Things that are awesome...

...diaper pails that don't stink.

 

Enter the Ubbi, in all it's hot and subtle colors. Most diaper pails are made of plastic. The problem with plastic is that it absorbs odors and leaves a lingering smell that cannot be cleaned away. So even when the pail is empty the odors are still there. These pails also fail to contain the smell because they are poorly sealed allowing odors to leak out even when the pail is closed. Ubbi diaper pail is made of powder-coated steel which odors cannot penetrate. Rubber seals are used to prevent leaks and keep odors locked in when the pail is closed. Its innovative sliding lid design minimizes air disruption to prevent odors from escaping ensuring optimal odor control.

Ubbi diaper pail holds approximately 58 newborn diapers, 50 #1 diapers, 41 #2 diapers, 38 #3 diapers, 31 #4 diapers and 23 #5 (how crazy is it that they know that?)

Ubbi diaper pail doesn't require a special bag liner. You can use any regular tall kitchen bag. Not only that feature makes Ubbi economical, it also makes it flexible and convenient.


...rolling pins that don't stick


"The Sil-pin Junior keeps dough rolled even, avoid tearing and over flouring - nothing sticks to the Sil-pin. The Sil-pin makes cooking and cleanup in your kitchen fun."
 What I love about these little babies (available in 4 colors) is they are EXCELLENT for playdough. All playdough rolling pins either don't actually roll (solid plastic that you would have to  push over the dough) are wooden (ok, but NOT ideal for playdough!) or are so light they don't do squat. These things are SO GREAT we can hardly keep them in stock.

Reveal the difference...

Have I raved about the Rubbermaid Reveal before? If not, here goes. If I did, forgive me, but it's spring and this baby is getting daily use around here.

This is basically a Swiffer Wet Jet that is Eco-conscious. It's a wet mop with a removable, washable, scrubbing pad that you can chuck in the washing machine. For the cleaner (that you squirt on the floor as you go) you fill up this little bottle with your own, preferred floor cleaning product (or, if you want, just water. Or water and vinegar).

The most impressive part is how little cleaner you need! If you look at the bottle, you fill it with water basically to that lower line, and then with cleaner to the second line. A teeny, tiny amount of cleaner. We all know the base of our cleaning products is water, but when you see how much water it is shocking.  And every time you refill your container (as I did yesterday) you secretly feel SO excited/proud/giddy about how much money you are saving, and that you are avoiding all the chemicals/fragrance/garbage in traditional cleaning products. Around here, we use Home Hardware's Natura All-Purpose Cleaner which is made with genuine Australian tea tree oil.

If you do not own one of these, spring is the perfect time to invest in one. It is especially handy for muddy little paw prints or, you know, muddy boot prints after my kids fail to take off their boots before trotting through the house. 

Star Power

I have discovered so many uses for these beautiful, peel and stick mirrored stars that I wish I had a galaxy of them to decorate with. They are fun, and quick and easy to apply to any clean, smooth surface. Unleash your creativity and reach for the stars. You will be amazed with the results!

• 12 stars per pkg 2575-050

Super Star
Simply write on a mirrored star with a dry or permanent marker to create a personalized place setting or gift tag!

Stargazing
Take a wall mirror from ordinary to extraordinary by adding a border of mirrored stars.

Rock Star
Add a mirrored star to virtually anything to make it simply brilliant!

Dining with the Stars
Scatter mirrored stars (don't remove the backing) around your centrepiece and place settings for a star-studded affair. They make great coasters, too!

Spring a ding ding

Where the heck is spring? I thought I saw it a few weeks ago and then, blam, more snow.
We always joke with other HH dealers about Garden season in our zone (2A, doesn't get much lower!) and how it isn't unusual to have our pansies tucked into a blanket of snow in May. (Good things pansies can take the cold!)

It's just frustrating for the constant back-and-forth between spring and winter coats, rubber boots and mukluks, warm days spent outside playing and getting stuck in the frozen snow/ice ruts in our cul-de-sac.

We were lucky enough to escape to a sunnier destination for a week and it snowed while we were away! I was almost feeling bad leaving such beautiful weather. We got this shot of the kids on the beach. And while a vacation with kids is decidedly different from one without (i.e. there will be no relaxing and reading magazines by the pool, especially with a 1 yr old who thinks he can swim by himself!) it is always nice to be anywhere where you don't have to do the cooking and cleaning! And a treat to be able to just enjoy the kids and the time together. How do you bide the time till Spring?

We've been killing time on Pinterest, and the store has a new page! You can find us here Our page is a vast collection of all kinds of great ideas, curated mainly by my Dad (who has a massive collection himself!) Some things will be products or items you can find in the store, and others will be project ideas or recipes. If you haven't tried Pinterest, you must. They describe it as a Pinboard for all the things you like on the internet. An easier way to think of it is as picture-bookmarks. You "pin" the images on the web that you find and like, and save them on a "board" (for example, Recipes). Then later on you can skim the images and see those French Toast Muffins you've been meaning to try, and open the link to the recipe. You can also browse other people's pins and copy them to your own boards. It is such a great way to discover new things! Then the trick is to actually MAKE or TRY or SEE or READ the great new things you discovered. My friend found a great pin for Animal Jars that she then made with her kids. Another friend made a Button Collage for her son's room. I have made LOTS of recipes--because I am addicted to new recipes. My food board is bursting at the seams so I now have to diversify into categories--I think I have over 1000 things I want to try! (Just imagine all those in addition to the massive piles of recipes ripped out of magazines--oh boy!)

New arrivals of Robeez Spring Shoes and Socks are just in, and SOOOOO cute. Also Spring Scarves and Purses!

We also have a new girl in Gingersnaps and we're revamping the menu, and making our menu boards easier to navigate. You can still sample our St Patty's Day treats for the rest of the month (Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mint Mocha, Irish Cream Latte--they all have my name on them!) Check out this week's menu here We're gonna have our menus posted on the webpage in advance so you can plan which day(s) you'd like to stop by :)

Also our SPRING FLING SALE is on until the end of the month. Save up to 50% off on select furniture, silk plants, picture frames and decor!

That's all for now!

Sporty Tables

He Shoots, He Scores

Sports inspired night table for your up and coming star!
He shoots, he scores!
Score brownie points with your favourite hockey fan.

What you'll need
Tools

• jigsaw 1268-687
• drill 1239-210
• drill press 1334-345
• fostner drill bit 1213-859
• belt sander 1262-859
• 3/4" half round bit 1216-586
• 2" paint brush 1612-605

Materials

• 6' of 16" pine shelving
• hockey sticks 7370-187 (3)
• epoxy resin 8659-481
• wood glue 2020-173
• 2 1/2" wood screws 2174-596
• masking tape 1670-285
• Beauti-Tone Cabinet and Furniture Paint - Black
  
  

Hockey table:

1. Cut the shelving into four (4) 16" squares.
2. Mark a 16" circle on one piece (measure to find the centre of the square, then tie a pencil and a small nail to the ends of a 8" length of string to scribe a circle). Cut the circle with the jigsaw and use it as a template to make the three additional circles.
3. Glue and stack the four circles together, alternating the direction of the wood grain.
4. Drill eight (8) counter sunk holes around the circle, 2" in from the edge, and fasten with 2 1/2" screws (ensure they do not go through the opposite face).
5. Clean off excess glue with a damp cloth. Let dry.
6. Sand edge smooth.
7. Divide the tabletop into three equal spaces for the leg placements.
8. Drill 1 1/4" holes, 2" deep, angled approximately 15 degrees toward the centre.
9. Cut the sticks to the desired height of the table. The table shown is 27" high, including the top.
10. Tape the sticks in a crossed position and secure by drilling pilot holes through the intersecting points. Fasten with screws that will not go all the way through.
11. Fill the holes with resin and paint the top (puck) black.

Home Run

This grand slam table made with baseball bat legs is sure to be a hit with your little slugger!

What you'll need
Tools

• jigsaw 1268-687
• drill 1239-210
• drill press 1334-345
• fostner drill bit 1213-877
• belt sander 1262-859
• router 1258-437
• 3⁄4" half round bit 1216-586
• 2" paint brush 1612-605
• fine tip artist paint brush 5712-311
• paste wax (dark) 1874-760
  
  

Materials

• 6' of 16" pine shelving
• junior baseball bat 6835-017 (3)
• epoxy resin 8659-481
• wood glue 2020-173
• 11⁄4" wood screws 2174-346
• masking tape 1670-285
• Beauti-Tone Cabinet and Furniture Paint 1880-424/427/429
  
  

Step by Step:

1. Cut the shelving into two (2) 16" squares.
2. Mark a 16" circle on one piece (measure to find the centre of the square, then tie a pencil and a small nail to the ends of a 8" length of string to scribe a circle). Cut the circle with the jigsaw and use it as a template to make the second circle.
3. Glue and stack the two circles together, alternating the direction of the wood grain.
4. Drill eight (8) counter sunk holes around the circle, 2" in from the edge, and fasten with screws (ensure they do not go through the opposite face).
5. Clean off excess glue with a damp cloth. Let dry.
6. Router the edges, then sand smooth and round.
7. Sand the handle of the bat to match the size of 2" bit and then sand or cut the butt of handle to make it flat.
8. Divide the tabletop into three equal spaces for the leg placements.
9. Drill 2" holes, 1" deep, angled approximately 8 degrees away from the centre.
10. Dry fit to ensure the bat ends sit in the holes. Mix resin and fill holes 1⁄4". Insert the bats and tape to maintain the correct position. Finish filling the holes and let the resin harden.
    
    

Finishing:

1. Paint the tabletop with Beauti-Tone Decorator White paint. Mark the stitching line lightly with a pencil, then paint using a fine tipped brush and red paint (shown Fort McMurray). Let dry.
2. Shadow the edges with Beauti-Tone Assiniboine paint. Using a soft brush or a soft, damp cloth, stipple the colour around edges, working towards the centre. Blot with a clean, soft, damp cloth to soften the effect. Continue until desired effect is achieved. Let dry.
3. Cover with the dark paste wax, let dry, and rub to achieve a soft, lustre finish.

Anna Olson's Classic Carrot Cake

You can't go wrong with a good carrot cake--and cream cheese frosting? Don't even get me started! I once made my best friend an entire batch of icing, and presented it to her in a bag as a graduation gift. She ate the whole bag that night! What a way to celebrate ;)

Makes (1) 9" (23 cm) cake
Serves 12

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 500 mL
• 2 tsp baking powder 10 mL
• 1 tsp baking soda 5 mL
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 5 mL
• 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 mL
• 3 cups coarsely grated carrots, loosely packed 750 mL
• 2⁄3 cup light brown sugar, packed 160 mL
• 2⁄3 cup vegetable oil 160 mL
• 4 large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup raisins or walnut pieces (optional)
  125 mL
  
  

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 125 mL
• 3⁄4 cup cream cheese, room temperature 175 mL
• 2 cups icing sugar, sifted 500 mL
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 5 mL
• walnut halves for garnish (optional)
  
  

Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 325˚F (160˚C). Grease a 9" (23 cm) cake pan.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the grated carrots. In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar, oil and eggs and then add to the carrot mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in the raisins or walnuts (optional) and scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan.
3. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until atester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes in the pan, and then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
   
   

Frosting:

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together for 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Add the icing sugar and vanilla, beating gently until the sugar is incorporated, then beat more vigorously until the icing is fluffy.
2. Cut the cake horizontally in half and place the bottom half on a platter. Spread a cupful of the frosting over the cake and place the second layer on top. Spread the remaining frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Garnish the edge of the cake with walnut halves (optional). Refrigerate.

The cake will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Build Your Own Jigsaw Puzzle

Easy to make and fun to play with, this puzzle will become a true keepsake. Use a favourite photograph, children's school art, numbers or maps. Using half-inch pine for the backing material ensures no sharp edges. Remember both sides are available if you wish to make a double-sided puzzle. Resize the pattern to fit your puzzle, or design your own shapes.

What you'll need
Tools

• plastic straight edge or scraper 1630-266
• scroll saw 1345-048
• sander 1262-369

Material

• Weldbond adhesive (or equivalent) 2020-413
• fine sandpaper 1233-793
• rubber cement 5738-650
• backing material (¾" pine)
• photograph or artwork of your choice

Step-by-step

1. Cut backing material to the size of the photograph or artwork to be used. If you are using the puzzle pattern provided, your photograph may be enlarged on a photocopier, which is what we did. However, it is also easy and fun to design your own pattern.
2. Seal the surface of the backing material with Weldbond adhesive, smoothing over the entire surface with a straight edge. Allow it to dry thoroughly. The milky appearance will become clear when dry.
3. Apply a second coat of Weldbond, in a similar manner, to the surface of the backing material and immediately place the photograph onto the wet surface. Use a straight edge to carefully remove any bubbles or ripples etc., taking care not to damage the surface of the photograph. Allow it to dry completely.
4. Apply a coat of Weldbond to the surface of the photograph. Be sure to apply the coat as evenly and smoothly as possible. Again, the milky appearance will become clear when the glue dries. When dry, a second surface coat may be applied to give a harder, more durable surface.
5. Apply a thin coat of rubber cement to the backside of the puzzle pattern (NOT the picture surface), and quickly place it over the photograph surface. This will hold the pattern in place while you cut out the jigsaw puzzle and protect the surface of the puzzle during that process. It will peel off once the puzzle has been cut out.
6. Using a scroll saw, cut out the puzzle pieces. Tip: Practice using the scroll saw on a piece of scrap wood. Cut all horizontals, then all verticals.
7. Carefully peel off the paper pattern from each puzzle piece, gently removing any residual rubber cement.

Anna Olson's Decadent Brownies

Mayonnaise is the secret ingredient that replaces butter and makes these brownies rich and fudgy.

Makes (1) 9" x 13" (23 cm x 33 cm) pan
Cuts into 24 squares

• 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped 120 g
• 2⁄3 cup boiling water 150 mL
• 2 cups sugar 500 mL
• 2⁄3 cup mayonnaise 150 mL
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 5 mL
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 250 mL
• 1⁄2 cup cocoa powder, sifted 125 mL
• 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 mL
• 1 cup chocolate chips 250 mL

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Grease and line a 9" x 13" (23 cm x 33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Place the chopped chocolate in a large bowl and pour boiling water overtop. Let the chocolate mixture sit one minute, then whisk to melt.
3. Whisk the sugar into the chocolate mixture and, then add the mayonnaise and the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in the flour, cocoa powder and salt until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the brownies comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.
6. Brownies slice best when chilled, but taste best at room temperature.

Once sliced, you can store the brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Anna Olson's Chocolate Truffle Lollies

Anna Olson's Chocolate Truffle Lollies--Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Makes 24

Truffle Ganache

• 3/4 cup whipping cream (185 mL)
• bittersweet chocolate, chopped (270 g)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
  

Assembly & Coating

• 24 skewers
• 5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped and melted (or white chocolate or milk chocolate)
• cocoa powder and icing sugar for dusting

1. Heat the whipping cream to just below a simmer and pour over the chopped chocolate. Stir gently to blend. Stir in vanilla extract and cool to room temperature. Beat with a whisk to lighten it a touch, then cool the mixture in the frisge for about an hour before shaping.
2. Spoon small teaspoonfuls of the chocolate mixture and roll into balls. Place on a baking tray and insert a bamboo skewer into each. Freeze for 30 minutes. Dip each truffle in melted chocolate, coating it completely, and place on a clean tray, or set in a lollie stand. Once the chocolate coating is set, dust with icing sugar or cocoa powder, or pipe swirls of melted chocolate.

Refrigerate. Remove an hour before serving. Truffles can keep at room temperature for a day.

Customized Wall Art

I love the idea of custom wall art, and this is an excellent way to do it!
You create the panels of images you love the most, and the best part? You can swap them out and switch them up with the seasons!

Just imagine what an addition to your home this will be--you can make panels of your children for their birthdays and put up photos from years past on their special day.

You can make panels for the seasons or holidays--Spring ones of your family dying eggs or filling their Easter baskets; wheat grass growing in your kitchen window, the first bulbs of spring pushing up in your backyard.

Fall panels of photos of pumpkins, cranberries, or apple pies; your family playing in the leaves; the pictures of your children on their first day of school.

Photos of Summer holidays, Christmas morning or your favorite vacation.

Words you love, lyrics to songs, a panel for each member of your family that you update every year. You can even make chalkboard panels and use it as a chore list or inspiration board.

The possibilities are endless! Here is the project information--have fun! Item numbers are provided for easy ordering.

The Art Of Smart

The Art of Smart

Create customized art for your walls! Print your personal artwork or photos and display them in this simple, versatile rail system. (Images of Elmo letters are used in this photo, link below.) You can make any wall in your home or office your canvas. Display the artwork in a one-row rail system or stack the rails row-on-row to any height - the sky's the limit. The beauty of this system is that it's so easy to change your artwork at anytime, for any occasion. It's smart art!

MATERIALS

• 1" x 2" pine
• finger joint pine lattice moulding 11⁄16"
• 1⁄8" hardboard to mount photos
• 3⁄4" finishing nails 2134-407
• 21⁄2" finishing nails 2134-461
• wood glue 2020-850
• rubber cement 5738-650
• utility knife 1034-165
• hammer 1030-558
• metal ruler 1048-075
• 150 grit sand paper 1060-176
• stud finder 1010-862
• level 1036-221

Mounting artwork

Cut the hardboard to the exact size of the artwork. To dry mount, apply rubber cement to the back of the artwork and the front of the hardboard and allow it to dry completely. Position the artwork on the hardboard and press in place.

Measuring and cutting the rails

The rails are made from the 1"x 2" pine and lattice moulding strips. Total the width of all artwork for one row, allowing an additional 1⁄4" for each piece. Add 3" to the total, then cut the pine and lattice pieces to this length.

Measuring and cutting end strips

For each end strip you will need a 11⁄2" strip of hardboard cut to the height of the artwork and a 1" x 2" pine strip cut 1⁄4" shorter. Sand and finish all pieces as desired.

Assembling rail

Use wood glue to attach the lattice strip flush to the top of the pine and secure in place with 3⁄4" finishing nails.

Hanging rails

Starting with the bottom rail, level, mark, then use 21⁄2" finishing nails to mount it to the wall studs. For the second rail, measure 1⁄4" higher than the artwork height, level, mark and nail the rail in position. Repeat until all rails are installed. Position a 11⁄2" hardwood end strip at both ends of each rail. Glue and nail the pine end strips on top.

Inserting artwork

Slip the top of the mounted artwork under the lip of the top rail. Rest the bottom of the artwork on the top of the bottom rail.

Download letters from the Elmo Sesame Street alphabet

Anna Olson's Chocolate Chip Cookies

While it's important to follow baking recipe measurements, adding a few extra chocolate chips to this family favorite is absolutely encouraged!

Makes about 2 1⁄2 dozen cookies

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 125 mL
• 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar, packed 125 mL
• 1⁄4 cup sugar 60 mL
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 5 mL
• 11⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 310 mL
• 2 tbsp cornstarch 30 mL
• 1⁄2 tsp baking soda 2 mL
• 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 mL
• 1 cup chocolate chips 250 mL
  
  

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, or lightly grease the sheets.
2. Cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar together until fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and then add the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, stir the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt together.
5. Add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, and stir until evenly blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Using a tablespoon, drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving 11⁄2 inches between each cookie.
7. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Mother's Little Helper

Mothers (and Fathers, and Grandparents, and Babysitters), meet your new best friend.

The Skrapr. Say goodbye to fingernails worn down to the quick from scratching and scrubbing your countertops or floors. Dried up playdough? Baked on egg? Pot of pasta overflowed? Daughter decorated the floor with stickers? Son decorated the counter with glitter glue?

Originally designed as a non-damaging scraper for ceramic stove-tops, this baby is handy in so many other ways.

In the Kitchen:

• Counters: Granite, Marble, Corian, Silestone, and most other smooth counter surfaces.*
• Glass-Top Stoves: Use The SKrAPr with only a small amount of water to remove most burnt food stains. For hard to clean areas the SKrAPr’s hardened edge can safely be used to remove these stains.
• Griddles: Use The SKrAPr to easily remove burnt eggs, pancake batter, etc.
• Le Crueset Pots and Pans: Stuck on rice, sauces around the edge, all easily removed on these types of cooking vessels with just a little water.
• Hard Anodized Pots and Pans: Clean these with the flat side of the blade and a little water.
• Cookie Sheets: Easily remove burnt chocolate and sugars with The SKrAPr’s edge.

Around the House:

• Hardwood Flooring: Clean paint drips, putty, gum, etc., off wood surfaces and floors.
• Tile Floors: Clean away paint, putty, glue residue quickly and easily from most smooth tiled surfaces.
• Windows and Doors: The SKrAPr is the only tool that guarantees a scratch free cleaning while removing paint, bird droppings, stickers, etc, from your house windows.
• Bathrooms: Remove soap scum in the shower, silicone caulking around the tub.
• Living Room: Use The SKrAPr Jr to remove candle wax from tables, shelves, etc.

*The SKrAPr should be tested first on Stainless Steel counters and stoves as some Stainless Steels are softer than others and therefore may be marred by The SKrAPr.

• The Skrapr
• Will not scratch glass top stoves
• Will not mar or scratch surface
• Virtually indestructible
• Skrapr paper included to keep The Skrapr sharp
• Mildew resistant
• Temperature resistant
• Dishwasher safe

Raise your glass...

Lloydminster is changing it's blue box program. Mainly in that we will no longer have boxes but bags. I'm all for this change as sorting curbside always seemed like a massive waste of time, and with the new bag system we can put all recyclable items in the bag (and not have to chase wind-blown pop boxes down the street).

What's not cool-- they are no longer accepting glass. Apparently glass has to be sorted by color and logistically it is too difficult to do that. An article in the local paper suggests discarding glass with your regular garbage.

Now, I have been known to throw away recyclables from time to time--cottage cheese containers discovered in the back of the fridge eons past their best before date; cans from salmon (as a way of containing the skin/fat I removed, and limiting the scent to the garbage in the garage vs my kitchen); random scraps of mail/cardboard; the occasional shampoo bottle (because I always forget I can recycle those); and until recently, plastic containers used for strawberries etc because I wasn't aware we could recycle those! Even amongst those many (but infrequent) discretions, I never NEVER never throw away glass. Ever.

Glass seems to me to be the most nostalgic, the most beautiful, the most reusable of the recyclable items. I remember my Baba using old pickle jars for jams and her own pickled items (like carrots!) or jarred raspberries in syrup. My Mom uses all kind of old jars to store her bulk items like dried fruits, raisins, currants, coconut, beans, seeds and grains. I've always liked how Chef Micheal Smith has an illuminated pantry full of glass jars.

So, I am going to start saving my jars rather than tossing them. I just wish I could find an attractive way to cover the old jar lids so my jars of poppy seeds don't have pickle brands on them.... suggestions? I even noticed that a jar of pizza sauce Jeff likes has little tomatoes made into the sides of it--so cute! I've also been buying Starbucks bottled frappucinos purely for their vessel--removing the labels and printing on the bottle to use them as faux milk bottles, for all those party ideas I find on Pinterest. Again, because I am nostalgic and something about this seems so comforting and special. This is cheaper and easier than trying to track down actual milk bottles and I've been using the frappucinos for a coffee creamer alternative--works well, although makes the coffee a bit stronger!



I've seen many a page on tips for removing labels, some more effective than others.

My tips for removing old labels--fill the jar or bottle with very hot water and let it sit a few minutes. This softens up the adhesive enough for it to be removed. If you have sticker residue, rub with some vegetable oil to loosen the bond, then with soap to clean it up. If you have residual glue, scrape the softened glue off with a paint scraper (or the similar tool used for scraping your ceramic stove top). Any really stubborn glue can be removed with Goo Gone.

To remove printing off the outside of the glass (usually expiry dates/lot numbers) some come off just with your fingernail or soap and water, for all others use the scraper again. I have found great success with this! This method takes about 5 minutes versus various other methods involving soaking and/or hair dryers.

I also found this neat article about jars--recommending them as the superior method for prep and storage of salad dressings (also Jamie Oliver's favorite tool for these purposes.)

What do you use your jars for?

The Best Ever

Lots of things claim to be the best ever. But, I am telling you, these ARE the best ever measuring spoons. Ever.

I used to be of the mindset that, what the heck, it's all the same measurements so who cares if you have an inexpensive plastic set or a fancy-schmancy stainless steel set?

Well, it makes a lot of difference.

Meet the Cusipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons.

One, the shape of these babies is wonderful-- long and narrow, they can squeeze inside your spice jars. The heavy-duty design that withstands the pressure when digging into canisters of brown sugar and flour. The gently curved handles allow the spoons to sit securely on the counter without tipping over. The tops of the spoons are flat (unlike the rounded edges of some plastic types) so I can scoop up the baking powder and then use the lid to level it out. And, unlike every single plastic set I own, the storage clip actually stays closed and keeps them together.

Some things in life are worth the extra investment, especially if it improves the experience.
Every time I use these spoons I am so pleased that I don't have to use another utensil to get my spices out of the jar. And I love the weight of them; it makes me feel like a serious professional chef.

This weekend is Inventory at the store. Imagine counting every.single.nut.and.bolt in the store. And every.single.board.in.the.yard. And it's been miserable cold here, with windchills in the -51 range.

But... it is almost the end of January. And you know what that means?
The official beginning of the Dreaming of Spring season. And with that comes the arrival of seeds, peat pots, indoor greenhouses, potting mix...ahhh, can you smell the potting mix? Feel that moist, loose soil in your hands? Envision the rows and rows and ROWS of new seeds, new little pockets of potential just waiting to shoot up and scream BRING ON SPRING!

Ta da!

This post is for Haley, who has been bugging (harassing, hounding, threatening, guilting, et. al.) me to blog. (And also to my Dad, who every few weeks will say "you should get something up on that damn blog").

What can I say? 11 months ago the number of children I had doubled. Granted, I only have two, and not 8 (ahem, Kate) or 14 (ahem, Octomom) or 19 and counting (Michele Duggar) but it did kind of force me to re-prioritize my time (much of which was monopolized by feeding Leo every 2 hours) and the blog fell in the rankings of what I do with my free time. It is also harder to blog as I spend less time at the store and don't personally purchase as much, excluding for the baby department (and I don't want this blog to be all baby all the time) and so I need to go search and discover all the new and interesting things I want to share with you, dear reader (don't you like when writers call you that?)

Even when I see beautiful new bracelets that are sooo adorable (and cheap!) that I want to blog about, I realize I forgot to grab a picture of them on my phone the last time I was in. (Darn). Or I mean to write that Blaine has made fresh, homemade pretzels in Gingersnaps, and then I forget, and then they are gone (however, there are probably currently some still left because he just made them today!)

And while I love personal blogs (and even have a few that have also gone to the land of the neglected) I don't want this blog to be TOO personal because it isn't really about me, it's about the store.

(But if I wanted to throw in some personal details, since I last posted, my brother got engaged, my sister (his twin) had her first baby (my first nephew, Cooper!) and Leo started walking!)


As I write this, it is bedtime for my kids, and Leo is at my feet as I desperately try to entertain him by popping up the 5 animals on the playschool popper thing for him to close, and (now) every few seconds I have (now) to re-open them all for him (now) to re-close.



BUT, we have lots of great things planned for 2012 at the store that you will have to hear about somewhere, so it might as well be here. I will do my best to keep up with the blog, and inform you of all the interesting goings-on with our life at the store.

Up next, inventory (everyone's favorite time! not really) but with that a reallllly awesome sale so wait for the details (probably announced on facebook ) and then Sarah and Mom are off to Toronto for the giftshow and to buy all the great new things for the store this year (including, yes, Christmas items already!)

And, I will try to entertain you when I can with interesting takes on life--sometimes life at the store, sometimes life in general.

For instance, I saw on Nightline last night that French schools (who serve wedges of Brie in the cafeteria at lunch! Can you imagine?!?! What a dream!) have banned ketchup in an attempt to aid in their childhood obesity crisis (I guess they have one too, and only French Women Don't Get Fat). Granted, some people are ketchup obsessed but can you imagine not having access for the ketchup necessary items? Eeek.

So there you have it. Haley, you can fill the hole you dug to bury my blog with a beautiful potted plant this spring. And then everytime it blooms you will think of me. Awww....

Till we meet again....