Change with the seasons

As summer slides into fall it's time to sharpen our senses, and experience the season. It's simply amazing how much we can garner from nature if we actually step out and"take it all in". For years I sold silks that looked like the "real thing", but now have been able to see them growing in my own back yard. Walk in open fields, take an outing with your dog. If you don't have a dog, share a life with a needy animal for an hour at your local shelter. You will be amazed at the treasures you will discover. It's important that we change our interior decor to really have a handle on this beautiful season, so bring the outdoors inside your home as you collect nature's treasures.

Treat your table to "a new dress" from Couleur Nature, and then treat yourself to the foods of autumn-warm baked apples, and sumptuous roasted meats.

Don't miss a second of this season! Fall into fall!

When I stocked these items it was represented to me that the BeaterBlade® continuously beats, scrapes and folds ingredients for KitchenAid®, Cuisinart™, Viking®, and Kenwood® stand mixers, making BeaterBlade one of the most efficient tools in today's kitchen. It promised that it virtually eliminated hand-scraping the bowl, and the residual batter build-up on the blades. So of course I wanted to sell the item to my favorite cooks. So I just brought them into the store.

I am a big baker, and no, I had not used the beater blade. I had been frustrated in the past-Yes. Did I open the pack-NO. Today my frustration won, and yes, I am really the ultimate winner! I finally followed my intuition, and opened a beaterblade this morning. My stress was mounting as I was trying to whip up a sandy textured muffin crumb. All I saw was the butter lining the bowl, and no mixing at all. I finally gave in-Well it did!!!! My ingredients were thoroughly mixed, and in record speed I must add. The BeaterBlade saved so much of my mixing time-what a testimonial surprise. Both models are Made in the USA and UL Certified to ANSI/NSF2 Commercial Standards.

This is one you need in your life!
Patented BeaterBlade "wing-system" design acts like a wiper blade that continuously scrapes the sides and bottom of bowl while it mixes. Oh, and BeaterBlade is also a Spatula!

The challenges of a web site

It's a really exciting phenomena, a website is like a camelion, always changing colors, but even worse it changes shape all the time also. I ran a brick and mortar business for over 27 years. Every day was different, but unlike the website there was a bit more stability. Yes, there was always someone trying to sell something, but for the most part, you got to see their face. With the website there is an endless stream of representations, no longer do you sign on the dotted line, or shake someone's hand. You can deal with someone in India as easily as next door.

The reality is-it's hard! The learning curve is over the edge. So bear with me as I stumble, as I really love retail!

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Canning versus Preserving

When I was young, I lived in Texas on a large amount of acreage. Needless to say gardening was a large part of our life. I vividly remember jars of chow chow, pickled peaches, and spinach on the ceiling when the pressure cooker blew. But most all, I remember the jars and jars of product that weren't used during the year. Based on this experience I say "plan" your attack.

How much will you use? How much will you give away? How versatile can you get? Will you try something new?

My advice- if you have a small family. Be versatile. Do small batches, make small tarts rather than large pies(they freeze beautifully, and are dessert ready for parties). Make muffins, breads, and cakes. You will enjoy the selection throughout the season, without wasting, and growing tired of your efforts.

If you are a homemade gift giver, have your labels and jar dressers ready now. You will love being organized and ready for the busy holiday season. Wrap in different seasons, as these are always well received as hostess gifts throughout the year. The lazy days of summer are creative times to let your imagination flow freely.

A really good thing to remember is to freeze in smaller quantities. I find 2 cups a good rule of thumb, and you will find that you're not having too much product thawed, for muffins, breads, and even jam is usually only 4 cups. It's just a good way to get control.

The most important thing is to think things through, ahead of time. You know how many peaches are on your tree, and you see the tomatoes ripening. Don't panic, just plan.

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Collectibles

How many times have you been promised that a collectible will increase in value over years, only to find that it just became a valueless dust collector. I have surmised that the the only real value is the intrinsic value you derive from seeing it, touching it, and just owning it. From that point on, it's gambler's luck, or the roll of the dice, as to whether you will see investment value.

I am in the process of helping someone try to sell her treasured Hummels and many other collector's plates. Given the current economy there are a lot on the market, but the good news is that if you love them, they should be in your life.

Remember, value is in the eye of the beholder, not the appraiser. Buy because you love it, not what you think it might be worth years later, as in most cases it's left to someone who could care less about it. It's a crime to see how things get disposed of in many ways, but it is reality.

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A Pick for the Hostess

Was at a recent cocktail party, and I loved the fact that all of the trayed appetizers that were being passed were served with skewers, or toothpicks. Now I know that this is time consuming, but wow I loved it as a guest.

Often I have a tough time managing food, plate, and glass at the same time. Call me a clutz off the farm, but it’s reality. Between the plate, the food, and the glass life can be challenging. Try bamboo, or metal ones that can be recycled. This is a snap if you have someone helping you. You can spear shrimp, and small chunks of meats with reusable mini bamboo forks for yet an other look.

Give this a thought at your next party, you’ll be greeted with countless smiles.Your guests will wear less of your food, and you'll be amazed at how much longer your lipstick lasts.



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Slow Juicing

Now you just may think I am another person trying to sell you something, and yes I am! The truth is I garden, I grow, and I sell what I know works. I've done it for thirty years-so why stop now. At 60 years old I have become obsessed with waste. I was really having a tough time juicing my carrot leaves-but this little gem does it.

Slow juicing needs to become a way of life. No more oxidized veggies, no more soggy pulp, no more waste.

The Original Hurom Slow Juicer uses the Low Speed Technology System(LSTS), operates at only 80RPM, and uses only 150 Watts of energy. But the best is yet to come! While this little guy looks like it's moving like a turtle without that familiar whirr of other juicers, the slow juicer is actually extracting the juice faster with a HIGHER YIELD. If you are super disciplined it's off to the compost pile with the driest pulp you have ever seen. It's the greatest of fun to grow it, juice it, and compost it-the best of all worlds.

In this day and time Silence is golden, Health a treasure, and Versatility a must. You will find the slow squeezing, rather than grinding at a high speed the silent approach to success. The Hurom Slow Juicer yields the maximum nutrition in juicing, and you can even juice nuts and soybeans, and yes! Carrot tops(these were a disaster in my old juicer).

The Slow Juicer

The long and short of this slow approach to juicing is economical, healthy, and durable(where else will you find a 10yr. Guarantee), and most of all versatile.

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