As we traveled - by road! - from LA to Florida this week, I was amazed at how the scenery was both incredibly varied and incredibly similar - all at the same time. What AM I talking about?!...you might ask.
We saw the break-taking mesas in Arizona, the fabulous hills around Santa Fe, the gentle, rolling hills of central Texas, the skylines of Houston and Mobile....but, we saw Target and Barnes and Noble and Walmart everywhere we went. America really has become a country of chain-stores.
For this reason, it was so wonderful to go out of our way to visit Boerne, Texas. With 3000 miles to cover in only 6 days there is not much time to stray from the freeway. But visiting TK's was something I knew we had to fit in. (And you can see by my shopping bag, that I did a little damage there!)
I met Terry many years ago at a trade show but I had never before had the opportunity to see her shop. It was such a delight. It's a smallish place but so beautifully laid out. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. When every mall and street corner is full of stores carrying the same products, it is so refreshing to come across a place like TK's. I don't know where Terry finds such treaures, but it was truly a joy to wander through her shop. I didn't care how many precious minutes of road time I was missing. I lost myself in the experience.
The next time you are ambling through central Texas, be sure to put Boerne on your list of must-sees. It's a precious town and this is a precious little shop. I hope you will say hi to Terry and Carmen for me!
viernes, 31 de diciembre de 2010
jueves, 30 de diciembre de 2010
Road Trip!
What do you do after the busiest Christmas season ever? And what do you do with your German Exchange Student when your daughter (her host sister) is in Switzerland visiting your other daughter?
What would any red-blooded American do? Take a ROAD TRIP, of course!
I needed to clear my head after the frenzy of the holidays. And I needed a lot of road time to think and plan and design new products for 2011. So, on the day after Christmas, I flew to LA with Lea, from Germany (about whom I have blogged many times!). We picked up our rent a car, drove to the Pacific, photographed Lea putting her hand in the Pacific, pointed our car to the East and started off.
The next evening we pulled into Santa Fe and, after a late dinner, connected with Ahlum Scarola - one of my earliest employees. One of the best things about having a small business is the relationships that you develop with your employees. Ahlum was always more than just an employee. In fact, my relationship started with him when he was only 9 years old. He spent a lot time at our house since he was really good buddies with my stepson.
He started to work for us when he was only 17. Over the next 10 years he wore all kinds of hats. He traveled to crafts fairs and trade shows. He was Rosella's first babysitter and 5 years later, her first basketball coach. He was my manager for awhile. He worked in our office. He did pretty much everything you could do! In fact, the two of us set a record for the most orders shipped in a day. This record stood unbroken for many years and I still have the photo of us - proudly posting in front of our mountain of boxes - in my office.
There is not enough room in a blog posting to detail everything Ahlum means to our company, to my family, and most of all, to myself.
To this day, I consider him one of the finest people I have ever met. The visit with him - and his son, Ryder - was much too short. And, unfortunately, his dear wife, Cara, was under the weather, so we missed her altogether. We will have to return to Santa Fe soon! We miss you already, Ahlum!
What would any red-blooded American do? Take a ROAD TRIP, of course!
I needed to clear my head after the frenzy of the holidays. And I needed a lot of road time to think and plan and design new products for 2011. So, on the day after Christmas, I flew to LA with Lea, from Germany (about whom I have blogged many times!). We picked up our rent a car, drove to the Pacific, photographed Lea putting her hand in the Pacific, pointed our car to the East and started off.
The next evening we pulled into Santa Fe and, after a late dinner, connected with Ahlum Scarola - one of my earliest employees. One of the best things about having a small business is the relationships that you develop with your employees. Ahlum was always more than just an employee. In fact, my relationship started with him when he was only 9 years old. He spent a lot time at our house since he was really good buddies with my stepson.
He started to work for us when he was only 17. Over the next 10 years he wore all kinds of hats. He traveled to crafts fairs and trade shows. He was Rosella's first babysitter and 5 years later, her first basketball coach. He was my manager for awhile. He worked in our office. He did pretty much everything you could do! In fact, the two of us set a record for the most orders shipped in a day. This record stood unbroken for many years and I still have the photo of us - proudly posting in front of our mountain of boxes - in my office.
There is not enough room in a blog posting to detail everything Ahlum means to our company, to my family, and most of all, to myself.
To this day, I consider him one of the finest people I have ever met. The visit with him - and his son, Ryder - was much too short. And, unfortunately, his dear wife, Cara, was under the weather, so we missed her altogether. We will have to return to Santa Fe soon! We miss you already, Ahlum!
domingo, 26 de diciembre de 2010
BIG! After Christmas Sale
We have some exciting plans for 2011! But before we can get to these new products, we need to make some room on our shelves. Therefore, for the first time ever, we are having a BIG After Christmas Sale!
jueves, 23 de diciembre de 2010
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
Today was our last day of work before Christmas. There were just a few of us there - the rest having scattered to spend time with family and friends. Derrik did our inventory, Dan got some welding done (for our Studio Sale - check it out!) and Carl and I worked on new products for Valentine's Day - exciting! Leandra was on the phones and e-mail. She doesn't like to be photographed so you will just have to imagine her happy face.
It's been a wonderful, busy holiday season for us and we would like to thank all of you for buying American-made products. Please come back and visit us at crosbyandtaylor.com on December 26th when we will launch our first ever Big After Christmas Sale!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
It's been a wonderful, busy holiday season for us and we would like to thank all of you for buying American-made products. Please come back and visit us at crosbyandtaylor.com on December 26th when we will launch our first ever Big After Christmas Sale!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
viernes, 17 de diciembre de 2010
We have a winner!
Thank you to all who entered our Giveaway Contest this week and Congratulations to Lynn Langeliers - the winner of our Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway #10 - a pair of our Angel Tealight Holders (retail value $78)! We will be taking a break from the giveaways next week as we prepare for our first ever post-Christmas online sale.
jueves, 16 de diciembre de 2010
It's a girl!
We have a new addition to our Crosby & Taylor family! I have blogged many times about Nancy, our awesome Operations Manager. Well, last Monday, our dear Nancy was here at Crosby & Taylor until 4:15. She then walked home, did a few things, and then at 10:30, she decided maybe it was time to have a baby!
That's just how Nancy rolls. She takes everything in stride.
She brought little Evelyn Rose in to see us today. As soon as Nancy turned her back to ship some Christmas presents, I "dressed" Evelyn up in pewter and stoneware. How could I resist?? This is only the beginning. If she is anything like her older brother, she will probably end up modeling our products for years to come! (See Oliver - after the 3 pix of Evelyn - with our Cookie Jar!)
That's just how Nancy rolls. She takes everything in stride.
She brought little Evelyn Rose in to see us today. As soon as Nancy turned her back to ship some Christmas presents, I "dressed" Evelyn up in pewter and stoneware. How could I resist?? This is only the beginning. If she is anything like her older brother, she will probably end up modeling our products for years to come! (See Oliver - after the 3 pix of Evelyn - with our Cookie Jar!)
martes, 14 de diciembre de 2010
Perfect Holiday Ornaments for Newlyweds
If you have a pair of Newlyweds on your Christmas list and haven't yet found the perfect ornament for them....I have an idea for you! The Wedding Cottage in Portland (Oregon) owned by none other than my lovely daughter (and newlywed) Petrel, has some gorgeous ornaments - exclusive to The Wedding Cottage.
They are not yet up on her webshop but you can give her a jingle at 503.643.9730 and she will get one right out. They were all designed by Petrel and myself and are made of pewter - what else?! She has four different designs - three of which are customizable.
They are not yet up on her webshop but you can give her a jingle at 503.643.9730 and she will get one right out. They were all designed by Petrel and myself and are made of pewter - what else?! She has four different designs - three of which are customizable.
sábado, 11 de diciembre de 2010
Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway #10
Who doesn't love the soft glow of candlelight - especially at Christmas? This week's giveaway is a pair of our Angel Tealight Holders (retail value $78).
To enter to win:
-become our friend on Facebook
-post a comment telling us where, in your home, you would enjoy these sweet Angels
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 17th at 9amPST
NOTE: Please be sure to post on our Facebook page - not on our blog
To enter to win:
-become our friend on Facebook
-post a comment telling us where, in your home, you would enjoy these sweet Angels
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 17th at 9amPST
NOTE: Please be sure to post on our Facebook page - not on our blog
viernes, 10 de diciembre de 2010
We have a winner!
Congratulations to Robbie Cortez, the winner of our Free & Fabulous Giveawaay #9 - our 7 piece Pewter Nativity Set! (retail value $79)
Thank you to everyone who posted comments about their holiday traditions. It was fun to read about Robbie's Nativity Collection but it was also exciting when I realized that Robbie is the brother-in-law of my very first employee! Back in 1986, I had three small children and a new business. I was really overwhelmed so I hired Robbie's (now brother-in-law) Adam. He was a strapping young lad of 16. I believe it was Adam's first job. He stuck with me all through the rest of high school and college. Those were fun times. Thanks, Robbie, for taking me back down memory lane. Merry Christmas!
Thank you to everyone who posted comments about their holiday traditions. It was fun to read about Robbie's Nativity Collection but it was also exciting when I realized that Robbie is the brother-in-law of my very first employee! Back in 1986, I had three small children and a new business. I was really overwhelmed so I hired Robbie's (now brother-in-law) Adam. He was a strapping young lad of 16. I believe it was Adam's first job. He stuck with me all through the rest of high school and college. Those were fun times. Thanks, Robbie, for taking me back down memory lane. Merry Christmas!
domingo, 5 de diciembre de 2010
Free & Fabulous Giveaway - #9
This Friday we will be giving away one of our Miniature Nativity Sets. This Set includes The Holy Family, a Stable, with a tiny Angel attached to the top of it, and the 3 Wise Men (retail value $79). Although we designed this set to fit on a mantle or small shelf, we have also been told that it is a great traveling set. Unlike many kinds of Nativity Sets, this one can never be chipped or broken!
Here is how you can enter to win:
-become our fan on Facebook
-post a comment: Tell us what your favorite Holiday tradition is!
-deadline is Friday, December 10th at 9am PST
Here is how you can enter to win:
-become our fan on Facebook
-post a comment: Tell us what your favorite Holiday tradition is!
-deadline is Friday, December 10th at 9am PST
viernes, 3 de diciembre de 2010
Free Yakima Applewood Smoked Salt!
If you posted a comment this week on our Facebook but were not the winner of our Free & Fabulous Giveaway #8, you can still be a winner....just send us an e-mail at info@crosbyandtaylor.com with your name and address and we will send you a free sample of our amazing Yakima Applewood Smoked Salt! This salt can be found in our $29 Salt Gift Packs - as seen below. (Now don't get TOO excited...we're not sending out free Gift Packs - we are sending out free SALT! But this salt is amazing. You will love it!)
Note: On rare occasions, we may send out promotional postcards. However, we do NOT send out catalogues. We really are just asking for your address so that we can send out your free salt.
Note: On rare occasions, we may send out promotional postcards. However, we do NOT send out catalogues. We really are just asking for your address so that we can send out your free salt.
We have a winner!
Congratulations to Haley Kauffman - the winner of our Free & Fabulous Giveaway #8 (retail value $69). Haley can choose the Glaze and Motif for her Canister. We look forward to making this piece just for her. Here is a sample of one of our Canisters: Blackberry Glaze with Fleur de Lys Faceplate, Finial, and Side-hanging Scoop.
miércoles, 1 de diciembre de 2010
First day for Advent Calendars
Although I guess it seems silly now, it used to be that, as soon as mid-November came, my girls would start counting down the days until they could start their Advent Calendars - so they could count down the days until Christmas! Whew!
Most people enjoy the paper version or the chocolate version.
However, we do have just one of our own Pewter and Wood Advent Calendars left in our Studio Sale! This was a wonderful product but it proved too costly to make and had to be dropped a few years back.We found one up in the attic here.
This is a real collector's item - at a great price!
No matter what type of calendar is used in your own, I'm sure you and your children will enjoy the count-down.
(Oops - that reminds me - I forgot to send one to my 26 year old this year. Maybe Jacob - as seen in my previous post - can run out there and find one! And don't even suggest that she is too old for such traditions....)
Most people enjoy the paper version or the chocolate version.
However, we do have just one of our own Pewter and Wood Advent Calendars left in our Studio Sale! This was a wonderful product but it proved too costly to make and had to be dropped a few years back.We found one up in the attic here.
This is a real collector's item - at a great price!
No matter what type of calendar is used in your own, I'm sure you and your children will enjoy the count-down.
(Oops - that reminds me - I forgot to send one to my 26 year old this year. Maybe Jacob - as seen in my previous post - can run out there and find one! And don't even suggest that she is too old for such traditions....)
Happy Hanukkah!
Today is the first day of The Festival of Lights. All around the world, families and friends are gathering together to celebrate these 8 magical days. We would like to extend our warmest wishes to all. Happy Hanukkah!
I have no new Hanukkah family photos yet to share so I will re-post this great photo of my son-in-law, Jacob. I must express my apologies for cropping out most of his YamiClaus hat. Happy Chrismukkah, Jacob!
I have no new Hanukkah family photos yet to share so I will re-post this great photo of my son-in-law, Jacob. I must express my apologies for cropping out most of his YamiClaus hat. Happy Chrismukkah, Jacob!
domingo, 28 de noviembre de 2010
Cyber Monday!
We were so excited about Black Friday that we almost forgot about Cyber Monday, November 29th. We don't want to distract you from your work schedule, BUT if you are planning to steal away during your lunch break to do a little Christmas shopping, we hope you will think of us.
You can use this couponcode: cybermonday35 to receive a 35% discount on any order today, Cyber Monday. (Discount ends tonight at midnight and does not apply to studio sale or wholesale items nor can it be combined with any other coupon. However, FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more DOES apply!)
You can use this couponcode: cybermonday35 to receive a 35% discount on any order today, Cyber Monday. (Discount ends tonight at midnight and does not apply to studio sale or wholesale items nor can it be combined with any other coupon. However, FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more DOES apply!)
Free & Fabulous Friday Giveaway - #8
As much as we love to make and sell pewter, we are just as passionate about our line of American Stoneware. We will be giving away one of our lovely Coffee Canisters on Friday, December 3rd. Click here to see our 4 Glaze Choices (Whipping Cream, Pistachio, Butter Pecan, and our newest - Blackberry) and our 6 Design Choices (Fleur de Lys, Vineyard, Dragonfly, Fish, Hearts, and our newest - Bird). We will custom-make the winning canister.
To enter to win one of our Coffee Canisters:
-visit us on Facebook
-answer the following question: Which of our glazes do you like the best and why?
*Deadline for postings is 9am PST on Friday, December 3rd.
*Winner will be announced later that day.
*NOTE: Be sure to post your comment on our Faceobook page (not on Blog)
To enter to win one of our Coffee Canisters:
-visit us on Facebook
-answer the following question: Which of our glazes do you like the best and why?
*Deadline for postings is 9am PST on Friday, December 3rd.
*Winner will be announced later that day.
*NOTE: Be sure to post your comment on our Faceobook page (not on Blog)
miércoles, 24 de noviembre de 2010
A message from Derrik, our master shipper
Derrik has just pointed out to me that he is ON TOP OF IT! He is turning around orders with lightning speed. We have been stocking up for the Holidays since early summer - and we are ready. Derrik is getting most studio sale orders out the same day they come in. Orders for our Stoneware take an extra day or two.
I hope that his mom is planning a big feast tomorrow because Derrik is going to need a lot of fuel when he gets back to work next week. Happy Thanksgiving to the extended Derrik family!
I hope that his mom is planning a big feast tomorrow because Derrik is going to need a lot of fuel when he gets back to work next week. Happy Thanksgiving to the extended Derrik family!
lunes, 22 de noviembre de 2010
A time to give Thanks
Here it is...the beginning of the biggest retail season in America! I hope that we can all slow down just a bit and take time to be thankful for the good things in our lives.
Although I am grateful each and every day for my amazing family, friends, and employees, I do have some extra things to be thankful for this week.
1) My brother and his family are making the trek up from Davis, CA to share our Thanksgiving table. (To show my gratitude, I will be making him a mincemeat pie - oh! my goodness! I can't believe I am going to put beef suet in a pie!)
2) My newest grandson is home from the Neonatal unit in Lausanne, Switzerland! YAY!
3) My amazing manager, Nancy, is healthy and looking great as we await the newest little member of our Crosby & Taylor family.
I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Thank you for supporting American artisans.
Although I am grateful each and every day for my amazing family, friends, and employees, I do have some extra things to be thankful for this week.
1) My brother and his family are making the trek up from Davis, CA to share our Thanksgiving table. (To show my gratitude, I will be making him a mincemeat pie - oh! my goodness! I can't believe I am going to put beef suet in a pie!)
2) My newest grandson is home from the Neonatal unit in Lausanne, Switzerland! YAY!
3) My amazing manager, Nancy, is healthy and looking great as we await the newest little member of our Crosby & Taylor family.
I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Thank you for supporting American artisans.
Big Discounts for Black Friday!
Five of our most popular products on sale for 24 hours only!
From midnight on Thanksgiving until midnight on Black Friday.
From midnight on Thanksgiving until midnight on Black Friday.
sábado, 20 de noviembre de 2010
Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway - #7 (Black Friday Edition)
Time to announce our big Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway #7 .....a $50 Gift Certificate to Crosby and Taylor! We want to award one of our loyal Facebook fans by treating them to a $50 shopping spree. All you have to do is answer the following question on our Facebook Wall between now and Friday, November 26 at 9AM PST/12pm EST.
What is your Favorite Food at your Thanksgiving Table?
What is the Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway? Here is how it works:
We feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You visit our page before Friday at 12pm EST/9am PST and answer our weekly question (posted above)
We will select a winner on Friday and announce him or her on our page.
Remember - to enter to win, comments must be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, November 26. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week! Good Luck!
What is your Favorite Food at your Thanksgiving Table?
What is the Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway? Here is how it works:
We feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You visit our page before Friday at 12pm EST/9am PST and answer our weekly question (posted above)
We will select a winner on Friday and announce him or her on our page.
Remember - to enter to win, comments must be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, November 26. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week! Good Luck!
domingo, 14 de noviembre de 2010
Mr. November
For once, I'm not a month behind in giving a "shout-out" to our employee of the month! This week we had a lot to celebrate: three employees turned 30 and Tim had his TEN YEAR anniversary with us! That's a lot to be joyful for.
Unlike many of us around here, Tim does not like to be the center of attention. It's virtually impossible to catch him in a photo or to get him up in front of a group. So I had to be a little sneaky in getting him to join us all for lunch.
Congratulations, Tim! Happy Birthday Nancy, Dan, and Adam!
Tim moved out to Oregon from Kalamazoo, Michigan. The minute I met him - back in 1999 - I knew he was someone with that old-fashioned Midwest work ethic. Tim gets to it and he gets it done. He also has this crazy, quirky creative side to him. He worked with me on creating our Fleur de Lys Measuring Cups and Posts. If you own a set of these, you should turn your set over. You will notice that Tim put a little happy person on the underside of your set. If I wasn't telling you this, you might never have noticed. Things like this tend to pop up around the shop - and on products.
We all really appreciate Tim. He's one of our treasures and we hope he'll stick around with us for awhile! Tim is pictured above with Carl, our Master Potter. (Carl hates it when I call him that but it's what he is!)
Unlike many of us around here, Tim does not like to be the center of attention. It's virtually impossible to catch him in a photo or to get him up in front of a group. So I had to be a little sneaky in getting him to join us all for lunch.
Congratulations, Tim! Happy Birthday Nancy, Dan, and Adam!
Tim moved out to Oregon from Kalamazoo, Michigan. The minute I met him - back in 1999 - I knew he was someone with that old-fashioned Midwest work ethic. Tim gets to it and he gets it done. He also has this crazy, quirky creative side to him. He worked with me on creating our Fleur de Lys Measuring Cups and Posts. If you own a set of these, you should turn your set over. You will notice that Tim put a little happy person on the underside of your set. If I wasn't telling you this, you might never have noticed. Things like this tend to pop up around the shop - and on products.
We all really appreciate Tim. He's one of our treasures and we hope he'll stick around with us for awhile! Tim is pictured above with Carl, our Master Potter. (Carl hates it when I call him that but it's what he is!)
Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway - #6
SIX must be our lucky number! For the 6th time, we are one of Paula Deen's "Picks" in her magazine, Home Cooking with Paula Deen. The November/December issue - which is now available at bookstores and newsstands - shows our brand new Holiday Measuring Spoons on its own Christmas Tree Post.
To celebrate, we will be giving away a set of these wonderful new Spoons this Friday - November 19th.
To qualify to win:
-become our friend on Facebook
-comment on what you like about this product and why you should win
*Enter by 9am PST this Friday, November 19th
Home Cooling with Paula Deen
To celebrate, we will be giving away a set of these wonderful new Spoons this Friday - November 19th.
To qualify to win:
-become our friend on Facebook
-comment on what you like about this product and why you should win
*Enter by 9am PST this Friday, November 19th
Home Cooling with Paula Deen
domingo, 7 de noviembre de 2010
Miss October!
Our Employee of the Month for October was Leandra Cate, who joined us in February of this year. She has proven to be a lucky find! She is smart, funny, efficient, always interesting, and has the biggest laugh in Eugene. Everyone really enjoys Leandra around here. She makes each day just that much more fun.
At the same time she is taking care of business at her computer, on the phone, in the processing room, in the order room, and on and on. On top of all of this she is also the one responsible for the Studio Sale - great job, Leandra!
She is full of opinions which I, personally, appreciate. Meek and timid just don't cut it around here! Sometimes an opinion gets overridden, but at least we have a discussion going.
Each month I make a poster about our Employee of the Month on which we all post compliments. Here was one of my favorites:
"You're the female version of Mr. Bob Dylan.. that means "You Rock!". (Leandra is a HUGE Bob Dylan fan.)
The poster also includes a few fun questions and answers.
What are 3 foods you cannot live without?
-bananas, oats, tomatoes
What would your dream road trip be?
-a Winnebago drive across the length of South America
What do you like best about Oregon? (She moved here from New Orleans so it's all pretty new to Leandra out here.)
-the moutains, hiking, groovy landscape
Since she admits that she cannot live without bananas, I figured a Banana Cream Pie would be the obvious Birthday Treat for her. Fortunately, I have a really good recipe - thanks to Epicurious.com. Last year when we celebrated two family birthdays at home, I made a Banana Cream Pie and a really rich Chocolate Cheese Cake. I was sure that the Chocolate dessert would be the more popular. But there was NO competition. I think even I preferred the Pie and I would normally never choose anything over chocolate.
So, if you are looking to make a great dessert...look no further! (Unfortunately, I neglected to photograph Leandra's pie so I must thank the Food Network for this image. I will say that my pie actually had little black specks here and there - from the tiny Vanilla Bean seeds that you scrape into the pie.)
Banana Cream Pie
Crust
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 large egg yolks
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 pounds total), peeled, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and mashed banana in large bowl to blend. Add unsalted butter and stir to moisten evenly. Press onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
Bake crust until set and pale golden, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.
For filling:
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Gradually whisk in whipping cream and whole milk, then egg yolks. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add vanilla bean. Whisk over medium-high heat until custard thickens and boils, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Discard vanilla bean. Transfer custard to large bowl; cool completely, whisking occasionally, about 1 hour.
Stir custard to loosen, if necessary. Spread 1 cup custard over bottom of prepared crust. Top with half of sliced bananas, then 1 cup custard, covering bananas completely. Repeat layering with remaining bananas and remaining custard. Chill banana cream pie until filling is set and crust softens slightly, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. Cut pie into wedges and serve.
Note: I embellished the top with lots of slightly sweetened whipped cream.
At the same time she is taking care of business at her computer, on the phone, in the processing room, in the order room, and on and on. On top of all of this she is also the one responsible for the Studio Sale - great job, Leandra!
She is full of opinions which I, personally, appreciate. Meek and timid just don't cut it around here! Sometimes an opinion gets overridden, but at least we have a discussion going.
Each month I make a poster about our Employee of the Month on which we all post compliments. Here was one of my favorites:
"You're the female version of Mr. Bob Dylan.. that means "You Rock!". (Leandra is a HUGE Bob Dylan fan.)
The poster also includes a few fun questions and answers.
What are 3 foods you cannot live without?
-bananas, oats, tomatoes
What would your dream road trip be?
-a Winnebago drive across the length of South America
What do you like best about Oregon? (She moved here from New Orleans so it's all pretty new to Leandra out here.)
-the moutains, hiking, groovy landscape
Since she admits that she cannot live without bananas, I figured a Banana Cream Pie would be the obvious Birthday Treat for her. Fortunately, I have a really good recipe - thanks to Epicurious.com. Last year when we celebrated two family birthdays at home, I made a Banana Cream Pie and a really rich Chocolate Cheese Cake. I was sure that the Chocolate dessert would be the more popular. But there was NO competition. I think even I preferred the Pie and I would normally never choose anything over chocolate.
So, if you are looking to make a great dessert...look no further! (Unfortunately, I neglected to photograph Leandra's pie so I must thank the Food Network for this image. I will say that my pie actually had little black specks here and there - from the tiny Vanilla Bean seeds that you scrape into the pie.)
Banana Cream Pie
Crust
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 large egg yolks
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 pounds total), peeled, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and mashed banana in large bowl to blend. Add unsalted butter and stir to moisten evenly. Press onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
Bake crust until set and pale golden, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.
For filling:
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Gradually whisk in whipping cream and whole milk, then egg yolks. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add vanilla bean. Whisk over medium-high heat until custard thickens and boils, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Discard vanilla bean. Transfer custard to large bowl; cool completely, whisking occasionally, about 1 hour.
Stir custard to loosen, if necessary. Spread 1 cup custard over bottom of prepared crust. Top with half of sliced bananas, then 1 cup custard, covering bananas completely. Repeat layering with remaining bananas and remaining custard. Chill banana cream pie until filling is set and crust softens slightly, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. Cut pie into wedges and serve.
Note: I embellished the top with lots of slightly sweetened whipped cream.
5th Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway
When people don't know our company name, they seem to call us: "The Pewter Measuring Spoon and Cup" company. We don't mind. These two product categories have been our top sellers for 20 years now! Our 3rd top-selling category has always been our Pewter Coffee Scoops. Each one come with a little hook so that you can hang up your CS and you will always know where it is - especially when it's early and you aren't awake yet and need to make some coffee right away!
We will be giving away one of our Dragonfly Coffee Scoops this Friday, November 12th (retail value $25)
Here's how to enter to win:
-become a friend of ours on Facebook
-comment on what you like about our Coffee Scoops and why you should be the winner
Deadline to enter is 9am PST Friday, November 12th.
Winner will be announced later that same Friday.
Good luck to all and thank you for supporting American Artisans.
We will be giving away one of our Dragonfly Coffee Scoops this Friday, November 12th (retail value $25)
Here's how to enter to win:
-become a friend of ours on Facebook
-comment on what you like about our Coffee Scoops and why you should be the winner
Deadline to enter is 9am PST Friday, November 12th.
Winner will be announced later that same Friday.
Good luck to all and thank you for supporting American Artisans.
viernes, 5 de noviembre de 2010
Everyone is a winner!
We were really touched by all of the comments posted on our Facebook this week. We would like everyone to feel like a winner. So...if you posted a comment but did not win a set of our Bird Measuring Spoons, we would like to offer you this coupon code: fbsr15. This code can be used through Monday, Nov. 15th to purchase any of our Spoon Rests for $10 (regular price $20). Choose from 7 designs. Our newest design - the Bird - is shown here.
lunes, 1 de noviembre de 2010
Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway - #4
This Friday we will be giving away a set of our Bird Measuring Spoons on Pewter Post. This is our newest Spoon design, featuring a cute little bird in the bowl of each spoon and a nest perched in the "branches" of the post.
Here is how you can enter to win:
-visit our Facebook Page by 9am this Friday (November 5th)
-tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win
The winner will be selected and announced on Friday after 12pm PST.
Thank you for supporting American artisans!
Here is how you can enter to win:
-visit our Facebook Page by 9am this Friday (November 5th)
-tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win
The winner will be selected and announced on Friday after 12pm PST.
Thank you for supporting American artisans!
martes, 26 de octubre de 2010
More than you expect
If you place an order with us, we hope – of course! - that you will be thrilled with our products when they arrive. But we also hope that you will feel you are getting a bit more than you expected.
We do this by adding a little pewter bauble with each order, along with a bookmark, and a coupon for your next order. We have 4 different bookmarks and each has some useful cooking/baking information on the backside - like common equivalencies or easy substitutions.
Even if you are ordering something for yourself – or perhaps especially if you are ordering for yourself – we would like it to feel like you are getting a gift in the mail.
We do this by adding a little pewter bauble with each order, along with a bookmark, and a coupon for your next order. We have 4 different bookmarks and each has some useful cooking/baking information on the backside - like common equivalencies or easy substitutions.
Even if you are ordering something for yourself – or perhaps especially if you are ordering for yourself – we would like it to feel like you are getting a gift in the mail.
sábado, 23 de octubre de 2010
Free and Fabulous Friday Giveaway – #3
This week we are featuring an ornament from our new Twentyten Collection. If you would like to be this week's winner, just "like" us on our Facebook page and post a comment about it and why you should win.
If you are anything like me, you are always on the look-out for a new ornament for your child or your best friend or your neighbor - or anyone else who is special in your life. It's always an added bonus if the ornament can be customized. This is why I am so excited about our new Collection. Each ornament can be customized with your choice of word or name - and there is no waiting! You just order it - letting us know what letters you would like - and it's ready to go within just a day or two.
If you are anything like me, you are always on the look-out for a new ornament for your child or your best friend or your neighbor - or anyone else who is special in your life. It's always an added bonus if the ornament can be customized. This is why I am so excited about our new Collection. Each ornament can be customized with your choice of word or name - and there is no waiting! You just order it - letting us know what letters you would like - and it's ready to go within just a day or two.
lunes, 18 de octubre de 2010
Salt Cellar Gift Pack is the Free & Fabulous Friday Giveaway #2
Last week- we launched our Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway; a fun contest where our Facebook fans can win great prizes each week just by posting a comment on our wall (no hoops to jump through- really).
This week's giveaway is one of our Salt Cellar Gift Packs - which includes an adorable Dragonfly Salt Cellar and two packets of yummy seasoned salts: Thai Ginger and Garlic Flavor. This wonderful pack makes a lovely gift for the holidays (or just for yourself!)
What is the Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway? So glad you asked! Here is how it works:
We feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You visit our page before Friday each week at 12pm EST/9am PST and tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win it.
We will select a winner each Friday and announce him or her on our page.
Just visit our Facebook page, before this Friday at noon and let us know why you should win this Gift Pack. We will select a winner on Friday, Oct. 22nd and announce it on our Facebook page.
Remember - to enter to win, Facebook Comments need to be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, October 22nd. The winner will be announced by closing that day. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week!
This week's giveaway is one of our Salt Cellar Gift Packs - which includes an adorable Dragonfly Salt Cellar and two packets of yummy seasoned salts: Thai Ginger and Garlic Flavor. This wonderful pack makes a lovely gift for the holidays (or just for yourself!)
What is the Free & Fabulous Facebook Giveaway? So glad you asked! Here is how it works:
We feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You visit our page before Friday each week at 12pm EST/9am PST and tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win it.
We will select a winner each Friday and announce him or her on our page.
Just visit our Facebook page, before this Friday at noon and let us know why you should win this Gift Pack. We will select a winner on Friday, Oct. 22nd and announce it on our Facebook page.
Remember - to enter to win, Facebook Comments need to be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, October 22nd. The winner will be announced by closing that day. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week!
viernes, 15 de octubre de 2010
Mr. September
I always seem to be late in bragging about our employees of the month. Better late than never?!
Carl - our amazing potter - was Mr. September.
I met Carl and his lovely and talented wife, Eden, (who I blogged about in January) in a bar in 1982 after I had accompanied Jim to Saturday Market in Portland. Jim was exhibiting his adjustable wooden clamp lamps and Carl and Eden had a booth full of all kinds of pots.
Now, here I am - many moons later - working with Carl. Eden moved on to real estate a few years ago and Carl thought it would be more fun coming to work with us here at Crosby & Taylor, than to keep making pots in his lonely pottery studio.
Everyone here feels very lucky to have such a fun guy on our team. Carl is full of stories and jokes about pretty much everything. He is kind and generous and an all-round awesome guy. On top of all of that, he is really a gifted potter.
He and I designed the Stoneware line together. Here is a fun picture of the party that we threw him when he joined us - as well as some shots of him hard at work.
We love you, Carl! You're the best!
Carl - our amazing potter - was Mr. September.
I met Carl and his lovely and talented wife, Eden, (who I blogged about in January) in a bar in 1982 after I had accompanied Jim to Saturday Market in Portland. Jim was exhibiting his adjustable wooden clamp lamps and Carl and Eden had a booth full of all kinds of pots.
Now, here I am - many moons later - working with Carl. Eden moved on to real estate a few years ago and Carl thought it would be more fun coming to work with us here at Crosby & Taylor, than to keep making pots in his lonely pottery studio.
Everyone here feels very lucky to have such a fun guy on our team. Carl is full of stories and jokes about pretty much everything. He is kind and generous and an all-round awesome guy. On top of all of that, he is really a gifted potter.
He and I designed the Stoneware line together. Here is a fun picture of the party that we threw him when he joined us - as well as some shots of him hard at work.
We love you, Carl! You're the best!
miércoles, 13 de octubre de 2010
As Seen on The Daily Grommet!
In case you missed it, we were selected out of thousands last week to be featured on Daily Grommet, the birthplace of Citizen Commerce. We sent them samples of some of our favorite products and we love what they had to say.
If you have not seen the wonderful piece they put together on us, you can view it here: Pewter Possibilities. We were really touched by the sweet video they put together.
Daily Grommet is a really awesome place to shop - since you can purchase from many different companies all in one place. I will definitely be doing some Christmas shopping there this season. Thank you, Daily Grommet, for choosing us!
If you have not seen the wonderful piece they put together on us, you can view it here: Pewter Possibilities. We were really touched by the sweet video they put together.
Daily Grommet is a really awesome place to shop - since you can purchase from many different companies all in one place. I will definitely be doing some Christmas shopping there this season. Thank you, Daily Grommet, for choosing us!
sábado, 9 de octubre de 2010
Crosby & Taylor Launches "Free & Fabulous Facebook Friday" Giveaway!
Would you like a chance to win a free and fabulous gift from Crosby & Taylor? Participate in our "Free & Fabulous Facebook Friday" contest every Friday and you just might win!
I love getting something for free - who doesn't? I've noticed that there are a lot of giveaway and contest sites out there in the world. It finally dawned on me that we should have giveaways. This is easy for us - since, after all, we make everything right here! So, each Friday - until Christmas - we will start giving away one awesome product from our collection.
Here is how it works:
We will feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You can visit our page before Friday at 12pm EST/9am PST and tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win it.
We will select a winner each Friday and announce him or her on our page. It is as simple as that!
Now, if you are like me, you see all these contests and you say to your self - I'll never win! They probably get SO many entries. But, the crazy thing is, we are really new to this type of thing - so we don't have many followers. Your chances of winning, therefore, are really good!
Our FIRST FREE & FABULOUS FRIDAY GIVEAWAY will be a lead-free Pewter Spoon Rest - Fleur de Lys pattern - on Friday, October 15th.
Remember - to enter to win, Facebook Comments need to be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, October 15th. The winner will be announced by closing that day. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week!
I love getting something for free - who doesn't? I've noticed that there are a lot of giveaway and contest sites out there in the world. It finally dawned on me that we should have giveaways. This is easy for us - since, after all, we make everything right here! So, each Friday - until Christmas - we will start giving away one awesome product from our collection.
Here is how it works:
We will feature a different Crosby & Taylor product on our blog and Facebook Page each week.
You can visit our page before Friday at 12pm EST/9am PST and tell us what you think of the product and why you deserve to win it.
We will select a winner each Friday and announce him or her on our page. It is as simple as that!
Now, if you are like me, you see all these contests and you say to your self - I'll never win! They probably get SO many entries. But, the crazy thing is, we are really new to this type of thing - so we don't have many followers. Your chances of winning, therefore, are really good!
Our FIRST FREE & FABULOUS FRIDAY GIVEAWAY will be a lead-free Pewter Spoon Rest - Fleur de Lys pattern - on Friday, October 15th.
Remember - to enter to win, Facebook Comments need to be made by 12pm EST/9am PST on Friday, October 15th. The winner will be announced by closing that day. Check our blog and Facebook page each week until Christmas to learn which prize we will be giving away that week!
martes, 5 de octubre de 2010
Crosby and Taylor to be the Featured on The Daily Grommet Today!
We are the Featured Grommet Today- October 6!
This is so exciting! Today - Wednesday, October 6th, Crosby and Taylor will be the featured Grommet on the DailyGrommet.com. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, this very cool website is an "online marketplace where you can discover and buy inventive, new products and learn their true stories".
We are just thrilled to have been selected. Daily Grommet only features 20 products each month out of thousands of submissions. I first read about them in The New York Times and thought they sounded so awesome that I immediately blogged about them.
So who is the Daily Grommet? Learn more in this video:
Check out the Daily Grommet's Facebook Page Today- October 6 and monitor when they send out our video clip and share this with others. You can also follow the Daily Grommet in Twitter! They will be tweeting throughout the day about our featured products!
This is so exciting! Today - Wednesday, October 6th, Crosby and Taylor will be the featured Grommet on the DailyGrommet.com. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, this very cool website is an "online marketplace where you can discover and buy inventive, new products and learn their true stories".
We are just thrilled to have been selected. Daily Grommet only features 20 products each month out of thousands of submissions. I first read about them in The New York Times and thought they sounded so awesome that I immediately blogged about them.
So who is the Daily Grommet? Learn more in this video:
Check out the Daily Grommet's Facebook Page Today- October 6 and monitor when they send out our video clip and share this with others. You can also follow the Daily Grommet in Twitter! They will be tweeting throughout the day about our featured products!
Daily Grommet!
We got picked! We got picked!
On Wednesday, October 6th, we are going to be the featured Grommet on the DailyGrommet.com, a very cool website!
This is an "online marketplace where you can discover and buy inventive, new products and learn their true stories". I first read about them in The New York Times and thought they sounded so awesome that I immediately blogged about them.
One of the fun things about this site is that you can watch a short - usually very entertaining! - video about each and every product and the company that makes or sells it. That, alone, is pretty creative, I think!
Here is a sampling of the products that I sent them: (We'll see which ones show up in the video!)
On Wednesday, October 6th, we are going to be the featured Grommet on the DailyGrommet.com, a very cool website!
This is an "online marketplace where you can discover and buy inventive, new products and learn their true stories". I first read about them in The New York Times and thought they sounded so awesome that I immediately blogged about them.
One of the fun things about this site is that you can watch a short - usually very entertaining! - video about each and every product and the company that makes or sells it. That, alone, is pretty creative, I think!
Here is a sampling of the products that I sent them: (We'll see which ones show up in the video!)
martes, 21 de septiembre de 2010
More Studio Sale
Every so often I like to write about our Studio Sale. I have to admit that when I visit websites like Sundance Catalogue or Anthropologie, the first thing I do is check out their sale pages. Everyone likes a deal – I’m no different!
I really think that our Studio Sale is one of the most fun parts of our site. Leandra, our newest employee who joined us from New Orleans (how crazy is that climate change?!) is our Studio Sale Specialist. Nearly every day she posts something new.
So, be sure to check it out every so often. You never know what you are going to find there. For years we were just too busy to go through our piles of over-runs or discontinued items. But now we have Leandra and she is making sense of it all. Yay for Leandra!
Here are a couple of her recent posts - very cute little salt pots:
I really think that our Studio Sale is one of the most fun parts of our site. Leandra, our newest employee who joined us from New Orleans (how crazy is that climate change?!) is our Studio Sale Specialist. Nearly every day she posts something new.
So, be sure to check it out every so often. You never know what you are going to find there. For years we were just too busy to go through our piles of over-runs or discontinued items. But now we have Leandra and she is making sense of it all. Yay for Leandra!
Here are a couple of her recent posts - very cute little salt pots:
miércoles, 15 de septiembre de 2010
Twentyten Pewter Ornament Collection
Last week I gave a sneak preview of our new Christmas Measuring Spoons.
This week we are jumping up and down about our Twentyten Pewter Christmas Ornament Collection. Wow! That's a mouthful. Like our new Measuring Spoons, we will have these ready by the end of the month - for all you super-organized early -bird Christmas shoppers!
Each ornament will have words dangling from it - like Peace, Hope, Joy, Noel....and so forth. But the coolest part is that each one is very easily customizable. You will be able to order your daughter's name or your daughter's teacher's name or your son's piano teacher's name or the name of your cottage in the woods - pretty much anything...as long as it is 9 letters or less. At some point, it would be just too much pewter - too much weight! - for your tree.
The first sample I put together for my daughter and the second one for our new German daughter - who is here with us for a year. (Thank you to Doris and Frank Tito for trusting us with her! And thanks to AFS for arranging this exchange.)
Here are the two girls on the first day back to school. My "baby" is now a Senior and my new daughter a Junior. They think it's a little weird how I talk about Christmas so much when it's only September.
This week we are jumping up and down about our Twentyten Pewter Christmas Ornament Collection. Wow! That's a mouthful. Like our new Measuring Spoons, we will have these ready by the end of the month - for all you super-organized early -bird Christmas shoppers!
Each ornament will have words dangling from it - like Peace, Hope, Joy, Noel....and so forth. But the coolest part is that each one is very easily customizable. You will be able to order your daughter's name or your daughter's teacher's name or your son's piano teacher's name or the name of your cottage in the woods - pretty much anything...as long as it is 9 letters or less. At some point, it would be just too much pewter - too much weight! - for your tree.
The first sample I put together for my daughter and the second one for our new German daughter - who is here with us for a year. (Thank you to Doris and Frank Tito for trusting us with her! And thanks to AFS for arranging this exchange.)
Here are the two girls on the first day back to school. My "baby" is now a Senior and my new daughter a Junior. They think it's a little weird how I talk about Christmas so much when it's only September.
viernes, 10 de septiembre de 2010
Christmas 2010 -Sneak Preview!
We are pretty excited about our new products for this Christmas!
For the first time ever, we have come up with a set of lead-free Pewter Measuring Spoons for the Holidays! We are just putting the finishing touches on them and hope to have them ready to ship by the end of this month. Each one is embellished on the front and back and can be stored on the Christmas Tree Post.
We never leave anything unfinished. Even the back sides of these new Spoons are decorated.
For the first time ever, we have come up with a set of lead-free Pewter Measuring Spoons for the Holidays! We are just putting the finishing touches on them and hope to have them ready to ship by the end of this month. Each one is embellished on the front and back and can be stored on the Christmas Tree Post.
We never leave anything unfinished. Even the back sides of these new Spoons are decorated.
martes, 7 de septiembre de 2010
The Pig Tail
Ok, once I calmed down a bit from the thrill of being in Paula Deen’s lastest magazine, I had to try some of the recipes in it. Not one to shy away from a new cocktail, I decided to start with The Pig Tail.
Since I've noticed there seems to be a bacon craze going on these days, I guess I wasn't completely shocked to find that there is a recipe for a bacon-infused Whiskey martini. It was created in Paula's honor by a friend of hers, Rich Eldredge from Atlanta Magazine.
Don't be put off by the long directions. It's not as complicated as it looks in print!
My only comment is that I did not get enough bacon drippings by cooking the bacon in the oven. So I had to cook a second batch (after dredging it in brown sugar) in a skillet.
Here it goes:
The Pig Tail (a Martini found in the Sept/Oct issue of Cooking with Paula Deen)
Makes 6 servings
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
12 slices thick-sliced bacon
2 cups Tennessee whisky
1 orange
5 dashes angostura bitters
Preheat oven to 400'.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil (This is important because the bacon gets very sticky.)
Dredge bacon in brown sugar, shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp, golden, and caramelized. Place bacon strips on wire racks to cool. Reserve bacon drippings.
Add 1/4 cup bacon drippings with the whiskey in a pitcher. Cover and let stand at room temperature for up to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Then chill this same mixture for about 1 hour or until bacon drippings congeal.
Cut 6 slender strips of orange peel for each cocktail. Note: the instructions say to curl the strips around a utensil to resemble a pig's tail. I could not succeed at this!
Rub the inside of 6 martini glasses with the orange. Add 1 orange curl to each glass. Garnish rims with a piece of bacon.
In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 cups whisky mixture and bitters: fill shaker with ice and top with lid. Shake well; strain into each martini glass. Serve with remaining bacon.
Since I've noticed there seems to be a bacon craze going on these days, I guess I wasn't completely shocked to find that there is a recipe for a bacon-infused Whiskey martini. It was created in Paula's honor by a friend of hers, Rich Eldredge from Atlanta Magazine.
Don't be put off by the long directions. It's not as complicated as it looks in print!
My only comment is that I did not get enough bacon drippings by cooking the bacon in the oven. So I had to cook a second batch (after dredging it in brown sugar) in a skillet.
Here it goes:
The Pig Tail (a Martini found in the Sept/Oct issue of Cooking with Paula Deen)
Makes 6 servings
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
12 slices thick-sliced bacon
2 cups Tennessee whisky
1 orange
5 dashes angostura bitters
Preheat oven to 400'.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil (This is important because the bacon gets very sticky.)
Dredge bacon in brown sugar, shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp, golden, and caramelized. Place bacon strips on wire racks to cool. Reserve bacon drippings.
Add 1/4 cup bacon drippings with the whiskey in a pitcher. Cover and let stand at room temperature for up to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Then chill this same mixture for about 1 hour or until bacon drippings congeal.
Cut 6 slender strips of orange peel for each cocktail. Note: the instructions say to curl the strips around a utensil to resemble a pig's tail. I could not succeed at this!
Rub the inside of 6 martini glasses with the orange. Add 1 orange curl to each glass. Garnish rims with a piece of bacon.
In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 cups whisky mixture and bitters: fill shaker with ice and top with lid. Shake well; strain into each martini glass. Serve with remaining bacon.
jueves, 2 de septiembre de 2010
We’re famous! well, kind of….
Hey - you know who likes our canisters? Paula Deen does - that's who!
This is the FIFTH time she has picked one of our products for her magazine:
Cooking with Paula Deen.
You would think after 24 years in business that the excitement would start to lessen. But it never does!
I was flying around the parking lot with the magazine in my hand last week. It's just always a big thrill to see your own products in print.
Carl, our fabulous potter, and I came up with these together just two years ago.
Paula picked our Pistachio Glaze with our Fleur de Lys motif.
I must say that the color in the magazine is a bit different than the actual glaze color.
(The magazine makes them look a bit more lime green than they really are.)
Since these are hand-thrown and hand-glazed, each set is a bit different. You could get a set for yourself and one for your BFF or your Mom and they wouldn't be exactly the same. How cool is that - you would both have something unique!
To celebrate this big event in our lives, all of our canisters (not just Paula's Pick) are on sale. We hope you will check them out.
(We also offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more!)
This issue - the September/October one - is now available at your favorite bookstore!
This is the FIFTH time she has picked one of our products for her magazine:
Cooking with Paula Deen.
You would think after 24 years in business that the excitement would start to lessen. But it never does!
I was flying around the parking lot with the magazine in my hand last week. It's just always a big thrill to see your own products in print.
Carl, our fabulous potter, and I came up with these together just two years ago.
Paula picked our Pistachio Glaze with our Fleur de Lys motif.
I must say that the color in the magazine is a bit different than the actual glaze color.
(The magazine makes them look a bit more lime green than they really are.)
Since these are hand-thrown and hand-glazed, each set is a bit different. You could get a set for yourself and one for your BFF or your Mom and they wouldn't be exactly the same. How cool is that - you would both have something unique!
To celebrate this big event in our lives, all of our canisters (not just Paula's Pick) are on sale. We hope you will check them out.
(We also offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more!)
This issue - the September/October one - is now available at your favorite bookstore!
lunes, 30 de agosto de 2010
Daily Grommet
Daily Grommet
While traveling home from a family reunion in Florida, Jim spotted a very cool feature story in The Sunday New York Times.
This story - Matching Innovators with Shoppers – is about a website started by an awesome couple of women that endorse what they call “nice companies” – ones with well-made products and impeccable service.
We sure hope they will decide to endorse our company!
After all, we really do think we are a nice company. We certainly treat each other well here and we sure like to be nice to our customers! We have been in business for nearly 25 years so we figure we must have been nice to at least a handful of people out there!
We know that we have well-made products. After all, we painstakingly make each one by hand and we stand by them year after year.
Impeccable service? We’ve got that covered! Our customer service team is led by dear Nancy (our Mrs. July) who knows our products inside and out – after nearly 10 years here.
We will keep you posted – but cross your fingers that we will be picked.
While traveling home from a family reunion in Florida, Jim spotted a very cool feature story in The Sunday New York Times.
This story - Matching Innovators with Shoppers – is about a website started by an awesome couple of women that endorse what they call “nice companies” – ones with well-made products and impeccable service.
We sure hope they will decide to endorse our company!
After all, we really do think we are a nice company. We certainly treat each other well here and we sure like to be nice to our customers! We have been in business for nearly 25 years so we figure we must have been nice to at least a handful of people out there!
We know that we have well-made products. After all, we painstakingly make each one by hand and we stand by them year after year.
Impeccable service? We’ve got that covered! Our customer service team is led by dear Nancy (our Mrs. July) who knows our products inside and out – after nearly 10 years here.
We will keep you posted – but cross your fingers that we will be picked.
domingo, 29 de agosto de 2010
Personal Gift Assistant
Like any mom who owns her own business, I tend to wear a lot of hats. A friend of mine recently gave me a new hat.
When I’m wearing this hat, I am his Personal Gift Assistant. This friend seems to get invited to a lot of weddings and he likes to get some assistance in picking just the right wedding gift.
Here’s what he does:
He e-mails me a description of the couple (who, of course, I never know).
I look it over – give it some thought – and then…presto! I make a suggestion.
Here is an example of a description he might send me:
-They both love hiking and anything to do with the outdoors.
-They would like to do more cooking but don’t have a lot of experience since neither of them had families who did much home-cooking.
-They have a recently remodeled kitchen with lots of counter space.
My suggestion:
-Dragonfly Measuring Spoons on a Pewter Post - $79
My reasons:
They like the outdoors so it seems like dragonflies would be a great tie-in to that passion.
Cooks – both new and seasoned – need access to good measuring utensils.
They have room on their counter for the measuring spoon storage post. (If they didn’t have much room, I would have suggested our wall-mounted version.)
*NOTE: If his budget was higher – or if she was going in with someone on her gift – I would have suggested the Dragonfly Measuring Cups.
If you’d love to select a gift from our company – but not sure what to choose…just send us an e-mail – and one of us will put on the Personal Gift Assistant hat and help you out!
When I’m wearing this hat, I am his Personal Gift Assistant. This friend seems to get invited to a lot of weddings and he likes to get some assistance in picking just the right wedding gift.
Here’s what he does:
He e-mails me a description of the couple (who, of course, I never know).
I look it over – give it some thought – and then…presto! I make a suggestion.
Here is an example of a description he might send me:
-They both love hiking and anything to do with the outdoors.
-They would like to do more cooking but don’t have a lot of experience since neither of them had families who did much home-cooking.
-They have a recently remodeled kitchen with lots of counter space.
My suggestion:
-Dragonfly Measuring Spoons on a Pewter Post - $79
My reasons:
They like the outdoors so it seems like dragonflies would be a great tie-in to that passion.
Cooks – both new and seasoned – need access to good measuring utensils.
They have room on their counter for the measuring spoon storage post. (If they didn’t have much room, I would have suggested our wall-mounted version.)
*NOTE: If his budget was higher – or if she was going in with someone on her gift – I would have suggested the Dragonfly Measuring Cups.
If you’d love to select a gift from our company – but not sure what to choose…just send us an e-mail – and one of us will put on the Personal Gift Assistant hat and help you out!
martes, 24 de agosto de 2010
Empty Nest Knocking at my Door!
Let me admit it right now. Our future empty nest is now less than 12 months away and I am really getting worried!
For the past 29 years we have been getting kids up for school, making Valentine’s Day cards, dying Easter eggs, and checking over homework. Our 4 kids have been the ones that have pulled me away from work when I have been in the design studio for too many hours. They have been the ones that made me rush to pack up the booth after a show and jump the first flight home.
Our baby girl is starting her senior year of high school. I’m already wondering who is going to keep my life in balance when she leaves. For many people this is not a problem. They put in 8 hours of work and they head home. But for the self-employed, there are no such defined boundaries. My kids have been my boundaries.
I guess I have a year to plan ahead. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead on balancing the needs of our new line of Christmas ornaments with the joys of hanging out with my senior daughter and our exchange student.
For the past 29 years we have been getting kids up for school, making Valentine’s Day cards, dying Easter eggs, and checking over homework. Our 4 kids have been the ones that have pulled me away from work when I have been in the design studio for too many hours. They have been the ones that made me rush to pack up the booth after a show and jump the first flight home.
Our baby girl is starting her senior year of high school. I’m already wondering who is going to keep my life in balance when she leaves. For many people this is not a problem. They put in 8 hours of work and they head home. But for the self-employed, there are no such defined boundaries. My kids have been my boundaries.
I guess I have a year to plan ahead. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead on balancing the needs of our new line of Christmas ornaments with the joys of hanging out with my senior daughter and our exchange student.
domingo, 22 de agosto de 2010
Something Different
Earlier this month I was in Florida for a family gathering. Jim went off with his brothers to golf, leaving me some time on my own. I headed over to the Jacksonville Town Centre – which is one of the most enormous retail shopping areas I have EVER encountered. I thought I would look for something fun and different to bring back to our 17 year old and to my neighbor – who is a bit younger than me but is creeping up on another birthday.
Without being a Debbie-downer I have to admit I was sorely disappointed. Every single store was one that I could shop at back home. It used to be really fun to travel and discover independent little shops carrying local products that you couldn’t get in your hometown.
I had to turn this negative experience into a positive one. I got a cold drink and sat down and thought. Here is what I took away from my attempted shopping experience: I realized that I was just all the more proud to be the owner of an American company that still produces products that can’t be found in every chain store. In fact, we don’t even sell to any chain stores!
When you get frustrated with seeing the same things everywhere, remember that there are still companies like ours. We go to work everyday to design and produce beautiful things that will enhance your everyday life - and will last more than a lifetime.
Our tagline: the joy of timeless goods
Without being a Debbie-downer I have to admit I was sorely disappointed. Every single store was one that I could shop at back home. It used to be really fun to travel and discover independent little shops carrying local products that you couldn’t get in your hometown.
I had to turn this negative experience into a positive one. I got a cold drink and sat down and thought. Here is what I took away from my attempted shopping experience: I realized that I was just all the more proud to be the owner of an American company that still produces products that can’t be found in every chain store. In fact, we don’t even sell to any chain stores!
When you get frustrated with seeing the same things everywhere, remember that there are still companies like ours. We go to work everyday to design and produce beautiful things that will enhance your everyday life - and will last more than a lifetime.
Our tagline: the joy of timeless goods
jueves, 19 de agosto de 2010
August is flying by!
How can it possibly be August? Why does summer always fly by so fast?
I always seem to be one month behind.
Quick! Quick! I must talk about Miss July - actually that would be Mrs. July!
We are all about celebrating around here and one of our favorite things to celebrate is actually not a thing at all - but a person! Last month we celebrated Nancy - our own Mrs. July.
Nancy is closing in on 10 years here. The only people who have spent more time with me - than Mrs. July - are my parents, my siblings, my spouse, and my children. That's it!
Nancy is not related in anyway and yet, somehow, she has managed to work alongside me for nearly 10 years. That, in itself, is something to celebrate.
Nancy came to me as a community college student sporting a tiny little skirt (about which I still tease her) and a big ol' grin. She had just moved here from Arizona and was ready to become an Oregonian.
I guess she figured the best way to do that would be to work for an Oregon company. I fell for her immediately.
And now, here she is my Operations Manager!
Around here, Nancy is known as "She who knows it all!". She remembers everything and everybody. You can ask her about anything we have made in the past 10 or so - years and she will most likely be able to tell you:
-what the heck it is and what it's used for
-how much you paid for it
-when we stopped making it - if it's been discontinued
-on and on and on
She's super smart. She's funny. She's caring.
She has been listening to NPR and Fresh Air for so many years that she can talk about pretty much anything or everything.
She is a devoted wife and adoring mother AND, best of all, she is also an expectant mother!
We can't wait to meet the future little Nancy (or Violet or Eleanor or whatever other name she and Matt pick).
She is the daughter, the sister, the wife, the mother, the employee you are all looking for.
I'm sorry but she is taken! We sure are lucky.
Give her a call when you want to know more about our products. She will proudly tell you all about them! Thanks, Nancy, for being you!
I always seem to be one month behind.
Quick! Quick! I must talk about Miss July - actually that would be Mrs. July!
We are all about celebrating around here and one of our favorite things to celebrate is actually not a thing at all - but a person! Last month we celebrated Nancy - our own Mrs. July.
Nancy is closing in on 10 years here. The only people who have spent more time with me - than Mrs. July - are my parents, my siblings, my spouse, and my children. That's it!
Nancy is not related in anyway and yet, somehow, she has managed to work alongside me for nearly 10 years. That, in itself, is something to celebrate.
Nancy came to me as a community college student sporting a tiny little skirt (about which I still tease her) and a big ol' grin. She had just moved here from Arizona and was ready to become an Oregonian.
I guess she figured the best way to do that would be to work for an Oregon company. I fell for her immediately.
And now, here she is my Operations Manager!
Around here, Nancy is known as "She who knows it all!". She remembers everything and everybody. You can ask her about anything we have made in the past 10 or so - years and she will most likely be able to tell you:
-what the heck it is and what it's used for
-how much you paid for it
-when we stopped making it - if it's been discontinued
-on and on and on
She's super smart. She's funny. She's caring.
She has been listening to NPR and Fresh Air for so many years that she can talk about pretty much anything or everything.
She is a devoted wife and adoring mother AND, best of all, she is also an expectant mother!
We can't wait to meet the future little Nancy (or Violet or Eleanor or whatever other name she and Matt pick).
She is the daughter, the sister, the wife, the mother, the employee you are all looking for.
I'm sorry but she is taken! We sure are lucky.
Give her a call when you want to know more about our products. She will proudly tell you all about them! Thanks, Nancy, for being you!
jueves, 12 de agosto de 2010
Christmas in August!
We are clearing out our shelves to make room for new Christmas Products!
This is your chance to get some great deals on many items in our current Christmas line:
See our sets here!
You can see the pieces Oliver is holding here!
All of our Ornaments can be seen here!
These specials are good through the end of August.
*Remember that we always offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Look for our new Christmas products in early October!
This is your chance to get some great deals on many items in our current Christmas line:
See our sets here!
You can see the pieces Oliver is holding here!
All of our Ornaments can be seen here!
These specials are good through the end of August.
*Remember that we always offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Look for our new Christmas products in early October!
domingo, 8 de agosto de 2010
Blackberry Season in Oregon
The Blackberry is our State Flower. I don’t think too many of us Oregonians care about the flower but we get pretty excited about the berries!
Blackberries grow all over Oregon. In fact, they’re actually a bit of a weed. They grow where you want them but they also grow where you don’t want them – and they are virtually impossible to get rid of. They thrive on both sides of alleys, they scramble over tool sheds, they crawl through your vegetable garden.
The solution? Just keep picking the berries and be happy!
Last night I made Chicken with Oregon Blackberries.
It was loosely based on a Moroccan recipe. Who knew they had blackberries in Morocco?! – considering it would be hard to find a climate more different than ours.
Chicken with Oregon Blackberries
½ cup dry white wine (measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups – of course!)
1 T. olive oil
4 lbs. bone-in chicken pieces (breasts and/or thighs)
3 T. combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, & basil
(or ½ tsp. of each, dried)
2 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup chicken stock
2 T. light brown sugar
2 T. mashed blackberries
2 garlic cloves – smashed and minced
2 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. olive oil
½ cup whole blackberries for garnish
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Pour ¼ cup wine into a large glass or porcelain baking dish.
-Rub chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange in the dish, skin side up.
-Sprinkle liberally with herbs and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
-Bake for 35 minutes, adding the ¼ cup wine and then the chicken stock to the pan as the juices evaporate.
-Occasionally baste chicken.
-While chicken is baking, combine brown sugar with mashed berries, garlic, vinegar, and remaining ½ tsp. paprika.
-Spoon this mixture over the chicken and continue cooking for 10 minutes, basting occasionally until the juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
-Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
-Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and boil over moderate heat until reduced to half (about 2 minutes).
-Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.
-Garnish with whole blackberries and enjoy.
Blackberries grow all over Oregon. In fact, they’re actually a bit of a weed. They grow where you want them but they also grow where you don’t want them – and they are virtually impossible to get rid of. They thrive on both sides of alleys, they scramble over tool sheds, they crawl through your vegetable garden.
The solution? Just keep picking the berries and be happy!
Last night I made Chicken with Oregon Blackberries.
It was loosely based on a Moroccan recipe. Who knew they had blackberries in Morocco?! – considering it would be hard to find a climate more different than ours.
Chicken with Oregon Blackberries
½ cup dry white wine (measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups – of course!)
1 T. olive oil
4 lbs. bone-in chicken pieces (breasts and/or thighs)
3 T. combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, & basil
(or ½ tsp. of each, dried)
2 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup chicken stock
2 T. light brown sugar
2 T. mashed blackberries
2 garlic cloves – smashed and minced
2 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. olive oil
½ cup whole blackberries for garnish
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Pour ¼ cup wine into a large glass or porcelain baking dish.
-Rub chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange in the dish, skin side up.
-Sprinkle liberally with herbs and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
-Bake for 35 minutes, adding the ¼ cup wine and then the chicken stock to the pan as the juices evaporate.
-Occasionally baste chicken.
-While chicken is baking, combine brown sugar with mashed berries, garlic, vinegar, and remaining ½ tsp. paprika.
-Spoon this mixture over the chicken and continue cooking for 10 minutes, basting occasionally until the juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
-Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
-Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and boil over moderate heat until reduced to half (about 2 minutes).
-Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.
-Garnish with whole blackberries and enjoy.
sábado, 31 de julio de 2010
Paula Deen Videos
Paula has been using our Pewter Measuring Spoons and Cups for about 5 years now. But I still get excited when I sit down to watch her show and see them.
It's kind of like seeing your children on TV. Wouldn't you be excited? Of course you would be! So maybe you can imagine the feeling? I still get a tingling when I see her scooping into her flour canister or dipping into her spice jars.
Of course you don't have to wait for her show to come on. You can just go to her website where there are all kinds of fun videos. The extra cool part is that you can click on the video at any point and the recipe will pop up!
We just watched the Red Velvet Bread Pudding video. I thought I might make this dessert and bring it into work next week. But I can't decide if it looks decadent enough for this crowd. It only calls for 2 sticks of butter and merely 3 cups of half and half. Hmmm....I guess I'll make it!
While making this pudding, she uses our Heart Measuring Cups and our Vineyard Measuring Spoons.
Too cool!
It's kind of like seeing your children on TV. Wouldn't you be excited? Of course you would be! So maybe you can imagine the feeling? I still get a tingling when I see her scooping into her flour canister or dipping into her spice jars.
Of course you don't have to wait for her show to come on. You can just go to her website where there are all kinds of fun videos. The extra cool part is that you can click on the video at any point and the recipe will pop up!
We just watched the Red Velvet Bread Pudding video. I thought I might make this dessert and bring it into work next week. But I can't decide if it looks decadent enough for this crowd. It only calls for 2 sticks of butter and merely 3 cups of half and half. Hmmm....I guess I'll make it!
While making this pudding, she uses our Heart Measuring Cups and our Vineyard Measuring Spoons.
Too cool!
viernes, 23 de julio de 2010
St. Cupcake
Back in 2005 a wonderful little bakery opened in Portland (that would be Portland, OREGON) just up the road from all of us here in Eugene. I can't believe I can't find a picture of it online. Bummer because it is just so cute! The patio umbrellas out front are pink and they kind of look like cupcakes.
Anyway, I know that cupcake bakeries are popping up all over the country. But St. Cupcake had it figured out before the cupcake wave hit.
We are hosting a welcome home party for our newlyweds (who got married in Ojai last week-end...see my last posting!). My daughter and new son-in-law are pretty much obsessed with St. Cupcake so of course we will have a big ol' mountain of these yummy treats. I have NO idea how their cupcakes turn out so well when they probably don't even use our American-made lead-free super awesome Pewter Measuring Cups to make them - ha! (Because we don't make industrial size Cups!)
Anyway, they are AMAZING and they can be shipped right to YOU - wherever you are! (even if you are in the other Portland - back there in Maine.)
Anyway, I know that cupcake bakeries are popping up all over the country. But St. Cupcake had it figured out before the cupcake wave hit.
We are hosting a welcome home party for our newlyweds (who got married in Ojai last week-end...see my last posting!). My daughter and new son-in-law are pretty much obsessed with St. Cupcake so of course we will have a big ol' mountain of these yummy treats. I have NO idea how their cupcakes turn out so well when they probably don't even use our American-made lead-free super awesome Pewter Measuring Cups to make them - ha! (Because we don't make industrial size Cups!)
Anyway, they are AMAZING and they can be shipped right to YOU - wherever you are! (even if you are in the other Portland - back there in Maine.)
sábado, 17 de julio de 2010
My Daughter's Wedding!
Today my third child, Petrel Crosby Chapman, is getting married! Thank goodness you can write your blog postings and schedule them for a future date. You can be sure that I did not write this posting today.
Many store owners have had the opportunity to meet Petrel at Americasmart where she has helped out at more than one show. Now she has her own business, The Wedding Cottage, in Portland. I will blog more about her soon but, for today, it's all about tieing the knot.
Congratulations Petrel and Jacob! Mazel Tov!
Many store owners have had the opportunity to meet Petrel at Americasmart where she has helped out at more than one show. Now she has her own business, The Wedding Cottage, in Portland. I will blog more about her soon but, for today, it's all about tieing the knot.
Congratulations Petrel and Jacob! Mazel Tov!
miércoles, 14 de julio de 2010
Online Studio Sale
Someone looked at our website the other day and didn't realize that our Studio Sale is ONLINE! I guess she thought that we have one here on location. But, no! You do not need to live anywhere near Eugene, Oregon to come to our studio sale.
You can come late at night. You can come early in the morning. It is always open. The best part of it is that we add new things every few days. We have been in business nearly 25 years. Over these years we have accumulated a lot of fun, interesting, random pieces that we are now selling off. Additionally, we have other items that were perhaps prototypes, slower sellers, or over-runs. Basically, there's just a lot of fun stuff to look through! And the prices are really great.
Leandra, who assists Nancy in the office, is in charge of our Studio Sale. If you have any questions about items in the sale - or items that might be listed soon- just let her know and she'll be your personal Studio Sale Shopping Assistant! 888-683-1196
Here are a couple of items that Leandra recently posted:
You can come late at night. You can come early in the morning. It is always open. The best part of it is that we add new things every few days. We have been in business nearly 25 years. Over these years we have accumulated a lot of fun, interesting, random pieces that we are now selling off. Additionally, we have other items that were perhaps prototypes, slower sellers, or over-runs. Basically, there's just a lot of fun stuff to look through! And the prices are really great.
Leandra, who assists Nancy in the office, is in charge of our Studio Sale. If you have any questions about items in the sale - or items that might be listed soon- just let her know and she'll be your personal Studio Sale Shopping Assistant! 888-683-1196
Here are a couple of items that Leandra recently posted:
domingo, 11 de julio de 2010
Oregon Country Fair
Growing up in northern New York, we considered Memorial Day to be the start of summer. We toughed out those last couple weeks of school. However, out here in Oregon, summer frequently doesn't arrive until the 4th of July.
This is just in time for The Oregon Country Fair, which takes place the second week-end of July each year. I'm surprised I would even blog about the Oregon Country Fair since I can't say that my life overlaps much with it anymore. My fabulous packer, shipper, and production assistant, Derrik IS missing work for the fair. And that is a super big deal. But, other than, missing Derrik, I wouldn't normally think about it much.
However, a few days ago, I learned that my 19 year old niece was on her way to Eugene for the Fair. My sister had no idea what it was. I didn't even know how to begin to describe it.
I googled images to include in this blog posting but most of them were all about the body painting.
It's crazy that, with all the fabulous events that go on at the Fair, the images that capture everyone's attention are the ones about bodies.
Jim's fellow golfers would probably be pretty surprised to learn that Jim owns a booth at the Oregon Country Fair. There is an unusual set-up there in which you own your booth for life. He hasn't exhibited there for years but it is one of the places where he got his start as an artisan. Back then he made adjustable wooden lamps. From wood to pewter to golf, Jim has worn a lot of different caps!
This is just in time for The Oregon Country Fair, which takes place the second week-end of July each year. I'm surprised I would even blog about the Oregon Country Fair since I can't say that my life overlaps much with it anymore. My fabulous packer, shipper, and production assistant, Derrik IS missing work for the fair. And that is a super big deal. But, other than, missing Derrik, I wouldn't normally think about it much.
However, a few days ago, I learned that my 19 year old niece was on her way to Eugene for the Fair. My sister had no idea what it was. I didn't even know how to begin to describe it.
I googled images to include in this blog posting but most of them were all about the body painting.
It's crazy that, with all the fabulous events that go on at the Fair, the images that capture everyone's attention are the ones about bodies.
Jim's fellow golfers would probably be pretty surprised to learn that Jim owns a booth at the Oregon Country Fair. There is an unusual set-up there in which you own your booth for life. He hasn't exhibited there for years but it is one of the places where he got his start as an artisan. Back then he made adjustable wooden lamps. From wood to pewter to golf, Jim has worn a lot of different caps!
viernes, 9 de julio de 2010
Mister June
We were so busy last month that I forgot to talk about Mister June - our employee of the month.
Here he is at the party we had last year, celebrating our new pottery. See him - right there in the middle!
Dan is the twin brother to Adam, who was our Mister April.
I hired Adam before I hired Dan. Although this seems absurd now, I was scared to hire Dan. I had seen him around town at fast-food places. He had such crazy energy that I wondered if I could trust him around hot, molten metal.
What was I thinking? Dan is a gift! He walks in each day, with the biggest grin on his face. This guy loves to work. He is the most flexible, easy-going person around. Whatever you need help with....Dan is your man.
Every business owner wants to succeed. Every leader wants to see the sales charts go up. I am no different. But it's not just about me or paying my own bills. It's for my guys like Dan. I want him to be able to be proud at night when he gets home and sits down to dinner with his family - knowing that he is not just pulling his weight, but that he is working to provide a better life for all of them.
Dan is your classic American worker - earning an honest paycheck making an American product.
Every time you reach for your Pewter Measuring Cups or your Pewter Coffee Scoop, you can feel proud - knowing you have contributed, in a small way, to getting this country back on its feet. Artisans like Dan thank you!
Here he is at the party we had last year, celebrating our new pottery. See him - right there in the middle!
Dan is the twin brother to Adam, who was our Mister April.
I hired Adam before I hired Dan. Although this seems absurd now, I was scared to hire Dan. I had seen him around town at fast-food places. He had such crazy energy that I wondered if I could trust him around hot, molten metal.
What was I thinking? Dan is a gift! He walks in each day, with the biggest grin on his face. This guy loves to work. He is the most flexible, easy-going person around. Whatever you need help with....Dan is your man.
Every business owner wants to succeed. Every leader wants to see the sales charts go up. I am no different. But it's not just about me or paying my own bills. It's for my guys like Dan. I want him to be able to be proud at night when he gets home and sits down to dinner with his family - knowing that he is not just pulling his weight, but that he is working to provide a better life for all of them.
Dan is your classic American worker - earning an honest paycheck making an American product.
Every time you reach for your Pewter Measuring Cups or your Pewter Coffee Scoop, you can feel proud - knowing you have contributed, in a small way, to getting this country back on its feet. Artisans like Dan thank you!
sábado, 3 de julio de 2010
Paula Deen's Fresh Corn Scallop and Bubba's Beer Biscuits
Here are the last two Paula Deen dishes I served at Carol's Farewell Luncheon. I am not posting a recipe for the Strawberry Shortcake - since I pretty much just made it up. I figure - how can you go wrong if you put shortcake, whipped cream, and strawberries together? It just kind of works. Yum!
Fresh Corn Scallop
6 ears fresh corn
2 T. flour - measured out with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Spoons :)
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup buttered dry bread crumbs
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Cut corn off cob, being careful to not cut too deep.
(This should make 2 1/2 to 3 cups of corn.)
*Combine corn, flour, sugar, salt, pepper and milk.
*Sprinkle half the crumbs over the bottom of a 1 quart casserole dish.
*Add corn mixture.
*Bake covered for about 30 minutes.
*Remove cover and sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
*Bake uncovered 20 minutes more.
So, here are Bubba's Beer Biscuits. I can't say these are the best Biscuits I have ever had. But, if you have to throw something together after work before you run to a potluck and you want people to guess what is in them - then I would give them a shot.
Frankly, the Honey Butter is the best part of them!
Bubba's Beer Biscuits (Pay attention - this is a pretty tricky recipe - ha!)
4 cups Biquick - measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups
1/3 cup sugar
One 12-ounce can of Beer (I used Coors Light - since that is what we keep around for my future son-in-law)
2 T. melted butter
*Preheat over to 400 degrees
*Mix all ingredients well.
*Pour into well-greased (of course! this is Paula Deen goodness) muffin tins
*Bake for 15 - 20 minutes
*Serve warm with Honey Butter
Honey Butter
2 sticks butter
2 T. honey
Allow butter to soften slightly at room temperature. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and honey together in a bowl until well mixed.
Fresh Corn Scallop
6 ears fresh corn
2 T. flour - measured out with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Spoons :)
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup buttered dry bread crumbs
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Cut corn off cob, being careful to not cut too deep.
(This should make 2 1/2 to 3 cups of corn.)
*Combine corn, flour, sugar, salt, pepper and milk.
*Sprinkle half the crumbs over the bottom of a 1 quart casserole dish.
*Add corn mixture.
*Bake covered for about 30 minutes.
*Remove cover and sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
*Bake uncovered 20 minutes more.
So, here are Bubba's Beer Biscuits. I can't say these are the best Biscuits I have ever had. But, if you have to throw something together after work before you run to a potluck and you want people to guess what is in them - then I would give them a shot.
Frankly, the Honey Butter is the best part of them!
Bubba's Beer Biscuits (Pay attention - this is a pretty tricky recipe - ha!)
4 cups Biquick - measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups
1/3 cup sugar
One 12-ounce can of Beer (I used Coors Light - since that is what we keep around for my future son-in-law)
2 T. melted butter
*Preheat over to 400 degrees
*Mix all ingredients well.
*Pour into well-greased (of course! this is Paula Deen goodness) muffin tins
*Bake for 15 - 20 minutes
*Serve warm with Honey Butter
Honey Butter
2 sticks butter
2 T. honey
Allow butter to soften slightly at room temperature. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and honey together in a bowl until well mixed.
jueves, 1 de julio de 2010
Paula Deen's Hash Brown Casserole
Here is the 3rd course that I served at Carol's Farewell Luncheon. Our pewter smiths here at Crosby & Taylor can really pack it in. They are very fun to feed! Needless to say, they devoured this.
Ok, so I know this isn't gourmet fare. But if you have a bunch of college guys home for the week-end, they will love you for this!
Thank you again to Food Network for the image.
Hash Brown Casserole
3 T. butter - measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Spoons, I am sure!
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns - measured with your Crosby & Taylor measuring cups
8 cups cubed French or Italian bread, crusts removed
1 pound bulk sausage - mild, hot or sage
2 cups (1/2 pound) grated Gruyere cheese
2 cups (1/2 pound) grated Romano cheese
2 1/4 cups whole milk
8 large eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
2 T. Dijon mustard
*Grease a deep 9" X 13" casserole.
*Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the onion and saute over medium-low heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the hash browns and break apart. Saute until soft (about 5 minutes).
*Place the bread cubes in the bottom of the casserole. Spread the onion and hash browns evenly on top.
*Saute the sausage in the same pas, breaking apart large clumps. When the sausage is cooked through, remove it with a slotted spoon and distribute evenly over the hash browns. Distribute the grated cheese evenly over the sausage.
*In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and mustard - whisking briskly to blend. Pour over the cheese.
*Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight or at least 8 hours.
*Remove the casserole from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 45 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
Enjoy!
Ok, so I know this isn't gourmet fare. But if you have a bunch of college guys home for the week-end, they will love you for this!
Thank you again to Food Network for the image.
Hash Brown Casserole
3 T. butter - measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Spoons, I am sure!
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns - measured with your Crosby & Taylor measuring cups
8 cups cubed French or Italian bread, crusts removed
1 pound bulk sausage - mild, hot or sage
2 cups (1/2 pound) grated Gruyere cheese
2 cups (1/2 pound) grated Romano cheese
2 1/4 cups whole milk
8 large eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
2 T. Dijon mustard
*Grease a deep 9" X 13" casserole.
*Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the onion and saute over medium-low heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the hash browns and break apart. Saute until soft (about 5 minutes).
*Place the bread cubes in the bottom of the casserole. Spread the onion and hash browns evenly on top.
*Saute the sausage in the same pas, breaking apart large clumps. When the sausage is cooked through, remove it with a slotted spoon and distribute evenly over the hash browns. Distribute the grated cheese evenly over the sausage.
*In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and mustard - whisking briskly to blend. Pour over the cheese.
*Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight or at least 8 hours.
*Remove the casserole from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 45 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
Enjoy!
miércoles, 30 de junio de 2010
Paula Deen's Spinach Salad
This was the 2nd course served at Carol's Farewell Luncheon.
There are so many recipes for Spinach Salad. But this is a yummy, easy one. The recipe, from Paula Deen Celebrates!, has this comment with it: "This dressing is so good, you just might want to drink it!"
So, if you already have your own favorite Spinach Salad, you might want to try it with Paula's "good enough to drink" dressing!
I am not posting an image. Salads are so hard to photograph and I do believe most of us can picture what this would look like!
Spinach Salad
Fresh Baby Spinach
4 strips bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 green onions, sliced
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
In a large glass bowl, layer the salad ingredients beginning with the spinach. Cover and chill.
Dressing
1 cup vegetable oil - measured with your Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Cups :)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. salt - measured with your Paula Deen Measuring Spoons
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 T. sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 clover garlic - minced
Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender and mix well.
Add the dressing just before serving the salad and toss well!
There are so many recipes for Spinach Salad. But this is a yummy, easy one. The recipe, from Paula Deen Celebrates!, has this comment with it: "This dressing is so good, you just might want to drink it!"
So, if you already have your own favorite Spinach Salad, you might want to try it with Paula's "good enough to drink" dressing!
I am not posting an image. Salads are so hard to photograph and I do believe most of us can picture what this would look like!
Spinach Salad
Fresh Baby Spinach
4 strips bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 green onions, sliced
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
In a large glass bowl, layer the salad ingredients beginning with the spinach. Cover and chill.
Dressing
1 cup vegetable oil - measured with your Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Cups :)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. salt - measured with your Paula Deen Measuring Spoons
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 T. sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 clover garlic - minced
Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender and mix well.
Add the dressing just before serving the salad and toss well!
domingo, 27 de junio de 2010
Paula Deen's Strawberry Soup
At Carol's Farewell Luncheon last week, everything but the Strawberry Shortcake was from my two Paula Deen Cookbooks.
We started with her Strawberry Soup. This was heavenly and a rather unusual way to start a meal!
But on a hot summer day, it is perfect. Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph it so I must thank
The Food Network for this image.
Strawberry Soup
serves 6 - 8
1 quart strawberries, hulled
4 cups buttermilk, measured with our Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Cups, of course!
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup sour cream plus a bit more for garnish
3 T. peach schnapps, measured with our Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Spoons, of course!
Fresh mint leaves
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the strawberries, 1 cup of the buttermilk, and the sugar. Process until blended and set aside. Combine the remaining 3 cups of buttermilk, the sour cream, and schnapps in a large bowl. Pour the strawberry mixture into the sour cream mixture and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve the soup chilled in small cups, garnished with a small dollop of sour cream with mint sprigs.
We started with her Strawberry Soup. This was heavenly and a rather unusual way to start a meal!
But on a hot summer day, it is perfect. Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph it so I must thank
The Food Network for this image.
Strawberry Soup
serves 6 - 8
1 quart strawberries, hulled
4 cups buttermilk, measured with our Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Cups, of course!
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup sour cream plus a bit more for garnish
3 T. peach schnapps, measured with our Paula Deen Pewter Measuring Spoons, of course!
Fresh mint leaves
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the strawberries, 1 cup of the buttermilk, and the sugar. Process until blended and set aside. Combine the remaining 3 cups of buttermilk, the sour cream, and schnapps in a large bowl. Pour the strawberry mixture into the sour cream mixture and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve the soup chilled in small cups, garnished with a small dollop of sour cream with mint sprigs.
jueves, 24 de junio de 2010
Carol moves on
The average age here at Crosby & Taylor is about 30 years old. Most of the lunch room talk is about sports teams, bands, and food and drink.
In 2007, when Carol accepted a job here, as sales manager, I kind of wondered how she would fit in with this crowd. Like myself, Carol has been "around the block". This was not the first job on her resume. But something about her led me to believe that she was a lot younger (in spirit) than the date on her driver's license might lead you to think.
This was so true! Carol fit in just fine here. She has boundless energy, a positive outlook on life, and a great - take it as it is - attitude. But nothing lasts forever and so last Friday was Carol's last day. We had a fun going-away luncheon out in our side yard. Thank you, Mother Nature!
We had lots of food and games, of course.
We rarely have a party around here without games and prizes. Some of the prizes were goodies that I had brought home from Out of the Blue, one of my favorites stores in Georgia.
Everything I made was from my two Paula Deen cookbooks. In my next few posts, I will share the recipes from our luncheon.
In 2007, when Carol accepted a job here, as sales manager, I kind of wondered how she would fit in with this crowd. Like myself, Carol has been "around the block". This was not the first job on her resume. But something about her led me to believe that she was a lot younger (in spirit) than the date on her driver's license might lead you to think.
This was so true! Carol fit in just fine here. She has boundless energy, a positive outlook on life, and a great - take it as it is - attitude. But nothing lasts forever and so last Friday was Carol's last day. We had a fun going-away luncheon out in our side yard. Thank you, Mother Nature!
We had lots of food and games, of course.
We rarely have a party around here without games and prizes. Some of the prizes were goodies that I had brought home from Out of the Blue, one of my favorites stores in Georgia.
Everything I made was from my two Paula Deen cookbooks. In my next few posts, I will share the recipes from our luncheon.
viernes, 18 de junio de 2010
Wedding Gifts
Most brides and grooms like to register for their Wedding Gifts.
I usually try to find something in their registry that I can combine with something handmade. That way, I feel I am putting my own personal touch to the gift.
Here are 5 Crosby & Taylor product ideas that would make nice lovely gifts on their own - or as add-ons to registry listed items.
1) Pewter Spoon Rest - $20
2) Petite Salt Pot - $29
3) Pewter Salt Cellar – $19
4) Key Rack - $23
5) Lightweight Hook - $9.50
I usually try to find something in their registry that I can combine with something handmade. That way, I feel I am putting my own personal touch to the gift.
Here are 5 Crosby & Taylor product ideas that would make nice lovely gifts on their own - or as add-ons to registry listed items.
1) Pewter Spoon Rest - $20
2) Petite Salt Pot - $29
3) Pewter Salt Cellar – $19
4) Key Rack - $23
5) Lightweight Hook - $9.50
viernes, 11 de junio de 2010
Double Chocolate Bundt Cake
Time for another birthday!
Last week it was Elaine's...our fabulous accountant.
I found a recipe for a Chocolate Bundt Cake in a Southern Living magazine. It called for 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate and a can of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. Now, I realize that, for many people - that is enough chocolate. But not for this crowd.
I swapped out the Hershey's Syrup for 12 ounces
of Euphoria Chocolate Sauce (made locally but I'm sure they would be happy to ship some to you.) The container is 14 ounces but I just put in 12 ounces so I had a little left for myself. (Shhhh!)
I guess Elaine liked it. Here she is with her second piece.
(You might notice that it was too late to go knocking on my neighbor's door for her Bundt Cake Pan so I used a Tube Pan that I had. Not quite as elegant - but we're more about taste than presentation around here)
Double Chocolate Bundt Cake
1 – 8 ounce box of semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
1 – 16 ounce can of Hershey Chocolate Syrup (or 12 ounces of Euphoria Chocolate Sauce)
2 – sticks softened butter
4 – large eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (measured with Pewter Measuring Cups, of course!)
½ tsp. baking powder (measured with Pewter Measuring Spoons, we hope!)
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Garnish: Powdered Sugar or Cocoa Powder
*Preheat over to 325 degrees
*Melt chocolate and butter over low-heat in a saucepan. Stir in chocolate syrup or sauce until smooth.
*Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy.
*Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
*Sift together baking flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternatively with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.
*Stir in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture just until blended.
*Pour batter into a greased and floured 14 cup Bundt pan.
*Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long, thin cake tester comes out clean.
*Let cool for 15 minutes. Then turn out and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar or cocoa.
*Devour!
Last week it was Elaine's...our fabulous accountant.
I found a recipe for a Chocolate Bundt Cake in a Southern Living magazine. It called for 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate and a can of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. Now, I realize that, for many people - that is enough chocolate. But not for this crowd.
I swapped out the Hershey's Syrup for 12 ounces
of Euphoria Chocolate Sauce (made locally but I'm sure they would be happy to ship some to you.) The container is 14 ounces but I just put in 12 ounces so I had a little left for myself. (Shhhh!)
I guess Elaine liked it. Here she is with her second piece.
(You might notice that it was too late to go knocking on my neighbor's door for her Bundt Cake Pan so I used a Tube Pan that I had. Not quite as elegant - but we're more about taste than presentation around here)
Double Chocolate Bundt Cake
1 – 8 ounce box of semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
1 – 16 ounce can of Hershey Chocolate Syrup (or 12 ounces of Euphoria Chocolate Sauce)
2 – sticks softened butter
4 – large eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (measured with Pewter Measuring Cups, of course!)
½ tsp. baking powder (measured with Pewter Measuring Spoons, we hope!)
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Garnish: Powdered Sugar or Cocoa Powder
*Preheat over to 325 degrees
*Melt chocolate and butter over low-heat in a saucepan. Stir in chocolate syrup or sauce until smooth.
*Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy.
*Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
*Sift together baking flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternatively with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.
*Stir in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture just until blended.
*Pour batter into a greased and floured 14 cup Bundt pan.
*Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long, thin cake tester comes out clean.
*Let cool for 15 minutes. Then turn out and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar or cocoa.
*Devour!
domingo, 6 de junio de 2010
Pewter Baby Bottle!
I am always amazed at the incredible variety of vessels that have been made out of pewter.
We primarily make products for the kitchen - Pewter Measuring Cups and Spoons, Coffee Scoops, and so on. But a couple of centuries ago, European pewter smiths were making many items for medicinal use!
In one of my favorite picture books on old pewter, I came across this French baby bottle. How beautiful!
I also found this image of a bottle to hold leeches. Thank goodness we don't use that medical technique anymore!
There were countless other images - many of which I feel you might not want to take a look at
(such as a small syringe, a spoon for castor oil, and even a suppository mold).
I always get a little thrill when I realize we are working with the same basic metal (minus the lead - thank goodness!) that has been used for centuries. Admittedly, plastic and paper have their place. But products made of Pewter will last forever. That makes me proud.
We primarily make products for the kitchen - Pewter Measuring Cups and Spoons, Coffee Scoops, and so on. But a couple of centuries ago, European pewter smiths were making many items for medicinal use!
In one of my favorite picture books on old pewter, I came across this French baby bottle. How beautiful!
I also found this image of a bottle to hold leeches. Thank goodness we don't use that medical technique anymore!
There were countless other images - many of which I feel you might not want to take a look at
(such as a small syringe, a spoon for castor oil, and even a suppository mold).
I always get a little thrill when I realize we are working with the same basic metal (minus the lead - thank goodness!) that has been used for centuries. Admittedly, plastic and paper have their place. But products made of Pewter will last forever. That makes me proud.
jueves, 3 de junio de 2010
It's Wedding Season!
June is here and that means Wedding Season is here, as well.
Four of our most popular product categories (which, we believe, are all perfect wedding gifts) are on sale through July 5th.
To take advantage of this special pricing, just enter the coupon code at our check-out.
crosbyandtaylor.com
Pewter Spoon Rests - $15 (regular price $20)
coupon code: bjunerest
Pewter Measuring Spoons on Post - $59 (regular price $79)
coupon code: bjunespoon
Pewter Measuring Cups on Post - $149 (regular price $179)
coupon code: bjunecup
Ceramic Canister Set - $199 (regular price $239)
coupon code: bjuneset
We can write out your gift message, wrap your gift and ship it right off to the bride and groom!
Happy Wedding Season! Happy Gift Giving!
Four of our most popular product categories (which, we believe, are all perfect wedding gifts) are on sale through July 5th.
To take advantage of this special pricing, just enter the coupon code at our check-out.
crosbyandtaylor.com
Pewter Spoon Rests - $15 (regular price $20)
coupon code: bjunerest
Pewter Measuring Spoons on Post - $59 (regular price $79)
coupon code: bjunespoon
Pewter Measuring Cups on Post - $149 (regular price $179)
coupon code: bjunecup
Ceramic Canister Set - $199 (regular price $239)
coupon code: bjuneset
We can write out your gift message, wrap your gift and ship it right off to the bride and groom!
Happy Wedding Season! Happy Gift Giving!
domingo, 30 de mayo de 2010
Employee of the Month
Each month we honor one of our employees here. It's pretty hard to just pick one person since everyone here is extraordinary. I actually do not exaggerate. I am one of the luckiest small business owners around. Making our Pewter Measuring Spoons and Cups is a breeze when you have staff like I do....
That said, before the month ends, I need to talk about the talents of Adam Trent - our very own "Mr. May"! Adam, a transplant from Oswego, NY, has been with us for nearly 6 years. Adam loves John Lennon, The Beatles, Baseball, playing guitar and singing in his band, ColdFire, and eating lots of cheeseburgers, bacon, and "good pizza".
Adam is:
-a master welder
-a lightning quick caster
-a Speedy Gonzales sander
-an awesome mold-maker
-a great co-worker
Basically, he is an all-round super guy!
Here he is in action:
That said, before the month ends, I need to talk about the talents of Adam Trent - our very own "Mr. May"! Adam, a transplant from Oswego, NY, has been with us for nearly 6 years. Adam loves John Lennon, The Beatles, Baseball, playing guitar and singing in his band, ColdFire, and eating lots of cheeseburgers, bacon, and "good pizza".
Adam is:
-a master welder
-a lightning quick caster
-a Speedy Gonzales sander
-an awesome mold-maker
-a great co-worker
Basically, he is an all-round super guy!
Here he is in action:
viernes, 28 de mayo de 2010
Pewter Measuring Cups and Ceramic Canisters
The answer is yes!
We have been asked whether or not our own Pewter Measuring Cups fit into our own
Ceramic Canisters! Certainly they do!
That is one of the great things about making things ourselves. We can make sure that they all work beautifully together.
So, if you own our measuring cups and have been eyeing our canisters....or if you own our canisters and have been eyeing our measuring cups....or if you don't yet own either....now you know that they are a wonderful combination. Most of us here find ourselves scooping out of our canisters with our cups on a daily basis. :)
We have been asked whether or not our own Pewter Measuring Cups fit into our own
Ceramic Canisters! Certainly they do!
That is one of the great things about making things ourselves. We can make sure that they all work beautifully together.
So, if you own our measuring cups and have been eyeing our canisters....or if you own our canisters and have been eyeing our measuring cups....or if you don't yet own either....now you know that they are a wonderful combination. Most of us here find ourselves scooping out of our canisters with our cups on a daily basis. :)
miércoles, 19 de mayo de 2010
Custom Products
I never really know what my day is going to look like when I back out of the driveway in the morning. This is partly because we frequently get phone calls like this:
"Hello! I was wondering if you make custom products?"
Our answer is always an immediate and resounding:
"Yes! We love to! What can we make for you?"
As soon as we get a call like that, our minds start churning and we're off on a new project.
I might wake up thinking I'm going to be designing a new Santa's Key to add to our Christmas Collection - but as soon as I walk in the door I find I need to be thinking about something for a utility company or a wedding or an optical company or a pet hospital....
Here are a few of our favorite items, which we have made in the past couple of years:
"Hello! I was wondering if you make custom products?"
Our answer is always an immediate and resounding:
"Yes! We love to! What can we make for you?"
As soon as we get a call like that, our minds start churning and we're off on a new project.
I might wake up thinking I'm going to be designing a new Santa's Key to add to our Christmas Collection - but as soon as I walk in the door I find I need to be thinking about something for a utility company or a wedding or an optical company or a pet hospital....
Here are a few of our favorite items, which we have made in the past couple of years:
viernes, 14 de mayo de 2010
Getting Organized!
Some people just seem to have a natural talent for organizing. Others of us could use a little help.
Even if you think you don't need help, I bet you will find that Jeri Dansky, who is located in Half Moon Bay, California (which pretty much looks like Paradise, I might add!) might have some fun tips for making your life easier. As Jeri says - "I help people whose clutter is driving them crazy - and I help the mostly organized do even better."
Jeri is now in her 6th year as a professional organizer. We discovered her because she included our ceramic canisters in her blog. Thank you, Jeri!
Another fun thing about Jeri is that she sources all kinds of cool products that will help you get organized. Although we hope you will pick OUR ceramic canisters, I must admit that she found all kinds of cool ones that I had never seen.
Jeri also writes on other blogs. Here are some of the topics that I thought were pretty interesting:
-the importance of making LISTS
-getting rid of CLUTTER
-organizing JEWELRY for TRAVEL
Check it out!
Even if you think you don't need help, I bet you will find that Jeri Dansky, who is located in Half Moon Bay, California (which pretty much looks like Paradise, I might add!) might have some fun tips for making your life easier. As Jeri says - "I help people whose clutter is driving them crazy - and I help the mostly organized do even better."
Jeri is now in her 6th year as a professional organizer. We discovered her because she included our ceramic canisters in her blog. Thank you, Jeri!
Another fun thing about Jeri is that she sources all kinds of cool products that will help you get organized. Although we hope you will pick OUR ceramic canisters, I must admit that she found all kinds of cool ones that I had never seen.
Jeri also writes on other blogs. Here are some of the topics that I thought were pretty interesting:
-the importance of making LISTS
-getting rid of CLUTTER
-organizing JEWELRY for TRAVEL
Check it out!
martes, 11 de mayo de 2010
Dragonfly Measuring Cups
One of the most enjoyable things about making products is selling to customers who take the time to send us photos of how they are using our products. We recently received a great photo from a customer who did a custom mounting job with our Pewter Measuring Cups - in the Dragonfly pattern - and 4 of our Pewter Hooks - also in the shape of Dragonflies. How clever! We usually sell our Pewter Measuring Cups on a Strip or a Post - but look how awesome these look!
We can't help but hope that he will now order a double outlet cover, of course!
We can't help but hope that he will now order a double outlet cover, of course!
jueves, 29 de abril de 2010
Studio Sale
We have been designing and producing pewter gifts for nearly 25 years. Inevitably, some of the things we come up with never become top-sellers. Some of them just aren't right and get put aside as seconds.
What to do? From time to time we have had Studio Sales here in Eugene. However, our customer base has grown and many of you cannot just drive over to Taylor St. and shop at our sale.
Our solution: Bring our Studio Sale to YOU, online! We are constantly adding to it. So if you don't see the perfect item this week, there will be new pieces the week after. Everything is marked down from 25% - 50%. Some items are one-of-a kinds. We have multiples of others.
What to do? From time to time we have had Studio Sales here in Eugene. However, our customer base has grown and many of you cannot just drive over to Taylor St. and shop at our sale.
Our solution: Bring our Studio Sale to YOU, online! We are constantly adding to it. So if you don't see the perfect item this week, there will be new pieces the week after. Everything is marked down from 25% - 50%. Some items are one-of-a kinds. We have multiples of others.
miércoles, 28 de abril de 2010
Mother's Day Special
If your name is Paula Deen and you make a living by cooking on The Food Network...well, then, all of your Measuring Spoons and Cups are free! For the rest of you, we have a Mother's Day Special....
Here's how it works:
1) visit our online store
2) place an order by May 2nd
3) enter this coupon code: momblog10 at the check-out and receive 20% off your order
Note: Does not apply to Stoneware or the Studio Sale
Here's how it works:
1) visit our online store
2) place an order by May 2nd
3) enter this coupon code: momblog10 at the check-out and receive 20% off your order
Note: Does not apply to Stoneware or the Studio Sale
domingo, 25 de abril de 2010
BROWNIES, BROWNIES AND MORE BROWNIES!
I have been collecting recipes since I was about 17 years old.
I used to go to used bookstores and pore though the old Gourmet magazines. When I was a babysitter, I browsed through the parents’ cookbooks (once the kids were safely asleep). I read recipes everywhere I go.
I especially love to collect brownie recipes. I have always been fascinated by how many variations there are on such a simple little dessert.
I even have a chart that I made from 31 different brownie recipes – to get a visual lay-out of the ratio of butter to sugar to flour to chocolate, and so forth.
This chart is a great help when I want to make a batch of brownies. I try to stock every kind of chocolate but invariably, I run out. All I have to do is turn to my chart and see which recipe matches the ingredients I have on hand.
Here is a recipe I made recently which has a different twist – the addition of cinnamon. These are rich! Chocolate lovers will devour them. Non-chocolate lovers may find them a bit much!
Cinnamon-Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
(with credit to Bon Appetit – 2001)
Brownies
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, diced, room temperature
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
Ganache
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons whipping cream
Preheat oven to 350°F.
For Brownies:
Generously butter 8x8x2-inch baking pan, dust with flour.
Mix first 3 ingredients in small bowl and set aside.
Heat chocolate and butter in saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Set aside.
Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until mixture thickens and falls in soft ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla.
Stir in flour mixture in 2 additions, blending well after each. Gradually add warm chocolate to egg mixture, beating until just combined. Stir in walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake brownies until top is set and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
For Ganache:
Whisk all ingredients in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Pour evenly over brownies in pan.
Chill brownies until ganache is set ( about 2 hours). Cut into 16 squares.
I have been collecting recipes since I was about 17 years old.
I used to go to used bookstores and pore though the old Gourmet magazines. When I was a babysitter, I browsed through the parents’ cookbooks (once the kids were safely asleep). I read recipes everywhere I go.
I especially love to collect brownie recipes. I have always been fascinated by how many variations there are on such a simple little dessert.
I even have a chart that I made from 31 different brownie recipes – to get a visual lay-out of the ratio of butter to sugar to flour to chocolate, and so forth.
This chart is a great help when I want to make a batch of brownies. I try to stock every kind of chocolate but invariably, I run out. All I have to do is turn to my chart and see which recipe matches the ingredients I have on hand.
Here is a recipe I made recently which has a different twist – the addition of cinnamon. These are rich! Chocolate lovers will devour them. Non-chocolate lovers may find them a bit much!
Cinnamon-Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
(with credit to Bon Appetit – 2001)
Brownies
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, diced, room temperature
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
Ganache
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons whipping cream
Preheat oven to 350°F.
For Brownies:
Generously butter 8x8x2-inch baking pan, dust with flour.
Mix first 3 ingredients in small bowl and set aside.
Heat chocolate and butter in saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Set aside.
Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until mixture thickens and falls in soft ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla.
Stir in flour mixture in 2 additions, blending well after each. Gradually add warm chocolate to egg mixture, beating until just combined. Stir in walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake brownies until top is set and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
For Ganache:
Whisk all ingredients in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Pour evenly over brownies in pan.
Chill brownies until ganache is set ( about 2 hours). Cut into 16 squares.
sábado, 24 de abril de 2010
Top 10 Gift Ideas for Mother's Day
Mother's Day (May 9th) is kind of a big day for us here at Crosby & Taylor. How could it not be? First of all, three of us are Mothers - and yours truly is also a Grandmother. Secondly, we believe we make gifts that are perfectly suited for Mother's Day!
Here are 10 great gift ideas from our online store (from $ to $$$$):
(note: You can get 20% off any of these gifts by entering this coupon code: momblog10 when you check-out. Good through May 2nd.)
1) Swirls Heart Hook - $10
2) "Home is where you are happy" Switchplate cover - $17.50
3) Heart Salt Cellar - $19
4) Heart Spoon Rest - brand new product! - $20
5) Dragonfly Coffee Scoop - $25
6) Petite Salt Pot - Bird Motif - $29
7) Regular Salt Pot - Fleur de Lys motif - $39
8) Heart Measuring Spoons - $78
9) Heart Measuring Cups - $178
10) Vineyard Super Post - $265
Here are 10 great gift ideas from our online store (from $ to $$$$):
(note: You can get 20% off any of these gifts by entering this coupon code: momblog10 when you check-out. Good through May 2nd.)
1) Swirls Heart Hook - $10
2) "Home is where you are happy" Switchplate cover - $17.50
3) Heart Salt Cellar - $19
4) Heart Spoon Rest - brand new product! - $20
5) Dragonfly Coffee Scoop - $25
6) Petite Salt Pot - Bird Motif - $29
7) Regular Salt Pot - Fleur de Lys motif - $39
8) Heart Measuring Spoons - $78
9) Heart Measuring Cups - $178
10) Vineyard Super Post - $265
Seattle
I was in Seattle last month with my daughter and her bridesmaids. They had a lot of fun trying on dresses for my daughter's upcoming wedding. Our time there was too short. If I had had more time, I would definitely have paid a visit to the Wallingford Center. This is an old school building that was converted into retail spaces. Among the many fun shops and eateries is a place called Crackerjack Contemporary Crafts. They have been carrying our products for over 20 years. Next time you are in the area, you might want to pop in.
lunes, 19 de abril de 2010
Birds, Butter and Paula
We have just sent off our new Bird Measuring Spoons and Bird Measuring Cups to Paula Deen. How could we not? She owns all of our other designs so we figured we better make sure her collection was complete. Paula is too special for ordinary wrapping paper. We made our own wrapping paper out of - can you guess? - butter wrappers of course!
lunes, 5 de abril de 2010
The Birds have arrived!
Our new 24 piece Bird Collection has arrived just in time for Mother's Day (May 9th)! Each piece is embellished with tiny birds or nests - or both!
We invite you to come see them all at our website. You can enter this coupon code: momblog10
at check-out to receive 20% off your order.
(Note: This discount cannot be applied to Stoneware or Studio Sale items. Good through May 2nd.)
We invite you to come see them all at our website. You can enter this coupon code: momblog10
at check-out to receive 20% off your order.
(Note: This discount cannot be applied to Stoneware or Studio Sale items. Good through May 2nd.)
lunes, 29 de marzo de 2010
Breadwinner
Earlier this year I was showing our products at Americasmart in Atlanta. Each time I am there I am thrilled by the business owners that I meet. They are truly the heart and soul of America. I am amazed at the different enterprises that people dream up. One of these is Breadwinner.
A lovely young woman, her husband, and his sister formed this company in 20o5.
They were perhaps the sweetest people I met during the show. As soon as I got back to Oregon, I ordered two of their breads to share with everyone here. We loved them. How could we not?
It was actually pretty hard to pick just two - not just because they all sound so good - but because their names are so clever. Check out these choices:
-Papa Don't Preach (Peach)
-Sweet Home Ala-Banana
-Frankly My Dear I Don't Give a Cranberry
If you are lucky enough to live in Atlanta, you can pop in and make your choices, in person. However, if you do not live anywhere near Atlanta, their website is a snap to use and you can be like us - and get these delicious breads shipped right to your door.
A lovely young woman, her husband, and his sister formed this company in 20o5.
They were perhaps the sweetest people I met during the show. As soon as I got back to Oregon, I ordered two of their breads to share with everyone here. We loved them. How could we not?
It was actually pretty hard to pick just two - not just because they all sound so good - but because their names are so clever. Check out these choices:
-Papa Don't Preach (Peach)
-Sweet Home Ala-Banana
-Frankly My Dear I Don't Give a Cranberry
If you are lucky enough to live in Atlanta, you can pop in and make your choices, in person. However, if you do not live anywhere near Atlanta, their website is a snap to use and you can be like us - and get these delicious breads shipped right to your door.
lunes, 15 de marzo de 2010
Conecuh Sausage!
One of the perks of making custom products is that we get to learn about all kinds of American companies.
Last year we started making spoon rests and utensil crocks for Conecuh Sausage.
Located in Evergreen, AL, this company has been making sausage since 1947! How about that for longetivity? You know they must be doing something right!
A couple of weeks ago, we were pretty excited when our UPS driver showed up with this box!
There were enough samples inside for all of us to take some home.
Here are some of the comments I heard from my happy staff:
-Canecuh Sausage tastes like sausage used to taste when I was growing up! (no water added)
-Smoked just right!
-Not too spicy – just enough to tickle the tongue
-Very high quality
-Great Tasting
If you are a fan of quality sausage or bacon, you might want to take a peek at their website and see how you can get some for yourself.
Last year we started making spoon rests and utensil crocks for Conecuh Sausage.
Located in Evergreen, AL, this company has been making sausage since 1947! How about that for longetivity? You know they must be doing something right!
A couple of weeks ago, we were pretty excited when our UPS driver showed up with this box!
There were enough samples inside for all of us to take some home.
Here are some of the comments I heard from my happy staff:
-Canecuh Sausage tastes like sausage used to taste when I was growing up! (no water added)
-Smoked just right!
-Not too spicy – just enough to tickle the tongue
-Very high quality
-Great Tasting
If you are a fan of quality sausage or bacon, you might want to take a peek at their website and see how you can get some for yourself.
domingo, 7 de marzo de 2010
Portland
It seems like every time I pick up a magazine, there is an article about Portland (Oregon, of course!). This is really a great city to visit and we feel lucky that it is just 110 miles up the road. It is a very picturesque city with the Willamette River and its many bridges running right up through the middle of it.
Here are some of my favorite spots in Portland:
Real Mother Goose
This is SUCH an amazing place. They carry thousands of gorgeous pieces - all made by American artisans. They have been carrying our products for over 25 years.
Powell's Books
If you are a book lover, this is the kind of place where you could hang out all day. It's just the best!
Boulangerie St. Honore
I feel like I have been transported across the Atlanta to France when I step into this bakery.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I can be a bit of a snob about good French pastries. These are the real deal! They are worth a detour!
Mother's
This place is eye candy and the food is so yummy! I can't believe it took so long for me to discover it.
Here are some of my favorite spots in Portland:
Real Mother Goose
This is SUCH an amazing place. They carry thousands of gorgeous pieces - all made by American artisans. They have been carrying our products for over 25 years.
Powell's Books
If you are a book lover, this is the kind of place where you could hang out all day. It's just the best!
Boulangerie St. Honore
I feel like I have been transported across the Atlanta to France when I step into this bakery.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I can be a bit of a snob about good French pastries. These are the real deal! They are worth a detour!
Mother's
This place is eye candy and the food is so yummy! I can't believe it took so long for me to discover it.
sábado, 27 de febrero de 2010
Oliver turns 3!
Three years ago, Nancy (Operations Manager and seamstress extraordinaire - see the costume below!) stopped here on the way home from the Midwifery Clinic with Oliver - newborn babe! You heard me right...new-born Oliver came here before he reached his own house.
He was only a few hours old.
For the next two year and a half years of his life he came to work with Mommy and Daddy. We had a small "Babyland" where Oliver and a couple of other employees' little kids could run around.
However, it became more and more costly and time-consuming to keep things ship shape for the little guys. Babyland is still there for visiting, but no longer for everyday use.
We miss Oliver and the others but we do wish him a very Happy 3rd Birthday! We feel so lucky that we were able to enjoy him five days a week for his first two years. We love you Oliver!
He was only a few hours old.
For the next two year and a half years of his life he came to work with Mommy and Daddy. We had a small "Babyland" where Oliver and a couple of other employees' little kids could run around.
However, it became more and more costly and time-consuming to keep things ship shape for the little guys. Babyland is still there for visiting, but no longer for everyday use.
We miss Oliver and the others but we do wish him a very Happy 3rd Birthday! We feel so lucky that we were able to enjoy him five days a week for his first two years. We love you Oliver!
lunes, 22 de febrero de 2010
Spice and Tea
Last year I was visiting family in Jacksonville, FL but I was able to sneak away to St. Augustine early one morning. I was dieing to see Spice and Tea’s flagship store .
Penny and Steve, the owners, were very welcoming and it was such a treat to be shown around! First of all, it is a beautiful little store. Secondly, they have fabulous spices, herbs, teas, rubs, salts, and sugars…and more and more! I wanted to bring some goodies home to Oregon but it was very difficult to narrow down my choices.
Although most of their locations are in Florida, they do have a few scattered elsewhere. They are definitely worth a visit – and a return visit and a return visit.
Fortunately, their newest location is right up the road from us – in Portland!
Penny and Steve, the owners, were very welcoming and it was such a treat to be shown around! First of all, it is a beautiful little store. Secondly, they have fabulous spices, herbs, teas, rubs, salts, and sugars…and more and more! I wanted to bring some goodies home to Oregon but it was very difficult to narrow down my choices.
Although most of their locations are in Florida, they do have a few scattered elsewhere. They are definitely worth a visit – and a return visit and a return visit.
Fortunately, their newest location is right up the road from us – in Portland!
domingo, 14 de febrero de 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope that you were the recipient - or the giver - of our Heart Measuring Spoons or Cups today! If not…we do, of course, sell them all year round. They will still be available for your birthday, Mother’s Day, your anniversary, Christmas….or for any other special occasion.
viernes, 12 de febrero de 2010
Jefferson Monticello
Way back in the 70’s I headed to Virginia to check out William and Mary and the University of Virginia. I fell in love with UVA the minute I stepped onto its gorgeous campus. I loved what Thomas Jefferson had created.
How proud I am that we are now designing and producing products for the gift shop (and the online catalogue) at The Jefferson Monticello!
The coffee canister features this fun quote by Thomas Jefferson: Coffee…the favorite drink of the civilized world. and the utensil crock features this quote: We never repent at having eaten too little.
If you can’t visit Monticello, you should at least check out their fabulous website.
How proud I am that we are now designing and producing products for the gift shop (and the online catalogue) at The Jefferson Monticello!
The coffee canister features this fun quote by Thomas Jefferson: Coffee…the favorite drink of the civilized world. and the utensil crock features this quote: We never repent at having eaten too little.
If you can’t visit Monticello, you should at least check out their fabulous website.
viernes, 5 de febrero de 2010
Sneak Preview
Have you noticed that Birds are truly in every store these days?
Last week they were on the cover of both the Pottery Barn and Land of Nod Catalogues, which showed up in my mail box.
We are making great progress on our Bird Spoons and Cups and fully expect to have them ready to ship by the end of the month. Soon afterwards, we will have a matching Spoon Rest and Canister Sets! Here is a sneak preview:
Last week they were on the cover of both the Pottery Barn and Land of Nod Catalogues, which showed up in my mail box.
We are making great progress on our Bird Spoons and Cups and fully expect to have them ready to ship by the end of the month. Soon afterwards, we will have a matching Spoon Rest and Canister Sets! Here is a sneak preview:
STILL Made in America
Whenever I am out shopping and I fall in love with something, I turn it over to see where it was made. I’m trying extra hard to focus on buying products that are made in America.
In fact, when my little 18 year old BMW wears out, I’m thinking of buying a Ford! And I am going to get a bumper sticker that says – Buy American!
Speaking of American products, everything we sell is MADE IN AMERICA. That’s right – everything!
We are proud as punch. If you own some of our products, thank you for supporting American workers.
In fact, when my little 18 year old BMW wears out, I’m thinking of buying a Ford! And I am going to get a bumper sticker that says – Buy American!
Speaking of American products, everything we sell is MADE IN AMERICA. That’s right – everything!
We are proud as punch. If you own some of our products, thank you for supporting American workers.
lunes, 1 de febrero de 2010
Super Bowl
The other day, Derrik (our fabulous packer and shipper) came to me and pointed out that the Saints are going to the Super Bowl this year. He thought we should call up every store in Louisiana and tell them that we have the most beautiful Fleur de Lys products around!
I thought that was pretty cool of Derrik to point that out. I’m not too educated about Pro Football so the news of the Saints had kind of passed me by. But now that I know what a big deal it is…
Hey, all you Saints Fans! How about skipping all those tacky plastic logo products out there? and go for some gorgeous quality-made Fleur de Lys products that will last and last and last. You could be the envy of all who come over on Super Bowl Sunday.
I thought that was pretty cool of Derrik to point that out. I’m not too educated about Pro Football so the news of the Saints had kind of passed me by. But now that I know what a big deal it is…
Hey, all you Saints Fans! How about skipping all those tacky plastic logo products out there? and go for some gorgeous quality-made Fleur de Lys products that will last and last and last. You could be the envy of all who come over on Super Bowl Sunday.
viernes, 29 de enero de 2010
Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Chocolates will barely last through the day (or night) and flowers will most likely fade after a few days – or a week, if you are lucky.
Pewter hearts, however, will last a lifetime. Here is our list of favorite Hearts (all made with love – of course!):
-Heart Measuring Cups
-Heart Measuring Spoons
-Heart Coffee Scoop
-Heart Teabag Holder
-Heart Spoon Rest
-Heart Salad Servers
-Heart Canister Set
-Heart Coffee Canister
-Heart Garlic Pot
-Heart Salt Pot
-Heart Petite Salt Pot
We hope that you are surrounded by love – not just on Valentine’s Day – but every day!
Pewter hearts, however, will last a lifetime. Here is our list of favorite Hearts (all made with love – of course!):
-Heart Measuring Cups
-Heart Measuring Spoons
-Heart Coffee Scoop
-Heart Teabag Holder
-Heart Spoon Rest
-Heart Salad Servers
-Heart Canister Set
-Heart Coffee Canister
-Heart Garlic Pot
-Heart Salt Pot
-Heart Petite Salt Pot
We hope that you are surrounded by love – not just on Valentine’s Day – but every day!
jueves, 28 de enero de 2010
Eden Warne can sell your house!
Our fabulous potter, Carl, joined us last year after many, many years as an independent artisan. He and his wife, Eden, had owned Eden's Pottery Garden and made a living selling their gorgeous pottery line at arts and crafts fairs. After awhile, it gets hard to spend so much time on the road.
Eden realized that she could combine her years of sales and marketing experience with her outgoing personality and make the shift from pottery to houses. Now, I realize, if you don't live in the Eugene area, you might not need this little tip.
However, if you are anywhere within shouting distance, this is the Real Estate tip that could make your day!
Eden Warne can sell your house! She is awesome! Last year was a terrible year for many, many people in the Real Estate Industry. However, people were still buying and selling houses. A lot of those houses were being sold by Eden! She was so busy that, by December, she had to stop taking new listings.
Ok, that's my real estate plug for today!
Eden realized that she could combine her years of sales and marketing experience with her outgoing personality and make the shift from pottery to houses. Now, I realize, if you don't live in the Eugene area, you might not need this little tip.
However, if you are anywhere within shouting distance, this is the Real Estate tip that could make your day!
Eden Warne can sell your house! She is awesome! Last year was a terrible year for many, many people in the Real Estate Industry. However, people were still buying and selling houses. A lot of those houses were being sold by Eden! She was so busy that, by December, she had to stop taking new listings.
Ok, that's my real estate plug for today!
domingo, 24 de enero de 2010
Annette at Nava
I travel a lot which also means I eat out a lot. I usually try to connect with my servers - whether I'm in a diner or in a *****star restaurant. Unfortunately, people can get really cranky when it has to do with their food or beverage. I figure if I can make the server's job that much easier or nicer, it will hopefully offset that day's cranky customer.
When Carol, our sales mananger, and I ate at Nava, in Atlanta, a couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to be taken care of by Annette. Looking back on the evening, I'm not sure if it was the fabulous Sonoma Jack Cheese Fritters (with toasted pecans, red chile jelly, and herbed goat cheese) or Annette - or the combination? - that made it so wonderful - but, all in all, it was a special night. Thank you, Annette - and thank you to the chefs at Nava!
When Carol, our sales mananger, and I ate at Nava, in Atlanta, a couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to be taken care of by Annette. Looking back on the evening, I'm not sure if it was the fabulous Sonoma Jack Cheese Fritters (with toasted pecans, red chile jelly, and herbed goat cheese) or Annette - or the combination? - that made it so wonderful - but, all in all, it was a special night. Thank you, Annette - and thank you to the chefs at Nava!
martes, 19 de enero de 2010
Nancy!
Nine years ago, a sweet young community college student responded to our job posting for an office assistant.
Flash forward to 2010...this sweet young student is now a graduate of the University of Oregon, a loving wife, a devoted mother - and our new Operations Manager! Many of our regular customers already know her well - from phone conversations, e-mail correspondences and trade shows. We just know that 2010 is going to be our best year ever - with Nancy Willcox-Trent at the helm!
Flash forward to 2010...this sweet young student is now a graduate of the University of Oregon, a loving wife, a devoted mother - and our new Operations Manager! Many of our regular customers already know her well - from phone conversations, e-mail correspondences and trade shows. We just know that 2010 is going to be our best year ever - with Nancy Willcox-Trent at the helm!
martes, 12 de enero de 2010
Murphy's
I am SUCH a creature of habit. How many restaurants do you suppose there are in Atlanta? A lot! But every time I come, I seem to return to the same ones. I don't rush to the Barbecue spots or the Southern Friend Chicken places...I head right to Murphy's in the Highlands. They have great cocktails, wonderful salads and great bread. I hear their desserts are great - but who has room for those after everything else?
Oh, how could I forget? I have also been to Murphy's for brunch. That was pretty awesome, too.
Oh, how could I forget? I have also been to Murphy's for brunch. That was pretty awesome, too.
domingo, 10 de enero de 2010
A bit of Italy in Atlanta
Here I am back in Atlanta for Americasmart - the center of commerce in America. People may tell you it's New York - but, I don't know, I can't believe it's not Atlanta. Americasmart is 4 skyscrapers full of product for store owners to buy. It's unbelievable!
As soon as the show closed yesterday, I hopped in a cab and went right to the Highlands to do a little shopping. I only get here once a year but I don't forget my favorite places. My middle daughter, Petrel, has an obsession with Italy so I went right to La Bella Cucina to see what I could bring back for her. The Spanish sales girl there was adorable and super friendly. Everthing looks so yummy and is packaged so beautifully!
I had a great little visit. If you are anywhere near Atlanta, you must pop in. After all, it's a lot cheaper and easier than getting to La Bella Italia!
As soon as the show closed yesterday, I hopped in a cab and went right to the Highlands to do a little shopping. I only get here once a year but I don't forget my favorite places. My middle daughter, Petrel, has an obsession with Italy so I went right to La Bella Cucina to see what I could bring back for her. The Spanish sales girl there was adorable and super friendly. Everthing looks so yummy and is packaged so beautifully!
I had a great little visit. If you are anywhere near Atlanta, you must pop in. After all, it's a lot cheaper and easier than getting to La Bella Italia!
sábado, 9 de enero de 2010
2010 - all about the birds!
A belated Happy New Year to everyone! We wish everyone a happy and healthy and prosperous 2010.
We are already hard at work on a new collection with a great little BIRD motif! Suddenly I am seeing birds everywhere - not sure why it took me this long. After all, all of our children have bird names.
Of course, we would never play favorites. So, the little bird that will be popping up on our measuring spoons and cups, on our canisters and spoon rests - and who knows where else? - will not be a heron, a raven, a petrel, or a rosella!
We are already hard at work on a new collection with a great little BIRD motif! Suddenly I am seeing birds everywhere - not sure why it took me this long. After all, all of our children have bird names.
Of course, we would never play favorites. So, the little bird that will be popping up on our measuring spoons and cups, on our canisters and spoon rests - and who knows where else? - will not be a heron, a raven, a petrel, or a rosella!
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