Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

I know I have been speaking about craftsmen and artisans
a lot lately. I can't help it for I see some of the work
these extremely talented people do and just have to share.
When people talk about products being made in the U.S.A
they always forget about these kinds of products and
these are the items that really separate our citizens
from other citizens. I don't just mean craftsmen and Artisans
from the US either, I mean from everywhere in the World. A locally
made item reflects the culture around them and I like to think
of it as product Olympics. Instead of Bob down the block showing
the World how fast he can run or Betty how high she can jump
they are showing you how creative they are in a design of a
quilt or a Coffee Table. I don't know about you guys but when
I see an item that was hand made I am proud the person who made
it is a member of my neighborhood for it reflects the best of
us and the skills our neighbors and friends have. When I buy wind
chimes from a craft show at the local Church the first thing out
of my mouth when someone asks about it is that it was made by
a local person. It makes me proud to be a member of our community
and when I find stores that feature craftsmen that honor old fashion
skills and make items by hand I am proud to shop there for I know
that tradition and quality have not gone down the Assembly line
with Edsel Ford or worse yet, outsourced to another country. I
can still buy it right down the block. When I go on vacations I
seldom hit the tourists stores and instead look for the road
side stands or craft fairs where I can buy an item that truly
reflects the people in that region not just a T-shirt, made in
Taiwan with a Florida Stamp on it. Give me the Sea Shell Necklace
that the lady picked the shells herself and strung in a specific manor
to the wee hours of the night. I want Maple Syrup from Vermont and
Pecans from Georgia. Florida is Oranges and not Coffee Mugs
and better yet is picking them yourself. I support hand made
dolls and toys and clothing and that is one of the reasons I
am so fond of Etsy. It breaks my heart that the guy who hand crafts
a rocking chair that will last several generations can't compete
with the cheap furniture you can pick up at Walmart. If they
only realized that Walmart chair will be gone before their children
outgrow it and the one Gary the Carpenter made will last forever, they
might think twiceabout where they spend their hard earned cash!


I found a store I want to share with you guys for it has that
old world charm, the forgotten quality, that eternal nostalgia
and is created by a man with more talent for his craft then
a whole warehouse of particle board shelf makers at Value Village!
Apply Valley Woodwork's is the name of the store and they dabble in a
little bit of everything as long as it is made out of wood. I
was so impressed with his work I had to contact him and tell him
all about it. When I was young I had a rocking chair, one that was
made just for children, that I loved with all my heart. I passed it
on to Andrew for it was passed on to me from my Mother. I don't know
if it had a history prior to that for I never thought to ask but I
do know had I not suffered a house fire when Andrew was around 5 it
would still be going strong today for it showed no signs of wear and
Andrew was already getting to big for it. It wouldn't have been much
longer before I stored it for his Children and I wish I would have a
little sooner for the only rooms in the house to loose everything were
Andrews room and mine. Had I put it in the basement Rowan would
be rocking away on it today. I have never seen a chair just like that
but because of the love I felt for it I always look at woodworking stores
and privately owned furniture stores. My dream is to someday run across
one and be able to snatch it up for future generations in my family and
though it is not the original it would be an Heirloom to me none the
less. So far I have not came across that style but I have found a lot
of beautiful items and some remarkable products over the years and I
may have walked into a store looking for one thing but I never came
out empty handed. I can't remember just what I was looking for when I
found this next store but once I saw the word "Wood" I knew I had to
check it out for it would be just my luck the one store I didn't look
at would be the store that had just what I was looking for. Now they
did not have my chair but oh, my, the items I found. He offered to
send an item for review and this will be an item that stays in my family
forever too! It is a step stool for Rowan that has her name hand painted
on it and is so superbly crafted I had a hard time telling it was hand
made at all. If it wasn't for the fact you can see the grain in the
wood and swirls from the natural hue of the wood you would swear it was
made from pressed wood for it is just that smooth. A lot of love went into
its making and even more pride for it is completely perfect in its
design. This is something you buy for your child and they pass it on
to theirs and someday a great great great grandchild of yours will be sitting
on it listening to Robo Whatzamabob read them a story while their parents
jet off to Mars for the weekend. This is one of those items in a home that
has history and a story and each person passes down a little more love
with the stool. This is something you daughter asks for five minutes after
she tells you she is going to have your first Grandchild. Something she
explains has to be in the Babies Nursery or the room would just not be
complete. This is a piece of Furniture you build a room around not something
that fills up space. Items like this vibrate with the love of everyone who
sat on them and come with stories and memories all of their own.
Rowans stool is a work of art in my eyes and she already knows it is
hers and though I am not quiet there when it comes to trusting her to sit
on it she has it right next to her in play area 2 ( my room) and it is
her leaning post and where she sets her toys she is busy taking inventory
off and right now she is using it as her own little table and soon I know
I will see her dragging it through the house. Not I am sure she will also
use it to get in a little mischief for hey, if you can't reach the cookie jar
her handy little stool will work great in a pinch but it will also be there
for her when she gets on and off the potty her first time. Or brushes her
teeth at the big girl sink. Or stands next to Mommy and helps to make Holiday
cookies or we cook our first meal together. It will be there with her when
she finds her first hiding spot in the closet or is peaking on the top shelves
of mine looking for a Holiday present with her name on it. She will have it
when we all sit together as a family for a movie or just needs an
extra spot for a friend to sit for her first sleep over. The point is
Apple Valley Woodwork's doesn't make Furniture they make memories
and traditions. Nothing is sitting around waiting to be bought, everything
is made for you. From the time you place your order your piece is
given special attention and detail that reflects in the quality and
is made to last lifetimes. They have the stool that I love so but
you can also get your little Princess a Cradle for her baby that
will stay with her forever. Wooden toys with old fashion charm and
banks that make the perfect gift for any child. Walk over to the
adult side and you will find a Mantle Clock that is so stunning it
took my breath away. We had one in our family forever and I told
you how my Mother and I neglected to fall in love with heirlooms
we should have and made the mistake of giving it away to another
family member. When I saw this one I realized how we never should
have done that for when you own an item like this is becomes a
part of your family's spirit.

Apple Valley Woodwork's has many items you can
personalize and some you can choose the wood or finish or both
and colors to please all. I have always been fond of a natural
finish in my items but as you can see by the Photo of the
Stool they made for Rowan the color and paint gives it a little
girl charm and you know it was made for someone as darling
as she is. Every child has a step stool sometime in their youth
and I am proud Rowans came from a place like Apple Valley
Woodwork's where I know it has the quality to keep up with her
energy and was not only made for her it reflects her personality.
If I had got the stool on my own I would have set her Easter
Basket on it for it would make a darling Easter gift for any little
boy or girl. If you are looking for an item for your own children,
your grandchildren or just a friends or even for something for
yourself, you can not go wrong with a one of kind, gorgeous
item from Apple Valley Woodwork's! I know I will treasure it
forever. I have so fallen in Love with a Rocking Burro the have
on the site and know I have got to get something like that for
Rowan for her Birthday. The only complaint I have is I already
know I will have to listen to a three hour very convincing story
on how the stool would not only look better, but would be safer
at my Mothers house and how she should hold onto it to Rowan
is older and can appreciate it. Now I know as she reads this she
will deny it but she is more like my Grandmother then she knows
and hey, Mom, if it doesn't go perfect here I have no problem painting
for a stool like this makes the room not the other way around!
HAH!


Apple Valley Woodwork's was super great to work with and truly
have as much heart as they do skill at their craft. They have offered
to give one of my readers a stool like Rowan received personalized for
their own child. To enter just head over to their site and take a look
around then come back and tell me what item you would love the most
and who you would give the stool too! The contest will start tonight
and run to Midnight on April 16th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.


Apple Valley Woodworks




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Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


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post that you are. 3 entries,
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post five times.


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Snap,crackle, sizzle and Pop! There is nothing
like the roaring flames of a fire to not only set
the mood but keep you warm, entertain your
guests and all around relax you. I remember some
of the best times in my life started on a cool morning
and my Grandfather stoking the fire to get it really
blazing so I could lay in front of it. Our fireplace then
was used for heat though we had another furnace as
well but I don't ever remember referring to the fireplace
as a practical item or a utility. It was always the breakfast
table to me for Grandpa would make me big bowl of
Oatmeal and I would sit on a pillow in front of the fireplace
and just enjoy the heat. Later, in the evening it was where
everyone gathered in front of to play cards or read for
we, like so many other family's, would position our furniture
around the Fireplace for it was always the key focal point
in any house. A fireplace is just one of those things that will
never go out of style.
To cement my theory I can ask you to look around
at half the homes on the block anymore. Almost everyone
I know has an outdoor fire pit somewhere in their
back yard where they gather with friends when the sun
goes down and kick off the day. I live in a two story condo
and the houses behind me in the subdivision are all one story
ranches and I can look out my daughters bedroom window and
count at least a dozen out there that have people at
them more nights then not. I can hear their laughter and
watch the kids running around in circles delighted
to be out just a "little bit" past their bed times
for its not that their parents don't care what
time they go to bed its more the fact they are to
relaxed to realize what time it is! Now when I was
little my Grandfather had a pole barn to store his
wood in and would cut it off his own land and
spent a zillion weekends to chop it all up. Acquiring
wood was a huge deal and I remember one time we were
at a family friends for a gathering and I noticed
that my Grandfather and all the Husbands and men
were missing and feeling like I could be missing out
on something too I went off in search of them.
I located all the men in the garage where they were
taking turns playing with "Mr. Ed's"new toy. A wood chopper.
The things men do! Now this toy cost thousands of dollars
and all it really was is a conveyor belt that ran a log
down it to a blade. Then Bam, chopped wood. It also took
up a third of his four car garage so you really can't
carry it in your pocket. Now they were enthralled and
even as a child I could not understand why.
"What's it for?"
"Chop-pen some wood there, little girl."
"why do you have it?"
"To save money and not have to pay for cord
after cord of wood."
"Did you get it free?"
"Nope, this here was an investment to be sure!"
"So a Chainsaw is cheaper?"
"yes, but that takes a lot of work!"
"Do people come and put those big logs on it for
you?"
I could tell he was getting a little mad at my questions.
"No there little girl. I go cut them down in my woods!"
"Just like a chain saw?"
"I told you this was less work!"
"Oh, why don't you just buy the wood already cut?"
"Too Expensive!"
"Isn't the cutter thing expensive?"
"But it will last forever!"
Lucky for me my Grandfather also saw the silliness
of a man buying an item like this for a home fireplace
and chimed in with, "Until it breaks!" and I had
the chance to flee. To this day though I still do not
see the logic in paying all the money for something he
will only use once or twice a year. Now these men had
the luxury to have a forest out their back door so
they could collect wood for their fireplaces whenever
they needed without worrying about things like storage
or carting wood from a store to your home or even
locating a place that sells wood to begin with. Now
with the popularity of Fire pits I have noticed you
can get firewood at your local gas station or
7-11 now a days but that didn't used to always be
the case. Years ago we would have to travel out to
the country and buy in bulk and store it or have it
delivered and once again store it, and if you were
really lucky you could find it at your local hardware
store and what, you guessed it, store it. Now it
comes in pre-cut packages that are wrapped and ready
to go without the hassle of storing it or getting
your car or home all covered with pieces of bark or
other items that fall off the wood.
Durastax is one of those brands and i got a chance
to do a review for them and I really liked how it
turned out. We have an issue around here with Rats
and since I live so close to Detroit they are big
city Rats, not cute little field mice and storing
wood is a major problem. You have to have it so
high off the ground and there can only be so much
and it has to be covered due to city ordnance to
keep this problem under control. This makes it next
to imposable to buy wood in bulk or even by the
cord for the only place to store it is in your
garage or if you do not have one like I don't in
your basement. What a pain. The problem I have ran
into is two fold:
1. finding a pre-packaged brand of wood I can afford
that does not cost and arm and a leg.
2. finding one that is easily available
3. easy to store
4. quality wood that is consistent each time. I don't
want to buy something and have it burn slow one night
and get the same amount and it be gone in an hour the
next.
5. A name brand I can trust
6. A wood that is easy to use and I do not have to preform
circus tricks to get it to light.
DuraFlame gave me the chance to review their Duraflame Stax.
A remarkable firewood that was supposed to be answer to all
my issues and more. Best of all I would not have to break a
sweat cutting it myself ( as if!), pay someone a small fortune
to deliver it and drive myself nuts trying to store it or
remortgage my house for a Log Splitter that will take up half
my yard and scare the dog. The Package came and the logs didn't
look very large. They looked really tidy and I thought no way
were these puppies going to give off any heat. These are show
logs. You know, the kind the perfection people toss in their
never used fireplace to keep up the appearance they use it.
I decided to try them in the fire pit for the directions said
you can use them their, your fireplace or even in wood stove.
The were made to look like split wood and the perfect size
for the fire pit. Best of all one of my pet peeves about the fire pit
is you do not have a lot of room to stack a bunch like you
can in a fireplace and it burns so fast you are always tossing
more wood into the fire, these were meant to burn with two
so it was ideal for the fire pit. Plus they burned forever and
so long in fact I never even used the 3rd log for I lit the
fire at 6pm and at midnight I had to put it out for I was
going to bed soon and they were still burning strong.I could
not believe that for I would have went through a cord or more
with regular wood. Now I was impressed. Plus, wanna see me get
floored more? It is cold here in Michigan and I didn't think
I would be out there long. IT IS COLD! Even with the fire pit
roaring it can not toss off enough heat to keep you toasty so
it may be fun to sit by the fire on a cold night it is also
well, COLD. I don't care if there were 12 logs in the pit,
shiver me timbers. You have to sit right up on it too feel any
heat for unlike the house with the fire pit there is tons
of places for the heat to go. Straight up into the wild blue
yonder is a big one, so you pretty much have to kiss the fire
to get some of that heat your way. With the Durastax it was
like fire to the power of ten! Can one wood burn hotter then
another? Not a rocket scientists but I got to tell you it
sure felt like it did and by a lot too! Heck, add a few more
degree's and I could have taken off my coat and did a jig.
I loved these logs! I found a new home for them and I can
get all warm and cuddly all over.

I went and read through the literature and checked out
the web site for I was curious on why these seemed so warm.
I have used Duraflame many times and though they were my
preferred brand anyways, I don't remember them being this
hot, really, there is that much of a difference. What I found
out was they are specially formatted to burn solid and are
stacked to give off a more "real" appearance.
They even hit details like the charred edges and ashy-ness of a
real log.Just by the way they are built they give off 50% more
BTU then a normal log. Factor in both the regualr Duraflame
and the super awesome new and my favorite choice Stax, burn
cleaner and are greener and give off less emissions then regular
old wood and are made from 100% renewable resources to start with.
No cutting down a forest to heat your home. Lets see here, no
hard work obtaining the wood. No storage issues and they are so
affordable. No wood shake and mess all over your home. They
burn brighter, longer and hotter and are green and earthfriendly to boot!
Sign me up, I am in!

Duraflame Stax wants you to be in too! The send me two coupons
for free Duraflame Stax for they know that like me once you try them
there is no going back. To enter just head over to their site and take
a look around then come back here and post something you have
learned in a comment. The contest will start tonight and run to march
5th at midnight.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Duraflame Stax


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Costumes for Less and Happy Baby Food Contests!