Smiling for the Camera!

Toad from Toad Hollow 

Here is our Toad from Toad Hollow smirking for the camera under the Bee Balm.  Toad sits at our front door welcoming our visitors.  He tries to hide, but he is shy. While he might be able to hide among the bee-friendly plants, his eyes attract your eyes.

Toad's eyes are just like your own eyes. They are big and make you feel like you just have to talk to him.  They follow you as you are coming up the walk to the front door.  Who is going to speak first? He is very polite and gives you a chance to start the conversation.

Toad is from a mystical place called Toad Hollow. He has many friends from all walks of life.  You can meet them and invite them to your house by stopping by our house located at:

Shop for Toad and Friends at TheFamilyStore.net in the Garden Decor Section

Our Question Last Week About Boot/Serving Trays

We asked how our customers use boot trays / serving trays and here are a couple of ways we use them. 

The first, the trend is to use high heels and flowers as centerpieces. We added his & her shoes, a purse and pearls. Use as a tabletop arrangement or to greet your guests to make a statement. 

For a nice Fall centerpiece, we used a pumpkin floral arrangement surrounded by fall vegetables.

One more beautiful arrangement using crystal serveware

Shop all our elegant boot/serving trays by clicking on the following link:  

TableTop and Serveware

Bat Week - Our Animal of the Month!

Bats make my skin crawl! They are  creepy and scary and deserve the bad rap they get in my opinion. But they’re an important species that impact our daily lives in ways we might not even realize. From pollinating our favorite fruits to eating pesky insects to inspiring medical marvels, bats are heroes of the night. 

Bat Week is held the last week in October, not just for Halloween but it celebrates the role of bats in nature and all the things that these amazing creatures do for us. 

Here are 13 amazing facts about Bats:

1.  There are 1,300 species of Bats worldwide; the US is home to 43 species.

2.  Not all Bats hibernate. 

3. Bats have few natural predators. Humans are their biggest threat.

4. Without Bats, we would not have bananas, avocados, and mangos. Over 300 species of fruit depend on Bats for pollination.

5. Night insects have the most to fear from Bats.

6. Bats are the only flying mammal.

7. Bats are small and fast. They can fly up to 60 mph.

8. Some Bats are at risk of extinction.

9. The longest living Bat is 41 years old.

10. Bats clean themselves, like Cats.

11. Baby Bats are called pups.

12. About 80 medicines come from plants that rely on Bats for their survival. 

13. Bats have belly buttons.

You can help to protect these amazing creatures by planting a bat garden or installing a bat house. To purchase a Bat house, click on the following link:

TheFamilyStore.net Bat House

For more information, visit the US Department of Interior's website at:

https://www.doi.gov/blog/13-facts-about-bats

New Product - Unforgettaballs! "Whet Your Want Button!"

Featuring the art of Emily Wolfson. The art on these collectable baseballs were created from original paintings and reproduced onto authentic baseballs. There are Unforgettaballs for all occasions. Designs include holidays, occasions, ballparks and stadiums, a great gift for all baseball fans and collectors.

As of today, there are 44 different Unforgettaballs to choose from. Here are just a few to whet your "want button"!

 

AND DON'T FORGET TO USE THE 15% OFF COUPON -

GOOD UNTIL NOVEMBER 16, 2016!

15% Off Coupon!

Save on your holiday budget - 15% Off!

We know that the holiday season puts a strain on the family budget. Buying presents for family and friends and co-workers is very expensive. When you put the costs for food and decorations in the mix, it can stretch the budget beyond breaking!

To help with costs, we are offering a 15% off coupon with this email.  You can use it for buying presents, serve ware, or just something you want for yourself. We have a great selection of gifts for all  those special people in your life. For those parties and feasts, our selection of tabletop and serve ware are the most unique and versatile you will find.  

To receive this discount, enter  Holiday15  in the shopping cart where it says "Use Coupon Code".  The coupon is good until November 16, 2016.

Want to receive an even bigger discount? Show us how you used one of our products, like our Papa John Muggly and we will send you a coupon for a 25% discount on your next order! We love seeing the imagination our customers have when it concerns our unique products. Email pictures to:  vicky@thefamilystore.net  THANKS!

Anthology Potluck Casserole Tote

For a limited time! We are offering the Anthology Potluck Casserole Tote until they are all sold out.

The Potluck is a two-tiered casserole tote with an insulated compartment to carry warm or cold items and a separate zippered entry section on top that can be used for shelf-stable foods, utensils, and the like. Handles at the back have built-in elastic loops to hold one large serving utensil. A framed window slot and ID card will help to ensure your Potluck will make its way back to your kitchen.

They comfortably hold a 9"x13" casserole dish and measure 7" x 16.5" x 10.75"; 8.25 lb. 

Carry your culinary delights safely and fashionably in our Anthology Potluck Casserole Tote to your next holiday party.  Visit  http://thefamilystore.net/catalog/tabletop-and-serveware/anthology-potluck-casserole-tote-16266.html   to get yours today! 

Hurry before they are all gone!

Versatile Boot Trays OR Serving Trays!

It's that time of year again -- bad weather brings rain and snow which can mean mud and slush brought into your house!  If you are like we are, we leave our shoes at the door so we don't track it all through the house.

You can use the usual door mats, we carry them as well, but how about upgrading the look with these wonderful Venetian Bronze or Iron boot trays? We have 8 styles to choose from and they make a great addition to the front or back door.  They are large enough to hold several pairs of shoes, boots, and umbrellas and are very easy to keep clean.

OR -- and this is what I like best -- they have several uses, very versatile.  They can also be used for serving trays! Of course I wouldn't use the same one for both purposes, yuck! They are so economical that you can afford to buy several and use them for what ever reason you like.

We offer one tray that is on wheels that is easy to move and is very unique.  If you are using them as a centerpiece in a tablescape, they make assembly of the piece easy by having the ability to put the centerpiece together in one place and moving it to the table when complete.

View our selection at:  Serving OR Boot Trays

Let us know how you use a serving/boot tray!

What is Tablescaping?

Tablescaping is more than just a tabletop arrangement.  They are centerpieces, design plans, - the look that completes the table and blends in well with the surroundings.

Each item complements the other ones and incorporates the season or occasion being celebrated. The table should be balanced and repeat color, texture, and scale. Items can be mix-matched, but there should be a reason for them to be incorporated into the design.

Tablescapes can be formal or informal, depending on the occasion. You can either dress up just the table or carry the decorative art to any other surface in the room.

Tablescapes are works of art, expressions of love from the hostess that create a sense of joy among the guests that make them feel special and glad to be a part of the festivities.

Entertaining Season Approaching!

Saturday is October already!  The stores are already stocking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you aren't careful all the Halloween decorations will be gone before Halloween even gets here.

Are you planning a Halloween party and need tabletop and serveware? Why not buy things that can be used for Halloween and then used again for Thanksgiving and Christmas and even the New Years celebrations?

We carry tabletop serveware from Fabio Viviani from Top Chef fame. Each item is of the upmost quality and I guarantee no one else will have one too.  Inspired by Viviani's rustic, gourmet cooking style, this premier line of products features items that both assist the at-home chef during cooking, and add style to the presentation.

Three acacia pedestals of varied dimensions nest together compactly for storage and convenience and provide a lovely display for your table. Each wooden tray table has an inlaid double-sided iron skillet which can be used for hot or cold foods. Here is Fabio talking about his great collection on YouTube:

Fabio's can be used for either casual entertaining or a formal presentation of the finest cuisine.  Check out Fabio's and all our other entertaining pieces at:

Tabletop & Serveware for Entertaining

2016 Product Updates!

We have continually added products each month that meet our high standards of quality and uniqueness. Each product has been selected because the cannot be found on every website on the world wide web. Products that have been added since Christmas 2015 are:

Tabletop and Serveware

We don't stop entertaining at Christmas or New Year, there are birthdays, weddings, Easter and many other celebrations that occur all year long. Bring variety to your tabletop and serveware with products that not only help serve but appeal to the eye and palate.

  

The Fajita Station has an Acacia serving tray with 8" ceramic tortilla warmer, 8" cast iron skillet, and three ceramic garnish dishes. 18" x 14". 11.85 lbs. This makes a serve-yourself fajita party eye appealing than just individual bowls of food.                                   

Symphony Appetizer Serving Set

The versatility of the Symphony is truly impressive. It works with hot food, cold food, or messy food with ease. Buy it for Homegating, use it all year long for parties, family dinners and if you take out a bowl, a cute smiley face delight for your children.

We have also added slate and Acacia serving trays and bowls make the party even more festive and give the table a high class feel. Many of our tabletop and serveware are products from a Top Chef contestant Fabio Vivianni.

Garden

Since we have started raising our own chickens, we have added bird feed, peanuts, suet, mealworms, grubs, and nectar to our garden decor.  Previously, we have carried not only decorative and functional birdhouses and birdfeeders. We thought it was high time we added treats as well.

We carry nectar for hummingbirds, meal worms for birds and many other items to feed wild birds.  Click on the above Garden link to view all of our offerings. The birds will thank you!

Other products are continually being added so please visit TheFamilyStore.net and find everything you didn't know you needed but have to have!!