A few weeks ago I asked our Phineas Wright House facebook group how they like to dress up their morning oatmeal. I, for one, am a savory oatmeal eater treating it more like polenta adding sautéed spinach, an over-easy egg, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. All of their answers were on the sweet side and they all sounded delicious. This got me to thinking; why don't we eat our oatmeal the way we make our cookies?  And the even better question, why don't we make our cookies the way we eat our oatmeal? 

And that is how a new recipe is born. I started with two of my favorite oatmeal cookie recipes; one produces huge, dense, substantial cookies, the other a flat, chewy spicy cookie.  The best of these two with the addition of mix in combos that reflect what a Saturday morning at the PWH might boast. For our test kitchen efforts I used the following classic pairings:

apricots & walnuts
cranberries & pecans
raisins & almonds

Choose one of these or create your own; and if you do, please post a picture and tag us (@phineaswrighthouse) so I can see your yummy creation.

 Welcome to favorite Friday's when I highlight a favorite recipe, kitchen tool, cookbook, or anything else I'm currently fangirling over.
It today's segment we're highlighting a frittata recipe that takes advantage of the bounty of our garden and chicken coop. Get your copy of the recipe here. 

Happy Friday!  It's official, I miss entertaining.  Although there is no shortage of cooking going on, I miss cooking for friends.  In an attempt to fill that void I'm going live in the FaceBook group over the next week to demonstrate all the steps to make three delicious meals that we will repurpose into three additional meals.  You read that right, six meals!  Not a FaceBook fan? No problem! You can also find a Zoom link by choosing "join us in the kitchen".  I honestly have no idea how this is all going to work out, but I'm looking forward to trying something new with you! Bon Appetit!

Happy Friday!
Each week in the facebook group, I highlight a favorite kitchen tool, cookbook, recipe, or anything that I'm currently fangirling over. This week I'm sharing a couple of quick favorite happy hour recipes: rosemary cashews and a gin & tonic. These are tough times for all, but the extrovert in me is really missing a party... any party. Some modifications were made due to supplies on hand, but the end result is still celebration-worthy. T.G.I.F.

Get your copy of the recipe at here 

Like everyone else on the planet, we're reeling at the rapidly changing norms caused by the coronavirus.  We are all trying to do the best we can, but it is far from easy.  There are many uncertainties, but today we are grateful for the things we know.  God is in control, we are safe and healthy at home, technology is helping us feel connected to our work, school, and church communities; as well as providing a platform for a few virtual cocktail parties.  There are plenty of chores to do as we prepare the barn, garden and property for the warmer days ahead.  
Although we had planned to begin the barn workshop series in April, that now seems as likely as kids going back to school.  We've rescheduled the April workshops (barn and kitchen) to the first week of June; as the date approaches we will revise as necessary.  We thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate these unchartered waters.
We are so grateful for your continued support and thrilled to be a part of your "re-entry into society" process.  Intimate, interactive experiences have always been our signature and we couldn't be more grateful for that model now. 

I'm so excited to share what is on the calendar of events for 2020, but first an explanation of what is not.  For the past few years I've had the absolute privilege of working closely with the talented, grounded, super kind, Barbara Rietscha of Field & Vase by Stow Greenhouses.  She has shared her vast knowledge of floral design as well as the bounty of her flower farm with us over the course of almost 20 workshops.  After multiple years as a farmer, floral designer, and operator of TWO retail outlets in Boston she has finally come to her senses and decided to retire.  Her gain of rest and balance is most certainly our loss!  Thank you Barbara, for your wisdom and support of the PWH community; you will be missed.

Thankfully the dinner-plate-dahlia sized hole that Barbara's absence has created is about to be filled up!  I'm thrilled to announce a new collaboration with two local creatives, Joya Mutti and Brittany Peck, who will be presenting multiple workshops and a summer camp!  You can check out their bios on the about page.

The barn workshop season opens on Friday, April 24!  Sign up early to secure your spot.  I'm eager to learn with you!
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I heard a quote last fall that affected me in a profound way. “Extra time doesn’t allow you to do more, it allows you to be more.” Ever since, I’ve tried to add a 30 minute buffer to when we need to leave the house. This has allowed me to model grace and kindness to Amelia through my words (tone!) and deeds.
My mum, always said, “impatience is never attractive.” As evidenced by anyone raging in the car behind you! Or me, if we’re running late.
Today, instead of busting out the super long list of outdoor chores, I built a fort with this silly girl. After 29 years in Southern California and 15 in the SF Bay Area, I love that I finally live in a place with space to play, explore and live my very best life.

I would love to have you host a milestone event in this dreamy space.  For you to look back on this fabulous perfect day with all the feels; falling in love, surrounded by your favorite people, your whole life ahead of you...

but what would really fill my tank is for you to find your time here restorative; an escape from your to-do list or the routines that overwhelm. 
I want this to be a place where you can be.
Be present.
Be celebrated. 
Be encouraged. 
Spend a few hours in my dream life, without the chores and the hard parts and the utility bills. 

In conversations with people in town who realize which house is ours, they are quick (and kind) to say how beautiful it is.  My immediate response is "thank you.  At 30mph it looks great!"  Up close, it is far from perfect.  Just like me.  It is also worlds apart from any place I've ever lived.  It is dreamy and inspiring and fabulous.  I have always felt this place is too much goodness for one family; and so I invite you to come.  I invite you to be.  And in your creative pause from all that makes up your day to day, YOU are making my dream job a reality.

With loads of gratitude,
Wendy
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Welcome to a new year, a new decade, and a new refined focus of what I hope to accomplish in 2020.  I've done quite a bit of soul searching, praying, and investigating about what is next for the Phineas Wright House.  Attempting to balance work and life when they occur at the same street address can be a challenge.  The demands of life as well as managing the needs of this old lady (I'm referring to the house and barn, not myself!) can feel equally overwhelming and inspiring.  I've received motivation and encouragement from trusted friends, enthusiastic workshop attendees, as well as favorite  podcasters Kelsey Murphy  (Whiskey and Work) and Cathy Heller (Don't Keep Your Day Job).  I say all this to add context to why you will be hearing more from me in the coming months.  More dreaming, more vision casting, more workshops added to the calendar with the overarching goal of celebrating you!  If there is a workshop you'd be interested in, let me know and we'll add it to the growing list.   Leave your ideas in the comments; let's learn together in 2020!
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The Rustic Wreath Workshop was really the catalyst for all the floral design workshops offered.  For years, my dear friend Sharon and I  would meet up one October Saturday paper bag, clippers, and step stool in hand to walk around the Stanford Campus foraging for fall goodness.  Any yellow, orange or brown foliage was lovingly transported back to her cottage to be attached to a grapevine wreath.  When I moved to New England I dreamed of doing the same thing in my very own barn.  This event is my dream come true!
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