Spring Cleaning is Done

April prepares her green traffic light, and the world thinks "Go!" - Christopher Morley

We've done quite a lot of spring cleaning here at the store.  March winds blew out with a bang (and one final snow-storm) and we welcomed April with a squeaky clean store - full of hundreds of new products.  

On your next visit, you'll find the upstairs transformed into the beginnings of our newest changes- general merchandise for our General Store.  

Now, along with the unique and ever-changing goodies from our local creators, you will find all sorts of useful everyday items.  We have cleaning supplies, paper goods, kitchen gadgets, party supplies, school supplies, things for the home and office, pet toys, toys and games.  And that's not all that's new, and that's not all that's coming your way. 

This week, the sun is going to be out and shining - just begging us to be outdoors -  and spring break is coming up fast! We've got you covered with a BOGO sale on sunglasses all week!

• Buy one pair of sunglasses, get the 2nd pair FREE!
• Stock up for next year and save! Buy one scarf, get one 50% off
• Get the kiddies a new sand bucket & shovel
• Earn rewards - for every $100 spent, you get $10 back in rewards

And as the spring progresses into summer we'll continue to add things that you want.  And don't be shy - tell us what we're missing and we'll get it for you! 

That's just what we do.

This week's specials 

PL&BB - 

Pen

Happy Spring . . . May it Be True

Springtime is the land awakening.  The March Winds are it's morning yawn - Lewis Grizzard

Here's a little something to make you think warm and sunny thoughts.  One of our latest designs by award winning artist and author, Erin E. Ewer of Liquid Fae Studios.

This watercolor can be found adorning all manner of special products in the store - from prints of all sizes to journals.  Here's to Butterflies and Black Hellebore!!

PL&BB -

Penni

I Think I've Got Cabin Fever - Somebody Sound The Alarm!

Just a little something to make us dream, while we wait for the snow to melt.

Home Sweet Home - February 14, 2014

By:  Jimmy Buffett, 1979

Boat drinks
Boys in the band ordered boat drinks
Visitors scored on the home rink
Everything seems to be wrong

Lately, newspaper mentioned cheap air fare
I gotta to fly to saint somewhere
Im close to bodily harm

Twenty degrees and the hockey games on
Nobody cares they are way too far gone
Screamin boat drinks, something to keep em all warm

This mornin, I shot six holes in my freezer
I think I got cabin fever
Somebody sound the alarm

Id like to go where the pace of lifes slow
Could you beam me somewhere mr. scott? 
Any ol place here on earth or in space
You pick the century and I'll pick the spot

Oh I know, (I know)
I should be leaving this climate
I got a verse but can't rhyme it
I gotta go where it's warm

Boat drinks
Waitress I need two more boat drinks
Then Im headin south fore my dream shrinks

I gotta go where it's warm (I gotta go where it's warm)
I gotta go where it's warm (I gotta go where it's warm)
I gotta go where it's warm!

I gotta go where there aint any snow
Where there aint any blow
Cause my fin sinks so low
I gotta go where it's warm

Thanksgiving 2013

A day to remember for a big family like ours.  We fill up a house, and the street with our cars.

The pre-game is filled with catching up, snacks and drink.  The kids are growing, and eat everything but the kitchen sink.

When things go wrong we laugh them away.  Who turned off the oven?  Just a slight delay . . .

When dinner is cooked, we gather at a big table.  We find spots and squeeze in where ever we're able.

We holds hands and giggle like kids in a playhouse.  Right before we get solemn and pray like He taught us.

When Bro gave the blessing we all shed some tears, for the man who had led it for so many years.

We gave thanks for the bounty we have been given, and honor our loved ones whose spirits have risen. 

And after we've given our thanks and remembrances . . .

We dig in and eat like, well - pigs. 

Then with bellies full from our horn of plenty, we set up like a team to clear till the table is empty.

As we're rubbing our bellies and sleepy, tired eyes - to our amazement . . . here comes coffee and pies! 

And one special cupcake was there with the pie.  To give us some news (and of course make us cry). 

It was big and fluffy- it seemed so divine.  When B got to the middle it was blue inside! 

Its a boy on the way for C-nat & A . .  The circle of life on a fine Thanksgiving day!

PL&BB-

Pen
 
 
Post note: this was scheduled for last Friday , but clearly I didn't do it right!!!!

A Thanksgiving Prayer For You

Lord, often times, and any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make the fast blessing
"Thanks, Amen." and then "Pass the Dressing"

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer 'fore the meal gets cold

But today may I take a few minutes more
To really give thanks for what I'm grateful for?

For my family, my health and a nice soft bed
For my friends, for my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful to be surrounded by those
whose lives touch me more than they ever will know

Thankful that you've blessed me far beyond measure
That in my heart thrives life's greatest treasures

It's your light, dear Jesus, that lives in that space
And I'm ever so humbled by your unending grace

So, please, bless this food and this family united
and bless each and every person invited

Amen.

Peace, Love & Thanksgiving Blessings -

Penni

adapted from the original prayer by Ken Walsh

Another great recipe for your ThanksGiving table!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them - JFK

Our Thanksgiving meal has remained unchanged for decades - the only thing that changes is the cook of a specific dish from time to time.  And now I'll share the recipes for the food that keeps our family running to the table each year.

First up:  Sweet Potato Casserole
It's so good you'll go back for seconds.  And just keep repeating this mantra:  "There are no points in Thanksgiving foods".  LOL

Things you need (the ingredients)

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (fresh is best, but we'll accept canned yams!)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter (has to be butter - no spreads or margarine will do!)

Topping:

• Marshallows -  a whole bag.  Large, small - you pick.  (The kids will eat about 1/4 before you put this in the over anyhow)

How you do it (the directions)

Combine the first 6 ingredients, and pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish (by Amy Manson Pottery, perhaps!)

Bake at 350° for about 30  until hot. 

Remove from oven briefly and place marshmallows on top of mixture.

Return to 350° oven and watch it like a hawk.  Between 7-10 minutes the marshallows will start to rise and brown.  You'll want to remove it from the oven just before the mallows start to rise over the top of the casserole (they'll deflate while cooling).

Nom Nom!

PL&BB - 

Penni

DIY you never thought of - Home Made MarshMallows

You're killing me Smalls! These are s'more's stuff! Ok, pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good! Try some! - Ham Porter - (The Sandlot)

As easy as scrambled eggs and toast - but I bet the notion intimidates you anyways.   I found this recipe in the MNN and adapted it (as we always do) to my own preferences.  YUMMY

Here's what you will need (the ingredients)

• 1/2 cup local honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin or, if you're vegan, 3/4 tablespoon agar agar powder 
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• A few tablespoons organic cornstarch or cocoa (or toasted coconut, instant coffee, almond flour, or other dry tasty material) to use for finishing the sticky surface
• 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, mint, orange, or coffee extract, optional (or any other flavored extract in your spice cabinet or 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, dissolved in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon hot water)

 

Put it all together (the directions)

1. Dissolve the gelatin in water (in a pan)
2. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or use a silicone pan (I used silicone muffin cups) and have a silicone or rubber scraper ready.
3. Measure and add your sweetener of choice to the dissolved gelatin.
4. Stir, bring to a boil, and boil for no longer than 1 minute (CHEMISTRY LESSON:  any longer and the syrup will be too thick to whip for as long as is required). 
5. Add flavoring extract or cocoa paste if desired.
6. Use an electric mixer to whip the syrup until it becomes fluffy and, somewhat amazingly, white (unless you added cocoa of course).
7. When it is too thick to whip any longer — this will depend on how thick your syrup was, but anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes is possible — immediately scrape the confection into your prepared loaf pan (dip the scraper in hot water if it sticks).
8. When it is too thick to whip any longer — this will depend on how thick your syrup was, but anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes is possible — immediately scrape the confection into your prepared loaf pan (dip the scraper in hot water if it sticks).
9. You need to work quickly to avoid sticky messes because marshmallow sets up rapidly as it stops moving and cools.
10. Let the marshmallow rest for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
11. After it rests, sprinkle a cutting board or tray with either cornstarch or cocoa powder, and dump the slab out onto it.
12. Wet fingers work well for teasing the marshmallow away from the parchment paper or silicone pan.
13. Sprinkle the top with more of your coating. Using scissors dipped in hot water (keep a glass beside you for re-dipping), cut the slab into finished chunks the size you want.
14. Roll and toss your marshmallows in more coating to cover all the sides (this keeps them from sticking together), tap off any excess, and let them sit on the work surface for a few hours to dry a little more.
15. Store the finished confections in an airtight container so they don’t dry out excessively.

 

Yields 12 good-sized marshmallows.

 

Nom Nom!

PL&BB - 

Penni