Product Spotlight -- Wrought Iron

TheFamilyStore.net carries an extensive line of wrought iron products including: Giftware, Lawn & Garden, Home Interior Accessories, and Candleware to add charm and beauty to your home & yard.


Our vendor has been family owned and operated for over 33 years. During that time, they have made major shifts internally to make sure our Customers / Buyers are given excellent service as well as superior products.

Their products are proudly made in the USA since 1975 by American craftsmen, supporting American workers.   All products are lead free, only high quality domestic materials used. The wrought iron has a flat black powder coating that is baked on to ensure our customers will enjoy each piece for many years.

We have been carrying this line of wrought iron products for over 10 years and have rave reviews.  Try them you will like them too!

Bird of the Month for October

Blue Jay

• Blue Jays aren’t actually blue. In fact, the pigment in their feathers is brown. Scattering light in the structural parts of the feathers causes us to see the blue coloration.
• The oldest known wild Blue Jay lived to be at least 17 years 6 months, which is nearly two years older than the oldest recorded Northern Cardinal.
• Blue Jays are omnivores, but they mainly stick to vegetation, berries, acorns and more. While they are infamous and sometimes loathed for eating the eggs of other birds, this behavior is actually quite rare.
• With the ability to mimic the calls of hawks, like the Red-shouldered Hawk, it’s believed that Blue Jays use the calls as a warning or to trick other species.
• Sometimes, Blue Jays take ants and wipe them across their feathers – a practice known as “anting.” Scientists believe they do this to make certain ants secrete their harmful spray, so they’re fit for digestion.
• Blue Jays form monogamous relationships that can last multiple breeding cycles. A pair will usually stay together until one of them dies.

Reference: backyardchirper.com – 10 Interesting Facts About Blue Jays by Timothy Martinez Jr.

Please be sure and visit our website for all your birding needs:  TheFamilyStore.net

Reset your bookmarks!

It is time to reset your bookmarks! As of October 4th, our new and improved website is now on-line.  All links to thefamilystore.net have changed.

I am very proud of the new website. It has improved maneuverability, easier to see pictures, more functions such as wishlists, gift registry, gift certificates and emails to friends.  You may either establish an account so that it is easier for us to contact you. We still completely protect your identity and information, that is still paramount with me!  But if you do not wish to establish an account, you may still shop without one.

There are also new products from new companies such as cast iron cookware and home and garden decor.  Talk about lasting a life-time - these products will be treasures to hand down from generation to generation.  Collectibles from Roman, Thomas Kinkade, and Joseph's Studio are also new to the store.  Coming in the near future are blankets from Pacific Blanket and high quality bedding and bath items that I am very excited about.

I hope that you will find shopping with us even easier.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

 http://thefamilystore.net

Bird of the Month for August - Black-Capped Chickadee

• The Black-capped Chickadee has a short neck and a large head, giving it a rather spherical body shape.
• Chickadees aren't the most fluid flyers, often they bounce around while flying in flocks and on't stay long at a feeder; rather, they'll grap a seed to eat elsewhere.
• Black-capped Chickadees also sore feed, except they don't in one place, Typically they'll hide seeds in different spots and can remember thousands of these hiding spots.
• Chickadee calls are complex but work effectively. They have communicating information, predator alarms, as well as contact calls. The more "dee" notes in a Chickadee's call means a higher level of  threat.

Tips for washing your stuffed animal!

People don’t always realize you can clean stuffed animals, but, luckily, you can!

You can put stuffed animals in a typical washing machine. First, pre-treat stains like you’d do for your clothes. Use laundry stain remover, or even upholstery/carpet cleaner. Next, if the stuffed animal has any accessories like clothes, jewelry or battery cases inside, remove them temporarily. Those can be washed separately.

Find a white or light-colored pillowcase, and insert the stuffed animal inside. Tie the pillowcase securely; use a pin if necessary. Put the filled pillowcase into your washing machine and add some cool water liquid cleaner for “delicates,” along with fabric softener. Let the washing cycle run.

When the item(s) are finished being washed, transfer them to your dryer and use medium heat. For smaller stuffed animals, run the dryer for about 20 minutes, and for larger ones, about 45 minutes. If you want to, after drying use the “fluff cycle” for an extra five minutes if needed. You can also use a hair dryer on the animal, or let it dry naturally over a couple days.

Some stuffed animals shouldn’t go in the washing machine. If they’re stuffed very firmly or with styrene foam, foam beads or excelsior, give these animals a “dry bath,” sprinkling baking soda on the animal, letting it sit for about 15 minutes, and then brushing it off. You can also use a vacuum cleaner hose and brush attachment to dust your stuffed animal on occasion.

When your stuffed animal has minor stains that don’t warrant a full wash, try using a mild, all purpose cleaner and giving the animal a gentle “sponge bath.” For tougher stains, use a soft scrub brush with the all purpose cleaner.

If the stuffed animal has plastic parts that are dirty, use rubbing alcohol to remove the spots or stains.

If you suspect your stuffed animal has dust mites, place it in a plastic bag in your freezer overnight, and use a vacuum cleaner on it the next day.
 

New Gnomes from Toad Hollow!

A wide variety of Gnomes from Toad Hollow have joined our collection!  Meet Hippie Chick Janice, her boyfriend Hippie Dude Jerry and other friends like Elfin Jon and Marilyn Gnome.  They are joined by the like of The Fonz, Vegas, and of course Showgirl! Babs Poodle and Betty The Drive In show off their colorful pink uniforms reminding me of the wonderful 1970's I grew up in!

Bikers on Bikes are here along with Policeman Gnomes, Fireman, and Hunters, both man and woman! Top Gun, Sailor and Speed Racer join our gang as well. And as usual, there has to be a Poindexter in the club too.  See all our collection of Gnomes from Toad Hollow at:

http://www.thefamilystore.net/ToadHollow_Gnomes.htm

We're waiting for you!!

"Bird" of the Month - Monarch Butterfly

I love butterflies! I try to go once a year to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and watch the Monarch Butterflies as they travel through Fort Worth.  You are able to interact with butterflies and it is an amazing experience.   Here are a few facts about Monarchs:

■ Monarch Butterflies have been known to travel as much as 5,000 miles in a year! They're also one of the few insects thats capable of making a trans-Atlantic crossing.

■Milkweed contains a chemical that tastes disgusting to birds. If birds didn’t associate that taste with the Monarchs, the butterflies would be nearly defenseless against them. Milkweed is the host plant for Monarchs, so if you want to attract them to your garden, make sure Milkweed is a prominent plant.

■During the larval stage of their lifetime, the Monarch Butterfly is completely dependent on milkweed.

■It's believed that the Monarch Butterfly uses the Earth's magnetic field to find the town of Angangueo, Mexico where it spends the winter avoiding the cold.

TheFamilyStore.net offers many butterfly-inspired products.  Just type butterfly in the search box and you will be provided with links to them all!

New Dog and Cat Products Available

We have obtained a new supplier of wonderful products for your dog and cat.  We are working on updating our website with even more products for your small pet as well. 

We are now able to offer a large variety of feeding and watering systems, containment, crates, beds and wonderful storage systems life the fire hydrant pictured here!  There are unique perches, play houses and scratching posts for your cat for both inside and outside play. Do you take your dog to the beach?? We have life vests for all sizes of pets.

Don't just seat belt yourself and your children in the car when you travel, your pet needs to be safe as well.  We have tethers and harnesses for all sizes to keep your pet safe in the car as you drive.

Check out all our pet products at:  http://www.thefamilystore.net/Dog_Cat_accessories.htm   We are constantly adding wonderful products on a daily basis.  Coming soon are training products for hunting dogs and show dogs as well.

American Goldfinch - Bird for the Month of May

American Goldfinch

• The American Goldfinch is the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington.
  
  ■Goldfinches are usually easy to find throughout much of North America, except in deep forests. Their po-ta-to-chip flight call draws attention to them in open country. They’re most abundant in areas with thistle plants, and near feeders.
  
  ■Goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet and only inadvertently swallowing an occasional insect.
  
  ■As of May 2007, the oldest known American Goldfinch was 10 years 5 months old.
  
  See all our products such as feeders and nesting materials for Goldfinches and Goldfinch-themed items at:  http://www.thefamilystore.net/Goldfinch.htm

Fun Hummer Facts

Did you know.....?

• Hummingbirds beat their wings about 78 times per second. During a display dive, their wings can beat up to 200 times per second.
• They take about 250 breaths per minute.
• Their hearts beat about 1,260 times per minute.
• Their tongues can reach out over 2-3" and can easil;y be seen in a clear test tube.
• They have 1,500 feathers
• During migration they must fly 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico to reach their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. To make the trip, they must eat enough so they weight 1 1/2 times their usual weight.
• They can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour and can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways, and even upside down briefly, but they can't walk.
• They consume half their body weight (1/8 lb.) in food every day. That would be like an average kid eating about 40 to 50 pounds of food a day.
• Average life span is 3-5 years. Maximum 12 years.

Above courtesy of Stokes Hummingbird book.

Hummingbirds are extremely loyal to feeding sites. A hummingbird that feeds in your yard one year will return to that feeder the next. As the male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is so territorial, one key is to offer lots of feeders. No matter what kind of feeders you decide to use, remember two Golden Rules: Keep the feeder clean and the nectar fresh. Hummers keep their distance from fermented nectar.


Want to watch a live streaming nest cam which shows a hummer building her nest? -- go to:
http://www.livestream.com/hummingbirdsociety

TheFamilyStore.net offers a wonderful collection of hummer products from nectar and feeders to hummingbird-themed products.  Go to: 
http://www.thefamilystore.net/Hummingbirds.htm

New products for spring!

The last few months I have been working on new products to offer for spring.  They are for your home and garden, children every one else you know. 

First, are children's hats.  They offer Smart Strap breakaway chin straps, internal sizing band for custom fits and most importantly UPF 50+ ratings. There are 3 colors and styles for boys and girls to choose from.  I am looking forward to also offering ladies and children's reversible sunhats in the very near future, stay tuned!  Children's hats can be viewed and purchased at:  http://www.thefamilystore.net/Kids_Hats.htm

Along with hats that provide protection from the sun, I now have a wonderful line of umbrellas.  I have fashion umbrellas that make a statement along with protection from the weather along with sports umbrellas and umbrellas for the children that make them want to use them and not get wet.  They are at: http://www.thefamilystore.net/Umbrella.htm

For your garden and the birds you love, we have added a great selection of Architectural & Functional Birdhouses.  This picture shows the Annapolis Lighthouse Birdhouse which is based on the historic Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse that is located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland and DC area icon, built in 1875, and now unmanned, is automated and remains an active weather station and navigational aid.  There are many other birdhouses depicting famous landmarks such as the Hotel California for Purple Martins.  It is spring, so the birds are returning, provide a wonderful house for them to return to!  They are located at:  http://www.thefamilystore.net/Bird_Residences.htm

Don't just dress up your yard, but make your mailbox stand out as well!  MailWraps are now joining our offerings. They are all-weather vinyl MailWraps brand mailbox cover. Meets all U.S. Postal requirements No tools needed. Attaches securely with built-in magnetic straps to standard metal mailboxes. An adapter kit is avaliable for plastic mailboxes. And more importantly, Made in the USA!

I am anxious to add more items from MailWraps such as their garden and home flags and Yard DeSigns. MailWraps can be viewed and purchased at:  http://www.thefamilystore.net/Mail_Wraps.htm

Along with our usual garden decor offerings we have added more wind chimes and bells, bird feeders, and for your home, great tables.   I am expecting in the coming weeks to add loofah scrubbing pads; the Luvali Reversible Hats; coasters, mugs, clocks, cuttings boards and more from Highland; wasp traps from Toland; and to join our MailWraps metal planters for mail boxes. Check back often and if you are looking for something in particular, please let me know!

Featured Bird for the month of February

Eastern Bluebird ■Eastern Bluebirds put their nests in natural cavities or in nest boxes or other artificial refuges. Among available natural cavities, bluebirds typically select old woodpecker holes in dead pine or oak trees, up to 50 feet off the ground. ■Eastern Bluebirds typically have more than one successful brood per year. Young produced in early nests usually leave their parents in summer, but young from later nests frequently stay with their parents over the winter. ■Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed capturing and eating larger prey items such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs. ■The oldest recorded Eastern Bluebird was 10 years 5 months old. View all of our bluebird-themed products and products for Bluebirds on our website TheFamilyStore.net

Great new products to start the new year!

Thank you to all our customers for making 2012 a great year for TheFamilyStore.net! We appreciate your faithfulness and patronage. January has brought many new and exciting products for your consideration. We have new products in Cookware, Flatware, and BBQ utensils.

New categories we are now able to offer are: Gun Accessories and

Scarf Charms.

New products are also offered in the following categories: Dog & Cat Accessories; Swords; Knives; NFL Sports Collectors items. Many more items are going to be available in the month of February. We are adding novelties for all sports collector's teams and starting our NASCAR line as well. We are also going to have a line of umbrellas and children's hats for the stormy spring available. We are excited for all the new products for the coming months. Be sure and visit us and if you have any questions please let me know!

Featured Bird of the Month for January

The Great Horned Owl ■ Great Horned Owls are one of the largest of North American owls - about the size of a Red-tailed Hawk. ■Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. ■The Great Horned Owl is the only animal that regularly eats skunks. ■The Great Horned Owl is a regular victim of harassment from flocks of American Crows. Crows congregate from long distances to mob owls, and may continue yelling at them for hours. The enmity of the crows is well earned; however, as the owl is probably the most important predator on adult crows and nestlings.