Happy New Year!

We bid farewell to 2009 on a Blue Moon New Year's Eve (the first blue moon to end a decade since 1819!).

In 2010, the Year of the Tiger, we look forward to the start of a new year and a new decade.

From all of us at Home Hardware, we wish you a clean slate, a fresh start and a new beginning; love, learning and growing; health, happiness and prosperity in 2010.

Happy New Year!

Boxing Week Savings

There's still reason to celebrate with Boxing Week Savings at Home. Check out our latest eFlyer to save on great products and discover our in-store specials on a wide variety of items.

All Christmas merchandise is on sale at unbelieveable prices.

Webkinz are on Buy 2 Get 1 Free (free item must be of equal or lesser value).

All nexxt frames, mirrors and furniture is on 25% off.

AND MORE! Stop by and see us this week!

Holiday Hours

Home Hardware will be

CLOSED

Friday, December 25

Saturday, December 26

Friday, January 1

Saturday, January 2

We will also be closing early on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve to allow our staff to spend more time with their families.

We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday season.

Thank you for your patronage; it is truly a pleasure to have such wonderful customers, and we look forward to serving you again in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Last minute gift idea # 45

In a pinch and need a gift? We have a selection of handmade baskets with varying themes and prices for every budget. Great to have on hand for your last minute gift requirements!

Other great last minute gifts:

-Home Hardware's exclusive products, such as the Reactor flashlight, the Safecut, Scissors Plus, Retract-a-bit, The Shark knife, etc. These are great, low-cost items that almost anyone can use, are gender neutral and easy to wrap!

-Calenders--all on sale! Who doesn't need a calender?

-Take-out box dishcloths & flour sack towels--totally cute and gifty

-CD's--a wide assortment of styles, and all Christmas CD's are now on sale!

-Bath and body products (Fruits and Passion, Druide)

-Picture Frames--great for everyone, include a picture and you get points for thoughtfulness too!

-Wine or Beer Glasses, or our assorted set that includes both plus martini glasses!

-Need more ideas? Talk to our staff, they are Santa's Helpers!

Cinnamon Sticky Buns... Mmmm

Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Makes 12 sticky buns

Dough:

• 2 tsp (10 mL) dry active yeast
• 4 tbsp (60 mL) warm water
• ½ cup (125 mL) milk, room temperature
• 1 egg room temperature
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar
• 2½ cups (625 mL) all purpose flour
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• ½ cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (125 mL) cream cheese, room temperature

Filling:

• ½ cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) cinnamon

Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, dissolve yeast in water and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Add milk, egg and sugar and blend. Add flour and salt and mix for 1 minute to combine. Add butter and cream cheese and knead for 5 minutes on medium speed. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rest 1 hour in a draught-free place.

For filling, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon. Spoon a tablespoonful of filling into bottom of each cup of a greased 12-cup muffin tin.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a rectangle ½-inch thick. Spread remaining filling over the dough and roll up lengthwise. Slice dough into 12 equal portions and arrange them in muffin tin.

Allow to rise for ½ hour. Preheat oven to 350˚F and bake cinnamon buns for 30 minutes, turning out onto a plate while still warm.

Find more recipes and holiday treats in Home at Home Magazine, available FREE at Front Cash!

Dapper Snapper!

New in Baby a fresh shipment of Melissa and Doug, including Fruits and Veggies! What I love about these toys is that they are all proportionatly sized (unlike some kits where an apricot is the same size as a roast chicken!)

Also new in baby, and I am so excited, is the Dapper Snapper!

It's not very often you find a pair of pants that fits your thinner child around the waist. All too often, the length of the pants is perfect and the waist is just too big which causes Droopy Drawers. Until recently the choices were limited to a cumbersome belt that made diaper changing and potty training nearly impossible or adjustable waistband pants that cost twice as much as regular pants. With as fast as kids grow, who could afford it? Now, with Dapper Snappers, keeping those droopy drawers up is a snap! Dapper Snappers are an elastic belt that snaps up to tighten up the back of your child's pants.

Hannah is slim and tall, so we have this problem with almost all of her pants!

Also, coming soon, is the Cookie Safe!

Have you experienced the frustration of going to get a snack for your little one, only to find it crushed in your bag?

The Cookie Safe is specially designed to hold the most popular brands of pre-wrapped single serving rice rusks, cookies, crackers etc... Created to take up as little space as possible in your bag, while helping to ensure that when you want to offer your little one a snack, you can actually give them one and not crumbs...

Contest!

Hello readers!

We're trying to spread the word about our blog, website and facebook page and we're giving away a $50 giftcard for one Lloydminster Area resident! You have 5 modes of entry-increase your odds and use all 5!

1. If you comment on this blog post, you will receive an entry. (Just list your name, city and phone number. Comments will not be published or be viewable on the blog and are for contacting winners only).

2. If you subscribe to the blog, you will receive an entry. (Check out subscription options on the left hand side).

3. If you are or become a fan of our facebook page, you will receive an entry. CLICK HERE to view our page!

4. If you get your Lloydminster and area friends to become a facebook fan of ours, we will give you one additional entry for every new fan you attract to our site! Fans must be from our region for the contest, but fans from anywhere are always welcome! Just leave us a note with the names of the new fans you sent our way (fans must actually join to earn you an entry).

5. Check out our website, www.hhlloyd.com, and leave us a comment in the comment section. Tell us what you like about the store, who your favorite staff member is or a new product you would like us to carry.

Draw Date December 31, 2009. Good luck!

Santa's Come Early--Save 40%

Santa's Come Early!

Save 40% on Christmas ornaments & decor!*

Plus more great sales and markdowns throughout the store!

(*Excludes Christmas lights)

Gift Idea # 25 New in Yoga

New shipment of Yoga products just in time for gift-giving.

Check out the cool new MADE IN CANADA bamboo "Message in a Bottle" sets: a mens or womans t-shirt in a stainless steel water bottle. T-shirt reads "Reach high, dig deep".

New mat sprays and yoga massage oils, new Bolster kit (mat, blocks, strap and bolster, perfect for a starter kit), new shipment of mats and straps, and

NEW silk eye and warming pillows. The colors on these are so beautiful, I coudn't help myself and ordered all of them!

Gift Idea # 6 Holiday Gift Sets from Fruits and Passion

So many to choose from!

These gorgeous and thoughtful gifts are sure to be a hit with whomever receives them!

The Blue Fragrance Gift Set comes with shower gel, body splash and eau de toillete and is packaged in a reuseable photo box. A $70 value for $39.97!

The Discover Trio gift set comes with 3 eau de toilette fragrances to sample (also available: Homme Discovery Trio for Men). At only 4.97, it's a perfect stocking stuffer or treat for someone at work!

The Nourishing Hand Butter Collection is perfect for our dry prairie winters. 3 scents packaged in a reusable bag for only $19.97 ($30 value).

The Fruity Duo is a kit containing quenching body butter, shower gel and a shower puff. Great for your girlfriends, mother-in-law or a secret santa surprise! Available in 2 fragrances for only $14.

And the Deluxe Gift Set, available in apple and cantalope, is a stunning $88 value for only $44! This kit contains foaming bath, shower gel, quenching body butter, eau de toilette and hand cream in a reusable box. An impressive gift for anyone on your list.

Stop by our Fruits and Passion boutique for more great gift ideas including massage oil, candle holders, kitchen soaps and more! Pick up a few things to have on hand for those surprise unexpected gifting needs :)

Candle & Tea of the Month

Alpine Berry Herbal Tea is the perfect complement to a day in the wilderness. Made with blackberry leaves, strawberry, and raspberry flavors and essences to create an herbal, naturally sweet and refreshing medley which can be enjoyed both hot in winter or iced in summer. This is a great beverage for kids and adults alike.

Tea of the Month is only 1.00 a cup, and if you like it, you can purchase a box for home!

December's Candle of the Month is SPARKLE. Simple vanilla laced with fresh floral overtones, for a clean expression of luxury. The Candle of the Month is, as always, 25% off. This month we are also offering a special on ALL Colonial Candles at 20% off--great for gifts!

Kids, Kids, Kids...

Just a few little stories I had to share. Firstly, Hannah LOVES draining our water cooler. She would flip the toggle, fill up the little drip tray and splash around in there (toss in some Cherrios, a spoon, mix it up, so fun). I, however, did NOT like Hannah playing with the water cooler. I had no idea how to solve this problem, as I was not willing to part with the cooler nor constantly clean up wet Hannah and the drip tray.

Behold, the solution. Hot Water taps for the cooler. These taps are child-proof to protect children from burning themselves. They also work wonders for preventing children from helping themselves to the water! Our cooler does not have hot water, but valves/knobs/taps/toggles are available. We special ordered them and I installed them last week. TA DA! This works so, so well, and I know if I had a problem with it, chances are other people did too. So if you do, definitely try this tip out.

On an entirely different note, Hannah loves playing office (which means, sitting at the computer and pounding on the keys). She especially loves when her efforts produce something (she has somehow figured out the hot keys for that zooming-moving screen). So today on the Canadian Parents website I found out about Kneebouncers.com The site is designed for toddlers to press any key and see a wonderful result! Pressing any key will show your child different colors, numbers, letters or let them play a "game" like "Wake Up Sammy" (Sammy is sleeping, and by hitting keys he wakes up with different facial expressions).

I have no intention of having Hannah sit down and play office for hours on end, but since she shows an interest in what we do and likes to try it, I think it will be a fun site for her, especially since she can see that she is in control. Check it out!

Anna Olson's Cappucino Snickerdoodles

Cappuccino Snickerdoodles

These familiar and friendly cookies have coffee shop cachet. A hint of coffee and a sprinkle of cinnamon make this a perfect companion to a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) 2% milk
• 2 tsp (10 mL) instant coffee
• ½ cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (250 mL) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
• 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) baking soda
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
• ⅛ tsp (.5 mL) ground nutmeg

For dipping:

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar
• ¾ tsp (4 mL) ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C) and grease two cookie trays.

Stir milk and instant coffee and heat in microwave to dissolve (about 10 seconds on high). Set aside to cool. Cream butter and sugar until smooth, then beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in cooled milk. In separate bowl, stir flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and stir until blended.

For dipping, stir sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. Use a teaspoon to scoop the cookie dough then shape into a ball. Roll cookies in dipping sugar and place on tray, two inches (5 cm) apart. Press cookies down gently using the bottom of a glass and bake 8-10 minutes, until the edges begin to turn golden. Remove cookies to a cooling rack and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Cookies will keep up to five days.

Find more recipes in the Winter edition of Home at Home Magazine--available at Front Cash

Pee-Pee Teepee

Pee-pee Teepee™

A must-have diapering accessory for newborn boys; excellent baby shower gift with guaranteed giggles! With each pack of five Pee-pee Teepees, you have the choice of a flannel laundry bag or cellophane packaging.

Terry lined cotton flannel for absorbency Cone shaped to fit between thighs of baby Washable and re-usable Laundry bag available for washing

Jingle All The Way SALE!

Jingle All The Way Sale

December 7-12th Save 20% on all:

Christmas Items

Silk Plants

Furniture

Prints

Lamps

Picture Frames

Warm Buddy

Jams & Jellies

Colonial Candles
Wild Prairie Products
Calico Soap Bathbombs & Soap
Babylegs & Socks
Stonz Boots, Mitts and Hats
mimiTENS Mittens

CDs

Prices adjusted at till.

Plus many more items red tagged in the center aisle and Seasonal centre, including Webkinz, toys and games, baby items, tools, kitchenware and more!

Stonz & Mimitens Sale!

This week only, save 20% on all Stonz Boots, Hats & Mitts and save 20% on all mimiTENS mittens!

Want to know more about these great Canadian products? Check out our previous blog posts by clicking on their names above.

Now that the snow and cold weather are here, bundle up and save! Sale runs Dec 7-12th.

Fruits and Passion Gifts for Him

Have a man in your life that is hard to buy for? Don't we all.

Try this F&P Homme Discovery Trio for him. With 3 eau de toilettes in a decorative box, he's sure to find one (or more) he likes. And at only $4.97, it's a great stocking stuffer!

Or try this F&P Homme Gift Set. It comes complete with shower gel, after shave, eau de toilette and a sports towel all in a resusable pouch.

Great for travel, great for the gym. Great for your brother or your cousin or your sister's boyfriend.

HH supports Project Red Ribbon

Home Hardware is proud to support Project Red Ribbon. Ribbons are available at Front Cash.

Project Red Ribbon is a commitment by Canadians to drive safe and sober. It is a highly visible, community public awareness program which depends on volunteer participation to promote the message that deaths and injuries resulting from impaired driving are needless tragedies and totally preventable.

Each year, from the beginning of November to the first Monday after January 1st, MADD Canada volunteers across the country distribute red ribbons and ask Canadians to display a ribbon on their vehicle or keychain, or on a personal item like their purse, briefcase or backpack.

The MADD Canada red ribbon is a significant symbol. By displaying this ribbon, you are making a personal commitment to drive sober.

A red ribbon is a sign of respect for the thousands of Canadians who have lost their lives or who have been injured as a result of impaired driving. The red ribbon also reinforces the message to drive sober through the holidays and throughout the year.

MADD Canada hopes the ribbon not only reminds people to drive sober, but also serves as a reminder of everyone’s responsibility to call 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Call 911 and report impaired drivers to police and you will be making a meaningful contribution to reducing impaired driving deaths and injuries on our roads.

Canadians can play a vital role in ensuring safety on our roads this holiday season and so we offer the following tips if you observe a potential impaired driver:

1. Call 911
2. State your location
3. Vehicle Description
a) Licence plate number of vehicle
b) Colour of vehicle
c) Make and Model of vehicle
4. Direction of Travel for the vehicle
5. Description of Driver

Rudolph's Roundup

Home Hardware is proud to once again be a donation location for Rudolph's Roundup.

With the Christmas season approaching, the Media Studies 20 students of the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School are calling on local support for our 11th annual Rudolph's Roundup.

Rudolph's Roundup is a Local program designed to benefit the woman and children of the Lloydminster Interval Home. Our hope is that through individual and business donations, we will be able to provide Christmas gifts for those who find shelter in the Interval Home during the holidays. For many, the gifts from this program may be the only ones they receive this year.

Children's Items * Reading, coloring and activity books* crayons, markers and paint sets* non- violent videos (Disney)* Children's and babies toys* disposable diapers ( especially sizes 4, 5 and 6)* childrens mitts, scarves and toques* girls hair accessories* stuffed animals* puzzles, card or board games* school and craft supplies* children's packpacks/ lunch bags* boys and girls pajamas, slippers, underwear and socks* baby monitors

Woman's Items* liquid hand soap* hand lotion and nail files* deodorant or anti- perspirant* hair dryers and curling irons* underwear, bras and socks* Kleenex * towels and face cloths* tea towels, dish cloths and potholders* bedding and blankets* flavored teas or individual drink mixes* kitchen utensils* leisure activity passes (swimming, bowling, movies)* toothbrushes and toothpaste* shampoo and conditioner* hairbrushes and combs* gift certificates for hair cuts* nightgowns, robes and slippers* pens and writting pads/ journals* playing cards or board games* clothes baskets* taxi passes* long distance phone cards ($5.00)

Cheques can be made out to Lloydminster Public School Division and official tax receipts will be provided by the Lloydminster Interval Home.

Donations are accepted until December 17th. Please visit their facebook page for more details.

Fondues!

Gift Idea! Pair the Company's Coming Fondues cookbook with one our versatile fondue pots, some forks and some melting chocolate? We offer a variety of fondue pots and accessories, so you'll have everything you need to get going right out of the box!

Discover how entertaining tabletop cooking can be with Fondues. The experience is fun and can transform any weeknight dinner hour into a more intimate, entertaining time with some lively family conversation. Children might even enjoy eating their vegetables!

In addition to popular hot oil, cheese and dessert fondues, you'll find a special section on tabletop cooking offering recipes for chafing dishes, flambé pans and hot stone grills. Handy opening sections talk about fondue etiquette and safety, equipment, and includes different kinds of dippers. And to complete this wonderful collection, a few complementary side dish and beverage recipes are also included.

Melissa & Doug and new Lamaze Shipment

A new shipment of Lamaze toys just hit the floor, including the lovely Marina the Mermaid. Isn's she cute? And her tail is a mirror! How handy!

Home Hardware is proud to announce that we are now carrying Melissa & Doug toys!

Lots of great wooden puzzles, blocks and other toys, and in beautiful colors. Right now we have a small assortment, with more on the way.

Fruits & Passion Sale! Purse Sale!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Save 20% on all Fruits & Passion product and save 40% on all purses!

Grab some Christmas gifts and also a little something for yourself!

A holiday gift for your home

Ahhh home. There's no place like it.

Get your home ready for the holidays with some of these treasures from Fruits and Passion.

Home Fragrance Mist to spice things up.

Hand Care duo with rich hand cream and hand soap (in three fragrances).

Winter Berries Foaming Hand Soap (Proceeds of sale of this product go to Habitat for Humanity Canada! In the past six years F&P has donated, with your help, over $219,000, helping to provide housing to Canadian Families in Need.)

Initially Yours...

Personalize your front door with your monogram, crafted from aluminum flashing.

Instructions:

Choose a font style you like. Use a photocopier to enlarge it to desired size. Using a fine marker, trace it onto the metal. Cut out the shape with scissors and bejewel the edges by studding with acrylic diamonds. Punch a hole with a paper punch or a nail. Insert the diamond and hot glue from the back of initial to secure it in place. To hang, nail punch two small holes with a finishing nail at top of the initial. Insert the wire and make a large loop so that the initial hangs in the right position on your door.

MATERIALS

• aluminum flashing 2610-865
• scissors 1136-090 or razor jaw cutters 1119-104
• paper punch 5743-886 or 3/32 nail set 1039-138
• finishing nails 2144-567
• 20 gauge wire for hanging 5463-081
• marker 5740-540
• hot glue 2047-582, 2047-591, 2047-298
• glue gun kit 2047-050
• red and green acrylic diamonds 5620-047
• ribbon
• small block of wood to hammer on

additional materials

• alphabet stencil 1682-593
• monogram font

Note: Some items may need to be special-ordered.

A Fruits and Passion treat for you!

Hands tired from all that wrapping? Hands tired just THINKING about starting?

Treat yourself to oiur Fruits and Passion Cranberry Love Hand Cream. Enriched with shea butter and olive oil to soothe (or protect) all those wrapping paper cuts.

Also available in Eau du Toilette, Shower Gel, Quenching Body Butter and Foaming Bath.

5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes

We could all use more simplicity in our lives! 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes, new from Company's Coming, makes it easy to prepare satisfying meals with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Along with soups and main courses, explore the variety of recipes including appetizers, snacks, beverages and desserts! Slow cookers are ideal for weeknight meals and even entertaining—they not only free up time in your hectic schedule, but also oven space! Basic tips are included to help you use your slow cooker efficiently and get the best possible results. With only five ingredients in every recipe, it’s never been easier to have home-cooked delights waiting for you!

Gift Idea! Why not pair this cookbook with one of our slow cookers for a great 2-in-1 present? Add a serving spoon too and you've got a gift that will be sure to please.

Unsloppy Joe Filling

This favourite bun filling has a sweet, mellow tomato flavour, and oats to hold the meaty mixture together for minimal mess—ideal for kids! Easy to freeze in smaller portions for a hot lunch or supper in a hurry

Lean ground beef 3 lbs. 1.4 kg Finely chopped onion 1 cup 250 mL Cans of condensed tomato soup 2 2 10 oz., 284 mL, each) Ketchup 2 1/2 cups 625 mL Quick-cooking rolled oats 1 cup 250 mL

Scramble-fry ground beef and onion in large greased frying pan on medium‑high for about 10 minutes until no longer pink. Transfer to 3 1/2 to 4 quart (3.5 to 4 L) slow cooker. Add soup and ketchup. Stir. Cook, covered, on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add oats. Stir well. Cook, covered, on High for about 20 minutes until thickened. Makes about 9 cups (2.25 L).

1/2 cup (125 mL): 236 Calories; 8.2 g Total Fat (0.2 g Mono, 0.1 g Poly, 3.1 g Sat); 49 mg Cholesterol; 25 g Carbohydrate; 1 g Fibre; 16 g Protein; 478 mg Sodium

Come Home for Christmas Recipes

We had so many requests for the recipes for our treats at Come Home for Christmas, we decided to post them on the blog.

Most of the snacks were creations of the lovely ladies in Gingersnaps.

Tradition Rolls
-Red and Green Tortillas
-Cooked Turkey
-Cranberry Sauce
-Stuffing

These rolls look and taste festive and are a cinch to put together. Use whatever portions you desire, roll and slice.

Our other wraps were made with our Gourmet Village and Orange Crate dip mixes. Mix your favorite flavor (mine is Lemon Dill) with Cream Cheese and use as a spread in your wrap, sandwich or bagel.

Brown Sugar Cheesecake
Recreate this treat with your favorite no-bake cheesecake recipe or mix.
Add 5 pumps Torani Brown Sugar Syrup (or more to taste). Torani syrups are available in Gingersnaps--why not try another flavor? Eggnogg, Butter Rum, Coconut... yum. Visit their website for more recipes!

Anna Olson's Chocolate Salami Recipe can be found here.
Keep watching the blog for more featured recipes!

Heart Smart Rice Bran Oil

Rice Bran Oil is made from the bran of the rice kernal. It is available in Gourmet and boasts numerous benefits:

-Highest smoke point of any coventional oil (over 250* C) resulting in faster cooking times with less oil absorbtion.

-Greater shelf stability

-Subtle nutty flavor (vs. Canola: no flavor, Olive: strong flavor). Ideal for salad dressings, marinades, mayonaise and vinigrettes.

-Trans Fat Free

-Non-GMO

-Naturally Rich in Vitamin E (110% of RDA)

-No added chemicals to acheive shelf stability

-Hypoallergenic

-High in Oryzanol, a powerful antioxidant found only in rice bran oil. Shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels significantly more than Olive oil.

-Rich in Phytosterols and other unsaponifiables that have been shown to lower LDL levels and inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon, breast and prostate gland.

-The World Health Organization recommedns a consumption of an oil that has a ratio of approx 1.0:1.5:1.0 for saturated, monunstaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Rice Bran oil is the only oil that most closely matches this recommendation.

Try these delicious Salad Dressing Recipes:

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 Cup cider vinegar
3/4 Cup Natural Harvest Rice Bran Oil
2 to 3 tsps. poppy seeds

Using blender at low speed mix f rst 5 ingredients. At medium speed drizzle in oil until thickened, beat in poppy seeds, cover, and refrigerate.

Honey Citrus Dressing

2 tbs. Grated orange rind
2 tbs. Minced onion
1/4 cup Limejuice
2 tbs. Orange juice
2 tbs. Honey
Salt & pepper to taste
2/3 cup Natural Harvest Rice Bran Oil

Place all ingredients in a covered jar and shake vigorously. Chill until serving.