Buy The Right Mat by Custom Cordage and Save 20% Online Now! (offer expires 5/15/2012)
We first came across The Right Mat over 3 years ago and instantly fell in love with this eco-friendly, colorful Lobster Rope Doormat. Made by Custom Cordage in Waldoboro, Maine each doormat is handwoven from recycled Maine float-rope once used by Maine lobstermen. Instead of sending this wonderful rope to landfills, the owner of Custom Cordage, David Bird, came up with the clever idea to weave them into durable doormats.
We’ve known David Bird for years now and are thrilled his innovative idea has become so popular. And, as the first to sell the Lobster Rope Doormats online we’ve shipped colorful float-rope to all corners of the nation.
Now, here’s our latest picks for top The Right Mat doormat colors:
1) The Colors of Maine (funky multi-colored ropes woven based upon what’s available at the time)
2) Purple, Orange, Yellow -(so vibrant – it just pops off your doorstep!)
3) Seafoam, Yellow, Black (this handsome doormat is a bit more conservative with just there right amount of yellow splash)
4) Seafoam & Orange (maybe you caught this one running in a major TV spot for any insurance company…?)
5) Orange, Green, Black (very pleasing 3-stripe color combination)
Check out all the colors and sizes of Lobster Rope Doormats online now. And, if you’re ever near Waldoboro Maine, please stop by Custom Cordage and tell David Bird we said hello!
We all know them. The guys that go mute when it comes to gift-giving. Try as you might to get them to spill the beans, they’ll never tell you what they really want. My dad is one of those guys. Everytime us kids asked him what he wanted for Father’s Day or Christmas he’d just say “P & Q”. Ugh! Thank goodness for Aqua Velva.
This year, when it comes to gift-giving for men I’m going to boycott the department store displays that present everything from a radio-controlled nose hair trimmer to an inflatable desk set with built-in golf course. I’m not going to browse the bookstore looking for the last best seller, knowing he’s probably already downloaded it onto his Kindle. And, I am definitely not going with socks (although my husband REALLY needs them).
This year all the men in my life are getting a handmade rustic leather journal. It works well for those who like to journal regularly, it’s a wonderful “idea book” for any businessman, and it’s a great way for my dad to jot down notes and measurements on his current workshop project. It’s just cool. From capturing trip memories and notes (my parents like to get in the car and drive for days without any real plan), to simply logging the important memories of the day. This is a gift I know they’ll like but would probably never splurge on for themselves!
The Torbat Leather Journal sort of reminds me of something an early explorer might have had in his pack… rustic brown leather filled with heavy-stock ivory vellum pages that are actually hand-torn for an aged look. A leather wraparound strap secures the journal on the outside. It’s very Indiana Jones-ish, I must say!
The Trees Leather Journal is made from a soft medium brown leather with a hand-stamped image of a forest on the cover. It, too, has the unique hand-torn pages.
Both make great gifts for Dad, Hubby, Bro… and especially Gramps. And, if it turns out they really DID want the radio-controlled nose butler, then The New England Trading Company has a great return policy (although we’ve never received a journal back to date!).
Caring for your wood bowls is actually quite easy. Just remember 3 things:
1) Wash each wood bowl by hand but never let it sit in water.
2) Sanitize with white vinegar.
3) Season your wood bowls when you first buy them and once a month thereafter. This tip is important – but often skipped. Why?
Most people purchase mineral oil and soak their wood bowls for hours to season them. In my opinion that’s a lot of messy work and hassle. It makes seasoning your wood bowls a task you love to procrastinate. But, all you need to season your bowls in 15 minutes is a special bowl rub formula that was first used by colonial bowl turners in 1820. It was developed by Iddo Kimball, a dry goods merchant and cobbler, and you can find this unique wood bowl rub here.
Just apply the rub to your new bowl daily for 1 week and rub off the excess. After a week, apply the rub once per week for 3 weeks. Thereafter you just need to apply the rub monthly. And, it only takes 15 minutes and is mess-free. No drips or spills to clean up. This wonderful wood bowl rub protects your bowls from drying out and leaves a soft luster. Works wonders on older bowls, too! Now everyone can revive their woodenware regularly, hassle-free.
Find more information on wood bowl care.
OK, I admit it. There’s 2 reasons for this blog post. First, I need to introduce you all to The Maine Blanket – a collection of wool throws we’ve recently added that are crafted on a sustainable farm in Maine.
And, second…? I am dying to share these pictures of the most amazingly adorable lambs and border collies that live on that Maine farm. I better get it out of the way or I won’t be able to concentrate.
Makes us want to start raising sheep!
OK, onto the other star of the show: The Maine Blanket. An incredibly soft all-natural throw that is bio-regionally produced (all steps of production occur within a 5-hour radius). Nanne, a wool expert and owner of the Maine farm, not only raises the grass-fed sheep, trains the border collies that herd the flock, shears the 100% fine wool , but dyes the wool in an exclusive botanical and seawater process that replaces chemicals and petroleum heat.
And, the most important part? They’re ITCH-FREE. Maybe that’s not the most important (given how environmentally responsible these products are) but late at night you know it matters!
Nanne’s blanket have been on display at Maine State Museum and now you can enjoy them in your own home. They’re the greenest source of warmth you’ll find this winter! And, just think of those cute lambs as you cuddle up in the all-natural warmth created right here in New England.
The Granite Drink Chiller phenomenon continues! Sea Stones latest offering in the “cool way to cool your drink” category are these funky swizzle sticks that have 2 granite stones attached to them. You pop them in the freezer for bit and when they’re nice and cold use them to mix and chill your drink. Really, what a fun way to serve Long Island ice teas, Highballs, or even sparkling water to your guests. They’re certainly a unique conversation piece.
I’m actually planning to use the set of 2 swizzle sticks as a hostess gift this year. Made from New Hampshire granite, they arrive with a free glass, a free wood stand (it’s a sturdy way of storing them in your bar or freezer), and a free gift box. So, basically, just add the gift wrap and you’re done!
You can find the Sticks & Stones Granite Swizzle Sticks at The New England Trading Company this holiday season. Available individually and in sets of 2.
We’re very excited to now offer these new Lobster Rope Baskets! Made from the same recycled lobster rope used for our popular Lobster Rope Doormats, these vibrant and colorful baskets are handwoven in Down East Maine. They’re another innovative way to recycle the Maine float-rope that was once used to tether lobster traps together in the Atlantic Ocean. Maine fishermen can no longer use float-rope because it was entangling and causing injury to the Northern Right Whale (a protected species). They’ve switched to safer sinking rope - which is great for the whales but not so much for the environment. With hundreds of thousands of pounds of discarded rope destined for landfills it only made sense that a clever Mainer decided to start weaving it into doormats – and now baskets!
The float rope baskets come in 2 sizes – Medium and Large – and in a multitude of colors. The color basket you receive is dependent upon the rope available at the time but no worries – ALL the baskets look great and add a nice splash of unexpected color to any room.
For specific color requests, please call 1-877-244-7789.
The New England Trading Company has been selling the Lobster Rope Doormats since 2009, along with other unique handcrafted items made in New England.
Hi everyone,
Our guest blogger, Martin Crawford, just posted a new article about his experience grilling salmon on cedar planks for the first time. It’s a quick read, and even includes a tip on a perfect beer (yes, beer!) to pair with it. Hey, it’s all about the taste.
Check out his post here: Cedar Plank Grilling: Eat Like a King
Cedar plank grilling works well for salmon and shrimp, as Martin points out, but we’ve also had great success with steak kabobs and even chicken. The smoky taste is light, not overpowering, and just seems to enhance the marinade.
And the smell while it is cooking is enough to make your mouth water and stomach grumble. In fact I definitely recommend enjoying an appetizer first, or you just might devour your dinner!
We just love this Compass Rose Copper Table. It works both as a distinctive side table or as a spotlight piece between two cozy armchairs in your living room. Just gazing at the compass rose etched into the copper table top makes you imagine long voyages at sea, spices and other goods being sold and traded, salty wind and water rising up quickly during an unexpected squall, the challenges faced by brave sailors over the course of hundreds and hundreds of years… and all the mysteries that lay below the ocean surface.
This impressive 18″ diameter copper table is handcrafted right here on the New England seacoast and sits atop of solid mahogany base. It includes the famouse Oliver W. Holmes quote “The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving…We must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
Rarely is this copper top table on sale… but for now it is being offered for 10% off. Offer subject to change anytime… now’s the time to order your table and save over $75.
Apple Maple Dribble from The New England Trading Company
We just started carrying these new all-natural Apple Maple Dribble, Blueberry Pie Dribble, and Raspberry Dribble - delicious! Here’s a great new recipe to try with the Apple Maple Dribble:
Apple Maple Glazed Chicken with Apple Stuffing
Apple Maple Glazed Chicken with Apple Stuffing
4 medium sized chicken breasts (bone in)
1 bottle Apple Maple Dribble
1 package stuffing mix
1 apple diced
1 small onion diced
salt
pepper
nonstick cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour 1/3 cup of the Apple Maple Dribble into a cup or small bowl. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper, place in a glass baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Brush on Apple Maple Dribble with a basting brush. Repeat every 15 minutes or so until the chicken is golden brown (cooking time should be about 1 hour). Discard any remaining Apple Maple Dribble that remains in the basting bowl.
In the last fifteen minutes of cooking time for the chicken prepare stuffing as follows:
Spray medium sauce pan with cooking spray and place on medium heat. Sauté apples and onions for 5 minutes. Do not brown. Add 1 cup of water and remainder of the bottle of Apple Maple Dribble. Bring to a boil. Add dry stuffing mix and remove from the burner. Let sit with the cover on for 5 minutes.
Serve immediately.
Imagine the warm, comforting aroma of short ribs that have been slow cooking all day while you’re at work. Mmmmm…. and, even better, you can prep this entire recipe the night before. Just pop it into the crock pot before you leave for work!
Winter Short Ribs in the Crock Pot
5-6 pounds of bone-in-beef short ribs
extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
2 jars Goodies Barbecue Sauce
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
Season ribs with salt and pepper. Coat a large skillet with olive oil. Brown both sides of the ribs for 2 minutes on medium high heat (don’t over crowd, cook in batches if necessary). Remove ribs and place in crock pot. Saute chopped vegetables on medium heat until light golden brown. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Pour vegetable mixture over ribs in crock pot adding Goodies Barbecue Sauce and liquid smoke. Cook on low for 8 hours. Ribs should be tender but not falling off bones.
