner of New Hampshire...
Tapestry of pastoral sheep shearing scene~
17th century tapestry covered antique books.
A large, untouched early 17thc. oak linenfold panel from England.
Period iron cresset stand.
Rare Tudor green glaze pottery candlestick for 4 candles.
The English cradle is 500 years old and was referred to by someone at Oxford University who studied it as, "Tudorbethan"~
Period rushlight
A large, untouched early 17thc. oak linenfold panel from England.
Period working bake oven.
Antique book covered in 17thc. tapestry.
The period clock keeps time.
Rare, early antique hanging partridge cage I found.
17thc. spice cupboard on a joint stool next to the court cupboard.
TURNER'S CHAIR HAS AN INTERESTING HISTORY~
This turner's chair was made by John Starkey, and is a copy of the historic 12thc.'Warwick Saxon chair'.
The 900-year-old original saxon chair was made for, and used at Warwick castle. Copies were commissioned by the royal family in the 1800's.
The original 900-year-old chair went on a sold-out public exhibit in the UK in 2011. Below is some information from the exhibition event publicity~
"This...exhibition had been inspired by the famous triangular, Saxon Warwick chair which was loaned to us with the kind permission of the Master of The Lord Leycester Hospital. The Exhibition included not only this extraordinary piece of English furniture (dating back more than 900 years) but also examined the subsequent handmade reproductions which proved so popular with the Royal family during the 19th and early 20th centuries."
Our antique copy of the 12th century 'Warwick chair' is rare in that it was the only one made from the oak of the hundreds-year-old pulpit in St. John the Baptist church in Halesowen, Shropshire England, which dates from 1083, and the only one that has the carving on the triangular seat, (which other copies do not). Some of the church's Norman architecture still remains.
There are other copies of the saxon chair, but ours is the only one made from the wood of the medieval pulpit from the historic church.
Below are photos of the 1083 church at Halesowen. There have been changes and additions to it through the centuries.
The Norman door of the historic church (St. John the Baptist) in Halesowen, Shropshire England...
The 'Warwick' chair is the only one made from the oak of the medieval pulpit from this church.
Period stumpwork
A very rare standing rush light.
A toddler boy's 17thc. style singlet.
17thc. funeral card
~St Michael, Crooked Lane was an ancient parish church situated on the east side of Miles's Lane in Candlewick Ward in the City of London. The church was in existence by 1304. It was in the parish that the first cases of the plague occurred in 1665. It was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666 by Sir Christopher Wren, and demolished in 1831.
THE TALE OF THE 18thc. HOMEMADE CHILD'S FISHING POLE~
When I moved in my fireplaces were in bad shape and all the brickwork of all of them had to be replaced.
I took out over 4000 bricks, from the chimney to the rocks and dirt of the ground by hand.
Down at the bottom, hidden in the old brickwork of the main fireplace was this 250 year old hand-whittled child's fishing pole...
It even still had the remnant of string on it!
It has hung over a door ever since the day in 1998 when I discovered it. It will always stay with the house.
Hanging next to the little pole is a hand carved spindle to wrap fishing line. I found it in an antique shop here years ago and thought it would be nice hanging next to the child's fishing pole.
The little one who lost the pole perhaps dropped it when the house and fireplaces were originally being constructed, and it was not retrieved...
Until I found it 250 years in the future.
I made a time capsule with a photo of me with my dog, and the story of how I came to be in this little house in New Hampshire. I put it in a ziploc bag and my mason contractor bricked it into the new fireplace masonry. It's been there now since that winter of 1998, and could be there for hundreds more years.
Early punched tin lantern with candle in bakeoven.
The early 17thc. settle in this room.
This is a photo of Bayleaf house at the Weald and Downland Museum in England. Hanging from a beam is a style of bird basket similar to mine. I love the curved top of mine~
This is a photo of a pottery couvre feu, or fire cover at Bayleaf House at the Weald and Downland Museum in England. Mine was handmade for me and is a replica of the one in the 16thc. Bayleaf House.
17thc. tapestry covered antique book.
My handwoven 'Tudor corn dolly'.
They would weave them from the last of the 'corn' (actually wheat--The British term for wheat was 'corn') harvest and hang them in their homes to protect them against evil and keep them safe at night.
16th/17thc. replica linen coif with forehead cloth.
16thc. table.
We found this tiny, old, bone die in the dirt underneath the house while doing insulating many years ago. It is less than 1/3 inch diameter on a side.
This tall pair of cresset andirons are in original condition and date to 1675. They are in this main room fireplace.
We have another pair in our bedroom fireplace.
17thc. stumpwork infant cap.
We are so fortunate to have the extremely rare and valuable early 17thc. stumpwork baby cap. It features metallic thread and was the property of a high status, noble British family at the time. A lucky baby to have had this precious cap.
My sand timer is 17th century, green glass, and completely original, including the initials of the owner beautifully carved on the top.
17thc. brass pricket candlesticks~
Lovely patina on my late 16thc. table.
Adam carved our initials on the old beam in period style.
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FRONT CENTER ENTRY HALL~
We built the inner and outer storm doors on the house for 3 of 4 entries.
For our doors, we ran 2 sets of boards in different directions and put them together, creating heavy, thick, weatherproof doors; 12 inch wide boards vertically for the exterior surface, and 16 inch wide boards horizontally on the inside~
We hung them on iron, almost-30-inch-long pintel hinges.
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1998...
...I wrote this directly on the wall of my entry hall not long afterI moved here...
"Remove not the ancient landmark..."
~This was a message to preserve this old house that had stories to tell and could also help me heal from a devastating tragedy.
It had so much meaning for me because of the circumstances that brought me alone halfway across the country to this little old house that was a mess and needed lots of work and TLC when I bought it...
"...the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches"...
This was not only about the antiques I patiently collected to help bring my little house to life, but also about the friends and acquaintances who would visit and fill the rooms with joy. It was about all the shared experiences I would have in my time here in this old house.
It is now nearly 24 years since I wrote that on the wall. ~How perfectly fitting it was and is~
An inspiration and a silent encouragement that kept me going and working on the house for all those long years when I was broke, alone, bone-tired, or discouraged.
I also painted a 'parchment' on the wall at that time with a very wonderful and moving verse meaningful to me. It too, has remained there all these years...
In the hall someone had put up walls to make a closet.
The original beaded paneling wall with it's original one coat of blue paint is there...Over that people had glued 19thc. New Hampshire and Massachusetts newspapers, spanning several decades in the 19th century.
They are still there...
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One of our
'DINNER WITH THE PILGRIMS'
events in our home~
We had our 'pilgrim dinner' for several years. Here is just one of the menus we did. We've had up to 15 paying guests for the evening. Some had come from far-away states, making their reservations almost a year in advance.
~One of 3 tables of guests at one of our DINNER WITH THE PILGRIMS in our home~
Guests had only period spoons and a knife; no fork. They were not in common usage in 17thc. America.
In addition to making and hearth cooking everything ourselves in 17thc. costume and period style for our paying guests from all over the country, we designed and printed out our menus on English parchment, and rolled and tied them with waxed flax. Each guest had one on their plates to then take home as a keepsake.
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The master bedchamber~
17th century tapestry covered antique books.
A Christmas present I gave to Adam~A 1690 edition of Baker's 'Chronicle of the Kings of England' with the original owner's---a lord---signature and wax seal.
A very rare 17thc. chair
Period Tudor stumpwork on a straw-filled linen book cushion.
Beautiful and rare 16thc./Tudor green-glaze pottery candlestick for 4 candles.
Years ago Adam carved our initials into one of the original bedroom ceiling beams in 17thc. script.
English James I standing livery cupboard.
Our 17thc. English bed is our most cherished antique. We found it just after our honeymoon 17 years ago. Unlike some who only have such antiques 'for show' and don't use them, we sleep in our stunning bed every night, and have since we found it.
We chose a period correct fabric for the bedhangings Mary made by hand. (See more about that below). The print and the rich colors make us happy!
We feel so lucky to have our lovely, all original bed. It is dated on the carved headboard, 1686, and has the initials TMA.
Adam jokingly said that meant "To Mary and Adam" when we got it!
Carved in the header piece on the headboard of our bed, 'TMA 1686'. We felt our find was most definitely meant to be. Adam joked that TMA stood for 'To Mary and Adam', when we serendipitously and unexpectedly found it 16 years ago.
An actual 1675 issue of the London Gazette.
17thc. American coffer with initials and original surface.
Our original, dated 17th.c bed is a very rare survivor...
Unlike the overly-tall and heavily carved tester beds of the period that would have been found only in a castle and never in a yeomans or merchant's home, we love our low, perfectly appropriate and original 17thc. English bed. We've never seen one we like as well~We love it's headboard candle shelf.
Our old cape is post and beam construction. Here you can see some of the Roman numerals on the beams...
Original to the house, cupboard built into the wall.
Medieval/16th/17thc. style carved wax tablet that came with a wooden stylus as well. We love the dark wax writing surfaces of our tablet~
A wax tablet is a tablet made of wood and covered with a layer of wax, often linked loosely to a cover tablet, as a "double-leaved"dyptich. It was a reusable and portable writing surface.
Writing on the wax surface was performed with a pointed instrument, a stylus...
...A straight-edged, spatula-like implement (often placed on the opposite end of the stylus tip) would be used in a razor-like fashion to serve as an eraser. The entire tablet could be erased for reuse by warming it and smoothing the softened wax surface.
The bedcover is a true, deep, hard to find paprika color.
An early painting I have had for ovewr 20 years. I have always loved her.
The incredible backside of our original, dated 1600's bed.
The bed cover is a true rare dark paprika color.
Very early English coffer.
ADAM LIGHTING THE FIRE WITH A FLINT AND STEEL~
17thc. American coffer with carved initials and original surface.
This interesting line drawing of the medieval monk Roger Bacon shows not only an alembic on the shelf, but a hanging livery cupboard much like ours on the wall.
Over the fireplace, a c. 1630 hanging livery cupboard.
These small livery cupboards were hung in the bedchamber. Food for the light evening meal in the chamber was kept in them.
Our hanging livery (mural) cupboard was featured in a respected book on early oak antiques.
Original 17thc. sand timer.
The fabric is perfect for the bed dressings.
Beds such as this were one of the most valuable items anyone could own, and were dressed accordingly. The bed hangings that I sewed by hand are of a mid 15th century tapestry forest design.
THE ORIGINALS...
were discovered in a 15th century yeoman's house in Yorkshire, UK, in 1901. A faithful copy of the original fabric, the scene depicts a forest floor richly studded with clusters of small flowers. Amongst the trees are rabbits, hedgehogs, horned sheep, squirrels, wild fowl, moles, deer, and a handsome unicorn. This fabric was also on display at the Bayleaf House at the Weald and Downland Museum in England.
Importantly, this style is reminiscent of tapestries found all over Britain. Textiles such as these were passed down and similar could well have come to America in the 17thc.
The bed hanging fabric is signed in period script on the selvage edges.
THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT THE WEALD AND DOWNLAND MUSEUM IN ENGLAND.
Staff members were discussing new wall decoration for the 16thc. Bayleaf House at the museum.
IN THE BACKGROUND TO THE LEFT YOU CAN SEE THE SAME FABRIC I USED TO MAKE MY BED HANGINGS~
Another rare 17thc. coffer at the foot of the bed.
The beds above are almost identical to ours, but ours has the initials of the original owner, and the date.
c. 1620 coffer
c. 1610-1620 box with carved nulling.
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A 'small sitting room' with big use of space, and the sound of the little brook outside the windows...
MARCH
Good-bye yucky olive green cutains I made years ago from a vintage wool blanket...
I found a beautiful vintage piece of heavy 100% wool in a lovely cream color.
I made new curtains for the den~
It's a nice change and we love how they look.
On the wall shelf, an authentic 17thc. replica hand embroidered coif that was done for Plimoth Plantation and took the lady 2 years to embroider. It was on display there for many years. Plimoth Plantation decided to sell it many years ago and told us we 'were the ones to have it'.
Clothing for our period reenactments hangs on a wide, 18thc. board the length of the wall over a small 17thc. punched-design coffer. Move them, and a flat screen TV is hiding~
Hand done crewel embroidery on my own authentic linsey woolsey from a loom, then washed and fulled by me.
17thc. scissors~
Rare 17thc. box joint stool.
A little stream flows just outside the window and we hear lovely, peaceful moving-water sound.
Hand done crewel embroidery on my own linsey woolsey that I got from the loom and washed and fulled myself.
17thc. scissors~
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The river and mill pond and old mill a few doors down from our house.
This mill makes hand made period style exterior wooden shutters for historic buildings and homes all over the world. It is still water powered and they still use much of the 19thc. equipment. The TV show 'THIS OLD HOUSE' did a whole show on the mill here in the early 1990's.
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