Summer Sale on Now

Our summer clearance sales have begun! Items are marked down throughout the store so be sure to look for sale tags (some tags have regular on one side, sale on the other--don't miss out!) Also we have started to set up our sale tables so be sure to hunt through those, too.

UPDATE: The Big Day Out has moved! We are now holding the Big Day Out at the end of our yard sale in September.

Gardening Tip of the Week

Garden Tip of the Week

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu

For Pam

And now, a word from Mark Cullen

A visit to Mark Cullen's blog "From the Garden Shed" this week quotes Sarah. Below you will find an excerpt; to read in it's entireity (and I think you should. This week's entry is called "So you think you can't garden?") click here.

If you breathe, you will get a kick out of gardening.

If you can hear, you will get a lift from the songs of birds in your garden.

If you can feel, you will sleep better having nurtured and grown the clean air machines that we call plants in your own yard.

If you can see you will pause during your 'work' in the garden and become temporarily breathless as you observe a hummingbird sucking
nectar from a flower.

If you still don't get it, go back to the top and re read.

My friend Sarah Rurka at the Home Hardware location in Lloydminster,
Alberta sent me this wonderful quote from the book 'Second Nature'. I think that
you will like it:

Sarah says that 'This book of narratives is a book of tales
of failure, overcome.'And from the book, 'All of the accomplished gardeners I
know are comfortable with failure... and understand that, in the garden at
least, failure speaks louder than success... his failures have more to say to
him. The gardener learns nothing when his carrots thrive, unless that success is
won against a background of prior disappointment. Outright success is dumb,
disaster frequently eloquent, at least to the gardener that knows how to
listen.'

The idea that a person cannot or will not pick up a spade or a
trowel and plant something in the soil out of fear of failure is a foreign
concept to the successful gardener. Failure, as Sarah and the author of Second
Nature reminds us, is what we do.

Tea Time

Hosting a Garden Party this summer? Why not serve your tea and coffee in these beautiful mugs? Available in a variety of shapes and styles, these mugs are made of quality bone china, which makes them extra strong and resistant to chips and scratches.

This extensive collection includes a mix of classical and contemporary designs suitable for any occasion. Royal Rose Bud, English Rose and Antique Blue are just a few designs in this beautiful collection by Maxwell and Williams. In fact, you are sipping out of White Bone China mugs by this company at Gingersnaps. The bone china Chintz collection replicates the antique shape of classic 19th Century Bone China and are all beautifully presented each in its own individual gift box.

All Maxwell & Williams products are made from the finest quality materials available. M&W sources manufacturers of the highest repute to work closely with their team of Australian based designers and they proudly stand by the quality of the products they deliver, providing you with as much information about your purchase as possible. On the base of many Maxwell & Williams products you will find relevant information and care instructions about the product you have purchased.

I am a picky one when it comes to cups and mugs. I like to be able to get at least 2 fingers in the handle, and it has to be weighted properly so as not to strain my wrist (seriously. I find so many mugs heavy and clumsy, and awkward to drink out of).

These mugs are light, but strong. In fact, for my bridal shower years ago we had a Tea Party and served the tea in these mugs, which everyone got to take home as a gift. (The theme, of course, was "Love is Brewing.") Cute, right?

Use them for your Garden Party, Bridal Shower or just to kick back with a good book. You won't be disappointed.

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu

BBQ Adventures continued...

So a new, unplanned BBQ adventure took place a few weeks ago. Crab Legs! I went to MCR Seafood here in Lloyd in search of some fish to BBQ and the frozen crab legs caught my eye (oh, how I've missed crab legs--our standard buffet feast in Las Vegas). After talking with the owner, she told me the crab is already cooked and just needs to be warmed--perfect for the BBQ!

She advised me just to cover the skinny ends and the lump crab meat with tin foil so it doesn't burn, then heat through and enjoy! (The above pic is not mine, as I followed directions and covered the tips!) We cooked Snow Crab legs from frozen, after first running cold water over them. I think this rinsed off some of the saltwater they must have been cooked in. Mom and Dad, inspired by us, later bought some but warmed them in the oven, and found them to be salty-tasting, so I think the rinse off helped.

As with cooking anything new on the BBQ, it was a bit of trial and error. The first time Jeff brought them off they were warm but not hot, and I wanted them piping hot, so he threw them back on. Then he kind of left them on a bit too long (as he was not standing guard at the BBQ like he should have been!) and so some of the skinnier pieces got a bit dry.

But it tasted amazing! Crab with the subtle charcoal flavor of the BBQ--mmmm. We even busted out our butter warmers and seafood forks for the occasion.

I would definitely recommend trying this!

Going to the chapel...

Congratulations to
Tamara & Jimmy,
and
Jill & Shawn
on their wedding day today!
We wish you a beautiful day and
a beautiful life together!

Gardening Tip of the Week

Cool Down

The forecast for Saturday in Lloydminster is 32*C! Good thing there is an assortment of fans in the flyer this week! Save $17 on the fan featured above, or try out the fan shown below, which is up to 40% quieter than other fans.

Kick Back with this week's flyer feature

Enjoy these lazy days of summer in one of our adirondack chairs. Available in assorted colors (and also available in kid size!) these chairs just ooze comfort and relaxation. And, unlike others available on the market, ours are UV treated to resist fading.

• - Safe
• - Stackable
• - High quality colourfast resin
• - Won't dent, rust or peel
• - Easy to clean and store
• - ASTM tested for residential use
• - Great for camping
• - UV protected to prevent fading

Available until July 25 at the flyer price of $21.97

Greener Laundry

Have you tried our Natura Laundry Detergent? I love this detergent. I don't like scented products and although it has a light lemon scent, it doesn't bother me and is actually quite nice. Read all about it below, and give it a try today--it's on sale for $7.97 until July 25!

Natura Laundry Detergent

• - H/E
• - Liquid soap (blue)
• - Ultra laundry detergent
• - With Australian tea tree oil
• - Natural cleaning
• - A safe and effective essential oil used for
  centuries for its beneficial cleansing property
• - Slight bubbling, therefore may be used in high
  efficiency washers
• - May use to pretreat tough stains
• - Works in all temperatures
• - Natural, fresh, lemon scent
• - Nontoxic
• - No phosphates
• - 35 loads
• - 2.85L

Richard's Thought of the Day

Envy is counting someone else's blessings instead of your own

Garden Tips--Composting

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Relax at Sweetpea's

Looking for a beautiful, relaxing place to meet a friend? Look no further than Sweetpea's. Listen to the ponds, the birds and the wind. Iced Mochas, fresh coffee or a delicious Foothills Ice Cream cone await you.

Baby Wrappers!

From the Babywrappers website:

Babywrappers are so unique and versatile you will never use another towel again for your baby's bath. The Babywrapper hangs like an apron around your neck while protecting you from getting a bath yourself! This oversized bath towel was designed to be large enough to completely wrap your baby in it and light enough to comfortably feel your wiggly baby through it. When bath-time is over simply pick her up with your 2 free hands and place her on your chest, wrapping the towel around her. Your baby will enjoy cuddling up against you and will love the feel of the soft absorbent terry cloth towel around her. You'll be amazed at how easy bath-time can be!

Richard's Thought of the Day

The more you love someone the easier it is to forgive them

Candle of the Month

A flawless blend of hibiscus, gardenia, tuberose and jasmine petals blend to create an exquisite bouquet.

The unique and elegant oval jar candle from Colonial Candle is a beautiful accessory for any home. It is designed to burn cleanly and evenly all the way down to the bottom, and features an easy peel removable label. Crafted from our premium wax and all cotton wicks, our candles contain superior and distinctive fragrance oils blended by master perfumers to assure you a strong and delightful fragrance experience in your home. Our 22 oz oval jar candle burns for up to 95 hours.

Fun in the Tub

When Hannah was born, one of the saddest things for me was that I could not find fun tub toys for her. There were squirters and rubber ducks, but a lot of the stuff I found was boring and didn't do anything but float.

Then I came upon this beauty--a gift from her Grandparents for her birthday--and we all love it!

This little guy suctions on to the side of the tub. He comes with a little water scoop (which hangs conveniently on his wing) that you use to pour into his head. The water then comes out his beak, hits the little lever which alternates which side the water comes out. Coming out the right, it slowly fills up a cup that then tips over and empties. Coming out the left, it spins the little water wheels.

One of the things I love about this toy is that the show isn't over in 3 seconds. One scoop of water actually runs this little guy for awhile. More details:

Tub-A-Penguin

• - Water penguin showing mechanical effects of
  water motion
• - Promotes sensorimotor learning by letting child
  relate action and effect
• - Water powered rotating daisy wheel and
  tumblers
• - Suction cup for easy bath side attachment
• - Ages 12 months+

Available in the baby section for $13.49 Sku # 7210-244

Home at Home

The summer addition of Home at Home is packed with great kitchen and gardening ideas, and over $235 in cash back offers!

Included this month:

-a Natura feature, with information on our natural cleaning products (from laundry detergent to all purpose cleaners) and a green feature, with information on peat moss alternatives.
-How to grow Tasty Tomatoes
-How Gardens contribute to health
-Environmentally Responsible control of Insects
-Do it yourself projects like a potting bench/party bench, coasters, kids picnic table, deck water planter and more
-Ladder safety; exterior lighting
-Interview with Anna Olson and some fresh summer recipes, including Dry Glazed Pork Tenderloin and Strawberry Meringue Tarts

Pick up your FREE copy of Home at Home in-store, or ask our cashiers about signing up for FREE home delivery!

Finally!

A long time ago at a party far away, someone got annoyed that their wine glass always got mistaken for someone else's, and thus the infamous wine marker was born.

But alas, beer and cooler drinkers (and drinkers of other bottled beverages) were left to mix up their Corona with the neighbour's, and life was not good.

One day someone finally invented a bottle marker, and Home Hardware in Lloydminster has them in stock! No more will your party mood be damped by mistaken bottle drinking. This delightful 8 pack will set you back only $5.99 and is a lovely and thoughtful gift for the host or hostess at your next summer shin-dig.

Sku 4315-221 PS-- Wine markers are also available

Richard's Thought of the Day

Change your thoughts and you will change your mood

Richard's Thought of the Day

People with goals succeed because they know where they are going

Tea of the Month

Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings!

Tropical Goji Green--Organic Green Tea with Goji berries and tropical flavors

Sencha is a Japanese style Green tea grown in China. Sencha is the most popular type of green tea in Japan. It is known for its sweet, mellow flavor, great with any meal. The addition of organic Goji berries and natural tropical flavors makes this tea slightly tangy but rich and smooth. Great iced!

Glitch!

Sorry! I had posts set to go for all of last week but it seems none of them posted, so I am posting some of them now and some for this coming week. At least you can still enjoy the pictures!

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu

Baby Wrappers!

From the Babywrappers website:

Babywrappers are so unique and versatile you will never use another towel again for your baby's bath. The Babywrapper hangs like an apron around your neck while protecting you from getting a bath yourself! This oversized bath towel was designed to be large enough to completely wrap your baby in it and light enough to comfortably feel your wiggly baby through it. When bath-time is over simply pick her up with your 2 free hands and place her on your chest, wrapping the towel around her. Your baby will enjoy cuddling up against you and will love the feel of the soft absorbent terry cloth towel around her. You'll be amazed at how easy bath-time can be!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!